by Bria Marche
The child sat tightly against to his mom, then looked up shyly. “Hi.”
Candy smiled proudly at her son’s speaking ability. “Joshie, give your dad his Christmas gift.”
Young Josh stood up and walked the three feet to the couch. He handed Josh an envelope, then sat back down next to his mother. Josh stared at Candy, afraid to tear it open. He might be opening a Pandora’s Box. There may be no turning back from whatever was inside that envelope.
“Go ahead, it’s good news.” Candy smiled, and patted little Josh’s head.
Apprehensively, Josh tore the seal and pulled out the tri-folded legal document. He opened it slowly and read what he had been dreading. It was a copy of Josh’s birth certificate. He was born on August 16, 2005. Josh ran the numbers again in his head.
Candy could see the wheels turning. “No calculations needed, Josh. He’s your son. I was three months pregnant when we got divorced.”
“Why didn’t you ever tell me? It’s been nine years, Candy.”
“Yeah, I know. I started dating someone right after our divorce. We got married before Joshie was born, but he never adopted him. He walked out on us a few years later, then I got married again. The third husband just left recently. That’s when it occurred to me that you should meet your son. School is closed for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and I only work part-time anyway. I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce you to Josh Jr. You know, being the holidays and all. Do you have any coffee or soda?”
“Yeah… sure. Why don’t we sit in the kitchen while I make some coffee? Are you still living in Omaha?” Please say yes.
“Yes, I am, but I could easily move to this area. Anyway, I think we need to do a shared custody and support agreement. That’s partially why I’m here. Joshie needs to get to know you this week, and we have to get legal documents drawn up so we can both sign them. You do have a personal attorney, don’t you?”
Josh rummaged through the cabinets while she talked. He found a box of Girl Scout cookies from last year, still unopened, in the cabinet. Good enough. He placed a handful on a plate and set them on the table for the boy. He poured two cups of coffee and sat down.
“Milk?”
“What?”
“Don’t you have any milk to go with the cookies?” She smiled pathetically at Josh. You have a lot to learn about kids, mister.
“Oh… right.” Josh poured a glass of milk and set it in front of his son.
“Say thanks, Joshie.”
“Thanks.”
“So the attorney?”
“Yes, I have an attorney.”
“Good, then Monday we can have the papers drawn up. Between now and then, we’ll have to agree on something reasonable. Why do you keep looking at the clock? Is there somewhere you need to be?”
“Yeah, my parent’s place for Christmas lunch. Then I need to…”
“That’s perfect, let’s go. Joshie, you can meet your grandpa and grandma too. What a wonderful Christmas this is turning out to be.”
Chapter Twenty Four
Everyone planned to be at Sasha’s house by three o’clock. There would be drinks and merriment, followed by a turkey dinner, complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, vegetables and pecan pie.
One after another, the cars pulled into Sasha’s driveway. She looked out the formal living room window and giggled. This is exactly as it should be. My driveway full of cars. I love it. Sasha was giddy as she welcomed everyone inside out of the cold. Shoes were placed side by side on the boot tray as Sasha gathered coats and hung them in the huge double closet in the foyer. Scents of cinnamon and spice wafted through the air. The Christmas tree was aglow with strings of lights, and candles flickered on every side table. Arm loads of gifts were set under the tree, and containers of food lay on the kitchen counter. Air kisses lingered, floating around like happy little fairies.
“How about some hot apple cider everyone? I squished the apples and made it myself,” Sasha announced proudly, her hands resting on her shapely hips. She headed off to the kitchen, not waiting for answers. Mia and Tina joined in to help.
“So where’s Josh? I thought you left Karen’s early because of him.”
“No, not at all. I came home early to get my Christmas groove on,” she said. “You know, I had to make the cider, light the candles, and plug in the cinnamon and pine scented potpourri thingies. I talked to Josh earlier. He was about to leave for his parents’ house. He’ll be here around four.”
“Oh yeah. I forgot his parents were still in the area. Years ago, Josh and Jake were going to sell the house for them because they were moving to warmer climates. I guess they changed their minds and stayed after all because of the boys.”
