The day Timothy appeared at the surgery with the bassoon, Patrick was quite amused. Especially considering Tim admitted to choosing it purposeful so he could sit next to a girl.
Just before the move, he was upset with Patrick because he teased him about a different girl. First it was Susan who lives near the house. Now it is Caroline who plays a woodwind instrument. Hopefully she plays something nicer than a bassoon, like a clarinet perhaps.
Patrick wasn't sure he was ready for Timothy and girls. He would be dealing with two little ones soon. Shelagh found the whole thing equally amusing. Patrick knew he shouldn't tease his son, but it was so difficult not too.
Whenever he started playing the bassoon, they could not help laughing. It sounded horrible and they were so accustomed to Timothy making beautiful music, not this racket.
"Patrick, Patrick stop he'll hear you."
"I doubt it over that racket. All I can say is Caroline Gillespie had better be absolutely gorgeous."
Later that evening at home, Patrick said, "Are you getting lessons for that monstrosity that you're trying to play?"
"Dad, it's band class. I just need to practice."
"I'm not sure you'll be practicing at home," Shelagh said matter of fact.
"Why?" Timothy asked shocked.
"You'll scare Angela and soon it'll disturb the baby," she answered.
"Mum!"
"Timothy have you not heard what it sounds like?" Shelagh said.
"Dad, you said family life wouldn't change and it already has...Even this move," Tim argued.
"Timothy, you hated sharing a room with Angela," Shelagh reminded him.
"Tim, who's it going to be next week?" Patrick asked.
"Next week?"
"Well it seems every week there is a new girl."
Shelagh held back a smirk as Patrick said it and she watched as Timothy's face went beet red.
"Dad, just because I mention a name…"
"Yes, you told me I jumped to conclusions, but taking up a crazy instrument goes beyond mentioning a name," Patrick countered.
Shelagh added, "Tim, you are a wonderful, smart, witty boy. Plenty of girls are going to notice you. You need not try so hard."
"This is extremely embarrassing. You just don't understand," he said as he left to hide in his own room.
Once he was gone, Patrick laughed, "He thinks I don't understand. Has he forgotten?"
Shelagh ask, "Forgotten what?" as she sat down next to him on the sofa and his hand felt to see what baby was up to. Slowly caressing her expanded abdomen, he said, "It was not that long ago that I tried to get a girl to notice me."
"Oh and how did you do that?"
"Well first I let her try my cigarette."
"...and what else?"
"Well then I lost my head and kissed her."
"Kissed her?"
"Her hand."
"Just her hand?"
"Well yes, until I was certain that she liked me too."
Shelagh laughed and asked, "What about now?"
"Now she loves me and she lets me kiss her," Patrick said as he leaned over and gave Shelagh the kiss that she was ready to receive.
"Ow."
"What's wrong?"
"Just a kick under my rib. This little one can hardly fit inside here anymore."
"I am going to be too old when these little ones are teenagers."
"No, you won't. You and Tim will be teasing them together."
Shortly after Patrick went upstairs and knocked on Tim's door.
"Can I come in?"
"Yes."
"Tim, I'm sorry. Are you really mad?"
"Yes. I'm not sure why you are apologizing. You're going to do it again."
"You're right...and when the little one are teenagers you can tease them with me."
"Dad!"
Shelagh appear at the door and said, "Tim, you know if you want girls to notice you, you have the perfect way."
"How?"
"Girls love cute little girls and babies. Push the pram around and they will flock around you."
"Really?" he looked thoughtful.
""Definitely, " Patrick said.