Blame it on the Stars (The Blame Game)

by Hill, Jamie

  After two frames, Jim shook his finger at them. “If you two don’t quit being so obnoxious, you’re going to have to go sit behind their team.” He motioned to their competitors.

  “Oh yeah, yeah...we’re really worried.” Jetta waved him off, but they decided in the interests of harmony, maybe they should go check out the jukebox.

  Afterward, as they sipped beers in the bar, Steve said, “I haven’t even had a chance to ask Catlin about this yet, but this weekend, my kids will be gone. I was thinking we could get together at my place, have something to eat, hang out...”

  “Play Pictionary?” Jetta piped up. Jim shook his head, and said to Steve, “Be very careful playing word games with teachers. They cheat.”

  Catlin and Jetta laughed. “We do not,” Jetta replied “Maybe we just know more words than you.”

  “Cheatin’ words,” Jim said to Steve, and they all laughed again.

  “That sounds fun,” Catlin said. “Can you guys make it?”

  The Crafts both nodded and Catlin turned back to Steve. “Where are the kids going?”

  “To visit,” he cleared his throat “their mother.”

  “In New York?” Catlin was incredulous.

  He shook his head. “No, she’s in Kansas City. She’s picking them up Friday and bringing them back Sunday.”

  Catlin thought about that, but didn’t say anything.

  Jetta said “Let’s cook something good. Pasta, stir-fry, what do you think?”

  Steve said, “We could just order in, if it would be easier.”

  “Easy is not a word that these two are familiar with,” Jim smirked at the girls. He turned to Steve. “You look like a man who appreciates a good steak. I’ve got some thick cut T-bones in my freezer, just waiting to be brought back to life.”

  “I love to grill out.” Steve nodded.

  Jim jumped in. “Gas or charcoal?”

  “Nothing beats charcoal for taste,” Steve said.

  Jim nodded, and the girls looked at each other. “They can bond over their charcoal, and we’ll make something fattening to go with it,” Catlin decided.

  “Yum,” Jetta agreed, and it was settled.

  As Steve was driving Catlin home, he told her “Saturday night sounds fun.”

  She snuggled up next to him in the car. “It does! Thanks for thinking of it.”

  He walked her to her door, and they kissed goodnight. “Why don’t I pick you up at about six-thirty, on Friday. And pack a bag. I’ve got you all to myself this weekend; I’m not letting you go.”

  “Ooh!” she squealed, and hugged his neck tight. “I can’t wait until Friday night!”

  He carried her two suitcases in his front door, and set them by the stairs. Catlin stepped in, and looked around.

  He smiled. “We’re alone.”

  “No kids?”

  He shook his head.

  “No housekeeper?”

  “No interruptions.”

  “Woo hoo!” Catlin hollered loudly, and he laughed. He grabbed her around the waist. “And I have a surprise for you.”

  “I love surprises.” She ran her hands through his thick hair. “And I love you.”

  He kissed her deeply, and replied, “You know how much I love to hear that?”

  She pulled off her jacket and tossed it up in the air, not caring where it landed.

  He laughed, as she started unbuttoning her shirt.

  “You might want to leave that on for a minute. My surprise is outside.”

  “I don’t want to go outside.” She opened her shirt and ran her hand over her bare stomach, and up to her bra.

  “Come on.” He pulled her by the hand toward the back door. “I think you’ll like this.”

  She let him drag her out, muttering, “Where are we going?” It finally dawned on her, and she grinned.

  Steve reached the gate, and swung it open. There was the Jacuzzi, bubbling and steaming in the cool night air. There were a few lights spread around inside the tall fence, and a tray with some wine, cheese and crackers.

  He walked over to a nearby table, and turned on a c.d. player. He picked up some matches and lit a row of candles encircling the hot tub.

  Catlin watched, amused. “I don’t have a swim suit, you know,” she told him.

  “Don’t need one. Fence. Tall fence.” He finished lighting the rest of the candles, then put out the other lights, so they were left in the flickering candlelight. “Okay?”

  “More than okay.”

