Siblings

by K. J. Janssen

  “To tell you the truth, Richard had nothing but nice things to tell me about his family.”

  Richard raised his glass and, turning to Theresa, he said, “I think that now is a good time to tell them our good news.” She nodded in agreement. “Theresa and I are getting married next March. We’re planning a honeymoon in Greece.”

  Ron raised his glass. “That’s wonderful news. Here’s to the happy couple.” He took a quick sip. “Greece, you say? Isn’t that a bit pricey?”

  “We’ll be staying as guests of a friend of mine, whose family owns a villa over there,” Richard explained. “It’s a very romantic location, from what I hear.”

  As soon as the congratulations were finished, Marilyn needed to get everyone back on track for her dinner. “Let us hold hands and bow our heads for a silent prayer of thanksgiving for all the blessings in our lives.”

  After several minutes, Ron broke the silence. “I guess I better get this bird sliced, Lynn. I must say that everything looks great. Every year you seem to outdo yourself.”

  She modestly smiled and looked over at Margaret. “As usual, Maggie was a big help. I couldn’t have done it without her. That sweet potato soufflé is her creation. I’ve already sampled some of it. It’s really delicious.”

  The hum of the electric slicer started up at the end of the table. All eyes shifted to Ron as he slowly cut slices that he placed with care on the serving platter. After a while he stopped slicing the bird. “Go on now, start passing the food around.” He began to place slices on a second platter. “I’ll be a few minutes yet.”

  By the time Ron was finished carving, everyone had filled their plates with stuffing and vegetables. He stood up and walked around the table with the platter of turkey. When everyone had theirs, he chose one of the drumsticks for himself and sat back down.

  Compliments began to emanate for everything that had been served, but especially for the stuffing. Marilyn thanked them, trying to be modest while at the same time accepting the accolades for what she, herself, knew was an exceptional meal.

  Near the end, Richard looked over at his father. “So, Dad, anything new at the Center these days?”

  “Actually, there’s quite a lot, Richard. We hope to be adding an in-house pharmacy and a rehab center to the group next year. That will just about take up the remaining space we have available and provide much needed services for our patients. It can’t happen fast enough. The economy is tight and people don’t seem to be making medical care a top priority.” He smiled. “If this keeps up I may have to go back into active practice again and give you guys at the hospital a run for your money.”

  “I’m not worried about competition, Dad. I have more than enough patients.”

  “Those two new practices should both be outstanding profit centers for you,” Maggie piped in.

  “Yes, I’m sure they will be. Probably the biggest things coming our way, though, are some changes we’re making because of the Affordable Care Act. I read in the papers that so many companies are struggling with the upcoming legislation, but my partners and the group members are looking forward to the changes. It’s going to have an immediate impact on the lives of millions of people who have struggled with pre-existing conditions and high premiums. Many of these people stopped regularly scheduled visits to their doctors and have either cut down on their prescription drugs or stopped them entirely. The changes coming up should add a considerable number of new patients for us.”

  “From what I’ve read, those people without insurance now will have immediate services for themselves and their families. That’s going to make a big difference in their lives,” Lynn commented.

  “It certainly will, especially where they have pre-existing conditions. I just wish the government had done this sooner. I can’t understand why there continues to be so much opposition. Even now with all the exposure the provisions have had that demonstrate the good that will come out of this act, there are still some leaders at state levels and a number of politicians who want to have the plan abolished. I just don’t understand it and no professional I’ve spoken to does either. What’s wrong with these people? Don’t they care about families getting basic coverage for their medical needs?”

  “That’s easy, Dad,” Richard said. “The Republicans know that Obama care will benefit millions of people and ultimately have an immediate impact on the high costs of medical care. It will be as big a legacy for the Democratic Party as Social Security was in the thirties. They don’t want that to happen. The public be damned.”

  Wilson looked around the table, before speaking. “I don’t see what the big deal is. So what if a person can’t get coverage or has to pay high premiums? That’s life.”

  Richard jumped on Wilson’s comment immediately. “So you’re in favor of letting a person, or maybe even an entire family, go without medical care?”

  “I’m just saying that if they can’t pay for coverage, I don’t see why the rest of us should have to pick up the tab.”

  “This coming from a jailbird who had all his healthcare needs paid for by the State for three years and who hasn’t made any contribution to society in the form of income taxes.”

  Ron and Lynn both looked at Theresa to see what her reaction was to her fiancé’s attack on his brother. She seemed to be embarrassed, as if she wished she was somewhere else rather than here, in the middle of this family squabble.

  She wasn’t alone in that feeling. Lynn turned to look at Richard, but then shot a quick glance at Wilson, who was sitting immediately opposite her. So much for a good impression.

  To everyone’s surprise, Wilson just smiled. “I didn’t think you could let the whole day go by without one of your cheap shots. Next thing, you’ll be accusing me of going back to drug trafficking.”

  “Well, have you?”

  That was about all Ron was going to take. He slammed his fist down on the table, tipping over his and Maggie’s water glasses. “You two stop it this instant. I’ll not have another Thanksgiving dinner spoiled by your senseless bickering. Why does it always have to be like this?” He stopped speaking and looked at Theresa. “What’s our guest going to think of us with all this bickering going on?”

