Soldier | E.D

Three

Chapter Three |'Stir fry and otter pops'

Morgan

Ugh, is the first thing Morgan thinks as the blinding white sunlight comes in through her window, going straight into her eyes. The sound of the vaccuum drones on and on in her head. Then she remembers. Mom's coming home today. 

Stephanie, was nearly 40, and still drinking as if she was 21. Morgan only hoped she wasn't bringing her boyfriend, who was at least 47, overweight, abusive, and smoking weed. Daryl wasn't apart of the fun, according to Morgan. While she lived at home still, she wasn't a middle aged loser, living off of her elderly parents. At least Ellie would be here, she thought, then glanced at the clock. 11:38? Nana Barb is going to kill me! She jumped out of bed, and walked as quickly as she could to the bathroom. She brushed her teeth, put on deodorant, and brushed her hair, trying to make herself somewhat less of a mess, then changed into her favorite jeans and favorite jean jacket, not caring about Nana Barb's opposition to denim-on-denim. 

She nearly forgot to make her bed, and in trying not to make Nana Barb even more angry at her than she would already be, she hastily made it, then ran down the stairs quickly. "Well, it's about time," Nana Barb said, not even turning around. "I'm sorry. About last night, and getting up late," Morgan bowed her head. "Darlin', that is the reaction I expected you to have. Especially after Miss Arden fired you for no good reason.  Now go on in the kitchen, theres a plate for you. Then wash the dishes and start making lunch. And get me a glass of iced tea would you? I'm going to sit out on the front porch, Nancy and Jim, and Kim, Bella,and Gary are all coming over for lunch, and Stephanie and David will be here about 12:30. Got all that?" Barbara said, her heavy accent making it impossible to understand, unless you had been with her for years as Morgan had. 

"Yes ma'am," Morgan nodded, and got to work in the kitchen. About 20 minutes later, her great Aunt Nancy and Gruncle Jim were here. Morgan had just finished making her blue cheese apple salad, frying the chicken for those of them that ate meat, and had begun making an asparagus tofu stir fry for herself, Ellie, her Aunt Kim, and Nana Barb. 

"Oh Morgan you're so tall now!" Aunt Nancy said, walking into the kitchen. "Thanks Aunt Nan," Morgan smiles into her hug. "Somethin' smells good Morganic," Gruncle Jim said, sniffing the air. "Oh Jim, that's her vegetarian food. You made us real meat, didn't you dear?" Aunt Nancy inquired. "Yes ma'am, of course I did. Nice to see you again, Gruncle Jim," She nods. "Oh Morgan, you should let me take a picture of you two," Aunt Nancy exclaimed. Gruncle Jim rolled his eyes. "Nan, honey, its only noon. Look, the girl has been busy all morning-" Actually, I need to take a shower, if you'll excuse me," she smiled lightly, then opended the screen door. "Nana, do you mind watching the stir fry while I take a shower? Fifteen minutes," she promises. "Fifteen minutes." Nana stands up, and walks towards the kitchen as Morgan runs up to her bathroom. She grabs her phone off her vanity, and starts the shower. While the shower warms up, she checks her texts. One from Ellie, thirteen from Nana Barb, seventeen from Kevin. Ugh Kevin. Kevin is her ex from highschool, and who just really couldn't move on. 

'Please, please leave me alone. This was six years ago. I'm blocking you now, and I don't want to see you around. Understood?'

She types, then blocks his number as the read icon comes up. And..an unknown number?

'Hey, I know you probably don't remember me, but..we met at the bar last night? My name is Ethan...Ethan Dolan. You nicknamed me E.T. Phone home lol'

She smiles, as the memory, slightly blurred, replays in her head.

'Yeah. I remember you.'

Morgan realizes she's lost 5 of her fifteen minutes, and jumps straight into the shower. Four minutes later, she's blow drying her hair in a robe, then hastily doing her makeup. Five minutes later, she's in her favorite outfit, even though her eyeliner is messed up, and her eyebrows are drawn on slightly crooked. When she walks back in the kitchen, Ellie is sitting on the counter, eating an otter pop. "Hey Morg-yikes. Fix your face," Ellie cringes. "I know, I know, but Nana will only watch it for 15 minutes. "Yeah yeah. Did you..by any chance...recieve a text from a certain hot soldier?" 

