Patchwork Family

by Bonnie Tharp

“Would you mind grilling the chicken? I’m afraid I’ll burn the place down.”

  “I don’t mind a bit.” He kissed her neck. The dog followed him back onto the deck. “Sorry, girl, no time to play tonight, I’m grilling. Maybe after we eat.” He patted the dog’s furry head and accepted a “woof” in return.

  Regina followed them out with the chicken and his favorite grilling tongs.

  “Here you go. I’ll cover the potatoes so they don’t get cold.”

  “Sounds good. And we’ll just nuke ‘em if they need a little warming up.”

  “Good point.” She sat on the railing and watched him arrange the meat on the grill. The sizzling sound and potential snack had the dog’s undivided attention.

  “How long will it take?”

  “Just a few minutes. Is there any wine, I need the fortification?”

  “Absolutely.” She went back inside and returned a few moments later, a half-filled wine glass in each hand. “Here you go.”

  He took a sip. “I like it.”

  “It’s Portuguese.” She gave it a try. “Mmm. I like it, too.”

  He joined her at the railing, leaning one hip beside hers.

  “Are you going to tell me what you’re up to?”

  “Not yet. I’ll put the rest of dinner on the table.” She pecked him on the cheek before she left him alone to finish the meat.

  After consuming the meal and wine, Regina reached across the table and held Sam’s warm hand. She marveled once again how large they were.

  “Would you be willing to help me set up a trust to cover the taxes and insurance on the Riverside house for the next eight years?”

  “Of course, we can draw up a draft here and email it to the office for Marvel to finish up. What brought this on?”

  “Annabelle and the kids can’t afford to pay the taxes. I can.”

  “Why not just continue to pay them?”

  “I want to put the house in their names. That way they’ll have a place to live until the kids come of age and decide what they want to do in life.”

  “But what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “That’s your inheritance.”

  “Now it’s theirs. I don’t need it anymore.”

  He took her hands in his and squeezed.

  “Does this mean what I think it means?”

  “It means you’re stuck with me.” Regina lifted his hand and kissed it.

  “Forever?”

  “At least that long.”

  “But . . .”

  “But, I was wondering if you might make an honest woman of me?”

  “I’d be honored.” Sam leaned across the edge of the table and kissed her lips. “I have a question, though.”

  “All right.”

  “Will you also take my name?”

  “You can’t expect me to be Regina Louise Morgan-Smith-Duncan, can you?”

  “Well, no, I was hoping . . .”

  “How does Regina Louise Duncan sound?”

  “Heavenly.” He kissed her again, stood and pulled her from the chair for a bear hug. Lifting her feet from the floor, they spun around in a circle. “Rags, you’ve made me so happy!”

  “Mother will probably kick her way out of her grave. The women of my family have kept the Morgan name for three generations. Long before it was fashionable. But I’m thinking that it’s time to break with tradition and start a new one.”

  He ran his fingers through her silky hair. “First your hair and now your name. You’re full of surprises.”

  “Perhaps, I’ve only just begun.”

  He smiled. “I can’t wait to see what’ll happen next.”

  “How do you feel about having the wedding here? Say about Christmas time?”

  “Sure, unless you’d rather run off to Vegas and get married by an Elvis impersonator?” Regina shuddered. “God forbid. No, I think I’d like to get married here. In our house.”

  “Then that’s the way it’ll be, but let’s do it a little before Christmas. I want the kids to have Christmas Day. I’m assuming you want Tillie to stand up with you.”

  “Actually, yes, and Peggy, too. Annabelle can give me away.”

  “They’ll love that. Joe and Tad can be my best man and groomsman.”

  “I love it. I love you.”

  His hand stroked her cheek. “And I love you.”

  The phone rang, but it didn’t break the spell. Regina watched as Sam crossed to the phone, his eyes never leaving her.

  “Hello.”

  “We’ll be right there. Don’t worry.”

  “What is it?”

