“Ok. I still don’t think it’s fair though.”
“Duly noted. Shower.”
“We’re not going to get all these balloons blown up on time,” Matty said.
“No, we’re not. “ Jamie said. “But you know what? Doesn’t matter. That’s our new party game. See who can blow up the balloons quicker.”
“I wanna a pink one,” Hannah said.
“Of course you do, Princess, and you shall have a pink one. Now let’s get you changed into your new pretty dress.”
“And my cowgirl boots?”
“Of course. Whatever you want.”
*****
Jamie had managed to rein the kids in and get and the mess cleaned up. Zeke had showered and changed. Matty was ready and attempting to blow up balloons and Hannah was dressed in her new finery – cowboy boots and all. The only kid that still hadn’t made an appearance was Josie. That was making Jamie a little nervous. She was just about to go up the stairs wand find her when Joe got back with the ice.
“You all look very nice,” he said, chuckling at his youngest daughter’s boots. “Where’s Josie?”
“Still getting ready.”
“What’s she wearing?”
“I’m not exactly sure,” Jamie admitted. “I was about to go and check on her. I’ve been busy.”
“Uh huh. The kids are already on their way here. I just saw some crossing the street.”
“Okay, I’ll go now,” she said, sighing when the doorbell rang right at that moment. “You get the door and I’ll see to Josie.”
Jamie was half way up the stairs and Joe had opened the door to welcome the first of the kids when Josie made her grand entrance.
They both stood dumbfounded at the vision before them.
“Hi,” the young woman said, stepping past the two open-mouthed adults and waving to the two teenagers at the door. “I’m Josie.” Josie was wearing a simple sundress and sandals. She had washed and dried her hair straight with the hair dryer and applied a hint of makeup. She’d painted her nails with sparkly pink nail polish to match her dress.
Jamie smiled smugly. “She looks beautiful.”
“She looks like her mother when she was young.” Joe was still blinking with confusion at the young woman who a couple of hours ago had been his little girl.
“You were worried, admit it. You thought she was going to come down here in a short skirt, face plastered with make up.”
“I didn’t know what to expect.”
“I was right. I won the bet.”
“One child out of four. Bet’s not over yet.”
“We’ll see.”
“Yes, we will see.”
*****
You ready to concede?” Jamie asked happily when the last of the young guests had gone.
“Nearly. I have to admit, the kids have handled all this fairly well.”
“They didn’t even spend their money badly.”
“No, but that X–box is only going to be let out on the weekend and limited time wise.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Jamie said conveniently, not mentioning the kids’ behaviour while Joe had been out. “They can get a little addictive.”
“Something’s puzzling me, though.”
“Oh, what’s that?”
“I can see where the money went that you gave Zeke and I can see what you spent on the younger kids but I wonder what Josie spent her money on. She already had that dress. Although I hadn’t seen it on her yet, it was a Christmas present from her mother. She may have bought a little makeup but that wouldn’t have cost much would it?”
“No, it wouldn’t. Why don’t you go and ask her.”
“I will,” Joe said.
“But Joe? Remember what ever she’s bought is okay. My rules.”
Joe rolled his eyes. “We’ll see. She could have a pack of cigarettes up there.”
“You know she doesn’t.”
*****
Joe knocked on his daughter’s door. Hannah was downstairs playing in the living room with her new dolls so he knew she was alone. The door creaked open.
“Hi Daddy,” the young girl said. Her face was now cleaned of makeup.
“Hi. Can we talk?”
“Why? Have I done something wrong?”
“No. Why would you think that?”
“That’s usually the only time you want to come up here and talk.”
“You’re not in trouble, Josie,” he said.
She swung the door open and went to sit on her bed. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Well, I know you had money to spend at the mall.”
“Yeah.”
“I know you got that dress you wore for Christmas and the shoes.”
“Yeah, Daddy. Jamie said I could get what ever I wanted.”
“That’s true. She did. I’m curious that’s all.”
“It’s a surprise.”
“You don’t want to tell me?”
Josie looked at her closet and then at her Dad. “I guess it’ll be okay.”
Joe watched with relief as she went to her closet and dragged out a couple of shopping bags.
“You did buy some new clothes,” Joe said, confused at why she didn’t wear them to the party.
“Uh huh.”
“Didn’t they fit? I mean you looked beautiful, don’t get me wrong.”
“Daddy, the clothes aren’t for me. They’re for Momma.”
“You spent your money on your mom?”
“Is that all right? I’m sorry I didn’t get anything for you Daddy. I just did it.”
“Oh Josie, it’s better than all right. What made you think of it?”
“I passed this store where Momma always looks a bit longer when we’re walking past and they were having a sale. I just picked a couple of things I thought she might like. You want to see if they’re okay?”
“Oh, honey, she’ll love what ever you chose. They’ll be perfect. That was a really unselfish thing you did and I’m so proud of you.” He held out his arms for a hug, but she surprised him by climbing into his lap.
