The Halloween rush was over and it was time to get back to work. Geppy had asked Willem to run out to the corner store to get him a box of his favorite snacks for the road - he was going to lead a workshop on ball-jointed dolls in Houston over the week. He was very excited. He was bringing young Gep with him, to help him with .. well, you know. Gep two point oh was bringing down the luggage loudly from upstairs when Willem would come back, disguising his entrance back into the house. When young Gep saw Willem, he put a finger to his lips and whispered a shhhh. Fig and Gep were talking in the kitchen and were not to be disturbed - but voices sometimes carried in Funkytown.
“I think he’s ready daddy-o,” Figaro was saying to their father, adjust his best cap on his head for him.
“It’s not something to take lightly. Bringing something to life takes a lot out of you...” Gep said, sounding weary. He was excited to go but he didn’t want to leave at the same time.
“No, I know, I get it,” Figaro soothed. “It’s why you’re never gonna get grandbabies from me. But that’s my choice, and this should be his. Ain’t he proven himself to you?”
“He’s been a very good boy...” Geppy had to admit. “He’s got a lot of talent...”
“Exactly! You ain’t gonna find anyone better than Willem! You’ve already started to call him your boy. Come on Pappy. It’d make a great Christmas present.” They stopped fiddling with his hat and put her hands together in a pleading motion. Giving their best puppy dog eyes. “You know you’re just being stubborn. You took a chance on me after Hans - so why not him?”
“Okay, mi pequena nina, okay,” Gep said, patting the top of their head now like they was a dog.
“Ahh, Master Willem, you have made it back,” Young Gep would say in his usual wooden tone. The conversation stopped in the kitchen and they both stepped out, Fig’s face in a big grin.
“Good, I need my snacks!” Gep said, moseying his way forward to go snooping in the bags. “You find them alright?”
