Dear Diary, meet Theo Fournier. You may recall hearing his name a while back – well, his first name, anyway. He used to be the local bully but after the children saw their father apologize to Dax, they decided to have an intervention of sorts with Theo.
Laurent decided and the others followed because it was Laurent who thought perhaps Theo acted the way he did because he was sad. Upon further investigation, the kids found out that Theo’s father had died when he was quite young. Not long after, his mother became ill and followed her husband to the grave. A neighbor family took him in but had very little time for comforting a lonely child. And so, the bullying of other children began.
I heard through the grapevine that Charles, Laurent and the rest of my brood had taken it upon themselves to befriend Theo, but it wasn’t until I was serving dinner one day that I realized there were seven children instead of six.
“Momma, he’s been here for two days!” Marty exclaimed.
How had I not noticed? I guess when you have so many children, others can just sneak in if they have a mind to. Theo is unofficially a member of the family and Marty’s best friend. I’m waiting to see if their friendship lasts since they will both be teens soon.
It delights me to no end to sit on the front porch, snap beans and listen to the children play. They do quite a bit around the farm, however, other parents might make their children do even more chores to help out. I can’t help it, though, since I’d much rather hear their squeals and giggles then have them somberly marching about like little soldiers.
Charles often corrals them, keeping them in line after he’s done the milking and cleaning stables. Laurent works in the garden after turning out the horses, then he can be found reading or gathering herbs.
Marty is responsible for working in the garden with Laurent while Carrie and Lissie feed the animals and gather the eggs. Susan helps clean up the breakfast dishes and is keen to sweep the floors and porches.
They also help with basic cleaning and hanging laundry and there are days when I need help with baking, canning or sewing. There’s always plenty to do, including helping Matthieu when he needs extra hands.
Some of them don’t mind while others do.
This morning, I could hear Laurent sighing loudly and saying, “How can I read with all this racket?”
“Why don’t you do something fun for once?” Marty called to him.
“Reading is fun,” Susan said in her brother’s defense.
As they continued their debate, I smiled softly to myself, breaking ends off beans and snapping them in half so they could be cooked later.
Carrie and Lissie’s voices rose higher above the other children as they played their clapping game:
“My mother your mother live across the street
1819 Blueberry street
Every night they have a fight
and this is what they say
Boy’s are rotten
made out of cotton
Girls are handy
made out of candy
Boys go to Jupiter
to get more stupider
Girls go to Mars
to get more candy bars
Boys drink whiskey
to get more frisky
Girls drink Pepsi
to get more sexy
Icky Icky soda pop
Icky Icky you
Icky Icky soda pop
a boy loves you
1…2…3…4…”*
“That is so dumb!” Laurent proclaimed. “More stupider? More sexy? Why don’t you just say sexier – and, hey, do you even know what that means?”
“Yeah, that’s inappropriate,” Charles agreed from the seesaw. “Where did you learn that, anyway?”
Carrie tilted her chin forward defiantly. “Of course we know what that means. We’re not babies, you know!”
“I don’t know what that means,” Lissie realized aloud as she raised her eyebrows.
“Leave us alone now,” said Carrie. “We’re going to do a different one anyway.”
“Miss Mary Mack, Mack, Mack
All dressed in black, black, black
With silver buttons, buttons, buttons
All down her back, back, back.
She asked her mother, mother, mother
for fifty cents, cents, cents
To see the elephants, elephants, elephants
Jump over the fence, fence, fence.
They jumped so high, high, high
they reached the sky, sky, sky
And didn’t come back, back, back
Till the 4th of July, ‘ly, ‘ly!
She asked her mother, mother, mother
For 5 cents more, more, more
To see the elephants, elephants, elephants
Jump over the door, door, door.
They jumped so low, low, low
They stubbed their toe, toe, toe
And that was the end, end, end
Of the elephant show, show, show!”*
Just then, Marty made a flying leap over Theo’s back for their Leap Frog game leaving Laurent to gape at his siblings as if they were all from another planet. Shaking his head, he wandered off, probably to find some useful plants.