  “Annabelle said the police just dropped Peggy off at the house.”

  “Is Peggy all right?”

  “Shook up, but fine. Let’s put the food away and go.”

  Chapter 32

  SITTING ON THE sofa staring into space, Peggy knew she was in serious trouble. Her skin felt cold and her bones tired. Megan and Tad were upstairs supposedly doing their homework.

  Yeah, right. Why did Gram have to call Regina and Sam? What were they going to do?

  Peggy’s hands began to sweat. First Miles gives her the “you don’t love me” speech, then the cops pick them up with their clothes half-off. Gram looked ready to strangle her. Maybe she needed Regina here to keep her from doing it?

  Oh crap.

  She stroked the orange kitten asleep beside her thigh. Ms. Pickles had deserted her when Annabelle slammed the door. Thank God Tang was more curious than afraid. The little feline motor started up, vibrating against her. It felt good to touch the tiny creature’s silky hair and to feel its warmth. Peggy’s heartbeat slowed, but she could still feel the pulsing in her ears. Her hand shook like she’d been overdoing caffeine.

  “Thanks for sticking close, Tang. I could use a friend right now. Even a little furry one.”

  The doorbell rang, and she stood up to answer it. She heard the dog bark, but didn’t wait for him to bound down the stairs.

  “Hello, sweetheart.” Regina gave Peggy a hug.

  She must really be worried. Regina doesn’t go around hugging people.

  “Hi.”

  Turbo joined them, snuffling and woofing, making sure they smelled right. Ms. Pickles was nowhere in sight.

  Sam shut the door and led them into the parlor.

  “Where’s your grandmother?”

  “She’s upstairs.”

  “Peg, are you okay?”

  “I guess so.”

  Sam put his warm hand on her cold ones.

  “Want to tell me what happened?” Regina asked as she sat down beside Peggy.

  “Not really. But I guess I have to.” Peggy absently patted the dog’s big black head. He nuzzled her hand then lay down on her feet. She wiggled her toes in his hair and stroked his ear.

  “Hello,” Annabelle said from the doorway.

  Peggy bowed her head and looked at her grandmother through her bangs.

  She’s still pissed. I am so dead.

  “Did you tell them what happened?” Annabelle asked, her back straight, her chin and her ample breasts thrust forward. The muscle in Annabelle’s jaw jerked like she was grinding up nails.

  “Not yet,” Peggy whispered, staring at Turbo’s chocolate syrup eyes.

  Crossing to the rocking chair, Annabelle eased down, and began the seesaw motion.

  Peggy could see she wasn’t going to get off easy, so she swallowed the rising bile, lifted her chin, and looked into Regina’s silver blue eyes. No way was she going to look into Gram’s wild ones right now.

  “Miles and I went out this evening. We got bored at the mall and went to the park to watch the sunset and ducks and . . . stuff.” She rubbed her ha
nds but couldn’t wash away the feelings of dread.

  My ass is grass.

  Annabelle savagely kicked the carpet with her feet. “Humph.” The chair nearly tossed her from its cushioned seat.

  “It got cold by the water, so we got into his car.”

  Neither Peggy nor Regina looked away. An invisible string tied them together. Sam and Annabelle were blurs on the edge of Peggy’s vision.

  “We started kissing . . .”

  Clearing his throat first, Sam stood. “Excuse me.” Out of her peripheral vision she saw him leave and heard his footsteps on the stairs. She could not look at her grandmother.

  Regina didn’t move, listening to Peggy’s story without comment.

  Taking a cleansing breath, Peggy continued. “Things got a little carried away. The windows were steaming up. We didn’t see the policeman until he shined his light in the car window. I was so scared.” She wiped her damp palms on her jean-clad thighs.

  The vicious rocking slowed.

  Regina held Peggy’s gaze. “What happened then?”

  Her voice choked with tears. “He took Miles to the back seat of the cop car. Then he asked me if I was all right and if Miles had done anything I didn’t want him to do.”

