trading places

Was it true? Raspberries in October? Betty could never remember that happening in her back yard before. Of course, she wasn't here over the summer. She'd been living in her daughter's apartment while Brit and her family moved into her house. It looked permanent, but she was ready to come back home. After all, the house was paid off and it was about time for that husband of Brit's to find a house for them.

Although, she hadn't the heart to bring it up. She was busy fighting bees to get to the red raspberries. It was like a miracle.

"Well, I don't remember seeing any, this summer." Brit remembered as she lugged Theo like she did when he was barely a year old. He was practically bigger than she was now.

"Put him down." She pointed to the ground. "You'll have back trouble just like me." She knew it was her own fault. She'd carried them all far too long when they were little too. Of course, the older two carried the younger ones more than she had.

Brit did as her mother said. She sighed and put her hands on her lower back.

"Are you pregnant?" Betty then asked her daughter, as she gave a handful of raspberries to the baby, who took to them like candy.

Brit shot her a look that gave way the obvious.

"How? How..do you know?" Brit asked.

Betty sighed.

"Hows that Carson taking it?" Betty wanted to know as she patted Theo on the head.

By the look on Brit's little frown, she knew she hadn't told him.

Betty shook her head.

"Does this mean, I won't ever get my house back now?" She reminded Brit about the agreement. They were going to save up, find themselves their own house.

"I know." Brit crossed her arms. "We've been looking." It sounded like they were planning to move nearby, like on the block.

Betty looked at her blankly. She hadn't thought they'd want to be so close to her.

"There's something I want to tell you." Brit pressed her lips tight.

"The baby news isn't enough?" Betty chuckled.

"I think Tiffany is seeing your boyfriend." Brit stared at her mother as if she'd be against this fellow from the get go.

"What boyfriend?" Betty winced.

"That guy." Brit winced hard. "From the theater. Gordon..somebody." She got out her phone and showed her the picture that Tiffany sent her from the zoo.

Betty only smiled.

"I'm feeling more sorry for him, by the minute." Betty shook her head. "Hope he knows what he's doing."

"So you're not dating him?" Brit wanted to know.

"You, think a boy like that? Would want somebody like me?" She laughed. "Oh, I'm a fan all right. But I don't think I'd want somebody younger than me. Not that young, anyway."