Kicking Back
Abe sighed in relaxed delight. Say what you would about Burns, (Greedy, evil, smelled weird, might actually be a monster of some kind), but the guy had a heck of a back yard! Green grass for acres, pretty hedges in interesting shapes, weird sculptures, all kinds of stuff! This was the life.
Abe was sitting in a rocking chair on the back porch, watching little Webby play with some of the dogs, laughing her feathery butt off as they lick her. Apparently, she'd never had a pet before. Abe thought that just wasn't right. Every family needed a fuzzy friend! Well, the little duck girl could play with Abe's dogs all she wanted now.
Speaking of duck girls, the elder one under his employ quietly closed the back door behind her and stepped onto the back porch with him. Abe gestured to an empty chair next to him.
"Put your feet up, Beakly! You've earned a break, I figure."
The sharp eyed maid shook her head. "While I appreciate it, Mr. Simpson, I still have much to do today. I just wanted to check on Webby..."
Abe grabbed a nearby glass of lemonade and gestured out into the yard. "She's just fine! Been keeping my good eye on her while she plays with the dogs. Come on! You work too hard as it is! The sun's shining, the kid is laughing, and nothing is on fire that's not supposed to be on fire! Live a little! I'm sure you got all the parts of the mansion people actually live in clean already. Take a seat."
Bentina hesitated a few moments, before sitting in the chair next to Abe. The two of them sat in a comfortable silence for a few minutes Abe occasionally taking sips of his lemonade.
He decided to break the ice. "Still not used to being a parent yet, huh?" She tensed up at that.
"...No. I suppose I'm not. Is it that obvious?"
Abe shrugged. "Eh. I've been around long enough to recognize first timer jitters. Seems like you're doing an okay job, if that's what you're worried about. Though, I'm maybe not the best guy to judge that...."
Ms. Beakly sighed. "Well. I'd say you're spot on so far. And I can't exactly claim the high ground either. I'm beginning to see that I've... made some mistakes as well."
"Aw, don't be like that!" Abe returned. "It comes with the territory! Besides I screwed up just about every way I could, and my kid turned out.... okay. Plus, I probably wouldn't be half the grandpa I am if I hadn't made all those mistakes."
She shook her head. "I've been overly protective. Webby has...difficulty functioning in a normal environment. I just don't...understand how you can give up control. How to let her go and make mistakes in a world as dangerous as this one is."
Abe hmmmed. "You ever in the service Beakly?"
"....Intelligence." She quietly admitted.
Abe nodded. She seemed like the type. "Well, I don't know much about all them cloak and dagger backrooms stuff. But out in the trenches? There's no choice. You're not in control. Nobody is. When the bullets are flying and the shells screaming, you can die no matter how hard you try to be ready. And dealing with kids is no different, really. Homer always got hurt no matter how hard me or Mona tried to make things safe! We covered up the sharp corners, he got bit by a snake. We chase out the snakes, he'd start a fire. Hell, if we put him in a plastic bubble I expect he'd find a way to choke himself!" Abe chuckled and shook his head.
"Point is, all we could really do was give in and let him get hurt. But the funny thing is, once we did, he started getting hurt less! He learned to avoid snakes, and sharp corners, and all that stuff. I reckon he just needed a chance to learn better!"
Beakly looked out, watching Webby play fetch. "You're right. I know you're right. But I don't know how to
start."
Abe shrugged. "Well, you let a crazy old man watch her for a while. You're on the right track. Why not take her into town, or something. Folks'll stare a bit, but we've seen weirder than you in these parts. Heck, take her over to Homer's place. My grandkids could use more friends! Just take it one step at a time. You'll get there."
"And I suppose the first step is to sit down and have some lemonade?" Beakly asked with a raised eyebrow.
"See, you're already learning!"
"Just pass the lemonade, Mr. Simpson."
The two passed the afternoon in companionable silence.
A/N: I made a thing! For fun, even! Let's see how this goes over.