“Do they live right in Tarrytown?” Sasha asked, as she poured the warm cider into a carafe. She placed a cinnamon stick in each of the eight mugs and set everything, including napkins on a tray.
“Yep, on the far south side of town in a cute little Cape Cod. I’m guessing that’s where they still live. It’s where the twins grew up anyway.”
“Shall we?” Tina asked, as she carried the tray into the living room.
Sasha’s cider was a huge success. Enough remained for seconds. Martha Destiny was brilliantly shining through.
“Shouldn’t we save some for Josh? He needs to taste your skills,” Vic said, smirking.
“Vic!” Sasha’s face went bright red. The room filled with laughs and snorts. Sasha looked at the grandfather clock as it chimed on the quarter hour. “It’s four-fifteen. I’m surprised he’s late. He knows you’re all here.”
“Call his ass,” Vic said, “there’s gifts that need opening and we have dinner to start soon.”
“Oh, okay… I guess. I really didn’t want to bug him during his visit with his family.” Sasha reluctantly called Josh’s phone. No answer. After five rings she hung up. “He’s probably saying good bye and doesn’t want to be interrupted. I’m sure he’ll be here in a few minutes.”
***
Josh was in the middle of his own nightmare. He still hadn’t wrapped his head around the thought of having a son, especially one that was half grown. Of all days to show up, in nearly ten years. It was Christmas, and he had important plans that were now totally going to shit. He hadn’t even been able to escape to call Sasha. Candy blanketed him like a bad rash. He couldn’t get away. The whole situation was awkward for everyone at Josh’s parents’ house, except Candy. She seemed to take it all in stride, as if she were a frequent visitor in their home. She had only met Josh’s family once, on their wedding day years ago. Today, she wiggled into everyone’s lives as if they were best friends. The conversations were led by Candy, as she repeated most everything she told Josh earlier. The grandparents suddenly had a grandchild. Jake had a nephew, and Josh? He was an instant father to a nine year old boy he never knew existed.
Lunch went fine, but the gift giving afterward was more than awkward. With the entire family blindsided, no gifts lay under the tree for Josh Jr.
Josh still tried to find a way to call Sasha, but he had no idea what to say once he reached her. Hi Sasha, yeah… my ex-wife and son showed up today. They’re staying with me for a week, but I’ll check in with you from time to time. “Yeah… that wouldn’t go over well.”
“Did you say something, Josh? It sounded like you were mumbling.” Candy, sitting next to Josh on the couch, casually put her hand on his leg and patted it.
Josh, petrified by now, simply answered no.
“Hey, bro, there’s something I have to show you in the garage.”
Thank you, sweet baby Jesus, for my brother, Josh thought, as he jumped off the couch. “We’ll be right back,” he said, heading for the garage service door without giving Candy a chance to respond.
“What the hell, Josh?” The second they were safely in the garage out of ear shot of Candy, Jake began drilling his brother.
“I have no friggin idea, I swear. She rang my doorbell this morning, and
you heard the rest. What the hell am I going to do about Sasha? Candy might move here for God’s sake. This is a disaster. I’ve got to call Sasha. I’m already a half hour late.” Josh reached in his pants pocket and let out a moan. “Shit! I left my phone on the coffee table.”
Sasha decided to call one final time. Everyone started complaining about Josh. Dinner was ready to serve, and they waited long enough.
The ringing phone in the living room alerted Candy. She wiped her hands on the dish towel she was using in the kitchen. Candy thought it was a good idea to get better acquainted with her ex-mother-in-law by chatting with her as she dried the pots and pans.
“Hello, Josh’s phone, Candy speaking,” she sang out, giggling. “Merry Christmas to whoever you are.”
Sasha instantly hung up when she heard this strange woman giggling into the phone. Candy looked around, then accidentally on purpose, slipped Josh’s phone between the couch cushions and went back to the kitchen.
“Well?” Vic grumbled.
As they waited for an answer, everyone pounded their fists on the dining room table, laughing and begging to be fed. “We want food. We want food.”
Tears rolled down Sasha’s cheeks before anyone noticed. She turned and ran up the staircase.
“What the heck? I need to find out what’s going on,” Mia said.
