"Get down! Scrounge! Grady! Down!" scolded Jack at his two oversized animals, as he groaned to himself, shaking his head at the mess that now lay on the couch and in the middle of his foyer, thanks to his children who discarded their coats, hats, and gloves right in the middle of the floor. As Jack returned to the foyer, Dr. Lapidus held the door open as gust of wind blew snow drifts onto his foyer rug. Crossing over the threshold of the house, Bridgette loudly stomped her boots on the rug, her clearly agitated husband Frank followed behind, his arms filled to the brim carrying their son and her many bags.
"And that is why I do not want you driving up Cavegat Pass in a storm!" informed Frank, as he gave a knowing look at his young wife.
"I would have been fine Francis!" assured Bridget.
Frank continued to fuss at Bridgette as he carried the packages into the den. Jack smirked widely as he took in his little sister. Her hair's appearance similar to the nest of a magpie, her face dirty with grease smeared across her cheek, her clothes wet from the snow.
"Car trouble, huh?" Jack asked his younger sister.
Bridgette leaned in to kiss her favorite brother on the cheek and cheerfully replied, "The Gremlin croaked!"
"You don't seem too bothered by that," remarked Jack, amused at his sister's nonchalant attitude.
Bridget quipped, "I hated that piece of shit."
Moira burst through the doorway, letting out squeals of joy to see her youngest son interrupting Bridgette's comment.
“Jacob! I’ve missed you!”
“Mother, it’s only been a week! I’ve missed you as well though.”
Moira tugged on Jack’s shirt, stared at his worn boots, wiped dirt off of his blue jeans. Clearly she was taking inventory of what she would need to purchase at the mall. Jack hugged his excited mother as she fussed over the state of his clothing.
“Honestly mother, I have nice clothes. This is what I am comfortable in,” explained Jack.
From the doorway a deep rumbling noise could be heard. Angus had his arms loaded as well, and an alarming sound echoed from his throat.
Was he growling?!
Angus’ left hand gripped Moira’s luggage and his right arm carried the ever-pleasant Blake. The look on Angus’ face said it all. He needed a cigar, a sharp brandy and a nap. Angus glared at Jack as he spoke, each word staccato and over-pronounced, as if he was speaking to someone who didn't understand English very well, “Take the child.”
Gently, Jack lifted Blake from Gus' arms as the child smiled sweetly at the sight of his father. Pulling his face close to his, he gave Jack a messy kiss, just happy to be home.
“Hello to you too, Gus,” Jack remarked to his less than amiable father.
Angus stormed past Jack pulling Moira’s luggage behind him. Angus didn’t even notice his long-time friend and colleague, Walter Lapidus standing in the doorway. The heavy luggage hit each step on the way up the stairs. Angus’ drenched penny loafers squished and stomped up the entire flight of stairs.
*
Excitedly, Catherine circled the large dining room table, greeting her family as they arrived at the table. Catherine traipsed to the left side of the table. Moira rose from her chair and hugged Catherine tightly, her strong grip leaving indentations on Catherine’s frail body. Moira backed away just slightly. She peered down over her glasses at Catherine with a calculating stare.
"Are you taking care of yourself? You have dark circles under your eyes. Are you sleeping at all?" asked Moira, concern rampant in her query.
"Not really. I am quite restless and uncomfortable," Catherine replied.
“You seem very frail. You must eat.”
Catherine acknowledged her mother-in-law’s demand with a nod.
Catherine walked around the room greeting her family as they gathered around the dining room table. Catherine smothered each of her sons with kisses and hugs. Catherine had missed them terribly while they were visiting Philadelphia with Angus and Moira.
From the foyer, an obnoxious metallic screech could be heard. Upon hearing the noise, Catherine rushed into the foyer to see what was happening, her swollen legs shuffling along the carpeted floor. When she found Jack at the front door with his power tools, she huffed in dismay.
“What if someone breaks in? What if he shows up?!” she asked.