“You think?” Aggie’s face was the picture of confusion.
Two blue eyes blinked back at Aggie from across the table. “Well, did I? I don’t know what you know.”
~*~*~*~
War with a deck of cards as the weapon was underway. No, they weren’t playing the game of War, but there was no doubt in the minds of the other principal players; this was war and Aggie was losing badly. The game: hearts. The players: Luke, Aggie, Ron, and Vannie. While the skirmishes took place at the dining room table, the aunts, Martha, and the other children holed up in the family room and watched a marathon of I Love Lucy episodes.
Ron and Vannie may have played cards, dealt cards, and shuffled cards, but they weren’t really playing the game; they were filler. Luke was effectively stomping Aggie without mercy. Hand after hand, they watched Luke pass just the right cards to befuddle Aggie—a hilarious sight. It only took two botched runs by Aggie and two shot moons by Luke to ensure that he won and quickly. New score: four to four. Let the tiebreaker commence.
A wicked gleam, or as close to one as she could summon, glinted in Aggie’s eye. She pushed back the chair, hurried into the family room where an episode was just finishing, and called for the others to follow. Ron entered the room, shaking his head. “Name that tune?”
“Hey, it’s tradition!”
“Tevya, Fiddler on the Roof!” Luke cried. “Oh, we haven’t started yet? Ok. Just didn’t want to risk losing necessary points.”
After years of practice, Ron had a peculiar talent of being able to start and stop an album without scratching it. He perched himself next to the console, blocking the row of albums from view, and readied the first song. Aggie dragged the dining room chairs into the family room with Luke’s help and sat them in a long row in front of the couch. Martha, of course, settled into her recliner to enjoy the “show.”
“Ok… everyone ready? When you know the tune, stand up. Martha, call out the name when you see the first one stand.”
Ron tried to start with easy ones, and the older players held back from songs like “Over the Rainbow” or “What a Wonderful World,” but the young children, despite their unique and sometimes hilarious answers, fell out of the competition with their first question. Within minutes, the game was down to Athena, Luke, Aggie, and to everyone’s astonishment, Tavish.
Athena finally went down, leaving the other three in a race to the finish. Luke and Aggie were visibly nervous as they each tried to come out the victor. At last, when the children grew restless, they decided that whoever got four in a row or was still standing first, would win. It wasn’t a contest. Tavish was not only faster than Aggie or Luke, his answers were impeccable and he often nailed the artist.
“How did you do that?”
Her nephew grinned at her. “Radio. I found an old one in the attic and it works great in my cubby. I listen to the Golden Oldies station all day sometimes.”
~*~*~*~
Once he helped Aggie tuck the children into their sleeping bags, air mattresses, or couches, Luke said his goodbyes, thanked the Millikens for having him, and strolled hand in hand with Aggie into the night. “You will take the tape to your mother, first thing? I don’t want her to have to wait.”
“I’m going straight to Mom’s, going to sleep for a bit, and then I’m headed over to Chad’s for our Black Friday Fest.”
“Good.” Aggie felt strangely awkward, walking under streetlights, in view of all the neighbors. Most of them had watched her grow up, and now she was out, after dark, with a man, holding hands… It seemed almost risqué for her.
“Mibs? Do you have any idea how happy I am?”
“Took you long enough to ask,” she teased.
“I didn’t have a clue that you cared until last week, then with the house… I mean, I wondered at times, but…”
“Well, you know it now, Lucas, don’t you?” Despite the frosty temperatures, Aggie hardly noticed how chilled her nose was becoming.
“What do I know?”
“You—” she reached to swat his arm, but stopped herself. Standing under the streetlight, with their breath making foggy puffs in the air, Aggie smiled. “I love you.” She winked. “Happy now?”
“It’ll do… ‘til the next time I want to hear it.”
Milliken says: Tina? You around?
Milliken says: Oh, Tiiiiiinaaaaaaaa…
Milliken says: Stop flirting with the cops and get on here.
Tina says: Not all… just one…
Milliken says: Well, then. That makes all the difference.
