Have Yourself an Awkward Little Christmas

[Delilah Simpson]

Delilah’s eyes flicked uncertainly to Bernard. She didn’t want to lie- not least to the child who would most undoubtedly be the one most hurt by it all. But if she told the truth then she probably wouldn’t be believed, and she certainly wouldn’t be allowed to see Kathleen or Gemma or any of the children again. She rolled the words around in her mouth.

”I have lived in several places.” She eventually replied lightly, after a pregnant pause. ”I trained as a midwife and in time took over the practice.”

  

[Laoise Simpson]

Did Kath really need to ask Mrs. Delilah Simpson about her whereabouts all these years? Lois wasn't her biological daughter and even she knew the circumstances behind her disappearance. She had betrayed her father and he had divorced her, allowing for her mother to enter the picture.

Logic would dictate that Delilah Simpson had lived in sin all these years and yet Lois couldn't really believe it. She'd grown up thinking of her as some kind of promiscuous trollop who probably served as someone's courtesan. The woman before her was no glamorous courtesan, though. This was probably the first time in years that she'd be having Christmas dinner.

Lois grimaced in sympathy and uncomfortableness and lowered her eyes to her plate.

The following 1 user Likes Laoise Simpson's post:1 user Likes Laoise Simpson's post
   Nikolai Sleptov

[Gemma Simpson]

This was painfully awkward.

Clearly if Gemma recognized this, it had to be extreme. Why on earth had her father chosen such a manner in which to reintroduce her mother? Honestly. Gemma was in continuous bewilderment when it came to Bernard, but this was a whole different experience.

Gems didn't even know what to say to break the tension! That was a first. She looked helplessly between her family members, hoping somebody else could make it go away.

Merlin please let there at least be the interruption of dinner arriving!

#uselessGempostisuseless

  

[Kathleen Simpson]

A midwife. The healer in Kathleen felt a pang of something that her mother shared her own desire to care for people but the feeling was quickly lost to her pained confusion.

"We ought not to keep cook waiting," she said finally. "I hope there is enough food for our guest?" She couldn't quite bring herself to say her mother, nor did Mrs. Simpson seem appropriate. Cadence had been Mrs. Simpson. This stranger of a woman had forfeited the name a long time ago.

  

[Bernard Simpson]

This, Bernard decided, was not his best decision ever, though hardly could rival his worst. Feeling painfully awkward—as did, no doubt, everyone at the table—he nodded in agreement with Katheen and sent for their dinner.