Girl talk (Joint log between Anna O'Halloran and Lisa Tomlinson)

[William Tomlinson 0]

Lisa smiled a purely motherly smile as she gave a small hug to both Tabor and Anna. She looked at everyone and then took Anna by the hand, "Come dear. All this testosterone is more than any one woman should be exposed to." While she led Anna into the kitchen, Jared stood up, "Come on boys let's go to my study and talk."

 

 

 

 

With a final look over her shoulder, Anna allowed Lisa Tomlinson to lead her into the kitchen which turned out to be large and sunny. "You have a beautiful home, Mrs. Tomlinson," Anna commented, as she looked past Lisa to the view revealed just outside the window. The naturescape was stunning. She could see why the holoprogram called Big Bear made Will feel less homesick.

 

 

 

 

Lisa turned and smiled, "Oh Anna, call me Lisa. Mrs. Tomlinson is too formal. Can you be a dear and help me? With two more mouths to feed, dinner will need to be something special." Lisa began to get various pots and pans out as she spoke, "So has my William been a proper gentleman? He hasn't done anything unbecoming has he?"

 

 

 

 

"Of course, I'd be happy to help," Anna was saying with a smile, actually very glad to have something to do, when Lisa's second question brought her up short. "Ah, no Mrs. Tomlin--er, Lisa, no, of course he hasn't." Anna was very glad Lisa had her back to her as she rummaged for cooking equipment since the hot blush suffusing her skin no doubt had her looking as red as the cherry tomatoes sitting in a basket on the counter. What kind of question was that to ask? "Will's definitely a gentleman."

 

 

 

 

Lisa kept her smile and nodded more to herself than to Anna. "Excellent. I see by the way he looks at you that he cares for you very much." Lisa turned and Anna could see her smile had a fond quality to it, "It's how Jared has looked at me ever since I could remember." She handed an empty pot to Anna, "Now we need to start with the potatoes. Have you ever had scalloped potatoes and green beans?"

 

 

 

 

"We're really just getting to know each other," Anna answered, thinking she sounded a little stilted as she took the pot from Lisa. Will's mother certainly didn't need to know she'd spent over an hour kissing him earlier in the week, although that certainly qualified as 'getting to know' someone. Sort of. "It's funny you should ask, Lisa. I recently had those exact dishes along with glazed ham--Will had me over to dinner to celebrate and told me the replicator was programmed with your recipe. It was delicious, too," Anna added, her smile warm with the memory of the evening.

 

 

 

 

Lisa smiled warmly, "Excellent. I was hoping he would find a beautiful young lady to eat those with. Well since you've already had the glazed ham, we will go with baked chicken." She went to the refrigerator and pulled out a package of actual chicken meat. "I do hope you like, chicken dear." She patted Anna on the cheek gently.

 

 

 

 

"I like chicken, and I'm sure based on what I've sampled and what Will proclaims about your cooking, then everyone is in for a treat." Anna didn't really know what to say to Lisa's hope that Will would find a woman to eat with. It seemed safest to smile cheerfully and offer to peel potatoes which she proceeded to do.

 

 

 

 

Deciding that she has grilled the poor girl enough, Lisa changed the subject, "So what do you do on the Reaent, Anna?"

 

 

 

 

Feeling relief at the subject change, Anna started working on the potatoes, enjoying the homey task, thinking that what used to seem like a chore so long ago when at home seemed more like a treat now. She used to work with her own mother and spending time in Lisa's kitchen reminded her of how much she missed that shared time which she'd always taken for granted. "I'm in charge of the ship's science department," Anna answered, thinking that no matter what soil potatoes grew in, they all smelled the same.

 

 

 

 

The rest of the time they were making dinner, Lisa was gracious enough to stay with safe subjects. Eventually they had dinner ready and everyone ate well. The Tomlinsons made everyone feel right at home and as far as they were concerned Anna and Tabor were already part of the family.