Max turned on his computer, and tried to wake up. He rubbed a hand over his face and heard some bristle. Whoops, he forgot to shave. They’d experienced a difficult morning. Neither he nor Ryan had been interested in leaving their beds. He was on his third cup of coffee, and he gave Ryan the most sugared cereal he could find.
Both of them were still dragging.
He clicked on the email icon to download his mail. Yawning, he sat up when he saw a message from KC
To: maxmorrison@gilmoreproducts.net
From: kcgilmore@gilmoreproducts.net
Subject: The lake!
Hello Max,
Mitch and Lainy sent me a video of all of you at the lake. Lainy was cooking. You all had spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread sticks (yum!) and then brownie sundaes for dessert. I was most jealous.
The meal looked fabulous, but then a fast food hamburger would be haute cuisine compared to what we eat here. It’s not like the cooks don’t try, because they do, they have to eat this stuff too. But they don’t have a whole lot to work with. Still, those brownie sundaes alone would be savored to the nth degree here. And you guys threw those treats at each other! I’m appalled. (Not really, but it’s fun to say so.)
Ryan would have been most dismayed to have missed out on that weekend. Although, I’m sure he’s had that much fun with you already. I would have enjoyed cooking with the ladies. And I was quite happy to see you men clear the table and do the dishes. This is a most excellent system! Kudos to whoever thought up that scheme. Ryan does like to help load the dishwasher, though, so I can’t complain. And I know you’re pretty adept at kitchen clean-up. Bless your mother! (Sans water fights with Mitch, of course!)
Oh, there goes the call for all hands on deck, if you will. Sounds like we’ve work to do. I wanted to write more, but alas, that’s not going to happen this time.
I miss you guys terribly! I’m very homesick for you.
Love,
KC
Max stared at the last line for a few moments. I’m very homesick for you. Was that a singular you or a plural you? He knew which option he preferred, but he would take the plural if he had to.
Of course, KC would miss her son. He knew that. But he liked this new trend where she seemed to be missing him, Max too.
Not feeling quite so tired now, he opened a new email screen to tap out a message to her.
To: KCGilmore@gilmoreproducts.net
From: MaxMorrison@gilmoreproducts.net
Subject:re: The lake!
Attachment
Hi KC,
Glad you liked the video. I think I remember what you’re talking about. I haven’t seen that DVD myself, but I believe I remember seeing Ed mount a camera during one of the meals. And I think Lainy did the majority of the cooking then. So, it’d make sense that particular video would wind up in Mitch’s hands.
I’m glad he shared it with you. I do recall having a brutally fun food fight, using brownie sundae ingredients. We ended up all sticky. The dogs had a good time. Well, so did we. <grin>
Destiny, Dustin, and Kyle helped me sling ice-cream, if that’s the correct time. We got Will right in the face with a huge glop, and Dad and Granddad threw a brownie on him. He’d been spouting off as usual, so that was fun!
We have a leaf-raking day scheduled for this coming Saturday. It’ll be Mitch’s first time, so we’re all excited to initiate him. He’s never had the privilege of raking leaves with us, so we’re hoping he’ll enjoy the family day.
Oh, and a bunch of the rellys have already informed him and Lainy that Bentley is NOT allowed to be outside while we’re raking. Apparently, neither of them planned on allowing the leaf-beast out, anyway, so we’re safe. (Lainy kept him locked up last year, if you recall? The kids whined as much as Bentley did. Rocky’s doing well, by the way. She still hasn’t had the puppies, but they believe it’ll be any day now.)
From what you say, Spuds won’t be a problem? But Ryan will? I suppose I can’t lock Ryan and Bentley up together, so I imagine Ryan will just be a part of the herd and we’ll end up re-raking. This happens. That means I’ll get extra cookies. (Much hand rubbing and gleeful expression) I’m not worried.
I am interested to see how Lainy does. She’s started throwing up. Scares the bajeebies out of Mitch every time she does. All the girls keep assuring him this is normal, but I’m not sure they have him convinced.
I actually feel like he does whenever she runs for the bathroom. I’ve been taking him out onto the porch and we fortify ourselves with the strongest thing in the refrigerator until she’s finished. So far, chocolate milk is the beverage of choice. Ryan assures me that you have to be manly to drink chocolate milk. Mitch likes it. Since a Marine will drink the stuff, I figure I can too.
Although, I have convinced Mitch that iced tea is also good for us, so we trade off. If there’s tea, that’s what we have, but so far, we’re usually stuck with milk. Laurie claims it’s good for us. And, Lainy doesn’t get sick if you talk to her with chocolate milk breath. (She has from the tea, for some reason. It’s strange. But then Melly told us that’s common too. Coffee also makes Lainy sick. And she normally loves coffee.) Even though my family is very good at reproducing, I can’t say I understand this process.
Fortunately, none of the girls have been cranky while pregnant. Mitch says Lainy is more serene. I’m not sure how he can tell this, but that’s what he claims. Lainy’s the most laid back of all of them. And there are how many girls? Seven, that’s right.
Dory has gotten to the stage where she’s really uncomfortable, and wants to have this kid. She’s due any day now. I’ll probably get Eliza when she goes into labor, since she and John live next door. Well, Lainy could take her too, but with her not feeling well, I imagine Ryan and I will.
Eliza’s eighteen or nineteen months old now. It’s amazing. But she’s sweet and easy to get along with. Even Ryan has remarked on this. He told me in an aside that as girls go, he likes Eliza the best. Okay, then. Guess that little pledge of how he didn’t like girls tanked pretty fast. Give him a smooth talking, cute chick and he’s done. See how easily we fall? It’s disgusting. <grin>
Onto business, now, I’m sending you the new needle supplier contract. Take a look at it and let me know if anything should be changed. None of us have your experience with these, so we’d appreciate your input. I marked a few of the places I think need to be changed, but don’t know if they’re legitimate concerns or not.
Ryan and I both had trouble waking up this morning. I’m not sure why, but we’re both dragging. It was a sorry breakfast. We went to bed at a decent enough hour, but I suppose we’ll try a little earlier tonight.
We miss you and want you to come home.
Love,
Max and Ryan
He sent the message and then unwillingly, moved his attention to the business he was supposed to be running. The tiredness crept back as he concentrated on the work at hand. Eventually, Max fetched his fourth cup of coffee.