Preachers' Sons 2: The Nineties - 1. Chapter 1 J. J.

Life was a challenge enough. Now, there was a huge difference. A loud difference. Day and night would not be the same in our home. Two in the morning, four, at first every two hours Justin let us know he was there and needed something. There was nothing wrong with Justin’s lungs. I didn’t need a second opinion. They had improved diapers and now they kept baby dry much better. Pampers, Luvs, whatever...he just needed to be changed or fed. I did it. Or Elias did it. Right now Justin was sleeping in our room. Having the house was nice, but we didn’t really do it for an additional soul. Definitely not a baby. Brandi would help, when she could. She had Breanna! She was proving to be a challenge, too. Elias was more of a professional being a father. However, he had to use cloth diapers with Jonathan. No way was I trusting that. I learned with Pampers to fold the front of the diaper putting his little pecker inside the fold, so when the pissed was contained. I read everything I could on parenting. Elias and I agreed never to hit Justin for any reason. That meant no spanking. Both Elias and I were spanked, so no. He was a good baby, unless he was hungry or needed a diaper change. He let us know.

We had to buy another car. Elias and I were making more money, but buying a car in Hawai’i was different than buying on the mainland. We got a Toyota Forerunner. It was one year old, but we made the purchase. Our daily run still happened with one of those baby buggies’ you can run with. Justin was born in Kau. I’d have to cover him in Ho’oilo, the Winter. Lots of rain then. Justin loved being outside. He looked at things passing by and was alert much of the run.

My mother called every Saturday. I would put the phone next to Justin’s ear telling him it was his grandmother. She never wanted to be called grandma or something like that.

It was a month later when I was taking Justin to his appointment with his doctor. I stopped off at the University right before...okay, I was showing everyone our new son! His immunities were a concern, but how would they be developed without exposure? I’d read about the need to isolate others that thought it was fine to a point. I put Justin in a sling carrier that kept him close to my chest and my heart. I pulled him from the car seat and tucked him into the sling. Yes, I wanted everyone to know. This child belonged to Elias and me! How did women do this!? I was not going to be outdone! Diaper bag and baby situated, I walked to the building I knew Elias was lecturing.

“This is where your other daddy works!” I said to Justin.

At the door of the lecture hall, I saw Elias doing his thing! I said before, he was no preacher, but he was great at using it as he spoke about a subject he knew so well! He saw us and motioned us in.

“Some of you know Eric, my husband,” he said coming down to greet us. “You may know we have a son!” He got Justin out of the sling. “Class, this is our son Justin!”

Taking Justin out of the sling he let us know this was bothering him. He began to fuss slightly. Elias let him know he was fine, “Papa’s got you. It’s okay. You’re okay.”

“Papa?” I grinned at Elias.

Elias tucked Justin in the crook of his left arm and shrugged, “Well, he needs to learn you and I are different. We’re both his daddy, but if he needs us he knows who to call.” Elias smiled, “Right, Daddy?” He smiled turning to his students. “Here he is, our son Justin Jonas Mitchell.” He jostled Justin lightly kissing him on the head. He held Justin so his class could see. “He’s seven weeks old...eight weeks in three days.”

There were many “awes” from his class. Mostly from the females he was teaching.

“His name is Justin Jonas Mitchell?” A young man asked, “His name is hyphenated? For both of you?”

I grudged a nod, “He is named for both of us, yes.”

“Just wanted to know,” the student grinned. “In case it’s on a test.” He chuckled making the others laugh.

“Maybe for extra credit,” Elias said happily. “Mostly this is a proud papa showing off his son.” He held Justin up, kissed him quickly and put him back securely in the sling. I did notice a slight facial move on Justin. It was almost a smile.

“We’re off to the doctor,” I said patting Justin’s back gently.

“He’ll do fine,” Elias assured. “He’s growing and is healthy.” He kissed me quickly. “You’ll see.”

