It's Tax Time! (Photostory)

This is the third year Carmelia is doing her parents' taxes.  She spent the last two years preaching (no pun intended) to her dad about keeping his receipts more organized.  Seems to have fallen on deaf ears, yet again.

Carmelia looks down at her dad's pile of receipts and cringes.

"Dad you said you were going to do better this year.  What happened?!"  (Carmelia)

"I know.  I know.  I started off better, but .... (Harold)

"Don't be too hard on him.  He really did try."  (Dasia)

"Any chance his lovely wife could have helped him out?"  (Carmelia)

"You know we have this discussion every year.  Harold wants to be in charge of it, so I let him.  He knows I am here for him, if he needs me."  (Dasia)

"So dad, maybe part of the answer is letting mom help you get organized."  (Carmelia)

"Your mom has enough to do."  (Harold)

"And so do I.  If you were organized, I would be able to spend no more than a couple hours getting your taxes done.  With what you have presented today, we are looking at a couple days, minimum."  (Carmelia)

"Benji, I'm not sure you can have popcorn."  (Carla)

"Grandma, can I give Benji some popcorn?"  (Carla)

Dasia doesn't respond.

She is too busy listening in on Carmelia and Harold's conversation.

"Earth to Grandma."  (Carla)

"Well let's just get started.  No sense in harping on it, now."  (Carmelia)

Harold reaches for the pile of receipts and hands them to Carmelia)

"Oh, I'm sorry.  What did you say?"  (Dasia)

"Can Benji have some popcorn?"  (Carla)

"He loves popcorn, but I'm very careful to give him the ones without too much of a husk.  Otherwise it could get stuck in his throat.  So I'd rather you not give him any."  (Dasia)

"Can I give him one of my Girl Scout cookies?"  (Carla)

"No.  That kind has chocolate in it, and chocolate is poisonous to dogs.  Why don't you go downstairs and get him one of his doggy treats?"  (Dasia)

"Okay, Dad.  You can go now.  I'll take it from here."  (Carmelia)

"Are you dismissing me?"  (Harold)

"There's nothing really for you to do.  If I have any questions, I will give you a shout."  (Carmelia)

"If you can figure out a way to write off all those new clothes your mom bought last year, I would be most appreciative."  (Harold)

"You are going to have to wait until the next commercial.  I can't miss my show."  (Carla)

"Woof, woof."  (Benji)

"Quiet down, Benji."  (Dasia)

Harold gets up from the desk.  Dasia can see he's a little deflated.

"Honey, you want me to fix you a snack?"  (Dasia)

"No.  I'm going to hop in the shower, then get some paper work done."  (Harold)

Once he leaves the room, Dasia gets up and takes a seat next to Carmelia.

"What can I do to help?"  (Dasia)

"The time to help was before now."  (Carmelia)

"You know how prideful your dad can be at times.  He wanted to show me that he could handle it.  I didn't want to step on his toes.  You have a husband.  You know how difficult they can be."  (Dasia)

"I do know, but we women have an uncanny ability to get our husbands to do what we want."  (Carmelia)

"Speak for yourself.  I like to give my husband the authority he needs to be the man of the house."  (Dasia)

"That's so cute.  That's that old-fashioned kind of love."  (Carmelia)

"Here you go, Benji."  (Corey)

"Grandma said he can't have popcorn.  You better not give him any."  (Carla)

"But he likes it."  (Corey)

"Ooooh.  You're going to get in trouble."  (Carla)

"GRANDMA, Corey is feeding popcorn to Benji!"  (Carla)

Carmelia whips around in her chair.

"Corey, did Grandma tell you not to feed popcorn to Benji?"  (Carmelia)

"Nooo.  She said that to Carla."  (Corey)

Silence.  Carmelia isn't sure what to say next.  

Dasia stands up.

"Alright, how about the three of us take Benji for a walk and let your mom get back to work?"  (Dasia)

"Can I hold the leash?"  (Corey)

"We will take turns, but you can hold him the longest."  (Dasia)

"Yay Benji!  We're going for a walk."  (Corey)

Did you hear that?  Carmelia has a husband.  Now that she has an articulated body, I'm ready to introduce her husband.  He is someone I purchased early last year.  Stay tuned.