Family Blessings (Cisco Family)

by Fern Michaels

  Simi, another Sum daughter, set down a pot of tea and two cups. Duck sauce, hot mustard, and a bowl of hard noodles followed. She smiled, bowed, then backed away. A minute later, Aiko escorted his father to the booth.

  “Enjoy your dinners.”

  “It’s cold out there,” Jonathan said, shrugging out of his jacket. “The clock over the bank said it’s twenty-seven degrees. At least it’s not snowing.” He rubbed his cold hands together to make his point. “So, son, how’s it going? Any problems today?”

  “Nope. If two massive orders hadn’t come in around noon, I would have finished your work and my own. Sara has been courting two potential accounts in Washington, DC. Today they came through. Big-time. Both are specialty stores, and they want product the day after Thanksgiving. Get this, Dad. One store wants a thousand gift baskets filled with the piña colada caramels. Appropriately wrapped. I turned it right over to Sara, who then turned it over to Hanny because she has the decorating and packaging end down pat. The other account, another specialty store in Crystal City outside of DC, wants basically the same thing; but they want red ribbons on the baskets, whereas the other wants gold trimmings. I guaranteed delivery even if I have to drive to DC myself. A lot of last-minute orders came in, but none as large as those two. It’s not a problem, Dad. How’s it going with all the building?”

  “Just fine.”

  “You look tired, Dad.”

  “I am tired, son, but it’s a good tired. I sleep like the proverbial log. You don’t look tired, Sam, you look…miserable.”

  “I guess that’s because I am miserable. I’m going to work this all out. I’m getting the shrimp lo mein, how about you?”

  “The same for me. This tea is just right.” Jonathan leaned back in the booth and brought his finger to his lips at the same time. He jerked his thumb to the other side of the mahogany railing lined with green plants. He mouthed the words, “Zack and Joel.”

  Sam’s eyebrows shot upward. “I think we need to listen to this,” Jonathan hissed. “Slide closer to the railing. I’ll explain later, Sam.”

  Sam waited to do his father’s bidding until Simi returned to take their order. Then he slid to the end of the booth and tilted his head. His father did the same thing. They listened unashamedly.

  On the other side of the screen, the two doctors raised their beer glasses to one another. “Good day or bad day?” Joel asked. He reached for a handful of hard noodles and crunched down.

  “Same old, same old. Actually, it was a boring day. How was your day?”

  “Hectic. When you’re dealing with kids it’s always a hectic day. I lanced two boils, set a broken thumb, sewed up a dog bite, doctored twenty-seven colds and sinus infections. Had four ear infections. Three bad tonsil cases. The list is endless. Any word from Hannah today?”

  “She didn’t come home last night. I told you that on the phone this morning. So, to answer your question, no, there was no call today. I guess I did a good job of ticking her off last night.”

  “This is all wrong, Zack. C’mon, let’s get back on track here. We have to tell our wives. Like real soon. Are we still on for dinner tomorrow with Marylee and Corinne?”

  “I haven’t heard anything to the contrary, so we’re still on. I made the reservation for eight tomorrow at the Barb Wire. Personally speaking, I can’t wait. Let’s talk about something else. I’m having the hot-and-sour soup and spareribs.”

  Joel snapped open his menu even though he knew what he was going to order. He didn’t know why, but he wanted the last word. “Okay, if things go as planned tomorrow night, then we tell our wives. Agreed?” Zack mumbled a response Jonathan and Sam couldn’t hear. “It’s not going to be pretty, Zack. We waited too long. In fact, I think it’s safe to say it’s going to get downright ugly.”

  On the other side of the railing and greenery, Sam Cisco’s eyes popped wide, but no wider than his father’s. He moved and was half out of the booth when his father reached for his arm, forcing him back into his seat. “Not now, Sam. We need to think about this,” Jonathan whispered.

  Chapter Eight

  IT WAS NINE-THIRTY WHEN JOEL PARKED HIS CAR IN the driveway. He sat for a moment, his shoulders slumped, his body bone weary. He took a moment to stare at the frosty star-filled night through the windshield of his car. He forced himself to get out of the car. His stomach in knots, he shuffled forward.

