Sunlight streamed into Georgi’s eyes. She was confused for a few minutes, before realizing that she had slept in the treehouse. Quickly sitting up, she stretched and looked around for her daughter. Alex was still asleep curled up like a little angel among her blankets.
“Wake up sweetie,” Georgi said, brushing hair out of Alex’s face.
Her big brown eyes fluttered open for a second before closing again. She wasn’t quick at waking up. She needed a little time to will herself out of bed.
Murphy was curled up next to a sleeping Rosemarie. As soon as Georgi got up, he hopped up and moved to the steps.
“Hold on, boy,” she said as she held up the mosquito netting and put down the stairs.
She was following him down when Randy came out of the cabin. He looked over at her sheepishly, “I need to clean up the car.”
“Damn right you do,” she crossed her arms. “And you need to apologize to Rosemarie,”
“Yeah, that is not going to happen.” He clenched his jaw shut.
That was the sign that he wasn’t going to budge on this.
“Fine,” Georgi sighed. “I will get you some things to clean it with.”
Randy lit a cigarette and leaned back against the side of the cabin.
Georgi rummage through their supplies. Why did I volunteer to get the cleaning supplies, she thought as she grabbed a bucket and towels. Oh yeah, because he’ll make a bigger mess.
Randy meant well most of the time, but he didn’t think of others too often.
“Hope you can get it cleaned quickly,” she passed him the bucket. “We got to get to Uncle Levi’s.”
Randy took the items and wandered over to the car. His wife sighed as she walked over to the makeshift kitchen. She was starting the camp stove when Neil walked up eating a granola bar. Murphy trotted up, interested by the crinkle of the wrapper.
“Good morning,” Neil said bending down to pet the dog.
“Hey, good morning,” she replied. “I’m makin’ oatmeal. I hope you saved room.”
“I appreciate the offer,” he held up his half eaten bar. “I’m good for now.”
“Are you sure? That’s not gonna last you long,” she said.
He smiled. “If there’s any left over. I’ll have it for lunch.”
“Murphy!” Rosemarie called in a panic from the treehouse.
“He’s down here!” Georgi yelled back.
“Sweet baby Jesus, don’t scare me like that.” she said.
She rustled about getting food for her dog before coming down.
“Here, Murphy!” she called as she set a bowl down.
He abandoned his quest for a bite of what the new guy was having and trotted over to his puppy-charms.
“Is that beacon and eggs I smell?” Rosemarie asked as she walked over.
“You know better than that,” Georgi laughed.
“A girl can dream.” Rosemarie peered into the pot. “Oatmeal...my favorite.” she said sarcastically.
“Oatmeal is full of carbs. It’s good fuel,” Randy said as he popped up out of nowhere.
Georgi watched him drop the towels and bucket on the ground. I know he couldn’t have cleaned that thing properly in that amount of time, she thought.
Rosemarie’s jaw clenched. Ignoring Randy, she walked to her car.
“Morning, man,” Randy said as he held out a hand to Neil. “Thanks for the help, yesterday.”
“No worries,” Neil smiled.
Georgi grabbed two baby wipes and passed them to the guys. “He just cleaned the car. You’re going to need this.”
“Dude,” Neil laughed.
“Sorry,” Randy chuckled.
They heard a slight mumble and steps.
“Morning, pumpkin,” Randy said as Alex came downstairs.
“Are you feeling better, daddy?” she asked in mid yawn.
“Yep, just needed a nap.”
“Alex, what kind of fruit do you want on your oatmeal?” Georgi asked, scooping Alex a bowl.
Randy took her bowl and put cinnamon and raisins in it, then passed it to her.
“I don’t like raisins,” Alex said.
“We can’t be picky in times like this,” Randy said.
Georgi glared at him. “Let her pick her own.”
“Damn it, Georgiana, she needs to get used to what life is gonna be like without choices,” Randy growled.
Georgi turned to her daughter. “Alex, take Murphy to Rosemarie and see if she needs help with the car.”
“Come ‘ere,” the little girl called to the dog. She and her furry friend meandered off to Rosemarie’s car.
“I’m...uh...gonna go too.” Neil said as he made a hasty retreat.
Georgi turned back to Randy. “Stop being an asshole, Randy. She doesn’t have to have raisins if she doesn’t want them.”
“Stop babying her,” Randy snapped. “She needs to toughen up. Things are going to get hard for her and the sooner she learns this, the better.”
“It’s just fuckin’ raisins, Randy,” Georgi hissed. “You eat it.”
“Whatever,” he growled before shoveling a spoonful of food in his mouth. “If you keep treating her like a princess, she’s going to grow up weak.”
“This discussion is over,” Georgi grabbed another bowl and scooped up some more oatmeal. “Alex, breakfast!”
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