At This, Terry and Aj Burst Into Peals of Laughter
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
At this, Terry and AJ burst into peals of laughter.
"I meant," rephrased John, "that I’m paying for the gasoline!"
"Nice save, dear," smiled Izumi, kissing her husband.
The group disbanded, getting everything in readiness for the busy day.
"I forgot my purse," declared Abby, getting up to return to the yellow house. "I’ll be back
in a moment. Don’t leave without me!"
"Jake, if she doesn’t show up," Terry winked, "you can hitch a ride with me!"
“He Forgave Me,” Replied Abby
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
"He forgave me," replied Abby. "I didn’t deserve it, but he forgave me. You know, I
could have called Dad or Uncle Terry a baby, and whether I meant it or not, they
would’ve shrugged it off– but not Jake."
"Patience, Abby," advised the mother.
"Last night, when you gave me the baby monitor idea," continued Abby, "I was really
excited! And then when Jake started fighting me on it, I lost my patience and became
frustrated. I mean, what’s a lamb wearing a baby bib compared to those horrible
flashbacks?!"
“I Don’t Need a Baby Monitor!” He Exclaimed. “I’m Not a Child!”
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
"I don’t need a baby monitor!" he exclaimed. "I’m not a child!"
"Really?" retorted Abby, losing her patience. "This is coming from a man who sleeps
with the hallway light on!"
Stunned, Jake’s face fell. He could no longer look her in the eye.
"You’re right," he mumbled. "Put it where you want."
"Jake, I’m sorry!" Abby cried after him, as he grabbed his jacket and quickly left the
house. Helplessly, she looked to her mother.
“Good Morning!” Izumi Greeted Him Cheerily
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
"Good morning!" Izumi greeted him cheerily.
"Where’s Abby?" he asked.
"She went to run an errand," explained the mother. "Are you ready for breakfast?"
"Did Abby already eat?" asked Jake, sitting down at the table.
"She grabbed an apple and ran out of here, first thing this morning," answered Izumi.
"You know how she is. Once Abby gets it in her mind to do something, she goes for it.
Would you like some toast?"
"No, thank you, Mrs. Johannes," replied Jake.
It’s Like Something Changed with You, and I Would Like to Know What Happened
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
It’s like something changed with you, and I would like to know what happened."
"I…" he hesitated, "I don’t know… wait, that’s wrong. I do know."
"You can tell me," coaxed Abby. "What is it?"
"I don’t know how I’m supposed to treat you," he said, his face blushing with
embarrassment. "There, I said it. You can go tell your mom and have a good laugh."
"I would never laugh at you," she gently answered. "Treat me like your friend. I didn’t
marry you to be shut out of your life, okay?"
"Okay," he replied in a half whisper.
“You’re Beginning to Sound Like Dr. Jacoby,” Abby Smiled Wearily
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
"You’re beginning to sound like Dr. Jacoby," Abby smiled wearily. "No, I don’t want to
leave."
"Then, if I were you," advised Izumi, "I would do something about it."
"Such as?" wondered the young woman.
"Sweetheart," replied the mother, "you know him better than I do. Have you eaten dinner,
yet? I can heat up something in no time at all."
"That would be great, Mom," sighed Abby, kicking off her shoes. "I don’t know about
Jake, but I’m starving!"
If You Say It’s All Right, Then I’d Love to Come,” Smiled Izumi, Hugging Her Daughter
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
If you say it’s all right, then I’d love to come," smiled Izumi, hugging her daughter
lovingly. "But, only if I won’t get in the way."
"Of course you will," smiled Abby, "but I want you to come, anyway!"
"John, if we don’t get out of here, we’re going to be late for our bus!" exclaimed Terry,
coming into the living room with his computer laptop case and two suitcases. "If we miss
the bus, then we’re going to miss our flight!"
"God keep you and the kids safe," said John, kissing his wife good-bye. "I’ll be back as
soon as I can!"
“This Place is Starting to Look Like Your Room, Abby,” Observed Jake, Happily
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
"This place is starting to look like your room, Abby," observed Jake, happily.
Then Izumi called the hardworking crew to lunch. Jake had gotten caught up in the spirit
of teamwork, and as a result, had lost a little of his shyness around Abby’s family. He still
kept his distance, but didn’t seem so threatened by John or Terry’s presence. Abby quietly
took note of this, and was thankful for this modest step of progress.
Izumi set out lunch on the table, and everyone helped themselves, buffet-style. After
eating, Abby and Jake immediately set about moving her art studio to the living room in
the yellow house. John and Terry, who were not as eager to get back to work, took their
time finishing lunch.
Jake Looked at Him, Puzzled
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
Jake looked at him, puzzled.
"Just wait, and you’ll see," grinned John. "We’re going to stand here, until the women
make up their minds where to put everything!"
"Yeah," laughed Terry, "and when they do decide, you can be sure it won’t be the last
time!"
Izumi and Abby pointed and planned, rearranging imaginary furniture in every possible
configuration, and doing everything but taking a poll of the men, before at last deciding
on where everything should go.
“Are You Sure You Want Her?” He Asked Jake, with a Tingle of Mirth in His Sobriety
August 9, 2013 by Brittani888
Published in Motherhood
"Are you sure you want her?" he asked Jake, with a tingle of mirth in his sobriety.
"Yes, Mr. Johannes," answered Jake, half expecting the father to yell at him for being so
presumptuous as to think that he could take Abby away from her family, to go live with
someone such as himself.
"Well," said John, "I won’t be able to help you kids move next week, because your
mother and I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday, and Terry and I have a business
trip to Vancouver that will last for about a week. If you’re both sure you want to do this,
then I suggest we move Abby’s things over, today."