Complete Indelible Love Series

by Cee, DW

  Max’s mom cracked up—and cracked up loudly. “Max has always been quietly aggressive, turned obstinately aggressive, when he doesn’t get what he wants.”

  “Oh my gosh!” I agreed, “You are dead-on in that assessment.”

  “And Garret has been the doer among the three boys. His dad and I always called him a man of action. He saw, he assessed, he conquered.” There was, once again, that look of pride in both parents’ eyes for all three boys. “And our youngest was the peacemaker. He always supported his brothers, never coveted any of their belongings or accomplishments, but equally matched their success in all ways. We are proud of and lucky to have three boys who practically raised themselves.” I think I may have seen a slight reddening of Mavis Davis’ eyes, but that left as quickly as it came.

  Tonight’s understated word—SHOCKING! We all kept quiet, eyeballs roving from person to person, wanting to see if anyone could explain what was going on. Were Max’s parents drunk? Were they playing some sick game? Or were they now realizing that they’d missed out on having a relationship with three fantastic young men? I think and hope it’s the latter.

  “Thank you,” were the last words I heard from Davis and Mavis before they got in their car after seeing their boys’ new homes in the dark, from the outside.

  “Thank you,” were also the last words I heard from my boyfriend before he curled into me and fell asleep on my bed. Life was working out okay for us. If I had to look at the big picture, characters in the life of Max and Jane were taking shape, becoming clearer and sharper. Like opening night of a play, everybody knew their lines, clothes and makeup were done, and each stood in place, waiting for his or her cue to start. Was this the beginning of my standing ovation, or was I also waiting to be punked?!?

  May 16, 2013 Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

  Since I promised Josh a double date with Laney, I needed to get one on our calendar, and fast. But with all our crazy schedules, it wasn’t easy to pin down a date. Max had no real opinion on my plan, Josh was willing to go out on any night, and Laney...well Laney came along because I guilted her into coming along. I told her how uncool she was being, declining ALL of Josh’s invitations. Plus, I had Max talk to her and tell her that we wanted to spend some time with her before she left for London. That did the trick. She could decline my invitation, but saying no to Max was another story.

  “I bought us four tickets to see the opera, Cinderella, and we have a dinner reservation at the brasserie next door.”

  “That sounds utterly dreadful. Why don’t we do something that’ll allow those two to talk?”

  “Shit! Why didn’t you say something sooner? These tickets cost me a fortune.”

  “Have Josh reimburse you. We’re doing this for his sake.” My boyfriend was so not helpful in this matchmaking situation.

  “I can’t ask him to pay me back. That’s so cheesy.”

  By this point, I’d lost Max to his textbook. I searched the internet for something fun to do and found nothing interesting.

  “Hey Emily. I have a quandary.” Against my boyfriend’s will, I forced him off my bed and over to Emily’s house, so we could see if she had any bright ideas.

  “What’s the quagmire?” She laughed at her own lame witticism.

  I explained what I’d done and she didn’t appear overjoyed with any of my choices. “I don’t think Laney likes Josh in that way. Why encourage him? He’ll be mightily disappointed when she leaves.”

  “But she hasn’t gotten to know him. She may grow to like him if she gives him a chance.” Max chuckled at Emily’s doubtful look.

  “How about if your brother and I take those tickets off your hands, or...you can invite us to go with you instead of Laney and Josh. You know how much I like opera.” She gave me a wink, which I found utterly disturbing. Emily had more of a coquettish side than I imagined. I supposed she had many charms, not made aware to the likes of me.

  “Just give Emily the tickets. I don’t want to go see an opera. Emily would have to drag me to those things because I would protest so much. There were many promises made, which went unfulfilled, back when we were dating, Ms. Logan.”

  Emily only laughed at my boyfriend. “There were no promises made—only threats if you didn’t go with me.”

  “I remember a time when you said we would...”

  “All righty...!” I cut off the walk down the yellow brick road. “This isn’t about you two in the past. It’s about Laney and Josh in the future.”

  “A dead future,” Emily tried to whisper, but we all heard loud and clear.

  The door opened and in walked Jake. “Hello, Beloved. How was your day?” He gave her a sickeningly sweet kiss and somehow held her around her massive waist. “Kids down?”

  “Oh yes. They were especially active today, so they were asleep even before Mr. Blue Fish appeared in the book.”

  “I’m going to go see the kids and change.”

  “Okay. I’ll have dinner ready.”

  “What are you guys doing here?” He finally noticed us. “Stick around, I’ll be back in a few minutes.” After a pat on the back for Max and a squeeze on the shoulder for me, Jake went off to adore his sleeping kids.

  “What got the kids so tired today?” Max asked.

  “I took the kids to the park, and there was a little league t-ball game going on and the twins were mesmerized. After the game ended and the field cleared, James started running the bases and Ellie followed. I lost count of the number of time they ran around the field. Once we got home, they practically fell asleep during their bath, and they hardly ate dinner. They were knocked out by the time I reached the top of the steps.”

  “That must have been exhausting for you.”

  “Yeah, it wasn’t easy giving sleepy children a bath.”