Tina says: So, how did the day go? Was it pretty emotional?
Milliken says: You might say that…
Tina says: I’m sorry. I should have come.
Milliken says: Got that right. You missed my very public proposal!
Tina says: What? You said Luke wasn’t going!!!
Aggie says: There. I don’t do well when my name isn’t my name on this thing.
Aggie says: Well, he was here!
Tina says: Ok, tell me more!
Aggie says: Well, I showed up and he was in the back yard. You know, right where the family room window shows EVERYONE the whole thing?
Tina says: Back yard? Really?
Aggie says: Yep. I came through the back, because Dad was supposedly working out back on something and I needed to see it, and there he was!
Tina says: Did he get down on one knee and declare his undying love for you. Snort.
Aggie says: Sure did!
Tina says: You’re kidding, right? Luke?? LUKE????
Aggie says: Yep, in front of all my kids, both my aunts, and both my parents ogling and salivating at the window.
Tina says: Wait, were your aunts really there? Both of them?
Aggie says: Yep. I bet you know what came next.
Tina says: You’re pretty yeppy tonight.
Aggie says: Better yeppy than yappy. Yappy dogs are annoying.
Tina says: You’re not a dog.
Tina says: I guess he figured out your name pretty quickly.
Aggie says: Yes (note the use of yes instead of yep???) Then it
was war.
Aggie says: It’s all on tape too! You should call Mrs. Sullivan. Luke is taking it straight to her house tonight.
Tina says: No, I’ll wait. I want to watch it with you.
Aggie says: Because you want to watch my face. Don’t bother typing it. I know you started.
Tina says: I want to watc
Tina says: You know me well.
Tina says: So, do you have a ring?
Aggie says: Oh, Tina. It’s just perfect. It’s ME somehow.
Tina says: Did he pick it out by himself or…
Aggie says: Libby picked it out for me way back at my birthday. Let me send you a picture. Hold on.
Tina says: I don’t suppose you set a date…
Tina says: What kind of wedding do you want?
Tina says: I get to wear a pretty dress, right???????
Aggie says: Sorry, couldn’t get a decent picture without going into the kitchen.
Aggie says: I’m not sure about the date. They tried to talk about it, but…
Tina says: Not the right day for that, was it?
Aggie says: It felt rushed and Thanksgiving is a family day, not Aggie day.
Tina says: Oh, that ring is perfect for you!
Aggie says: I know, right? I just can’t believe she did that!.
Tina says: Libby is pretty insightful...
Tina says: What about wedding? Still want the garden wedding with the tea cakes and string quartet under the archway?
Aggie says: You’re going to hate me.
Tina says: If you tell me you’re going to elope…
Aggie says: Ok, maybe just utterly despise. I want a little wedding at the house and then a reception somewhere—even after the honeymoon. If we get one.
Tina says: If you get one?
Aggie says: Well, I’m a mom now. I can’t just take off for a week
.
Tina says: Well, you’re going. We’ll find a way. I’ll be there and maybe Libby can come over or something.
Tina says: We can talk about it later, but you’re going. Hey, what about my dress.
Aggie says: You’re going to have to have an amazing dress. We have to utilize any chance to knock William’s starched socks off.
Tina says: Oh, ugh! Starched socks.
Aggie says: Well, we know he doesn’t.
Tina says: But it’s not unbelievable—that’s the problem!
Tina says: Enough about my love life, I want to know more. Do you know any wedding things other than small? Colors?
Aggie says: That’s hard to tell. Every color I come up with makes me think of eighties poof or too contemporary/chic for me. Assuming the color works with white, we’re good.
Tina says: White! A dress. Oh, you are going to have a wedding dress.
Aggie says: Mop up the tears.
Tina says: Yes ma’am. Now dress. ANY idea?
Aggie says: I don’t want sleeves that are wider than my thighs or enough gathers to hide Luke from the posse.
Tina says: Good. No mermaid dresses either, ok? I think you’d look ridiculous. Takes the right person to pull those off.
Aggie says: Well, since I’m not her, there’s no worries.
