Bridget was flustered speechless as Amy thrust her fist into the air and said, "You, go girl!" to her mother.
"Okay, it's settled then. It will take a day or two make the costumes, so we'll have the fireworks tonight and schedule the bonfire for the day after tomorrow." Jo looked around, collecting nods of approval from all the women.
"Grams, what about the children?" Cat asked.
"Well, they can certainly join in. We'll just save the good stuff for after they're in bed," Jo explained, wiggling her eyebrows up and down seductively.
Billie draped her arm around Jo's shoulder. "Bless your wicked heart," she said, chuckling.
As the group of women dissipated, Josephine detained Laurel. "Laurel, sweetheart, Nona and I would like to talk to you," she said.
Laurel approached her mothers, a sad look filling her eyes. Alex opened her arms to her daughter and held her close as Jo stood by rubbing the younger woman's back.
"Sweetheart," Alex began, "we don't want you to leave tomorrow. Things got out of hand yesterday. Things were said that shouldn't have been. Josie and I want you to know that we're sorry, and that we plan to talk to Jim as well."
"I don't want to leave either. I've just found you," she said tearfully.
For a long moment, mothers and daughter held each other.
Billie and Cat had walked a few paces away, before stopping and looking back at the trio. "Cat, I need to do something about this right away. This rift is breaking my mother's heart," Billie explained, looking down into the love-filled eyes of her wife.
Cat just nodded her head. "What can I do to help?" she asked.
"You're already helping, love. Your support is all I need."
***
"Dyl!" Billie shouted out across the yard to get her brother's attention. Once she had it, she waved him over.
"What's up, sis?" he asked, running toward her and Cat, slightly out of breath.
"Dylan, we need a big favor from you, one that may be very difficult for you to do. I want you to think about it, and if you are really uncomfortable with the idea, then we'll find another way," she began.
"Whoa, Billie, wait a minute. Maybe you should start with telling me what you're trying to accomplish, and what you want me to do," he said.
Billie looked at Cat, and then back at Dylan. "We're trying to make your father see the light," she said.
Dylan's eyes flew open wide. "And how do you propose to do that? He's been here for three days, and is holding stubborn to his beliefs," Dylan observed.
Billie cringed slightly as she prepared her brother for the blow. "Well, Dylan, I was kind of hoping that you'd help," she said sheepishly.
Seeing his sister's demeanor put him immediately on guard. "Somehow, I don't think I'm going to like this," he said, "but fire away."
Billie quickly explained her plan to her brother.
"You want me to what?" Dylan exclaimed.
"Come on, Dyl, it's for Mom," Billie urged.
Dylan walked a few feet away, then turned back to face his sister. "All right. All right, I'll do it for Mom, but there'd better be no witnesses, and I get to tell him the truth afterward. Agreed?" he demanded.
Billie flashed a crooked smile at her brother. "Agreed," she said, shaking hands with the young man.
***
Jo and Alex cornered Jim and Laurel later on that evening, just before dinner.
"Jim, may we have a word with you?" Alex asked, intercepting him in the hall on the way to the dining room.
Jim stopped short and looked at his mother-in-law, while Laurel squeezed his hand slightly. Jim briefly acknowledged the gesture before agreeing to speak with the elder ladies in the parlor.
Alex went directly to her favorite chair, while Josephine stood by the fireplace, one arm on the mantel. Jim and Laurel were directed to the divan opposite Alex's chair.
"Jim, Laurel," Alex began, hands folded daintily in her lap. "I would like to apologize for my rude behavior after dinner last evenin'. I'm afraid I let my Southern pride get in the way of my good sense," she began. "I do not wish to lose my daughter after havin' just found her, so I beg your forgiveness, and ask that you consider stayin' on for the duration of the week."
Jo clenched her fists as she stood at the mantel, her back partially turned toward her daughter and son-in-law. She hated to see Alex humble herself like that. After all, the confrontation wasn't all her fault.