I took Justin to the doctor that saw him immediately after getting here to Hawai’i. She was a highly recommended pediatrician and had no problem with Elias and I being the fathers. Lynn’s medical records and report of her arrest and incarceration were told that day we saw her.

She was a pretty lady in her mid-thirties. Dark brown hair and green eyes. She was a perfect doctor for babies and small children. Samantha Hale. Her face was comforting, and she didn’t just “come at” her patients. She entered the exam room with that patient smile. I believed that was just her demeanor. “How are we today?”

“We are fine,” I touched Justin’s head. “He needs changing, but I thought you may want a stool sample. I waited on you.”

She nodded with a smile, “I would. How are things going with that? Too much? Not enough?”

I shrugged, “I have no idea. He poops three or four times a day. Pees often.”

“Okay,” she nodded. “Let’s strip him down and get a weight and measurements. Any questions or observations?”

I bowed slightly, “We kind of have been showing him off. We just came from the University to show Elias’ class.”

“They touch him,” she said cautiously.

“God, no!” I answered quickly. “They were a good few feet away. Elias and I want all our friends here to see him. Brandi Duncan is a strict hand washer and cleaner. She has a little girl seven or eight months older than Justin.”

“The spokeswoman and actor in your tea sodas commercials,” she chuckled.

I pointed at the doctor, “That’s her. No germ will get passed her or me.”

She chuckled, “Good.” She unfastened his onesie, touching the front. There was the image of a baby in a hula skirt dancing. “A hula baby. Nice.” She got the stool sample, and we cleaned him up. “He’s thirteen pounds and three ounces. That’s very good.”

“I did notice he seemed to smile at Elias,” I said. “He was trying to.”

“His socializing skills are beginning,” she nodded. “He will start interacting with the two of you more. Soon, he’ll be laughing with you.” She smiled, “I know you said your sister didn’t even begin to breastfeed.”

“No,” I said. “She knew she couldn’t keep it going. She and I weren’t breastfed.”

“I see no deficits,” she grudged a shrug. “His weight and color are good.” She snapped her fingers to the right of Justin’s head and then to the left. He turned his head at each in the correct direction. “His responses are very good.” She sighed, “The mother usually passes her immunities in the first breastfeeding.”

“Lynn and I had all the childhood diseases such as mumps, chicken pox, measles and German measles,” I said. “We got the polo vaccine.”

“You aren’t worried about all these anti-vaccine stance arising?” She asked.

“A child can have a bad reaction to almost anything,” I shook my head. “Millions get the vaccines and do just fine. No, we’re not worried.” I smiled, “Too bad you can’t take mine or Elias’s and give it to Justin.”

“We can’t yet,” she nodded. “Because of that reason, we will give the vaccines as soon as possible. That’s why you should not send him to preschool too soon. He should be able in two years,”

“Should we keep Breanna away?” I asked. “She’s Brandi’s and Mike’s infant daughter.”

“Does she play with Justin?” Dr. Hale asked.

“Not really,” I shrugged, “She’s fascinated by Justin. She mostly just looks at him. Brandi comes over at least once a week.”

“His natural immunities are kicking in just fine,’ she said.

There were the shots given. He got the vaccines to absorb. The antibodies would form. He didn’t cry when he got the shots. She had blood drawn by a heal stick. He fussed a little then but didn’t cry. I was told that because he didn’t know what was happening he didn’t tense up, therefore, less pain. I did comfort him as I got him dressed to leave. I was in his limited field of vision as I spoke to him. Then he did it. He smiled at me. It was a smile, not a reaction to gas, but a smile.

Dr. Hale smiled at me, “You didn’t father him, but you are his daddy.”

I held Justin to me, “Yes, I am.” I kissed his head and put him in the sling. “Elias is his papa, but also his daddy.”

Elias came home carrying a big box. I looked at the box surprised at the word Macintosh. We had never owned a computer. We had used one in our pursuit of degrees. Elias had borrowed a word processor, but it belonged to the University.