Tina says: How long of an engagement?
Aggie says: Since elopement was knocked off the table, then whenever we can have time to do it without rushing. December is too busy, January is recuperation from December (and kind of quick)
Aggie says: February is out. Not going there in Valentine’s Day month. Maybe March. I don’t want to wait too much longer than that.
Tina says: January is sort of quick, but December is just busy.
Aggie says: Doesn’t make much sense, does it?
Tina says: Go to bed. You’re tired.
Aggie says: You’re right. I am. Thank you, Tina.
Tina says: For what?
Aggie says: Just for being you.
Tina says: Love you. Congratulations. Good night. Sleep tight. Bite
the bedbugs.
Aggie says: Leave it to you to be revolting and endearing—all in
the same breath. Night. Love you too.
Aggie says: Wait! Wait!
Aggie says: Tiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaa
Aggie says: Come back! How is Miner’s paw? I promised Tavish I’d ask!
Aggie says: Come on, Tina. I know you’re researching something instead of sleeping.
Aggie says: I will call you—or worse, I’ll call William and have him call you!
Tina says: I was getting a drink! Sheesh! Paw seems better. He limps a little bit, but not too much. I’ve got both of them in the mudroom with it shut off.
Aggie says: Mudroom!
Tina says: I don’t want him to get cold enough that he needs to walk around, but isn’t willing to because of the foot.
Aggie says: You are such a pushover.
Tina says: And the dog is healing, so we’re good. He’ll go back out in the morning.
Aggie says: Ok… thanks.
Tina says: Now SLEEP.
Aggie says: As if I’ll be able to.
Tina says: And here note, world, today’s the day Aggie became a girl.
Aggie says: Ooooh… I’m telling Luke… he’s not gonna like that!
Tina says: Bring it on.
Aggie says: hee hee. Night.
Tina says: *poofs* Again
Chapter Three
Surprise
Monday, December 1St
Bang! The door slammed shut behind Aggie, but the children hardly noticed. “Ok, guys we have maybe five minutes until she’s back and even more obsessed with making up for lost time past and future.”
Laird rolled his eyes at Vannie. “Like that little speech wasn’t a waste. Let’s start planning. Got your sketchbook, Ellie?”
Two long dark braids bobbed as she flipped the pages to a blank sheet between two sketches of snow laden trees. “Got it.”
“Ok, first someone has to think of everyone who should come. I think we should ask Mrs. Sullivan to write down everyone she knows. Then maybe Aunt Tina would help us with the other list.”
Once more, Laird interrupted. “Why can’t we just ask her for everything and leave Aunt Aggie out of it?”
“Aunt Aggie would find out. You know she would. It’s better if she thinks she knows what is going on.”
“She’s right, Laird, and you know it.”
“Yeah, I know. Ok. Hmm, do adult parties have games? What kind of games could you play at something like this?”
“Well, we can have games and if the adults don’t want to do it, then at least it’d still keep any kids busy—you know, some of the others from church, Luke’s nieces and nephews, the—”
“Stuart kids…”
“Ok, Laird. You don’t have to be rude.” Vannie sounded peevish. “I was just trying to show that it’s not a waste—”
Tavish’s impatience erupted. “Can we stop the bickering? We’ve only got minutes before she’s back or the kids wake up!”
“Ok then, games,” Vannie said, determined to get back on topic. “What ideas do we have? Something related to weddings?”
“Knot tying? Getting out of a ball and chain?”
“Laird!” The chorus from his siblings stifled him just a little.
“Wait, he gave me an idea.” Tavish grinned. “What about ‘the two shall become one?’”
“Ok… so how do they become—a three legged race! Great idea!”
The would-be birthday boy beamed. “If it’s snowing, it’ll be harder too.”
“Adults might not want to get all wet…” Vannie suggested regretfully.
“Then they don’t have to play. If you don’t like my idea, just say so.”
“Oh, I like it. I think it’s a fun twist on it. I just wondered.”
The front door opened before anyone could find fault with Vannie’s latest statement.
