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

[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."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Frank looks up, a little surprised by the question. "Oh, some corn, mostly soy, it's what makes the money around here. Some orchards, that's farther up north though." Jonba hunches his little shoulders and growls. "Grr waffle monster!"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"My father has a house in Kaneyama. That area grows a lot of apples. Of course, in Tokyo, there are only little patio or balcony gardens. If one has the talent. I have a 'black thumb', I believe it is called?" He gives a bit of a snort. "I cannot even grow a cactus." He wiggles his fingers like he's going to tickle Jonba. "Grrr, cookie monster."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Kaneyama, where's that? I mean where is it in Japan?" It was clear that the older woman was much more interested in travel then her husband. "Not everyone is cut out for raising plants." Jonba giggled and wiggled his greasy, messy fingers at Hiro growling back at him. Salome wiped his hands off and then his face.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Kaneyama is northwest of Tokyo, much closer to the Sea of Japan. It is a rather small town - only 7,000 people. The house is based on one from Okinawa that is owned by my clan. It is a wonderful place to spend the summer. Similar to this area, though with more mountains." He laughs a little. "I tried to keep a cactus in the office. It almost died until someone else rescued it from me."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

The grandparents fell silent, just watching him, having no real clue what he was talking about. Not because he didn't explain it well, but because they had no idea about anything beside their home country and the United States. Salome just sighed dreamily and smiled at him. "It sounds beautiful, one day, will you show it to me?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Of course. Perhaps we should have the Shinto wedding there. It would be so beautiful." He has a bit of a dreamy expression. He can see it all.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

The older couple share a look, but Salome completely ignores it. Leaning forward, she kisses his cheek and to his ear. "That sounds wonderful, my love. Absolutely wonderful."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Do you have a particular church in mind for the wedding here?" He didn't seen the expressions, but is genuinely curious. Perhaps they can have it at this house.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

There was silence around the table, except from Jonba who was singing and eating at the same time. "Well the church we go to is very nice, it's just up the road. . ." Gretchen suggested, smiling suddenly at the idea of having a wedding. Part of her is afraid to let Salome go, not when they've just found her again. Still, the way the two looked at each other, how Hiro spoke of both Jonba and Salome's mother. Maybe, maybe it would work out.

"We could have the reception here, if you'd like."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"That would be lovely! If it is no trouble. This is such a beautiful home." He 's wondering what song Jonba is singing. "Of course, this would be after Salome graduates."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"No, no, there's no trouble, Hiro, I think it would be very lovely too. I would love to help with everything." She's beaming, it looks like an expression that she doesn't have often. Frank looks up from his dinner and nods at Hiro. "That's right, she needs to get an education." Salome rolls her eyes as she wipes Jonba off.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"And after that is college. Anywhere she wants to go." He eats more of the pot roast. It really is delicious and he can't get enough of it.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"That's right, you can't get anywhere in life without a college degree." Frank nods in agreement before going back to eating. Salome doesn't say a word, just pulls Jonba from his seat and sits him on her lap. Pressing her lips to the top of his head, she grins. "Hiro, smell the boy!" He smells like pancakes for some weird reason, despite the hose and the sun.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro smells the top of his head and looks puzzled. "Why does he smell like pancakes?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Salome shrugs and Jonba claps his hands wildly. "Pannnncakkkesss." Like area 51, and the Bermuda triangle, there are some things that cannot be explained. "Maybe it's baby cologne," Salome suggests with a giggle.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"What happens if we pour maple syrup on him?" Hiro has a silly grin on his face. "Do you like pancakes, Jonba?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Oddly enough, he smells like Dove soap." Jonba starts to laugh and then holds his arms out to Hiro to be picked up. "Mmm Jonba eat pancakes!"