connection. She belonged to a couple of message boards, and the Internet was a wealth of information just for asking. She could also watch television shows online, and since she didn't own a television, or have money for cable, it was wonderful to have that form of entertainment at her fingertips.
"Are you all settled in, Molly?" Mary stood in the open doorway to ask. Her heart ached for this young woman. Michael had already told her how little she owned and that all of her money went to care for her Grandmother, and she vowed she was going to see to it that Molly had some motherly attention and affection. It was rare to see someone so young take on such a responsibility at a time when most young people were selfishly investing in themselves. Molly needed nurturing, and Mary was good at nurturing. She also realized that Molly would soon be her daughter-in-law, and she meant for her to find loving acceptance in their family.
"Yes, I am, Mrs. O'Keefe. It is so kind of you to allow me to stay here. Frankly, I don't know what I would have done if not for Michael and all of you."
"Now, we'll not be worrying about that. The important thing is that you are here now and you are welcome. I am anxious for you to meet the rest of our family. They can be overwhelming at times, but I love every one of them," she said with a smile. "Come on down and I'll put you to work."
Molly liked Mary O'Keefe, and hurried after her. The next couple of hours passed so quickly it was a blur. Molly met more of Michael's siblings, and realized it was going to take her a while to get to know all of them and remember their names and their place in the family. Mary's spaghetti sauce was to die for, and she felt stuffed from eating so much! It was an unusual feeling to be so full. Once they finished eating, everyone pitched in to do the clean up while Mary bossed and supervised, and Seamus sat there looking on with a pleased expression in his dark eyes.
"Molly, lass, we need to have a serious discussion now," Seamus said. "Come and sit at the table, and don't look so frightened. I don't bite," he added, smiling at her. As if he told them to leave the room, Michael's brother and sisters scattered about... a couple of them off to work, others to enjoy the day with friends. Michael sat at the table with her.
"You are an adult, and the rules for adult children in this house are very simple. Be respectful of the children still living here. That means no excessive drinking, no smoking, no drugs, no sleepovers. Now, Michael wouldn't have brought you here if you did any of those things, but that is a rule. Be respectful of Mary; if she asks for help I expect it to be done promptly."
"Molly has already done that, Seamus," Mary spoke up. "She is not one bit lazy, and her bed was made before ours today," she added with a smile. "I already told her we pick up after ourselves."
"Good. The only other thing I ask is simple courtesy for all of us. If you are going to be late, a telephone call is expected. If you are staying out, please call us. We will not ask questions about what you do or where you go... You are an adult... but we do not want to be awake half the night wondering if you have had trouble of some sort because you are not home. Does this sound fair to you?"
"Very fair," Molly promptly answered. "Michael has told me that you would be offended if I offer to pay board, but since I am not..."
"It is best you don't offer money, child. You're living under my roof by my rules and I'll not take a dime from you when you are struggling to care for your grandmother. I think someone your age needs family and you are family now. Mary and I agreed upon this. If you wish to help out around the house, that will be all that is needed, Molly, to earn a place in the family."
Molly had a huge lump in her throat. "Thank you," she barely managed to whisper.
"Oh, you'll not be thanking me the first time you forget to call home," Seamus promised, and she could see he wasn't
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