“Over at Ellen’s.” Johnny hollered out in the other direction. “Mom, I’m going to Josh’s. Bye Dad.” As fast he could, Johnny opened up the door and bolted out, letting the screen door slam as he did.
“Kelly?” Frank walked through his dining room into the kitchen. “What? No greeting?”
“You could have come in here.” She slammed down a knife, looked up at him from behind the counter then began cutting again.
“Hello to you, too.” He kissed her on the cheek and walked to the fridge. “I hope there’s beer.”
“You didn’t say you were coming home. You should have told me.”
“One. Fuck Kelly.” He took the last beer and opened it, shutting the refrigerator with his hip. “How often do I tell you when I’m coming home?” He took a drink. “Why are you cutting all these vegetables?”
“There’s a dinner …” She saw him grab the phone and hold up one finger while he dialed.
“Hey.” Frank laughed as he talked. “What’s up? Yeah I’m in.” He took another drink of his beer. “Yeah sure. What time is it now?” Frank checked out his watch, holding the phone against his shoulder. “Almost. I’ve been driving awhile. Let me catch a nap, spend some time with the family, and I’ll meet you there at ten. Yep. See you.” He hung up and faced Kelly. “Now you can talk.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“Me? I called you twice this week and you blew me off both times.”
“Because both times you called me you were drinking. I hate when you drink. You get meaner, if that’s possible.”
“O.K. Kelly.” He walked to the sink and looked out the back window. “Hey. Is that my dad’s car parked in back?”
“Yep.”
“Is he here?”
“Joe said he called you last week and you didn’t return his call. Then he left you a message on Monday. Why didn’t you call him back?”
“Why would I?” Frank drank some more. “I got his message. It said something about coming home this weekend. I planned on it. I’m here. Where is he?”
“Over at Robbie’s.”
“Robbie’s?” Frank walked closer to her. “What do you mean Robbie’s?”
“Oh that’s right.” She set down the knife and wiped off her hands. “When is the last time you talked to your brother, Frank?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t really talked to him since he quit the service last year. Stupid move.” He set his bottle on the counter. “You gonna keep playing ‘Kelly’ games or are you gonna tell me when Robbie moved to Ashtonville?”
“About seven months ago. He got a job with the State Police. Did you know that?”
“Nope.” Frank lifted his bottle back up and finished it. “So he’s a cop now.”
“Yes, he is.” Kelly picked up the carrots and laid them on a tray. “Frank? Did you know Hal and Jimmy are coming in tomorrow morning?”
“What?” Frank asked loudly. “Why the reunion? And why wasn’t I invited.”
“You would have been had you had the decency to call your father back.”
“Enough, Kelly. What’s going on? You have this look on your face.”
“You don’t know do you? If you would keep in touch with everyone, you would know. I would have told you, but it seems every time I mentioned Robbie’s name you …”
“Kelly!”
“Exactly. You shut me up.”
“What the flick is going on?”
“O.K. Frank, let’s try it this way.” Kelly folded her arms across her body and leaned against the counter. “You know Ellen and Pete split up last year. Ellen’s divorce was finalized three months ago”
“Yeah, so. What does Ellen have to do with this?”
“There’s a dinner tomorrow, a celebration. Sort of a reception. That’s why I’m making the food. Helping out.”
“You.” Frank pointed at her. “Have lost it.”
“Not really. Seems Ellen called Joe last week, the same day he called you.”
“She always calls my father.”
“Not to call him ‘Dad’. What you don’t know, Frank, is Ellen and Robbie have been seeing each other since last year. Last week when she called Joe, she called him to say that she and Robbie came home from their little vacation as ... Mr. and Mrs. Robert Slagel.”
“What?”
“Isn’t it great, Frank?” Kelly filled with excitement. “I knew you’d be happy. Ellen and I were talking about it. It is so great now that we actually are all family in a sense. Robbie is so good for her, Frank. He came…”
“Tell me this.” Frank held his hand up to Kelly to stop her. “Did my little brother break up Ellen and Pete’s marriage?”
“Ellen and Pete’s marriage wasn’t all that good. He was cheating on her. They had that big blow out. You know they…”
“Kelly. Did he break up their marriage?”
“Ellen left Pete, for good, for him, yes.”
