So sorry for the wait. I moved on Thursday so I was busy with that plus when I got back I was seeing family and just hanging out and stuff, so here it is at last. But enough rambling!
MinnieG-Well thank you! I'm glad as always that you enjoyed it. The idea popped into my head one day as I was doing Zumba. And no worries, I have no plans whatsoever to stop writing. I might go for periods of time without writing, but asking me to stop would be like...I don't know, asking lions not to hunt other animals or something. I just wouldn't be able to do it for very long. I've got so many ideas in my head begging to be written. Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the rest!
Tif S-Please remember to breath! I don't particularly want cops to swarm my house because you died from reading my stories. But thank you for reading and reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. When the idea popped into my head I saw Mush dancing into a wall and Kloppman going "Surprise! I can play violin and dance!" The reactions seem like typical newsie boys, right? Well, also teenage boys today, but can't you see their faces when old Kloppman gallops by followed by a bunch of teen boys? I'd die laughing.
So this idea popped into my head as I was trying a four strand braid tonight (I think it turned out fairly well) and I thought it would be funny to have the girls teach the boys how to braid. Enjoy!
"Ouch!" Carey yelped. "That hurt!"
"Sorry!" Blink apologized, dropping her hair and holding his hands up. "Sorry! Ise didn't mean ta! Sorry!"
Carey rubbed the back of her head, glaring at Blink and Laura, who was shaking her head. "Ow. Don't pull so hard."
"Sorry!"
Laura and Carey were in their sitting room trying to show Blink how to braid hair as Crutchy flipped through several books on the bookshelf. So far Blink had successfully managed to yank out about a fist full of hair from both girls, give them both large headaches, and made Crutchy laugh so hard he almost wet his pants. Carey had wanted to teach Crutchy, but Laura said he learned as a child and to prove it he had made a decent braid in both Laura and Carey's hair.
"Laura, how do youse do dis again?" Blink asked, turning to her. Laura scooted closer on the couch and picked up the comb sitting next to her. She combed out the tangles in Carey's hair and separated it into three strands. Putting two over her friend's shoulders, she turned to Blink.
"Pick up the two strands over her shoulders." Blink obeyed, looking confused. "The one in your left hand-" Blink held up his right hand. "-your other left-" He held up his left this time. "-goes over the middle. Yes, like that. Now pick up the middle one-no the other...the one you...oh here!" Laura separated the strands again and put them in Blink's hands. Taking his hands in hers, she moved his hands in the braiding motions. Blink watched carefully and when Laura took Carey's place in front of the couch, he made a very loose but fairly decent braid all on his own. He looked proud the rest of the afternoon.
"What are you thinking of?" Laura asked late one night. She and Blink had just finished putting their kids to bed and Laura was running a brush through her waist-length brown curls.
"Dat time youse taught me ta braid hair," he responded, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her neck. "Remember dat?"
Laura giggled. "You pulled out so much hair that night."
"Yes, but dat was a fun day." Blink took the brush out of her hands and started brushing her hair himself. "You look so pretty wit your hair down."
"Thank you."
They sat in silence for some time as Blink brushed Laura's hair and she sat and watched. Finally he separated her hair and made a perfect braid out of her long brown hair. When he had finished, Laura stood up and kissed him. "That was well done," she told him. He looked proud of himself as they crawled into bed.