A Texas Family Reunion

by Judy Christenberry

  “I agree with that. And I hope she takes care of it.”

  “It’s up to her now, David.”

  “Are you telling me to butt out? She’s my sister!”

  “And she’s my cousin. But she’s also an adult and allowed to make her own decisions. Our job is to support her and help her if she asks for it.”

  “I think I’m the one who should decide if she’s capable of making her own decisions.”

  “And you have to deal with your mother, too. You haven’t told her about your family yet.”

  “I know that!”

  Alex took a bite of her sandwich and chewed, not speaking.

  David did the same, but Alex thought he wasn’t comfortable with it. Finally he couldn’t hold back. “I’m sorry if I offended you, but I’m older than you. I don’t see how you feel you have the right to tell me what to do.”

  “You know, David, according to Susan, you’ve been a great big brother. But you’re not my big brother. I’m an adult, too.”

  Then she stood and carried her plate to the sink. She rinsed it off and put it in the dishwasher. “Feel free to have a piece of cake if you want it. I’m going to read until bedtime.”

  She left him sitting at the table, his mouth hanging open.

  THEIR FIRST ARGUMENT.

  It hadn’t been a knock-down fight. No, Alex had been very dignified, almost precise telling him that both she and Susan were adults. And she’d walked out before he could make it clear that she couldn’t order him around. He was an adult, too, but he’d accepted help from his big brother. Nothing wrong with that.

  Of course, both Susan and Alex were old enough to make their own decisions. But in a way, Susan wasn’t as old as Alex. Her mother—his mother—had tried to make every decision for her and had made fun of her when she’d tried and failed.

  So she couldn’t really make decisions on her own. That was the only reason he was insisting. He felt quite justified… Suddenly, it occurred to him that she might never learn to make decisions if she wasn’t allowed to.

  He toyed with that idea for a few minutes. Until he finally realized the truth of it and that he’d been wrong. He needed to tell Alex, apologize to her.

  He tiptoed to her bedroom. It wasn’t too late, only ten-thirty. He rapped softly and waited. He heard nothing. What if she wasn’t in there? What if she’d left and he hadn’t realized?

  Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob and opened the door slightly so he could peek in. Alex was in bed, a book resting on her chest, sound asleep. He’d have to save his apology for in the morning. Crossing the room, he put the book on the lamp table and pulled the covers over her shoulders. Then he tiptoed out of her bedroom and closed the door.

  He’d explain over breakfast in the morning.

  DAVID AWOKE the next morning with a sense of expectation. Then he remembered his intention to apologize to Alex. He was eager to do so, sure she would accept his apology.

  He showered and shaved, then dressed, feeling sure the morning would be so much better because he and Alex wouldn’t argue. When he came out of his room, dressed in one of his suits, with shirt and tie, he hurried to the kitchen.

  He found a note:

  Sorry, but I have to be at work early. Help yourself to whatever you can find for breakfast.

  Alex

  “Damn!” That wasn’t the way he wanted his day to begin. It was only eight o’clock. What time had she left?

  He decided to pick up breakfast on the way to the office. Then he remembered he didn’t have his car, and even if he did, his shoulder might make the driving difficult. So now what was he going to do?

  The phone rang. Hoping it was Alex, he picked it up. “Hello?”

  “David, it’s Susan. Do you need a ride to work?”

  “Yeah, how did you know?”

  “Alex called earlier. Did you get breakfast?”

  “No, I was going to pick some up on the way in. Can we do that?”

  “Sure, if you’re ready now.”

  “Yeah, I’m ready.”

  “Okay, I’m leaving now. Be there in five minutes.”

  “I’ll be outside.”

  He grabbed the newspaper he’d marked up yesterday. He hoped to make some calls about houses from work today. Then he went out the front door, locking it as he pulled it closed. Since he had no key, he hoped he could get in when he came home tonight.

  He didn’t have to wait long for Susan.