“Wait, we’re going with you. Guys, go ahead and eat. We might be a while.” Tina, Vic and Karen joined Mia, following Sasha upstairs.
Sasha lay sideways across the twin bed, her head hanging over the edge. Maybe the blood will rush to my head and I’ll pass out. Then I won’t have to wonder who the hell was on Josh’s phone.
The door flew open, banging against the wall as it hit. “Sorry, I forgot you haven’t put the doorstops on yet. What’s going on, honey?” Mia asked.
The girls found small spots on the bed to sit, and surrounded Sasha as she lay crying.
“Get your head up for crap’s sake, so we can talk to you properly,” Vic said.
Sasha sat up and crossed her legs Indian style. Her eyes were puffy and bloodshot from crying. Vic went into the bathroom, ran cold water over a washcloth and squeezed it out.
“Put this over your eyes. Tina, go downstairs and get a bottle of Merlot and some plastic cups. Make sure the guys aren’t waiting for us to eat. Tell them it’s okay to go ahead.”
“Got it.”
Tina returned, huffing and puffing. “We should all pitch in and buy one of those staircase chair lifts.” Trying to make Sasha laugh didn’t seem to be working, yet. Tina poured the wine. “Okay, tell us what’s wrong.”
Sasha coughed as she took a drink. “I need Kismet in my lap before I can talk.”
“Mia, can you please find the friggin dog?” With eye rolls, Vic almost started laughing.
Mia gave her the “zip it” hand gesture as she left to find the pup.
Five minutes later, with Kismet snuggled in her lap, Sasha told the girls what happened. “When Josh’s phone rang, some skank named Candy answered it. Is that one of those girls from the bars that’s always chasing him like a dog in heat? Who the hell is Candy anyway, and why is she answering Josh’s phone? She started giggling, so I hung up on her.”
“Candy? I don’t know anyone named Candy in Tarrytown. What the hell?” Mia said, now becoming angry. “Vic, Tina, is there anyone with that name getting their hair or nails done lately?”
“Nope, nada.”
“What am I supposed to do now? He’s obviously too busy to come here for Christmas dinner.” Sasha broke down again. “I hate men. They can all go to hell.”
“Honey, you don’t mean that,” Karen said, trying to soothe her.
The exorcist voice coming out of Sasha’s mouth, scared them all. “Yes I do, damn it. I hate men and don’t tell me I don’t.” Kismet jumped off her lap, whimpered, and hid under the bed.
“Okay… sorry. Here, have some wine. I promise I won’t say another word.”
Vic whispered to the others, “What are we supposed to do about dinner and gift giving now?”
“Let me see if I can talk some sense into her.” Mia patted Sasha on the head and snuggled against her cheek. “Honey, do you want to go downstairs? I’ll make you a plate. I bought you a Christmas gift, and I’m really excited to find out if you like it.”
Sasha pouted, her bottom lip fully extended, with the washcloth still covering her swollen eyes. “Okay… can someone carry Kismet?”
“Of course, I’ll get her,” Karen said, as she crawled under the bed and pulled Kismet out.
Vic plucked the dust bunnies out of Karen’s hair. “Remind me when this drama is over, to talk to Martha Destiny about sweeping under her bed,” she whispered in Karen’s ear.
***
Josh frantically searched the last half hour for his phone. He knew the battery was dangerously low, and he intended to charge it well before going to Sasha’s house for dinner. He hadn’t planned on being at his parents’ place this long.
“Has anyone seen my phone for God’s sake? I’m sure it was on the coffee table when I went out to the garage.”
“Wasn’t there a phone ringing in the living room earlier?” his mother asked.
“That was mine in my purse. My parents called to wish me a Merry Christmas,” Candy said.
“Oh, how nice. Who’s ready for dessert and coffee? We have pumpkin pie and cherry pie with ice cream. Josh, would you like some pie and milk?”
“Sure, Mom, but coffee sounds better.” Josh was agitated as he looked in his jacket pocket for his phone.
“Honey, I meant little Josh. Let’s all have pie and something to drink, shall we?”
“So where will you and little Josh be staying next week?” Jake asked, as he kicked his brother’s leg under the table.