Later that evening, we enjoyed a supper of zucchini-potato casserole and green beans cooked with shallots and garlic. As a family, we enjoyed eating from farm-to-table. None of us ate meat, but there was plenty of food from the garden to satisfy us.
After the dishes were done, Matt and I played dominoes with the kids, then it was bedtime. I think I had just drifted off to a dreamless sleep when the closing of our front door downstairs startled me awake. I sat straight up in bed and shook Matthieu’s shoulders. Instead of waking up, he mumbled something unintelligible and turned over, away from me.
Pushing on him harder, I said as loudly as I dared, “Matt! There’s someone in the house!”
“Hmmm?”
“Oh for heaven’s sake,” I grumbled, getting up. In the dark, I couldn’t find my robe. It had probably slipped off the bed and onto the floor.
Then we heard a bump and an “Ouch!” from downstairs. That got Matt awake real fast.
“Someone’s in the house!”
“So it would seem,” I sighed, following him downstairs and lighting lanterns on the way.
In the front room, just inside the door, stood my brother Leo.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his face flushing crimson. “I think I broke a vase or something.”
I was about to remark that he wouldn’t have broken anything had he knocked on the door like a normal person but the look in his eyes made me bite my tongue. Something was wrong.
“What’s happened?”
“Um… I was wondering if Wilda was here.”
Matthieu and I glanced at each other. “No. Why would she be?”
Running a hand through his hair, his shoulders slumping forward, his eyes reddened as if he might cry. “She – well, we had an argument. She doesn’t realize how much I love her and how this doesn’t even matter to me. I just don’t get it.”
“I’m going to get dressed,” Matthieu said.
“I’ll make some coffee.” This was going to be a long night.
As Matthieu went upstairs to get dressed, I ushered Leo Jr. into the dining room where he refused a piece of pie, but accepted a cup of coffee once I had it made.
Once we were all assembled again, Matt said, “How about you tell us from the top what happened?”
Leo nodded and took a deep breath before beginning his saga. “It began a while back…. but the gist of it is that everything culminated today while we were on the mainland. We were at the hospital to get results of some tests the midwife recommended.”
“Is Wilda having trouble with a pregnancy?” Matthieu asked.
Leo shook his head and briefly bit his bottom lip before answering. “No, the trouble is, we found out today she can’t have a baby. Ever.”
“Oh.” The word slipped out of my mouth and it was my turn to take a deep breath.
“She’s pretty upset – I mean, I’ve never seen her so sad before. I tried to reassure her that I was fine with it but she got angry and took off. I – I don’t know what I did.”
“This is definitely beyond my scope of knowledge, but maybe she went home to her parents?” I suggested.
“Maybe. I was hoping she was here since it was right across the road.”
“Why don’t you stay here the rest of the night and as soon as morning breaks, you can go to the Delattre place and find out?” Matthieu said.
As soon as the words had been spoken, I saw Leo Jr.’s shoulders slump forward even more.
“Do you want Matthieu to go with you?”
“To be honest, Blue, I was hoping you could go get her and bring her home.”
Go get her? What madness was this? “You know, she’s not some little flower that I can put in my pocket and bring home. How do you expect me to accomplish this exactly?”
“You’re a woman… I thought you could talk to her.”
“Oh, brother. Do you realize I know nothing about her situation? I’m the mother of six! Just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean I have a clue as to what I should say!”
“She won’t listen to me, though.”
Rolling my eyes toward the ceiling, I threw up my hands in defeat. “Fine, but if you were anyone else, it would be a big fat ‘no.’ Plus, I can’t promise I’ll be able to do any good.”
Leo Jr. jumped up from his chair and threw his arms around me, kissing me on the cheek. “Thank you, Sis.”
He could thank me, but I was already filled with regret that I’d agreed to this.
After I got dressed, I paused in the hallway, just outside the girls’ bedroom. Not only had I seen light under their door, I could hear them chattering away.
“Do you think you’ll start dating boys?” Carrie asked.
Marty’s voice, stubborn as always said back to her, “No, I don’t! Just because you’re a teen doesn’t mean the first thing you do is start dating!”
“What is the first thing you do?” Susan asked.
“I’m not sure,” Marty answered, her voice full of a wisdom she didn’t really possess. “But it isn’t that.”
