by G S Binkley
The bar-be-que was well underway. Nearly all of the Ryan’s clan had arrived and were enjoying their time together. Lisa had stayed away but Jason showed up only to collect some food for his wife and report on Lisa’s condition. Apparently, his wife was hankering for some good bar-be-que. Even Denny, Crystal and Jonathan made an appearance. Crystal was excited to join in the festivities as was her son. However, Denny said he was going to bow out until his mother’s sharp glare pierced that ill idea. Hank and Jen finally showed up right before they sat down to eat.
It was decided to eat first before the activities started. Lacy had to tell her sons to slow down and that gulping their food and drinks would not get things going any faster. Lacy noticed that her mom picked at her food. “You alright mom?”
“Yes, dear.”
Nodding at the food on her mother’s plate, Lacy asked. “Your food, okay?”
“Of course, why?”
“You haven’t ate much.” Lacy leaned forward.
Lynn waved her daughter’s comment off. “I ate before we came over…that’s all.” With that, Lynn addressed the kids. “Ready for some fun?”
The round of activities included not only the tug of war but also volleyball, water balloon splash, three legged race and a water activity at the dock. After the games, Stella had promised ice cream.
Lynn finished her drink. While Dan took her plate away, she scanned the area smiling as she looked at each member of her family. Seeing David even brought a smile to her face. Lacy kept her mother informed about her children’s father taking a more active interest in their lives. “David!”
David turned to face his ex-mother-in-law.
“You’re on my team.” There was nothing close to a question in that statement or an illusion that he could get out of it.
He happily complied. “Okay, you got me.”
Nathan jumped up. “Gage, you’re on my team.
So, the auction began. When it was over besides David, Lynn had acquired, Dani, Stella, Jen, Lacy, Hayley, and Crystal. Nathan ended up with Gage, Hank, Dan, Derek, Denny, Jonathan and Sammy.
Nathan touched his mom on the shoulder. “Doesn’t seem fair…we have all the brawn.” Lynn’s youngest son smiled.
Lynn pulled the opposing team captain down for a quick kiss on the cheek. “It’s okay, son. Just don’t cry too much when you lose.”
Each team gathered near the rope line. In the center was a white line. The team that pulled the first member of the opposing team across that line lost. However, a team could win if one team consented to their loss.
Before all the members took their side of the rope, Hank paused next to David and nudged him. “You do know you’re the only guy with a bunch of girls.”
Hank’s snicker drew a frown from David but, he was a good sport and realized it was a good thing that Lynn picked him. He took it as an honor. Win or lose.
Lynn insisted on being the anchor. She backed up near the tree line and had Lacy extend about eight feet of the rope to her.
“Mom, do not put that around your waist. I don’t want you falling over if they jerk the rope from us.” Lacy was adamant.
Even Dan and her sons were concerned but Lynn would have none of it. “I’m my own woman and you guys just worry about yourselves.”
On the ready both teams were braced for the initial pull. Lynn was the one to count it down from ten to zero. And the tug of war began. Nathan’s team was steady, not wanting to take the other team to the ground so quickly. Lynn’s team pulled and make some head way. Hank was the anchor man for Nathan’s team while the captain was at the front of the line. When the young man’s feet slipped steadily toward the white line, Nathan adjusted his strategy. “Hank, it’s time…easy though.”
That was all the anchor needed. Hank pulled back, slowly but steadily. He had wrapped the rope around him and was making good progress. Then without warning, their advancement came to a halt.
Jen was only a foot or two from the white line. She was dug in but slipping. Victory was had if only Nathan’s team could muster one more exertion of strength.
“Let’s do it, guys.” The youngest brother called out to his team. They all pulled as hard as they could and Hank was practically touching the ground as he had dug in and leaned so far back. Even with all their combined effort, they couldn’t budge one more inch. So, determined were the guys team that they didn’t notice how Lynn’s team seemed not to struggle much at all.
