“Em, you’ve got until the count of three to get everyone out of this house.”
Emily didn’t have to say a word to any of her friends. The usually sluggish teens moved faster than Jeff had ever seen them. When he heard the final one leave and the door close, he took a deep breath before the fun with Emily started.
“WTF, Dad. How could you do that?”
“WTF! How could I do that to you? Did you ask if you could have a party after school?”
“It wasn’t a party. It was just a group of friends hanging out after school.” Emily whined. “I don’t see what the big deal is anyway. Mom lets me do this all the time.”
“Where’s your brother?” Jeff’s patience was wearing thin.
“How should I know? It’s not my turn to babysit him.”
“Emily Elizabeth.”
“Fine. He said something about practice earlier. Happy now?”
Jeff ran his fingers through his thick, curly, yet cropped head of hair. “Not even remotely close. You have a half hour to get this place cleaned up.”
“Dad, that’s not fair! It wasn’t clean when I got home. Ashley didn’t do anything today, just sat around on her fat ass like she does every day.”
“Kitchen table. Now!” Jeff paced back and forth. The deep calming breaths he sucked in did nothing to calm him. No wonder why Ashley is at her wit’s end. He was at his wit’s end just from walking through the damn door. How did he not see this before now? Was it because Emily generally tried to hide her behavior from him? Loosening the miniature noose that hung around his neck, he sat on the arm of the couch. The last thing he wanted was to scream at Emily. They would get nowhere fast, not to mention the fact that it would only reinforce Emily’s negative behavior. He tried to remember all the tips he learned in the class for divorcing parents. There must have been something useful that he learned.
Jeff ignored the chair scooting across the kitchen floor, along with the dramatic sighs and huffs that sprang from Emily, at least until he could discipline her without anger. He took his time collecting his thoughts, weighing her actions, and making sure the punishments fit the crimes. He also sent a few lengthy text messages to his ex-wife to let her know what he was doing. The only response he got back was a ‘sounds good to me’.
Slowly he rose and headed for the kitchen. His first stop was the fridge to grab a glass of water before sliding into the adjacent chair. “What’s with the attitude, Em? Things have been different with you lately, and I want to know why.”
“Nothing’s wrong with me. Everyone else seems to be full of problems these days.”
“Fine Em. We’ll do it your way. You broke four rules today, so four different punishments. Sound about right to you?” Jeff decided to up the ante to see if she cracked.
“Dad! That’s not fair!”
“Really? Let’s see. The first one, no one in the house unless someone…Ash or I are home. Two, swearing—”
“I didn’t swear!”
“Em, I know what WTF means. I wasn’t born yesterday. Three, you were told you weren’t allowed to date until you were sixteen. I come home to a house full of people and you’re sitting on some boy’s lap, kissing him. Four, acting like a brat in general, if you think for a second I approve of or it’s okay for you to make nasty comments about any girl or woman and the size of their rear-end, you are sadly mistaken.”
“Fine, whatever, Dad. It doesn’t matter anyway. It’s not like I live with you all the time, so you can’t actually do anything about it.”
Knowing his daughter would pull that card, Jeff made sure he went for something that would hit her, no matter whose house she slept in. What better way to get his point across to his stubborn teenager. “I considered that, Em, so instead of grounding you, let’s do this. First, the internet on your cellphone has been turned off. So has texting. The only people you can call are me, Ashley, your mom, and your grandma. Next, instead of getting your permit next week, you’re going to wait a month. IF your attitude has improved by then and you don’t get into any more trouble, we’ll discuss you driving then. IF you’re still acting the way you are, you’re not getting your license anytime soon.”
“You can’t do that! Mom won’t let you!” Emily screamed.
“It’s already done, Em. I talked to your mom about it as well. It was always the plan that I would take you to get your permit and work with you on driving lessons. When the time came, Ashley was going to add you to her policy. As far as your phone goes, I pay the bill and it’s already done. I was hoping we could talk about this rationally, but you’re letting your attitude rule you. So, kiddo, this is where the attitude gets you. When you’re ready to change your tune, let me know. Until then, get your mess cleaned up while I get dinner started.”