“I think Theo likes you,” Lissie said.
“Oh, he does not! He’s my best friend, he’s not allowed to be a boyfriend, too.”
The door squeaked on its hinges as I pushed it open and stepped inside. “What do we have here? Four little girls that should be fast asleep, I see.”
“Marty’s not a little girl,” Carrie said. “She’s almost grown up!”
Looking around the room at all my lovely girls…
… I realized that none of them would be little girls for much longer. My heart ached and I found myself longing for the days when they were babies and I could hold them in my arms and rock them for as long as I wanted. The only thing I didn’t miss from back then were all the diapers I had to wash and fold!
“She’s not too grown up yet for me to tell her to lie down and go back to sleep. Now, let’s get these lights put out and off to dreamland you go.”
I blew out lanterns as I tucked in each sweet child, kissing them on their cheeks as I did and telling them I loved them. Then I stood by the door for a moment to make sure they were truly drifting off.
Lissie,
Susan,
Marty,
and Carrie… they were all out.
Reaching for the handle, I heard some stirring.
“What is it, Marty?” I whispered.
“Is it true you have to start dating when you have your teen birthday?”
“Certainly not!”
“Good.”
Just as the sun was rising and painting the sky with beautiful yellows, pinks and golds, I arrived at the Delattre farm. It was a bit unseemly to call at such an hour, but I figured if I wasn’t able to sleep because of this, neither were they. Actually, though, if Wilda was here, I highly doubted she’d had a peaceful night.
As I approached, Wilda came out of the barn. When she saw me, she put down the pails of milk she was carrying.
“Hi, Wilda.”
Her eyes were ringed with redness and teary, not to mention how exhausted she looked. “Hey, Blue. I suppose you’re here because Leo came to you.”
“He thought you might be at our house since we live just across the way.”
“Did he tell you what happened? What we found out?”
I nodded. “Yes and I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?”
Fresh tears sprung to her eyes and rolled down her face. She dabbed at them with her apron but more came to take their place. “No. I’m so sad. I can’t believe this.”
Waiting a moment, I finally said in the most soothing voice I could muster, “I’m sure you must be very shocked. Were you and Leo planning on a large family?”
“Not especially. But I would’ve at least liked to have one or two. In fact, I thought we’d have one by now.”
“And there’s nothing can be done?”
“No,” she said, crying all over again.
I patted her shoulder lightly, trying anything to comfort her. My own heart felt like it was breaking as I thought about her situation. “Leo is really worried about you. He’s distraught.”
“I can’t face him right now. I just can’t!”
“Do you know what he told me last night? He said how much he loves you and how complete his life is because you’re in it. It’s terrible what you’ve learned, but don’t let it tear the two of you apart. He’s loved you since forever and the day you two got married was the happiest day of his life.”
She peered at me around her apron which she was using to wipe her face again. “You don’t think he’ll wish he had a wife who could have children?”
Firmly, I shook my head. “The only wife he wishes for, or will ever want is you. I’m certain of it.” After giving her a hug, I gently added, “Let’s go home.”
Author’s Note: The poses in this chapter were made by Bee and can be found here: Play Poses.
*”My Mother, Your Mother” and “Miss Mary Mack” are both jump roping/clapping game rhymes I learned as a child. After much searching on the internet, I’m still not sure of their origins.
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I remember those clapping/jump rope games. Man, I haven’t thought about them in years and years. Thanks for making me feel old. LOL. It was funny to see them arguing about whether it made sense or not though. So cute.
I love how the four girls were talking about dating. They really are a close family, and it’s great to see. Oh, forgot to mention in the previous chapter about them sticking up for Susan and worrying if she was in trouble. It just goes to show that they can fight with each other, but if anyone else does wrong to one of them, they will all stick up for the wronged one.
Ouch! Fertility problems…no fun at all. It can really be devastating. There are other ways to get a child, and I hope they can realize their dream.
That was so adorable how all the kids took Theo on as a project. It was great that they befriended him and made them an honorary member of the family. I had to laugh at Blue though because the kids had to tell her that Theo was there. She was like, “Where did that extra child come from?” Priceless!