“Give up?” Lynn yelled.
“Harder. Pull…damn it!” Hank grunted out.
Both Jen and Lynn yelled at Hank simultaneously for his choice of words.
Again, Lynn asked the guys if they would admit defeat.
Nothing Nathan’s team could do made any kind of advancement. Finally, Nathan conceded. They were absolutely bewildered how they could have lost.
As each team member passed along the rope line by the other team like they do in basketball after the game, Nathan finally discovered the clue to their loss.
“Mom!”
“Yes, son.” Lynn’s smile was huge and her eyes gleamed.
Nathan spun around; hands hiked up on his hips and enlightened his team. “Mom, tied her end of the rope to the tree.”
Lynn bypassed her youngest son and headed straight for Hank. “Oh, don’t be a spoiled sport. It was all in fun.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Besides, you might beat me in volleyball.” Lynn walked off without another word.
Hank’s eyes tracked his victorious mother. “Somehow I don’t think so.”
Dan came up behind his son. “Muscle…” He touched his son’s arm. “…can take you far but…” Dan tapped Hank’s head. “…that muscle will take you farther.”
Jen finally wrapped her arm around her very competitive husband’s waist. “Look she’s so happy.”
Hank dropped his arm over his wife’s shoulder. “Smart and beautiful.”
Gage found Lacy and asked. “Why didn’t your mom pick me?”
Knowing her partner was subtly asking about why her mom picked David instead of her, Lacy cocked her head. “Because she knew you’d be a good sport about things.”
“Of course.” Gage walked away fully confident about Lynn’s decision now. I am a good sport.
For some reason during the volleyball tournament, the kids decided it was a good time to start the balloon splashing contest. Jonathan was the master mind behind that idea. The twenty year old felt that if his grandmother could be a bit sneaky, it was okay for him to instigate the water balloon attack. Hayley, Sammy and Derek were willing cohorts. After everyone had received a full dousing even Stella received her share, Lynn was the only one who evaded the deluge.
“What I’m not part of it?” Lynn squinted her eyes at her family.
“I’m sure they didn’t mess with you out of respect.” Dan kissed his wife as he poured a plastic cup of water over her.
“Oh, I’ll get you.” Lynn took off after her husband.
“To the lake!” Gage yelled.
The rest of the day was fun-filled with a diving contest that ended up seeing how big a splash one could make off the dock. The watermelon contest was won by Sammy since he ate the most but was sure to have a belly ache later. Everyone had tons of fun and as the day wore down, Lynn and Dad were ready to go.
“Mom, you can stay if you want instead of driving back this late.” Lacy offered.
Lynn cupped her daughter’s cheek. “No, Dan wouldn’t get any rest unless he’s sleeping in his own bed. Besides, Derek pulled me aside and I think Gage had something to talk to you about.” Lynn kissed her daughter and waved goodbye.
As Lacy watched her mom and dad drive off, she returned to the house. Everyone had left and she was sure Stella had put the kids to bed with Gage’s help. She knew David would be in the extra bedroom and was now asleep. He wasn’t used to all the physical activity and retired early. But he was a trooper and even took a misguided watermelon seed from Gage. It was a typical sight when she arrived in her bedr
oom. Gage had all the pillows and covers arranged meticulously. “I can see you’re ready for bed.”
Gage revealed her smooth leg from underneath the cover. “Ready for something.” The blonde jacked her eyebrows up once.
Lacy laughed.
“What was that about?” Gage pouted then yanked her leg back under the cover. “You makin’ fun of me, Riz?”
Lacy laughed again. “Be right back.” When she returned from the bathroom, the dark haired woman stared at the bed pillows and covers once again. “Is it perfect?” It amazed her how much attention Gage gave to the arrangement of the covers. But she did reap great rewards from her lover’s attention when it came to their lovemaking.
“Not yet.” The blonde patted the place next to her. “Not until you are next to me.”