Jeff was impressed. Emily grumbled at first but kept her mouth firmly shut. He was in the middle of unwrapping a frozen pizza when Tyler walked in. “Hey bud, how was practice?”
“Good! Where’s Ashley? I’m starving.”
“She went out for dinner with her sister tonight, so it looks like you’re stuck with my cooking.”
The moans and groans from Tyler were loud and clear. “If anyone can cook better than this, feel free.” Jeff knew there would be no offers of assistance in the kitchen. Hell, he wasn’t too shy to admit if Ashley didn’t cook, they’d all starve. He knew it, the kids knew it as well.
Tyler grabbed a few plates from the cabinet and set them on the counter. “She usually always put something in the crockpot for us if she isn’t going to be home for dinner. I wonder why she didn’t today.” Tyler’s voice was almost sad.
It was Tyler’s observation that sent Jeff’s mind into overdrive. She always cooks for us, no matter what. So what happened today? Why didn’t she? The thoughts stirred around as he searched for an answer to the questions. He knew she was mad this morning, but was her anger worse than he thought? Or was he reading too much into the fact that dinner wasn’t waiting for him as it had been for the past year?
Ashley resigned herself to having a good time out with her sister. The call from Stephanie was a surprise offer for a relaxing evening. One she wasn’t about to turn down. It would be good to have the much needed time away from the house, even for just a little while. Besides, it’s just what I said I would start doing anyway. The timing couldn’t be better. She smiled as she thought about the ulterior motive.
Ashley’s face lit up when she arrived at the restaurant and saw her sister waiting for her. She quickly parked the car and hurried to her sister’s side.
Stephanie wrapped her arms tight around her. “I’m so glad you had time to meet me tonight. I know it’s a weeknight and those usually don’t work for you, but I needed to see you. You sounded so down earlier on the phone. Is everything okay? Is it Jeff? Do I need to beat him with my cast iron skillet? Cuz I totally would for you.”
Holding on to her sister tight, Ashley tried to keep it together. “I know you would, sis, and that’s why I love your weird ass so damn much. Yeah, it’s been tough at home. This whole insta-mom thing…What the hell was I thinking? Whatever made me think that I could do this…this whole family thing? I should have listened to the frogs croaking in the background at the wedding. My life would be a whole hell of a lot easier.”
“Oh sweetie, it can’t be that bad. Let’s get some dinner and talk about it.” Stephanie led the way into their favorite Mexican restaurant. The dim lights set a relaxed tone for the evening. Their booth was quiet and secluded, the perfect location for a heartfelt conversation.
Ashley sipped at her soda, wondering where to start. She took a deep breath and let the events of the past months spring from her lips. The details seemed to take Stephanie by surprise. Ashley knew she had been less than forthcoming with her sister in regards to her relationship with Jeff. Now that the kids were front and center in the heart of the problem, it was time to show her wounds. When she finished dishing all the gory details, Ashley waited for her sister to say something, anything.
; “You need to get things straightened out with your husband, that’s what you need to do. I don’t understand why the two of you are acting like complete fools. You’re both a hell of a lot smarter than you’re acting.”
“What are you talking about, Steph?”
“What I’m talking about, little sister, is the fact that both of you are letting these kids run all over you. The two of you are supposed to be the adults. You need to set firm boundaries with any kids, not just his kids. All kids will run all over you if you let them. What did you expect would happen?”
“Well, when you put it that way…”
“What other way is there to put it, Ash? You have to run a tight ship when kids are involved. It doesn’t mean you can’t love them and have fun. But rules are rules, and every kid needs them.”
“I guess both Jeff and I thought it would be too much for them to handle if we tried to enforce a lot of rules right away. We wanted to give them time to adjust.”
“No, you wanted to be the good guys, the cool parents. That’s not parenting. That’s not anything. It’s fine to give them time to adjust, Ash, but you can’t let them walk all over you. They need to have respect for you as a person and for your house.”