“You bought us a computer,” I said nodding understanding why.

He waved at the one we had in the great room. “Yes!” I grudged a nod. “We’re renting that one, but this one is ours.” He said proudly. “I do my lesson plans on one at work. You do your papers and will do your sessions with one. David and Leia have one. Johnathan has one. We can stay in touch easier with this!” He held his finger up. “One more box to bring in.” He said and raced out again.

Once the equipment was brought in, I noticed a box that had nothing to do with computers. It said Sony. He unpacked the various boxes and tentatively hooked everything up. I picked up the Sony box. It was a camcorder!

“How did J.J. do at the doctor?” Elias asked.

“J.J.?” I smirked at the name. “You want to call him J.J.”

Elias smiled and shrugged, “Someone’s going to. It’s inevitable.” He touched the camcorder. “This can record anything J.J. does and we can send it by internet to David, Johnathan and your mother.”

I frowned, “Mom doesn’t have a computer.”

“She will after this weekend!” Elias stated and that’s when Justin woke and wailed.

“Coming, your majesty!” I called.

“I’ll get him!” Elias said and raced off to our room which we all shared right now. I heard Elias as he changed and cleaned Justin...or J.J. It was the baby. Elias came back with J.J. carrying him carefully. “So what did the doctor say?”

“He’s gaining weight and an inch and a half longer,” I smiled. “He smiled.”

“He did!?” Elias held him up so J.J. could see his face. “Can you smile for papa?”

“He might be a little cranky,” I said. “He got some vaccines today.”

“Smile for papa,” Elias encouraged. It took a few seconds when Elias smiled grandly, “There it is!” He kissed J.J. and brought him in to hold him. He pointed at the camera, “That’s why I got the camcorder! If he smiles or takes his first step, we record it and send it to the family!” He grudged a nod, “And you can video call everyone! I got your mother one so she can be included.”

I nodded, “She did work while Lynn and I were going to school. I don’t know if she knows how to use a computer. Dad only used that Royal manual typewriter. Two finger touch typing.”

Elias shrugged, “I’m having one delivered and someone to help your mom learn to use it.”

“She was a great typist,” I grinned. “She ended up typing dad’s sermons. She had an IBM Selectric typewriter.”

Elias nodded as he smiled, “She’ll be fine.”

“Tomorrow Brandi’s coming to watch J.J. for a few hours,” I said.

Elias nodded, “Okay. Why?”

“I do have a business,” I shrugged. “J.J. knows Brandi and Aunt Tessa has been great helping at the Coffee Shop. I have an Assistant Manager...”

Elias kissed me, “I just wanted to know why.” He grudged a nod. “I know you have obligations and a life.” He looked at me, “This computer will be compatible so you can still work on your dissertation.” He shook his finger at me, “You will get your Psychology Doctorates degree! You aren’t Mr. Mom!”

“I’m not,” I chuckled.

“Aunt Tessa,” Elias began. “She’s what, in her sixties...maybe her seventies?” He looked puzzled. “How old do you think she is?”

I shrugged, “I have no idea. Doesn’t Theo know?”

“He claims not to,” Elias muttered.

“And I sure am not going to ask her,” I chuckled. “She could be in her eighties. She gets and uses those cures she had when it was an apothecary.”

“I hate to say,”” Elias grinned. “Japanese women hold their age very well. Theo has known her all his life.” He grinned, “His uncle married her almost thirty-five years ago. He was married before, but she died. Kaholo Hau and his first wife had two boys which I never met.”

Things were getting...much more complicated. Cellular phones. We both had one each, but like aspirin Elias would only use it when in an emergency. There were the texts we could send, but that was if there was that emergency. He, or I would text a number where we could be reached if not at home. The number followed by 911 if it was urgent. Those cellular companies charged you for the minutes! Being married to the head of the department got us a discount. It was the aspirin again. If his head really hurt, he took it. The same with his cellular phone.

