by Marie Solka
“Exactly. I’ve always liked kids, so there’s that. Plus, I’d get summers off. I could travel. I’m really psyched about this. It just seems perfect for me.” She slapped her knees like that was that and said, “So what’s new with you? I’m excited I finally get to meet Greg. Things still going well?”
“Let’s see,” I said. “Lots of new things.” I tapped my fingers, trying to decide how to begin. “As far as work goes, I picked up a few new patients and said goodbye to others. Pretty much the usual, there. Greg’s dad’s health improved, so I no longer see him each week, but in his place I’ve gained five new diabetics. It’s a never ending cycle. So don’t eat sugar!”
“Really Sam? I love sugar.”
“I know. I was just kidding. Sort of. Be smart about your diet, though, okay? I don’t want to have to lecture you about taking your insulin someday.”
“Okay, okay, fine. I’ll cut back to a dozen cookies a day.”
I laughed. “I’ve missed you.”
“Me, too.”
“Let’s see, what else. Oh, Mrs. Myszkowski, the sassy older woman in the wheelchair, is going to live in an assisted living center, so I won’t be her nurse anymore.”
“That’s the lady you like so much, right?”
“Yeah. She’s my favorite patient. I’m really going to miss spending time with her. She’s snarky and funny and even a little bit charming, though she’d probably hate it if she heard me call her that.”
“Okay, enough about work. How’s Greg?”
“We’re still getting along great,” I said. “But he told me something about his ex-girlfriend that got me jealous.”
Tabby looked concerned. “What is it?”
“You may think it’s stupid.”
“I’m your sister. I’d never think something that bothers you is stupid.”
I sighed, happy to have her listening. “Well we were talking, and it ends up he had this girlfriend he was really serious about in high school. He said they were going to change the world together.”
Tabby leaned forward, waiting. “Go on,” she said.
I felt anxious all over again. I wished I hadn’t brought it up. “Then she got some kind of internship overseas and left. It sounded like he planned to go too, but then his mom died and he didn’t want to leave his dad.”
“Then what happened?”
I shrugged. “They grew apart. End of story.”
Tabby grabbed a handful of dark chocolate M&M’s out of a nearby bowl. She popped them in her mouth and mumbled, “Does he still talk to her?”
“No. He said there’s no contact.”
Like a zombie craving sugar, she reached for a second serving. She noticed me raise an eyebrow.
“Dark chocolate is good for you. I read it online so it must be true.”
I shook my head and grabbed a handful myself.
“So how come you’re jealous?” she asked. “I don’t get it.”
“I’m jealous because I think if he could have her back he wouldn’t want me.” I didn’t want to be an acceptable replacement. I wanted to be the love of his life.
“That’s crazy Sam. She left him. How could he want someone who would do something like that? Plus, he’s happy with you.”
“I know. I guess I’m getting all worked up for no reason. He’s mine now and I should just appreciate it.”
“Agreed.” Tabby nodded. “And I’ll bet them breaking up was good for his career. Think about it. They’re both in the same field, and she’s the one who got the fancy overseas internship, not him. Trying to outdo her could be one of his goals. Smart people are just as competitive as athletes, you know.”
“Geez, when did you get so wise?”
“I’ve always been this way. You just haven’t listened.”
I poked her in the shoulder, a familiar expression of affection between us. “You could be right. I have no idea. I guess it doesn’t matter since it’s in the past. I’m just glad we’re together now.”
“Me too Sam. Your face really lights up when you talk about him. And those stories of him rocking your world in the sack. Rowwrr!” She pawed at me, and just missed clipping me in the face.
“Oops,” she said. Then we both started laughing and began horsing around like old times.
“How’s Jack doing?” I asked as casually as I could manage.
She shrugged. “He’s still Jack. A cute guy who could be a great catch but isn’t.” She looked down, disappointment clear on her face.
“You still care about him,” I said.