After a few short seconds, Lacy crawled up in bed next to her lover. “Hold me.”
“Hmmmm…yes.” The blonde snuggled closer. “Long day. And I am ready to fall asleep any second.” Gage let out a deep sigh.
Lacy leaned over and kissed her lover on the cheek. “Not before you tell me what’s going on. Mom said you had something to talk…”
“Oh that.” The blonde shifted in the bed so she could look directly into Lacy’s eyes. “I love you… and Derek wants us to fix up that island your dad took you guys and the grandchildren to for fishing.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, for a park…I think it’s a good idea and I’ve already checked a few things out…just need your approval.” Gage smiled.
“That means you talked with Hank and Jason.”
“Yes, my love. I turned it over to them but…I got them rolling on it.”
“Gage, sweetheart.”
“What?” The blonde gave Lacy a suspicious eye.
“I love you.”
Now that was music to the writer’s ears and she fell happily asleep in her lover’s arms.
**********
During the week after the summer blast, Dani spent several days working with the Little Theatre and David offered to take the three youngest children to the water park. That gave Lacy and Gage plenty of time for their own endeavors. Lacy worked on her painting while Gage continued writing next season’s television shows. Of course, when the kids came home from the water park they still had plenty of energy while David was worn out.
“How in the world does anyone keep up with those three?” David mumbled after plopping down in the easy chair.
Lacy laughed. “You just keep moving. Where are they?” The house was quiet and that was unusual. Even after the kids spent the whole day away engaged in some kind of activity, they were still amped to the extreme.
“Stella took them down to the lake for a walk. Said something about getting rid of their excess energy.”
Lacy sat down across from David. “So, what’s your plans?”
The handsome executive drew in a deep breath. “Head back to LA I guess. She called while we were out.”
“Oh?”
David rolled his eyes. “Not sure anymore.” He scooted up on his chair and stared steadily into Lacy’s blue eyes. “It’s been fun…this life you have…the kids…”
Doubting that David would embrace the kind of life Lacy had now at least for an extended time, she treaded carefully. “Guess it’s been more like a vacation for you but David… this is my life…day in day out.”
His gray eyes took in the woman before him. “It looks good on you.”
“Thank you. So…your plans?”
David pushed himself up. “Pack my bags and say goodbye to the kids.” Before he left the living room, David turned and faced Lacy. His words were genuine and caring. “She’s been good for you.” With that, David made a hasty retreat.
*********
Stella peeked in on Gage and Hayley. “Want anything from the store?”
“Popsicle.” The young blonde said without looking up from her drawing.
Gage’s green eyes shifted from her daughter to her mom. “She’s been good so…why not?”
“And you?”
Gage leaned back in her leather chair and contemplated. “Hmmmm… I’ll take some Doritos…the plain kind and we need stuff to make chili…and strawberry licorice.”
“You know it’s not really licorice… it’s Twizzlers.” Stella reminded her daughter.
The writer raised her hand. “Don’t destroy the illusion.”
When they both laughed, Hayley looked up from her pad. “You guys got a problem.”
Before Stella left, she asked. “When will Lacy and the boys get back from the track?”
Gage smiled. “Just about time that chili will be ready to eat.” No matter the time of year, the blonde was always up for a bowl.
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.”
**********
“Mom! Watch me.” Sammy yelled to his mother as he rounded another corner.
Her youngest son did not need to remind her. Lacy’s keen blue eyes zeroed in on both her sons as they practiced at the race track. It was obvious Derek had more experience. He took the corner like a pro while Sammy eased around at a slower pace. She had been watching them for over an hour. Sammy was still getting instructions after every lap and was an attentive student.
Derek finally pulled his car to a stop. He yanked off his helmet and threw it in the seat. Before long Derek was sitting next to his mother in the stands. “What’d you think Mom?”
“Oh, you’re good… very professional.” She mussed his dark hair.