Having a baby in the house changed everything. We hadn’t designed the additions to our house with an infant in mind and I didn’t want J.J. in another room down the hall. He slept in a bassinet in our room. Elias had a hard time with that as in...the mood struck him, and the baby was in our room! We did add an incinerator to the property. There was garbage trucks and even a dump. Elias could not see throwing garbage away and ending at the dump. I said in the beginning, he was a hippie born ten years late. We began recycling! Glass and aluminum cans Elias took to the University to add with their recycling. Organic waste was collected and added to our compost container to make fertilizer. The incinerator was for J.J.’s diapers. Elias had researched to find the best way. We were on the Big Island, and it was a volcano! Why not just dump them in one? There were lava vents all over! And who would you get to do that? We went to Hawai’i’s National Volcano Park and we were hundreds if not a thousands feet away and it was super hot even that far away! No, the incinerator was fine. No landfills needed.

Brandi arrived the next day and I truly loved her. Since the first moment we met she had endeared herself with Elias and me. She came in with a fussing Breanna. The house had been baby proofed by Brandi. I brought J.J. from the bedroom bringing his bassinet with me. Brandi put Breanna down on the floor who began crawling toward one of the stools surrounding the center island. She began pulling up on a stool and was standing. She was eight months older than J.J..

“Wow,” I smiled. “She’s really growing!”

Brandi rolled her eyes, “Mike has been hinting that it was time for another one. I told him, fine if you have it.” She shook her head, “I want to pursue something for me!”

“Of course, you do,” I nodded.

“I agreed to the second commercial for your tea sodas,” she ran her hand over her body. “I’ve gotten rid of the baby fat having Bree. I’m not to excited about having another one...” she held her finger up, “not yet.” She looked sheepish. “I’ve been offered a commercial for Ford in Honolulu.”

I grinned, “Wonderful! You’ll attract customers.” I looked at her face that was bothered. “You doing a commercial for them doesn’t mean you can’t do one for me, does it?”

Brandi shook her head and quickly said, “Hell, no! I told them I wanted to let you know first, but I’m still doing that commercial for your tea sodas!”

She was still the shock girl. Not as much with Breanna.

“You aren’t being disloyal,” I smiled at Brandi. “You are a college graduate and want to work. Honolulu Ford is the biggest and oldest car dealerships on the islands. I’m happy for you.”

Brandi hugged me, “Other than Mike, Elias and you...you’re my best friend!” She looked and suddenly, “No, Bree! Not that, sweetheart!” She went after her daughter quickly.

“I feel sorry for you,” I chuckled. “She’s taking after her mother.”

Brandi picked her daughter up, “My mother’s curse. She hoped I’d have a daughter just like me.” She shrugged, “Oh, well.”

Aunt Tessa was watching the Coffee Shoppe and was fine. She was the original owner! Elias was right. I’ve known her a decade, and I can’t see any change! Tiny, but a powder keg! She knew the inventory and prices. There were three Baristas working to keep up with the demands for coffee. The clientele were mostly college students and professors. Now people were coming from all over the Big Island! I had competition. Starbuck’s. They were here in Hawai’i. Elias told me most Hawai’ians kept to themselves. They supported me after I was gay bashed just a few months after arriving in Hilo. They also supported the Island Apothecary for decades. Aunt Tessa was Hawai’ian and her business was Hawai’ian. My adding the brewed coffee and tea sodas were accepted quickly. They were loyal to the Coffee Shoppe. I was also warned by the University that there was a request for a Starbuck’s on campus. Warned! They wanted my Coffee Shoppe on campus, not Starbuck’s! I was opening one in the Student Union. My Coffee Shoppe was only a mile from campus, but students and faculty quickly moving from class to class couldn’t take the time to come here. It would open in a few weeks. The neighboring towns and islands would get them, too. I never dreamed of the possibilities. A franchise? All I originally just wanted was a job to support Elias and myself.

