Family Reunion
Part IV

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When Jack's turn came tell my family about himself, I watched as Erin set down her book. She actually extracted her nose from her book! Now I was interested in what my brother was saying. If it was enough for the bookworm to take her book away from her face, then it must be worth hearing. I faded back into the story he was telling and cringed. It was one about me, of course he be telling my family embarrassing stories.

".... An' 'e tripped an' fell. O'course those heels were difficult to stand on...." I groaned audibly. Not the dress--up story. I'm surprised he remembered it. He was only three. And I was dared to. He chickened out on his dare.... Never mind, I will not sink that low.

My family looked at me expectantly. I just shot Jack a killer glare and turned to Erin. "Your turn, Erin." She still was staring at me, almost disgust in her eyes. As if she lost all respect for me because I once wore a dress and mother's dress shoes on a dare. Besides, it was Halloween.... "Time to tell Jack about yourself."

She breathed deeply again. a sure sign of either boredom or exasperation. Or both.

"You already know my nomenclature. As does he. What more does he need to know. He's not going to remain in this abode long enough to care what I like and abhor. What I do on a day to day basis is not something to be expressed to any of you let alone with that pirate."

Jack rose from his seat, much to the dismay of the children beside him, and swaggered to the bookworm. "Luv, I'm your uncle. What makes you so sure that I wouldn't be interested in your life? After all, I'm a pirate. Seein' as you detest pirates so much, I doubt you know very much about our interests. Perhaps I like some of the same things you do. D'ye ever think abou' tha'?" I never knew Jack to be so.... Intelligent before. Nor so personable. "What're ye readin',luv?"

"I'm utilizing this book as a source of knowledge on weather conditions. I'm assimilating as much information as possible in attempts to create a scientific experiment concerning lightning. I doubt you could even hope to comprehend my ideas seeing as you are a mindless, common sailor."

I was about to correct her on her lack of manners when Jack knelt down to her level, a serious look on his face. "I'm smarter than you think. Maybe no' as smart as you, but I do know more about life than you. I've also learned more in my lifetime about weather than you could possibly know at such a young age. Don't think to assume more than me." He grinned again. "'Sides, you know what you get when you assume, don' ye?" At her look of concentration, his grin broadened. "If ye assume, ye make an ass out of you an' me. And quite frankly, 'm enough of one without your help, savvy?"

All of my children laughed at that, and even my wife and myself cracked a smile before correcting his language.

He stood and sat back down on his spot on the couch. All three children curled up to him, muttering about wanting to hear about his adventures.

As he began one about cursed pirates and Aztec gold, obviously a very stretched tale, Erin leaned against me, lying her head on my shoulder. by the time he got to the part with being locked up in his own ship (that part was probably true), soft snoring could be heard from all four of my children, the baby in my wife's arms sleeping silently.

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Once more, To Be Continued

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