Molly walked out onto the back porch and found Chris sitting on the steps.
"Hey there," she said quietly, leaning against the doorframe.
"Hey," he said.
"How are you?" she asked, sitting next to him.
"Alright I guess."
"Just you guess?"
"I don't know anymore."
After a moment, she took his hand. He pulled her closer to him.
She rested her head on his shoulder. "I wish we could just freeze time..." she murmured.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Me too."
She put her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.
He kissed the top of her head. "Thanks."
"For what?"
"For being here."
She smiled. "You're welcome."
Kendra came running out and wrapped her sticky arms around Chris's neck.
"Ahh! What is this?"
"Play with me..."
He laughed. "NOW you want me to play with you?"
She nodded. "At the park!"
He glanced at Molly. "Shall we go to the park?"
"Sure," she answered.
"Sam no go," Kendra said quickly.
Molly laughed. "All right, no Sam."
"Yippee!" Kendra squeaked, jumping off the porch.
"She's so easily pleased," Chris said with a smile.
"She sure is."
He stood and held out his hand for Molly.
She took it and stood. "Let's go to the park." Taking Kendra's hand, and the three of them left.
"Push me," Kendra said, tugging on Chris's arm and pointing to the swing set.
He laughed and followed her. "All right, all right."
She squealed as he picked her up and set her in the swing, pushing her gently.
Molly stood to the side, watching with a little smile on her face.
"Look at that adorable little family, dear," she heard an old man say nearby.
The old lady with him made a sound of disapproval. "They start younger and younger."
Molly frowned when she heard that and shook her head.
"Be nice, dear," the old man said.
She glanced at the couple walking by. They were both rather elegantly dressed.
"Your daughter is beautiful," the old man said.
With a blush, she nodded. "Thank you, sir."
The woman tugged on his arm and led him away. Molly frowned and narrowed her eyes a bit.
"Molly!" Kendra called. "Com'ere!"
Shaking her head again, she went over to them.
Kendra threw her arms around Molly's legs. "Let's go see da ducks!"
She smiled. "The ducks it is then."
" 'Mon!" Kendra said, pulling on her hand.
Molly stumbled along after her.
"Are you alright?" Chris asked as they watched Kendra talk to the ducks.
"I think so..."
"You seem upset," he said, slipping his arm around her waist.
"It's just..." With a sigh, she began to explain. "I heard an older couple walking by.... they thought we were married... And the woman was saying rather rudely how we're starting so young... and... I don't know..."
He bent down and gently kissed her.
She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. "I just don't know what to do anymore."
"Everything will work out, Molly girl."
"I hope so..."
"Would you like to go home?"
She glanced at Kendra. "We should let her play a little more..."
" 'Mere Duckie!" Kendra yelled, chasing the ducks.
With a laugh, Molly shook her head. "Be careful, Kendra!"
"I will!" she called happily.
She smiled again. Chris held Molly close as they watched the little girl play.
"I almost got one! Molly, did you see?!"
Molly smiled. "Yes, sweetheart. I saw you."
"If I get one can I keep it?"
Chris laughed. "No, Kendra. We have to leave them here."
"But... what if he wants to come home too?"
"Sorry."
"Please?"
Chris sent her a look. "No."
She sighed, dejected and scuffed the toe of her shoe on the ground.
Her messed her hair. "Cheer up, kiddo. Maybe Rae will let me get you a kitten."
"A kitty!" she exclaimed, springing back to life. "A real kitty!?"
"Yes. A real kitty." She squealed happily. "Let's go ask Rae, ok?"
"Okay!"
"Race ya!"
"Yay!" And she ran as fast as her short, slightly chubby legs would carry her. Chris jogged after her. "Can't catch me!"
"Better run quick, little girl."
And she ran, giggling the entire way. Smiling, Molly followed the two.
Shortly, they were home again. "I win! I win!" Kendra said.
Chris scooped her up into his arms. "First one inside wins," he said, turning around and backing through the door.