  A flood rushed down Peggy’s hot cheeks. She gulped for air. “I was so embarrassed, I thought I’d die.”

  “Did you? Did he?” Annabelle’s eyes glistened with unshed tears.

  “No, God, no. We didn’t go all the way, I swear.” Peggy gripped the front of her shirt, twisting the hem. “We just, we were kissing and touching . . .”

  The rocker stopped.

  “I’m sorry, Gram. I just love Miles so much. He makes me feel . . . loved, too.”

  “That’s not love,” Annabelle whispered. “You’re too young . . .”

  “What happened next?” Regina prompted.

  “I said I was okay. Then he talked to Miles. I stayed in the car. I think Miles must’ve said something bad, because the policeman made me get in the front of the cop car. He locked Miles’ Mustang then drove me home with Miles in the back behind the cage. I hope they didn’t put him in jail. We didn’t do anything, really!”

  Cold sweat trickled down Peggy’s back while tears scalded her cheeks.

  “Why don’t you go wash your face?” Regina said, giving her hand a pat.

  Glancing at her grandmother, Peggy noticed her eyebrows merge over narrowed eyes.

  She did as she was told, but didn’t close the door all of the way. She took a washcloth and quickly soaked it with cold water, wrung it out and held it to her flaming cheeks.

  “Annabelle, settle down before you have another coronary.”

  “I can’t. I don’t know what to do. I’m so mad, scared and frustrated.”

  Peggy had never heard her grandmother sound so angry before.

  “Is that why you called? Were you afraid you’d strike out in your anger?”

  Listening very hard for the answer, Peggy heard her grandmother hiss, “Yes.”

  “Okay. What do you want me to do?”

  “Talk to her, please. Explain what a mistake it would be to go so far so young. And certainly not with Miles, he was the idiot that mowed down her sister with his car.”

  “It was an accident, Annabelle. Miles would never hurt Megan or anyone on purpose. And I don’t recall listening to my mother when she warned me about infatuation and the physical effects of hormones.”

  Twisting the washrag into submission, Peggy could feel the heat in her cheeks.

  Oh, my God. This is so gross.

  But the next thing that Peggy heard was a chuckle from her grandmother. She held her breath then exhaled very quietly.

  “I can’t talk to her about sex. It’s too hard. She’ll always be a little girl to me.”

  “She’s not a small child any more, Annabelle.”

  “Oh, Lord. I know, but . . .”

  “No buts. I’ll talk to her. However, you really should be the one, you know.”

  “I didn’t say anything about the hickey or the swollen lips, but I’m worried how far she’ll go. Surely she knows she’s loved.” Annabelle’s voice sounded more desperate than angry now.

  “It’s been a long time since we were teenagers, but don’t you remember the hormones stirring, Belle? Nothing about it is logical. Young love feels wonderful.”

  “Do you think Peggy is really in love?”

  “I don’t know, Belle, but I’ve gotten pretty good at reading Peggy’s face. If she isn’t, she’s very close to it. Your blowing up will only hurt and confuse her more.”

  The wet rag was warm now. Peggy’s cheeks weren’t quite so cherry red. She’d have to go back in there and face the music. Being brought home in a police car wasn’t good and she had to find out what had happened to Miles.

  Slipping out of the bathroom and into the kitchen, Peggy dialed Miles’ cell.

  “I’m not around. Leave your stuff. I’ll call ya back later.”

  Crap.

  “Miles, it’s me. You okay? What happened? Please call and let me know.”

  Peggy hung up. Turning to go into the dining room, Sam filled the doorway like a huge grizzly bear.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey.” Peggy looked down at her feet.

  “Want me to find out if Miles is okay?”

  “Could you?” Peggy’s face split with a smile. Her heart began to race.

  “Sure. But you’d better get back in there. Go take your medicine.”

  She wrinkled her nose then sighed. “It’ll be awful, I’m sure.”

