by Bonnie Tharp
Refilling her coffee cup and Megan’s milk, Regina’s hands shook, but she kept silent. This was Annabelle’s story to tell, not hers. A year or two ago she would have taken control, but not now. She no longer felt the need. Her cousin had grown.
Waiting until Regina resumed her seat, Annabelle continued. “Before Megan was born your mommy and daddy had problems.”
Tad closed his eyes and Peggy nodded.
“Your daddy had a friend who didn’t have a family but had lots of money. And he did bad things with his money.”
Megan leaned forward and whispered, “You mean like drinking and drugs?”
“Yes, how did you know?”
“There was an assembly at the junior high, and we kids got to go. A lady came and talked about how bad alcohol and drugs were. I heard Peg talking to Tad about Daddy doing that kind of stuff.”
“You’ve got some big ears,” Tad said.
Annabelle glared. Tad closed his lips tight around whatever else he had been ready to say so Annabelle continued.
“He got involved in drugs and lost his job.”
Peggy looked at her grandmother through her bangs.
“Your mother was really upset, so he left for a while. But I think he missed you kids and came back.”
“I remember,” Peggy said. “Things were good for a while when he came back.”
Forcing a smile, Annabelle said, “He tried to straighten out . . . I think he was afraid.”
“Afraid of me?” Megan asked in a tight voice.
“No, having a family is hard work. Your mom and dad started fighting again and couldn’t stand living together. Being drunk was easier than learning to get along.” Annabelle folded her napkin, smoothing the crease.
Megan sipped her milk and silence filled the room. Regina and Annabelle watched each child process the information. Megan’s big brown eyes were glassy. Peggy hid her expression behind her long hair. Tad vibrated with anger over long ago hurts and fear.
“But Daddy left and Mommy started hitting us. I thought daddies were supposed to be strong and protect their children,” Megan said.
Reaching out, Annabelle squeezed Megan’s hand. “They usually are, but not always. Drugs and drinking can make a good parent into a bad one. Plus your parents were both very young.”
“Kids having kids, right?”
Regina nodded her head. “You are a very smart girl, Megan Malone.”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Tad slumped down further in the chair. “Why is he calling now?”
Annabelle looked at each of the children in turn before she spoke. “He wants to see you. The day of my heart attack I talked to him.” The creases in her wrinkled forehead grew deeper.
Straightening in the chair, Tad slapped the scarred tabletop. “But what if I don’t want to see him?”
“Then you don’t have to.” Annabelle said. “If you change your mind, we’ll be there, too.”
“Do you think he just wants money?” Tad said.
Regina responded. “He told me he has a job.”
“Really? What else did he say?” Peggy asked.
“He wanted to know how Megan was and if she liked her new bear.” Regina waited for the little girl’s reaction.
A gasp escaped Annabelle, but she quickly cleared her throat, pretending to cough.
Careful, cousin, this is their truth. Let them find their way through it.
“He really gave it to me?”
“That’s what he said.”
She looked thoughtful then smiled. “That was nice of him, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Annabelle whispered. “But how did he know?”
“I told him,” Peggy said. “He called when everyone was asleep but me.”
The young man crossed his arms tighter over his chest like a shield. “I don’t care. I don’t remember anything good about him. I don’t care if I ever see him again.”
Exchanging worried glances, Regina kept silent. Annabelle clenched her fist then removed it from the table.
Looking from her big brother to her grandmother, Megan spoke, “I think I’d like to see him if you’ll be there, too, Gram.”
With a small lift to the corners of her thinning lips Annabelle nodded to the little girl.
All eyes turned to Peggy. When she lifted her head, Regina could tell she was trying not to cry, without much success.
“I don’t know what I want!” Peggy blurted out then fled from the room, slamming out the back door.
Regina grimaced. “Merde.”
Chapter 14
THE SHEER CURTAINS wafted in the breeze coming through the bedroom window. Peggy watched as Tad pitched himself furiously onto the yellow bedspread.
When Tad’s angry, he looks just like mom.
“I don’t give a shit!” Tad said.
Peggy hissed. “Keep your voice down. You don’t want Gram or Regina to hear.”
“I won’t see him no matter what you want. He never did anything nice to me. I don’t need him.” His fists bounced as he pounded the mattress.
Megan covered her ears. “Stop shouting.” Ms. Pickles hopped off of the bed and crawled under it.
Their brother sat up, giving Megan a quick hug. “Sorry.” He rubbed his knuckles on the top of her head making her squirm.
“We have to talk about this,” Peggy said. “I want to understand why he left and why he stayed away so long. He’s our Dad. You just don’t remember him. We used to have peanut butter and jelly sandwich picnics on the living room rug, and he’d carry me on his shoulders when we went to the River festival. He’d buy me funnel cakes, and we’d get powdered sugar all over our faces. He’d tickle me and talk baby talk and laugh.”