She giggled and squealed hysterically. He threw her up into the air. "Weeeee!"
Rae leaned against the doorframe. "You two are in a good mood."
"Momma! We went to the park! I saw ducks! But Molly and Chris said I couldn't keep them..."
"Good for them."
"But can I get a kitty, Momma? Can I please, can I please?"
"What's this about a kitty?"
"They said I couldn't get a duck, but you might say yes to a kitty!"
"That's a Daddy question."
"Daddy!!!" she shouted. "Can I get a kitty!?"
Rae tapped her lightly on the head. "Don't yell in the house."
She grinned.
"Go find him,"
"Lemme down, Chris..." She wriggled until he set her to her feet, and she scampered off to find Spot.
He was playing on the floor in the living room with Sam. She scampered over to him and crawled in his lap. "Hi Daddy, can we get a kitty?"
"A kitty?"
She nodded vigorously.
"What did Momma say?"
"She said ta ask you."
"Then I guess it's ok."
"YAAAAAAAAAY!" she squealed loudly.
Spot clamped his hand over her mouth. She blinked a few times and fell quiet. "Julie's trying to sleep," he said. "No yelling."
"Sorry," she said in a very hushed voice.
He nodded. "Go tell Momma I said you could have a kitty."
With an excited squeak, she hopped off his lap and scampered off.
"What did he say?" Rae asked when Kendra came running back into the kitchen.
"He said yes!"
Rae smiled and turned to Chris. "You're responsible for it, mister."
"I figured," he said, with a faint smile of his own.
"Alright. You promised her a kitty...and you know she won't settle down until you get it for her."
He smiled, looking down at Kendra. "Would you like to go look for a kitty today?" She nodded eagerly. "Well, let's go then! Molly, are you coming?"
She shook her head. "Nah, I think I'll stay here this time."
He gave her a strange little look, but nodded. "All right. Come along, Kendra. The kitties are waiting!" She bounced happily behind him.
Molly smiled faintly and headed into the house.
* * *
Spot knocked on the door to Andy's room.
"What?" came a mumbled reply.
Spot opened the door and walked into the room. "Want to try that again?"
He was sitting at his window, staring glumly out it. "Try what?"
"Try talking to me in a better tone."
He sighed and said nothing.
"I don't understand why you're acting like this, Andy."
"Acting like what?" Spot sent him a look. With a helpless shrug, he said, "What?"
Spot sighed. "Come downstairs and eat, but then you march yourself right back up here."
"Yes sir..." he mumbled.
They walked to the dining room and Andy quietly took his place at the table between Spot and Ann. Ann glanced at her brother warily as she, too, quietly picked at her meal.
"I'm not hungry," Andy said, standing
"Sit," ordered Spot.
"But..."
He gave the boy a look. Andy stared at Spot defiantly and Spot stared right back. He was more stubborn and he would prove it. After a moment he stood and forcefully sat the boy in the chair. Andy's bottom lip jutted far out.
"Pouting won't work, Andy. Now eat every bit of that food."
Slumping lower into his chair, he repeated, "I'm not hungry."
"Eat it anyway."
With another pout, he stabbed a piece of broccoli with his fork and ate it.
"All of it."
"I am," he muttered.
Spot sat back in his chair.
Stabbing another piece of broccoli, Andy ate that too.
"Daddy," Kendra squeaked happily from her chair.
He blinked a bit and looked at Kendra. "Yes sweetie?"
"Chris found me a kitty!"
"He did?" he said with a smile. "Have you named your kitty yet?"
She nodded.
"Well, what's it's name?"
"Pape!"
He laughed heartily at this.
"And who gave you that idea?" Rae asked.
"Aunt Hades!"
Spot laughed again, shaking head. "So tell us about your kitty, Kendra."
"She's black...and white...and gray..."
Rae laughed. "Just like a paper." Kendra nodded. "Where did you find her?"
"Blank found her," Chris said.
"Well that was nice of him."
"He had found a bunch of them in an alley a few days ago."