“You may expand more!” Aunt Tessa said to me happily. “They line out the door many times. Demand good!”

I never understood why she had such an accented English. She had been here all her life! Her grandparents had been in that awful internment camp during World War II. They had been born here! Okay, I wasn’t going there. She was as American as apple pie. It was her signature now. “I suppose I might have to.” There was room to build if needed. I needed a place to do therapy! I could build an extension and have patients come, get a cup of coffee, latte or tea soda. I had time.

“How baby?” Aunt Tessa asked.

I smiled, “He’s great. Needs a lot of attention.”

“He have two good fathers,” Aunt Tessa said simply. She touched my arm, “When baby get colic or teething let me know. I have good medicine to help that.”

I remembered her quick medication when Elias got the flu. It knocked it away in a couple of days. I never got so much as the sniffles. “Not that Japanese Moonshine.”

“Not for baby,” Aunt Tessa shook her head and looked at what was her apothocary. We still carried the herbs and spices but that was taking a backseat to the coffees and teas. “You no longer carry so much inventory. A reorganization would give room. You may not need expand.” She patted my arm. “You big business now.”

“That’s your fault!” I said happily. “You had all the coffees and teas, not to mention the carbinater and coffee machine...”

“That didn’t work,” Aunt Tessa smiled. “You fix. I see young man...very smart with ideas. I give chance to make dreams come true. You do it. Just like husband, my Koholo have big ideas. You did it!”

My mother was the only one of our parents to come around about us. She had come one hundred and eighty degrees compaired to a decade ago. We called once a month when we first got here, but now she called every Saturday because of J.J. We sent her photos. It was Saturday morning when our phone rang. Ten in the morning for us, five in the afternoon for her. I was holding J.J. when I answered.

“Hi, Mom,” I said as Elias entered the room.

“Hi, Mom!” Elias greeted loud enough to be heard and picked up the extension.

“Hello, my boys,” Mom greeted. “How are the three of you?”

“We’re fine,” I said. “J.J. had a great appointment with his doctor. He got some vaccines and he’s grown an inch and a half. He’s gained almost two pounds.”

“He’s smiling!” Elias added. “The most beautiful angelic smiles.”

“I need to come there,” Mom groaned. “It will be another six months until I can.”

“Which brings up another thing,” Elias chuckled. “Are you busy Monday or Tuesday?”

“Housework and grocery shopping,” Mom said. “Why?”

“We’re sending someone to you to hook up a computer,” Elias informed. “After he does that, you will see J.J.’s smile and can see him...live!”

I heard my mother’s hesitation, “By computer? I don’t know how to use the computer.”

“You are very smart, Mom,” I insisted. “I know the Master’s Degree Dad has was really yours! You typed and edited all of his papers submitted. I saw his report cards from high school. The only subject he excelled in was Agriculture.”

“He and I were raised on farms,” she said. “He was raised to be a farmer.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” I defended. “The man could brake a broomstick in half, stick it in the ground and have it grow. Green thumb? Try a green arm! I’m saying you were more capible in the modern world than he was. I know once you get this computer, you’ll be surfing the web in no time. Seeing J.J. is just an incentive.”

“A man is coming with the computer and will educate you on how to use it,” Elias said. “There is a camera coming and he will set it up and we can send messages instantly. There are many pictures we’ll send you. Mostly J.J.’s smile.”

Mom was working on what we’d told her, “J.J.? That’s what you’re calling him?” She chuckled. “Nicknames are going to happen. Your Dad’s brother Robert went from Bob to Bobby...he was in the middle batch of five children. His younger siblings began calling him Bubba and it stuck. I’ll get used to it.”

“The man coming has been told to set you up with an email address and you will see J.J. that afternoon!” Elias said. “You and Eric’s father.”

