Spot stopped them as they raced through the hallway. "Slow down."
"Yes sir," they said.
"Where are two going so fast?"
"We're gonna pack the babies' things," Ann explained.
"Momma's napping right now..."
"Well, there are some things that are hanging out to dry that we can put in the bags."
He nodded. "Momma showed you two how to wash diapers didn't she?"
Ann wrinkled her nose. "Yes..."
"Well...there is a whole pile of diapers that need washing before we go to Brooklyn..."
Both girls wrinkled their noses in distaste. "Do we hafta?"
"You don't have to...but it would surprise Momma if she knew that she didn't have to wash them when she woke up from her nap."
They sighed but finally Ann nodded. "Okay..."
He smiled. "If you two do a good job...maybe I'll let Andy take you into town for some candy."
"It better be a lot, 'cause those diapers are gross."
He laughed. "You better get a move on then...because I don't want the three of you out after dinner."
They nodded and headed for the diaper pail.
Smiling, he walked out to the barn to look for Andy. Andy was perched in the loft, reading a book- his escape from all the girls, as he put it.
"Hey bud," Spot said, climbing up next to Andy.
He looked up from his book. "Hi."
"I promised the girls that if they would wash the diapers for Momma I'd let you take them into town for candy."
He made a face. "Marty too?"
"Marty too."
"I don't like her..."
"Can't you be nice to her for a little longer? She's moving to Brooklyn tomorrow."
He sighed. "They're mean to me first."
Spot sighed. "All of you need to learn to get along."
"Well, they're going away anyway..."
"But they'll be coming back for visits, Andy...besides...Annie is your sister."
"I know.... She's okay when Marty's not around."
Spot shook his head. "I need you to do me a favor when you take the girls into town."
"What?"
"I need you to go to the Western Union office and send a couple of telegrams for me."
Andy gave Spot a puzzled look. "Okay?"
"I need to let Trent, Sippi and the Websters know that we're coming.'
After a moment, Andy nodded. "Okay."
Spot handed him some money. "Be very careful."
He nodded. "Are they ready to go now??"
"No...they have to finishing washing that pile of diapers."
"Okay... well tell them to hurry up then!"
Spot laughed. "Don't worry...they will."
"Well, I guess I should come down then, huh?"
"Only when the girls are ready," Spot said, climbing down.
"'Kay. Tell them I'm reading up here."
"I will, son," Spot said, heading back toward the house.
"How are you two coming with that?" he asked, seeing the girls looking terribly disgusted as they cleaned the diapers.
"Almost finished," Marty said.
"Thank goodness..." Ann added.
"Don't forget to hang them out to dry...and then Andy is waiting for you in the barn."
"Yessir."
As Ann scrubbed the last diaper Marty grabbed the basket and headed outside. "Let's get these up FAST."
Annie rung the water out of the last one and dashed after her. Already, Marty was flinging the diapers on the line. The two girls finished in record time and darted into the barn. "ANDY! We're ready to go so get down here!" Marty shouted.
"I'm coming," he muttered.
"Did Daddy give you the money?" Ann asked him.
"Yep," he said, climbing down from the loft.
"I hope they have lemon drops," Marty said as the three of them left the barn.
"They usually do," Annie said. "Maybe we should get some candy for Sammy."
Andy nodded. "Daddy'd definitely like that."
"Is candy all we have to get?" Marty asked.
"I gotta send some messages to Brooklyn." Andy said
"Who do you gotta send messages to?" Ann asked.
"Um.... Dr. Trent, Uncle Sippi, and the Websters."
"Marty and I are gonna go to school together," Ann said.
"Yeah... so?" Andy said grumpily. It was clear he wasn't very happy that his sister was going to eventually leave.
"Me and Marty and Misha are movin' to Brooklyn tomorrow..."
He looked at her. "You're moving already?"
She nodded. "So Doctor Trent can make Momma all better..."
"But why are YOU moving so soon?"
"Cause Daddy said so."
He made a face.
"Well he did!"
"Well fine, go move!"
"Are you mad at me?"
"No.."
"You sound mad..."
"Let's just get our candy okay? You two go to that store and pick something out. I'll go send the messages."
"Andy..."
He hopped from the wagon and headed for the Western Union office without responding.
"Don't worry," Marty said as they hopped off the wagon a moment later. "He's just a big grouch."
"He's mad at me," Annie said, dejectedly.
"He's being selfish."
Annie sighed. "The only time we haven't lived together was when he ran away..."
Marty looked at her and sighed. "Are you not gonna come to Brooklyn then?"
"I really wanna be a dancer like Misha...but I don't want Andy mad at me."
"He'll get over it," Marty said.
Marty crossed her arms. "If you don't go...I won't go."
Ann looked at her. "Why not?"
"I don't wanna be stuck with Jackson by myself."
She laughed.
"Are ya goin'?"
"Probably... I still wanna talk to Andy, thought."
Marty nodded. "Let's get our candy."
She nodded and together they walked into the store.
~*~
Molly walked wearily into the flat that she once again shared with her brother and his wife. These long days at the factory were starting to get to her.
"Yay! Momma's home!" Kendra said enthusiastically, rushing to give Molly a tight hug.
"Were you good for Aunt North?" Molly asked, holding her daughter close.
"Yup."
"Where is she?"
"Takin' a nap."
"I helped her make a pie!" Seizing Molly's hand, Kendra led her to the kitchen.
