#debukefarmhold

He nods. "In a bit." he suggests.

Clem nods and looks..distracted out the window. As if looking for someone specific

"Problem, Chief?"

"Mm? No I.. no, things are running fine here" She says "I should get back to managing the farm"

Frank nods. "Of course."

She heads out.

Agnes watches her go "Don't have to be a Gwydion to know when something's bothering that girl"

"Mm." Frank makes a non-committal noise. "She's smart; she has the support she needs. She'll reach out when she's ready I'm sure."

"Yeah, that's usually the way of it. Would you like something more solid than soup? Don't worry, won't slip you any more glamour unless you ask."

Frank clears his throat "I hate to be a bother, Hearth. Thank you."

"No bother, Frank, I cook for a horde, 1 more won't slow me down none"

"Whatever's available, then, thank you."

She goes into the kitchen...

about ten minutes in.. he hears glass shatter

"Hearth??" He looks towards the kitchen.

"Who is.." A pause "oh..yes. Forgive me, Frank I.. dropped a glass. "

Frank stands and crosses to the kitchen. "Need a hand?"

"No I've got it." He can hear the whisk of a broom and clatter of glass as it goes into a dust pan "Just feeling a fool is all"

"May I come in?"

"Come on in" She says resigned

Frank looks in.

True to the sounds, she's dropping a broken glass from a dust pan into a garbage can. Nearby is a thick steak , corn on the cob, and greens. The steak smells delicious

Frank scans for Glamour or... anything? "Everything alright?" he checks Agnes.

She's.. herself, but the banality on her soul is thick. It's amazing she can remember herself, and no doubt.. she won't, when she stays too far from home. Time is taking her.

"Good as it can be" She says and gestures "Your meal is there."

Frank pauses a moment, and then says "Thank you, Agnes." and he takes the plate to tuck in.

"Most welcome, and please, don't trouble anyone with the glass dropping. Just an old woman forgetting she had something in her hand"

"Delicious." Frank comments on the meal "Don't know what you're talking about, Agnes."

"Mmm, you're a good man, Frank King. "

A bit pleased

"Do the best I can." he enjoys his meal "Rude of me... Agnes, you have eaten dinner?"

"At my age I eat light, but yes. And not rude at all. It's what I do. Provide for folks. You're the one who came in washed out like a formerly wet cloth squeezed by a tornado"

"Agnes, honestly... I was ... I would have been fine. I appreciate the hospitality and the save, though."

A brow lift "Fire was called for, sir. A bit more too I suspect. Sides, without you visiting, Beyla would have missed out on another riverrvale hero to question. SHe's taken that new name of 'Manyquestions' as a go ahead not just honest observation"

His beard shifts. "Childlings will do that."

"Oh don't I know it" A fond look "Was just yesterday when Clem was thigh high making telling folks how they could work together to get chores done better"

"Should have guessed then she'd make a career out of it"

"She's a DeBuke."

"Place is in good shape. Good people. Changes come but... the heart remains. Always."

"Yes" SHe looks wistful "It'll be just fine"

Frank eats slowly, enjoying.

The woman can cook a steak. Clearly NO relation to Olgar 😉

"Mm." Frank finishes "Hearth, I don't know when I've had a better steak. Away from home, of course."

"Of course" She gives a slight but geniune smile

"Thank you, Agnes. For everything."

"YOu'r welcome, Frank. But if you really want to thank me. You can show this old woman a photo or two of your family"

"Of course. Got my wallet, an album in the car, and I have some on this phone...."

"Ooh" And she is happy to see any and all. She seems uncharacterisically sharinng "Now, that one reminds me of Jayna.. you wouldn't know her, she passed... ten years younger than me"

Frank takes his plate and things to wash them up, then turns to Agnes. "Want to get drunk?"

She stares at him, stunned "I will confess , Frank, of all the things you might say, that's the last I expected"