Margaret eyed the way her son lit from the inside out. Shutting the dishwasher’s door, she started the cycle before she crossed her arms and looked to him, “Yes, it would be wonderful. Now, will Cherish even be able to get off for that? We both know the Wal-Mart titan doesn’t care about families.” She hissed.
Rubbing his hands together, he inhaled a deep breath and his mood soured considerably whenever Cherish’s job was mentioned, “I’ll try to convince her tomorrow. I don’t think that job is good for her. They work her so damn hard and she could work for better companies with better benefits. She’s one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met and sometimes I work twelve hours.” He pointed out. Pulling off the plastic wrap on Cherish’s plate, Simon reheated her food in the microwave. “Imagine all of the skiing we’ll do or cozying up to the babies by the fire with hot chocolate. Riding the ski lift and seeing over the trees. Oh! We’ll even bring great grandma’s Chanukkiah. This’ll be great.” He continued.
Margaret held her hand off and stopped her son before he got too far ahead; bringing him back to reality, “We know she must get out of that place, but how do you tell her that? Especially after what you told me about the sperm donor?" She sighed and shook her head, "I just don't want anyone taking anymore advantage of her. She's been through enough." She whispered.
After having washed her hands, untied her hair from the large bun on her head, and changed her clothes, Cherish made her way down the steps only to find Simon and Margaret in deep conversation. Her footsteps alerted the two gossips in front of her and she paused, "Is something wrong?" She asked.
Simon knew exactly what his mother meant. Although Cherish loved the independence of a job, he had to convince her to quit in the pursuit of a better job. Somewhere. Anywhere. “I know which is why I’m going to—” cutting himself off, his lips pressed together, and his back straightened, “Wrong? Nothing, your food is ready.” He said grabbing the plate.
Margaret spun around and straightened just as her son did. She gave an awkward half laugh, "Wrong? No, no dear nothing is wrong. I was just talking with Simon about snow."
Cherish's eyebrows tucked together, "Snow?" She asked. Simon placed the heavy plate of food on the counter top in front of her. There was a reason he was fat in his youth. Her eyes widened as she looked over the mountain of mashed potatoes, gravy, simmered pork chops, and broccoli. She glanced at him, "This is a lot of f--"
Simon Sr. entered the room with both babies tucked into the crook of each arm. They were dressed in long-sleeved pajamas complete with enclosed feet. Jr.'s hair was tousled all over while Jasmine stared up at her grandpa. Every adult within the vicinity melted on the spot. Even Simon Sr. whose shirt was soaked from constantly keeping the babies upright in their tubs. When Jasmine looked up at him with those sweet grayed eyes, even he couldn’t help but surrender.
Instantly, Cherish was hit with a smile as she set the plate down and hurried over to her little loves. Jr. instantly lit up the moment he saw her and kicked his feet. He grunted and cooed as she picked him up and pressed several kisses to his cheeks and head, "Hello big, handsome boy!" She exclaimed. In turn she was met with a high-pitched shriek and her quickly looked at Jasmine. Her daughter stared at her with just as much happiness as Jr.
Margaret took the plate from the table and handed it to Simon. She then took Jr. out of Cherish's arms which allowed her to scoop Jasmine up. Smothering her daughter in kisses, she instantly felt complete. For those children she would always muster up the energy to dote on them.
With so many hands on the kids and Simon saw there wasn’t space for daddy. So, he pulled Cherish’s plate to himself and cut into the side of her pork chop, dug into her mashed potatoes, and helped her out. He knew she never ate that much, and gladly liberated her. Like father and son, Simon loved his mother’s cooking and would never pass it up if she offered. Stopping to wipe the corner of his mouth and take a drink, he didn’t try to conceal what he was doing, “You look a lot better.” He pointed out to Cherish.
She was gone maybe five seconds when she traded kids with Margaret and held Jr. In her arms again, "You look like you're helping yourself." She said with an arched eyebrow.
Margaret narrowed her eyes and held Jasmine out to Simon, "Stop eating the girl’s food and get this little sweetie a bottle." She ordered.
Caught, Simon placed the fork and knife down while he slid his gaze to Margaret silently. He chewed the rest of the food in his mouth as he stood and mixed together Jasmine’s bottle.
Taking the plate, Margaret followed Cherish to the sofa and waited for her to sit down and get situated with Jr., "We tried to get him to take a bottle while you were at work, but he's still fighting it." She said.
Cherish grabbed a folded receiving blanket from the end table and calmed the little fuss pot down. He knew what was coming and he wanted the milk she was more than willing to give, "Simon told me on my lunch break when he brought me home. It’s amazing what