  Lynn gave Richard a stern look. “I’m surprised at you, Richard. That remark was entirely uncalled for.”

  “Well, he started it with his wise remarks. He must have read some of Ayn Rand’s books while he was in the slammer. He’s got some of her crazy ideas about individual rights.”

  Ron shot him a sharp look. “Damn it, son, I said that was enough. If you can’t be civil, then I’m going to have to ask you to leave the table.”

  Lynn looked at her husband, hoping he wouldn’t go any further, but the damage was already done. She took control of the situation. “Well, it looks as if you three are finished with your meals. Why don’t you go out on the porch and watch TV? Dessert will be ready in about an hour.”

  She turned to Theresa. “Would you like to help Maggie and me with the dishes?”

  “Sure,” she replied, “I’d be happy to.”

  ***

  As soon as the men left the room, Lynn turned to Theresa. “Sit down with me for a minute, please.”

  Maggie, reading into the gravity of the situation, decided to make herself scarce in the kitchen.

  “I don’t want you to get the wrong impression of our family,” Lynn began. “Richard and Wilson have been at each other’s throats since they were kids. There’s a lot of sibling rivalry going on that doesn’t seem to have lessened over time. Richard has always been jealous of Wilson. He believes Wilson is Ron’s favorite. It’s not true, but since it’s what he believes, he’s spent most of his life trying to gain his father’s approval. I think that he chose his medical specialty because he believed it was what his father wanted him to do. To tell you the truth, Ron really didn’t care.”

  “Wilson, on the other hand, always felt that Richard was looking down on him. He never realized Richard was dealing with his own demons.
funny how a person’s thinking gets skewed at times.”

  “I don’t have any brothers or sisters, so I can’t say that I know how they feel, but my heart goes out to them both. You don’t have to be concerned about what I’m thinking about your family. So far, all I’ve seen is a family dealing with a few issues; people who care for each other in their own unique way.”

  “Wow,” said Maggie, as she came back into the dining room. “This girl could be a UN diplomat. I’ve never heard such a tactfully phrased description of our family dynamic.”

  Marilyn and Theresa laughed. Marilyn waved Maggie to the table. “Sit down for a few minutes and have a glass of wine with us. It’ll give Theresa a chance to learn a little about her future sister in-law.”

  “Don’t mind if I do. Actually, Theresa, my story isn’t all that interesting, but if you’ve got the time, and if the wine holds out, I will tell all.”

  Marilyn poured a glass of wine for Maggie, Theresa, and herself.

  ***

  Meanwhile out on the porch, Ron confronted his sons. “What the hell is the matter with you two? Can’t we have one family get-together without the two of you going at it? Your mother went to great lengths to make things nice for us today. You should show her more respect.”

  Wil spoke first, pointing at Richard, “He started it with that jailbird remark.”

  “I was just speaking the truth, now, wasn’t I?”

  Ron’s face turned red. That was usually a sign to his sons that they better back off or be ready to suffer the consequences. “Stop that bickering right now; this isn’t getting us anywhere. I’m only going to say this once. If you two can’t put your feelings aside and act in a civilized manner for the next few hours, then you’d better leave this house right now.”

  Wil and Richard looked at each other, both with a “no-love-lost” glare, but nodded their heads in acquiescence.

  “All right then, and I don’t want any innuendos or double entendres. I want you two to be civil with each other, if for no other reason, then for your mother’s sake.”

  Once again, Wil and Richard nodded their heads in agreement.

  “Now shake hands and let’s watch some football until we’re called for dessert.”

  They shook hands somewhat reluctantly and took seats on opposite ends of the wicker couch in front of the TV. Ron sat in a side chair, satisfied that, at least for now, there was a truce between the two. If only it holds for a few more hours. I hope Lynn is helping Theresa understand our family. She seems like a gal with a good head on her shoulders. I think Richard made a good choice. He looked over at his sons. They seemed to be engrossed in the game. From their cheers, he observed that they were rooting for the same team; that was rare. There may be hope for them yet.

  As he watched them, his thoughts went back to the summer that Wilson fell out of the cherry tree in the backyard. Richard was ten years old and Wilson had just turned nine. Richard dared Wilson to climb out onto a large branch that extended out almost thirty feet away from the tree and about fifteen feet from the ground. It had rained the night before and the bark was very slippery. Wilson shimmied out about ten feet on the branch before hitting an especially slippery spot. He lost his grip on the branch and fell to the ground, his fall partially broken by an inflated pool. Richard ran over to his brother. Wilson was knocked unconscious by the fall and his brother thought he was dead. He broke into tears and screamed for his father. Ron made a quick diagnosis and determined that Wilson had broken his left collarbone and left wrist. By now Lynn was at his side. “Call for an ambulance right away. He has at least two broken bones and a possible concussion.” Throughout all this, Richard continued to cry convulsively, not realizing Wilson was alive.

  Ron grabbed him by the shoulders. “Get a hold of yourself, boy. Wil only has a few broken bones. He’s going to be all right.”

