So that Haley, the day's educator, could calmly prepare lunch for the whole tribe, Brooke and Lucas took the children of the home outside ... to the municipal library! Brooke helped the youngest ones choose a book that appealed to them and was appropriate for their age. She was enjoying this moment...
When they returned, the meal was ready to be served. Brooke helped Haley and Brother Lucas set the table.
HALEY : Everyone at the table!
The teenagers, apparently hungry, came rushing in and quickly took their seats.
SAWYER : Would you sit next to me, Brooke?
BROOKE : Sure, sweetie! Show me where my seat is...
As Sawyer took her hand to pull her to the chair that would be assigned to her, Emma yelled after them.
EMMA : It's not fair! I want her near me too!
The little girl brought her arms to her chest and with a pout, began to stamp her feet on the floor.
BROOKE : Oh! Uh, calm down... We're going to...
EMMA : You're mean!
A little lost, Brooke didn't really know how to react... Fortunately, Lucas arrived at that very moment and called out to her.
LUCAS : Easy Emma... Brooke could just sit between you two. This would solve the problem!
Little Emma calmed down instantly and lowered her head, a little ashamed.
LUCAS : That's better. Because I hope you haven't already forgotten what I told you last time about tantrums or whims?
Emma gently raised her reddened face while wiping away her crocodile tears. Then, she whispered to Lucas:
EMMA : Impatience and nervousness are worse than calm and... I forgot the end...
Brooke had absolutely not understood what she had said. She turned to Lucas who smiled at her kindly.
LUCAS : We were almost there! Impatience and nervousness are less than calm and wisdom. That's good, my darling!
Also moved, Brooke watched him kneel down to get to the same level as the little girl. He tried to make her repeat the sentence but quickly got up when the huge, hot dish came out of the kitchen.
HALEY : Hot in front!
Lucas turned to Brooke while everyone was ecstatic over the steaming and very appetizing dish of lasagna.
LUCAS : These children unfortunately did not receive the attention, security or stability they deserved ... They can sometimes have somewhat surprising behaviors and quickly become defensive ...
BROOKE : I understand that perfectly ...
As Brooke sat down between Sawyer and Emma who had regained her smile, Lucas remained standing to serve the plates. Brooke was starving. Once everyone was served, she was about to wish everyone a good appetite when she noticed that silence reigned and that the whole table seemed to be waiting for something. Little Jamie spoke up.
JAMIE : Lucas, can I say the prayer?
Lucas smiled at him and then caught Brooke's eye.
LUCAS : Politeness would dictate that we offer the recitation of grace to our guest... Brooke?
Her eyes on his, Brooke felt herself blush at his ignorance.
BROOKE : Oh no, go ahead Jamie... I don't even know what to say! Besides, I'm starving... So, the sooner it's done, the better!
Following his remark, the children burst out laughing. Haley, she, pursed her lips to hide her amusement. As usual, Brooke had spoken faster than she thought... She looked at Lucas to gauge his reaction.
LUCAS : Me too, I'm starving, so go ahead Jamie, we're listening!
Brooke instantly relaxed at his sympathetic and very warm reaction.
JAMIE : Bless Lord, Haley's lasagna that will fill our hungry little bellies! Give all lasagna lovers, the chance to taste it one day! Long live Haley and long live lasagna! Amen.
Brooke smiled, despite herself, after Jamie's original and refreshing grace and they started eating. The atmosphere was relaxed and Haley's lasagna was, indeed, delicious!
CHUCK : Are you coming with us to the park this afternoon, Brooke?
Clearly, these children no longer knew how to do without her... The effect of novelty, no doubt!
BROOKE : Uh... I don't know. No, unfortunately, I think I'm expected somewhere else later...
Embarrassed and confused at not even being able to freely choose her schedule, Brooke blushed and looked at her plate.
LUCAS : I can call Debie to check with her... But you, would you like to come with us?
Several curious little faces turned towards Brooke, their eyes impatient... But she didn't need that to convince her.
BROOKE : Yes, a lot...
QUENTIN : Great! Come on Lucas, make your call... Can I lend you my cell phone?
LUCAS : It's okay! I'll keep proving to you that these technologies are not necessary in everyday life! Haley, can I use the house phone?
HALEY : Sure! But know that I agree with Quentin ... A cell phone would change your life! For the better!
