The next two months went by in a blur of work, school runs and hospital visits and the stress was starting to show. She was being sick almost every day and the constant exercise made her almost always hungry, which was a problem because money was short and she was alone in feeding four mouths as well as hospital fees. There were several charities dedicated to helping the survivors and of coarse she had Connie there as wee, for these facts Mary was exceedingly grateful, but it was times like now when she was preparing dinner with Melissa whining about something at her feet and Sean and Allen bickering at the table after an eight hour shift, two visits too the hospital and picking the kids up from school that she really appreciated having Jim. He worked longer shifts than she did, he worked harder more physically taxing shifts than she did but he would always entertain the children while she did the cooking, despite the fact that that usually meant running around playing tag for half an hour. She had always marvelled at how much energy he had, he would run around after them with seemingly boundless energy. And of course, she would always complain to him as he flopped onto the settee and reached for his paper, that he never did anything to help.
They ate as the usually did, in silence. The causes for this being her recent foul temper, the loss of their most talkative family member and the fact that thy where all pretty much famished and paid much more attention to their plates.
With dinner finished Mary went on to wash the dishes another chore that Jim had previously done without any recognition, Melissa offered to dry the dishes and, not wanting to be left out, Sean and Allen put them away. They had just about finished when Allen asked "Why do you keep going to the hospital Ma?" Melissa and Sean gave each other a worried look, she had explained to them but thought Allen to young.
"Because your Da and sister are sleeping there" she said softly.
"I thought you said they went to heaven" the turn of conversation was visibly upsetting the other two so she sent them to their room to tidy up and do homework, even if they didn't have any, and sat Allen down on the worn out settee, crouching down in front of him so her face was level with his.
"I thought they had, but you know how strong your Da is and how stubborn Teresa is."
"How come we never gone to see them like when grandma was in hospital?"
"Because darlin' their not ill like grandma was." this seemed to puzzle him.
"How are they ill then?"
It took her awhile to explain in a way she hoped he'd understand. Lying in bed that night she made a silent promise to herself that she would take the children next time she went to the hospital. She had originally said she wouldn't, she thought it would upset them too much especially as the doctors where uncertain of their conditions. But Allen's naivety had shown her their need for understanding.
AN- Sorry it took so long to upload; I know my chapters are usually short but this ones even more so. I'm bit stuck for ideas, help welcome.