Jim glanced at Laurel, and then rose to his feet. Taking one step forward, he bowed at the waist and reached for Alex's hand, which she gave readily. Kissing the back of her hand, he said, "Alexandra, I graciously accept your apology and offer one of my own. I'm afraid I wasn't on my best behavior last night either, and the wine I consumed did nothing to still my foolish tongue. Please forgive me."
Alexandra smiled ear to ear.
Jo unclenched her fists and visibly relaxed.
Laurel let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
All was well once more in the Spirakis/Wycliffe household as the ladies exchanged warm hugs and handshakes with their son-in-law.
***
Later that evening, after dinner was over and the sun had set, the entire family assembled on the front lawn of the mansion to watch the Fourth of July fireworks display. As was the tradition every year, Alex and Jo hosted the Independence Day celebration for the nearby community. Soon the field was peppered with lawn chairs filled with friends, neighbors and community members. Alex and Jo proudly introduced their family to the community, who returned the greetings with respect and warmth.
Jim noted the fury of activity with interest. Regardless of to whom the introductions were made…be it a city council member or the poor family from the farm down the road, Alex and Josephine greeted each person with the utmost respect, and received the same in kind. They made no pretense about the nature of their relationship. Ida and Laurel were introduced as their daughters. No attempt was made to hide the fact that they had committed their lives to each other in a loving and caring way, as a husband and wife would. And they were accepted. This fact amazed Jim the most. The community accepted them without reservation.
You have a lot to think about, his internal voice spoke to his heart. You have to put aside the pain and humiliation and accept that what happened to you was not typical, the voice said.
Jim shook his head to clear his mind, forcing his attention elsewhere as Jo introduced yet another neighbor to him.
Overall, the evening was a huge success. By the end of the fireworks, the individual families had migrated together; tired children lay draped across parents' arms while the grand finale lit up the sky very near the hour of midnight. Soon, friends and neighbors returned to their homes, after thanking Alex and Jo once again for hosting such a grand event as the celebration of their country's birthday. The only revelers left were the Spirakis/Wycliffe clan, who were busy ushering small children to bed.
CHAPTER 13
The women made themselves scarce the next day, leaving the men to find their own entertainment. All six of them were sitting around the pool, Doc, Jim, Kevin, Joe, Dylan and Seth. Bored. This was the fifth day at SpireClyffe Acres and they had already seen the sights. It didn't cross their minds that they weren't there as tourists, but as family members on vacation. They were there to relax and enjoy life, not to spend their time involved in organized activities.
"We are pathetic!" Doc exclaimed. "Look at us! The women desert us, and we die of boredom!"
Kevin reclined his long legs in front of him and popped open another beer. "Yep, pathetic. That's us," he said, guzzling his beer.
It was in this state that Maggie found them when she went to tidy the area around the pool.
"Land sakes!" she clucked, hands on her hips. "Without the womenfolk around, you little puppies are lost, ain't cha?" she teased.
Rolling up the dishtowel she always carried in the waistband of her apron, she started snapping at the men's legs.
"Get your butts outta those ch
airs and do something! The ocean borders the property; and there's a fresh water lake just a mile down the road. Go fishing! There are horses in the stable. Go riding! Do something!" she scolded.
The men did their best to avoid Maggie’s wrath as they jumped around, dodging the stinging towel.
"Okay! Okay! Fishing is good!" exclaimed Joe as he nearly jumped into the pool to avoid being snapped. Five other heads nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Good! Now be gone with y'all...and bring back supper!" she shouted after them, chuckling to herself as she returned to her kitchen.
***
"Grams, are we going to have enough material to make sixteen Amazon costumes?" Drew asked innocently.
"Well, sweetheart, since there's practically nothing to them, I'd say yes," Jo answered.
"Oh groan! What am I getting myself into?" Bridget complained.
Amy opened her mouth to reply, but was stilled by her mother's scolding look.
