Self Service

Or Something Like It

Priscilla got into her clothes and fixed her hair in a bun just before set up for the party began. She put herself at Valeria's disposal. "Actually, everything is all taken care of. I'm just gonna go and coordinate. Scott says you get things done pretty well. Here's a clipboard and a checklist."

Priscilla looked the list over and headed outside, watching for the companies to show up, checking them off and leading them to Valeria.

When her list was all checked off, she saw Scott and Brent pulling up with a huge cake. "Do you gentlemen need help?"

"Just open the gate for us, sweetheart," Scott told her.

She did as she was told and followed the men to the back where Priscilla finally understood why he said the party sounded hectic. There were five bounce houses, face painting, all types of game stations, and a massive amount of junk food.

Priscilla closed her eyes. "Hey, Valeria, how many people are you expecting?"

"About a hundred children."

"A hundred?!" She choked on her saliva with wide eyes, covering her mouth as she coughed. Scott patted her back, and she waved him off, going inside to collect herself.

"What's wrong with her?" Valeria frowned.

"Yeah, she's not a big fan of children. I'm really surprised she committed to this," Scott explained.

Valeria frowned. "All women like children."

"Not that one. She doesn't like children."

"You're okay with that?" Brent asked, skeptical. Scott adored children.

"I guess."

"If she doesn't like children, that means you won't get to be a father. Is that okay?"

"If she decides that she doesn't want children, what am I going to do?"

There was silence and Valeria moved to greet guests while Scott went inside to check on Priscilla.

"Scilla, baby?" he called.

He found her on the sofa taking deep breaths. "A hundred," she told him, taking deep breaths. "Why is it legal to have so many of those things-"

"People-"

"Things," she told him, letting him know she'd meant it. "In one place."

"They're not things."

She breathed deeply. "They make noise and messes."

"Do you remember when you were five, Priscilla?"

"I do," she told him.

"Didn't you make noise and messes?"

"I cleaned up behind three people when I was five and my mother had to work."

He frowned. "I thought it was just you and your sisters in the house."

She looked up at him and put her hands in her face, shaking her head.

Pulling herself together, she got up. "Guess if I might potentially give you one I should learn to deal with children."

Scott knew what she was doing and he was going to let her. He took her hand and led her back outside.

There were children everywhere, and Serena and Victoria came running over with grins on their faces. Instead of going for Scott like Priscilla completely expected, the little girls came and took her hands.

"Come in the bounce house, Aunt Priscilla."

She looked at Scott and he gave her a gentle push. "Go for it."