  She was driving, but Pete was in the front seat beside her.

  “You must’ve gotten an early start, Suse, to pick Pete up and then me.”

  “I don’t mind. Everyone’s going to be very happy to see both of you. Oh, and we thought we’d stop at International House of Pancakes. I love to eat there.”

  “I was afraid I’d spill something on my suit if I ate in the car,” Pete added.

  “Good point, Pete. Pancakes are fine with me.”

  When he got to the office, he’d send flowers to Alex’s office. With the apology he wanted to deliver.

  “DID YOU ENJOY DINNER yesterday?” Carrie asked Alex. They were enjoying a midmorning coffee break.

  “Yes, it was wonderful. I find it amazing that so many of you get along. There’s no arguing or pouting or criticism. It’s incredible.”

  “Your family isn’t that way?”

  “Mine wasn’t too bad when I was growing up. But once Mom moved in with Aunt June, it became miserable. Aunt June thinks the world revolves around her. No one else is allowed an opinion. I visit Mom occasionally, but mostly I take her out to lunch, just the two of us.”

  “Sounds like a good idea,” said Carrie. “But our family stems from Vivian’s goodness. She knew there were six children that had been separated, and she asked her first husband if they couldn’t adopt all of them. But she was very young then and he made all the decisions. He absolutely refused. But as soon as he died, she hired Will to find all of them. She’s welcomed each of them as if they were her own children. And me, too. Will had adopted me, more or less. I knew Vanessa, but we’d lost touch. Once Vivian and Will married, they tried to fold me into the family. I resisted, afraid of imposing. But then I married Jim, and I knew they were my family.”

  Alex gave her a warm smile. “David and I talked about the differences between your family and mine. Then last night, David tried to tell me that Susan had to do things the way he thought they should be done. I said Susan was an adult, and she had the right to make her own choices.”

  “Good for you.”

  “I guess so. He and I left our argument unresolved. I went to my room and read for a while before I fell asleep.”

  “You mean you didn’t make up with him before you went to bed?”

  “We’re not married, Carrie, like you and Jim. We’re just cousins. Not even that close.”

  “But David’s father was working for your dad?”

  “Yes, and after Dad died, June pretended it was her husband’s company, even though he had no idea what he was doing. Of course, once David, her son, took over, she was really able to brag.”

  “That must’ve been hard for you.”

  “Not really. Dad and I talked about it before he died. He told me she could say what she wanted. She couldn’t take my shares in the company or my mom’s shares from us, so we were taken care of.”

  “That’s true. I think—”

  The door opened and a delivery boy stood there with a huge bouquet of roses in a green vase. “These are for Ms. Alex Buford. Have I got the right place?”

  Alex’s mouth fell open. Carrie smiled and said, “You sure have.”

  Alex tipped him and took the bouquet. He thanked her and left.

  She just stared at the beautiful roses.

  “There’s a card on this side,” Carrie said. “I know you’ve been doing good work, but customers usually don’t reward us this way.”

  Alex set the vase down on her desk and turned to the card. She opened and read the note. Then she cleared her throat
. “It’s from David.”

  “Oh. I guess it’s personal, isn’t it,” Carrie said with a grin, clearly giving Alex an out from reading the card.

  “I don’t mind reading it. He says, ‘Sorry about last night. I got my families confused. Yes, you’re right and I’m wrong. Susan needs to make her own decisions and suffer the consequences. See you after work.’”

  “Well, that was nice of him,” Carrie said.

  “I guess, if he means it. Some people say what they think you want them to say.”

  “True, but they seldom say it with expensive flowers.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I should take him at his word until he’s proven wrong.”

  Will and Jim entered the office just then. When he saw the huge vase of roses, Will looked at Alex and asked, “Did someone die?”

  She turned bright red. “No, Will.”

  “Okay,” Will said slowly, waiting for an explanation.

  Carrie supplied it. “David sent them to Alex because they had an argument.”