“Hey.” The nearly thirteen year old scanned the area to see if anyone else had witness his moms affectionate gesture.
Her concerned blue eyes continued to track Sammy as he negotiated the last curve.
“Mom?”
“Mmmmm…”
“You like to drive?”
“Yes.”
“Ever drove over sixty?”
Lacy glanced at her oldest son. “Of course, why?”
Derek nodded toward Randy, the instructor, and suggested to his mom. “Why don’t you hop in one and see how it is.”
Lacy draped her arm over her son. “So, you wanna see what your ole mom’s got, huh?”
“Nooooo… just want you to see how safe it is.”
Doubting just how safe racing was, Lacy decided to give it a go. “Sure.”
His mom’s answer surprised Derek but he jumped up and took her hand. “Let’s go then.”
Sammy was about to get out of his race car when Derek stopped him. “Randy, can mom race around a couple times?”
“Sure.” The sandy-haired man was happy to help the ‘movie star’ that he thought was gorgeous and wanted to ask for an autograph but hesitated. “I’ll bring one out.”
**********
Every once in a while Gage would glance over at her young daughter. “Did you say something?”
“I’m just writing something for my friend.” Hayley concentrated on the writing pad. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know…bring it here.” Gage twisted around to face her daughter.
Without looking up, Hayley said. “Not you.”
“What do you mean not me?” Gage shifted in her chair. “You wanted me to look, right?”
“Nope…my friend.” Hayley sat at her miniature writing desk which was about ten feet away from her mother’s desk.
Gage looked around the room. “Your friend, huh?”
“Yes.” Hayley held up the paper and asked. “See?”
The older blonde couldn’t see anything. “Hayley, turn it around so I can see it.”
The young girl turned. “You want to see it, too?”
Confused, Gage assured her. “Yeah, who else does?”
“My friend.”
“Your friend…and does this friend have a name?”
“Daphne.”
Having never heard of any friend named Daphne, Gage inquired. “Where does she live? I don’t think I know her.”
“Here.”
Gage eyed
her daughter, now completely perplexed. “Where is your friend right now?”
“Here.”
Gage was really worried now. Where is Lacy when you need her? “Honey, I can’t see anyone except you.”
“Uh huh.” Hayley was oblivious to Gage’s dilemma.
“Where is she?”
“Here.” Hayley pointed to her friend.
Gage rubbed her head. There was no one where Hayley pointed. “Well, I can’t see your friend anywhere.”
Hayley shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t see her either.”
“Okay.” Gage leaned back in her chair. “I can’t see anyone and you can’t see anyone…your friend is invisible?”
“Uh huh.”
“And you talk to her?”
“Uh huh.”
“But honey if you can’t see her how do you know she’s there?” Gage felt the conversation was spiraling out of control and had no idea where it would end up.
Hayley finally turned to look directly at Gage. “Mom talks to God and she can’t see Him. But she says He is listening all the time.”
Oh boy…Lacy, you’re gonna have to take this one. “Right…” Wanting to change the subject, Gage smiled. “…let me see what you’ve done.”
Hayley was proud of her work and immediately showed her mom. “Here.”
A big smile rose on the writer’s face when she saw a picture of the whole family. And there was a short poem by her daughter. “You definitely have to show your mom and grandma.”
“Okay.” Hayley went back to her desk and took out another piece of paper.
I’m gonna get back to what I know. Gage returned to the script that Derek had asked her to write.
*********
Lacy sped around the race track with ease. She decided racing was a lot of fun and contemplated on telling her partner that they all should get one. Her idea of a small race track at the house just moved a notch up on her things to do list.
Sammy was trailing his mother and finally passed her on their last lap. “Ha.” He yelled as she finished before Lacy.
Derek was already waiting for his brother and mom. He knew if he could get his mom in a race car, she would see how much fun it could be. Derek figured he already had Gage on his side. “So, what’d you think, mom?”