by G S Binkley
“I loved it.” Lacy tapped his nose. “And I know exactly what you and Sammy have on your mind.” As Lacy walked off ahead of her boys, she said over her shoulder. “I’ll talk to Gage.”
Both Sammy and Derek jacked their arms in celebration.
*********
The whole family enjoyed the chili supper and then retired for the evening in order to watch a movie together. It became a family tradition for the family and tonight it was Stella’s turn to select the movie.
“How about ‘Heart of Africa’?” Stella held up the DVD.
“Oh, mom, you always ask for something I wrote.” Gage rolled her eyes.
“Well, I’m proud of my daughter.” Stella crossed her arms.
Lacy nudged Gage. “And she should be.”
Seeing that not everyone wanted to see the movie for the umpteenth time, Stella had a back-up. “Then I guess we’ll have to watch…Blithe Spirit.”
“Mom, that’s got to be back in the forties.” Gage laughed, thinking the kids would never want to watch it.
But when Dani showed an interest, the rest of the gang agreed. Through the years, Dani began studying old movies and was intrigued by all the dance routines in many of the movies. As a choreographer at heart, she loved not only the new variations of dance but enjoyed the likes of Danny Kaye and Ginger Rodgers classic dance routines.
“Is it okay for kids?” Gage asked.
“Sure…Hayley and I already watched it a while back.” The grandmother assured her.
And as the whole family watched the movie, they ate popcorn and giggled through most of it. When a certain name was mentioned in the movie, the mystery Gage pondered was solved. I should talk to mom about the movies she chooses for us.
After everyone was tucked in bed, Lacy and Gage finally made it to their bedroom. Both had things on their mind that they wanted to discuss with each other. When Lacy snuggled up against her lover, Gage smiled. “I love our life, Lacy.”
“Mmmmm…me, too.”
Lacy and Gage contemplated on how to broach their individual subjects. As it was sometimes, both women spoke at the same time.
“Race track.”
“Invisible friend.”
What Gage said stumped the younger woman. “You first…tell me about this friend.”
“You should ask your daughter.” The blonde kissed Lacy’s forehead. “We were in my study, writing. I thought she was talking to me but…apparently, our daughter has an invisible friend now.”
Lacy propped herself up on her elbow. “And…”
Gage shrugged. “I don’t know…she can’t see her friend which I now understand why…”
“And…” Lacy was getting impatient.
“From the movie tonight that mom picked… well, the spirit in the movie was called Daphne…that’s her friend’s name.” Apparently, Gage’s mom had been introducing their youngest to old black and white movies.
Lacy lay back down. “Oh, I see.”
“Well, I didn’t…there wasn’t anyone there.”
The dark haired beauty laughed. “That’s why you shot your mother that look…” Lacy glanced at Gage. “Don’t look at me like that… I see everything you do.”
Gage placed her arm over her lover’s stomach. “Anyway, I’m not sure mom should be showing Hayley those movies without asking us first.”
“Gage, sweetheart, your mom has our children’s best interest at heart. So, I think we can trust her.” Lacy brushed her lips against the blonde’s cheek ensuring that her words were met with agreement.
“Oh, you’re always right. You know what?” Gage chuckled.
“What?”
“Your daughter is so smart… when I asked her that if she couldn’t see her invisible friend than how did she know her friend was listening.” Gage continued after only a brief moment in complete awe about their five year old. “She said you talk to God and you don’t see Him but He listens.”
Lacy rested her head on Gage’s shoulder. “Our daughter is very smart.” Having brought their children up in believing in God, it assured them a basic foundation of values and morals. She paused only a moment. “I think we should build a small racing track on our property.” When Gage was silent, Lacy raised her head. “So? What do you think?”
“What do you mean? It was my idea.” At least I think it was my idea.
Not wanting to correct the blonde, Lacy kissed her lover. “You are so smart.”
Nodding, Gage agreed. “It’s about time I get some credit around this place.”
“Ha! According to David you get all the credit. Now go to sleep.” Lacy snuggled closer.