“You’re right. Jeff and I need to work this out together. I don't think we will get anywhere with them if we don’t stick together.”
“You know the old saying.”
“Yeah, apparently his kids do, too, because they are mother fluffin’ great at this divide and conquer thing.”
Stephanie chuckled. “Of course they are. They’re kids, you silly goose. It wasn’t all that long ago that you and I were raising hell. Oh my God, do you remember how bad we used to be? We practically drove our parents nuts with the parties, the boys, the sneaking out…you couldn’t possibly have forgotten our crazy teenage years.”
“Holy shit, you’re right. Maybe I should stop complaining and start counting my lucky stars. Even with all the attitude, they are nowhere near as bad as we were. For the most part, they actually are really great kids.”
“See sis, you just needed a little perspective. Now you need to go home and have it out with your hot hubby. Who knows, it could result in a few mind blowing orgasms.”
“Hmmm. Make-up sex, I like that idea! But only if we get this whole mess sorted out. He’s not getting diddly squat until then.”
“Spoken like the evil spawn you are.” Stephanie laughed at her sister.
“I get my evilness from you. It’s really all your fault.” Ashley shrugged.
Stephanie aimed for her best innocent look and tone. “How do you figure?”
“Ha! You forget who you’re talking to, not to mention the years of corruption I spent under your care.”
“Okay, you got me. But in my defense, you did learn from the best.”
“File that under #truth.”
The rest of their dinner was filled with catching up on all the latest news from their lives, laughter, and genuinely enjoying one another’s company.
The relaxing dinner was just what Ashley needed to gain a new insight on her current dilemma. Her sister was right. Everything had been blown completely and totally out of proportion, everything from her anger to the kids’ attitudes, not to mention Jeff’s lack of involvement. We all screwed up royally. It wasn’t like any of them to act the way they had, and there were no excuses to justify any of their behavior. It’s funny how a few laughs over fajitas helped her see the light of day. Ashley counted on her sister to do her a solid and tell her straight up when she messed up. Talking to Stephanie sooner could have saved her a lot of heartache.
Ashley arrived home feeling much better than she had earlier in the day. The feelings of regret, despair, and hopelessness made a hasty retreat as she parked the car. With a renewed sense of hope, she headed into the house. Her husband looked completely drained. She hoped her absence was worth it. She greeted him with a smile and a sweet kiss. “Sorry for bailing on you. How was your evening? It looks great in here by the way. Did you hire a maid?”
Jeff wrapped Ashley tight in his arms. The warmth from his body enveloped her, heating her to the core. His masculine scent flooded her senses, sending a tingle through her body.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve had the best night, but it could have been far worse. On a scale of suck-ass to I-just-won-the-lottery, it was way down on the low end. I’d say it was a this-blows-big-time kinda night.”
“Oh no. What happened?”
“I was able to experience the full joy and splendor of playing mean cop with Emily tonight, but it was long overdue.” Jeff sighed, his fingers running through his hair for what looked to her like the umpteenth time tonight.
“It does look pretty good, doesn’t it? It’s actually a really funny story as to why it looks like I hired a maid. Why don’t we grab a few drinks and head to the couch for a bit?”
“Now that sounds like a plan.” Ashley smiled, truly happy with being able to ditch the attitude she carried for weeks. She quickly grabbed a cold beer out of the fridge for Jeff before pouring herself a glass of wine. “Where are the kids tonight?”
“I dropped them off at their mom’s a while ago. They both have dentist appointments before school tomorrow, so she’s going to take them to the dentist then drop them at school afterward.”
Ashley settled on the couch, taking a slow sip of her wine. “Nice. So, it’s just us tonight.”
“Yep it sure is. Is that okay?” Jeff teased.
“I have no problems with a relaxing evening. You, of all people, should know that. Now, tell me all about your evening.”