  As he entered the house through the kitchen door, Joel realized that there were no tantalizing aromas, no cozy place settings at the table. Of late, those memories were just that, memories. Sara making a statement, and he couldn’t blame her. He could hear faint voices; the television was on in the family room. Sara would be curled up in the corner of the big brown sofa they’d picked out together. There would be a fire, and Sara would be sipping a glass of wine. Her leftover dinner, probably soup and a sandwich, or the remains of it, would be on a TV tray. Sara might even be asleep with an afghan made by Hannah covering her.

  He hung up his coat, dropped his medical bag on the counter, and walked into the family room. It was a wonderful room, designed for a large family. He loved the fieldstone fireplace and the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. It was cozy and warm, like Sara herself. His wife was right where he knew she would be. The fire was blazing, the red-and-white afghan wrapped around her. Her dinner—soup and a sandwich—were on a tray at the end of the couch, untouched; her wineglass was still full.

  “Hi, Sara.” Now that was brilliant.

  Sara looked up, smiled, and waved. “Darn it! I must have missed the announcement that the world was coming to an end. You’re home before midnight.”

  It wasn’t said sarcastically, it was said with sadness. A lump formed in Joel’s throat as he approached the sofa. He dropped to his haunches in front of Sara and reached for her hands. “Look at me, Sara. I want to tell you something, and I also want to ask you something. Keep looking at me, honey. Don’t look away. I want you to know I love you with all my heart. I want you to know my life wasn’t complete until I met you. I know I’ve been all doctor lately and very little husband. I’m going to change that. I don’t know how, but I am. Now, for my question. Keep looking at me, Sara. Do you love me as much as I love you?”

  Tears glistened in Sara’s eyes. “Yes, Joel, I do love you. More than I can ever tell you. Maybe I haven’t been a good wife either. I truly, truly understand about your patients. Children…the children need you, but I need you, too. I know that sounds selfish, but I need you. We have to figure something out because I don’t want to live alone, and I am living alone, Joel.”

  “I know. Can I sit there next to you?”

  Sara reached for his tie and yanked him forward. He kissed her then with such passion, Sara turned weak. “Wow!”

  Joel took a deep breath. “Yeah, wow. The wow has to come later, Sara. I need to talk to you about something important. I want you to hear me out and not say anything until I finish. Then we’re going to talk, and after that we’re going to go for the WOW part, okay?”

  Sara scrunched into him and pulled Joel’s face close to her own. “Something’s wrong. What? What is it, Joel? Tell me. Is this where you tell me you’re having an affair and you’re leaving me? Who is she, Joel?”

  Joel’s eyes literally bugged out of his head. His whole body grew hot with shame and guilt. “What? What are you talking about? Why would you think I’m having an affair? Where did you get such an idea?”

  Sara drew back, her eyes cold and hard. “I asked you a question. I expect an answer. Instead, you’re asking me more questions. If you think for one minute I’m falling for that WOW thing, you’re all wrong. Good night, Dr. Wineberg. You can sleep in the guest room tonight and every other night from here on.”

  Joel watched as his wife stomped out of the room, her back stiff as a board, her head high. He should run after her, explain about the boat, but he’d promised Zack he’d wait. It was such a stupid promise, but he’d made it, and he would live with it for one more day.

 
One more day!

  An affair! Where did Sara get such an idea? How could she even think such a thing? He’d just declared his love for her, and she’d declared hers in return. And now this. “I’m going to strangle you, Zack!” he muttered as he stretched out on the sofa. He didn’t have the energy to climb the steps to the guest room. He didn’t have the energy for anything.

  Sam sat in his truck in the parking lot of Biffy’s Breakfast Bar chomping on a bacon-and-egg sandwich, his mind whirling and twirling. He hadn’t even bothered to go to sleep when he returned to the house after dinner with his father. All he could think about was his wife, her pregnancy, and the possibility that he would have to go to the other side of the world to see his child when it was born. When he couldn’t stand thinking about his wife and unborn child anymore, he thought about Zack Kelly and his sister Hanny, and Joel and Sara. He shivered inside his down jacket even though the truck heater was running full blast. For the moment there was little he could do about Sonia, but he could do something about Zack if he wanted to. If he wanted to. Just the thought of punching the doctor out was so pleasing, he grew dizzy. If there was one thing in this world he hated, it was a cheating spouse.

