Tenement Funster

Hello...Goodbye...

It was a new routine for them but they both found they liked it.  Brunch on Sundays with Olivia.  She enjoyed their company and loved hearing about what was going on in their world.  They got up at 10 and bathed and dressed nicely and walked over to the house.  Using the kitchen entrance was no bother.   They went in and found Olivia waiting for them in the main sitting room with the table dressed for their meal.

After shared hugs and kisses they all took a seat at the cloth covered table as Millie carried in dishes of freshly prepared food.  She set them on the table and left them to their own devices as she went to enjoy the rest of the day off.  Everyone helped themselves to servings of bacon, fried potatoes and a spinach souffle.  Brian sat and listened as Roger excitedly dominated the conversation with talk of his new job and his new boss.  

"That does sound like an adventure in the making..."  Olivia agreed as she took a bite of her souffle.  

"I got my passport photo taken and the paperwork turned in with the fee..."  Roger told her as he practically ignored his food and relished in the telling of his recent activities.   "The man said it would only be a week or two..."  he explained.  Olivia nodded agreement to the statement.

"I just renewed mine last year and it didn't take long at all..."  Olivia remarked as she smiled at Brian.  Acknowledging him as Roger continued.  

"Freddie said we are going to Paris and I have to admit I am really excited!"  Roger exclaimed as he finally took a bite of potatoes.  Olivia beamed at him.

"You will love Paris!"  Olivia told him.   "There is so much to see and do and the shopping is marvelous!"  she remarked.  "Have you ever been to Paris?"  she suddenly asked Brian to try and loop him in to the conversation.  He smiled and nodded.

"I have actually...my parents took me when I graduated school..." he answered.  "You're right...it is a wonderful place to visit...I know Roger will enjoy it..."  he said and tried to hide his envy.  It wasn't jealousy that Roger was going to see Paris.  He was thrilled he would be able to see the city.  It was that someone else was taking him.  Brian would have liked to be the one who took him there.  And he still worried this Freddie character might have designs on him.  

"I'll send you both a postcard!"  Roger said with a broad smile as he took another bite of food.  They focused on their meal and then in a change of pace for Olivia, she helped the boys carry the dishes to the kitchen.  She donned a white apron and they all stood and cleaned up together.  

"I washed dishes in one of my first jobs..."  Roger commented as he took a freshly washed and rinsed plate from Olivia and began to towel dry it.  Brian was placing the leftover food in the covered bowls Millie had left out for them.  

"I did a stint as a washer too as a teen..."  Brian chimed in.  Olivia laughed at them both.

"That makes three of us!"  she told them.   "I volunteered at a children's home and would help in the kitchen sometimes....they always needed help with the dishes..."   she said with a whimsical smile.   "Anything new with you Brian?"  Olivia asked to steer some attention his way.  He nodded.

"Yes...I have my first contract as an editor with a writer..."  he announced proudly.  Olivia looked impressed.

"Congratulations!"  she told him.  "You must be excited to start your first project!"  she remarked.  Brian smiled widely.  

"I am...and I've got the person who replaced me trained so I can now focus on getting the book going with the author..."  Brian explained.    Olivia smiled at him.