October 9

That morning, waiting for the kids to return from Francis’ orthodontist appointment, Collette and Carrie-Bri reminisced with old Kevin Max music videos.

The rain still fell, and the air was cold.

At lunch, Collette cut up Puck’s ham into boxes and moons and vacuums while Linnea worked on her Portuguese.

Grandma Combs arrived later in the afternoon. She was spending the night and getting up early the following morning to volunteer with Carrie at the Walk for Autism. Mom, Aunt Petunia, and Lucia would be walking.
Before she arrived, Puck helped Carrie make apple cider. He sprinkled on the cinnamon. During this session was when Carrie decided that Puck had the voice of Grover from Sesame Street. Collette had to agree.
He followed this with helping Linnea wrap the birthday gifts for the little girl next door: a glittery book bag, a set of twelve Lip Smackers, a box of glow-stick bracelets, and a bag of Laffy Taffy.

And in the frigid temperature drop, Grandma had brought over a monster batch of hot chili and several bags of the new dark chocolate Chex mix.

Collette left with an electric piece of artwork from Joe’s collection, just made that afternoon, with a fiery red/orange and cobalt blue, an abstract work that reminded both Collette and Joe of a sunset reflected in a river. Perhaps Vietnam, as Joe suggested.

That night, Mom and Dad were headed to Lindenwood to see CATS. And Linnea was busy preparing for a sleepover for the neighbor girl’s birthday later in the evening.