"And Pape was the one she chose?" Rae smiled.
"Uh huh," Kendra said with a big grin.
"Well, I'm glad you like her."
Spot gave her a firm- but not mad- look. "But remember, you need to take good care of your kitty, okay?" he told her, knowing that, since she was so young, she couldn't do it all.
She nodded.
"I will!"
"Alright. And I don't want to find that kitty in the bed with you."
"But...! But where will she sleep?"
"We'll set her up with a box in the kitchen."
"But what if she gets lonely?"
"She'll be fine."
Her lip quivered a bit.
He sighed. "Tell you what. You may keep the box on the floor by your bed. But if I find the kitty in your bed, she moves to the kitchen." She nodded vigorously. "Now finish eating."
And she did, rather quickly.
"Slow down," Rae said.
"I gotta see if Pape is hungry."
"You can feed Pape AFTER dinner."
"That's why I'm hurryin'."
"Kendra...."
She swallowed her mouthful. "Sorry..."
"Alright. Now slow down."
With a nod, she took slower bites. Everyone except Andy finished a few minutes later.
Spot glanced over at him and sighed. "Finish up, Andy. You're not leaving this table until you're done." Andy sent him a pleading look. "What?"
"Do I have to? I'm not hungry."
With a sigh, Spot agreed. "Fine... Fine..." Andy jumped up from his chair. "You go back to your room, young man."
He sighed. "Yes sir," he mumbled. Slowly, he walked up the stairs and back into his room.
"Maybe you should try talking to him again?" Rae suggested as she and Molly began to clear the table.
"He doesn't want to talk to me, Rae."
"Well, you haven't given him much of a chance."
He sighed.
She squeezed his shoulder, leaned over, and kissed his cheek. "Go talk to him."
"I'll try," he said, kissing her.
Giving him a small smile, she skirted into the kitchen with the last of the plates. He walked back upstairs and knocked on the door
There was a loud sigh. "Come in..."
"Andy..." Spot said, opening the door. "We need to talk..."
"I know..." he said rather glumly.
Spot pulled the chair from the desk and sat in it. "Why are you acting like this Andy?"
He shrugged. "I don't know..."
"There has to be a reason Andy."
"I don't know... I'm not doin' it on purpose..."
Spot sighed. "Why did you push Momma?"
"I didn't mean to! I meant to push Ann!"
"You shouldn't have been trying to push Annie!"
"But she was making me mad!"
"That doesn't matter!"
He pouted.
"Andy, you have to stop fighting with everyone."
"I don't do it on purpose..."
"Next time, stop and count to ten before you react, alright?"
With a sigh, he nodded. "I'll try..."
"Alright."
He sat there for another minute or so before asking "Do I still have to stay in my room?"
"Until morning."
With another heavy sigh, he flopped onto his back.
"Are you ready to tell Momma that you're sorry?"
"Yessir."
"Very well. I'll send her up here."
He nodded and flopped onto his bed.
Spot left and Rae knocked on the door a few minutes later.
Andy sighed. "Come in."
Rae opened the door. "Daddy said that you wanted to see me."
Looking up at her, he wrinkled his nose a bit and squirmed uncomfortably. "I... I just wanted to say... I'm sorry Momma.... I didn't mean to push you..."
"It's alright, sweetheart."
"I mean... I really, really didn't mean to." He looked at her, wide-eyed.
"Come here," she said gently.
Standing, Andy walked over to her rather slowly, as if he was expecting a punishment.
She hugged him. "I love you Andy."
He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I love you too, Momma."
She kissed the top of his head.
"Now how about we see some improvement in your attitude, okay?"
He nodded. "Do I have to stay in my room?"
She gave him a bit of a smile. "I think Daddy told me until tomorrow." Andy sighed. She hugged him again. "Why don't you practice your reading?" she said, pointing to a book on his bedside table.
"Alright," he said, crawling back on the bed.
Going over to him, she kissed his forehead. "Sleep tight."
"Night, Momma."
"Goodnight, sweetheart." Quietly, she slipped from the room.