  “Must’ve been a whale of an argument,” Will said.

  Jim smiled at Alex. “It’s a nice way to apologize.”

  Will scratched his head. “Has David got a flower thing? He sent Vivian a bouquet of flowers to say thank you for dinner yesterday.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Alex immediately came to David’s defense. “C’mon, Will. Sending flowers is a nice thing to do. David really appreciates Vivian’s graciousness—especially the way she included Pete and Susan. It was an eye-opening experience for all of us. We didn’t realize a family could be warm and supportive.”

  Will smiled. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to sound so suspicious of his motives. Of course flowers are a lovely way of sending a message.” His brow furrowed. “Were your families so terrible?”

  “No, not really. My dad was a good man. My mom is…limited. She feels I’ve ruined my life because I haven’t married and started having babies.”

  “I’m sorry, Alex, but you do realize she’s wrong, don’t you?” Will asked.

  “Yes, thank you, Will. I actually changed jobs for a man, then realized he wasn’t worth spit. But I’m so glad I did take this job. I’m enjoying it immensely.”

  “Good. Okay, I’m going into my office and getting to work. I’m running a little late today.”

  After Will had disappeared, Jim said, “We’re glad you didn’t marry that man.”

  Alex laughed. “I’m glad, too.”

  “By the way,” Jim began, “what did you and David argue about? Sorry. If I’m being too personal, just say so.”

  Alex shrugged. “Not at all. David just didn’t trust his sister to make the right decisions about Pete.”

  “And you thought he should trust her?”

  “Susan hasn’t had a lot of experience making decisions, which was his point. But I believe you only learn from actually making decisions and having to live with them. And you don’t tell her what to do unless she asks for help. I broke that rule because David said Susan should be told to warn Pete about their mother being a terrible snob. Susan didn’t thank me for butting in. But anyway, she’s been warned, so now it’s up to her.”

  “But what does her mother being a snob have to do with Pete?” Jim asked.

  “Pete’s last name is Dansky. His family came from Eastern Europe when he was a child. They definitely missed the Mayflower.”

  “So her mother will say he’s not good enough for her and tell her to get rid of him?”

  “She might. I think Susan needs to warn Pete before he meets Aunt June.”

  “Do you think they’re getting serious?” Carrie asked.

  “I think she’s virtually moved into his apartment.”

  “But I thought they just met a couple of weeks ago.”

  “At the most. But since he got shot, she’s always with him. And she told me to call her at Pete’s place rather than her own.”

  “And David doesn’t know?”

  Alex smiled grimly. “He hasn’t figured it out yet.”

  “Didn’t you tell him?” Carrie demanded.

  “No, because I don’t know for sure. I hinted at it, but he didn’t grasp what I was trying not to say.”

  “Oh, dear,” Carrie said. “Men can be so dense sometimes.”

  “Hey, I’m a man.” Jim complained.

  “Yes, dear, I know,” Carrie said, casting him a loving smile and winking at Alex.

  WHILE CARRIE AND JIM were at lunch, the phone rang and Alex answered it. “Greenfield and Associates.”

  “Alex, it’s David.”

  “Yes. Thank you for the lovely flowers. And for the apology.”

  “You more than earned them for putting up with me. I called because I’ve got two houses lined up for after work. Can you meet me at 22664 Wind Chime in Richardson at five-thirty?”

  “What’s the nearest cross street?”

  He told her and waited patiently.

  After looking it up on Mapsco, she said, “Yes, I think so.”

  “Good. This house is empty because the couple have already moved away. That’s true of the second house, too.”

  “Okay. So you may have a place to live almost at once.”

  “Yeah. Okay, I’ll see you at five-thirty.”

  “All right.” She hung up the receiver, but her hand rested on it for a few moments. She hadn’t believed the day would come when David would buy a house. Which was silly on her part. Of course he couldn’t live with her forever.

  So why did she feel so unsettled?