“I wouldn’t waste my time with Richard,” Mom muttered. “We have a VCR that’s been blinking to set the time for twoi years. He won’t learn. He can see J.J. on my account.”

“We are paying for your email and web access,” Elias said. “You trusted us with your grandchild. He’s been a blessing for the two of us. You shouldn’t miss a moment.”

“In five months it will be the nineties,” I said. “The last decade of the twentieth century. Things are advancing quickly.” I jostled J.J.. “Before you speak to J.J., have you spoken to Lynn?”

“Every week,” Mom said sadly. “I tell her about Justin. Her prison sentence is very hard.” She sighed, “It is punishment, and she deserves it. A mother never dreams of her children will be a felon. Drugs or any reason, this isn’t anything I hoped for.”

“She can call us,” Elias said quietly.

“Maybe in the future,” Mom said. “I look forward to this computer thing. I can’t wait to see him! I will come there in six to seven months.”

“We have the room,” I said happily. “And this time you stay at least two weeks! We have a beautiful island to show you.”

“Stay a month or two!” Elias added. “Other than David and Jonathan, you are the only member of the family that talks to us.”

“That is such a shame,” Mom said. “You both are doing very well.”

“I’ll say,” Elias bragged. “Eric’s opening a Coffee Shoppe on campus. He has plans to open one in Kailua-Kona, that’s a town on the opposite side of the Big Island.”

I grinned, “Well, Starbuck’s is here. I have to compete.”

“He will soon have one in every city in Hawai’i. His Tea Sodas are selling almost faster than he can make them!” Elias continued. “He’s about to record his second commercial!”

“A true business genius,” Mom marveled. “You’re still getting your Doctorates?”

“In a year more,” I answered. “I fully intend to. Now talk to your grandson.” I said lowering the phone next to J.J.’s ear. I heard my mother speaking to him and he looked for the source. Then I heard the song she sang to my sister and me. “Baby Mine.” It was a lullaby. It was sung in the Disney movie Dumbo. but he was listening. “Baby mine, don’t you cry. Baby mine, dry your eyes. Rest your head close to my heart, never to part, Baby of mine.” Even so long ago and it still touched my soul. “Little one when you play, pay no heed to what they say. Let your eyes sparkle and shine, never a tear, baby of mine.” Then another song she sang she made up.

At the end of the call I raised the phone to my ear, “Mom, tell Lynn she did good. She brought a happy life into the world. He’s happy and very healthy. I don’t know how they are with sending videos, but I’ll be sending you some. She can see them from you.” I raised J.J. up to my face. “Yes, you are.” He smiled at me. “There’s that smile.”

“I can’t wait to see it,” Mom said sniffing. “I knew you two would be great parents.”

“I had a good teacher,” I said. “Talk more on Monday.”

I was beginning to see what Brandi was talking about. Some. Elias and I were married! I wanted to eat out with him. I would ask Brandi if she and Mike could watch J.J., one evening and we could. Still, I read to J.J. and so did Elias. Interacting with J.J. would stimulate brain development. He was very interactive. Elias came in when I was testing J.J.. I had two foam balls, one in each hand. “Red.” I said opening my left hand showing the red ball, closed it. “Blue.” I opened my right hand showing the blue ball. He looked at them as I did that.

“What are you doing?” Elias asked stopping a second.

“Testing.” I said simply. “Red.” I opened the left. “Blue.” I opened the right and did it again. J.J. followed it all. Then I did my left and got to the other one and said “Blue.” But I didn’t open my right hand but his eyes when to my right hand expecting the ball to be there, but it wasn’t. “Yes!” I said happily to J.J..

“I don’t get it,” Elias said.

“I’m making wrinkles in his brain!” I said kissing J.J. on the forehead. I looked at Elias, “The more wrinkles, the smarter you are!” I pointed at Elias, “You, Elias, have the most wrinkled brain I know of.”

“Thanks?” Elias said awkwardly.