"Hey there," she said quietly, leaning against the doorframe.
"Hey," he said.
"How are you?" she asked, sitting next to him.
"Alright I guess."
"Just you guess?"
"I don't know anymore."
After a moment, she took his hand. He pulled her closer to him.
She rested her head on his shoulder. "I wish we could just freeze time..." she murmured.
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Me too."
She put her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly.
He kissed the top of her head. "Thanks."
"For what?"
"For being here."
She smiled. "You're welcome."
Kendra came running out and wrapped her sticky arms around Chris's neck.
"Ahh! What is this?"
"Play with me..."
He laughed. "NOW you want me to play with you?"
She nodded. "At the park!"
He glanced at Molly. "Shall we go to the park?"
"Sure," she answered.
"Sam no go," Kendra said quickly.
Molly laughed. "All right, no Sam."
"Yippee!" Kendra squeaked, jumping off the porch.
"She's so easily pleased," Chris said with a smile.
"She sure is."
He stood and held out his hand for Molly.
She took it and stood. "Let's go to the park." Taking Kendra's hand, and the three of them left.
"Push me," Kendra said, tugging on Chris's arm and pointing to the swing set.
He laughed and followed her. "All right, all right."
She squealed as he picked her up and set her in the swing, pushing her gently.
Molly stood to the side, watching with a little smile on her face.
"Look at that adorable little family, dear," she heard an old man say nearby.
The old lady with him made a sound of disapproval. "They start younger and younger."
Molly frowned when she heard that and shook her head.
"Be nice, dear," the old man said.
She glanced at the couple walking by. They were both rather elegantly dressed.
"Your daughter is beautiful," the old man said.
With a blush, she nodded. "Thank you, sir."
The woman tugged on his arm and led him away. Molly frowned and narrowed her eyes a bit.
"Molly!" Kendra called. "Com'ere!"
Shaking her head again, she went over to them.
Kendra threw her arms around Molly's legs. "Let's go see da ducks!"
She smiled. "The ducks it is then."
" 'Mon!" Kendra said, pulling on her hand.
Molly stumbled along after her.
"Are you alright?" Chris asked as they watched Kendra talk to the ducks.
"I think so..."
"You seem upset," he said, slipping his arm around her waist.
"It's just..." With a sigh, she began to explain. "I heard an older couple walking by.... they thought we were married... And the woman was saying rather rudely how we're starting so young... and... I don't know..."
He bent down and gently kissed her.
She rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. "I just don't know what to do anymore."
"Everything will work out, Molly girl."
"I hope so..."
"Would you like to go home?"
She glanced at Kendra. "We should let her play a little more..."
" 'Mere Duckie!" Kendra yelled, chasing the ducks.
With a laugh, Molly shook her head. "Be careful, Kendra!"
"I will!" she called happily.
She smiled again. Chris held Molly close as they watched the little girl play.
"I almost got one! Molly, did you see?!"
Molly smiled. "Yes, sweetheart. I saw you."
"If I get one can I keep it?"
Chris laughed. "No, Kendra. We have to leave them here."
"But... what if he wants to come home too?"
"Sorry."
"Please?"
Chris sent her a look. "No."
She sighed, dejected and scuffed the toe of her shoe on the ground.
Her messed her hair. "Cheer up, kiddo. Maybe Rae will let me get you a kitten."
"A kitty!" she exclaimed, springing back to life. "A real kitty!?"
"Yes. A real kitty." She squealed happily. "Let's go ask Rae, ok?"
"Okay!"
"Race ya!"
"Yay!" And she ran as fast as her short, slightly chubby legs would carry her. Chris jogged after her. "Can't catch me!"
"Better run quick, little girl."
And she ran, giggling the entire way. Smiling, Molly followed the two.
Shortly, they were home again. "I win! I win!" Kendra said.
Chris scooped her up into his arms. "First one inside wins," he said, turning around and backing through the door.
She giggled and squealed hysterically. He threw her up into the air. "Weeeee!"