“He broke up her marriage.” Frank slammed his hand on the counter. “I told him not to do that!” Turning harshly, he stormed from the kitchen.
“Frank? Frank, where are you ...”Kelly heard the front door slam and Frank’s car start. Figuring he was going to Ellen and Robbie’s, Kelly finished putting things away so she could go over also.
<><><><>
Joe paused in his playing with Johnny and Josh when he heard the sudden stop of the car. He watched from Ellen and Robbie’s front yard as Frank stepped out of the car. “Hey, Frank.”
Not smiling, and nearly red faced, Frank, in a huff, approached Joe. “Where’s Robbie?”
“He’s in the back with ...”Joe stepped back when Frank rushed by him.
With heavy footsteps and heavy breathing, Frank, moving fast, walked around the side of the house. As soon as he turned the bend to the back yard he saw Robbie breaking from his embrace with Ellen.
Robbie smiled, not even noticing Frank’s demeanor. He stepped to his brother who moved quickly to him. “Hi, Frank. Glad you made it…” His words were cut short by Frank who, without warning, nailed him so hard Robbie spun to the ground.
“What the hell’s the matter with you!?” Frank pointed down to him and moved his arm from Ellen who grabbed for him. “Huh?”
Robbie lost his smile. Rubbing his jaw, he lifted himself up. “What the hell’s the matter with you? Coming to my home…”
“Yeah, your home!” Frank shouted. “How did that happen, Robbie? What the fuck is wrong with you breaking up her marriage? I told you to leave her alone.”
“And then you told me she needed me.”
“Bull shit. You’re lying.”
“You’ve lost it. You called me!” Robbie closed in on Frank. He spoke low as they stood nearly chest to chest. “What’s the matter, Frank? You can’t have your cake and eat it too anymore.” Frank shoved Robbie back as he clenched his jaw and fist. But before he could hit Robbie again, Robbie pummeled himself, shoulder first, into Frank, knocking him to the ground.
“Break it up!” Joe came from the front yard. He reached down to his sons, separating them and lifting them both to their feet as if they were two little kids. “What’s the matter with you?” He pushed Frank back. “And you!” Joe’s finger poked into Frank’s chest. “What’s up with coming over to your brother’s house with an attitude? This is a happy occasion for, Christ sake. Your brother married your oldest friend. You should be happy about that. She’s no longer married to that asshole. She’s married to someone that cares, for crying out loud. Now apologize to your brother and congratulate him.” Joe stepped back, waiting and watching his two sons huff in anger at each other. “Now, damn it.”
Frank, with a snarling lip, kept his focus on Robbie. “No. He was wrong.”
Robbie stepped closer. “Wrong? No, Frank, this shit is wrong!” Robbie scolded. “This isn’t concern over me breaking up Ellen’s marriage to Pete. This is possessiveness over Ellen and it has to stop.” Robbie leaned to him. “All of it has to stop, the phone calls, the letters, all of it.”
&n
bsp; “Fuck you. She’s my friend.”
“No, Frank, fuck you. She’s my wife. Learn that.” Robbie saw Ellen come out from the sliding glass door. She held out ice to him. “I’m O.K.”
Ellen insisted. “No, Robbie, put it on your jaw, please?”
Robbie took the ice and pointed one more time to Frank as he backed up. “Learn that.” He kissed Ellen on the cheek and walked away.
Frank watched as he stood with his hands on his hips. He saw Joe leave the yard and Robbie walk into the house. He faced Ellen who had her head down. “We have to talk.”
“Yeah, we do.” She grabbed his arm and walked to the edge of the backyard to the swing set. “Here?”
“Yeah.” Frank stepped through the chained swing and sat down. He waited for Ellen to do the same. They sat with their backs to the house. “El.”
“Frank, you shouldn’t have done that.”
“I know. El, come on. I talked to you once a week on the phone. I wrote you at least twice a week. Never once did you mention this. Not once.”
“I didn’t think it was important enough to bother you with.”
“Not important?” Frank shook his head as he clenched the chains. “I’m losing my best friend to my brother?”
“You’re not losing your best friend.”
“Bull shit. It’s gonna be just like Pete. He’s not gonna let me stay close to you.”