"Nothing to them, huh?" Billie said, directing the question at Jo, but looking at Cat with arched eyebrows.
Jo noted the look on Billie's face and swatted her granddaughter's arm. "Save it for later!" she scolded good-naturedly.
"Oh, there's plenty more where that came from," Billie said, grinning.
Cat reached up and grabbed the front of Billie's T-shirt, pulling her face close to her own. "If I'm going to run around half naked, gyrating all over the place for you, my love, you had better make it worth my while," she said seductively.
Billie placed a quick kiss on Cat's mouth. "Oh, you won't be disappointed. I promise you," she said, kissing her once more.
"Put a lid on it and get to work!" Josephine scolded once more, causing grins to cross the faces of Ida and Laurel who were busy with their own costumes.
"What are the men going to do while we're prostituting ourselves in front of them?" Amy asked.
"Oh, Amy, do you have to use that word?" Bridget said, cringing at the thought.
"Bridge, are you still a virgin?" Amy asked. "Because you sure act like one!"
"Amy Marie, stop badgering your sister. Do you hear me?" Ida scolded. "My word! Do you always have to pick at her like that?"
Amy had the decency to look ashamed. Punching Bridget lightly in the arm, she said, "Aw come on, Bridge, you know I'm just teasing, don't you?"
"Yeah, I guess so," Bridget admitted, "but you know Amy, not everyone is as loose as you," she added.
Amy's head perked up, a big grin plastered across her face. "Touché, sister dear!" she said as Bridget and Cat exchanged a high-five. Billie grinned at the sisterly exchange.
"To answer your question, dear," Alex volunteered, "Grandma Jo and I have decided to put the men in charge of the drums. Of course, we'll have to teach them the rhythm, and teach all of you the Amazon war song and dance, but you'll catch on quickly, I'm sure."
"We have to learn a song, Nona?" asked Laurel.
"Oh yes. It is a special war song, sung by the Amazons the evening before battle. It pumped them up, so to speak. Got them all excited about going to war," Alex explained.
"Do the men get to wear, like, skimpy costumes, too? I'm, like, dying to see Dylan in a g-string!" Drew exclaimed.
All eyes turned to Drew, mouths open. Cat and Billie dropped their faces into their hands.
"Ooops! I guess you all, like, didn't know about that, did you? Well, now you do!" she squealed delightfully.
Laurel raised an eyebrow at Billie, whose face betrayed the fact that she obviously knew about it. Billie winced out her apology.
"Well, nothing like keeping it in the family, huh?" Amy said, breaking the tension and causing general laughter to spread out across the room.
***
It was very late into the afternoon before the costumes were ready. True to Jo's word, they did not require much material. The tops consisted of two small triangles of leather to cover each breast, held on by straps around the neck and back, and decorated with various feathers and beads. Swirling patterns were drawn here and there with gold or silver paint sticks. The bottoms were cut low, and just barely covered the essentials. Strands from a couple of old grass skirts had been sewn in sparsely around the periphery of the waistbands, falling to the knees of the wearers. In lieu of masks, the plan was to decorate their hair with more feathers and grass strands, and to add beaded necklaces, and feathery wrist bracelets, gauntlets and ankle bracelets. Their feet would be bare. The costumes for the little girls and for the older women, were of similar design, but much more modest.
Once the ladies' costumes were completed, they started on the men's. Cat and Billie worked on Seth's, Drew made Dylan's and the remaining four ladies made one for each of their husbands.
"They're not gonna wear these things, you know," Amy said.
"Hey, if I can parade my old wrinkled butt around in one of these skimpy costumes, then they can proudly display their beer bellies!" Josephine exclaimed.
"Josie, dear heart, I beg to differ, but your wrinkled old butt is kinda cute," Alex replied. "I kinda like it the way it is...aged, like good wine and cheese," she said.
"Great!" Jo said, throwing her hands out to the sides. "My butt reminds her of moldy old cheese!"
