Chapter 13: Caught Red HandedI took Grace out for a stroll to the consignment store in search of that elusive Hikon camera, one of us goes there every day and each day it's the same thing, no cameras, with Grace's birthday drawing nearer I can see she too will only have a medium sized picture for the museum, I had so wanted a large photo of my adorable little girl but at this rate it doesn't seem very likely.
There's still enough daylight left for a quick trip to the nearby park though, It was so nice to see her enjoying herself on the spring rider.
We arrived home in the middle of yet another father and son bust up, it really is about time these two sorted themselves out, Tom isn't getting any younger and I know Dallas will regret it if his father dies before they can reconcile their differences.
June offers Dallas a sympathetic ear, she loves her husband but that doesn't stop her agreeing with her son.
While Dallas was letting off steam with his mother I was doing the same thing with an old friend.
"And did you read his latest book, just awful, the plot was so predictable even my daughter could have told you who the killer was."
"Indeed!".
I miss my father dreadfully at times, we both shared a passion for reading, my mother never quite understood it, neither does Dallas, oh he enjoys a good book now and then but he doesn't quite get my need to express my delight or displeasure with my latest read, Bob understands though, in him I have found a kindred spirit.
I've been trying to teach Grace to talk.
"Puzzle!".
"Yes Grace, Puzzle is your doll, now pay attention, mummy, can you say mummy?".
"Puzzle!".
What is it with that doll?
Lesson over I wandered off to find some food, I passed June in the hall on her way to see her granddaughter.
"Hello Grace, come and give your grandma a hug."
"Hah! you're candy is all mine now little girl."
This actually doesn't happen as much as I thought it might, Dallas wouldn't dream of stealing candy from Grace but his sister is another matter entirely, MaryKay was being such a nuisance we had to ban her from the nursery in the end, she is no longer allowed past the door.
I got myself in trouble when Dallas came home, I'm under strict instructions not to enter the kitchen but I didn't fancy the leftovers, I had a craving for pancakes and somebody had left some half made ones on the counter, seemed a shame to let it all go to waste so I finished cooking them.
"And just what has been going on here?".
"Nothing officer I swear, just some pancakes that's all."
"I see, and who made these pancakes."
"Erm...that would be me officer."
"Well in that case madam I am arresting you for illegal use of a cooker."
"Oh!".
"Please put me down officer, I swear I wont do it again."
"Too late for that madam, I'm taking you in for further questioning."
"Well I hope you've learned your lesson young lady."
"Oh yes officer." till the next time anyway.