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While Vic didn’t have any girls clothing, she suspected some of Cannon’s earlier outfits would fit the girl. So, she hurried upstairs to the attic and searched through the boxes. She had located five outfits that might fit, when Maddy entered the attic.
Instead of scolding the girl, she waved her over. “Let’s see if any of these fit you.”
Maddy grinned and pulled on the first pair of pants and top. She strutted about like a proud pony. “This doesn’t itch me at all!” She then wrapped her arms around Vic. “I love you Aunty Vic!”
Vic returned her hug. “I love you too.”
Just then David opened the attic door. “There you are,” David said as he joined Vic and Maddy. “Why are we in the attic with the spiders?”
Vic laughed. “Well, I had planned to find some outfits that would suit Maddy, then bring them down so our little Sweet Pea could show off her new old clothes. Except everyone seems to be following me into the attic.”
Before she could complain further, the attic door opened, and Xavier entered.
“I have the clothes. Let us go downstairs,” Vic declared, and led them down the narrow attic stairs.
When they arrived downstairs, Maddy smiled at Cannon. “I’m wearing your clothes.”
Cannon stared at Maddy and shook his head. “Those aren’t my clothes.”
Maddy placed her hands on her hips. “Are too!”
“I was never that small!” Cannon insisted. “I was so big that I couldn’t come out of my mother the proper way. I had to be cut out of her tummy.”
Maddy focused on Vic who was softly talking to Cannon. After her quiet words, Cannon sighed deeply. “I apologize. Victor says those are my baby clothes. And they do look like clothes I once wore, although I don’t recall being so small. However, Victor says I was and that I just don’t remember.”
Ham, Tub’s son, patted Cannon’s back. “Do you remember a time when I was smaller than you?”
“No,” Cannon admitted. “I do know you were born after me, but I don’t actually recall you ever being small.”
“Sure, you do!” Ham insisted. “Don’t you remember biting me? You and Arroo thought I was really made of ham.”
Maddy laughed at Ham’s statement. “You’re funny.”
“No, I’m serious,” Ham insisted, then turned back to Cannon. “How come you don’t remember that?”
David spoke up. “It is quite rare for a child to remember much about their early years.”
“Then why do I remember?” Ham asked.
“Maybe you made it up,” Cannon suggested.
“Ham did not make that up,” Vic assured the children. “In fact, I seriously scolded Cannon and Arroo for biting Ham.”
Cannon frowned and stormed out of the room, headed downstairs and entered the library, where two old ladies sat before the fire. He had been hoping to find his father, but they would have to do. “Did you know I bit Ham?”
Both ladies stared at him in confusion.
“Victor says I bit Ham, and Ham says I bit him, but I don’t remember doing that.”
Vivian smiled at the boy and motioned for him to come closer. When he stood by her chair, she took hold of his little hands. “I gather you are not referring to the food we call ham.”
“No, I’m talking about Tubs’ son, Ham. Vic says I bit him, but I like Ham. Why would I bite him?”
“And how old were you at the time?”
“I don’t know!”
Vic suddenly rushed into the room. “Oh, thank God! I feared you had gone hunting for your father.”
Cannon huffed. “Well, that is what I hoped to do, but my father isn’t here, so I asked this nice, ancient lady if she knew that I had bitten Ham, and she can’t remember either. So, I don’t think it’s true. Ham and I are best friends, why would I bite him?”
Vic sat down and pulled Cannon upon her lap. “Well, Ham was a little baby at the time, and the consensus is you and Arroo bit Ham because you thought he would taste like ham.”
“That would be stupid, and you keep telling me I’m smart.”
Vic laughed. “You are very smart, but when babies are first born, they don’t remember much, which is probably a good thing since their parents can make a great many mistakes in their early years.”
“That is very true,” Charlotte said.
Cannon focused on the slightly younger but still old woman. “Do you believe I bit Ham?”
Charlotte smiled at Cannon. “It’s in the past. I cannot imagine you biting him now.”
“No, we’re best friends now.”
“Then all is good,” she promised the boy. She then smiled. “He reminds me of Xavier, but better behaved.”
Vivian laughed. “That is true.” She then focused on Cannon. “Your father was a bright fellow, but at times he could be a bit of a terror.”
Cannon smiled with pride. “Gregory says I got the best of both my parents.”
“Where is his mother?” Charlotte asked.
Vivian cleared her throat to get Charlotte’s attention, then shook her head.
“Oh, how did she die.”
“My mum’s not dead!” Cannon declared in outrage.
“No, she’s not.” Vic stated and hugged Cannon. “Why don’t you go back and make sure all those boys aren’t terrifying poor Maddy.”
“Good idea. Jacko’s boys are a bit wild.” Cannon then ran from the room.
Once the door closed, Vic explained her story to Charlotte.
Once she finished her reasons for becoming a man, Charlotte hugged her. “And just look at all you’ve achieved! I am convinced the reason why men refuse to let us do anything is because they know damn well we’d do it a hundred times better than they ever could.”
Vivian laughed. “Indeed, we would. And Victor has proved it so!”
Vic stood up. “I had better get back to the children. I don’t want Maddy to be overwhelmed with so many boys, especially Jacko’s three youngest. Cannon’s correct. They are a bit wild.”
“I’ll say. One of them attempted to steal the shoes off my feet while I was resting my eyes this afternoon.”
Vic laughed. “I gather he failed?”
“Indeed, he did! He fell on his rump, then rolled back in utter shock. Then, I ordered him to report to Gregory and confess his sins.”
Vic wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. “I’ll have to see if the scamp did as he was told.”