  As those two droned on about daily minutiae, I had the most brilliant idea! I took out my phone and started an email.

  To: Jake Reid, Nick Reid, Doug Reid, Delaney Reid, Samantha Reid, Robert Reid, Henry Reid, Roland Ascot, Max Davis, Garret Davis, Josh Davis, Donovan Taylor, Becky Fritz, Al Fritz,

  Cc: Emily Reid, Sandra Reid, Barbara Reid, Estelle Reid Ascot

  From: Jane Reid

  Subject: Reids vs. The Others, Baseball Game!

  You all up for a baseball game this weekend? It’ll be us Reids against the world! Dust off your old cleats, buy some new baseball pants and let’s play ball. Reply all so we know how the team will be formed. The Others—you need a few more players.

  Sent! What a fantastic idea this was. We’d use my parents’ backyard as the baseball field and there was no chance The Others could beat us. We Reids all played baseball and softball.

  Soon a flurry of email exchanges began.

  To: Jane Reid, et al

  Cc: Bee Taylor

  From: Donovan Taylor

  Subject: Baseball

  You do know I’m an excellent baller? Game on! I’ve included my cousin Bee (yes, yes, Jane. I know she’s technically my aunt—whatever...) in this email chain. She’s in as well.

  To: Jane Reid, et al

  From: Roland Ascot

  Subject: Who am I

  Am I a Reid or am I an other?

  To: Roland Ascot, et al

  From: Jane Reid

  Subject: Don’t be silly

  Of course you are a REID! You are with us, Gimpy!

  To: Jane Reid, et al

  From: Max Davis

  Subject: Why are we emailing when we are sitting next to one another?

  My beautiful Gem, what’s the winning prize? Also, we are still 2 players short.

  To: Max Davis, et al

  From: Jane Reid

  Subject: Prize

  Loser buys dinner?

  To: Jane Reid, et al

  From: Josh Davis

  Subject: Have you no imagination?

  Seriously? Loser buys dinner? That’s all you can come up with? How about loser is at the mer
cy of the winners’ whim? We shall come up with some form of punishment for you losers. Ha ha ha! I say with an evil laugh.

  To: Josh Davis, et al

  From: Nick Reid

  Subject: Talking trash

  Get ready to eat shit. See you this weekend.

  To: Jane Reid, et al

  From: Delaney Reid

  Subject: I am out of town this weekend

  Sorry but I can’t play. Have a great time.

  To: Delaney Reid, et al

  From: Donovan Taylor

  Subject: What do you mean you are out of town?

  Where are you going and with whom? You can’t miss this event.

  To: Donovan Taylor, et al

  From: Delaney Reid

  Subject: I can do whatever I please

  None of your business. Really none of your business! You are not the boss of me.

  To: Delaney Reid, et al

  From: Roland Ascot

  Subject: Stop with the emails

  Your Gram is about to kick me out of this bed because my phone keeps pinging. I’ve had 60 years of sleeping without Estelle. Go argue at Jake’s house. NO MORE MESSAGES!

  That stopped the emails and one by one, the participants entered the kitchen. Doug and Nick were the first to appear. Then the Davis brothers came, then Donovan came with Becky, Al, and Bee.

  “Hi Bee! It’s so good to see you,” I exclaimed with a huge hug. “It’s been way too long.”

  “I agree! Becky tells me you’re seeing someone?” She looked around and stopped in front of the Davis brothers. “Hmmm...” She did her browsing up and down. “You look too young,” she said of Josh, “You’re too serious,” she swept over Garret. “But you look just right for our lovely Jane.” She actually did a full circle around Max.

  “I am just right for this woman,” Max grabbed me and kissed me.

  Bee whispered in my ear. “Sexy, hot, and domineering. I approve.”

  “Thanks,” I chuckled at her purring in my ear.

  “So how are we to form a team with seven players?” Josh asked. “You need to give us a player so we’ll be even.”

  I didn’t like that idea. “Can’t you round up more players? Then it won’t be The Reids vs. The Others if we lend you a Reid.”

  Josh had an evil glint in his eyes that made me think I didn’t want to know what he was about to say. “All right. We’ll just recruit Hannah and Joyce. They can play second and third base, flanking Max at shortstop.”

  I gave Josh a damn you look. “You are off my Christmas list.” I whispered. “All right. Who do you want?”

  “Hello, everyone.” The door opened and in walked Laney in a sweet looking dress.

  “How was your date?” Doug asked.

  “A date?” Josh was bummed and kind of upset. “Why will you go out with everyone but me?”

  “Why the hell do you date so much? I don’t get why so many guys ask you out.” It looked like Donovan said this without much thought, but Laney looked hurt initially, then got pissed.

  “First of all,” she addressed Doug, “it wasn’t a date. A group of us stayed to finish our project, then went out for a bite to eat. Secondly,” she addressed Josh, “I don’t go out with everyone. And finally,” her voice got louder and more pissed as she addressed each of her accusers, “maybe I date so I can one day have a meaningful relationship rather than just a meeting of the bodies. And what the hell do you care why guys ask me out. If you’re that curious, why don’t you do a Q&A with Josh and see how many times I’ve gone out with him.” Boy, that last sentence slammed both men in one shot. Damn. She was tart when she wanted to be.