Jeff popped open his beer, taking a quick swig. “I got off work a little early today. I figured I’d surprise you, but you were already gone. What I found, however, was a house full of kids who were about thirty seconds away from losing any remaining innocence they may or may not have.”
“Oh my God! Really? I bet that didn’t go well.” Ashley wanted to hear her husband out before she formed any thoughts or opinions on the subject. I’m sure glad I didn’t walk in on that little fiasco. “Was it that bad?”
“Oh yeah. I walked in to find Emily…augh! I can barely say it…sitting on some boy’s lap, sucking face with him. I thought for sure I was going to have to get the pliers out to pull their braces apart. While that was something I wasn’t ready to see for another oh thirty or so years…no, make that ever, several of the other kids were in various stages of working their way through first and second base.” He shuddered at the memories. “That really wasn’t something I wanted to walk in on. To top it off, it looked like Hurricane Emily had spawned several mini tornadoes that hit every room in the house. I have no idea how long they were here, but from the chicken wing carcasses to the soda cans and candy wrappers, I’d say they had a head start on their little get together. What pissed me off the most is that Emily knows how I feel about stuff like that. It’s been a rule I’ve drilled into her since middle school.”
“Ugh! What did you do? What did you say to her?”
“Her friends scattered pretty quickly when I walked in the door. Thank fuck or I would have choked the little bastard that had his hands all over her.” Jeff rubbed his temples much harder than necessary, trying to clear the still fresh image that seared his mind. “After that, she let her mouth get her into a lot more trouble. So, I texted her mom to let her know what happened. We came up with a punishment to fit the crimes and can be enforced no matter whose house she’s at.”
“Not a bad idea. What did you guys come up with?” Ashley meant what she said about Jeff’s idea. It’s about friggin time! She’d suggested it to Jeff months ago, but was ultimately blown off for a different approach, the classic do nothing approach. Which always worked wonders. Guaranteed.
“Well, the first thing to hit close to home for Em is messing with her cellphone. That was the first punishment. She can only call me, you, her mom, or her grandma. All internet and texting have been shut off for one month. That was for running her mout
h when I got home and for the shit this morning. I told her when she learned to respect others, I’d turn it back on. Not until then. The next one pissed her off even more, but she knows better than to invite people over when we’re gone. She knows that is a capital offense for her. She also knows damn well that she’s not allowed to date until she’s sixteen. So, for that one, she has to wait an extra month to apply for her driver’s permit. If she hasn’t straightened her attitude up, she won’t get it then either.”
Ashley was well and truly speechless. She silently did a little happy dance that he had finally taken action to stop the craziness. Of course, the plan was truly a stroke of genius. Emily was probably already jonesing for her phone to work properly again. The attitude and acting out needed to stop…period and going after her where it hurt the most was the quickest way to ensure the results they were looking for. “How did she take it?”
“Not good, but that’s not really a surprise. We’ve been letting her and Tyler get away with murder since the divorce, hoping it would make the transition easier and maybe ease some of our own guilt, but it’s gotten us nowhere. Emily took it like any teenager rebelling. Not that it matters because she’s not getting out of it. I’m sorry I let it go on for so long. I should have done something sooner, I fucked it up. Let’s hope it’s not too late and we can still sway her to a better, less stressful path.”
Ashley set her wine glass on the table before sliding closer to her husband. She wanted him to know that she was there for him, despite the recent turmoil. “It’s never too late. And for the record, I think you did the right thing. It’s been nuts around here lately. You can practically see the crazy floating around like tiny dust motes in the air. I really think we just need to get back on track, not just the kids. All of us.”
“I hope so. Their mom used to be the strict one. I never really had to deal with the whole rule enforcement thing. I almost laughed at Em’s response tonight. She actually thought she had the upper hand.”
“Poor kid, she’ll learn. She’s a smart one and it will suit her well later in life, for now, it’ll just make our lives more entertaining.” Ashley lounged against Jeff, loving the heat he provided, keeping her toasty and warm. “So what can I do to improve your this-blows-big-time kinda night?”
Éveiller Drive Complete Boxed Set Page 15