  “Well, come on...finish what you started inside, will you?”

  Catlin laughed. She pulled off her blouse and twirled it on her finger before tossing it aside. She slipped her slacks off and sent her shoes flying at the same time. She slipped out of her panties, and stepped close to him as she removed her bra and flung it aside.

  “You are so beautiful,” he said in amazement, and traced his finger around her belly button.

  “I am so...freezing!” she wailed.

  He laughed as she splashed into the warm and waiting tub.

  “Ahh, better…” she sighed. “Well? I’m waiting.”

  He shed his clothes quickly and without fanfare. He joined her in the hot tub, and leaned back with her in his arms. “My God, this is nice.”

  She turned around to face him. “It’s going to get a whole lot nicer.”

  He smiled. “And just think, we have the whole weekend.”

  “Woo hoo!” she hollered again.

  Catlin woke up the next morning in Steve’s bed, in Steve’s arms. Heaven. She moved closer and snuggled up to him.

  He yawned and stretched, then gathered her close. “Good morning.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “Good morning.” She sighed. “This is as wonderful as I thought it would be.”

  “Oh yeah.” He grinned. “I could get used to waking up with you.”

  She rolled up on top of him and started kissing his neck. She pressed her body against his, and writhed up and down a few times. Steve moaned with pleasure at her gyrations.

  The phone rang.

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me,” he muttered.

  She laughed. She rolled back on to her side of the bed.

  He grabbed the receiver. “What?” he answered gruffly.

  Catlin laughed, and heard Dana say through the phone “Daddy? What’s wrong?”

  Steve rubbed his face. “Nothing. I’m sorry. Hi, sweetheart. What’s up?”

  “Did I wake you?” Dana asked. “It’s almost noon!”

  “I was working late,” he lied.

  Catlin laughed quietly again.

  “Oh,” Dana said. “Well, Mom doesn’t think she should take me to Barney’s to buy those boots I wanted. I told her you said it was okay, but I don’t think she believes me.”

  Steve rubbed his face again, trying to concentrate. “Boots? Why would she buy you boots?”

  “Daddy,” Dana insisted “You remember, those tall brown boots we talked about. They don’t have them in Marshall, but Barney’s has them here. You told me I could have them.”

  “Okay, Dana. Tell your mother I said you could have them.”

  “I told you, she doesn’t believe me. Here, you tell her.” Dana held the phone away and yelled “Mom! Dad’s on the phone!”

  “Oh shit,” he muttered “Dana, no. Don’t put your mother on....”

  Catlin was laughing, and she made a move like she was going to start kissing him again.

  He pointed his finger at her. “Don’t even!”

  She laid back and laughed, and they heard, “Hello.”

  “Hello, Barbara,” Steve replied. “Dana has some boots she wants to pick up at Barney’s while she’s in town.”

  “Steven,” Barbara said indignantly “Have you seen the boots she’s referring to? I don’t think they’re appropriate for a sixteen-year-old.”

  Steve rolled his eyes at Catlin. “Yes, she showed me a picture. I don’t see anything wrong with them.”

  “Did she tell
you they’re ninety-five dollars?”

  He chuckled. “I think she forgot that little detail. Oh, so what. Let her have them, Barbara. She’s a good kid.”

  “You are too permissive, Steven. I can’t see spending that kind of money on a child.”

  “I will buy them,” he said, irritated. “Just slap them on your charge card. I still seem to be paying that bill every month.”

  She started to reply, but he cut her off. “I can’t talk anymore right now. Please just buy the damn boots. I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodbye.” He hung up the phone, and looked over at Catlin. “What a buzz kill.” He sat up and threw his legs over the side of the bed, and forced a shudder. “Christ, I just want to take a shower.”

  Catlin lay back. “Are you sure?” She threw the covers off, exposing her naked body.

  He stood up and raised an eyebrow at her. “Well, I wouldn’t kick you out of the shower, if you found yourself in there.”

  Smiling, she scampered after him.

  They spent the afternoon alternating between straightening the house up and kissing. The kissing finally won out, and the afternoon flew by.