“I do,” she admitted. “I say we’re just friends, but yeah, I still have feelings for him, and he knows it.” She looked up at me. “Guess I can try to be the cool chick, but I’m just a big softy.”
Her admission proved what I’ve always known – that she was a caring person. It also scared the daylights out of me because it confirmed my worst fear. Freaking Jackass, I thought. Why can’t he just exit stage left already?
“Do you want to try again with him?” I asked. “Sounds like he’s making a go of the DJ thing.”
She looked unsure. “I don’t know. I really want to meet someone who’s right for me on more levels, not just hot looking. The tough part is I haven’t yet, and my fear is Jack will wear me down and I’ll end up sleeping with him.”
“It would be easier if he had never moved there. It almost seems like he followed you.”
“That’s what I thought at first, but then I met his roommate and discovered they’ve been lifelong friends. Since Jack was unsure what to do with his life, his buddy invited him to move in. It was just coincidence.”
Some kind of rotten coincidence in my opinion. I hoped he wasn’t going to hurt her again.
“How’s Mom been?” she asked, curling up on the sofa.
“Don’t you talk on the phone?”
“Yeah, once in a while. But I want your opinion.”
I couldn’t decide how to answer. I didn’t want to say what I thought and cause problems at the party, especially since we’d invited guests.
“She’s fine,” I said.
“That doesn’t sound very convincing. Do you know what’s up? I mean, she seems a little bit distracted lately.”
Crap. How do I say this? “I don’t know. It may be nothing, but it just seems like there’s some kind of problem between Mom and Dad. It could be my imagination though.”
“Did she say anything to you?”
“Not in so many words. But she just seems distant, or like you said, distracted. But you know Mom. She’d never tell us if there was a problem. Or she’d just brush it off as nothing.”
Tabby’s mood took a downward turn. She looked lost in thought, like she was searching her memory for anything that seemed unusual. “I didn’t sense anything wrong when I was still at home,” she said.
“Like I said, it’s probably nothing. I know Mom’s dealing with hormone changes though, so it could be that.”
“I’ll pay closer attention tomorrow. See if I notice anything,” she said.
“Okay. We’ll compare notes after. But don’t mention anything to Mom. I don’t want to upset her if nothing’s wrong and ruin her birthday.”
“I wouldn’t do that. I’m just going to stay alert. That’s all. Don’t worry.”
I hoped her word was more reliable than mine.
Chapter 30
After a light breakfast, Tabby and I got ready and headed over to Mom and Dad’s. We wanted to show up early to help with the preparations. I had picked a caterer and discussed it with Dad, but Mom had decided to cook instead. I wasn’t entirely sure if that was her idea or his. But I did know with Greg and his dad showing everything had to be just right.
We pulled into the driveway. “I can’t believe Mom said no gifts. What’s gotten into her?” Tabby asked.
“Don’t know. But remember what we talked about. Just observe. No discussing.”
Tabby gave me a slightly annoyed expression. “Got it,” she said, then popped the car
door open.
Dad greeted us. “There she is,” he said, smiling at Tabby. He gave her a bear hug. “I missed you kiddo.”
“Missed you too Dad,” Tabby said, her voice sounding childlike.
“Hey,” I said when it was my turn. Dad offered a slightly less robust hug. “Oh, I get it. You see me all the time so I don’t get as big a hug as my little sister.”
He laughed and hugged me a second time, nearly knocking the air out of me.
We took off our jackets and hung them on the wall hooks, then went to the kitchen where we found Mom rushing around. “Happy Birthday,” we said.
My mom let out an excited shriek and set down the casserole dish she’d been holding. “Sweetie!” she said, then gave Tabby a big hug and a kiss. “How’ve you been?”
“Good. Everything’s good. You look like you can use a hand though. Can we help?” Tabby asked.
Mom gave us our tasks and we got to work. Dad was in the other room watching the game. He eventually poked his head in to check on us. “Should we open a bottle of wine?” he asked.
“That sounds good. Can you take care of that?” Mom said.
