#bergen_county

"Whehter he is or isn't, we'll love and adore him as much as we do now" Tove says

Jaymes nods "Your mother is right" Then a wink ("He's totally going to be a troll")

"Yeah. I hope so. Dunno, some of the kinain seem to get hangups."

"I think that's something to watch out for in the years to come" TOve says "make sure we're not treating him as less if he turns out to be kinian. You'll help us with that if need be?"

"Well, sure."

"I don't think I treat Sally Mae as less than."

Jaymes ponders, then shakes his head "You listen when she has orders to give. Some trolls wouldn't. So you don't treat her as less"

Tove says "Sally Mae's a wonder. I saved a fortune on banking fees thanks to her"

"Yeah. I hope she stays here." A sigh.

Tove tilts her head "What about the farm?"

"Exactly."

"I know that's home, but I don't want her to go."

"Maybe she'll make a new home here yet" Tove says "She's very fond of Carowyn."

"Mmph" ('Hard worker, that sidhe')

"RIght? And he's a decent guy."

She adjusts CJ so she can hold him AND push her eggs around with her fork.

"And with Didi helping, you have more time" she smiles at Jaymes "Manager. " Then she says 'I can hold CJ while you eat, Dagmar"

CJ is watching the food get swished around

"I'm good."

"So, okay, I mean - the rescue probably doesn't need me... you think, like.. I'm sixteen. I could maybe try driving? Then I could go up there on my own..."

Jaymes enjoys his meal, but between bites his daughter mentions driivng and he chokes a bit

"Plus, like, I could learn to haul a horse trailer..."

Tove ponders "Maybe your Uncle Frank can help with that"

"Maybe?"

Push push push, not eating.

"He's busy a lot, though."

CJ gets plucked up by her mom "My turn to bounce him on my knee. You're not eating. What's on your mind?"

"I dunno."

Jaymes looks at her, then says "We can ask Frank's help, but I'll teach you how to drive"

Then he takes a bite swallows and says "Something we can do together"

Sure, the idea of his daughter driving makes him nervous, but part of being a dad means you help your kid achieve their dreams . Even if it's a dream of driving

"Yeah?" Cautious optimism.

Jaymes looks her square in the eye, says "Yeah" then flashes a rare grin

"Well, okay."

"You think the DMV will be open for permits and stuff?"

"They are," He frowns "We'll need to wear masks when we do go. But don't worry. There's private property we can practice on without before hand"

"Yeah?"

"Sure. The DeBukes teach how to drive cars that way." He ponders "Lots of space, you get a chance to get the feel of it. "

CJ makes happy noises as his mom bounces him on her knee

"Right. And I don't need to get a permit first for that?"

"Not really. Not on your own private land or the private land of a friend. But you will when you start practicing on public roads"

"Right, sure."

"Now, Not sure about hauling horses yet," He admits "But we'll make sure you're good at it so you can offer safely."

"Yeah, I don't want to risk the horses."

"But even if you only drive to pick up supplies it would be a big help to them" Tove says "Feed and such"

"Also true."

A sigh.

Her dad raises a brow ("Talk. What's bothering you?")

"I'm not bothered!"

"Okay" He nods "So why the sigh?"