Day 4/366

"Mom," Roger announced in his most obnoxious manner, "Aunt Millie broken the rule of the house and now she won't pay up!"  One more aggressive shake of the jar punctuated his lament.

Millie snorted and shook her head.  "Honestly, Josephine, can't you teach this boy any manners?"  Her tightly permed gray curls bobbed with indignation.  "I hardly think calling out his elders is proper behavior."

Mom sighed, a familiar crease in her forehead.  "No, it's not Aunt Millie.  And I do try my best, but--"

"It's true, Mom," I interrupted.  "Aunt Millie did break the house rule about inappropriate language."  I caught my aunt's gaze and gave her a sly wink.  "She said...she said..." I mused, feigning forgetfulness.  Directing my eyes toward Aunt Sophie, I asked "Auntie, do you recall the word Aunt Millie abused?"

Sophie caught on immediately, and she joined my ruse.  "Oh, it's on the tip of my tongue!  What was it..."

I could see Roger's frustration building.  "I know it, but for some reason..."

"Oh, good grief," he exclaimed.  "She said stupid!"

Mom's eyes widened and she fought off a grin.  "What did she say?"

Roger crowed with great satisfaction, "She said stupid!"  He shook his change jar for emphasis.

"No," I shook my head, staring up at the ceiling.  If I looked at my brother I'd lose it for sure.  "I don't think that's what she said, little brother."

"Yes, it is!  She said it three times!" he insisted.

Millie couldn't resist, and she glared at him as she asked, "I said what three times, young man?"

Roger met her steely eyed gaze and carefully enunciated, "You.  Said. Stupid.  Three. Times."

Aunt Millie cackled and her eyes snapped with glee.  "Why, yes I did say that word three times.  And I believe you've also just said it three times yourself, Mr. Man!"

His mouth fell open as he realized what the women in his life were up to, then fury crept over his usually good natured features.  "Hey!"

That was all he got out before Mom stepped in, her own brown eyes twinkling.  It was so good to see the light back in her eyes, and I owed it all to my aunts.  My crazy, wonderful aunts.  "I'd call that even and stop when I was ahead, Son."

Aunt Sophie ruffled my brother's hair affectionately, and amazingly, he didn't growl about it.  Instead, he grinned and told our mom, "Yeah, you got the best of me this time, Aunt Millie.  But I'm watching you," he added, two fingers toward his eyes then toward her.  "I'm always watching you," he left her with, disappearing upstairs with his jingle cash.

The four of us had a good laugh, and then it was time to work on dinner.  Thanks to the gracious gift of my extended family, we worked together seamlessly and it felt good once again to be together.

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But, what about Dad?  How is he doing?  And will Roger get back at Aunt Millie?

That's a story for another time.

Creatively Yours,

Deena

All words property of Deena Peterson and may not be used with permission