“He will Frank.” Ellen swung slightly. “You just can’t run to me anymore.”
Frank closed his eyes tightly. “I thought we were closer than this. I really thought we were. I can’t believe you never told me the whole story. Why?”
“The truth? You would’ve talked me out of it.”
“Yeah, I would have tried.”
“Why, Frank?” Ellen asked. “Why would you have? Don’t you want me to be happy?”
“Didn’t you read a single one of my letters?” Frank came back emotionally.
“When you first wrote me and told me you and Pete were breaking up, what did I write you? Didn’t you read the letters?”
“I read them.” Ellen sounded sad as she stared at the grass.
“God, El. You never turned me down. I thought you were giving it thought. I wrote to you that it may have been a sign. That maybe we should give us a try. Not once did you ever mention falling in love with my little brother.”
“Frank, stop it.” Ellen looked over to him. “I couldn’t let you leave your family.”
“I didn’t want to leave my family.”
“But …” Ellen’s eyes shifted and she spoke with warning. “Frank.”
“No listen to me. I didn’t want to leave my family. I just wanted to leave Kelly.”
“Frank.”
“I thought it was our time, El. Our time. I’ve wanted you since…”
“Frank.” Ellen’s views were turned from him.
Frank turned on the swing to see what Ellen was looking at. Kelly stood there. “Fuck.” He closed his eyes and shook his head.
Kelly nodded. “You’re an asshole, Frank, a real asshole.”
Ellen stood from the swing. “Kelly, look…”
“No.” She held her hand out to her. “You married Robbie. I know you love Robbie. I know where your feelings lie. Him?” She shoved Frank. “He came over here and hit his brother. I know where his feelings lie also.”
Ellen moved closer to Kelly. “I’m sorry, Kelly. I am so sorry.”
“No. Ellen.” Kelly stepped back. “And this is not the day or weekend to discuss this. I heard all I needed to hear. Your family is coming tomorrow and so is Robbie’s. I’m not going to let Frank ruin this but let me tell you something, Frank.” She stepped to him. “Look at me.” He faced her. “After this weekend, the only time I want to see your face at my front door is when you show up to see your kids.” She shoved him back. “Whenever that will be.” Folding her arms, she backed up. “Trust me, Ellen. You married the better brother.”
Ellen watched Kelly walk away, so hurt and so angry. She leaned down to Frank who sat on the swing with his elbows on his thighs and his hands to his mouth. “You better straighten this out before you lose everything. You hear me?”
Frank raised his eyes to her. “You married my brother.”
“I’m not an issue here, Frank. I’m not important. You married Kelly. You are married to her. That is your priority. I have told you that for years.”
“And I have told you for years I am not happy.” Frank stood up.
“Tough.”
“What?”
“You heard me.” She poked him. “Tough. If you aren’t happy, you have only yourself to blame because you never tried. She has. You make it work, Frank. That is your life. You have a life with Kelly and I have a life with Robbie.” Saying no more, Ellen left Frank at the swing.
ASHTONVILLE CONNECTICUT
June 10
“How have you been Frank?” The all too familiar woman’s voice took Frank’s view away from the scene in the restaurant. He felt her slide in the chair beside him. Frank looked her way, giving a smile that was far from sincere--but he tried. “Hi, Mrs. Martin. I’ve been fine, you?” Frank fiddled with the beer bottle between his hands.
“Just fine,” Ellen’s mother said. “It was wonderful of your father to put this together for those two, wasn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Frank looked at the small dance floor and watched Robbie who held Taylor, barely two, across his hip, dancing.
“Your brother is wonderful with the children, just wonderful. Ellen is very lucky to have him in her life.”
In his mind, Frank grumbled. Wonderful. Wonderful. What’s up with that fucking word? He cleared his throat. “Robbie is lucky to have Ellen.” Despite his best efforts, Frank sounded so bitter.
“Where did Kelly go?”
“She um, wasn’t feeling well. She left early.” Frank still stared at his brother then felt a gnawing feeling when he saw Ellen walk up to Robbie. Frank thought she was so beautiful with her long blonde hair flowing as she tiptoed up to kiss Robbie and her daughter. Ellen smiled.