Her voice sounded tense, and Tabby eyed me. I half shrugged, trying to play it down.
“Where’s the corkscrew?” my dad asked.
“Same place it always is. Drawer next to the fridge,” Mom said.
I wondered if she had any idea how snotty she sounded. Maybe he’d done something to irritate her before we arrived. Or maybe that’s just how life was after so many years together.
I watched my dad out of the corner of my eye. He looked dejected as he performed the simple function. “Here you go,” he said, handing her the open bottle.
“Can you please pour a few glasses?” she asked.
Dad held his tongue and obliged. Then he wordlessly handed us each one and nodded before returning to the family room.
The day was already starting out on the wrong foot. It was Mom’s birthday. It should be a joyous occasion. “Greg and his dad are excited to finally meet everyone,” I said. “Since he lost his mom the two of them haven’t been to any family gatherings.”
“Well we’re excited to be spending the day with them too. I can’t wait to meet Greg.” She was smiling brightly now. I suspected today was more about meeting him than celebrating getting older since she hadn’t invited anyone else.
“Me too,” Tabby added, raising her glass. Then she pawed at the air with her free hand and winked.
I bumped her with my hip and she almost spilled her drink. “Oops, sorry,” I teased. She was lucky our parents let her have alcohol on special occasions even though she was under age. They had never let me.
Tabby giggled, then went to watch TV with Dad, leaving my mom and me alone.
“So…give me an update on you and Dad.” I said in a hushed tone.
“Things are fine.”
“C’mon, Mom. We all heard the bite in your voice just a moment ago.”
“He knows where the corkscrew is.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
She shrugged and turned back to check on the food in the oven. I decided not to press the issue. A moment later I got a text from Greg, saying he’d be over in fifteen minutes.
When the doorbell rang I rushed to answer it. “Hey,” Greg said. He leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips. Mr. Varo stood behind him and waved.
“So glad you both could make it,” I said. “Let me introduce you to my family.” I took their coats and motioned for them to follow me. “Shoes can stay on,” I added. I saw Mr. Varo wink at that.
We headed to the family room. Dad and Tabby were sitting, but stood when they saw us. My mom hurried in from the kitchen. “Everyone. This is my boyfriend Greg, and his dad, Michael.”
“Nice to meet you Greg,” my dad said, shaking his hand.
Greg actually looked nervous, which I found amusing. “Nice to meet you too sir.”
“We’ve heard only good things,” Dad said.
“That’s reassuring,” Greg replied.
“Michael. Great to meet you,” Dad said, shaking his hand next. “My name’s Todd, and this is my wife, Gloria.”
Mom shook Mr. Varo’s hand and smiled, then went over to Greg and did the same.
“Happy Birthday,” Greg said to Mom. He wore a big smile and she smiled back. Then he pulled a card out of his jacket pocket. “For you,” he said. “Sam told us no gifts.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“And that’s my sister Tabby,” I said, pointing.
“Nice to meet you two,” she waved. She’d gone all shy all of a sudden, which wasn’t like her.
Mom showed them to the sofa. “Why don’t you two have a seat? Sam and I are almost finished preparing dinner.”
When we’d both disappeared into the kitchen, Mom pulled me aside and whispered, “Boy. Greg’s so cute. You sure know how to pick them.”
She was the first woman to say that to me. Great minds thought alike, I guessed.
I grabbed a handful of silverware to set the table, then whispered, “You mean you think he’s hotter than Jackass?”
She laughed, the earlier stress washed away by a glass of wine and the arrival of our guests. “Way hotter,” she said.
I smiled. But a part of me wondered if our continued trash talking about Jack somehow perpetuated his existence in our world, just to spite us.
While I finished setting the table, Greg eyed me nervously from across the room. My dad had gotten a hold of him and they were chatting. I had no doubt he could hold his own since he gave speeches in front of a room full of scientists, but I decided to rescue him.
“You two better not be gossiping about me,” I teased.
