The Ugly Wickerwood - Chapter 19

It's been a few days since the old man moved in with granny Anna Eastwall. She still claims the house to be hers, and she didn't need to ask old Jonas twice. He had been around for some time already, but Hui could still not get used to granny behaving like a teenager.

- Argh, granny, stop kissing!
- Shut up and do your homework, Hui! I promised your parents to babysit you.
- I'm no baby! Ush!

Later on our hero Albert Wickerwood, Hui's dad and Anna's son-in-law, returned back home. The car pool took him to the ugliest house in town.

- So, uhm, this is your home, Mr Wickerwood?
- Yes sure, just stop the car here, Albert replied.
- Well, well, well. No wonder they all talk about your house, it really is ugly!
- Thank you!
- ?

Next day Myrhna was giving toddler Edna food on the floor.

- Mom, I can see you! Why are you hiding in the kitchen when Edna cries?
- I'm not hiding! I'm planning our dinner! It takes some thinking. And, it's my kitchen, so stay out!
- Out of sight? Come on mum, you know you need to help with Edna! Both Albert and I are working, while you spend all day at home!

Ugh, will Edna be even uglier than her older brother Hui? Those pointy ears look promising!

- Urgh, the recipe said nothing about smoke!

The food was a disaster, but they were all too hungry to wait for another cooking session.

- Mom, you said it's your kitchen, but you do realize that you only stay here temporarily?, Myrhna asked while seated together with Anna and Jonas.
- Of course I'm here temporarily, aren't we all?
- Well said Anna!, Jonas chimed in. - Our time is indeed borrowed, we can never tell if we will ever see our kitchen again!

Jonas normally kept low. He made sure to avoid any conflicts of the house, and mostly he spent his time in Anna's downstairs bedroom. Myrhna and Albert still sleep upstairs, in the new unit that was actually built for Anna, but that she refused to use.

Later that day there was a call for the repairman, and a blond woman entered the house. Nobody paid attention to her, except Jonas, but perhaps they should have?

- Will it take long, dear?
- Hard to tell. She is still quite healthy.
- But Jonas, you promised!
- Shhh...

When Albert returned from work, Myrhna had left for the Theater where she plays the guitar most nights. Albert was pretty annoyed by Myrhna's old mother living with them, not to speak the old Jonas. The biggest problem was that the two oldies never raised a finger to get things done. Like sweeping the kitchen floor. Could it really be that difficult?

- How is school, son?
- Boring.
- Do the other kids call you silly names?

- Yes.
- Do they make jokes about your looks?
- Yes...
- Great! Keep it up, Hui!
- What?
- Be proud of your ugliness, son!


More in one week - and this time there will be no delay! :)