“Can’t argue with that logic.” Ray said, chuckling. “He was a nuclear scientist, actually. Big advocate on moving us towards more nuclear reactors and less renewable energy. I can see his point, but find the populace isn’t necessarily ready for that talk again.” He said, of his eccentric father. “He’s adjunct professor now, but helped study the radiation aftereffects in and around nuclear testing sites.”
“I’m sure she’s way ahead of her classmates, huh? Wish my dad had been helpful, but as a professor he really couldn’t talk to us kids to well until after we started forming complete sentences. He abhorred baby talk.” He chuckled, thinking of what his dad had been with his baby sister. “Well, throw some podcasts my way, I need something to pass the time as I work. Marcus is only so interesting while I strip paint.” He laughed.
Ray nodded, not elaborating much. At this point it would be years before he broke even, “Yeah, it’s certainly not hurting to have a couple of rooms still open.” He found the business side of things incredibly boring, a complete opposite of his husbands brain and training for it.
“It actually would be a great help, to have someone help at the front desk. We could figure out the hospitable hospitality together, I certainly need the practice until I get this place running a little more self-sufficiently. Then I can actually retire.” He said, a laugh turning into a groan as he rubbed his face.
“That kid is going to be the biggest nerd.” Ray teased, but of course. “You are both cordially invited to Ray’s Big Gay-me Night.” It would be funnier on the sign, he was sure. “And there are all sorts around here I’ve found. I think we’ll find some die-hards, no problem.”
“I’d always dreamed of being an only child, if only to not have to share the damn bathroom with seven other people. No I have 15 all to myself.” He laughed, between the five kids and his mom and dad, he wondered how they’d survived in the tiny house.
Mariah’s eyes widened as her eyebrows rose. “Nuclear science is serious stuff. He must be genius level. His students are incredibly lucky to have him as their professor. Did any of your siblings go into science careers?”
“Her teachers tell me she is very bright and she has moved to learning groups above her age level so it’s promising.” Mariah smiled as she was exceptionally proud of her daughter. “My dad says baby talk is overused. You’re suppose to talk to your children as if they are adults. It helps build their vocabulary. My parents spoke to me in full sentences very early on. I like to think it has helped my brain development.” she shrugged softly. Her smile returned and she nodded. “I will. I just hope you like deep space stuff like discussions about new galaxies and conspiracies about black holes and the like. That’s most of the stuff I listen to.” Extremely nerdy, but Mariah enjoyed it.
“I’m more than willing to learn together. Just let me know when my first day is and I’ll be here. Although, I probably can’t work every day so I hope that won’t mess things up too much.” she frowned softly. She wished she could but she was a single mom after all so she had priorities. “I think retirement is well deserved. My mom has been trying to get my dad to retire especially after she retired from teaching a couple of years ago, but he can’t let the call to doctor children go. We’re convinced he’s going to want his funeral in his office.” she said smiling softly. Hopefully that wouldn’t be something she would have to consider for a long time.
“We need more smart women in this world so I’m not upset about that. We’re happy to accept your invitation as well.” she grinned. Her face turned to a grimace as he described his childhood bathroom situation. “That sounds frightening. I...I don’t think I would’ve survived that. I think it would’ve been nice to have at least one other person. I enjoyed being around my cousins when we were given the chance, but I never had to share the bathroom with that many of them.”
