Love, Lust 'n Geology (1ST DRAFT)

Chapter 47: Boozy barbecue

This is the 2nd half of what was previously chapter 46, similarly named 'Boozy barbecue'. I decided to split up that chapter as the Engagement stats on it, which Tanyattay showed me how to look up recently, indicated that it had the lowest reader engagement of any of the previous chapters - except chapter 1 ;-)! It's undoubtedly the (boring) content that's the culprit, but length may be a (minor) factor, as well. I'd prefer to complete a 1st draft of the book, prior to revising any chapters, so am limiting myself to simply splitting up the chapter at this point :-).

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Chapter 47: Boozy barbecue

Jan had just posed the question, "So how much longer will you be here, Samina?" when they heard a door slam, immediately followed by a child wailing, "Mommy! Mommy!" A cherubic toddler, with a mop of curly blonde hair, his apparel, a blue T-shirt and shorts, indicating that he was not as he first appeared to be, namely, a girl, had just emerged from the house. He scuttled down the steps of the deck, ran up to Jan and stood, crying, with his arms lifted, gesturing to be picked up.

Leaning down, Jan frowned, "No, Peter! I'm too busy right now, sweetheart. Go to Daddy!"

Peter, not appearing to have much use for Daddy at the moment, stomped his feet and only entreated louder, "Mommy! Mommy!"

"Oh, Bill is so useless with Peter!" Jan muttered, irritably. "Where is he?" she cried, surveying the yard. "He was supposed to keep an eye on him!"

Wherever Bill might have been, he was nowhere to be seen. Releasing a resigned sigh, Jan bent down and gripped Peter round the waist. She was about to lift him when Tom put his hand out to stop her. "Hold on, Jan."

Squatting down in front of Peter, so that they were eye to eye, more or less, Tom gently took Peter's hand. "Is there anything I can do, Peter?" he coaxed. At the same time, a handkerchief emerged from his shirt pocket; he dabbed Peter's eyes and nose with it. Samina was surprised at how cooperatively Peter, who was sporting fat tears in his eyes and whimpering, submitted to Tom, even jutting his face out to help.

Samina had discovered Tom's habit of always having a handkerchief on hand relatively early in their relationship. It had struck her as odd, belonging to a bygone era, much like his house. The only men whom she knew for certain shared his habit were her father and Grant. Umm, she just couldn't see Grant pulling a condom out of his pocket, though! Nor her father! She suspected, alas, that condoms and handkerchiefs did go hand in hand from time to time!

Peter's large, liquid blue eyes, resembling Jan's, flitted uncertainly from Tom to his mother and back again. "Hawsey, Thom?" he asked, hesitantly.

"That would be Uncle Tom to you, young man!" Jan interjected. "And no, Tom can't play horsey here. His pants'll get all dirty!"

Peter, having been denied Plan B, immediately fell back on Plan A. His face crumpled. Opening his mouth wide, he sobbed, "Mommy!" and raised his arms again.

"Aw, c'mon Jan!" Tom admonished. Taking hold of both of Peter's hands and lowering them slowly, he said, "Mommy's right, Peter. I can't play horsey on the grass here. But if you don't mind getting on a really high horse, I mean, if you're not scared to, I can still give you a ride!"

Peter's sizeable eyes widened. Wringing his small hands – he appeared a little nervous at the prospect – he asked, "How high, Thom?" As far as Samina was concerned, the boy obviously had the makings of a scientist! No fuzzy information for him. No, siree! He needed details!

Samina saw Tom struggle not to smile, as he shrugged and replied casually, "Oh, about as high as me, when I stand up."

Peter didn't answer immediately, simply stared at Tom, appearing to consider the matter, carefully. And then, nodding solemnly, he replied, "Awright, Thom."