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"Kitchen's right through there, sweetheart."
Bess said, shutting the screen door before going to get Della.
In the meantime Tad entered the kitchen where Will and Dixie were seated at the table.
"Yay! I knew you'd hear me! C'mere and sit down.", Dixie grinned, patting the chair next to hers as Bess walked in with the baby, placing her in her high chair.
"Oh Tad, honey before ya sit can ya bring that lemonade pitcher to the table?" she asked.
"Sure ma'am."
On instinct Tad reached to lift the pitcher with his right arm, but was hit with a wave of pain and shakily went to set it back on the counter. Losing his grip though it tipped, fell onto the floor and cracked.
"Oh no..oh no!"
"Tad, you okay?", Dixie asked, concerned.
"I'm sorry, I..I'm so sorry. I..I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it!", Tad stammered, shaking as Bess walked over and knelt beside him.
"Shhh, shhh, ev'rything's gonna be fine. Will, run and grab the dustpan and broom to sweep up the glass, alright? And Dixie, wet a cloth and mop up that lemonade. But be sure all that glass is cleaned up first."
"Okay Momma.", Dixie obeyed.
Grabbing a rag she went to the sink to wet it while Will started sweeping up the glass.
"I didn't..mean to drop it! I..I'm so sorry I..I'd fix it if I could, I..",
Shaking in the corner Tad barely met Bess' gaze.
"Shhh, Tad, honey. It's okay, look Will and Dixie almost have it all cleaned up. You weren't cut were ya?"
Gently Bess reached to look at his hands, but her eyes widened when she saw his arm.
Getting up she grabbed a first aid kit from the cupboard and then went about trying to treat Tad's injury.
She wasn't a doctor but knew she'd have to handle this as best she could until he could be checked out by one.
"Here baby let me see."
Nervously, Tad held out his arm, wincing as Bess cleaned and bandaged it, then put it in a makeshift sling.
"Now this oughta feel a little better right?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. Now tomorrow first thing I'll take ya over to the doctor's but for now, think this'll have to do."
"I..I have to go to the doctor?", Tad squeaked.
"Oh it'll be okay Tad.", assured Dixie.
Cleaning up the last of the lemonade she sat back down at the table.
"The doctor's real nice. You get lollipops and stickers and all kindsa stuff like that, right Will?"
"Yeah, yeah.", muttered Will as he sat beside Dixie. Who proceeded to glare at him and give him a nudge.
"Hey, no more of that!", scolded Bess.
Turning back to Tad, she gave him a weary smile and smoothed his hair.
"Don't you worry, babe. Everything is gonna be just fine. Now, go on and sit down, get some food in that noisy stomach of yours."
Smiling a bit, Tad walked over and sat across from Dixie, who was helping herself to another piece of fried chicken.
"That is if there's any left!"
Shyly smiling at her mother, Dixie put the piece she'd just taken on Tad's plate.
"It's my fav'rite so I eat a lot of it. But it's okay, we can share if ya want."
"Hey, you never let me share with ya!", Will sulked.
"Will quit your whining and finish your supper. Otherwise I'm gonna be talkin to your daddy when he gets home.", Bess warned as Tad tensed up.
"Hey, what you have to be scared of my daddy for?", asked Will, raising a brow.
"Leave him be, Will!", cried Dixie.
"Fine! Scuse me, then."
Rolling his eyes Will got up from the table and stormed off to his room. Slamming the door shut behind him.
"Momma? Should I try and.."
"No sunshine. Just finish your supper now, I'll check on him in a little while." said Bess.
After she finished feeding Della, scooping her up she brought her to her room. Leaving Tad and a now solemn Dixie to finish their dinner.
"I dunno why Will's actin so funny, Tad. I'm sorry."
Frowning Dixie pushed her plate to Tad, nodding at him to eat. She just wanted her brother and her friend to get along but it didn't seem like it was going to happen. And because of it she wasn't feeling very hungry.
"Why?", asked Tad as he took some chicken. "You don't have to be sorry. I don't care if he doesn't like me."
"Well I do!", Dixie cried.
"He's my brother. I just don't like seeing him upset."
Seeing how sensitive she was about the whole thing, Tad gave her a soft smile.
"Well I'll tell you what, I won't try and upset him. And, if he upsets me I'll laugh it off."
"Laugh it off?"
"Yeah, like this." Tad grinned, throwing his head back in fake exaggerated laughter. He was pleased to see it got Dixie laughing too, but his smile quickly faded when he heard the screen door slam and footsteps.
"Daddy!", squealed Dixie.
Jumping up from the table, she ran to the door and gave Seabone a bright smile, before trying to give him a hug.
"Not now baby girl. Daddy's had a long day. Go on to your room."
"But Daddy!"
"Right now Dixie, go on!"
"Yes sir."
Sadly she walked down the hall while Seabone walked into the kitchen, and saw Tad finishing up a chicken wing.
"Who are you, boy?"
Not knowing what to do or say, Tad stood and kept silent and still, as Bess came into the kitchen and smiled nervously at her husband.
"Hey, baby."
"Not now, Bessie. Who's the boy?"
"He's a friend of Dixie's, hon. C'mon over to our room and I'll explain, I-"
"Explain why he's eatin a meal my hard earned money pays for?"
"Seabone c'mon now."
After Bess dragged Seabone off, Tad left the kitchen and turning the corner, peered down a hallway where Dixie was standing outside a closed door. He judged from the pained look on her face she was overhearing her parents argue. That was until Will ushered her into his room and shut the door behind them.
As the arguing got louder and Seabone raised his voice, Tad made a run for it. He didn't feel right leaving before he thanked Dixie and Bess, but he didn't feel right staying in their house, or staying anyplace here for that matter. All he wanted was to be back home, but he had a sinking feeling that was never going to happen.