Lacy refused to say more about her comment regarding David. That caused Gage lay in bed half the night trying to figure it out. Lacy, for her part, was willing to let her lover pondered her statement all the while smiling as she felt the beating of her lover’s chest.
**********
On race day, Derek was raring to go. Sammy was slightly frustrated as he was not eligible to race and that relieved a concerned mother very much. Dan called and informed Lacy that he and Lynn would not be able to make it to the race.
“My knees been bothering me again…best we stay home today.” When Dan got off the telephone, he turned to his wife. “That excuse won’t hold up forever. Lynn once we finally get something from the doctor, we have to tell the kids.”
Lynn Ryan was not about to let a few moments of being light headed stop her from caring on in her life but her husband was right. “When we know.”
Lacy tossed her phone in her purse. “Something’s not right. I can tell.”
Gage rubbed her partner’s lower back. “You okay?”
“Not me…mom.” Lacy blew her bangs up and out of her face in frustration. “Oh, dad says it’s his knees but…” The concerned mother caught sight of her son pull his car out onto the track. “There he is.”
While there were several races scheduled for the day, Derek was only entered into one of them and that was fine with Lacy and Gage. It was the last race of the day and early evening had set in.
Sammy jumped up. “See him, Hayley… he’s in the orange car.”
Hayley stood on the bleacher and looked in the direction that her brother pointed. “Go Derek.”
“Not yet…they haven’t started the race.” Sammy put his arm around his sister and began to explain a few rules.
Stella listened closely for she knew that eventually her other grandchildren would be racing and she wanted to be up to speed on all of it. I might even give it a go…Lacy did.
Gage knew her partner was pre-occupied. She thought about the upcoming events before school started and wondered if she should call Mark and cancel the promo interview for their television show. The writer didn’t want to stress her partner out any more than needed. Even Gage knew Lynn was hiding something.
The starter gun rang out and the race was on. Ten cars in various colors zipped around the oblong track faster than anyone expected. When only one car zoomed around the track, it seemed a bit slower than when all of them were bunched up together.
Derek’s number thirty-two racer was holding on to the third position. When he rounded corner number two, Derek tried to pass on the inside but was cut off and that caused him to lose a position. He was now biding his time for the right moment. His instructor, Randy, had coached Derek not only on the race track but showed him film of several races that he had been in and the pitfalls of trying to pass too soon.
“That didn’t work out too well for him.” Stella held Hayley up on her lap as the little one tried to get a better view.
“Come on, Derek.” Lacy yelled.
Pulling her partner back down, Gage nodded toward the track. “You’re really into it.”
“It was the blue car that cut him off.” As Derek rounded the next corner, Lacy’s body contorted as if she was in the racer, leaning over onto Gage.
“Lacy, they have about forty more laps to go. You want me to move over?”
; The younger woman tapped Gage on the arm. “Oh, be quiet.”
It was in the third last lap of the race when Derek made his move. He had maneuvered back up to third when the opportunity presented itself. The driver who was in second rounded the corner a bit wide so Derek pushed hard and barely slipped in front of him. Now in second, Derek was ready, forging ahead. Two more laps and the finish line was in view.
“Come on, Derek!” The whole Ballant family chanted.
Derek knew if he kept on a steady course, he’d finish second. The lead car was inching out of his reach. On the final lap, Derek was within reach of the finishing line. It was then that he was bumped from behind and spun out of control. The driver of the blue race car tried to pass but caught the back end of Derek’s racer.
Lacy jumped up as did Gage. Derek’s mother clasped her hands to her face, scrunching it at what might have happened to her son. She grabbed Gage’s hand and leapt off the bleachers and down the steps. Lacy tried to get as close to the track where Derek’s car crashed as possible.
Gage pulled Lacy along through the crowd and past a couple officials who were trying to hold everyone back. “Derek!”
“I’m alright.” The young man yelled.
“Hold on.” The paramedic stopped Lacy and Gage in their tracks. “We just need to check him over a minute. Please wait right here.”