“Frank, I hear this is owed all to you. It must be that intuition you have when it comes to my daughter. The day you called Robbie and told him that Ellen needed him was the exact same day Ellen found out about Pete’s affair. She said you didn’t know. It was perfect timing that weekend he came into town. Thank goodness you called him.”
“Mrs. Martin, I didn’t call... “
“Frank!” He was taller but not real tall, but he was thin like his sister. His dark brown hair matched his mother’s. Richie Martin, Ellen’s youngest brother extended his hand to Frank. “How ya been?”
“Good.” Frank shook it. “You?”
“Good. I didn’t expect to be in Ashtonville this weekend, but ... now you and Ellen really are brother and sister, aren’t you?”
Frank grabbed his beer and took a drink. “Yep.” He gave a tight, closed mouth smile.
“Mom?” Richie held out his hand to his mother. “We’re doing shots, Mr. Slagel, Hal, Jimmy, and me? You want to do one?”
Mrs. Martin giggled. “Now why would you even ask me that?” She shook her head. “He’s silly.”
“Frank? Wanna join us?”
“Yeah, sure. Why not.”
Ellen’s mom stood from her seat. “I’ll talk to you later, Frank.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Nice seeing you again.”
“Same here.” Frank grabbed his beer bottle and followed Richie to the bar.
Hal Slagel reached over, his big hand extended and patted his big brother on the back. “Why are you so miserable? It’s our brother’s wedding reception for Christ sake. Perk up.”
“I am, I am.” Frank hunched over the bar then felt his head rubbed. Smacking the hand away with a smile, Frank nudged his brother, Jimmy. “Why are you rubbing my head?”
Jimmy rubbed it again. “Do you think you could have shaved this head any closer, Frank? We’re all in the service and none of us are this bald.”
/> “I like shaving my head. It makes me look mean.” Frank swiped his hand away again. He motioned to the bartender to line himself and Jimmy up with a shot of whiskey.
Jimmy waved his hand to the bartender. “Not me. I’ll do schnapps.”
Frank laughed loudly. “Schnapps? Oh that’s right. You’re in the navy. The hard stuff is too much for you.”
Jimmy shoved his body into Frank’s in a joking manner then received a shove back that sent him into Hal. Laughing and horsing around, they stopped on Joe’s short whistle.
Joe snapped his fingers at the bartender. “I’ll take one. Richie, you let these guys horse around like this?”
“I’m gonna stop them?” Richie looked at the three Slagel men who all towered over him. “I think they’re funny.”
“You would.” Joe watched Richie take his shot in his hand. “Hold it.” Joe grabbed his wrist. “Are you old enough to drink?”
“I’m twenty-three,” Richie answered.
Joe let go of his arm. “You look sixteen. All right men…” with a snicker, he looked at Jimmy. “And Jimmy with the schnapps.” Joe raised his shot glass. “Hal, you’re the writer. Make a toast.”
Holding his shot glass against the others, Hal spoke. “To our brother Robbie, for being the one who officially made Ellen a part of this crew.”
Everyone clanked and drank up except for Frank. He slightly hesitated before doing so. He slammed down the glass and asked for another.
Hal gasped and grabbed his chest. “Man.” He shuddered. “Speaking of Ellen, I’m going to go snatch her away from Robbie and dance with my new sister.” He laid down his glass and walked away.
Joe lifted his hand to Hal then watched Jimmy as he and Richie walked to the video poker machines. “Frank?” Joe laid his hand on his son’s arched back. “You all right?”
“Yeah.” Frank took a drink of his whiskey. “I’ll be …” In the mirror of the bar he saw Robbie walk up. Robbie smiled widely, running his fingers through his hair.
“Dad.” Robbie laughed as he spoke. “That new wife of yours is flirting with the manager.”
“Christ.” Joe looked to the back of the restaurant. “What a ditz. I should let him take her. No.” Joe grabbed the beer the bartender set down for him. “I’ll go save him. Hell, maybe I’ll get some money off these festivities.” He noticed the silence between his sons. “I’ll leave you boys to talk.” He moved to Robbie, laying his father’s hand on his son’s face. “I’m proud of you.” Joe kissed Robbie on the cheek, then with a pat to his face, grabbed a look of disgust and headed off to find his wife.
The Big Ten: The First Ten Books of the Beginnings Series Page 445