  When the doorbell rang at six, they were dressed again, and in the kitchen getting things ready. They went to the door together.

  “Hey,” Jetta said, and looked around as she and Jim stepped into the big house.

  Jim whistled. “This is one big house.”

  “Come in, come in,” Steve brushed off their comments, and waved them toward the kitchen.

  “So how’s the weekend been going?” Jetta wheedled Catlin.

  Jim looked around. “Well, I don’t see any underwear hanging from the lamps, so it must not be too crazy.”

  Steve and Catlin looked at each other quickly, and burst into laughter.

  Catlin shoved Jim’s shoulder, and took the bag he was carrying. She led them in. “This is the greatest kitchen,” she told Jetta.

  Jetta was looking all around “This is the greatest house!”

  They set everything down on the counter. “Maybe we can give you the tour later,” Catlin told them.

  Steve shook his head. “I’m toured out. You show Jetta around, while Jim and I get the charcoal going.”

  Jim nodded, and cracked open the twelve-pack of beer he’d brought. He offered one to Steve, who took it and smiled. Jim waved at the girls as he followed Steve to the patio. “You two are on your own.”

  “Fine,” Catlin smirked, and stuck the beer in the fridge. “Want one?” she asked her friend, and Jetta hesitated.

  “Oh, sure, why not.”

  They each took a bottle, and Catlin showed Jetta the rest of the house. She was amazed and impressed, and when they got to Steve’s room she entered timidly. “So this is it, huh?”

  “Well, this is one of the places,” Catlin told her, and they burst into laughter. They went back to the kitchen and started getting dinner ready.

  “Now I have these pictures running through my mind.” Jetta shook her head.

  “Did I tell you,” Catlin asked “there’s a Jacuzzi in the backyard?”

  “Ohh!” Jetta was envious. “I love hot tubs. So romantic.”

  Catlin squeezed her arms “This whole weekend has been romantic. I could just move in here.”

  Jetta was picking at the bread. “And the children would be, where, off at boarding school?”

  They laughed, and Catlin admitted, “Reality sneaks up and bites me in the ass...”

  Steve stuck his head in the door. “I’m not even going to ask what you’re talking about. I’m just giving you one hour’s notice, if you want to put the potatoes on.”

  “Thank you.” Catlin smiled sweetly at him, and did just that.

  Dinner was a success. Everything was cooked to perfection, and the friends had a lively conversation.

  “They brought Pictionary,” Catlin told Steve.

  He laughed. “Well, I’m game if everybody else is. But I want a good partner, because I can’t draw worth a shit.”

  Catlin ran one finger up his arm. “I think you and I make pretty good partners.”

  Jim shook his head. “We’re not talking about sex here, Cat. You and Jetta have to be partners.”

  They were all laughing as he reminded Steve, “I tell you, they cheat. The last time we played Monopoly, Cat was giving my wife money, not charging her rent and bullshit like that.”

  Steve shook his head. “That’s just disturbing.”

  “So if they aren’t partners,” Jim went on “they’re gonna help each other anyway.”

  “Okay.” Steve stood up and started clearing the table. “Ladies against the gents, then.”

  They all pitched in, and the kitchen was soon back in shape. Jetta got out the game, and they played several rounds of it. The ladies won every time, and of course, the men said they cheated.

  Jetta got in the refrigerator and pulled out the last four beers. “We didn’t cheat. You guys just drank too much beer.” She threw the cardboard box away.

  Steve and Jim took their bottles into the family room. “Is there such a thing as too much beer?” Jim asked him.

  Steve chuckled and leaned back into his chair. He kicked his feet up. “Damn right there is. I’ve got a few years on you, man. I reach my limit a little quicker these days.”

  He pulled Catlin down on his lap. Jetta followed suit, and sat on Jim’s lap on the sofa. With music playing in the background, they talked quietly for a long time.

  Jetta looked at the portraits of the kids on the wall. “You do have beautiful children, Steve.” She looked at her husband, and nodded toward Steve and Catlin. “Can you imagine if those two had kids? They’d be little Greek Gods or something.”