They were only a few feet from where Derek sat in his car. Derek saw his upset mother and waved with is left arm. “I’m okay.”
That didn’t reassure Lacy until she pushed past the official’s line. “Honey, you okay?”
When the official tried to move Lacy, Gage stepped between her and Lacy. “I’m not sure you want to tangle with an upset mother.”
The official thought better of it and went back to crowd control.
“Just a scratch mom.” Derek wanted to reassure his mother.
“Ma’am.” The paramedic sought the attention of the driver’s mother. “He’s got a long cut along his right arm…it may need stitches. Other than that, he’s okay.” “Wow, cool.” Gage smiled at Derek who returned a broad smile.
Lacy’s blue eyes cut through her partner. “We need to go to the hospital.”
Oh, boy! Both Gage and Derek had the same thought.
“Okay, I’ll get the car.”
Derek’s car was none the worse for wear but was towed into the garage.
Gage drove everyone to the emergency. Gage, Lacy and Derek stayed than Dani drove Stella and other siblings home. “I’ll come back after we get the little ones fed.” Dani assured her mom.
“I’m not little.”
“Me neither.” Hayley echoed.
“Either way, you’re coming with me.” Dani took charge.
When they finally did reach home, Derek was very tired and sported eight stitches on his right arm. He was afraid his mom would never allow him to race again. “Mom?”
Lacy was pre-occupied and didn’t respond.
“Gage?” Derek tried to get the blonde’s attention.
Gage hugged Derek. “She’s just sorting through all of it, Derek. Your mom has a lot on her mind.”
The whole family was concerned about the matriarch of the family and Derek knew his mom was especially worrisome about his grandmother. Derek hugged his mother. “I’m sorry, mom.”
That pulled Lacy out of her funk. She placed her caring hands on her son’s face. “No reason to be sorry, Derek. It wasn’t your fault and… life happens.” Lacy’s mind had travelled to the past while waiting for Derek to get stitched up. She remembered the multiple times that Lisa and their brothers ended up scratched and bruised from their adventures. Lacy knew that was part of life and while she wanted to protect her children from harm, it was their right to be kids and explore what life had to offer. After all, that’s exactly what she did in life and turned out pretty well. “Honey, when you race again, keep an eye out for those trying to pass you in the final laps. They get greedy about that time.”
A huge smile crossed his face. “I can race again?”
**********
The fourth of July festivities were hosted by Dan and Lynn. The family was going to scale back on any games to be played like they did during the summer blast. Part of it was because Derek had recently been in a racing accident. The main reason though was when Dan finally called Lacy and told he was concerned about his wife’s health. That sent alarms through the concerned daughter.
As soon as Jonathan arrived, he headed straight for his cousin, Dani. Finding her out in the backyard, he bumped up against her. “What’d you gotta do to get something to drink around here?”
“Wait another year.” Dani hugged her cousin. “Unless you sneak something, I don’t think grandpa will allow it… or grandma for that matter.”
“Hey, I am this close to being twenty-one.” Jonathan’s thumb and pointer finger were no more than a half inch apart.
Dani laughed. “I can still see daylight.”
“Dad lets me have a cold beer every once in a while.”
Dani’s dark eyebrows shot up since her uncle rarely drank and was very strict about some things. “Guess everyone can change.”
He bumped her again. “Not that much. By the way, how’s Lane?” Jonathan and Dani went to the same high school. He was a senior when Dani and Lane were sophomores. Jonathan clearly remembered one day when Lane asked him about Dani and if she was interested in anyone. Ever since then, he took an interest in finding about the boy who liked his cousin.