“Never,” Greg said, and kissed me on the cheek. Then he winked at my dad.
“I saw that,” I said, calling him out.
“Okay everyone. Time to eat,” Mom announced as she put the food on the table.
I sat across from Greg, with my sister next to me. Greg’s dad sat next to him, and my parents sat opposite each other at the head and foot of the table.
Everyone passed platters around, filling up their plates, and within a short time we were all chowing down. As I took a bite of my pasta, I noticed Greg surreptitiously separating his food into little sections. Mr. Varo and I exchanged a knowing glance and smiled.
My dad began questioning Greg about his work, and as we ate I listened to my beloved describe in detail all that he did each day. I had heard it all before, but it was refreshing to hear it again. It was so obvious he loved what he did for a living. I watched him become animated as he talked about his current robotics project, his eyes lighting up like a woman shopping at Tiffany’s.
Greg held my family’s complete attention. The earlier discontent had disintegrated and we were all getting along, everyone happily huddled around the newcomers as candlelight flickered on the table between us.
Mom may have tried to play down her big day, turning it into just another family dinner, but I felt magic in the moment. I couldn’t have been more thankful seeing her laughing and smiling.
“Sam tells me your mom was a teacher,” Tabby said to Greg, interrupting my thought.
“She was. High school science.” His smile telegraphed the pride within. It got me thinking about my mom. I couldn’t picture her gone someday. I wouldn’t know how to live without her.
“I’m going to become a teacher too. Just switched my major to education,” Tabby said.
“What was it before?” he asked.
“Um…undecided.”
Greg laughed. “Good for you. Nothing better than filling the mind with knowledge.” He turned to me and added, “Or saving lives.”
I wanted to climb on his lap and burrow my face in his chest. He knew it too. His eyes blazed with passion, but he kept it under control, considering our surroundings. His now-familiar observant look promised he would take care of me later.
“Who’s ready for dessert?” Mom
asked. She had picked up tiramisu in the hopes no one would sing and attempt to put candles on it.
Mr. Varo was about to speak up, but glanced my way and the excitement fizzled from his face.
“Don’t worry, I bought a fancy sugar free cupcake just for you,” I said to him. “You’re not going to miss out.” I knew how tough it was for patients to stick to the diet, especially during times like this.
That perked him up. He smiled and said, “Well, that’s both thoughtful and…disappointing.” He was smiling, just being playful. “I was kind of hoping to get a sugar pass today.”
“Well…as long as you watch your insulin levels, I might be persuaded to look away if you taste a bite.”
He laughed. “I’m just teasing you. I’ll be happy to devour the cupcake. I’m planning on living a very long time.”
I helped my mom clear the table and set out dessert and coffee, then added a sliver of tiramisu next to Mr. Varo’s cupcake. “There you go,” I said. “Eat wisely.” He laughed again and we all dug into our sweets.
It didn’t take long before I felt like I was going to explode. My eyelids grew heavy and I struggled to stay awake. “That was delicious,” Greg said to my mom. “You’ll have to let Sam and I take you to dinner another time.”
She nodded and smiled. She was charmed already. I was so thrilled that she liked him.
“You want to take that walk?” My dad asked Greg. They must have discussed it earlier.
“Sounds good. Get the digestion going,” Greg joked.
They both got up and grabbed their coats. It had gotten chillier, and I was surprised they’d venture outdoors when the fireplace crackled nearby. I made eye contact with Greg and he looked comfortable with the idea, so I didn’t try to tag along and save him.
While they were gone Tabby and I helped Mom with the dishes while Mr. Varo watched the game on TV. He’d offered to help, but Tabby shooed him away, telling him he was a guest.
“Greg’s so nice,” Tabby exclaimed. “You guys look great together.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I can honestly say I’ve never been happier.”
Mom turned from her soapy plate, clearly pleased. She was getting teary-eyed again. Then the front door opened and Greg and my dad came in. They both wore wide grins, then shook hands.