Rae leaned against the doorframe. "You two are in a good mood."
"Momma! We went to the park! I saw ducks! But Molly and Chris said I couldn't keep them..."
"Good for them."
"But can I get a kitty, Momma? Can I please, can I please?"
"What's this about a kitty?"
"They said I couldn't get a duck, but you might say yes to a kitty!"
"That's a Daddy question."
"Daddy!!!" she shouted. "Can I get a kitty!?"
Rae tapped her lightly on the head. "Don't yell in the house."
She grinned.
"Go find him,"
"Lemme down, Chris..." She wriggled until he set her to her feet, and she scampered off to find Spot.
He was playing on the floor in the living room with Sam. She scampered over to him and crawled in his lap. "Hi Daddy, can we get a kitty?"
"A kitty?"
She nodded vigorously.
"What did Momma say?"
"She said ta ask you."
"Then I guess it's ok."
"YAAAAAAAAAY!" she squealed loudly.
Spot clamped his hand over her mouth. She blinked a few times and fell quiet. "Julie's trying to sleep," he said. "No yelling."
"Sorry," she said in a very hushed voice.
He nodded. "Go tell Momma I said you could have a kitty."
With an excited squeak, she hopped off his lap and scampered off.
"What did he say?" Rae asked when Kendra came running back into the kitchen.
"He said yes!"
Rae smiled and turned to Chris. "You're responsible for it, mister."
"I figured," he said, with a faint smile of his own.
"Alright. You promised her a kitty...and you know she won't settle down until you get it for her."
He smiled, looking down at Kendra. "Would you like to go look for a kitty today?" She nodded eagerly. "Well, let's go then! Molly, are you coming?"
She shook her head. "Nah, I think I'll stay here this time."
He gave her a strange little look, but nodded. "All right. Come along, Kendra. The kitties are waiting!" She bounced happily behind him.
Molly smiled faintly and headed into the house.
* * *
Spot knocked on the door to Andy's room.
"What?" came a mumbled reply.
Spot opened the door and walked into the room. "Want to try that again?"
He was sitting at his window, staring glumly out it. "Try what?"
"Try talking to me in a better tone."
He sighed and said nothing.
"I don't understand why you're acting like this, Andy."
"Acting like what?" Spot sent him a look. With a helpless shrug, he said, "What?"
Spot sighed. "Come downstairs and eat, but then you march yourself right back up here."
"Yes sir..." he mumbled.
They walked to the dining room and Andy quietly took his place at the table between Spot and Ann. Ann glanced at her brother warily as she, too, quietly picked at her meal.
"I'm not hungry," Andy said, standing
"Sit," ordered Spot.
"But..."
He gave the boy a look. Andy stared at Spot defiantly and Spot stared right back. He was more stubborn and he would prove it. After a moment he stood and forcefully sat the boy in the chair. Andy's bottom lip jutted far out.
"Pouting won't work, Andy. Now eat every bit of that food."
Slumping lower into his chair, he repeated, "I'm not hungry."
"Eat it anyway."
With another pout, he stabbed a piece of broccoli with his fork and ate it.
"All of it."
"I am," he muttered.
Spot sat back in his chair.
Stabbing another piece of broccoli, Andy ate that too.
"Daddy," Kendra squeaked happily from her chair.
He blinked a bit and looked at Kendra. "Yes sweetie?"
"Chris found me a kitty!"
"He did?" he said with a smile. "Have you named your kitty yet?"
She nodded.
"Well, what's it's name?"
"Pape!"
He laughed heartily at this.
"And who gave you that idea?" Rae asked.
"Aunt Hades!"
Spot laughed again, shaking head. "So tell us about your kitty, Kendra."
"She's black...and white...and gray..."
Rae laughed. "Just like a paper." Kendra nodded. "Where did you find her?"
"Blank found her," Chris said.
"Well that was nice of him."
"He had found a bunch of them in an alley a few days ago."
"And Pape was the one she chose?" Rae smiled.
