A Family Woman

by T. B. Markinson

  Chapter Six

  The following day, I met Ethan in the café at Barnes and Noble. His wife, Lisa, was with Casey in the children’s section for story time with Dr. Seuss, meaning a book, not the author whom I thought was dead. Shouldn’t a parent-to-be know if he was alive or dead?

  “Why the long face?” He plopped his gangly body down into a metal chair, looking like a wrung-out Raggedy Andy doll. Several hairs sprouted like weeds from his typically trimmed moustache, and his Catcher in the Rye T-shirt defined the word rumpled.

  “Nothing.” I took my seat at the table and sipped my chai, puckering my lips.

  “I know. You only like the chai at a legit Starbucks, not one crammed into a bookstore. I guarantee you it tastes the same.”

  “It’s not that. It was hotter than normal; that’s all.”

  His mocking smile didn’t offer a hint of apology. “Soon, you’ll understand why I’m killing two birds with one stone.”

  “How do you mean?”

  His eyes twinkled behind his thick lenses. “Juggling work, kids, and coffee breaks.” He stirred his coffee. “How’s Sarah?”

  “Good. Tired but she’s a trooper. I don’t know how she manages, really.” I rested my face on my hand propped on my bent elbow.

  “Women are amazing. I complain about never having enough time, but Lisa is the super-parent in our home.” He stared vacantly out the window at the vast parking lot. Slowly, he settled his gaze on me. “Will Sarah take time off after the babies are born?”

  “She’s thinking of taking a year, but I have a feeling it’ll stretch into several. She loves teaching, but my money is on the twins.” I smiled.

  “Kids have a way of winning over even the hardest of hearts.” Ethan hadn’t been so gung-ho about fatherhood when he and his wife adopted Casey. Ethan had agreed to the arrangement as a way to appease his wife for putting up with his fluids aversion. However, it had only taken days for the baby to change his tune. Now he was a devoted dad, except when it came to diaper duties, and there was talk of expanding their family.

  “I have to ask; what’s up with your shirt?” He gestured with a coffee-stained stir stick.

  I assessed my navy blue T-shirt. “What’s wrong with it?”

  “Since when did you start liking beer?”

  He jabbed the stir stick again at the Ben Franklin quote: Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

  I shrugged.

  “Out with it. You hate beer.”

  “I don’t hate beer. I just prefer other things.”

  Ethan laughed. “It’s hard to believe he actually said it. A nice thought, but come on—it has to be a gimmick to sell T-shirts.”

  I grinned. “History isn’t perfect. Besides, Sarah bought the shirt for me, said it made her think of me.”

  “Ah, now I see. Anyone ever tell ya you’re pussy whipped?”

  “Worse things could happen to me.”

  “Ha! You are evolving. I remember when the mere thought of a relationship sent you running for the hills.” He stretched his arms over his head. “So what’s new with you? I’m sensing some tension.” He stroked his moustache.

  I sighed. “I’ve been offered a teaching job.”

  “I see.” He took in my sagging posture. “Doesn’t look like you’re thrilled.”

  I straightened, nodding while I tried to figure out how to answer. “I don’t know, really. Dr. Marcel wants me to teach a couple of classes a semester to lighten his workload. He’s getting old. And…” And what?

  Ethan raised a thin eyebrow above his frames.

  “It’d be nice. I’ve been out of the classroom for several years now, and maybe the stimulation would help. I’ve been floundering a bit. Might need more structure in my life.” I tapped the side of my forehead.

  “Sounds like the perfect opportunity, then.”

  “Yeah.” My voice cracked. “But not the timing.”

  He crossed his arms and groaned. “Let me guess; you haven’t told Sarah?”

  A guilty grin forced its way out. “Bingo.”

  His delicate fingers drummed against the side of his cup. “Scratch what I said earlier about you evolving. You really don’t learn, do you?”

  I put a hand on my chest. “Hey, I think it’s a great sign that I’m feeling guilty. That has to be some kind of progress for me.”