As Lucas rolled his eyes and left the table, Brooke took advantage of his absence to question Haley.
BROOKE : Are you serious ... Doesn't he have a cell phone?
HALEY : Oh yes, very serious! He may be quite modern for a priest ... He still has some principles a little ...
QUENTIN : Yeah! Lucas is crazy cool about a lot of things but this is totally a loser ...
HALEY : I would have rather said that he was a little archaic ... A story of balance between the inside and the outside according to him. He asserts his right to disconnect while favoring the real, and not virtual, presence of the other ... Obviously for teenagers especially, it's difficult to understand! They see him a little like an old dinosaur ...
SAM : A fossil, definitely!
JAMIE : I love fossils and dinosaurs!
They all laughed at Jamie's spontaneous remark. Lucas came back to them and silence fell.
LUCAS : How quiet here! It's okay Brooke, I can take you this afternoon... Well, keep you with me! Or rather with us...
No one seemed to notice Lucas's slight confusion as he tried to dispel any misunderstanding in his words. Everyone was too busy finishing their plates and celebrating the good news of Brooke's arrival.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Everyone... Except me! It seemed like a slip of the tongue...
Early in the afternoon, they arrived at the park... The weather was dry, the sun was shining and the temperature was even pleasant. As the children walked ahead of them, Brother Lucas and Brooke chatted as they strolled...
LUCAS : No interrogation in sight but... But, I just wanted to ask you how were those first few days?
Brooke hesitated between irony and honesty to answer him.
BROOKE : I guess it could be worse.
LUCAS : That's a good start, then! You see me delighted... It should only continue to improve!
BROOKE : Yeah, well let's not get carried away either... I didn't choose to be here, so...
LUCAS : That's a fact. But despite that, I really thought you were radiant in the library this morning...
BROOKE : I just like those kids... They're real, sensitive but super endearing!
LUCAS : You have identified them well. Is that proof of your insight or should I dare to make a guess...?
BROOKE : Always say...
LUCAS : I may be wrong but I have the impression that you recognize yourself a little in them...
Until then, Brooke had not made the connection but now that he pointed it out to her... But she did not like being exposed and even less revealing her weaknesses and her wounds.
BROOKE : You're wrong... I... I never lacked anything! I was a very spoiled child, spoiled rotten even...
LUCAS : On a material level maybe... But I was talking about something else. Anyway, forget it...
Brooke had understood but she was relieved that he didn't insist further. A silence settled again until the moment when they noticed Sawyer and Emma approaching them.
SAWYER : Lucas, can we go to the playground?!
EMMA : Yes! We would like to go on the slide and the swing, but the boys want to go to the pond...
LUCAS : I see... So we're going to have to find a compromise. Brooke, what do you think?
Caught off guard and surprised by his questioning, Brooke answered, with confidence, to the two little girls.
BROOKE : I think we could find time to do both, maybe we could go to the games after the pond?
SAWYER : But I want to go now!
Brooke leaned towards her and whispered in her little ear:
BROOKE : Impatience and nervousness do less than calm and wisdom.
As the little girl took a resigned but more serene pout, Brooke straightened up and looked at Lucas. While she had just pronounced her exact line, Lucas stared at her with his eyes that were both tender and astonished. He looked at her... A little too long and a little too fixedly. Brooke winked at him mischievously. He then wore a slightly mischievous smile on his handsome face but remained completely silent.
A few minutes later, they were sitting in the grass with Sam and Quentin. Haley was watching the little ones who were having fun throwing stones in the pond.
QUENTIN : Lucas, I was planning on going to the gym tonight, are you coming with me?
LUCAS : No, big guy. I've been out all day... I have prayers to catch up on.
BROOKE : I didn't know there was a gym around here... I wish I could go!
QUENTIN : That would be so cool! We could go together if you want...
BROOKE : That's nice, Quentin. But first I have to make sure I'm allowed... To go, actually...
Indeed, to be able to go, she would have to have some time to herself, a free time, so to speak. Quentin remained silent, but Lucas came to interrupt this moment before it became even more awkward...
LUCAS : " Mens sana in carpora sano ". A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. God invites us to take care of our bodies... As much as our souls... So there's no reason why this should be denied to you!
QUENTIN : Well yeah, I agree for once! Plus, if you're athletic... It's important to be regular and keep up a rhythm! Don't lose everything... Plus, I could show you the machines... I try to go at least three times a week!
