#anywhere

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Kerri might hear a phone call from the kitchen "Who what huh now?" Sally Mae's voice "Pregnant? Whose the father? What do you mean it doesn't matter? June. Come on"

Well, that does get her attention! She steps out of the kitchen and looks to see if Sally Mae is in the phone closet or on her cell phone.

Her cellphone. Sally Mae WAS Sweeping while the lodge was relatively empty but this news has thrown her off clearly "June? Whatever happened you know the family will be thrilled... but don't you think they're going to push to find out? No no.. shotgun wedding is unlikely."

Kerri doesn't try to hide the fact that she's heard this. In fact, she fetches Sally Mae a glass of her preferred beverage and brings it to her, relieving her of the broom and indicating that she should sit while she talks to her relative.

Sally Mae blushes a little, then gives a 'thank you' gesture, "Caesar? Caesar the wrestling real estate satyr? " A pause "you didn't know he did real estate? Well he does I... I've done some work for him." A pause, a roll of eyes "No he didn't try anything with me. He's a gent...was a gent..." Cautious "June, he didn't.. you know, insist...?" A relieved look "Good, glad to hear.. wait, what do you mean 'none of us were pushed into it'? Who is 'us'?"

Kerri gestures a question: Should I go?

A shake of her head and a mouthed 'at this stage, bit late to close the door'

Kerri is no boggan, but this is some juicy gossip

A sympathetic grin, and she finishes the sweeping while keeping an ear on this half of the conversation.

"NO..." Sally Mae says then a gasp "You didn't? " A pause "You did?" A pause "Turns??" A notherp ause "Well, yes, that would be a form of sibling rivalry."

Sally Mae is blushing though. Perhaps she ad not considered the FULL ramfications of Satyr Stamina

Okay, Kerri can't help but pause at that. She stares at Sally Mae and mouths, They didn't!

Sally Mae, still blushing nods even as she mouths 'I know, rite?' "Well, yes, I can see why you don't want your mom and dad knowing the details. But I... what? NO... ALL THREE OF YOU?" Sally Mae takes a LONG swig of her drink, "June, they're not idiots. They're going to realize even in our world concidences are... yeah how's May Maude taking it?" A wince "oh.. oh dear yes.well. That's.. an option. Approve? Doesn't matter whether I approve or not does it. She's got my support regardless." Then "Not written in stone though? Mmm we'll see.. .and April? Well.. of course she wanted to talk to him. June, it's not charity to ask a man to help with his kids."

Kerri goes back to sweeping and tidying, nodding agreement at support and not charity.

"What do you mean they don't need a father? June... look. I'll support you too, but you called me so you must be willing to risk an opinion. April is right to get a little support. The man should be allowed to see his kids and he's not a bad guy and a father figure can be a very positive, even essential part of a young childling's life even in a family as big as ours with plenty of male role models... and your pride is not worth making things more difficult for you or them than it is already going to be."

A bit of a sigh, but she reserves her opinion. She knows the DeBukes are a family that have plenty of resources to support a pregnant mother, so she doesn't nudge about that.

"No, if he's an ass drop him like a hot rock... but has he been an ass ?"

A pause, curious.

A pause "Uh huh. Okay. I said my piece. Whatever you guys need I will support you. And if the eldeers give you lip about it? Come here and I know people who will help you find a new place"

"no I'm quite serious." A sigh "yes, I know you love the farm, but there are other farms in the world? Not like that one but... the offer is there."

Kerri nods emphatic agreement that, yes, this is do-able.

"You're welcome..and... as they say in Iowa.. Mozel tov" Then a roll of eyes "It's humor, June. I'm aware our jewish population is hardly booming. yes. Much love."

The phone call ends and Sally Mae looks at Kerri, "My family is bonkers."

"Your family is exploding, it sounds like. Congratulations to them?"

"I think it's 50% Congratulations, 20 % oops, and 30% 'Batten down the hatches'" Sally Mae says "Thank you for supporting my offer there. I have NON Lodge contacts here now but.. I admit, I was hoping"

"Well, of course. DeBukes are practically family, and DeBukes in need should be able to turn to us when they must. It sounds like this was a...um...surprise." A wry grin.

"To everyone involved." Sally Mae says "You know what this means?"

"Um...well...babies, certainly...but beyond that?" She shakes her head.

"I have shot to the list in the rankings as far as 'the good ones' list goes back home. I mean... I could probably rob a bank and I'd be considered more together..." She holds her drink up in a toast.

"Sally mae goes to college? PLEASE... that's yesterday's news" A wink

A pained chuckle. "Well, I know you're right about your family's attitude, but that's hardly fair to the three of them, is it? And...hmm...does Clem think that way? She's been known to get a bit...well...not-dowdy, herself."

"Ah, the midriff moments. Hard to say... She seems to be taking this chief situation rather seriously, as I suppose she should but she is dating Cadman.. so... " She ponders "I don't know. She is chief, but the elders have great pull. And you're right. I am not being fair to April Maude, May Made, and June Maude.. but I'll be sure not to bring it up to their faces " More seriously "May Maude is considering an abortion. It's her call, of course, but that WILL possibly have her in... you know. Iowa."

"Oh. Well....yes. That could be problematic for some of your family, it's true. You haven't spoken with her directly yet, though, so...well..." A pause. "She needs to be able to make the choice that's right for her. Sometimes it can be hard to tell which choice that is. Hm. Perhaps Mountain Emmitt could help her see what possible futures might be in store depending on her choice?"

"Maybe... May and I..well, with common names... we had encounters. She's always wanted to travel."

"That wouldn't be off the table, I think...as long as she establishes that lifestyle before the baby arrives."

She looks thoughtful, "Kerri... have I thanked you enough yet for keeping me from assuming begating was my chief purpose in life?"

A fond look. "Well, I think you have. But I hope you're not using your decision as the yardstick to measure your cousins. Your choice is right for you. Their choices, whatever they turn out to be, will hopefully be the ones that are right for them, and those choices might not look anything at all like yours."

"Oh goodness no. I don't need competition" She says "Speaking of each learning their own way: How's Gerd doing by the way? Did she get the measurements right?"

"On the dinner? Oh, there was a bit of wastage on some ingredients, and she was a bit shy on others, but she got close. It certainly was edible, according to the recipients."

"Wonderfful. Apparently Tove was 'no help' and neither was Anne Marie." Sally mae confirms what Kerri may already know

"I am delighted that everybody was on the same page. She grumbled and fussed and then...got it done." A satisfied nod. "Back to the previous topic, though...Sally Mae, who's the father, if I may ask? I've heard of a kithain wrestler named Caesar, but I didn't know he was a troll. Is this him, or somebody else?"

A cough "Caesar Carolos is a satyr" She chuckles "Troll sized...but definitely a satyr. Now you see the added spice to this little soap that's forming"

"He offereed me a job to help with real estate i nthe area," She eminds "Though I don't think I mentioned his kith to you."

"A satyr! Oh..." Kerri seems to be imagining the reaction on the farm to this aspect of the tale. "Ah. Yes. Uh, no, I don't think I made the connection when he hired you." A pause. "Oh. Sally Mae, did you and he....?"

"Oh no... he was very sweet and professional..." A Pause "Should I be insulted he didn't try something?"

"No no no, that's not why I asked. I was just hoping that this wasn't going to be an issue between you and your cousins."

"I'm a bit worried about that myself" she admits

"I mean, even the 'i work for him' might sound like it ..puts me in his corner, but I don't think I'm letting that bias me" Troubled

"And none of them sound as if he forced or coerced them?"