Since Lane had called her to wish her Happy Fourth of July, Dani was still feeling the giddy effects. “Oh, he’s good.” It was unnatural for Dani to be so off-kilter with her emotions. After a long talk with her mother, the young woman came to the conclusion that what she was experiencing was new to her. Dani had always been outgoing and self-assured. It’s not like that part of her changed but as she tried to sort out her feelings for Lane, she became more reserved. Dani remembered her mother telling her another reason for new temperment. Honey, you’ve always been the center of attention...very outgoing. Now, you’ve matured and have come to realize the importance of other people’s feelings … you no longer need to take center stage. Dani understood clearly. Having three younger siblings, she naturally stepped back in order for them to shine.
“When’s he coming back? Maybe we can hang out before you go back to school and I head back to college.”
That was a point of contention for the young woman. “Probably right before school starts.”
The two had talked before on the subject of Lane Grayson. “Then it’s just you and me.”
“Sure.” Dani looked around for her sister. “Now where did she go?”
Hayley came running out the back door and jumped off the wooden deck. She grabbed Dani’s hand. “Come on. Lisa’s here.”
Lisa and Jason McIntyre had just arrived. Nearly five months pregnant now, Lisa had stayed away from other family get together since the first few months were rather difficult for her. The nausea had tamed down some but Lacy’s younger sister still had bouts after she would eat. As Jason helped his wife sit down on the sofa in the living room, everyone gathered around.
“What? Am I on display now?” Lisa laughed. “Mmmmm…it smells good. I hope my stomach can handle it.”
Gage figured it was as good a time as any to gather up the three little ones and go get the much needed ice. “Be back in a bit.” Shortly after they walked out the front door it happened.
The crash in the kitchen drew everyone’s attention away from their pregnant sibling. Lacy rushed through the kitchen door. “Mom! What happened?”
Lynn Ryan made light of the broken bowl on the floor. “It slipped…that’s all.” Lynn stooped down. “Here help me clean it up.”
While Dan pulled his wife back upright, Lacy scooped up the shards from the mixing bowl. Lacy noticed that her father had a steading hand on her mother’s waist. She looked up. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Of course.”
D
an nudged his wife toward the door. “Let’s get you in the living room.” He guided Lynn to the sofa and placed her next to their daughter. “You stay. The rest of us can take care of things.”
Lynn glanced around at everyone now staring and her and Lisa. She nudged her youngest daughter. “Now I guess we are both on display.” Lynn was about to protest and get back to work but the glare from her husband’s eyes stopped her in her tracks. Lynn eased back on the sofa. “Well, it’s about time someone else did the cooking anyway.” She tried to make like of the incident but no one was fooled.
Stella patted her friend on the shoulder. “I can do the rest of it…there’s not much left to do…”
Lynn pulled Stella down next to her. “No, let the young ones take care of it all.” She winked at Stella. “See what they can do.”
Jen and Crystal volunteered to help Lacy but Dan stopped them. “We can get it.” Dan waited as his daughter passed by and then he followed her through the kitchen door.
Jen turned to her husband who had come in from the grill when he heard all the commotion. “Need some help outside?”
“Always.” Hank escorted his wife out to the bar-b-que grill.
Jason vacillated between staying with his wife and helping Hank. When Lisa reached for his hand, he dropped down on the arm of the sofa next to his wife.
Denny nodded toward his wife, Crystal and suggested. “Why don’t we set the table outside?”
Crystal was slightly taken aback by her husband’s suggestion. Denny was usually parked in front of the television until it was time to eat. “Alright.”
Lynn, Lisa and Jason were left alone in the living room as everyone else vacated quickly. She took her daughter’s hand. “Do you think it was something we said?” Lynn let out a nervous laugh just as Gage stormed through the front door followed by three very loud kids. All four of them were carrying a small bag of ice.
Gage shrugged. “I coulda got two large bags but…no… they each had to have one.” As Hayley, Sammy and Derek headed out the back door to deposit their bags of ice in the color, Gage surveyed the long faces of the two Ryan women. “What’s going on?”
“Your wife and my husband basically threw me out of my own kitchen.” Lynn said with such seriousness in her voice that Gage slowly meandered toward the back deck to drop off the bag of ice she was carrying. After the blonde disappeared from the room, Lynn sighed. “We’re just running them all off.”