"I'm glad you're being such a big helper..."
She grinned.
Molly bent down to her level. "Let's make dinner and surprise Aunt North when she wakes up."
"Okay!" she said. "Can we make biscuits? I can make them in funny shapes."
Molly smiled. "Yes. We can make biscuits too."
She grinned. "Good!"
Together they worked to make dinner and were working on the biscuits when Blank entered the flat.
"Hi Uncle Andrew!" Kendra called, waving with a blob of biscuit dough in her hand.
He walked over and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. "Hey Squirt."
"I made you a star shaped biscuit." She pointed to the off-balanced looking star on the pan.
He smiled. "Thank you Kendra."
She beamed. "You're welcome." She trotted over to Molly again.
"Where's North?" he asked his sister.
"Asleep, according to Kendra."
He nodded. "She's been real tired lately."
"When is she supposed to have the baby?" she asked.
"I think Trent said two more months."
"Bet you're excited."
He grinned. "Sure am."
She smiled and then looked over and put the biscuits in the little oven.
Blank looked at Kendra. "Why don't you go wash your hands and go play with Ben and Jake...they're playing on the steps..."
"But I'm helpin' Momma cook..." She did, however, look like she wanted to play with the kids as well.
"I need to talk to your Momma, sweetie..."
She bit her lip. "Okay."
He ruffled her hair as she walked past him.
Molly looked up, her brow arched. "What was that for?"
"I haven't asked since you got back, Molly...What happened between you and Chris?"
She looked away. "It's nothing, really..."
"Talk to me, Molly girl..."
"There's nothing to say, really..."
"Kendra was really upset about the two of you leaving like that..."
"I know!" Molly said sharply. Then she shook her head and repeated the phrase more quietly. "Chris and I... just got in an argument..."
"What about?" he asked, leaning against the counter.
She whacked at the vegetables almost angrily. "He was injured... and intolerable! Argumentative- I couldn't say a word to him without having him yell at me..."
"I'm sure he was just frustrated by having to be still all the time..."
"But why did he have to take it out on me? I'd been trying to comfort him the entire time and he just kept... brushing me off."
He put his arms around her.
She sniffled. "Why does he hate me now?"
"Would you like me to go have a talk with him?"
She shook her head. "I don't know..."
He kissed her forehead.
She hugged him. "Thank you though."
"You're welcome," he said. "I'm gonna go check on North."
She nodded, turning back to the stove.
A few minutes later Kendra slipped quietly into the room and curled up on the couch. Molly exited the kitchen a moment later, having finished preparing the evening meal. She frowned, seeing Kendra on the couch. "What's the matter, honey?"
"I'm cold..." she said, her teeth chattering.
Molly sat beside her and placed her hand on Kendra's forehead. "You're burning up!"
Kendra began to whimper.
"Shhh, shh..." she hushed, running her fingers along the girl's temple soothingly. "Andrew!" Molly called out.
"What is it?" He asked, returning to the main room.
"Kendra's burning up..."
He frowned. "She seemed fine earlier..." He crouched next to her. He gently placed his hand on Kendra's forehead and frowned.
"Should we get Trent?"
He nodded. "Do you want to go? Or do you want me to go?"
"You go, I'll stay with her."
He jumped to his feet and ran out the door.
Kendra whimpered again and curled up against Molly.
"Would you like some water?" Molly asked.
She nodded. "Yes please."
Molly quickly went into the kitchen and returned with a glass of water and a cool cloth, which she used to gently wash Kendra's face. She curled up into Molly's arms and whimpered a bit.
"Drink some water for me baby..."
"My throat hurts," Kendra whimpered.
"Just take small sips at a time."
Kendra fussed a little and took a small sip.
Molly stroked her head soothingly. The door to the bedroom opened and North walked into the main room. Molly glanced over her shoulder at her. "Please go back to your room North," she said, tears in her eyes.
"Why?" she asked sleepily. "What's wrong?"
"Kendra's sick...please stay away so that you won't get sick too..."
"O-okay," North replied, sounding more alert, and worried.
"Andrew went to get Trent," Molly said, holding Kendra close.
"Let me know what happens."
"I will," she replied, kissing her daughter's fevered brow.
There was a quiet click, signaling that North had retreated to her room again.
A few minutes later Trent and Blank rushed into the flat. "All right, what's the matter?" Trent said, kneeling next to Molly and Kendra.
"She came in from playing and laid down...she's burning up...and she says her throat hurts..."
Trent frowned. "All right. I'll look her over."
He looked her over and frowned. "She can't stay here..."
"What's wrong with her?" Molly asked worriedly.
"I don't know yet...but she can't stay here because of North and the baby..."
She nodded. "Where are you going to take her?"
"To the clinic..."
She nodded. "All right. Should I go too?"
"It would be better for her if you go...my buggy is downstairs."
She nodded. "Do you mind if we wait until supper is done? It should be done in a few minutes... I just don't want to leave it unattended..."
"I'll take care of it Molly," North said from the bedroom doorway.
"All right... I'll get our things packed up."
"I'll bring them to you later," Blank said, taking Kendra from Molly. Kendra's head dropped listlessly on his shoulder.
She looked at him with a thoughtful little frown and then nodded. "All right. Let's go."
Blank followed them down the stairs and placed Kendra in Molly's lap once Molly was sitting in Trent's buggy. "I'll be down as soon as possible," he told her as the buggy rattled away.