"Gary, you know why you can't live here anymore. I know we are still legally married, but every time you come over we get into a heated argument about Eric, apologize to eachother and end up fucking. Well, ha, ha, ha! Yes, I know it's not a problem for you, but I am exhausted. Look, someone just pulled up to the house can we talk about this later?"

Katie walks outside and immediately recognizes a girl holding a bird in a cage wearing a sundress, "Is that my sweet baby face angel, Julia?"

Julia gently nudges Eric to hold the bird cage instead and runs up and hugs Eric's mom, "Hi, Miss Kay T."

Eric's mother's eyes flew wide open, "I can't believe you remember me. You were still just a baby, you couldn't have been more than 2 or 3. I cried for a month when you moved away. Nobody at the daycare knew where you went. I thought I'd never see you again. You are such a beautiful woman now. Still that precious face I can't forget."

Julia is beaming with excitement, "Mama always told me how I would tell stories about how Miss Kay T was a princess and that is why her hair was longer and more shiny than any other woman in the world!"

Katie laughs hysterically, "Well, once I hit my thirties, I cut my long locks, lack of sleep from raising my own baby finally caught up with me. So, Julia, tell me what brings you back into town, what have you been doing with yourself?"

Julia smiles as she glances over at Eric holding his new bird, "I never left. I have an overprotective daddy that demanded Mom home school me, he won that argument until highschool."

Katie looks at her son, "What is the matter with you why aren't you inviting Julia in for dinner? I raised you better than that!"

Eric rolls his eyes, "...Ummm Julia...On behalf of my new bird friend, we are grateful for your kindness rescuing him and helping him pick out all his new bird supplies. We would be honored if you join us at a banquet in your honor and we will chirp your praises!"

"Ugh, just get inside, you rotten, rotten sassy boy! You are just so lucky you brought Julia with you today!"

Julia smiles as she takes small, tiny bites of the ham and mashed potatoes, "Everything is so delicious Mrs. Anderson."

Katie looks across the table sweetly at Julia, "I know you have a respect for elders, but would you mind calling me Katie, it makes me remember sweeter, happier times."

"Ok, I'll try. How about Miss Katie to start?"

"You are still that sweet baby, I remember!"

Katie looks at Eric barely touching his food trying not to be upset, "So Julia, Hun, do you know Eric well? I hope you didn't feel uncomfortable giving him a ride home."

"Actually, since highschool ended we see eachother alot. The first three years of highschool he barely spoke."

Katie looks at her son accusingly, "Really?"

"He made a wonderful first impression though. First day in home room, I was so scared, I had never been around boys before. He mentioned that I sounded so smart and looked so grownup he thought I was a teacher when I was out in the hallway."

Katie smiles lovingly at her dimpled faced Julia, "He gets that from his father, he makes weird observations and gives even weirder compliments."

Julia laughs, "I know, right? Last month before senior year, he acts off the charts weird in the lunch room. He starts bringing his own lunch every day and tries copying lunches I brought weeks before, although he didn't do a very competent job making them look very good."

Katie laughs, "I remember that, I tried to ask him if I could make him something instead or teach him to cook."

Julia smiles, "Well, finally I had enough. I made two lunches every day and sat with him and forced him to talk with me. So every day senior year we sat and ate lunch together."

Katie smiles sweetly at Julia, "Eric, I know you must be hurting and I know the pain pills hurt your tummy, I know you are extremely uncomfortable to try it, but the doctor says the new medicine could really help."

Julia softly, interjects, "Miss Katie, summer before last I was my dad's cousin's caretaker in hospice and got really good at giving medicine and shots. I would love to help if it is ok with you."

Katie smiles then frowns, "Sweet angel, I know you want to help... These pills need to be given as suppositories, though."

"Mom, not in front of Julia!"

Katie is about to apologize when Julia interjects, " Errricc, she's your mom and this is so hard for her, she loves and she can't stand to see you not eating and hurting and neither can I." Julia gently places her hand on his, "Let me help you take this medicine... We won't ever have to talk about. Just thirty seconds and you'll be done and feeling better."

Eric blushes and looks at his mother apologetically. Katie is in awe of Julia's persuasive demeanor and for the briefest of seconds believe she will take him to the bathroom and give him his medicine. Katie does cheer up a bit. "How about you kiddos watch a Disney movie, I can make popcorn and cream cheese brownies, that always brings your appetite back."

"Mom, we aren't little kids, geez."

Julia pinches Eric's armpit gently, "You need to stop and apologize to your mother right now, I love Disney movies."

Eric hangs his head, "I'm sorry, Mom. That's really nice of you."

Katie is happier than she has been in five years and baking used to be her favorite passion. It seems to be coming back to her a bit as she fires up the oven. "So tell me what is your favorite Disney movie scene!"

Julia laughs, "It's so embarrassing. As a little girl and actually through most of highschool I thought boys were unbelievably gross and brutish. I love Belle's reaction as she sings about being alarmed about how she was attracted to a beast. I legitimately thought that is how all women fell in love.

Katie laughs uncontrollably, "Julia, you are so precious, I have missed you so much!"

Julia's cellphone rings and she steps into the other room, "So how's Dad, is he still furious? What does that mean? You are working...on him? When should I come back home? Do you think he will be asleep by twelve? Okay... I love you too, Mom, bye."

Katie walks in and retrieves Julia, "Everything ok, sweet girl, the movie is about to start."

"Yeah, everything is actually perfect. It's been such a beautiful day."