Aggie jogged down the steps of the basement on her way upstairs to check the little ones. “Did anyone hear anything from upstairs?”
The room froze as if they were all caught stealing. Eyes shifted one to another and then back to Aggie. It was only a couple second delay, but it seemed as if they’d been paralyzed for an hour. Laird found his voice first.
“I don’t hear anything.” He turned to Vannie. “Do you hear anything upstairs?”
“No.”
“I think they’re asleep. Want me to check? I’m all done for the day except for reading my chapters. Actually, I just want to finish the book.”
Before Aggie could answer, Ellie waved her pencil at her. “I’m having trouble with its and it’s with an apostrophe.”
Something in Aggie’s face prompted Vannie to volunteer to help. “I’ll show her, Aunt Aggie.” She paused. “Is everything ok?”
“Oh, yes. Good. Never better. If you guys can do that, I’ll just see about getting dinner started.”
Tavish’s head whipped around. “It’s two-thirty! I thought you said we were having sloppy Joes.”
“We are.”
Without another word, Aggie hurried into the kitchen, obviously distracted. The kids exchanged glances as she disappeared into the living room and around the dining room corner into the kitchen. “Did she really just say she’s making dinner—now?” Laird shrugged and left the room, taking his book with him.
Vannie hesitated. It was the perfect time to convince Aggie to agree to a party. However, she had promised Ellie to help with it and it’s. “Ok, I’m going to talk to her about the party.” She hurried to Ellie’s side. “Look, you only use the apostrophe if you are writing a contraction. Otherwise, it doesn’t get one. So ‘It’s a good idea’ would have an apostrophe, but ‘The cat washed its paw’ isn’t. See?”
Whether or not Ellie “saw,” didn’t seem to matter. Vannie dashed from the room and into the kitchen, eager to get the party ball rolling. “
Aunt Aggie? Can I talk to you? We’ve got an idea, but we need your help.”
Though apparently a little distracted, Aggie did try to give Vannie her full attention. “What idea and who is we?”
“Laird and me—well, Kenzie eventually, but we wanted to get permission before we got her excited.”
“Permission for what?”
“It’s Tavish and Ellie’s golden birthday next week. We thought it’d be cool to do a surprise party for them. Make it really something special. Mommy made my golden birthday amazing. I was nine too, and she had a big party at Grandma Millie’s and everything was about nines. We ‘dressed to the nines’ and I got a new custom dress because ‘a stitch in time saves nine.’ I can’t remember the rest.”
Aggie dumped a tube of defrosted ground beef in the frying pan. “I think I remember that too. She did something with nine yards and that’s when you got your charm bracelet, isn’t it? The nine days’ wonder?”
“Right! Anyway, we thought we’d do a surprise party for them and we figured out how to pull it off without them suspecting or anything; we even want to get them to help!”
Aggie turned to stare at her, the spatula stuck in the frying pan. “You’re going to do what?”
“That’ll melt again—Aunt Aggie?”
“Wha—Oh.”
“See, what thought we’d do,” Vannie continued, “was tell them we’re planning a party for you and Luke. That way we can invite people, make plans, and even buy stuff and they won’t suspect. They’ll just think it’s for your party!”
“Wait, I’m not supposed to know about this party that we’re having for Luke and me?”
“Right! Well, and we thought we’d tell them that you think the party is really for them.”
Aggie chopped the meat swiftly as she thought. “Isn’t that a bit convoluted? That’s really a lot of lying, Vannie.”
“Mommy always said that in the Stuart house, it’s not a lie when it comes to surprises or gifts because it’s understood that those might not be true.”
“How can it not be a lie and not be true?”
The girl giggled. “That’s what I asked. She said that for a lie to be a lie that is wrong, the other person isn’t supposed to know it might not be true. This isn’t a lie, it’s a surprise. Or that’s what Mommy said.” Vannie’s planned sniff for effect was unnecessary. She choked at the best place, making her feel like a cheat even though she was truly upset.
Here We Come (Aggie's Inheritance) Page 4