Family values

[vaneramos]

A younger woman with a tiny girl sat down across the aisle from them on the bus.

"Are they all yours?" she asked.

"Yes," the other woman replied. "It's easier than one, believe me."

"How old are they?"

"Five, four, two, ten months and we're having another one."

"Wow, and you look great. How far along?"

"Two or three months."

"Are you hoping for a girl?"

"I know not to hope for that. Just..."

"A healthy baby?"

"Yes."

"That's the kind of family I want," said the younger mother to her little daughter. "Yuck, that's dirty. Don't pick your nose. Use your Kleenex." Then she added to the other woman, "But I'm scared."

"It's easier than one," repeated the mother of four.

"I guess they look after each other?"

"They entertain each other. That's the key. You have to entertain her all the time."

"That's right."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Then she joked, "I can't help it anymore. It's like a sickness, I think."

"Are you married?"

"Of course."

"Not necessarily."

"Well, I am. But not by any church."

"Common-law?"

"Yes."