John Baptiste. [powered_otaku]

[sweetsalome]

        It's one of those perfect summer days, one that isn't too hot, too humid. Right after a hard, cold rain, that cools everything down and leaves just enough moisture in the reserves for when the sun shines high over head. Salome's Grandparent's house sits on three acres of land, enough for a great back and front yard, but not enough to be considered country. Far back away from the road, it rests on top of a slight incline, that is just right for sledding when the snow falls in the winter. Two stories tall, it's painted white with blue shutters, that get repainted every two years, a task that her grandfather complains about, but always does proudly. There is a front porch and a back porch, maybe some years ago they were connected, but it seems someone had gotten rid of it years before.

On the back porch there is a swing, it's chain rusted and when it rocks back and forth it squeaks. Not an annoying squeak, but steady and simple, it's sound changing with the back and forth movements. It's one of the things on grandpa's to do list, but never seems to get done. There are four old apple trees a few feet away from the back porch, in the spring their leaves turn dark and about mid-summer the married couple talk at great length over what is the perfect time to pick the fruit. In the end, their largest issue is what to do with the apples they don't eat, turn into preserves, or bake into pies. The setting is idyllic, and for the most part, so is life in the Snyder house.

But like most things the exterior does not match the interior.  The Snyder's have an almost rabid hatred for anything to do with Liam Collins, and who can blame them?  The man took away their daughter, and through lengthy court custody battles, have left them with very little money to survive.  Despite the fact that they can't get a third year law student to look at their case, they still hold out hope that they will one day have their daughter back.  It's painfully obvious, and a weakness that is easily exploited.

       This morning, Salome and Jonba sit on the back porch with finger paints and large sheets of paper.  An old book with pictures of paintings sits propped up on the railing.  Salome is trying to convince the boy to make a painting like the vase of flowers in the book.  The boy needless to say is having none of it.  He is much happier smacking his multi-colored hands down on the paper, or just rubbing his chubby fingers around in circles in globs of paint.  Painting is just not a talent that the Collins possess, clearly.  It doesn't seem to matter, the boy is laughing and having a great time of it.

Comments

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro follows him out, but does not sit down. After all, it would be disrespectful. He bows a bit to him. "I love her, sir," he says quietly. "And Jonba. I cannot imagine my life without them."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

The man is silent for a moment, lighting his pipe, he puffs for a few moments before looking over at the other man. "Why don't you ask her father?" This was clearly a test.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro's eyes narrow, but he's clearly not angry at Frank. "I would ask nothing of that monster, sir. He is a dishonorable creature who deserves no respect whatsoever. I hope to free Salome and Jonba of his influence and I also hope to return your daughter to you. It is wrong that he has denied you access to her. She needs her parents."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Even though that was the answer Frank wanted, his face didn't show it. He was much more controlled then his wife, and so as he mulled over the response he swung slowly and smoked. "Welp, ya sound good to me. You have my blessing." He gave a nod and grunted softly. "If you hurt my family. I'll hurt you." Despite the gray hair, he looked like he could make good on the threat.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

He bows to him. "Thank you, ojiisan." He looks him squarely in the eye. "If I ever hurt your family, I will deserve whatever punishment you feel fit to render."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

He gave him another grunt and nodded at him. Even if Hiro isn't white (and that only plays a small part into it) the man seems very sincere, and any man who hates Liam Collins is good enough for him.

