Well-born

Date/Timing: 30 November 1990
Setting: a hospital; Port Macquarie, NSW, Australia
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Michael sighs heavily.
Mum settles in beside him on the lounge couch. "Kathleen and the baby are well?" she hazards.
"Yea, they're doing great," he replies.
She bumps his shoulder. "Then why the air of despair?"
"Kathleen wants to name him something awful."
"It can't be that bad, dear."
Unintelligible grumble.
"What was that?"
"'Eugene'. She wants to name him 'Eugene'."
She deflates. "Oh."
"It's some sorta—" Vague wave. "—family ... thing." Scrubs a hand down his face. "This morning, she was /fine with 'Jackson', but /now ...." Huffs.
They sit quietly a moment.
"Let me talk to her." She squeezes his shoulder and strolls into Kathleen and the baby's room.
Michael sighs again.
She's back a short time later, reclaims her seat. "I told her about the Jones tradition of using family names as middle names."
"But we—"
"Of course we do, dear." Pats his arm. "Because it allows each child to bloom as an individual."
"Oh. Right." Rubs his neck. "Thanks, Mum."
"You're welcome." She grins. "Just remember the next one has to have 'Patrick' or 'Patricia' for a middle name."
Michael rolls his eyes. "Yes, Mum."
Category:Ficlet
Category:A hospital (setting)
Category:Port Macquarie (setting)
Category:Jackson (mention)
Category:Michael
Category:Michael (ficlet)
Category:Kathleen (mention)
Category:Nanny
Category:Nanny (ficlet)