  “I don’t think so.” Steve shook his head. “I’m too old for diaper changes and colic.”

  “Oh,” Catlin nuzzled his cheek and said in a little voice, “but babies smell so good!”

  “Not all the time!” he reminded her, and they laughed.

  Jetta sighed, and leaned her head sideways against Jim’s. “It’s just not fair.”

  He jostled his knees, and tried to cheer her up. “Give it time, baby. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

  Steve asked quietly, “How long have you been trying?”

  “Six months,” Jim answered. “I guess it’s time to get the old plumbing checked out. I should have done it sooner, but I really didn’t want to hear it might be me.”

  Jetta looked at him. “So you’d rather it was me?”

  “Well,” Jim hesitated. “Yeah, I would!”

  They all chuckled softly, and Jetta replied, “The waiting is just so tough.”

  Catlin picked up a little pillow and tossed it at Jetta. “Try not to think about it so much.”

  Jetta tossed the pillow back. “Easier said than done, I’m afraid.”

  “Okay, okay,” Jim scooted his wife off and stood up. “If you two are going to start throwing things, then it’s time for us to go. I won’t have you breaking something in this nice man’s house.”

  They straightened the room up before the Crafts left.

  “It’s been great.” Jetta kissed Steve on the cheek, and then Catlin. “Thank you for everything.”

  Steve shook Jim’s hand. “We had a great time, too. We’ll do this again, soon.”

  “Goodnight, folks. See you later.” Jim put his arm around his wife, and led her out.

  Steve slipped his arm around Catlin, and they watched their friends drive off.

  He shut and locked the front door, and turned to face her.

  She slipped into his arms. “This was so nice. Thank you, Steve. I’m so happy right now.”

  “Come upstairs with me.” He flipped off the lights, and they headed to the stairs in the darkness. “I bet I can make you happier.”

  “I don’t know if that’s possible.” Catlin held his hand, and they climbed the stairs. “But I’ll let you try.”

  Chapter Six

  The next morning, Catlin packed every trace of
herself, and put her suitcases in the trunk of her car. “I’m ready to go, I guess,” she told him sadly. She wished she didn’t have to, but she couldn’t tell him that.

  “Don’t go yet. I’m going to be out of town all week, and I’ll miss you. I’m not sure what time the kids are coming home. Let’s find a movie, and we’ll make some popcorn.”

  She looked down, then at him. “But what if they do come home? I shouldn’t be here.”

  He swung her hands back and forth. “We’ll be watching a movie. No big deal.” He kissed her. “Stay with me. I want you to.”

  “Okay,” she agreed. They picked out ‘The Hangover’ from Steve’s movie collection, and made some popcorn. They sat on the sofa in the family room, and Catlin started to cheer up. They were about halfway through the movie when the front door opened, and they heard Dana call “Daddy? We’re home!”

  Catlin jumped. “Relax.” Steve touched her arm. “Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

  He headed into the living room.

  She couldn’t help herself, and peeked around the corner.

  “Hi!” Dana threw her arms around her father, and he hugged her. “I’m so glad to see you!”

  “Me too, kiddo. Hey Dave.” He smiled at both kids.

  “Hey Dad.” David gave Steve a little half hug, and pulled away quickly.

  “Have a good time?”

  They both nodded.

  “Your mom have anything to say?”

  David motioned to the foyer. “Ask her yourself.”

  Steve cringed, and looked around the corner. “Barbara, you’re still here.”

  Barbara Naughton gazed at her husband stiffly. “Of course. I wouldn’t drop them off without speaking to you. So, did you buy a new car already?” She looked out the foyer window at the Jaguar.

  “No. It belongs to a friend.”

  Dana must have just made the connection, and came to the doorway. “Catlin! Hi!”

  “Hi Dana.” Catlin smiled at her. “How was your weekend?”

  “It was great! Wait ‘till you see the new boots I got.” She started rummaging through her shopping bags.

  Steve walked up behind her. “It looks like you got a lot more than boots.”

  Barbara stepped into the living room, and peered around the corner to see who Dana was talking to.