  He finished his sandwich, gulped at the scalding coffee, barely noticing how hot it was. He was damn sick and tired of secrets, promises, and tiptoeing through the tulips where everyone was concerned.

  Sam slumped farther back into the seat, his head resting on the leather headrest. He closed his eyes. If he couldn’t salvage his own life, maybe he could help Hanny and Sara. He clenched his teeth in frustration at all the things he’d overheard Joel and Zack discuss. Then he thought about his father’s warning not to stick his nose where it didn’t belong. Good advice. Well, someone had to do something.

  Sam bolted upright, slammed the Rover into reverse, and barreled out of the parking lot. It was still dark, and there was little traffic on the secondary roads, but it would be light soon, and rush-hour traffic, such as it was, would start up.

  He was relieved to see Zack’s car in the driveway and lights on in the house. Zack hadn’t left yet. Time to stick his nose into his brother-in-law’s business. If his nose got smacked, so be it.

  Zack was in the kitchen eating a banana and drinking coffee. He was dressed for the day in a blue suit, pristine white shirt, and red-striped tie. Zack had two modes of dress, fashion plate or beach bum.

  Sam rapped sharply on the door. His brother-in-law looked up, his face registering surprise. He got up to open the door, his eyes full of questions he was afraid to ask. A family problem? Hannah? Sam never visited at this hour of the morning.

  Sam walked over to the coffeepot, poured himself a cup of coffee he didn’t want, turned around, and said, “I came here to talk, so sit down, Zack. If you don’t sit down, or if you give me any crap, I’m going to punch your lights out. Now, sit!” He glared at Zack to make his point.

  Zack sat. “What the hell’s wrong with you, Sam?”

  “You’re what’s wrong with me. Hannah is what’s wrong with me. Sara’s what’s wrong with me. Joel’s what’s wrong with me. My father’s what’s wrong with me. Sonia, who by the way left me because she’s pregnant, and didn’t bother to tell me, is what’s wrong with me, and Cisco is what’s wrong with me.

  “For starters, I’m damn sick and tired of secrets and promises. Did anyone ever tell you Cisco used to dress the three of us alike? We were like three little monkeys performing on the stage of life? Our mother always dressed us differently. She treated us as individuals. Dad went with the flow. He never wanted to go into the candy business, but he had three kids to support. He always wanted to work with his hands, to build furniture and maybe someday houses. Pretty damn sad, huh? Don’t interrupt, I have a lot more to say.

  “Did you ever notice that Sara, Hannah, and I have no friends? We don’t. We three were an island unto ourselves. That’s pretty damn sad, too. But, that’s going to change. Do you have any cigarettes?”

  Zack looked dazed. “Cigarettes? I didn’t know you smoked. No, I don’t have any cigarettes. I have some cigars, though. Sam, what’s this all about?”

  “I don’t smoke. But I’ll take a cigar.”

  Confused and bewildered, Zack opened the cabinet and took two cigars out of a box.

  “We probably should have some brandy in this coffee if we’re going to smoke these cigars. You got any?” Sam snarled. “You aren’t very hospitable, Zack.”

  Still confused and bewildered, Zack got up again and brought out a brandy bottle. He poured liberally into both cups. He sat back down and waited.

  The kitchen slowly filled with cigar smoke. Both men ignored it.

  Sam paced the kitchen as Zack eyed him warily.

  Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Do you love my sister?” Zack’s head bobbed up and down.

  Sam moved then like a stalking panther as he grabbed Zack’s tie and literally lifted him out of his chair before letting him down. He was in his brother-in-law’s face a second later. “Oh, yeah, then how come you haven’t told her about Marylee and Corinne? My father and I heard you and Joel last night at Sum Sun’s. We were sitting on the other side of the railing.”

  Zack licked his lips. “That’s another dumb-ass question, Sam.” He reached for the bottle and took a hearty gulp. Sam did the same thing.

  “Answer me, or I’ll beat the hell out of you,” Sam threatened.

  Zack looked up at his brother-in-law, trying to decide if Sam meant what he said or not. He yanked at his tie and pulled it over his head. He pitched it over his shoulder. “Because.”