"Uh huh," Kendra said with a big grin.
"Well, I'm glad you like her."
Spot gave her a firm- but not mad- look. "But remember, you need to take good care of your kitty, okay?" he told her, knowing that, since she was so young, she couldn't do it all.
She nodded.
"I will!"
"Alright. And I don't want to find that kitty in the bed with you."
"But...! But where will she sleep?"
"We'll set her up with a box in the kitchen."
"But what if she gets lonely?"
"She'll be fine."
Her lip quivered a bit.
He sighed. "Tell you what. You may keep the box on the floor by your bed. But if I find the kitty in your bed, she moves to the kitchen." She nodded vigorously. "Now finish eating."
And she did, rather quickly.
"Slow down," Rae said.
"I gotta see if Pape is hungry."
"You can feed Pape AFTER dinner."
"That's why I'm hurryin'."
"Kendra...."
She swallowed her mouthful. "Sorry..."
"Alright. Now slow down."
With a nod, she took slower bites. Everyone except Andy finished a few minutes later.
Spot glanced over at him and sighed. "Finish up, Andy. You're not leaving this table until you're done." Andy sent him a pleading look. "What?"
"Do I have to? I'm not hungry."
With a sigh, Spot agreed. "Fine... Fine..." Andy jumped up from his chair. "You go back to your room, young man."
He sighed. "Yes sir," he mumbled. Slowly, he walked up the stairs and back into his room.
"Maybe you should try talking to him again?" Rae suggested as she and Molly began to clear the table.
"He doesn't want to talk to me, Rae."
"Well, you haven't given him much of a chance."
He sighed.
She squeezed his shoulder, leaned over, and kissed his cheek. "Go talk to him."
"I'll try," he said, kissing her.
Giving him a small smile, she skirted into the kitchen with the last of the plates. He walked back upstairs and knocked on the door
There was a loud sigh. "Come in..."
"Andy..." Spot said, opening the door. "We need to talk..."
"I know..." he said rather glumly.
Spot pulled the chair from the desk and sat in it. "Why are you acting like this Andy?"
He shrugged. "I don't know..."
"There has to be a reason Andy."
"I don't know... I'm not doin' it on purpose..."
Spot sighed. "Why did you push Momma?"
"I didn't mean to! I meant to push Ann!"
"You shouldn't have been trying to push Annie!"
"But she was making me mad!"
"That doesn't matter!"
He pouted.
"Andy, you have to stop fighting with everyone."
"I don't do it on purpose..."
"Next time, stop and count to ten before you react, alright?"
With a sigh, he nodded. "I'll try..."
"Alright."
He sat there for another minute or so before asking "Do I still have to stay in my room?"
"Until morning."
With another heavy sigh, he flopped onto his back.
"Are you ready to tell Momma that you're sorry?"
"Yessir."
"Very well. I'll send her up here."
He nodded and flopped onto his bed.
Spot left and Rae knocked on the door a few minutes later.
Andy sighed. "Come in."
Rae opened the door. "Daddy said that you wanted to see me."
Looking up at her, he wrinkled his nose a bit and squirmed uncomfortably. "I... I just wanted to say... I'm sorry Momma.... I didn't mean to push you..."
"It's alright, sweetheart."
"I mean... I really, really didn't mean to." He looked at her, wide-eyed.
"Come here," she said gently.
Standing, Andy walked over to her rather slowly, as if he was expecting a punishment.
She hugged him. "I love you Andy."
He wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I love you too, Momma."
She kissed the top of his head.
"Now how about we see some improvement in your attitude, okay?"
He nodded. "Do I have to stay in my room?"
She gave him a bit of a smile. "I think Daddy told me until tomorrow." Andy sighed. She hugged him again. "Why don't you practice your reading?" she said, pointing to a book on his bedside table.
"Alright," he said, crawling back on the bed.
Going over to him, she kissed his forehead. "Sleep tight."
"Night, Momma."
"Goodnight, sweetheart." Quietly, she slipped from the room.
