Poppy shifted uncomfortably as Lily balanced on her stomach, and James leaned into his father's side, his gaze anxious. Lily kissed her mother's forehead before glancing over at Val and Landon. "You look kinda mean," she offered to Val. Val didn't seem perturbed and only raised one eyebrow. "I am mean," she replied, baring her teeth at her. Lily grinned fearlessly before bouncing slightly on her mother's stomach. "You're coming home soon, right, Mama?" James asked from his father's side. Poppy looked at Francis, unsure of how to answer. * * * They got to the front of the soup, and Arlo turned to her. "What would you like?"
Francis' eyebrows furrowed slightly. "It might take awhile.." he said softly. "But she'll come home in no time."
Lily patted Poppy's forehead, her black curls stark against her rosy cheeks. "Mama," she said impatiently, "what should I bring for show and tell?" Poppy blinked up at her, her brow furrowed thoughtfully. "Hmm... oh, what about the tooth you lost?" Lily's nose crinkled as she grinned. "That's gross, Mama." Val spoke up. "When can you look at the timer again?" Poppy hesitated, looking up at Francis for a moment. "I'm... not sure," she said eventually, evidently a little worried at the prospect.
Francis frowned. "It's better if we just left the timers alone for now." *** Callie seemed thoughtful for a moment. "What's something good?"
Val hesitated, evidently torn between concern for her friend and her need for information. "Is there anything we could do to figure it out?" Poppy frowned, running her hand through her daughter's hair idly. "Not that I know of," she said softly. *** "I personally like the cream of chicken," he said. "But maybe for a cold you should get something like chicken noodle?"
Landon pursed his lips in thought, tapping his chin distractedly. *** She nodded slowly. "I'll get that, then."
Poppy sighed eventually. "I'm sorry, I'm being silly. I can do it. I just... I might need another timer. I tried to get out with it, but..." She trailed off, shifting uncomfortably. "You know." * * * "Two bowls of soup, please," he told the cashier kindly. "One chicken noodle and and cream of chicken. Could I also please get two of the biscuits? Thank you." He paid and turned to her with a grin as they waited for the soup. "So, there are three girls and three boys. They're ten or eleven, and fairly short. You know. Fifth graders."
Francis spoke up, his voice sharp. "If it's going to cause another problem like this, I'm not allowing it." *** She smiled slightly. "Right. Small."
Val looked at him but said nothing. Poppy squeezed his hand, watching him carefully before looking back at Val and Landon. Val spoke, her voice low. "I wouldn't ask unless I didn't have any other choice." *** He laughed. "Exactly. Plus, these six are fairly small even by fifth grader terms."
Landon looked up, then spoke to Val. "We could always try to find the source of timers," he said. "They have to be made somewhere." *** "I'll be sure to come by tomorrow."
Val pursed her lips thoughtfully. "We could do that in the meantime," she agreed. "And we could try to get another one at the same time. Kill two birds with one stone and all that." *** He grinned as their soups were delivered. He passed her the bowl and a biscuit. "Great! They'll be so excited."
He nodded. "It all works out!" *** She gave quick thanks. "I hope so," she said. "I'd hate to disappoint."
Val nodded slowly, still a little concerned. James tugged on his father's coat. "What's going on?" *** "Oh, you won't disappoint them. I mean, they're fifth graders. Nothing makes them sad except for broccoli."
Francis looked at his son, his eyes thoughtful. "They're just.. doing some research. That's all." *** She laughed. "Broccoli? Broccoli and artichokes, probably."
James frowned and went over to his mother, frowning. Lily grinned at him and leapt on him, using Poppy as a springboard. *** "Oh, definitely! And spinach."
She stuck her tongue out at her father defiantly while James fought to get her off. "Never!" *** "Except carrots. They like carrots."
Francis sighed, shaking his head slightly. "Quit that, you two," he said, his voice sharp. *** She smiled. "Good for the eyesight."
"She started it!" James said, trying to get Lily off. The eight year old held on to him tightly, her laughter bright and easy. *** "I should have eaten more carrots," he joked, tapping the rim of his glasses.
Francis sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before standing up and grabbing Lily, pulling her away almost playfully. "You're being a nuisance." *** She laughed. "Me too."
