#fenixtj

"But it's okay. they had a talk. Your mom does NOT want another kid.. huh.. could Tease Siv about how she broke them..." Smirk then "But he still wants parents real bad. I think folks are conspiring but not sure who they're setting up"

Jessica just shakes her head and writes again.

"It better not be Vali.. I have been SO good not flicker flashing Margilita to the lake.. yes I know I go there too often but its a proven method" Then she says "now , speaking of kids.. an heir? How'd you get anheir? "

"Duke suggested it." as she writes.

"Well, she seems very sweet. And Beaumayn... Vali will be doing victory laps"

"Good? I guess...."

"I guess. Still getting pressure to join a House or they finally leaving that alone?"

"Leaving it alone, mostly. It comes up sometimes but...."

"Glad it's less then. Clearly, you need to join House Nunya... if folks ask what house that is, you know the rest of the joke" She nods.

Jessica puffs in amusement. "You've been around Vali too long."

She sighs "Probably true. The guy has so much to answer for. I'm living with him again because well..." A breath "he's the closest thing I've got to a dad..and.. much as I hate to admit that, it's true. Dagmar point out it out. H'es the one who put in the time no matter how bitchy I got."

"You? Bitchy?"

"You should talk to the Hearth sometime" The girl says "You missed some hormonal times with me" Gerd says

Jessica looks up and raises an eyebrow at Gerd. Maybe she's talked to Kerri at some point?

"oh.. maybe you've heard"

"Mmmm." Jessica writes a bit. "If you want that other burger, go ahead. I can get another, later."

"No... no thanks that might be too much of a challenge for me"

"Ok....." Jessica writes, then stops and looks up. "Oh..... crap. Gerd, I'm sorry. That was thoughtless of me."

She scoffs "Hardly. I take it as a compliment actually. It's worse the other way when folks watch me after I've eaten like they're ready to block the bathroom with their obdies to keep me from slpping"

Jessica nods. "Ok. As long as... I mean, I didn't mean anything by it."

"I know. It's good. Seriously" Gerd says "I've got a therapist who I s till see once a month. Kind of proud of that. used to be once a week... "

"You should be proud of it." Jessica nods.

"A little.. oh, the Blut! We had a bragging session... I can't believe we did that. Your mom is normally so..well, modest? But.." She relates how Brekke was smiling, and gave a boast of her own

That actually gets a full, real, smile from Jessica. "She said all that? That's.... awesome."

"It was," Gerd beams

"I wish I had recorded it or something... but you sould talk to Torin sometime. he memorized every boast including your parents'"

Jessica signs one letter, pulls paper over to start the next.... pauses.... "You think I could write him?"

"Of course. I can hang around if you want?"

"Yes, of course. Hey, you want to stay a few days? Or more?"

"I would need to call Uncle Vali and the Hearth.. I've uhm.. been doing more Hearth work but actually a change of scenery would be cool"

Jessica nods. "You can get a good cell phone signal in the atrium, usually. And if you want a land line, there's one in the parking guard shack."

"Thank you" she says

And rises "I better make that call. But don't worry, I can deliver the letter whenever it's ready"

"Cool. I'll finish these up pretty quick, but if you want to stay, you're welcome to."

"I think I'd like that. Let me know if I can help with something while I'm here? Feels wrong to let everyone do the work" A pause "Argh. I think Kerri's gotten to my brain"

Jessica big-sister-chuckles.

"hey, like you escaped her influence" A smile though

"Oh, I didn't. Glad of it."

"Yeah..well me too but don't TELL Her"

"You might think about telling her."

"Maybe" She says "For a special occasion or when she's feeling down" She says "Oh, Siv would want me to say hello"

"On her behalf I mean"

Jessica nods. "I'm writing to her now."

"Ha... 'dear sis...for once I communicate in a way that allows me to get a word in edge wise'"

Jessica chokes a little, then chuckles. "Mmm."

"Right, don't help" She notes demurely

Jessica writes a ibt, thinks, writes again, then signs and seals.

And she draws a third piece of paper over. "This is for Torin. Just a short note."

"Okay" SHe nods and makes a note of what note goes to whom

Just a few lines, and she signs and seals. "Ok, that's it."