Johnny awoke the next morning to the sound of rain against his window. He realized that even if Barranca was feeling better, he wouldn't want to take him out today for fear he would slip and make things worse. Slowly he got out of bed, frowning at the thought of another wasted day, but smiling when he remembered last night, and the cards and laughter with Polly.
He headed downstairs, finding Sue in the lobby again. She looked up at him and said "you missed breakfast again. I don't imagine you sleep like this on that ranch of yours." "No", he replied, "must be that comfortable bed of yours." She smiled at him and said, "try the kitchen again if you're hungry."
Heading through the door, he realized how comfortable he was feeling in this place. He looked to see Polly with her hands in a bowl again, making more bread he guessed. Martha was sitting at the table with a miniature tea pot and three dolls, each with a cup and saucer in front of them.
"Good mornin', Johnny", Martha said to him, smiling "wanna play tea party?". He heard Polly cough and didn't have to look up to imagine her smile. Before she could say anything, he replied "sure, querida, but I don't rightly know how to play." "I'll show you", she replied. "Here, come have a seat" she said, leading him to the table by the hand. After he sat down, she asked him formally "would you like a cup of tea, sir?", holding out a cup and saucer. "Yes ma'am" he replied, taking the offered items. She then proceeded to pour from the teapot, and he noticed water coming into his cup. She then offered him a plate with cookies "would you like a cookie?"
Polly spoke from behind "Martha, let me get Johnny some breakfast, he might have things to do today rather than play." Johnny smiled at the girl who looked a bit chagrined at her mother's comment. "How 'bout I play with you until my breakfast is ready?" he asked her, noticing the bright smile that came out at that comment. Polly harrumphed lightly behind him and he noticed her heading into the store room with a plate. She then proceeded to quickly come out with some sausages and eggs, which she cooked at the stove. Johnny took one of the cookies, winking at Martha, and a sip of his 'tea'. She smiled and promptly filled up his cup, and introduced him to the dolls at the table, and shared some stories about their 'lives'. He looked up at Polly when she brought his breakfast to the table. "Martha", she said to the girl, "go find Sue. She'll probably need help with the rooms." When the little girl hesitated, she said "now Martha", fixing her with a gimlet eye before the girl walked off. Shaking her head she looked at Johnny and said "sorry about that. Martin was always good at playin' with her, particularly when it rained – he would play tea party for hours, read her stories … play cards …" Polly looked off a bit. Johnny swallowed his bite of breakfast and looked at the woman, "don't worry about it Polly," he said "it don't bother me none – I think I can play a bit of tea party while I wait for my breakfast." The woman smiled and moved back to her bowl. "So, what are your plans for today?" she asked by way of changing the subject.
"I'll check out Barranca, make sure he's doin' better. Cain't leave today, though, even if he is – I would worry about havin' him slip in the rain. After that …not sure … " Polly came over with the coffee pot, checking on the progress of his breakfast. "I hate to ask this of you, but if you're lookin' for somethin' to do, one of the door handles on a room is not workin' right. We have a handy man that usually fixes that stuff, but he's sick right now and cain't come in. Would you have a look at it?" "I'd be happy to," he replied, liking the thought of helping out, and something to do. He finished his breakfast and turned to look at Polly working the bread dough, surrounded by the doughnuts and cookies she had obviously made earlier that day. He picked up his plate and walked it to the sink, turning around and catching her look of surprise. He smiled and then quickly grabbed a doughnut and a couple of cookies before winking outlandishly at her and making for the door. He heard her sudden burst of laughter as he headed out the back door.