  “Probably. Be brave if you want them to know you really are growing up.” He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Go on.”

  “Okay.” Peggy wiped her eyes on the back of her hands.

  Let them do their worst.

  When she walked into the parlor all eyes turned to her. Speaking stopped.

  Annabelle stood, straightened her top and took a deep breath. “Peggy, you’re going to be grounded from that boy for the next three weeks. No using your cell unless it’s an emergency and someone is bleeding.”

  Peggy’s arms punctuating her next words as she looked into her grandmother’s stern face. “Three weeks! Why? We didn’t do anything wrong. Honest.”

  “Coming home in a police car is wrong, young lady.” Her forefinger pointed at her granddaughter’s chest. “You shouldn’t have been necking half undressed.”

  Her hands on her hips, Peggy scoffed. “I’m sixteen, Gram. I’m not a baby anymore, I can take care of myself.”

  “A baby is more predictable than a teenager, that’s for sure.” Annabelle sank back into the rocking chair, but held it still. “You’re grounded from dating anyone for three weeks, period.”

  “What a crock. You’re just being mean because it was Miles and because I want to see my Dad.” Peggy’s hair swung around as she pivoted toward the door. Regina’s face looked sad, but she didn’t say anything as Peggy passed her and took the stairs two at a time. She slammed the bedroom door as hard as possible then slid down to the floor.

  Gram can’t treat me like a kid. Time to talk to Dad, again. Maybe he’ll understand what I’m going through.

  Her breath caught in her throat as she realized she had no idea how her father would react to her being alone with a boy or being brought home by the police.

  He might be even worse than Gram. Would he go looking for Miles? Crap. Now what am I going to do? She reached for her cell phone. Malissa had called. I wonder if Sam found out anything? What a mess . . .

  Chapter 33

  THE RINGING PHONE was real, not a dream, Annabelle realized.

  “Hello.”

  “Annabelle?” said a familiar southern drawl.

  �
�I’m sorry, who is this?”

  “Did I wake you? My apologies. This is Phil.”

  “Phil? What time is it?” Annabelle rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, rolled her head on her neck and flexed her toes.

  “It’s seven-thirty. I thought for sure you’d be back from walking and wide awake.”

  “Usually I am, but we were up late last night. It’s so quiet, I imagine the kids are still sleeping, too. What can I do for you?” She ran a hand over her sleep-mussed hair.

  “I’m hoping I can take you to dinner tonight. Maybe a movie? Casablanca is playing at the Orpheum. I thought you might want to go since it is Saturday night.”

  “We did have a nice dinner last weekend . . .”

  “I was hoping you’d be interested.”

  “Could I get back with you in a little bit? I’m really not awake. I’m not sure what we’re doing today.”

  “Surely. I doubt they’ll sell out. Just let me know. If I don’t answer the home phone, call my cell.”

  “All right. I’ll call you back.”

  “Sorry I woke you.”

  “It’s fine, really.” She hung up the phone and leaned back against the pillows.

  Two weekends in a row. What had gotten into him? Should I impose on Tillie and Joe again? With Peggy’s misbehavior, should I leave the kids alone together? Was there anything on the calendar? Get up and find out.

  Poor Turbo, he was probably full to bursting by now. She took care of her own business then went down the hall, stopping at Tad’s door. She opened it a crack, snores poured out. Turbo’s big black nose quickly filled the space. She pushed the door open far enough for him to escape. Annabelle followed him down the stairs to let him out back before she fixed a half pot of coffee. The calendar tacked to the refrigerator had most days filled with some school event, but this evening looked open. She smiled, picking up the phone to call Tillie.

  “Good morning. Why didn’t you wake me up to go for a walk?”

  “I knocked on the front door, but there didn’t appear to be anyone up, not even the dog. I went on by myself this morning. I hope you don’t mind. Were you up?”

  Annabelle took a quick sip of wake up juice.

  “No, we all slept in. Phil called and woke me up or I’d still be snoring like Tad.”