andhiswife | (Reply)

She doesn't quite let her finger make it into the child's mouth -- less because it would bother her and more because she doesn't presume it wouldn't bother Jesse. Ripley seems just as delighted by the gentle tug-of-war that ensues, grizzling cheerfully as she tries again.

Greta's attention quickly shifts to the girl's father, her brow furrowing in dismay. He might not be looking for sympathy, either, but she can't just let that pass without comment. "You're the second person I've met who's had that happen to them," she says, punctuating it with a little tsk. Bad enough that it happened to Sam, let alone this fellow -- and probably others as well. Who knows? It might be a habit the city's cultivated. "It's a shame."

He does seem to be getting on, though. She tries not to find that irksome: Darrow, just overflowing with young fathers who rose to the occasion. Goodness only knows how long Jesse has had to get used to things, but she has no business presuming it was easy for him, or that her own husband couldn't do the same.

It's only a moment or two of distraction, but that's all Ripley needs to successfully cram Greta's finger into her mouth. "Oh," Greta sputters out a startled laugh, "well done, you. Could I have that back?"