Oh, yeah, those jump rope, clapping games! haha I had so many kids in my game, I needed stuff for them to do! haha
I had so much fun with the four girls sharing a bedroom like that. And, yeah, I know what you’re saying about the previous chapter and how the kids can fight with each other but they stick up for the wronged one, too. 😀
I think Leo Jr. would have been okay without children. He loved Wilda and their farm. Wilda was so devastated, though.
I’m glad you liked how the kids took Theo on as a project. I thought it was funny, too, how Blue didn’t realize he was an added family member.
Gosh. Poor Leo and Wilda. I hope after some time they’ll be ok.
Thank you, I’m sure it will all work out. 🙂
So sad for Leo and Wilda. 🙁 I find it so jarring sometimes how much Leo looks like his dad. Talk about a resemblance!
The kids are adorable. I’m not sure how I’m going to choose among the four girls. Marty is hilarious, but I tend to gravitate to either Carrie or Susan as well. I don’t know why I’m not connecting much with Lissie, but well… There are still several chapters to sway me which way or the other.
If only drinking Pepsi could actually make people sexy… *shakes head*
Leo Jr. has that effect on me, too! 😀 Sometimes, I have to do a double take. lol
I hope you were able to sort the girls out for the poll 😀
As for Pepsi, don’t I wish it, too? LOLOL
Poor Wilda!! 🙁 But Blue is right, Leo Jr feels complete with her and that won’t change. And it should be enough. I particularly despise marriages that have only this purpose and nothing else. I get that it might suck, but what about love, companionship?
The discussion about whether the rhymes made sense was hilarious! Especially the “sexy” part! 😂
I can’t wait to see Marty as a teen! Oh I bet she’ll be a rebel this one!
I think you’re right about marriage. There is more to it then having children. 🙂 As for Marty, you may have guessed some of her traits. haha 😀
Blue and Matt are going to have their hands full with all the teenagers in their home! They are doing a wonderful job. Kids have so many silly ideas but I’m glad Blue was able to set the dating one to rest. Marty is going to be interesting as she gets older. I wonder if she’ll get interested in boys and act more like a girl or if she’ll still be a tomboy.
It’s so sad about Wilda and Leo Jr. Infertility is difficult to cope with. I half expected her to be upset with seeing Blue. Sometimes the last person you want to talk to is someone who has had no problems popping out children when you can’t have kids of your own. It’s like rubbing salt in an open wound. Maybe Blue can be a surrogate for them? There are so many possibilities out there now.
I shudder to think about the teenage drama coming this way! hahaha That’s a good question about Marty. I’m kind of letting her do her own thing and she seems to be one that likes to march to her own drum. 😀
I could definitely see Wilda being upset to see Blue, too. I think that’s one of the reasons Blue was reluctant to go. In the end, she would do anything for Leo Jr. lol
You’re spot on about all the possibilities out there and I’ve got something in the works that I think will be neat if it all works out. 😀
Oh, I remember those clapping games. There were so many of them. We played ring around the roses too, which was creepy now I look back on it. Kids singing that song is what you’d hear in the background music of horror films!
Imagine if you had to start dating as soon as you were a teen. Exhausting! Luckily Blue corrected that silly notion and the girls can enjoy being girls for a while longer!
Infertility is such a difficult and hard thing for a woman (and her partner) to deal with. I hope that she comes round to the idea that a child can still be family even if they aren’t blood.
Those clapping games were so much fun! 😀 You’re so right about Ring Around the Roses. We played that, too, and it’s really so macabre. lol
I agree with what you say about infertility and I even wish that I could delve deeper into the issue, but that isn’t possible right now. Hopefully, Wilda will come around.
Poor Wilda! I hope she can find it in her to move past the sadness and maybe adopt. Meanwhile, Blue’s children are just the most precious things! Can’t wait to see them grow up into teens!
Thank you, Rosie. 🙂 I hope she can move past this also. I do have a long term plan forming regarding all of this. Let’s hope I can flesh it out and give it life. haha
I love Blue’s children. They are so much fun in game and to write. It’s like I can hear their chatter. 🙂
Woah! Miss Mary Mack brings back some OLD memories! XD I don’t even remember where I learned that little ditty!