The women roared with laughter at Alex and Jo's antics.
It was going to be an interesting bonfire.
***
The men stood proudly around the dining room, holding chairs out for the ladies to be seated. The women approached cautiously, not really sure what their partners and sons were up to. Finally, all were seated and waiting expectantly for Maggie to serve the meal.
As the doors to the kitchen swung open, the men puffed their chests out, smug expressions crossing their faces as Maggie placed a meal of blackened catfish, Cajun rice and black-eyed peas before the diners.
Alex recognized the delicacy immediately, "I do declare, Maggie!" she exclaimed. "Where on earth did you find catfish on such short notice?"
"The men-folk were kind enough to catch it for us, Miss Alexandra," Maggie replied. "That is, after I chased their scrawny, moping butts outta here this morning," she added, hands perched on her generous hips, head bobbing side to side as she made her exclamation. Laughter erupted around the table.
Alex looked around at the proud faces. "Well, thank you very much, kind sirs," she said formally, receiving nods of acknowledgment in return.
Cat leaned over to Billie and whispered in her ear, "They're all cavemen, including our son!"
Billie chuckled her agreement as she dove into her dinner, savoring every bite.
***
Bright and early the next morning, Josephine took the men into the basement where she and Alex stored artifacts and museum pieces they had collected over the years. Among the items were several tall drums and other percussion instruments. Allowing them to choose their own instruments, she finally had them organized enough to start demonstrating the basic Amazon drum beat. As she suspected, the younger men went for the drums, while Doc and Jim opted for the sticks and maracas.
It took a full two hours for the four drummers to finally get the pattern of the beat, and another hour for them to meld together so that they complimented rather than compete against each other. Finally, the sticks and maracas were blended into the music.
"Okay, fellas, one more time," Jo instructed as she led the band with the makeshift baton she had constructed out of a pencil. "One, two, three..." she beat as the song began. Jo stood there, listening intently, trying to feel the spirit of the song, to no avail.
Damn! she said to herself. Looks like they're all tone deaf...all except for young Seth. Maybe there's something to that rap music after all.
Josephine paced back and forth, trying to figure out how to get some umph into the beat. Finally, on the verge of giving up, she thought. Oh, hell, maybe everyone will be too drunk to notice. Suddenly, a thought hit her. "Of course!" she shouted out loud.
The men stopped playing and looked at Josephine with raised eyebrows.
"Fellas, how would you all like some cold beer? Or maybe whiskey shots?" Josephine suggested, grinning ear to ear.
Smiles broke out across all but one face…Seth's, who promptly turned green, remembering the hangover from the day before.
Well, this is one way to get them to wear the costumes. They'll be too drunk to care! Josephine thought as she poured the shots. Passing them out to all but Seth, they raised their glasses in a toast.
"Here's to the best Amazon bonfire ever. To the Amazons!" Jo shouted.
"To the Amazons!" toasted the men.
***
"Okay, ladies," Alex said, clapping her hands and lining the women up in a row on the back patio. "Now ya really have to put your own style into it, but basically you hop around from foot to foot kinda like this," she said, demonstrating something that looked similar to an Indian war dance. "Then ya stop, knees bent, feet pointing out, hands on your knees, and sway your head side to side, like this." Again, Alex demonstrated the dance step. "Okay, now let me see y'all do it," she said.
Fourteen females, ages seven to fifty-five began gyrating to imaginary music. Alex covered her mouth with her hand to prevent the ladies from seeing the grin that was rapidly growing there.
"All right now, throw a little hip action into it. Yes, that's it!" Alex said to Amy as she let loose.
"Shake those shoulders, Drew. You've got it! Come on Caitlain, sway those hips! Bridget…Bridget honey, you've got to loosen up. You're way too stiff!" Alex commented, causing Amy to snort.
"Ida, Laurel, girls, you're not going to raise your husbands' spirits with moves like those!" Alex said, raising wicked eyebrows.
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