  The dip of his head acknowledged the point, but his face told the full story. “True, but take the extra step. Be honest with Sarah from the start. This is a decision you two should make together. Both of you have enough going on. You don’t need unnecessary drama. Look where that’s gotten you in the past. You nearly lost her. Do you want to risk that again?”

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I know, I know. But I’m scared to tell her.”

  “Why?” He scrunched his face.

  “We’re having twins. How will Sarah feel if I say, ‘Hey, it’s great about the babies, but I also have some exciting news that involves me working outside the home?’ The timing couldn’t be worse.”

  “Seriously? You’re worried Sarah will be mad that you got a job offer? News flash. Most parents work. These days, both parents work.”

  I sliced the air with my hand to interject.

  He swatted my objection away. “Yes, we all know you have enough money and you don’t need to work. But if you tell Sarah how you’re feeling… What’d you say? Floundering? I’m sure she’ll understand. And it’s not like you’ll be shorthanded. Her mom and Maddie will be around. Teaching a class or two will take up some of your time, of course, but it’s not full-time. I’m guessing you’ve already started prepping, even though you haven’t formally accepted.”

  I shifted in my seat.

  “I knew it. Hire Maddie as your nanny. She doesn’t seem happy in her design job anymore.”

  “I think she loves her design job, except that it doesn’t pay all of her bills.”

  “Politicians keep saying the economy is improving, but I haven’t noticed it.” Ethan’s pursed lips spoke volumes.

  I crossed my left leg over my right. “Speaking of Maddie, she has her heart set on riling up unnecessary drama in my life. She’s decided to pursue Tie’s brother’s fiancée.”

  Ethan shook his head as if trying to shake the words into understandable order. “Come again?”

  “Tie, who is married to my brother Peter, has a brother named Kit. Following?”

  “Amazingly, I’m still with you.” He smirked.

  “Kit is engaged to a woman named Courtney.”

  “And how does Maddie fit in?”

  “This is where it gets a bit kinky. Kit is gay.”

  “Does Courtney know?”

  “She’s also gay.”

  Ethan licked his lips. “So the marriage is a way to stay hidden, perhaps?”

  “I guess so. I haven’t asked him outright. I’ve only just met him. The rumor is he and Courtney have complicated family situations.”

  Ethan’s eyes grew big. “This is juicy stuff—the kind of thing I overhear in the hallways at the high school. Too bad you don’t write novels. Your life is full of drama.” His facial expression changed from surprise to knowing. “It’s only a matter of time until you put your foot in it.”

  I clenched my shirt over my heart, feigning being mortally wounded, and then smiled. “Tell me about it. We’re having dinner with Maddie and Courtney this week.”

  “No Kit?”

  I groaned. “I hope not, but who the hell knows with these people? You say I’m not evolved or committed to my relationship. Shit, I’m heads above these jokers.”

  Ethan chortled. “Given the situation, I’m not sure you should be bragging about it. You know, for someone who has always distanced herself from the Jerry Springer family lifestyle, you can’t stay out of their tangled webs.”

  His words were true, making me wonder if I could ever have a healthy interaction with family members, even fo
r the sake of our twins. “I’d have to move far away. Not sure there are malls suitable for Sarah in Alaska,” I joked in an attempt to move away from the Maddie, Kit, and Courtney snafu.

  “Probably not.” Ethan rubbed his chin as if he was actually contemplating the issue. “But think globally. Paris? London? Istanbul?”

  “Istanbul not Constantinople,” I sang.

  “Ah, I see the music lessons are working. That’s a fun one. But how are you getting along with songs from this century?” He narrowed his eyes.

  “Been listening to Adele on the YouTube. Have you heard of her?”

  “The YouTube?” Ethan’s sneer overtook his features. “Your unborn twins have heard of her, and it’s called YouTube,” he felt the need to add.

  “How am I ever going to catch up so my kids aren’t embarrassed of me?”

  “You’re having twins. You’re never going to catch up with anything. Never again.” He crept closer. “But it’s a great sign that you’re trying. You really want to be the best parent you can be, don’t ya?”

