Chapter Five
Arriving at Brendas house, she unloaded her bag. Inside the house, she walked into the welcoming cries of a baby.
"Hey Ryan."
"Hi." Madilynn gave Ryan, Brenda's husband, an awkward hug.
"Thanks for letting me crash."
"Sure. Make yourself comfortable."
"Thanks."
"Madi, you can stay in here." Brenda led her to a guest room.
"Thanks."
"Hungry? It's lunch time."
"For sure."
"Come on." They made their way to the kitchen.
"I'm going back to work." Ryan announced, obviously glad to relinquish his babysitting duties.
"Do you want a sandwich to go?"
"No, I'll stop somwhere. Thanks though." He kissed Brenda. "See you guys later."
"Bye." The girls said.
"So what are your plans for the rest of the day?" Brenda asked, making a couple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
"Nothing. How about you?"
"Well, Julia wanted to stop by, or Michelle."
"Awesome."
"They wanted to visit."
"I would love that. I haven't seen Julia in forever. Michelle since the fairs in Mexico."
"Yeah?"
"Did that end up going better for you then the day we had?"
"Yeah. Well, after we fought when he got home. He's so obsessed with that house."
"How's it coming along?"
"Great. It should be finished by now, or really soon."
"Have you seen it since?"
"Only once. It's looking really good."
"I bet. Especially if it's being designed by you."
"Yeah, I'm excited."
"Mom! What's for lunch?" Arianna came bouncing into the kitchen. Arianna was four, and looked just like her dad.
"Peanut butter and jelly. Sit at the table please." Arianna did as she was told, then was served her sandwich.
"Wow she's gotten big. And look, Ry's walking!" Madilynn gasped as Ryan junior came into the room slowly, holding onto the wall.
"PB!" He sputtered. "PB!" He opened and closed his left hand, reaching for a sandwich. Madilynn picked him up and set him in his high chair. He was blond and fair like his mom. Expecting his wants, Brenda served him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich cut into the smallest pieces possible, and probably ever seen, with a sippy cup full of milk.
"You're such a great mom Brenda."
"Thanks. I try. It gets so crazy sometimes. Especially since he's walking now."
"I can't even imagine." They were inturrupted by the door bell. "I'll get it." Madilynn volunteered. Brenda nodded and continued her sandwiches. "Julia!" Madilynn called, giving her a hug.
"Hey! How are you? Come on honey." She ushered her daughter, also four into the house, while carrying a bundle in a car seat. "Michelle's right behind me." Julia said, coming in and making herself at home. Madilynn greeted her too, and cooed over her almost one year old daughter, Bea.
"The gang's all here!" Madilynn called. Sitting down to sandwiches, the catching up game began.
"Well, we should get going, the husbands'll want dinner." Michelle said, glancing at her watching. "It's four already."
"I suppose." Julia sighed.
"It was great to see you guys," Madilynn said, walking them to the door.
"You too. You have to come back, or at least, more often." Julia said.
"I'll try. I just don't like the winters so much." They laughed, understanding. After saying good bye, Brenda and madilynn went back into the kitchen to start dinner themselves.
"Well, I hate to be the party crasher, but I'm exhausted, and tomorrow will be a late night. I've been up since four am your time."
"That's crazy!" Brenda laughed. Her husband had already retired to the living room after dinner. "I bet you're tired. You look like it."
"Well then. I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks again for letting me stay here."
"Any time. And I'll be thanking you for tomorrow afternoon." She grinned.
"That you will. Good night. 'Night Ryan!" Madilynn called.
"See you tomorrow." He said back.
Chapter six