I adore Marty’s small fears of having to date boys as soon as she ages up. Boys are so yucky when you’re 8, but they magically become amazing when you hit 14. Or, rather, still yucky, but fascinatingly so. XD I guess we’ll see if Marty gets a penchant for boys or sticks to her guns. I’m definitely still torn between Marty and Laurant; the Tomboy and the Bookworm.
Blue’s kids seemed to have solved one problem with befriending Theo. Perhaps they can solve another if Wilda & Leo adopt Theo? There’s a thought…
Thank you, fluffy! 🙂 I learned the ditty from my older sister who learned it who knows where. lol 😛
You are so right about boys to an 8 year old and 14 year old. haha As for the poll, I hope you’re not too upset, but I narrowed it down to the girls only. I didn’t feel up to task, writing from a male perspective again. I do love Laurent, though, just the same.
That’s a great idea about Theo being adopted by Wilda and Leo. 😀 I have a couple ideas in the works with that storyline. 😀
Blue is so sweet. I hope that Leo and Wilda do adopt Theo. And how many stories have you heard about couples becoming pregnant when they stop “trying” and adopt. All of the stress disappears and it happens naturally.
I just can’t get enough of their kids! They are so real and each one so different. Blue and Matt are good parents. Who would have ever dreamed Blue would wind up the mother of six!!! Lol…
You are so right. I know people (my grandparents included) who conceived right after they adopted. lol I agree it’s because the stress is gone at that point.
LOL Blue the mother of 6! haha It sounds so funny when you type it out. When she became a young adult and wanted the LTW of Surrounded by Children, I knew this was going to be some kind of ride with her. haha
I’m so glad you love the children. I’ve decided to only put the girls in the poll; I hope that doesn’t bother anyone. 🙂
I love Charles and Laurent a lot but you have focused on the girls so I think we are getting to know them a little better and it will make it a little easier. 🙂
I’m so glad you feel this way. 🙂 I’m not sure I’m ready to write from a male perspective again.
Good one! It’s interesting how as I was reading the jump rope lines, how I had no clue what I was saying. Pretty racy actually, LOL Jump rope and jacks were two favorite non monkey bar games I enjoyed playing. I wonder if kids still play them?
I wonder, too. I don’t remember my daughter doing them with anyone but me. lol We used to sit on the front porch swing and do clapping games.
Those are pretty racy lines, aren’t they? haha I can’t believe how many different ones I remember.
Poor Wilda. But who knows, sometimes doctors get these things wrong.
I’m glad Blue’s kids are such a wholesome bunch.
Thank you, Violincat. I agree with what you said about her diagnosis. You just never know.
I’m glad about Blue’s kids, too. Let’s hope the heir can stay somewhat wholesome. lol
Oh, I love how the children befriended Theo. Them growing up is bittersweet, but I’m sure all of them will grow up to be good, kind people. I’ve probably said this before but Blue and Matt really are wonderful parents. Their children always seem to be having fun and looking out for others! Leo Jr. and Wilda’s situation is sad, but maybe they can adopt???
Thank you, Lila. I thought it was good that the kids befriended Theo, too. I wanted the children to get something out of what Matthieu taught them when he apologized to Dax. 🙂
Perhaps Leo Jr. and Wilda can adopt, as you say… or perhaps I am cooking up an idea that I hope works out. lol
OH poor Leo and Wilda … I adore those girls .. they are so sweet and funny like my own girls were as children
Thank you, Lisa. 😀 I’m so glad you can relate to the girls. They feel so real in my mind. 🙂
Because I had girls like that I can see them too
That’s so sweet. 🙂 I just had one girl and one boy. 🙂
Even today when they are fully grown they are super tight with each other. You mess with one yeah mess with all of them. How many high school boys found out that the hard way LOL
LOL That is wonderful. It’s so nice they could grow up and stay tight like that.
it is indeed … lol for some maybe not
LOL!
