The girls hurried in the back door just ahead of Daddy and Billy. “Girls, hurry and set the table. We’re having soup and cornbread, so all we need is bowls, spoons,napkins,and glasses for milk.”

By now, Lou knew where everything was so she set the table while Lynn poured milk. Lynn took Connie’s dress off and put the big baby in her highchair. Lou wondered why Lynn stripped her down but didn’t want to ask. Soon enough, it was obvious.

Aunt Kat put a steaming pot of vegetable soup with big chunks of beef on the table. The crisp golden cornbread was dripping with butter. Though she’d never even tried cornbread before, she wanted it now. When she smelled the tempting aroma, Lou was suddenly starving. The family gathered and fell to eating after Lynn said grace.

Aunt Kat had put cooled chunks of vegetables and small bits of beef on Connie’s high chair tray. When the tiny girl had all she wanted, she proudly mashed the rest into her blonde hair. She grinned widely and chunks of potato fell out of her mouth. She was adorably messy.

“I don’t like soup.” said Billy.

“That’s okay,” said Aunt Kat. “You can go on out and play then.”

“But I’m hungry!” he protested.

“You don’t have to eat soup” his mother said. “That will leave more for the others”

“Can I have some soup?” he asked.

“Of course.” He ate two bowls with cornbread.

After lunch, the girls cleaned Connie and her mess up. “Girls, bring in that load of diapers off the line and hang out these towels. Then you can go play.

“Okay!” They grabbed the laundry basket and raced to the clothesline. “It’s fun having you here.” said Lynn. “You don’t seem as worried about getting home as you were.”

“After I woke up at home this morning, I know I’ll get back. I’ve been thinking. Mom said I had been at home. She didn’t know anything weird was going on. It was a relief to know she’s not upset. Besides, I like you and we’re having a lot of fun. But, I don’t like washing dishes!” Lou said. “

“Nobody likes washing dishes!” laughed Lynn.

To be continued: