An Extraordinary Life

On a Sunday

Mary looked over to her left, more than pleased by the smile that kept lighting up Isabella's face as she showed her the film Grease for the first time.

"Oh I really am so glad you're enjoying this, sweetheart," Mary pulled their shared blanket closer to her own chin. "I really can't believe you haven't seen it before."

"When it came out I was too little!" Isabella playfully rolled her eyes, reaching for the snack bowl on the coffee table. "But I don't see what's so inappropriate about this..."

"Veggie Tales kid?" Joe snickered from side room, putting his shoes on to head back to Logan Mews.

"Permission to tell him to shut up?" Isabella turned to Mary with pleading eyes.

"Permission granted."

Isabella grinned, and turned her head towards the man. "Shut it, pisshead!"

"Oi!" Mary squeezed Isabella's arm lightly. "Where did you learn that one?"

Before the girl could answer, keys rattled in the door.

"Hi Joe," Terry's voice was heard in the distance. "See you on Monday."

"See ya, pal," Joe replied, before turning his attention back to Isabella, zipping his orange fleece coat up. "No stopping for treats next week before school!"

"You know you enjoy those treats as much as she does, Joseph," Freddie drawled, kicking his own shoes off. "Hello, darlings."

Isabella felt herself tense a bit, acknowledging Freddie with a small smile and a head nod as Danny Zuko sang his heart out on a playground, desperate to get his Sandy back and rectify his mistake.

Mary held her hand out so Isabella could fill it with chocolate bits and popcorn. "I do suppose it has some adult themes- but nothing an almost twelve year old can't handle."

"I said helloooo," Freddie padded flamboyantly into the living room, and kissed the top of Mary's head.

"You've been drinking," Mary observed, chewing slowly. "Have some water and then come finish the film with us."

Freddie ignored her, and plopped himself in Mary's favorite reading chair. "Oh Phoebeeee!" he exclaimed, his voice carrying oodles of boisterous energy.

Summoned by his boss, Phoebe was in the living room in less than twenty seconds, tightening his dressing grown around his waist as he yawned. "Yes, Freddie?"

"Some bubbly, please. Mary, won't you have a drink with me? It's Saturday night!"

Mary looked as if she was going to hit him, and Isabella could feel the tension begin to radiate off of her. Freddie wasn't even being bad, he was just buzzed and in a silly mood. Isabella would take that any day over the other version of him she'd come to know well.

"You should! He's right," Isabella settled more against the back of the sofa.

"Ah, see! I know you can't say no to Isabella."

"What can I say?" Isabella interfered before Mary could respond, forcing a smile onto her face. "Freddie, can I have one too?"

"Not until you're twelve," Freddie quipped back easily, finding himself hilarious.

Isabella had to give it to him:

"You know, that was a good one."

Freddie just chuckled, swaying a little in his seat as if keeping time with the music. Undeterred by Mary's disapproving gaze, he continued to revel in the perfect amount of drunkenness he achieved at the Wolseley. "That John Travolta, woof."