PART 2
“Time for bed,” announced Asia, entering the parlor.
Nan looked at the wall clock. “Asia, it’s only nine. Can’t we stay up later?” she asked.
“It is Friday night, Asia. We don’t have school tomorrow,” added Emil.
The children all turned to Asia with pleading looks on their faces. She sighed, “I can’t believe I’m lettin’ you talk me into this.”
“Thank you, Asia,” Bess smiled.
“Yeah, thanks.” Dan walked over to the fireplace and added another log to the dwindling fire.
“I’ll give you half and hour . . . unless Mrs. Jo comes back ‘cause I don’t want you kids gettin’ me in trouble. Agreed?” questioned Asia.
“Yes,” the children said in unison.
Outside, Jo and Nick had returned to the porch after a short walk around the house. “It’s getting’ late,” Nick said, sitting on the porch railing.
“I should tell the children to get ready for bed. Rob’s already up later than usual.” Jo put her hand on the doorknob.
“I’m sure that Asia has everything under control Jo. You don’t need to worry so much.”
“I can’t stop worrying about them. They’re my . . . children,” Jo lowered her head and began playing with her coat sleeves.
Nick stood and moved toward Jo. “I’m sorry,” he lifted her chin and looked into her expressive brown eyes, “I feel the same way about ‘em.
I guess I’d be concerned about ya if ya didn’t worry so much about ‘em.”
“Let’s go inside,” Jo smiled, “You can still help me read Rob his bedtime story.”
“Jo . . .”
“Come on. It’ll be fun.” Jo grabbed Nick’s hand and led him into the house.
Once inside, Nick helped Jo off with her coat and received a small kiss in return. The couple entered the parlor, finding the children still awake and sitting in a circle telling stories.
“Hi, Mrs. Jo,” Nat said, noticing her and Nick enter, “Hi, Nick.”
“Shouldn’t you all be in bed by now?” Jo asked, hands on hips.
“Asia said we could stay up a little bit later since it’s Friday and we don’t have school tomorrow,” Tommy answered.
Jo turned toward Asia and raised an eyebrow at her, “Really?”
“They were so pathetic lookin’, Jo. But I also said that they had to go to bed as soon as you came back,” Asia replied from the couch where she was reading. “Remember that?” she asked the children.
“I see,” Jo smiled.
“But it hasn’t been a half hour yet.” Nan looked at Asia.
“Don’t ask me.” Asia pointed to Jo, relinquishing her authority.
“Please, Mrs. Jo,” Nan said. The other children smiled and nodded their heads in agreement.
“Okay,” Jo gave in, “Ten more minutes, but that’s it.” Jo walked over to her son and knelt in front of him. “Rob, I’m sorry, but it’s time for you to go to bed. It’s already past you bedtime,” she looked up at the clock, “by quite a bit.”
“But I’m not tired,” Rob yawned. The children laughed at Rob’s will to stay awake.
Nick came up behind Jo and looked at Rob. “Come on Rob. I’ll read ya a story.”
“I want to stay up like the other kids.” Rob’s eyelids began to close, but he quickly reopened them.
“Okay then,” Nick said, picking up Rob, “That settles it.” Nick turned Rob upside down and dangled him, by his feet, over Jo’s head. “If you don’t go to bed, I’ll have to drop ya on your ma and I don’t think she’d like that too much.”
Jo looked up at her son and laughed. “Are you going to let Nick drop you on me?”
“No . . . I’ll go to bed,” Rob spoke between spurts of laughter. Nick headed upstairs with Rob slung over his shoulder, both of them smiling and laughing.
Jo stood and looked at the smiling faces around her. “I expect to see all of you in your rooms in thirty minutes,” she said, barely audible to the talking children. She left the parlor and waited at the base of the stairs for a reaction from them.
In the parlor, a look of confusion came over Nat’s face. “What is it, Nat?” Emil asked.
“Thirty minutes?” Nat called to Jo.
“You heard me.” Jo smiled and walked upstairs.
PART 3
