Mother, May I?

On Wednesday of this week, I got home really late from work since I was I was finishing up paperwork to begin my Master's program. I'm happy (aka: terrified!) to get started, but I was sad to hear that I missed this moment while I was gone...

First, to introduce the pertinent people, let me explain that Karen is my friend and roommate. She has 3 daughters that still live at home: Danielle (17), Jasmine (13), and Sarah (11).

So, Karen was helping the girls get some chicken noodle soup made for dinner - one of Hannah's favorites. All the while, Hannah and Sarah were bickering back and forth, as usual...

Sarah: Well you shouldn't be talking while you eat.
Hannah: Well you're taking too much soup.
S: Hannah, quit...
H: Well, Sarah, you shouldn't...

At some point, Karen finally laughed and said, "You two mother each other more than anyone I know!" And then she quoted Thumper's mommy, "If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all!"

**crickets chirping as all goes silent**

Slowly, Hannah and Sarah began to eat again, with a little less vigor... At some point, Sarah either got up to get more soup, or she said something... Karen couldn't recall...

H: Sarah, you.. (stops herself suddenly and goes quiet)
Karen: (after a moment of Hannah stuttering uncertainly) Did you have something to say, Hannah?
H: Well... I was gonna say... But... Well... (sigh) Except I don't quite know what "mothering" means.

Don't worry, Punkin... We'll look it up when I get home.