“I assume at Josh’s house. How else is he going to get to know his son? There’s plenty of room. I’d like Josh Jr. to feel at home there since he’ll be spending a lot of time with his dad.”
Josh coughed when she said that, spitting coffee across the table.
Josh Jr. burst out laughing. “That was cool, Dad.”
Everyone chuckled except Josh. He was mad as hell. “You can stay for the weekend, Candy. We’ll figure out the details and visit my attorney on Monday. I’ll make sure he has the papers ready to sign. He’ll record and file them at the courthouse. There’s no need to stay the entire week. I have to work anyway.”
“Well, we can visit here with grandpa and grandma while you’re at work. There’s still plenty for us to do next week, Josh.”
“Like what?”
“Like figure out the child support agreement, silly.”
Chapter Twenty Five
They cozied up on the couch, four girls snuggling around Sasha. She wore a plaid, wool blanket across her lap with the dog burrowed deep in the center. A box of Kleenex and a new bottle of wine was at the ready.
Aaron pulled Mia aside for a minute. “Is she going to make it?” he joked. “Should we just leave and let you ladies handle this? We can hang out at Vic’s place. To be honest honey, this is kind of over the top for us. We’d much rather be watching football and drinking beer.”
Mia laughed. “The old Sasha is peeking through a little, I agree. If you guys want to leave, we’d understand. Shit, I wouldn’t mind going with you,” she said, giggling. “Go ahead, honey. We’ll be fine. I’ll call you later.”
The guys said good bye and thanked Sasha for dinner. They each gave her a reassuring hug, saying they were certain she’d be okay. There had to be a logical explanation. Everything would be fine tomorrow.
“Of course they’re going to say there’s a logical explanation. They’re friggin men, always covering each other’s asses,” Sasha bellowed after they left, slamming the door behind them.
“Okay… relax Sasha, let’s open gifts. Here, I had your name.” Mia picked up a box she placed under the tree when they arrived. She handed it to Sasha.
“I want to open mine last.”
Sasha set the box on the floor next to the couch.
“Okay then, here, Vic, I had your name,” Tina said. She reached under the tree and pulled out a box, giving it to Vic. “Don’t shake it, or I’ll kill you,” she threatened.
Vic chuckled and eyed the box carefully. It was large and weighed about seven pounds. “Hmmm, what can this be?”
“Hurry, open it,” Sasha cried out, forgetting her own problems for a minute. She rubbed her hands together in anticipation. “Anyone want a chocolate covered cherry?” she asked, as she popped two of them in her mouth and passed the box around.
Tina, Karen and Mia stuffed their mouths with chocolates and watched Vic open the box.
“Are you kidding me, Tina? Oh my God. Get over here so I can kiss your face. Nice fake out saying I couldn’t shake it.”
Vic pulled a black, fringed and studded leather biker jacket out of the box. The girls oohed and aahed at how shabby, cool it was. The jacket having that distressed look, was edgy and hardass, just like Vic. It was perfect. Vic quickly put it on and strutted around the room with her hands on her hips. “Who’s your mama?”
They all yelled out, “You are!”
Vic’s gift to Mia were two 1000 thread count, Egyptian cotton, queen sheet sets for Aaron’s bed and a gift certificate for a spa day at Lenore’s Spa Sensations.
“Sorry, hon. I know the sheets are kind of for Aaron too, but when you told me he has 150 thread count sheets, I just cringed. The spa day? That’s all you, Chica. No sharing with the manflesh.”
“I love everything, thanks, hon. Okay, Sasha, you’re the last one. Go ahead.”
Sasha held the box on her lap and smiled like a child. “The wrapping is pretty, Mia. Can I shake it?”
“No way, Jose.”
“Fine… then I guess I’ll just open it.”
Inside, she found a framed picture of the exterior of the Victorian before it was painted, and one after. Along with those two pictures, was a beautiful oil painting of the Victorian as if it were a few years in the future. It was Mia’s version of how the Victorian might look soon. In front of the house was a lovely sign that read ‘Martha’s Vineyard.’ A lush vineyard filled the painting on the west side of the house, with trellises and arbors everywhere. At the bottom of the box rested an envelope.