“You don’t mind that I wore makeup today?”
“Not the way you wore it. It was subtle.”
“I always watch how Momma does it before church.”
“You’re growing into a lovely young woman.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
*****
“Are you ready?” Jamie asked when the boys came down in their karate outfits. “You’re going to love this.”
“What if we don’t?” Matty said.
“Then you try a different sport. You keep trying until you find something you do like.”
“Okay,” Matty said.
“Next week you all start practice for baseball,” Joe said. He smiled at Jamie. “You won. I booked a restaurant for tonight.”
“Thanks,” Jamie said. “But I have a better idea.”
Joe waited at the front door for his dinner date. She was fashionably late but he didn’t mind. When she finally stood at the top of the stairs he grinned broadly.
“You look great, honey.”
“Thanks, Daddy,” Josie said, turning to Jamie. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I know what you did with your money,” she said, stroking Josie’s face. “Every good girl deserves a treat sometimes. You have a great night with your Dad. You’re lucky you have him.”
Joe actually blushed. “You have fun, too.”
“I will. We’re going to stay up late and eat junk, aren’t we kids?”
Joe shook his head. “You’re lucky it’s still your rules.”
“I’m going home tomorrow and you can have all the peace you want.”
“We’ll miss you.”
“Yes, we will,” Josie said.
“What movie are we watching?” Zeke asked.
“The Wizard of Oz.”
“Yay, I love that one.” Matty said.
“I’ll make the popcorn,” Zeke said.
�
��It’s all about compromise.” She shrugged.
*****
Jamie woke up with her little girl’s faces on her mind. She’d missed them. Spending day in and day out with these kids had made her realise just how much time she didn’t spend with her own. With them or with Jeremy. It was time they talked – really talked and ironed out their problems. She wanted to be happily married and she wanted Jeremy to feel like a part of him was missing when she wasn’t there.
“What’s all this?” Jamie asked as a noisy bunch of kids with Joe bringing up the rear burst into her room.
“Breakfast in bed,” Hanny said. “You’re going home so we’s givin’ you Mother’s Day today.”
Jamie’s eyes filled with tears at the tray that had been lovingly set by the kids. Some half dead flowers from the yard in an old jelly jar and some burnt toast. She took a sip of the instant coffee that had been made from water out of the faucet.
“Wow,” she said. “This is about the nicest coffee anyone has ever made for me.” In a weird way she meant it. There was a lot of love on that tray and the simplicity warmed her heart.
“I’m going to miss you munchkins.” She gave each one a big hug as they leaned over.
“Even you,” she said. “I hope we can stay in touch.”
“I’d like that,” Joe said with a grin. “I could give Jeremy some pointers.”
“Uh, no.”
“Taxi will be here in about an hour, so we better leave you to your breakfast so you can get ready.”
When they’d all filed back out, she got out her iPad.
“This started out to be the story that was going to make my career. It hasn’t ended that way. I wanted to expose Joe for the tyrannical husband and father that I thought he was. I can’t do that to him because he isn’t. He’s a loving and understanding husband and father that is just giving the stability that they need. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts, though. It helped to get me through this roller coaster of a ride. Now it’s time to go home.”
*****
The final day of the swap had come and Sarah couldn’t wait to go home. She wanted to kiss her babies and talk with them about the last two weeks. She wanted to hear Joe’s voice and have him wrap his loving arms around her.
“Guess I better say goodbye.”
“You excited to be going home?” Jeremy asked.
“I am,” Sarah said. So much. “You?”
“Yes, that’s one of the emotions I’m feeling. That, determination and apprehension all rolled into one. I want my wife back, though, and I’m going to do what ever it takes to get her back.”
“Good for you,” Sarah said. “She’s going to love the work you’ve done on her office.”
“Did you send your story in to Amy?”
“I did. She’s going to run it next month. Apparently, Jamie had something planned but changed her mind.”
“Oh really?”
Sarah shrugged. “That’s what she said.”
“I guess she’ll tell me about it.”
“She also said that she’d be happy to have a freelance piece from me every once in a while. I can write it at home and just send it in to her.”
“That’s great, Sarah. Are you going to do it?”
“I think I might. I don’t want to work full time like Jamie. I did enjoy the little bit of writing that I did do though and the money every now and then would be good.”
“Will Joe mind?”
“I don’t think so. Of course, I’ll talk to him about it.”
“Well, nearly time for the taxi.”
“I better really go and say goodbye this time. I’m going to miss the girls.”
“They’ll miss you, too,” Jeremy said, looking over at his now more independent daughters playing house across the room, together. Caroline had come to watch them while he and Sarah met their spouses at the halfway meeting point.
“I’ll get the bags.”
*****
Jamie opened the cab door tentatively and stuck her head out. She didn’t know what Jeremy’s reaction was going to be to her at that point. He’d spent two weeks with a warm and lovely woman who had everything all worked out already instead of a case like her. She lifted her second leg out and tried to ignore the cameras that were circling dramatically to capture their reunion. They faded into the background when she saw Jeremy’s face. Tears rolled down his face and his arms were held wide. She jumped and ran, throwing herself into his embrace.
