#debukefarmhold

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The morning of the funeral, Earl kisses her awake, "Hey, busy day but if you wanted to talk to anyone now, there's time"

"Mmph."

"I know your'e not a morning person at the best of times, but a certain lady was hoping to talk to you. " A shrug "Your call"

"I don't... " A soft huff. "I want tea first."

"Of course, it's already heating" He says

"You."

"Me?" He says, "What of me?"

"Just... you." A smile.

"Don't make too much of it " He smiles and kisses her lightly then says " I like tea too, remember?"

"I know. But..." A shrug.

"She'll want coffee first."

"Mmm I'm sure she'll find coffee around here. We've got a few java addicts" he prepares the tea for them. "I hope your regular is okay?"

Zara nods. She is stretching, contorting limbs into unnatural angles as she does so.

He watches, admiring the non euclidian nature of it

Her over-long toes curl with one last cat-yoga stretch before she tumbles out of bed.

Earl's face is one of quiet delight, perhaps at some secret amusement, but whatever it is, its tempered by obvious adoration.

She slides against his side, hip resting against his and one arm snaked around his waist.

His own hand slides around her in return "See, I could used to mornings that start like this ... of course, w'ell have to time it so you aren 't late for a class"

"Aye, aye... but good mornings. And you'll have things to do, too..."

"Yes, yes I will." A nod "Bring home the bacon, clean up around the house. And my art."

"No bacon in my kitchen." A peck. "You can have a little fridge for that."

"Right, figure of speech" A smirk "your kitchen_ eh? Fair enough. I , for one, welcome my new Kosher devouring overlady"

"Oh, we'll have to figure it all out... I mean, Mama has a system..."

"Oh? Mmm I just go with whatever" he says with a shrug

"Well, don't let me be bossy, nu?" She savors her cup of tea.

"sometimes you're adorable when you're bossy, which may not be the most enlightened thing to say on my part." He enjoys his own tea

"Our kitchen. Maybe a designated bacon drawer."

"Or wherever it goes."

"Bacon drawer" Amused

"Aye."

"Well, why not? We'll think of something. Zenobia might have some opinions too now." A sip "Nockers usually do"

"On any and everything."

"I have to admit, sometimes I just don't know how to relate to them.. nockers, that is. But maybe it's just nockers you're related to " A wink "Maybe other nockers are mellow and prone to compromise"

A faint snort.

"Right, don't count on it" he translates "I'll let you handle Zenobia then." Sip

"She's fine. You'll be fine."

"Thanks" They finish their tea.

There's a knock at the door, soft.

A frown at the door.

Earl gets up, opens the door and sees.. Jacob and Miriam. Jacob weaves under Earl's legs and says "Sister, there you are. That was a HARD game of hide an' go seek"

She wavers, a flash of nerves when she spies Miriam.. but.. "Aye. I am a good hider."

"Yeah..I went everywhere" the seven year old says, then thinking on it, addss "except wherever you were"

Miriam is dressed for a somber event; black tank top and black ruffled skirts, black leggings and dark grey legwarmers with a leopard-spot coat over the top, as it is still March in Iowa. Her hair is pulled and pinned back; this unfortunately shows more of her age under the dark maroon spirials.

"Aye." She bites on her lower lip and her over-long toes fidget - that particular nervous tick usually hidden by shoes.

"Would you like me to make some coffee, Miriam?" Earl says "And good morning to you both"

"Morning." Mumbled. "Yeah, coffee's ok."

",,,good morning, Miriam."

He prepares coffee, and another cup of tea for Jacob

"Mornin' Zara." She shuffles near the door. "Condolences to yer family, Earl." then she shoots Zara a quick look "So, like... how're you?"