“You are very smart! J.J. has only been in the world twelve months.” I explained, “Ten months carried by Lynn, but he was learning there! Two months out in the world. By showing him a pattern, red, blue and certain hands...he learned the pattern. He followed and looked at my hands. When I broke the pattern, he still looked at the correct hand even when I didn’t show the blue ball. He knew where to look! He remembered!”

Elias chuckled, “I missed that. Do it again.”

I did it again only this time Elias was following it, too.

“His visual range is limited for now,” I grinned. “His hearing is fine as he listened to Mom. He knows our voices and Brandi’s.”

It was Monday morning and Elias had told his class he would be late. He turned on our new computer. The man that set my mother’s computer had been there since nine in the morning Eastern Standard Time. A little earlier than nine in the morning and a message came up in our email. I did the click and my mother’s face appeared as a man beside her was instructing her.

“Now,” he smiled. “Just look at the screen and talk.” He patted the top of her computer, “The camera will pick it up.”

I was holding J.J. and propped him up against me facing the computer. Mom saw her grandson and took in a quick breath and covered her mouth with both hands. I also noticed my father standing in the doorway of the room I knew was her sewing room. J.J. was his grandson, too.

“J.J. this is your grandmother,” I said to him. “In the background is your grandfather.”

“He’s so beautiful!” Mom said in a near whisper.

“Yes,” I agreed. “He is.” I held him up to face me. “Can you give one of your smiles?” And sure enough he did. I turned him so the camera could see it. “It will happen any moment, but he’ll start to laugh soon.” I said pointedly, “He’s very happy, Dad.”

Mom wiped her face of the tears that were coming, ”You certainly did at about that age.”

“If you look on the email,” the man showing mom what to do said, “You’ll see her email address. She has yours.”

“We’re good, thank you.,” Elias said.

“And this isn’t a long-distance call?” Mom asked the man and us.

“No,” the man answered. “I showed the web phone app. You don’t have to make a long-distance phone call again to them. It’s all on the internet.” He picked up a princess phone, “On this phone only!” He looked behind him at my father. “All phone calls done on this phone will be internet calls and not long-distance if you use the app. Understood?”

Mom nodded, “Understood.”

“Call me if there’s any problem,” the man looked at us through the connection. “You’re mother is a quick study. Now, I have a family I should get back to.”

J.J. let out a whimpering cry and since we’d always been there Elias jumped up. “I’ll get it.”

I chuckled, “That was his hungry cry. He never cries long anymore unless his need is not met. Then it’s deafening!”

“That was your sister,” Mom laughed.

“Did I do that?” I asked.

“Hardly,” Mom smiled. “You woke up happy. If something was hurting you, you would, but not often.”

“Tell Dad I will record our house, where I work, the island,” I smirked. “He may not ever come here, but he will see where we live. Where I’m raising his grandson. J.J. is happy.”

Elias sat beside me taking J.J. and began to feed him. “Of course, you know what he’ll do next.” Elias chuckled.

Mom smiled, “Believe me, I do.” She looked at Elias, “It’s Monday morning. Don’t you have a class to teach?”

“Yes,” Elias nodded. “Can I get a note for an excused absence, Mom? I just thought this was important.”

“I could write one,” Mom said. “How would I send it?”

“Since I’m the head of the department,” Elias shrugged. “I will accept an email.” He looked down at J.J.. “No, honey, don’t go to sleep. Finish your breakfast first.” He said kindly.

“The point of all this,” I said to my mother, “is you aren’t as restricted anymore. David and Leah are coming in a month. Jonathan and Heather are coming for Christmas. You and Dad are welcome any time.”

Mom frowned, “I don’t know if your father will ever come. I will be there!”

“Call whenever,” Elias said. “Just remember the time difference. Text us before you do.”

“I’m home most of the day,” I muttered. “I don’t know how you did it.”

Mom smiled and shrugged, “I loved taking care of my two. A labor of love.”

We ended the call and connection.