“I don’t care,” Tad said, moving away from his sisters to lean against the headboard. “He used to turn me upside down, but it made me want to throw up. He laughed when I told him to stop. He called me ‘wussy boy.’ I swear he used to push me down just to see me cry. He wanted to hurt me. Then the yelling started, and his breath always smelled like a dirty ashtray. He’d grab my arms and shake me until my teeth rattled.”
“Dad never really hurt you, though, did he?” Peggy asked.
“Not physically, but I was scared all the time. I never knew when he’d scream at me or push me down. Mom would just laugh, too. They both made me sick.”
Tad grabbed a pillow, squeezing it against his stomach.
If that was all I’d experienced, I’d be mad all the time, too. It’s so unfair.
“I swear, Dad wasn’t always like that. Megan, what do you recall?” Peggy asked.
“Just the pictures that I’ve seen him in. Nothing else, really.”
Stroking her tattered stuffed dog, Megan sighed as Ms. Pickles rubbed against her ankles.
“So, what do we do now?” Peggy asked, looking from one sibling to the other.
Looks like I’m alone on this one and it sucks. I guess I get it, though. I have to know why and only Dad can tell me the answers.
“Do whatever you want.” Tad threw the pillow against the wall. “I don’t need him. Period.”
“Megan?”
“I wouldn’t mind getting to know him a little better, but not by myself. Would you stay with me Peg? Or do you think Gram would?”
Stroking her sister’s brown hair, Peggy smiled. “Sure. Now that we each have decided what we want to do, we’ll let Gram and Regina know together.”
“Peg?” Megan’s brown eyes were sad. “What if you don’t like what he says?”
“What do you mean?”
“The reasons why he changed. Why he left.”
“It doesn’t matter to me.” Turning toward the wall, Tad dismissed his sisters.
“I may not like the reasons, but at l
east I’ll know the truth. I have to know. Let’s go down and get a bite to eat.” Peggy picked up Megan’s crutches. The cat slipped under the bed, out of harm’s way.
“Come on, squirt, I’ll give you a ride.” Getting up from the bed, Tad leaned down so Megan could climb onto his back.
“Thanks, big brother.” She leaned her head on his neck.
I feel like a traitor, but I know there’s a reason. There has to be some reason that makes sense. But Megan could be right, the little smarty pants. Maybe he didn’t want to be our dad anymore. Why were our parents so screwed up? Did us kids do something that made things go wrong?
Peggy followed them down the stairs dragging her feet.
THE SMILE FADED from Regina’s face as she watched the kids shuffle into the kitchen.
Annabelle went to get bowls and spoons. “Want some ice cream?”
“Sure.” Megan said as Tad put her down by her chair.
“Can I try some coffee?” Peggy asked. “I think I need some.”
“I suppose.” Annabelle poured a bit in a cup, handing it to her granddaughter.
“Why do you think you need coffee?” Regina asked. She watched Peggy’s face over the rim of her own cup.
“It smells good.” She took a sip then scrunched up her face. “It’s bitter!”
Annabelle handed her the sugar, struggling not to laugh. “You might like it better with milk and sugar until you get used to it.”
Shoveling the ice cream in like it was his last meal, Tad ignored everyone else at the table.
“You’ll get a headache eating ice cream that fast,” Regina said.
With a sigh, Peggy pushed away her first cup of coffee.
“We’ve decided what we want to do about Dad.”
Sliding into her chair, Annabelle took a fortifying gulp of her granddaughter’s coffee.
“Tad doesn’t want to see Dad at all. Megan would like to meet him with Gram, you or me . . .”
“And?” Regina scrutinized each of their faces.
I think I know what’s coming and it looks like Peg’s alone in her decision.
“And I want to talk to Dad. Alone. I want some answers.”
Tugging on the hem of her blouse, Annabelle sat up straighter.
“I’ll be glad to be there with you, Peg. You don’t have to do this alone.”
“I know, Gram. I want to. This is between me and Dad.” She turned her face to Regina, her eyes pleading.
“It’s her decision, Annabelle. We’ll be close by if she needs us.” Regina covered Peggy’s hand with her own. “We’ll always be there for you.”
Peggy gave her a thin smile, punctuated by the doorbell.
“That’s probably Sam,” Regina said.
“Oh, dear, I look a fright.” Annabelle patted her fuzzy hair and scurried out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
Drinking the last drop of melted ice cream, Tad smacked his lips.
“Time for me to practice dribbling with my left.” He put his dirty dishes in the dishwasher before heading out the back door.
“I need a shower,” Peggy said, following her grandmother’s steps.
The doorbell sounded again.
“Guess it’s just you and me kid.” Regina smiled at Megan then got up and went to the front door. She could tell by the massive silhouette in the window that the caller was, indeed, Sam.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Sam asked from the other side of the door.
“I’m still deciding.”
“Ah, come on, Reggie.”
She turned the knob. It was past time to forgive him over Annabelle’s guardianship designation. There were much more urgent issues in the family now.
Whatever happened to the peaceful days of reading heaving bosom books and painting? Families are a mess.
“Hi.” Regina smiled at him through the screen.
“Hi, yourself.”
She opened the door and opened her arms. They held each other for several moments until their hearts beat at the same time.