  I nodded.

  “Don’t look so scared. Like this bullshit with Maddie—it’ll blow over soon enough. Things have a way of working out. What really matters are the ones you love.” He watched as Lisa and Casey made their way to us. “Once the twins pop out, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Let the rest roll off like water off a duck’s back.” He waved to his family.

  “Daddy!” Casey squealed.

  Ethan opened his arms in the nick of time as Casey crashed into him. “How was story time, munchkin?”

  Casey, distracted by the sweets in the glass case behind Ethan, pointed. “Can I have a cookie?”

  I hiked one brow up to Lisa, who nodded her assent. “Come on.” I put my hand out, and we took our place in line.

  Casey squeezed my hand and swung our arms. “What are you doing two years from now?”

  Geez, did the kid know about my secret job offer? Wait, that didn’t make sense since she was asking about two years from now. Guilty, Lizzie. “I don’t know. What are you doing?”

  “Going to Disneyworld for my birthday. Want to come?” Casey dropped my hand and smooshed her face against the case, adding another smudge. The employees must’ve hated how all the sugar-starved tykes swarmed the café after story time. Four other kids were standing in line behind us. “That one.” She tapped the glass, indicating a cookie topped with M&Ms.

  The woman behind the counter placed the cookie into a paper sleeve and handed it to me. I ordered another round of coffees for the adults, while Casey zipped over to her mom, holding the bag aloft as if showing off treasure.

  When I retook my seat, passing out the fresh coffee for Ethan and Lisa, I said, “Disneyworld?”

  Ethan ruffled the top of Casey’s head. “It’s all she can talk about—going to Disneyworld for her seventh birthday.”

  I studied Ethan’s face for any trace of unease. All I saw, though, was gaiety. Lisa and Ethan weren’t exactly rolling in dough. Most of their vacations since bringing Casey home had involved traveling to see grandparents.

  “Sign us up.” I sipped my chai.

  Ethan swiveled his neck. “You? At a family resort?”

  “Hey now, in less than four months, my family will be larger than yours.” I tipped my drink in his direction.

  His eyes widened as if reality hit him hard, but the shock soon morphed into a grin. “Maybe you won’t be so bad after all.”

  “What does that mean?” I had a pretty good idea.

  “As a mom. You actually seem excited.”

  “Ethan!” Lisa scolded.

  Undeterred by his wife’s condemnation, he finished the conversation by adding, “Just don’t mess up your marriage by keeping your secret.”

  That piqued Lisa’s interest. “Secret?”

  Casey sat in her lap, gnawing on the cookie, oblivious to the conflict. God, to be a kid again. I wished a cookie had the ability to take me away from all the Petrie family drama.

  “I was offered a teaching position at the university, part-time,” I confessed into my chai.

  She nodded. “Right. And you haven’t told Sarah.”

  She stated it, rather than questioning, which made it clear my reputation for not being the most honest partner was bordering on asshole level.

  “I haven’t figured out how to break the news,” I defended myself. “My start date is so close to the twin’s birth.”

  “Not sure you need a game plan. Sounds pretty straightforward.” Ethan crossed his arms.

  Casey giggled and asked out of the blue, “Do you know Elsa?”

  “Is she a twin?”

  That made her laugh harder. “No! She’s queen of Arendelle.”

  “From the movie Frozen.” Ethan filled me in.

  Casey slid off her mom’s lap and approached me with a terrifying smile. “You need to learn the movies.” She climbed into my lap.

  I wrapped my arms around her. “Do you think you can help me?”

  “Yes!” She grinned.

  “Shall we go buy the DVD?”

  Casey’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you have the Internet?”

  “Of course.”

  She laughed. “They just appear now.”

  “Like magic?” I tickled her side.

  “Internet magic.” She giggled.

  “She means Netflix, not pirating films.” Ethan sipped his coffee.

  “Netflix is the coolest.” Casey nibbled on her cookie.

  “Casey,” Ethan said with just enough authority to get her attention. “Do you think it’s nice to keep a secret?”