  “But it was my fault, Daddy. I dared him to climb out there.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me. I warned both of you to stay out of that tree; the bark is very slippery. If the pool hadn’t broken his fall, he could have died. What does it take to get you two to understand that I give you warnings for your own good, not to keep you from having fun? I’m very disappointed in you, Richard.”

  ***

  Ron’s reverie was interrupted by a call from the dining room.

  “Dessert’s ready,” Marilyn called.

  The guys got up immediately and headed for the dining room, but not before Ron reminded them to be on their best behavior. They took the same seats as before.

  “We have apple, cherry, and minced meat pies, and Apple Brown Betty with a lemon sauce. Help yourself.”

  The men all had pies and the women chose the Brown Betty. After the second helpings were served, Richard and Wilson took their plates, excused themselves, and returned to the porch for the end of the game.

  Ron followed, but not before he thanked his wife. “Everything was delicious, Lynn.”

  ***

  After the table was cleaned off, Maggie went out to the porch. The game was almost over. She went over to Wilson. “Wil, how about taking a walk with me?”

  “Sure, Sis, let me get my jacket.” He went inside and returned minutes later. “Where to?”

  “Oh, let’s walk down by the park. It’s such a beautiful day for a walk. By the way, you handled yourself very well earlier. I will never understand why Richard always tries to bully you.”

  “Thanks, Sis.” He grinned. “I guess my time in the slammer taught me to control my emotions. There were always guys trying to provoke fights. You had to be on your guard at all times.”

  “That must have been awful for you.”

  “I had some rough spots. I remember once when I was smoking a cigarette and this big, muscular guy told me to give it to him. I was ready to hand it over when my cellmate, who was six inches taller than the man and much more muscular, stepped in between us and told the guy to back off. Some threats were exchanged, but the guy backed off and never bothered me again. I tried to thank Max, but he told me that cellmates look out for each other. Anyway, I was glad that I never had to return the favor.”

  “I hope you don’t mind me asking this. I’ll understand if it’s uncomfortable for you to talk about it—”

  He interrupted her. “I think I know what you’re going to ask. No, that never happened to me. I know a lot of that was going on, but I guess having Max as a protector kept the predators away. He was straight arrow; a married man with three children and very religious. I think his six-foot-six stature and bulging biceps sent out the right message to anyone wanting to mess with him or me. I don’t know this for sure, but I think the warden or the chaplain had something to do with his selection as my cellmate.”

  “Well, thank God for that. I’m sorry about asking. I didn’t mean to pry.”

  “That’s okay, Mag, it’s normal to be curious about things like that. After all, it does go on in prisons all the time.”

  When they reached the park they found an empty bench by the lake and sat down.

  “Let’s talk about something cheerful, like you looking for a job in logistics. I really think that’s a great idea. Now, don’t let on that I told you, but Dad told Mom that he would check with some friends at his club to see if any of them might have an opening for you at one of their companies.”

  “Of course I won’t say anything, but I am surprised, though. I remember putting him off when he offered his help. I was too full of self-pride at the time. Since then, whenever Dad asks a lot about my job, I thought he was resigned to the idea that working at the Wallington was going to be it for me.” He hesitated for a minute as he mulled this new bit of information over in his mind. “You know, Dad never ceases to amaze me. When I got in trouble he never once yelled at me or said he was disappointed in me. Both he and Mom just cared about doing the best they could under the circumstances.”

  “They’re like that. I had a few instances in my teens where I thought they would ground me for life.
At that age, I really believed that was possible, but they just sat me down and we had a rational discussion. I never actually thought much about it, but they both are really cool. I think we’re very lucky to have them as parents. It’s not easy raising kids while you’re trying to get established in a highly competitive business. I give them lots of credit. I don’t think we could have had better parents.”

  “I agree. So, let’s talk about you. How’s your love life these days?”

  Maggie gave him a punch in the arm. “You don’t ask your sister a question like that.”

  “Why not? You were going to ask me about being somebody’s bitch in prison.”

  “That’s different.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “It just is, Wil, but if you must know, I’m not with anyone right now.”

  “Is that your choice, or is it just that Mr. Right hasn’t come along?”

  “Well, actually, a little of both. I went with an intern for about four months, but he wanted to join a hospital group in California when his residency is finished. I don’t want to move out west. Of course, he didn’t actually ask me to go with him, but if he had, I would have turned him down flat.” She shrugged. “So I decided to cut my losses while I could.”

  “That’s very mature. Well, I hope it works out for you.” He nudged her. “After all, you aren’t getting any younger.”

  “Oh, thanks, I needed that. What about you, Wil? I don’t see any pretty young thing draped on your arm.”

  “Touché. You don’t happen to know any pretty young nurses that want to go out with a felon, do you?”

  Maggie laughed.

  “No, seriously. Do you?”

  “I don’t know, I’ll have to think about it. I certainly hope that you don’t think doing time for an offense like distributing marijuana marks you for life, do you? Because I can tell you that some of the people I work with have records for offenses worse than that; both men and women. It’s a sign of the times, I guess. I just want you to realize that it’s not as uncommon as you may think.”