  Sam blew a puff of cigar smoke in Zack’s direction. “My sister loves you. I’m not going to let you break her heart just because you’re stupid.”

  Zack reared up in his chair. “I’m a doctor. That means I’m smart. Don’t call me dumb again. You don’t look real smart to me right now either. You just admitted you didn’t know your wife is pregnant. How smart is that? It’s not what you think, and, besides, it’s none of your damn business. You don’t see me sticking my nose into your life, do you? That’s because I respect you. Now, take your smelly cigar and brandy and get the hell out of my house. NOW!”

  “I’ll go when I’m damn good and ready to go and not one minute sooner,” Sam snarled.

  Zack’s jacket sailed over his shoulder and landed on top of the red-striped tie. He knew he wasn’t going to the office today. He eyed the brandy bottle at Sam’s lips. Sam wasn’t going to the factory either. He grinned at his assessment. That had to mean he was smart. Sam was full of hot air.

  “Are you going to tell Hannah what you heard, Sam?”

  “No. That’s your place, but if you don’t tell her, I will. Make some more coffee, Zack.”

  “Why should I?” Zack asked, his voice laced with belligerence. He wondered if he was drunk.

  “Because I’m the guy’s who’s going to knock your block off if you don’t. Tell Hannah you made a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes. I’m warning you, if you don’t tell her, I will. Enough is enough now. You’re both a pair of jerks in my opinion.”

  “You know, Sam, I don’t appreciate you sticking your nose into my business. I didn’t ask for your help. I can handle this by myself. My point being you don’t have a clue as to what Joel and I were really discussing. I’d like you to leave now before we say things to each other we’ll both regret. I’ll take care of my wife in my own way without any help from you.”

  Sam sat down and watched the coffee drip into the pot. It was like he hadn’t heard a word Zack said. “Do you have any idea how much I envy your relationship with Joel? You are one lucky son of a gun to have a friend who cares about you as much as Joel cares about you.

  “Sara, Hannah, and I never had real, true friends. All of our lives are messed up right now. I can’t quite put my finger on what brought it all to a head at this point in time. It was going downhill even before the tornado wiped out Cisco’s house. There was one wild, crazy instant when I was glad it happened. That probably d
oesn’t make sense to you. Hell, it doesn’t make sense to me. The best I can come up with is I saw it as a new beginning, a way to leave the ghosts of the past behind. Then again, maybe it was Hannah and you that brought everything to a head. Or it could be Sonia walking out on me. It’s my goal in life to make us as whole as we can be. In order to do that, we all have to pull together. I’m sick and tired of being isolated with only my sisters for friends. I want to find my wife and mend my own bridges. I might need your help, Joel’s, too. I want to know if I can count on you. I guess what I’m trying to say is, we all need each other. I came here to offer my help if you need it.”

  Zack tilted his chair backward, his gaze steady and unblinking. “Let’s deal with you first. You want to talk about this, Sam? I’m a good listener. No promises. Like you, I’m sick of secrets and promises.” He stood up and walked toward his brother-in-law.

  Sam stared at Zack for several minutes. All he could see was hope and compassion, even relief, in Zack’s expression. Satisfied with what he was seeing, Sam’s hand shot out. Zack grasped it as he hooked his foot under the rung of the wooden chair to bring it closer. He sat down, his eyes steady and alert. Sam did the same thing.

  “Okay, let’s talk.”

  “I want to talk about my mom, then I want to talk about you,” Sam said.

  “I’m listening, Sam.”

  It was noon when Zack walked to the door with Sam. They did the guy thing, clapping each other on the back, then shaking hands. When the door closed behind Sam, Zack walked back toward the kitchen. For a moment he felt like he could conquer the world. The last time he’d felt this good was the day he’d made the decision to buy the boat, his lifelong dream. He couldn’t help but wonder if the good feeling had anything to do with the brandy he and Sam had consumed. “Nah,” he mumbled as he set about cleaning up the kitchen.

  The phone rang as he stacked the cups in the dishwasher. He didn’t feel like answering it, but he was a doctor. He listened to his nurse Alice as she inquired about his well-being.