BROOKE : That's a great pace! And what are you working on?
SAM : He's mostly working on his butt-gazing in tight leggings!
Quentin first threw a dark look in Sam's direction. Then, he smiled at her and confessed honestly:
QUENTIN : Let's just say that it's not unpleasant to feast your eyes at the same time! Otherwise, I mainly focus on bodybuilding... I want to have the same body as that handsome priest!
Brooke couldn't help but look at Lucas, who had remained silent until then. He responded to the young boy's compliment.
LUCAS : I don't have much merit anymore. I train less than before... Just old leftovers and a suitable diet. And you Brooke, what do you do for sport?
BROOKE : I mainly do yoga and gentle bodybuilding.
QUENTIN : Yeah! In any case, it's obvious that you train regularly...
SAM : Basically, he thinks you're really well hot!
The teenager's remark made Brooke smile. But Lucas didn't seem to appreciate it as much as she did...
LUCAS : Sam, please. A little respect and manners.
Brother Lucas turned to Brooke, a little troubled. He turned away from the teenagers to be discreet.
LUCAS : Sorry for that.
BROOKE : Oh, no problem! It's rather flattering! And she's a spontaneous teenager...
LUCAS : More than spontaneous! Let's just say she has an unfortunate tendency to say very loudly what everyone else is thinking very low...
BROOKE : It's not mean and I'm like that too... But, I'm glad to hear that you agree with her!
LUCAS : That's not what I said... Well, not exactly...
As Brooke was about to answer Lucas who was trying, once again, to make up for it as best he could...
QUENTIN : Speaking of atomic bombs... Look at the two cannons sitting over there!
Lucas rolled his eyes as if resigned by the language of two teenagers. Sam, for her part, reacted sharply.
SAM : What are you waiting for to go and approach him? Let us benefit from your talents as a lady-killer... Or not!
Quentin seemed a little uncomfortable... Probably due to a lack of self-confidence linked to adolescence. He looked at Lucas.
QUENTIN : Fuck, to bad that you can't give me advice on this level...
LUCAS : I can advise you in many areas but this is not one of them, in fact. And watch your language.
Unlike the priest and his ineptitude... Sam, for her part, clearly showed ill will.
SAM : I'm not going to help you on this one... I'll just tell you that you're always heavy and oppressive when you're flirting!
Resigned and also a little annoyed, Brooke felt Quentin close up even if he feigned indifference.
BROOKE : Maybe I can help you... What kind of advice do you want!?
The boy's face lit up at his suggestion. Sam and Brother Lucas looked at each other, surprised.
BROOKE : Well what?! I know how girls work... Some girls at least!
QUENTIN : Well let's say I would like to know how to behave and what to say to interest a girl, you see?
BROOKE : I see completely! First of all, I would advise you to remember one important thing... The mechanisms of attraction are different between men and women. You, men...
Brooke looked briefly at Lucas before turning her attention back to Quentin.
BROOKE : Finally, men who have the right to feel desire... For you, desire and excitement are triggered by visual stimuli... Beautiful shapes, a little bare skin... We women are more sensitive to words, to compliments... We are more auditory than visual!
QUENTIN : Like you don't check out boys!?
BROOKE : Oh yes, I reassure you... You know how to appreciate a handsome male when you see one!
Brooke's eyes came to rest on Lucas' body and face. They both blushed imperceptibly.
BROOKE : But let's say that we are more receptive to words, to the emotional climate and to the "affective" context of a conversation. We like to feel special. If a girl feels that you are approaching her just because you want sex, it's over from the start! Well unless she is a nymphomaniac... or very needy... But that's something else.
Brooke avoided specifying or showing that she was exactly in this last case.
BROOKE : If your speech expresses "I want to make love" rather than "I want you and only you"... It's off to a bad start...
SAM : Clearly! That's what I'm killing myself to tell her... With other words, but oh well.
While Quentin seemed to appreciate Brooke's recommendations, Brother Lucas seemed increasingly troubled.
LUCAS : Well, that's not all, but I think it's time to go to the playground...
They spent the rest of the day with the children... Brooke almost forgot where she was and why... She wasn't sure yet but she had the impression that Lucas was careful to avoid her as much as he could... It was probably his way of hiding his disorder. Brooke deduced that she didn't leave him completely indifferent...