STORIES
334 - Obnoxious
2024
Harmonia Neve Lita Orrie Tahariel
Thursday morning in Harmonia and Lu’s sitting room …
HARMONIA:
‘… But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail had bread
and milk and blackberries for supper.’
And that’s all I have to say about Peter Rabbit.
NEVE:
I like that one.
LITA:
Me too.
ORRIE:
Can you read us some more?
LITA:
Yes, please?
NEVE, ORRIE and LITA:
Pleeeeease….?
HARMONIA:
Now y’all just stop that right now, ya hear? I’ve already read ya two
stories and it’s time for lunch. Besides, I have to call my little boy.
LITA:
You have a little boy?
HARMONIA:
I sure do. His name’s Jophiel and he’s just about your age.
NEVE:
I like Jophie. I talk to him on the phone sometimes.
HARMONIA:
That’s right, you’re one of his friends. There’s a pic of him over yonder.
LITA:
Where does he live?
HARMONIA:
With his daddy, in Texas.
LITA:
Is that far away?
HARMONIA:
It’s far enough, but I aim to visit with him for a spell. Now ya’ll best be
getting along. I’m sure Cammeo has lunch waitin’ on ya in the kitchen.
ORRIE:
OK, then I be going. Lita, guess what?
LITA:
What?
ORRIE:
I’m hungry.
LITA:
Me too.
LITA:
… Thank you for the stories, Harmonia.
NEVE:
Bye bye.
HARMONIA:
You’re welcome. Oh Neve - do me a favor and tell Tahariel
I’m calling her daddy. I’m sure she’ll want to say hello.
NEVE:
OK.
Later in the hallway
TAHARIEL:
… But mama, how will we ever get Patience here?
HARMONIA:
Doncha worry hon. Your daddy will find another driver.
We’ll get your horse here one way or another.
TAHARIEL:
I still don’t understand why you won’t let me drive her …
HARMONIA:
Your daddy done told ya that that’s out of the question.
You know you’ve never driven with the trailer before …
HARMONIA:
… and I’m not about to have ya traveling all that way
on your own. We’ll just hafta find another driver to do it.
NEVE:
You need a driver? Jesse can drive. He can do it.
TAHARIEL:
Jesse? No that won’t work.
HARMONIA:
Now don’t be so hasty. Neve, does Jesse know how
to drive a truck while pulling a trailer?
NEVE:
He can drive anything. Want me to get him?
HARMONIA:
Yes hon. You tell him to come to my sitting room right quick.
NEVE:
OK>
Neve leaves.
TAHARIEL:
Mama you can’t be serious!
HARMONIA:
Tahariel, we need a driver and if this boy’s willing - why not?
TAHARIEL:
Because I can’t stand him. He's so annoying. I mean,
have you ever met anyone so utterly obnoxious?
HARMONIA:
I surely have, once.
TAHARIEL:
What'd you do about him?
HARMONIA:
I married him.
TAHARIEL:
You … you mean daddy? Well that’s … that’s just crazy.
HARMONIA:
Isn’t it? Now see here - I know that Jesse’s uncouth and all
but ya have to admit - he’s easy on the eyes …
TAHARIEL:
Mama, really! I can’t believe you’d even suggest such a thing.
TAHARIEL:
… Look Mama, I need to be there for Patience. You know she hates to travel.
HARMONIA:
You will be, and we’ll bring along Neve too. I’ll bet she’d love to
meet your little brother. Then she can ride back with ya’ll.
TAHARIEL:
Mama no …
HARMONIA:
Tahariel, I’m darn tired of hearing you complaining ‘bout not having
your horse here. I’m gonna speak to Jesse to see if we
can’t expedite this. Now you run along.
