#bergen_county

Then she moves to Malcolm and kisses him on the cheek, "I love you"

"Love you too" He hugs her. After the embrace, she turns to rejoin the biker guy

Outside, Frank awaits with his bike. "All good?"

"It depends if Sylvi can look into the face of an angel and deal with him as he flat out lies to her face "

That said OUT of her son's earshot

"Okay, so...." Sylvi plops down her bags. "Hey, if you have any homework or stuff, I can probably help you with it if you want."

"She can." Certainly. He helps her onto the bike and drives fairly sedately to the Lodge parking lot.

"Well" Malcolm says "I think better while eating chips. Really helps me study" PURE Sincerity

and Wynette by that time is riding on a motorcyle "HOpe your wife isn't the jealous type if she's as big as you are." Dryly

"Yeah, shame that your mom put a hard no on chips."

"maybe you misheard her?" He says "She slurs a bit" Confidentially

"She is not. And she is, a troll as I am."

"Well, thank you, Sir Franklyn. I apologize if I was insistent with you, but as you have two kids of your own, you know how it is. The list goes 'them, others in the family, work, yourself.. and the world' in about that order.. but theyr'e first. "

"I agree."

At the parking lot, he helps her off and leads her up to the Lodge.

She follows him. "I also should do something about the car before someone robs it."

"She was pretty clear. Which is why a small bowl of chips is the compromise I'm offering. IF you get your homework out first."

The 8 year old gives her a look, and bows Karate style "At last, a worthy adversary" then he heads up to get his homework

Sylvi grins, gives a bow in return, and preps a small bowl of chips while the boy is getting his things. She also manages a bit of tidying -- some dishes washed if needed, wipe down the counters...stuff her mom would do as a matter of course.

Sylvi finds him just lively enough not to be boring.

(End scene)