Shelby, Part 1: "Coats!" Our homeschooling mom announced to both sons, before they had the chance to run up the kitchen stairs.

She had heard her husband's stories, of he and his brothers and sister growing up here.  Stories she enjoyed hearing.  Having been the only child of an apartment manager, while the complex was nice - and had not only tennis courts, but a spacious swimming pool, still, the units had been small, and most of the neighbors were child-free - some had been evangelically so.  But she harbored no regrets.  Her father hadn't always been successful in getting an electrician or a plumber when needed.  So, of course, he, more than a few times did the repair work - or rigged something until the contractor was able to fix/replace whatever.  In short, she had acquired a decent set of do-it-yourself skills.  Skills which came in handy for a one-income family of five - with, Lord willing, number six on the way.  

She peered around the corner, glancing into the entrance to a room beyond the living room.  "Callie, out of there, that's Grammie's space."  Her daughter tottled out, coloring book and a box of crayons in hand.  She set both upon an ottoman; her attention was drawn by movement outside.  The little girl ran over to the window and watched several deer grazing in the side field.

The muffled thunk of a plate, followed by a metal canister, sounded from behind Shelby's turned back.  She turned toward the table before her.  Oh brother!  

 

"I didn't have enough bananas." Gwin set a date nut loaf on the table, next to a shallow bowl containing cheese slices.  On the other side, sat a plate of broccoli, cauliflower and dip.  And of course, the tin half full of some kind of german cookies Gwin had made before the holidays.  

"Callie, come on out here for bit." Her mother called. "Mamma, the deer..."  "Honey it's getting too dark to see them, come on out here."

From a room, across the hallway, a rustle of papers was followed up by the sound of a desk drawer being closed.  Brian s eyes lit up at the bounty before him. "Boys," he shouted up the steps, "it's time to come down."  Footfalls, bounded down from the second flight, then onto the first.

"Cookies!"  The younger exclaimed, while the older reached for a glass of milk and a piece of cheese.  

"Matt, just one for now."  Shelby chided, we're all going to go eat soon."  She then reached for one of the veggies, and slathered it in dip - not just any dip, this stuff was ambrosia; Gwin had made it herself.  How she had the time?  Considering, her mother-in-law worked full-time, plus the commute.  One thing Shell knew was: having a big kitchen, made a big difference.  

Brian and she were both working toward that - a house, rooms, each with plenty of room.