“I missed you,” she sobbed.
“Oh, Thank God.”
“I’m sorry about the way things were when I left.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “It wasn’t all your fault. We need to talk.”
“Yeah, we do.” They walked into the hotel hand in hand for the final meeting with Sarah and Joe.
*****
Sarah and Joe said nothing. There was no hesitation. As soon as they saw each other they jumped out and flew into the others arms. They stood like that for ages just hugging, feeling the reality of their connection again. Each one of them feeling like they’d come home.
*****
Joe picked up the piece of paper that said they should all talk about something they’d learned from the experience.
“I’ll start,” he said, after the introductions were made and they’d sat at the table facing each other. “From this experience I gained a greater appreciation for my wife,” he said, giving her a smile. “I also learned to trust my children. Unless they give me reason not to and I learned not to judge a book by its cover.” He turned to Jeremy. “When I got home with my kids and I saw your wife standing there with her short skirt and her manicured nails, I was not happy.”
“Oh?” Jeremy said with just a hint of defensiveness. “I didn’t think there was anything wrong with the way she was dressed.”
“We’re a little more conservative,” Joe explained. “I have a teenage daughter. Her eyes lit up when she saw your wife.”
“I bet,” Sarah said.
“She was very taken with Jamie,” he said, smiling across the table at the younger of the women, who smiled back. “I was scared. I thought she would want to emulate what she saw. So I asked Jamie to change her clothes. In the process, I may have hurt her feelings. I’m sorry for that.”
“That’s okay,” Jamie said. “I was a little mouthy.”
“Yes, you were, and I’m not used to that.” Joe went on to explain about their early battles, the party and Josie’s dress choice. He looked at his wife lovingly. “Our daughter had on makeup. It was very light and pretty and her hair was real straight. When did it get that long? She looked beautiful and the moral is, when she had the chance to wear what she wanted, she chose to dress in something that she knew you would approve of.” He was careful not to reveal Josie’s surprise for her mother.
“I also learned that you can’t judge people on first impressions. When I met Joe,” Jamie said, with a giggle. “I thought he was the most overbearing, bossy person I’d ever met.”
“He’s not really that way at all,” Sarah said.
“I did say when I first met him,” she clarified, “I was going to write an article about an egotistical man who mistreated his wife.” She glanced at Jeremy and then Sarah. Their looks told her that they were well aware of what she was getting at.
“Ahh,” Sarah and Jeremy said together. It dawned on both what Amy had meant when she said that Jamie had changed her mind. “You changed your mind?”
Jamie nodded. “He doesn’t deserve that. He’s a good man.”
“I’m not perfect,” Joe said.
“Hell no, you’re not!” Jamie giggled.
“Mouth,” he said with a glare.
“Got my old husband back now!” There was a twinkle in her eye.
“I may not be your old husband,” Jeremy said. He took Jamie’s hand in his and looked her in the eye. “I haven’t been happy for a long time, but I want to be. Things are going to change.”
“In what way?” Jamie asked, her
heart thumping out of her chest.
“Why didn’t you tell me that Amy said you could work from home some of the time?”
Jamie’s face flushed and she shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that Caroline wanted to cut her hours back?”
“Couldn’t we do this at home?”
“No. I asked you questions and I want them answered.”
Jamie tried to pull her hand from his. He was pressing her and they were in front of strangers.
Jeremy wouldn’t let her lose though. He held on tight and waited.
“I want the girls to have the best.”
“They have enough stuff.”
“I’m not talking about stuff, Jeremy. I’m not that superficial.”
“Then what are you talking about?”
“When I hired Caroline, I hired the best. That’s what I want for the girls. To have the best person around them.” Her eyes filled with tears.
“You don’t think their mother is the best person for them to be around?”
“I don’t want to be like my mother.”
“You’re nothing like her.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because you went to all this trouble to do what you thought was best for them and I’m nothing like your Dad. I’ll be there for you. I’ll be the strong person that you need me to be.”
“Not like Joe,” she said pointedly.
“If I need to be.” He chuckled at her wide eyes.
“Does that mean if I come home late you won’t be in the guest room?”
“You won’t be coming home late.”
“Okay,” she said. “I want you to talk to me. I never know what you’re thinking.”
“Fair call,” Jeremy said. “And that’s what I’ve learned. I need to be more assertive and more open.”
“What about you, Sarah?” Jamie asked. “Did you learn anything?”
“Yes,” she said, taking a deep breath and looking at her husband. “I wrote an article for Jamie’s editor on home schooling.”
“Really?” Joe said.
“Yes. Really. And it’s going to be published.”
“That’s exciting.”
“And that’s not all. Amy’s asked me if I’d like to write a column once a month. I’d really like to do it.”
The Grass Could Be Greener Page 11