“I wasn’t entirely sure yesterday when we brought Megan home from the hospital. You seemed so distracted.”
“I was exhausted. There’s really nothing for me to forgive, even though you didn’t tell me my cousin signed my life away.” She smiled and kissed him, happy to be in his arms.
“How’s everyone doing?” He linked fingers with hers, scanned the foyer and walked to the stairs, his other hand caressing the finial.
Regina glided through the dining room to the kitchen, pulling him in her wake, then poured him a cup of coffee.
“Hey. Megan!”
Taking his cup, Sam gave Regina a quick kiss.
Just when I think he’s good, he gets even better. I feel a purr coming on.
Megan giggled.
“My daddy called and talked to Regina,” Megan said.
Sitting down between them, he reached for Regina’s hand.
“What did he say?”
He focused on Regina’s face. “He says he’s got a job and wants to see the children.”
Sam turned his attention to the little girl. “I see. What do you think about that, Megan?”
“I guess it’s okay. Tad says no way. But Peggy really wants to talk to him.”
Megan picked up her crutches. Ms. Pickles sat beside her chair, flicking her tail.
“Want a ride?” Sam leaned down and held out his hands.
Megan wrapped her arms around his neck and held him tight.
“I knew you’d come,” she whispered.
He squeezed her and chuckled. Ms. Pickles meowed.
“I couldn’t stay away from my girls. Especially when one of them is in trouble.” He tickled her until she laughed.
In a flash, Megan’s smile melted away.
“Why do things happen all at once? Gram’s heart, my busted leg, and then Dad comes back. It’s too much,” Megan said.
“You’re all going to be fine, sweetheart.” He kissed her forehead.
“Especially now that you’re here. Will you stay with us for a while? Please?” Megan asked, batting her eyelashes.
Where did she learn that? He doesn’t have a chance.
He looked at Regina over the girl’s silky brown hair. Regina gave him a weak smile and a nod.
“If you want me to.”
“I do. And Regina does, too, don’t you?” Megan looked at her for approval.
“Yes, I suppose I do.”
Slipping her crutches under her arms, Megan smiled.
“How about that ride?”
“Nah, I’m cool.” She hop-stepped toward the door.
Going to the sink to get the cat some water, Regina bent over and slid her hand down the skinny back that arched in response to her touch.
Pausing, Megan turned and looked at them. “Can Sugar come, too?”
“Ms. Pickles won’t like having a big dog around very much.” Regina sat back down at the table. The cat punctuated her remark with a timely sneeze then stepped over to her bowl for a sip.
“She won’t mind. She’s only playing when she hisses and bats at Sugar’s nose. They’re secret friends.” The purring feline rubbed against the purple cast.
“Really? I didn’t know that,” Regina said.
“I need to get cleaned up and dressed while Peg’s around to help me.”
Megan really lights up when Sam’s around. I guess girls do need a man in their lives just as much as boys do.
“Well? What do you think about all of that?” Sam asked.
“I think she’s right. Annabelle’s too fragile right now to handle the stress of Tom being back in their lives.” Regina stirred her black coffee with a spoon. “But he is their father. Can
he go to the court for custody?”
“He can try. The courts prefer that children be with their parents. Do you want me to do a little research? Find out where he’s been and what he’s been up to?”
Sitting back, Regina had doubts about how to proceed. “I don’t know. It’s really not my decision to make.”
“It’s never stopped you before, honey.” He ducked his head just in time. Regina’s playful slap only missed by a fraction.
“I’ll ask Annabelle when she’s feeling better,” he said. “How long since Tom and Liddy divorced?” Sam held the cup in his hands, his eyes on Regina.
She stood and began pacing the length of the room.
“I’m not sure. He abandoned them right after Megan was born.”
“And she’s ten now?”
“Yes.”
Taking a sip of the steaming brew, Sam said, “His parental rights should be terminated, but when Liddy died he became their sole parent. If he can prove he’s in a stable job and has a home for them, he could contest the guardianship.”
She sank into the chair opposite him.
I think better with a paintbrush in my hand. Right now I’m confused and worried.
“That would break Annabelle’s heart. She and the kids are so close.”
“Don’t worry. We’ll figure this out.” Sam gave her hand a pat.
She could feel the heat moving all the way up her arm and into her chest.
Lord, I love this man.
Squeezing his fingers, she sighed.
“Want to go upstairs and get reacquainted?” Sam attempted to leer.
Can he read my mind?
Goose bumps popped all over Regina’s arms. “While that is an offer I’m loathe to refuse, no. Let’s wait until we get home.”
He put his cup in the sink.
“You’re right, of course. I was momentarily overcome. You do that to me, you know. When do you think you can come home?”
“I’m not sure. Tillie is still working at the Bistro part-time, so she can’t come over much. Joe’s keeping an eye on things, but he can’t be here twenty-four-seven. I hate to leave them alone until Annabelle’s stronger. She goes to see the cardiologist next week. I’m planning on tagging along. I’ll stay while I’m needed.”