"Please, eat your peas for me," Martha Saunders sings to her two-year-old son SJ Saunders. She was sitting in front of him in the kitchen of their home. 

 

From his high chair, the toddler is staring down at his plate like the peas were going to perhaps disappear if he looked at them. 

 

"Please, eat your peas for me, please," she says in a sing-song voice. 

 

With reluctance, SJ picks up his spoon, scooping up the rest of the peas. He doesn't cover being grossed out by having to eat them. 

​

Martha claps enthusiastically as he manages to get them down. 

 

"No, like dem, mommy," he protests 

 

Louise Saunders Lockhart walks into the house through the side door. "Hi, is mom here?" 

 

Martha transfers her son out of his chair and into her arms. "No, she is volunteering at the clothing drive at church this morning, she won't be back until later." 

​

Louise begins to recall her mother telling her about her helping out at the church today. "I was working at home and it dawned on me. I had forgotten to return this glass dish." 

 

The dish once contained Sarah Lynn's homemade lasagna that she made for Louise and the twins since Tanner is home from college. 

 

Martha is surprised her sister forgot something so trivial knowing how usually organized she is. 

 

"What's wrong?" Louise inquiries. She then sets down the glass onto the top of the counter. 

​

Martha is surprised her sister forgot something so trivial knowing how usually organized she is. "Nothing," Martha lies. 

 

The two sisters are as different as day and night, though it's evident something is the cause of it. 

 

Louise strolls over to her sister where she begins playing with her adorable nephew. 

 

"Does this have to do with your involvement with a certain market owner?" 

​

Louise takes a seat in an empty chair at the table, holding her nephew who is now playing with his favorite stuffed animal Mr. Giraffe on her lap. "I can't believe I'm telling you this, I mean we aren't exactly close." 

 

Martha raises her head acknowledging that statement. 

 

"I've been thinking a lot about taking the next step with Jai," 

 

It doesn't take long for Martha to pick up on what her predominately older sister is trying to get to. "Are you ready for that?" 

 

"I go back and forth on it," 

 

"Has Jai been putting out any signals?" 

 

Louise sways her head. "No, he's a great guy, but I can sense he wants to eventually get there a bit sooner than I do." 

 

Martha inspects her young son during their conversation on intimacy. But SJ is happily playing with Mr. Giraffe not paying them any attention whatsoever. 

 

"I know this is going to sound cliché, but just be honest with Jai, Lou," she replies. "Tell him you don't want to do the horizontal mambo until you're ready." 

 

"Well, since you put it like that, I guess you're right," 

 

Louise then kisses her nephew on the cheek before she hands him back to his mother. "I got to get going," 

 

Martha watches her sister go to the side door. 

 

Louise touches the knob and then turns to cast a glimpse at her little sister. "Martha, thanks," 

 

"You're welcome," 

 

She then wanders out of the house leaving the mother and son alone again. 

 

Martha glances at her son who is smiling delightfully. Then a certain odor hits her nose. "We got to work on the potty training," 

 

The two head out of the kitchen towards the staircase to go change him. 

​

​

​