Dinner was awfully awkward that evening. The only sound that filled the air for the first few minutes were chewing sounds and the clinks between forks and plates. Usually, Aunt Daisy would be there to lighten the mood but she still hadn't made it back home. Darren looked up to study Linnie's face. No anger was traced, but there was a slight hint of sadness and disappointment on his face alongside...concern? Nah, there's no way Linnie actually have a damn about him. Right?
"So..."Linnie cleared his throat, "What happened earlier? Why were you two fighting."
"Darren wanted to be selfish...as usual!"
"How was he being selfish?"
"He just is! Mrs. Birch is sick and all he cared about is whether or not we were having pizza for dinner!"
"Yeah well, you shouldn't have overhear my conversation! God, you are so freaking nosey.", Darren interrupted before Linnie held his hand up, trying to silence the two.
"Both of you please stop arguing. It's not making the situation any better.", Linnie said, before taking a deep breath, "Darren, I know you don't feel close to the Birches but please keep in mind, they, alongside your Aunt Daisy, have been working very hard to help us out of the situation with your mother. Now, I'm not forcing you to like them or anything, but I would like for you to show some gratitude and respect towards their family. You know, Mrs. Birch hasn't been feeling all that well lately, and Mr. Birch had been under a lot of stress taking care of both his wife and their child. I really do think it's important to be gracious and empathetic in their time of need. Do you understand?"
"Ugh…yeah I guess.", Darren groaned, and Chelsea started to chuckle, snickering noises coming out of her mouth. Before Darren could retaliate however, Linnie shifted his focus on her.
"As you for young lady, it's not right to go into people's private business. Now, I know you're worried about them and eavesdropping happens from time to time, but if someone wanted to share something with you, they would have already done so. If you need to know something, then you should ask."
"But Papa I-I was just defend-"
"I understand you had good intentions Chelsea. But a wrong with the right intention doesn't make a right. Just..next time you need to know something, please ask instead of eavesdropping on conversations. Some things are meant to be kept private.", Linnie sighed, before receiving a nod from Chelsea, "Good. I'm sorry to be so harsh on the both of you, but to be honest, we really don't need anymore tension in this house. I-I don't think I've ever seen your aunt so stressed out but she and Carrie had been friends since childhood."
"So she's like a family friend?", Chelsea suggested. Linnie nodded slightly.
"To Aunt Daisy she is. I think from what she told me, they even went to college together and Carrie was top of the class in the business department. Daisy's described her as quite an ambitious person, and seeing her in this state..well…let's just say Daisy didn't expect to see her so weak."
"What about Mr. Birch? Is he ok? Is he a childhood friend too?"
"No, not that I'm aware of. I think he and Carrie met a few thousand years ago and gotten married. From what they told me during tea with them, Carrie had met Barry when she wanted to make an appointment with another CEO to discuss partnership, and Barry was that CEO's secretary. They dated for a few years, and I guess they had gotten married and fell pregnant with Casey."
"Ewww, I don't ever wanna get pregnant.", Chelsea complained, clutching her stomach. Linnie chuckled slightly.
"I..don't think you'll have to worry about that sweetheart. Now, finish your food before it gets cold please."
After a while, everything seemed to resume as normal. Linnie had cut the kids' TV time off for the night, so they ended up reading some of the library books they had brought from school. Chelsea found herself indulging in the third Harry Poofer Book: Prisoner of Abracatraz, while Darren flicked through one of the comic books lazily, hardly any interest of reading on his mind.
Linnie himself seemed to be soothing in rather peacefully as well, reading to Cosmo as he fell asleep in his arms, Linnie's smile growing. It had been a little while since he was allowed the peace and quiet to fill the air, giving him time with his youngest; to nourish and care as if he were still a one year old. Seeing his small, innocent face, it almost pained Linnie to watch him grow up. Sooner or later, he was gonna become Chelsea or Darren's age, and lord knows what his hormones would do to him.
Linnie through about all this as he finished tucking Cosmo in for bed, the telephone ringing just as soon as Linnie kissed Cosmo on the forehead.
"Hello?", Chelsea's voice rang, "Uh…dad? It's Mr. Birch for you."
"Chelsea, what did I tell you about eavesdropping. Ugh…you know what, just hand me the phone please.", Linnie said, taking the phone, "Hi Barry, how are yo- oh no..please don't cry dear. Don't cry…shhhh. What's wrong? Mhm…yes…..oh….oh dear….yes, we'll be right there."
"Papa? What's going on?", Darren asked, now paying attention from his comic book. Linnie gave him a sad frown, as he went over to the coat rack and grabbed a green, velvet coat off, throwing it on.
"Get your coats and shoes on. Darren, will you wake Cosmo for me? Mrs. Birch just ended up in the hospital. We don't think she's going to make it.