  “MR. BUFORD, DON’T YOU WANT to go in and start looking at the house?” The real estate agent and David were standing on the sidewalk.

  “No, I want to wait for my cousin. She said she’d try to be on time.” He kept looking over his shoulder. When he caught sight of her car, he waved to her, a big grin on his face.

  When she joined him, she said, “I’m sorry. I ran a little late.”

  “It’s okay.” He clasped her hand in his and, with the agent, went up the walk to the front porch of the house. They went inside and the agent began turning on lights and giving her spiel. David listened, but his eyes were on Alex, wanting her reaction to the house.

  She said nothing until she’d walked through the entire place, looked in the closets and the backyard. Then she asked David, “Do you like it?”

  “Do you?”

  “Not so much. It’s a little out-of-date.”

  “Okay,” he said to the agent. “We’re ready to see the other house.”

  The woman looked from Alex to David and then back again. “I see. Yes, well, let’s do that. I think you’ll like it better. It’s only two years old and everything’s up to date.”

  “Great,” Alex said.

  “How far is it?” David asked.

  “Only a couple of blocks.”

  “Good. Alex, leave your car here and ride with me. Then we’ll come back afterward for your car.”

  “Oh, David! I didn’t even notice you had your car back. I’m sure you’re relieved. But how’s your shoulder for driving?”

  “Not bad. I just use my left arm more and give thanks my car isn’t standard. Come on.” He captured her hand with his, leaving her no choice.

  When they got out at the next house, she turned to David. “Oh, it’s so pretty!”

  “Yes, it is, isn’t it?”

  The lawn was carefully tended, already green in early March. The bushes were neatly trimmed, flowers bloomed in the narrow garden, and two tall oak trees graced the yard.

  They walked up the curved sidewalk. The front door was heavy oak with a panel of colored glass. After the agent opened the door, David, holding Alex’s hand, stepped inside. They stood in the entryway, admiring the dramatic architectural style of the house. Unlike the last house, everything was new and fresh. The back wall was all windows, looking out on a beautiful backyard.

  “How many bedrooms?” David asked.

  “There are four bedrooms, one on this level and th
ree upstairs.”

  “The master is downstairs?” Alex asked hurriedly.

  “No, the master bedroom is upstairs.”

  “Oh, good.” Alex responded.

  “Why does it matter?” David asked.

  “It doesn’t now, but if you should marry and have babies, you’d need the baby close to the master bedroom.”

  “Oh, right.”

  They saw the dining room and the den, then entered the kitchen. It was a large room with a breakfast bar, as well as room for a table. It had a side-by-side refrigerator and an extra-large range and two ovens.

  “Oh, this is wonderful!” Alex enthused.

  “You like it?” David asked.

  “Don’t you?” she responded.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “Of course, we have to see the upstairs, too,” Alex said.

  They climbed the stairs. The master bedroom was twice the size of the other bedrooms. The ensuite bathroom had a large Jacuzzi tub that drew a sigh from Alex. “Oh, David, how lovely!”

  David had been examining the walk-in shower with interest. “Yeah, it is.”

  The agent knew when she wasn’t needed. “I’ll wait downstairs. Take your time.”

  Alex began opening drawers and cabinets. David turned lights on and off. Then he wandered into the other two bedrooms.

  When Alex went into the master bedroom again, David met her there. “I like having a fireplace in here.”

  “Me, too, but I think it would get more use if you put in gas logs. Then you don’t have to worry about carrying up logs or cleaning the ashes out.”

  “Good point.”

  “There’s plenty of room for a sitting area, a television, some lamps to read by.” Alex heaved another sigh. “It would be heavenly.”

  “Yeah, but it’s so big I’m not sure you could hear the baby in here.”

  “Maybe. But you could get one of those intercoms that lets you hear everything in the baby’s room.”

  “Wow, you’ve thought of everything, haven’t you?”

  “No, but I’ve thought of a few things. Are you thinking of buying it?”