fardell24

Nearly Four Years Later

Tommy's Birthday
11 June 1991
Daria awoke. She sat up in the bed, she then recalled that it was her brother's birthday. Or rather, adopted younger brother, but she rarely thought about that. Her current Mom and Dad were better than what she could remember of her biological Mom and Dad. 'Happy Birthday, Tommy,' she thought. She got up and got dressed.

Once dressed, she left her room. She could hear her parents in her brother's room, saying 'Happy Birthday'.

She went downstairs.


As she started breakfast, she could hear her parents talking about the day, particularly her father being enthusiastic about a toy he had made.

Her Mom placed Tommy in the high chair, and proceded to feed him. “Now, what does Lipschitz say, Stu. We need to distract him.”

That got Daria's attention. “You doin't need to distract him,” she said.

“Yes we do,” her mother said as she turned her attention back to Tommy. “OK, Tommy. Open the Pod bay door!'

Daria sighed. She was sure whatever Lipschitz recommended wasn't helpful at all. Tommy flinched.

“A little to the left, Stu,” her mother directed.

This time her father managed to get the food in Tommy's mouth.


“Stu, Daria, let's do the birthday checklist,” Didi directed, once Tommy had his breakfast.

“OK, Shoot,” Stu said.

“Um, carrot brand cake with health nuggets.”

“Check,” Stu said.

“Pin the tail on the Donkey.”

“The version with suction cups?” Daria asked rhetorically. “Check!”

“The puppet show?”

"Oh, yeah. Puppeteers, stage, props, and puppets arrive at eleven," Stu said.

“Perfect!” Didi said.

( Daria sighed. )