  Casey shook her head.

  “Well, Lizzie, it took you three decades, but you finally met someone who can guide you through life.” Ethan laughed.

  Chapter Seven

  “Any chance you can hurry? We’re meeting Maddie and Courtney soon.” Sarah leaned against the bathroom counter.

  I wrenched my toothbrush out of my mouth and spat into the sink.

  Sarah perused the screen on her cell. “We’re supposed to be there in thirty minutes, and the drive takes at least twenty.”

  “Okay, okay. I’m ready.” I was all about proper oral hygiene, but Sarah’s pinched face made me set down the mouthwash, skipping a step that would have only taken thirty seconds tops. I motioned for her to walk ahead. “After you, my dear.”

  Sarah patted my cheek as if she understood my fear of the lecture.

  We settled into the car with me behind the wheel.

  “I know going to dinner tonight is one of the last things you want to do, but I don’t want to be late.” She pressed my right thigh with enough force for my foot to push the gas pedal. “Get the lead out.”

  “Where are we going?”

  Sarah huffed. “How do you never know the details?” Leaning forward, she typed the restaurant’s name into the GPS.

  “Because you two never include me in the texts.”

  Her head spun around. “And do you want to know why?”

  “Because I’d tell you it’s insane to plan a dinner with Maddie and Kit’s fiancée, and that if Peter catches wind of this, he’ll make my life a living hell. And you’re the one who keeps saying Tie is smarter than we think. How will she handle this?”

  Sarah chortled. “For someone who’s always going on about not caring what her family thinks, you sure act like you care.”

  “This is the moment you decide to discuss this? Minutes away from the dinner from hell?”

  “So touchy!” Sarah cradled her hands on her pregnant belly. “I hope you two take after me,” she murmured.

  “Hey now! That’s hitting below the belt.” I shook my head, smiling.

  “What’s really bugging you?” Sarah slipped her shoes off her swollen feet, wincing. She rotated one foot.

  “I don’t know. It’s just weird, going behind Kit’s back. I like him.”

  “But you know he’s gay
, right? Courtney isn’t going behind his back. I’m assuming this is the arrangement they’ve agreed to. I’m pretty sure he has dates with men.”

  “How do people come to this kind of arrangement? Acceptable cheating?”

  Sarah started exercising her other foot. “It’s not really cheating, though, if they’ve agreed to it. Is that what’s bugging you? This is hitting too close to home?”

  I briefly took my eyes off the road. “What do you mean?”

  “Your father cheated on your mom for years. Peter cheats.”

  “Maybe. I wasn’t my mom’s biggest fan, but still—how does one ever justify adultery?”

  Sarah remained quiet.

  Once again, I peeked out of the corner of my eye, trying to root out the cause of her silence. Cheating was a sensitive subject in our relationship after I’d made a terrible mistake and made a pass at Maddie. At the time, Sarah was pushing me to settle down, propelling my commitment-phobe streak into full-fledged self-destruction. Thank God Maddie had slapped me and brought me to my senses before I had the chance to ruin the best thing that had ever happened to me. Sarah left me when I confessed, of course, but I was able to win her back.

  Letting out an anguished sigh, she leaned her head back against the headrest. “Not everything in life is black and white. I don’t know Kit and Courtney’s reasons for their sham of an engagement, but if you ask me, it’s sad that they think they have to live like that. I can’t imagine living that lie, day in and day out. And you thought you had it bad.”

  “Wait, how did I just get thrown under the bus?”

  She laughed. “Les-bi-an.”

  “Ah, yes. My mom had loved to stress every syllable of that word.”

  “I still remember the first time I heard her say it. I had no idea what to do—rush to your defense or tuck and run.”

  “I think you chose deer in headlights.” I squeezed her thigh.

  “What would you have done in my place?”

  “The same. No question.”

  “Tonight, remember how your mom used to make you feel and try to be kind. Don’t judge. Just let things be.” Sarah’s tone was soft and supportive, tinged with enough firmness to let me know I should take her words to heart or face the Sarah firing squad later.