Chapter 13

Neal regretted his decision to destroy the hairbrush for the remainder of the day especially every time he sat. His backside hurt so bad during the lunch time that he asked if he could have it downstairs while lying on his side in the manner of the ancient Romans. El hid her smile as she quickly brought him down a plate of sandwiches and a cup of hot tea. As she sat it down on the night table next to his bed she told him,

"Neal I'm so sorry that your actions forced me to take you in hand earlier; I do hope you have learned your lesson and will behave from now on."

Neal nodded sadly as he carefully took a small bite of the sandwich and then brightened up when he realized that she had fixed his favorite…chicken salad.

"You made my favorite, El. Thank you."

"I've also brought you some chips to go along with it and a piece of lemon pound cake…call if you want anything else," she said as she ruffled his hair before darting back up the stairs.

"You treat that boy like a misbehaved son who needs a bit of loving after being punished," observed Carolyn as she waited at the top of the stairs…she had witnessed the whole thing as she waited for El to return.

"Well, he needs a mother's love and a father's firm hand," retorted El with a smile," and we like being the parents he should have had when he was growing up.

"Well, if that is the case I need to tell him that I have renounced my position as his surrogate mother and become his grandmother instead. He does act a lot like my grandchildren…a child still at heart testing his parents resolve to still love and care for him no matter what he does," remarked Carolyn with a smile.

"You don't have to do that Carolyn: Neal needs all of the mothers he can find and they all need to be willing and able to stick by him no matter what he does and be prepared to take him in hand when he screws up and as you have seen for yourself he screws up a lot."

Carolyn smiled and the two ladies went on into the kitchen to prepare lunch for Peter and themselves unaware that Neal had heard the whole conversation and felt humbled my their love and care; He just wished that they didn't have to always show how much they cared to the seat of his britches.

After lunch had been served and eaten by the rest of the household Carolyn went down to pick up Neal's dirty dishes and to check on him. She found him still lying on his side staring off into space as if he was thinking. The sandwiches had been consumed as had the chips and cake.

"Neal, dear, are you feeling better now?" Carolyn asked delicately not wanting to bring attention to his sore bottom.

"Yes ma'am," replied Neal at once and then hesitating he added, "Thank you grandmother."

The response took Carolyn by surprise and as she looked at Neal with surprise he added, "I heard you and El talking a few minutes ago. I would love for you to be my grandmother. I have June and El as mother figures and they do their job quite well," as he unconsciously rubbed his backside.

"Well, Neal my grandchildren call me Cookie instead of grandmother and I would like for you to do the same. My oldest grandchild named me that when she was very young and the nickname stuck," she explained at Neal's raised eyebrow. "I was baking cookies at the time of her visit that she just put the two together."

Neal nodded and then said, "Thank you for wanting me, Cookie," which prompted Carolyn into pulling Neal into a hug and murmuring in his ear,

"I've wanted you from the moment Peter described you in his letters…you sounded like a young man in need of love, understanding and to be nurtured…including teaching that there will always be consequences for your actions."

"But they hurt," replied Neal.

"That's because you have only received the hurtful ones but there are also good consequences that you haven't received yet…and that is because?"

"I keep on pushing the wrong buttons like lying, misbehaving and pushing Peter's buttons," replied Neal as understanding flooded him and he asked,

"What are the good consequences Cookie?"

"Hugs and kisses are good starts and knowing that you have helped someone in need and you receive the good feelings and if you are extra special I'll make you some of my cookies, they are a family tradition. I call them Grace Cookies; they are mainly made up of brown sugar, pecans and margarine," Carolyn said with a twinkle in her eyes.

"I guess I've been too bad to receive any of those," he said regretfully.

"We can make an exception this time since you haven't be exposed to doing the right thing when growing up and if you are good for the remainder of the day," teased Carolyn.

"I can do that…please," replied Neal excited like a school boy.

"I'll make them only with one exception," Carolyn said seriously.

"What?"

"If you help me; this batch we will make together…deal?"

The smile that graced Neal's features was all of the answer Carolyn required and she said, "Then come along and let's get started."

It was a happier Neal that ran up the stairs then that who had descended earlier and it took both Peter and El by surprise but it was a good surprise and they stood back and watched as boy and grandmother took over the kitchen and made cookies.

"These are really good Neal," praised El as she took another bite as she sipped her cup of hot tea. "Don't you think so, hon," she added as she addressed her husband.

"Humph," was all she got in reply as Peter shoved another cookie in his mouth.

"They are great…brings back good memories of growing up," he finally said after swallowing the last bit before reaching for more. "They taste best with a glass of milk though," he added as he jumped up to pour himself a glass.

The cookie making had been a success. The team of Neal and Cookie had produced a double portion of cookies and they had set down to enjoy as many as they could while they were still warm and before the mother instincts of both Carolyn and El took over and started limiting how many they could continue to eat, which happened about five minutes later.

"That's it…if you eat anymore you won't want supper and I'm fixing a pot roast with all of the trimmings," El said firmly as she snatched a cookie out of Peter's hand and watched as Carolyn did the same to Neal.

"Neal, you know I think Satch would love a short walk around the block," Carolyn said knowingly, "and I think that you should accompany him, Peter…it will help work off some of those cookies you just ate."

Neal's face lit up again…finally his moment of escape from the house and it was coming a day earlier than what Carolyn had said yesterday and he hurried to into his coat and hat.

"Don't forget your scarf and gloves, Neal and you had better not do anything too strenuous or we will be having another conversation in your room," she warned teasingly.

"Yes Cookie," he responded to Peter's shock and then his delight as he realized that his mother had acquired another grandchild with Neal. Things were finally starting to look up.

AN: If anyone is interested in the cookies Neal and Cookie made in this chapter they can find the recipe at the end of this story in Chapter 15.