Salome sticks her head out of the door and smiles when she sees Hiro is still alive. "Dinner time, boys."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro smiles back at her. He's feeling a little relieved that he's still alive. "I am starving."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

She takes his hand and pulls him into the kitchen, kissing his cheek quickly. "Oh, you're alive, I am really impressed." Jonba is already in his highchair and Gretchen is putting food on the plates. Frank follows a few minutes later, wanting to finish off his pipe.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"It was a close thing, I think," he says with a little nervous laugh. He kisses her on the cheek and takes her hand as they walk over to the table.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't let him eat you," she whispered in his ear before sitting down and patting the chair next to her for him. Gretchen and Frank take their seats and join hands, making Salome wince. "Sorry, grace," she explains to him under her breath as Frank's head bow in prayer.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Thank you. I do not think I would like to be eaten." He sits down in the seat. When they take each others hands, Hiro bows his head. He won't disrespect their faith, but he's not sure if he should take Salome's hand or not.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Salome solves his problem by taking his hand, and Frank says a generic blessing. Thanking God for Hiro, and the food, and bless their daughter out there. When it's over, they release each others hands and start eating. Jonba's food is carefully cut up and cooled before the little boy starts to eat with his hands.

"Really, you didn't think you would be gobbled up?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Not by your grandfather," he whispers. He picks up his fork. "It looks absolutely delicious. Itadakimas'." He cuts one of the potato chunks then blows on it a little to cool it. He chews it, his face lighting up. "It is excellent."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Itadakimas!" Jonba chirps up, it's his new thing, whatever weird sounding words Hiro says, he wants to say them too. Salome shoots the little boy a look as he shoves a carrot into his mouth. Gretchen looks up and smiles proudly, "I am glad you think so, Hiro. Thank you for helping me."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro beams as Jonba speaks. "It was my pleasure. I like to contribute." The meat is so tender that it only takes a couple twists of the fork to free a piece. "This is the best pot roast I have ever had."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"I'll give Salome the recipe so she can make it for you, it's quiet easy!" It's clear that one of her passions is cooking, and she sees Salome's eventual marriage as a chance to pass along all of her domestic tips. "Do you have a lot of pot roasts in Japan, do you have a favorite white persons food?" Oh, and she was doing so well. The question wasn't malicious, just poorly phrased, and Salome bowed her head to hide her grin.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

At first Hiro looks a little confused by her question. "Pot roast is not served often in Japan because we do not eat as much beef, though it is more popular than it used to be. My favorite American food is waffles. When Ando and I drove across the country, we stopped at all the waffle houses we could."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Waffles, now that was something she could understand, and she smiled brightly at the young man. "You should stop by for breakfast, Grandpa makes the best homemade waffles with strawberries on top," Gretchen explained. Grandpa just grunted, as was his way. Always wanting to be apart of the conversation Jonba threw is arms up in the air, "waffles!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I will most certainly come for breakfast. Homemade waffles are the best, though I have not achieved the proper skill to make them myself." As a matter of fact the few times he's tried have been a complete disaster. "Do you like waffles, too, Jonba? Better than cookies?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Grandpa can teach you, it's all about the timing." Gretchen commented, and took a long drink of her iced tea. Jonba, covered in gravy, and his hand currently in his mouth turned his attention to Hiro. "Cookies? Mmmm Cookies. Jonba like cookies."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, sir. I nearly burned down my apartment once. Fortunately I have a fire extinguisher." He takes another forkful of pot roast. "That is why you are a cookie monster."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Well we don't want you to burn down your apartment, now." The old man commented and then smiled, briefly, but it was there. "Jonba, cookie monster?" Intriguing. "Jonba monster," he nods wisely.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I live in an old neighborhood. Most of the houses and apartments are wood. Fire is one of those things that makes people nervous." He takes a sip of his tea. "Jonba is a cookie monster." He says it with a great deal of affection.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Reminds me of when Johnson's barn burned down a couple years back." Salome groans inwardly, only her grandfather would talk about barns at dinner. "Damn near burned down half his crop, fire can be a tricky thing." Jonba on the other hand is grinning broadly and clapping his hands, pleased to be a cookie monster. "He-woo, cookie monster?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro nods. "It is one of those things that makes my people very nervous. Having so many buildings made of wood, a small fire can be a catastrophe. What crops grow in this area?" He smiles at Jonba. "No, Hiro is a waffle monster."