  With that, Laney stormed out of the kitchen and slammed the door on her way out. Both Donovan and Josh looked like they wanted to go after her, but were in a state of shock and disbelief that our mild-mannered Laney pretty much told them to fuck-off. I loved it. The fiery Reid spirit was alive and well.

  “You gonna go after her?” Jake asked his buddy. “It’s only proper you bring her back since you pissed her off.”

  Donovan shook his head no. “She may chop off my balls and eat it for a late night snack if I go see her now. Damn! That girl has a temper.”

  “All women have tempers, and you tend to provoke Laney without cause.” Emily warned. “Donovan, please bring Laney back. I don’t like seeing her upset. You were both unkind to her.”

  “Oh, all right.” Donovan huffed, and went to fetch Laney.

  “How come you didn’t ask me to go?” Josh pouted at Emily.

  “You can apologize when she gets here.”

  While Donovan went to go get Laney, we decided on team names and colors for our uniforms. We only had tomorrow to practice so we each decided on a practice time and place.

  “You’re back!” Josh ran over to Laney who walked in pouting. “I’m sorry. You forgive me?” Josh went to hug her, but Laney did a cool duck and weave boxing move and Josh ended up hugging Donovan instead.

  “Hello, again, Laney Reid. I see you took off my creation, and changed into sweats.”

  “And a beautiful creation it was, Bee! I get compliments on all your masterpieces.” Laney hugged Bee. “How great to see you here. I was happy your nephew included you.”

  Bee cracked up. “Yes, my nephew has his good moments at times.”

  “Few and far in between,” Laney didn’t even try and disguise those disparaging words.

  “How do you know each other?” Nick asked. “And where’s my hello, Bee Taylor?”

  “Your hello is still waiting for that phone call.”

  What the hell was going on with Bee and all the Reids. How did she know everyone?

  “Seriously?” Laney asked Donovan of all people, and Donovan cryptically nodded yes.

  Shit! When were these people going to clue me in on what’s going on, and why was I not included in this chain of emails???

  “You Taylors don’t follow the norm, do you?” She said to him, again.

  “We set the trend,” he answered with a smile and a wink to my cousin.

  Laney rolled her eyes. “Are we decided on everything? Can I go home now? I still have a few more things to do for school.”

  “We still have the issue of being 2 players short. Let us take a Reid.” Donovan demanded.

  “Which Reid? We can’t give you Jake or Nick or even Doug.”

  “That depends on whether we’re playing baseball or softball.”

  “I think softball would be easier.” Jake made a unilateral decision.

  “Then I want Delaney.” He looked at Laney and they both kind of had this weird understanding—that, once again, none of us understood.

  Jake spoke, “I thought you’re going away this weekend.”

  “Your buddy here is forcing me to stay. I did have a room and a round of golf provided for me in Scottsdale, but a certain someone won’t let me go.” She stuck her tongue out at Donovan.

  “I’ll take you there myself.” Donovan said and imitated her look. We all laughed at him.

  “Promises, promises,” she muttered and rolled her eyes.

  Jake was our spokesperson again. “I guess we’re decided. 9:00 am, Saturday at my parents’ backyard?”

  “We’ll all be there.” Donovan spoke for The Others.

  Friday flew by and come Saturday morning, Mom and Aunt Babs had created a softball field for us. They brought out the old golf net to use as the backstop, and they also found the old bases we used to use. Dad bought a couple of t-ball sets for the twins to play with, and the two went crazy running around the “field.” They also had no clue what to do with the bat and ball, so instead, Emily would place a plastic ball on the tee, they would bat it with their hands, then they’d run around the tee like they were running the bases. James was the leader and Elizabeth followed his every move. It was precious. Funny thing, by the time people were arriving for the game, the twins were so exhausted, they fell asleep in the EZ-up tent.r />
  “What the hell are The Others wearing?” Nick pointed to everyone not a Reid, who walked into the yard, together.

  “Becky.” I called attention to my best friend. “What’s with the outfit?”

  “Bee made us all these baseball shirts.”

  We, Reids, all wore dark mismatched baseball pants, dark mismatched (again) socks and baseball shirts—you know those white ones with the colored sleeves and neckline, of course in all mismatched dark colors. The (freakin’) Others came in matching grey pants, the same type of white baseball shirts with dark blue trims and each shirt was customized. That damn Bee Taylor (who’s a clothes designer, by the way) sewed numbers, cut out from a cool gray-print fabric, and placed them on the left sleeve of the shirt. Then, the back of their shirts had their names sewn in with the same fabric. On the right sleeve of each shirt, there was a baseball diamond silkscreened on it and each person’s position was colored in. For instance, Max was going to play first base, so she colored in that base for his shirt. And to top it all off, they all had matching visors with the name The Others embroidered on the front. They looked like professional players. Why didn’t I think of doing something like that for my team?