I love how Blue’s children are growing up, although it is bittersweet. They all have such distinct personalities! I think Theo is a great addition to the family. He has a sad past 🙁 Seeing all these children makes me want to have Link and Ava pop out a million babies XD
It’s good that Blue was able to reassure Wilda! So sad to find out you can’t have kids, but adoption is always a possibility!
Thank you so much 🙂 I would love to see Link and Ava pop out a million babies! hahaha 😛
I agree about Wilda. It’s sad and something she will have to face, but as you said, there are other options. 🙂
I didn’t recognize the clapping rhymes, but they were as senseless as the ones we did when I was a kid…you know, the stone age?? lol Poor Wilda, I understand how hard that is for most women to accept. My best friend couldn’t have children, and I am the godmother to the first baby girl they adopted! I have a feeling that Theo could be an answer to that emptiness, at least for awhile, and they could consider adopting a baby, later. I am so proud of the children taking him under their wings, and understanding that sadness was the root of his bullying. Had to laugh about Blue not noticing the extra child being there for 2 days!! =D My daughter was friends with a family of 12 kids, and she could ‘disappear’ over there for hours before their mom would notice! Blue is wise to appreciate them still being so young, and the hard part is yet to come! Great chapter! =D
Thank you, Marj. 🙂 The stone age? Nah. lol You just might be right about Theo being an answer of sorts for Wilda and Leo Jr. And it might be the beginning also for a great idea they will come up with! 😀
I thought it was funny, too, that Blue didn’t realize there was an extra child for 2 days. lol That’s funny about your daughter’s friends with the 12 kids. LOL
It is so sweet that the children befriended Theo. I’m especially glad that Marty has a friend closer to her own age to play with.
I hope things work out with Wilda and Leo Jr. I know from personal experience how hard this situation can me for many married couples.
And I remember “Miss Mary Mack” from school. Awe, such memories!!
Thank you so much. 🙂 I’m really glad that what Matthieu taught the kids gave them what they needed to befriend Theo. I agree that it’s nice Marty has someone her own age. I bet she’s the boss of them, though. hahaha
I have some ideas for Wilda and Leo Jr. that may satisfy their need for children. 🙂
Miss Mary Mack brought back some awesome memories for me, too.
Yes!! I can definitely see Marty as the boss.
LOL! Somehow, I thought it could be pictured. 😛
Blue’s kids certainly are growing up! And she’s constantly having to corral them! 😂 Who knows what trouble they’ll get into!
Thank you! haha Yes, you never do know what’s around the next corner with this bunch! haha I wish they’d stay little a bit longer but then we wouldn’t be able to move on to Gen 4. lol
So great to see the kids growing up ! They’re all beautiful ! I used to run an after school program and we’d spend hours each day with those jumping rhymes !
Thank you, Cathy 🙂 Those jumping rhymes were so much fun! Do you remember Cinderella Dressed in Yella? hahaha I bet you were great with your after school program, too.
Cinderella dressed in Yella was a favorite! I loved Mary Mack, too!
YAY! You don’t know how thrilled I am that you know what I’m talking about. haha
LOL! They’re such catchy little jingles, aren’t they? And no matter how gruesome the lyrics, they always ended up making us happy! The more gruesome the better! LOL!
That is funny, now that you mention it! So true! LOLOL 😀
I am so glad Blue’s children united to find out the cause of Theo’s sadness, that’s so cute. And what I think is that maybe Theo could go under the care of Wilda and Leo Jr.? What about it?
Clapping games rhymes were so funny. I loved how they started arguing whether it made sense or not. And I think the talk about the dating between four girls was absolutely priceless. Don’t worry, Blue, they aren’t up to leave the nest just yet!
I think it’s good that Blue went to talk to Wilda. As a mother of six, she can possibly think of something that may comfort her. It’s not the end of the world when there are so many other ways of getting a child.
I’m glad how things worked out with the kids and Theo, too. It shows that what Matthieu taught them stuck. lol That’s a cool idea about Theo being taken in by Wilda and Leo Jr.! 😀
haha I loved clapping games when I was a kid. We used to do them at recess in school. There are so many more I remember. 😛
I agree with you that Wilda and Leo Jr. should perhaps think of other ways to care for children. I have some ideas up my sleeve. 😀