Six Shots Deep

All This Trouble

Around noon, everyone piled outside and began to help set up. Abigail and myself were cooking food while Charles, Arthur, and Eugene set up decorations. John went to bring Jack.

We always had this small party once a month to spend time together as a family. It brought relationships within this small gang closer. Abigail loved to pick on Eugene, and he picked on her right back.

As I was finishing up the meat, Eugene came into the kitchen. Abigail had stepped away to greet Jeremiah as he woke up from his nap. She looked over as Eugene dipped his finger in the soup.

"Eugene!" She yelled, throwing a spoon at him. He ducked in time and laughed. "You wait until it's ready!"

"Your cooking still hasn't gotten any better, Aunt Abigail." He laughed.

"Shut up." She shoved him out of the kitchen. I chuckled as she rejoined me at the stove. "That boy of yours."

"You know you love him," I nudged her shoulder, "besides, he has to pick on you sometimes."

She chuckled. "My cooking has gotten better."

"It has." I looked over to her and smiled. "He just has to mess with everyone. He does the same to Arthur and me."

She chuckled again. I looked down as I felt tiny hands pulling at my jeans. Jeremiah was reaching up. I picked him up. "Well, good afternoon, little one," I kissed the side of his head. "Did you have a good nap?"

He nodded, rubbing his eyes. "Mama wake me up."

"Did she now?"

He nodded again, yawning.

"Well, your uncle Jack is gonna be here soon. You excited to see him?" Abigail asked, looking up at him.

He smiled and reached for Abigail. "When Uncle Jack coming?"

Abigail took him from my arms. "Soon. Uncle John went to go pick him up."

He wiggled from Abigail's arms and ran towards the living room. He screamed for John but he didn't answer. I laughed as I returned my attention back to the meat. I garnished it and flipped it over. Arthur came into the kitchen to get a box underneath the sink.

"What is Jeremiah yelling for?" He asked, pulling out the box.

"Abigail told him that John went to go get Jack and he's excited." I explained.

"Oh, so you're the reason he's screaming," he chuckled, "well, I suppose you should apologize to Bria because she's tryin to get him to calm down."

I smiled as I continued to cook the meat. Bria came in as Jeremiah squirmed and squeezed. He was crying and screaming.

"Jeremiah, that's enough!" Bria yelled, setting him down. "Now Uncle Jack is coming here soon."

"I want see him now!"

"He'll be here soon-"

"I want now!"

"Jeremiah-"

"Now!"

"Jeremiah Eugene Morgan!" Bria yelled. "That's enough!"

"Okay," I turned off the stove and walked towards my daughter, "come on, let's calm down." I took her by the shoulders and pulled her towards the living room. "Arthur, take Jeremiah outside." I looked down at Bria. "Alright, deep breaths."

She took in a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. "Momma, I don't know if I can do this anymore."

"Bria, it'll be okay. He's just in that stage where tantrums are everywhere."