"That was you?!" Morgan yells, turning around and hitting her head on the microwave. "Shut up. And yes, you're welcome," Ellie says, cronching on her popsicle. "Ellie! Now isn't the best time for me to be in a relationship," Morgan sighs, turning back around. "Of course it is. You need some positivity. A boyfriend will help!" She says knowingly. "A soldier though? Really? How exactly is that going to help? That sounds like extra stress and trauma to me," Morgan says, shaking her head. "I mean, he can take your mind off things. He seems like a nice guy. Worst thing, you'll fall in love and get hurt," she shrugs. 

"Oh Morgan honey, there you are. I was getting worried. Is that..a storebought pie," Great Aunt Nancy gasps in horror. "No Aunt Nancy, I premake and freeze my pies, you know that. And I was only gone fifteen minutes. Hey Aunt Nan, you remember my best friend Ellianna, right?" "Well, I was under the impression it was a family event," she turns her nose up. "Ellie is family, Nan," Gruncle Jim said coming into the kitchen. "Hey Gruncle Jim," Ellie waved, sucking out the last of her otter pop.

"Hey Ellie. How's your momma doing?" he asks. "She's doing good, adjusting well to the home, and hasn't had any complications with the medicine yet. My Daddy's going crazy without her though," she laughs. Ellianna's mother was strong as a child, growing up in the detroit ghetto. When she was diagnosed with early-onset alzheimers-not so much. And while Ellie put on a brave face- Morgan knew she was suffering. "Oh I'll bet. As much as a pain in the neck Nancy is, I wouldn't be okay without her," He smiles at his wife, who blushes slightly, and gazes lovestruck back at him.

They're so in love, Morgan thought, wishing for the slightest moment to have that. Then the front porch slammed closed, and she heard her Aunt Kim call, "We're here!" and she and her baby carrier walked into the kitchen. "Hey Aunt Kim," Morgan said too quickly, and putting a little bit too much emphasis on the Aunt. Aunt Nancy would go off on a tangent about respect, even though Kim and Morgan were only eight years apart. She took Poppy's car seat out of Kim's hands, and set it on the counter to take the baby out. "Hi little bug," she cooed to the baby. "Where's Gary?" Ellie asked.

"Outside talking to Lucy about her attitude," she rolls her eyes. "When did she get here?" Morgan asked, bouncing Poppy on her hip. "Three days," Somehow, nobody had noticed Nancy and Jim slip out. "Hey I was thinking, do y'all want to go to the music festival in Frisco? Me, you two, and Lucy could go. If she's still here and wants to go. Oh and Audri can go too. Or we could go to the Rodeo? I just want to get a weekend away, you know?" Morgan says, when Poppy begins to fuss. "Oh pretty girl do you wanna go? Hmm? Well too bad sweetpea, it'll be momma's little break. I'll bring her back I promise," She stirs her food. "Well hello Lucy,"Ellie says. "Hi." She looks down at her hands. "Hi Luce. Do you mind holding Poppy while I set the table?" Morgan asked her. "Who? Oh Paloma. No, I'm good." She abruptly says, looking down at her nails again. "Elle?" Ellie comes over without hesitation, and Morgan and Kim start to set the table.

Nana Barb shuffles into the dining room. "Oh look, all my grandchildren in one room! I've got all of you. Ellie, Poppy, Lucy, Kim- oh and of course Melissa," she jokes. "Very funny Nana," Morgan rolls her eyes. Lucy looks quizically at the older woman. "Well, before she got fired, her boss would always call her Melissa. Made her so mad," She laughs. "While I would love to stay and get made fun of, I need a break. I'll be out on the front porch. I'll let you know when Stephanie gets here," she sighs, and walks out to the outdoor rocking chair.