A Way to Help

Writers: Ames, Heather
Date Posted: 27th January 2019

Characters: Lisadi, Westyn, Trewlin, Dareera, Gesylle, Gaesyn, Wesla
Description: Lisadi and Westyn discuss children and Lisadi offers to watch his.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 9, day 5 of Turn 9

Life continued as it usually did for Lisadi. It was hard to believe
that Trewlin was contemplating his apprenticeship soon. Dareera was
carrying on in her studies and life just moved forward each day. The
children gave her joy, hope, and love. They may not have been her own
flesh and blood, but over the Turns they had come to be a true family.
Both children called her mother with ease and had for quite some time.

"Come, it is time for classes," Lisadi coaxed both to grab their
things and leave their quarters. She, herself, had many jobs waiting
for her in the sewing rooms.

"We all have work to do. Come. Come," she hurried them along.

Yawning, Trewlin grumbled, "I'd rather sleep."

Dareera just bounced along with a happy smile on her face.

"I'm too old for this, Dad," Gaesyn moaned as he followed his father
down the hallway. "And I don't need you to walk me to class."

"Clearly you do since the harper said you'd skipped the last two days
of classes. Trust me, you should be embarrassed that at fifteen your
father is having to walk you to class. When I was fifteen I was
already working with your grandpa at acquiring merchandise." Westyn's
tone was clipped and clearly unpleased with his son. "You have this
idea in your head that you're going to just inherit the family trading
business, but I have no use for a son that can't read, calculate math,
or one that lies and doesn't have a work ethic.'

Gaesyn rolled his eyes. He'd heard that line so many times in the past
two Turns.

"Daddy! Look at my skirt!" Wesla, a lively seven Turns old, sang the
words loudly, her voice echoing down the corridor as she danced along,
spinning and twirling, which caused her skirt to flare out in a whirl
of colors.

"It's just a skirt, stupid, don't yell." Gaesyn barked at his little sister.

Westyn thumped the back of Gaseyn's head, "Don't talk to your sister that way."

Gesylle, at twelve, was quiet and demure like her mother had been,
which Westyn was immensely grateful for since his hands were full with
his eldest daughter, Waylle, who had just discovered boys, Gaesyn, who
was at the age to be challenging his father, and Wesla, who could
definitely use a woman's touch in her life.

"Dareera!" Wesla suddenly squealed when she saw her classmate and friend.

"Wesla!" Dareera called out and ran to her friend. "I like your skirt.
Is it new? Mama's been teaching me how to sew so I can make my own
someday." Dareera touched the hem of her friend's skirt, admiring it
with glee. "Maybe you could learn with me?" She turned and threw a
hopeful look at Lisadi.

Lisadi just chucked. "We'll see dear. I'm not sure if that's what
Wesla wants to do." She patted the girl on the head and whispered in
her ear. "Remember, just because _you_ like to do something, not
everyone has the same interests."

"Good morrow, Westyn. How are you this fine day?" Lisadi greeted the
trader. She had been saddened by the death of his wife. She knew just
how hard it was to lose the one you cared for. Usually his children
came on their own, so she was surprised to see him.

Westyn put on a polite smile, despite the fact that he was inwardly
still annoyed by Gaesyn's current life attitude. People hadn't been
lying when they'd said that parenting during the teenage years was
tough.

"I am okay, and I hope you are as well, Lisadi." Westyn gave Gaesyn a
poke in the back.

"Good morning, ma'am," the teenager mumbled.

"I would love to sew a skirt!" Wesla gasped, grabbing her friend's
hand. "Dad, can I sew a skirt? Can I?" Before her father could answer
she whirled around to Dareera, "I'm going to sew a yellow skirt!" She
knew her father would let her do it, he had a very had time saying no
to his youngest.

Lisadi chucked at the girls' enthusiasm. "I'd be happy to teach Wesla
the same sewing skills I'm teaching Dareera, if you'd like," Lisadi
looked to Westyn to see his thoughts. "I can pick up both girls after
classes for some lessons together."

"That would be lovely, thank you Lisadi," Westyn's eyes belayed his
relief. Being a single father with children all at such precarious
ages was no easy challenge.

She had caught the look in his eyes and suddenly a way to help sprang
to her mind. She had been doing small things for the children when she
could, but never anything overly in the open.

"Would you like me to pick up all the children after classes for the
next few days. I have some tasks and things we can do together until
your work is done for the evening?" She knew it would mean many extra
children to watch, but the thought did not daunt her in the least. She
hadn't been daunted by the task of raising Trewling and Dareera so
many Turns ago. Helping another family in need was the least she could
do.

Westyn couldn't believe the generous offer. No one ever volunteered to
watch his children, and he knew it was because of their rambunctious
behavior. He'd tried reining them in as much as possible, but they
needed a woman's touch and mentoring.

"Aw, Pa, I don't want to -" Gaesyn began but Westyn gave him a gentle,
and yet firm, shove into his classroom, silencing him from further
objection.

"That would be much appreciated, but I wouldn't want to impose on
you," Westyn answered, secretly hoping she would insist. Gesylle had
already slipped into the same classroom as Gaesyn and the two younger
girls were scampering into a room down the hall, leaving the adults
alone.

"It's not a problem at all," she replied. "I can pick them up today if
that helps you."

"It helps me out tremendously. Thank you, again." Westyn gave Lisadi a
curt nod, but he secretly wondered how long this arrangment would
last. No one had survived his children long term.

Last updated on the February 3rd 2019

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A Way to Help