Chapter 16: Breakfast and Good-Byes] {Chapter 16: Part 1}
There, breakfast is just about finished, Naomi; Daisy said from her spot at the stove. Have you finished setting the table, dear?; Daisy asked. Yes, it's all done, Daisy; Naomi said as she laid
the rest of the flatware on the table. Here comes Jess and your uncle, Naomi; Daisy said as she put a hearty breakfast of ham, eggs, pancakes, grits, gravy; and biscuits on the table. Morning,
Jess; Naomi said with a bright smile in his direction. Mornin', Naomi; Jess said smiling back at her. You look better, Jess, how are you feeling?; Naomi asked as she helped him sit down
at the kitchen table. I'm feeling a lot better, Naomi; Jess said with a smile. Thanks for askin'; he added. Morning, Jess; Mike said as he hugged Jess's shoulders. Mornin', Tiger; Jess replied, smiling
smiling at him. Missed ya while I was gone; Jess added. I missed you, too, Jess; Mike replied. Slim and Aunt Daisy were real worried about you when you did'nt come back right away; Mike said with
an uncommonly serious look for a little boy. Did you worry about me, Mike?; Jess asked thoughtfully. I worried some, Jess, but I knew you'd come back; Mike said with a grin. I'm glad I was able
to come home, Mike; Jess said smiling at him. So am I, Jess; Mike said as he sat down opposite from Jess. Breakfast is ready, everyone; Daisy said as Slim pulled out a chair for her. Thank you, Slim;
Daisy replied. You're welcome, Daisy; Slim said as he sat down. You look real pretty in that dress, Naomi; Mac said as he pulled out a chair for her next to Jess. Thank you, Uncle Mac; Naomi said
as she sat down next to Jess. Alright, dig in everyone, before it gets cold; Daisy said smiling because her family was together again. This sure looks good, Daisy; Slim said as he dug into the grits and
gravy, and ham and eggs. Here, Jess, let me help you with that; Naomi said as she put some breakfast on a plate for Jess. I would'nt want you to tear that wound open and slow up the
healing further; she added. Thanks, Naomi; Jess said with a grateful smile. It's still a little hard for me to reach with this arm; he added. I can cut the ham for you if you'd like,
Jess; Naomi offered helpfully. Thanks, Naomi, I'd appreciate the help; Jess said, smiling at her. Using a fork and knife that way is a little hard right now, too; Jess added. I can
understand that, Jess; Naomi said thoughtfully. I broke my arm when I was ten and I had to wear a sling for a month; Naomi said with a little laugh. I was so annoyed by it
and the cast was so itchy and I had to have help with everything!; Naomi exclaimed. That must have been very tiring, Naomi; Daisy remarked from her place at the table.
Believe me, Daisy, it was; Naomi replied. You must've been glad to get the darned thing off; Jess said grinning. I certainly was, Jess; Naomi said as she took a spoonful of Daisy's grits and gravy.
Now you'd best eat up before your breakfast gets cold, Jess; Naomi said with a wide smile. See Mac, I told you Naomi's even more mother hen than Daisy is; Jess said with a teasing grin.
Oh, she is, is she , Jess; Daisy replied amusingly. It's the gospel truth she is, Daisy; Jess replied. And that's not a bad thing is it, Jess?; Daisy asked while taking a forkful of ham and pancake.
Oh no, Daisy, I'm gettin' to where I enjoy bein' fussed over; Jess said with an approving grin in Naomi's direction. Which Naomi returned with one of her own. Matter of fact, I'm gettin'
used to Naomi being around and I like it a whole lot; Jess said smiling at her. I'm glad you like having me around, Jess; Naomi said as she directed one of her warm smiles Jess's way.
And she was rewarded with a warm smile from Jess in return.