On Frozen Hills

by KJ Swann

Vivian flicked a glance at her youngest daughter. “So, what kind of party are you thinking?”

  Tessa shrugged.

  “That doesn’t tell me squat.”

  “I don’t know anything about parties. You and dad go to them more than we did.”

  Vivian cocked her head to the side. “Well, what are your interests? You seem to always keep to yourself on the things you like to do.”

  Looking down, Tessa finally answered, “I like music, drawing, writing, and reading.”

  “Fine, anything else you like to do?” Ivy asked.

  “Not really. I pretty much keep to myself at school.”

  Ivy nodded. “Okay. What about favorite colors?”

  Tessa rolled her eyes. She reached up and grabbed her hair. “These.”

  “Right. Jace, what do you have for ideas?”

  Jace was just stuffing bacon in his mouth when the question was asked. He quickly tried to swallow what he had without choking. He cleared his throat. “I think we could make a track list of her favorite music and have that played. We could also get streamers, balloons, etcetera in her favorite colors.”

  “Anyone have any other suggestions?”

  “We don’t have to go all-out either. Tessa said she keeps to herself at school, so couldn’t we just have a little party with a few people?” Derrick asked.

  Ivy turned to Tessa. “What do you prefer? This is for you. Would you want a big party or just those who mean the most to you?”

  “I think I’d like a party that includes those who I’m closest too, so my friends from school and my family. It could be as loud and obnoxious as we want it. But it’s you guys who I’m closest to.”

  Ivy nodded and peeped over at their mom, who indicated agreement. Ivy could see her mom had something planned—she always did when it came to birthday parties.

  “Anything else?”

  “No,” came from everyone around the table.

  “Okay, well Tessa’s birthday is only two days away. Seems like we need to get out there and start shopping for stuff. Has anyone heard the road reports at all?” asked Ivy.

  “You don’t need to shop for anything. I bought a bunch of stuff before we came up here, and I had the house caretaker get stuff before we got here. So, we shouldn’t have to go anywhere.”

  “When were you going to tell us that, Mom?”

  Vivian chuckled. “You never asked.”

  6

  Two days later, Ivy rolled out of bed, realized it was Tessa’s birthday, and groaned, knowing she had so much to do. Once she was ready for the day, she left a note for Jace about calling and making an appointment for the DNA testing, then tiptoed to the door.

  Ivy walked into the kitchen to find Tessa and her mom sitting at the table chatting away. “Good morning. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be down here this morning.”

  “Ah, I came down to get stuff started for today. I figured it wouldn’t hurt to get it done early, but Tessa came down because she was all excited it’s her birthday,” replied Vivian.

  Tessa dancing in her chair made Ivy laugh. “Happy birthday, Tessa. You excited for today?”

  “You betcha. I wanted to get up to see what I could help out with.”

  “This is your day. You shouldn’t have to help at all. Relax and let us do all the work.”

  “I know, but maybe I want to help.”

  Ivy hugged her sister. “That’s what families are supposed to do, and don’t you ever forget that.”

  Ivy walked over to the counter and poured herself a cup of coffee. “Umm. What a way to wake up with a hot cup of go-go juice.”

  “Ha, you’re always wide awake in the mornings, or at least you seem that way,” Tessa grumbled.

  “Seems like someone needs a cup.” Ivy giggled.

  Tessa looked up at her sister and stuck her tongue out.

  “That’s mature of you.”

  “Hey, it’s my birthday. I can act as immature as I want. Right, Mom?”

  “Is this how we’re going to start the morning? Tessa, you’re going to act how you act no matter what day it is.” Vivian laughed.

  Tessa crossed her arms. “No fair ganging up on the birthday girl.”

  Ivy laughed. “Okay, if you say so, sis. Anyway, I need to get working on making your cake. So, Tessa, if you want to help with that you can, because I can certainly use it.”

  Tessa nodded excitedly. “Awesome. I love making cakes. I’m going to look up some frosting recipes and decorating stuff online.”

  “You sure you want to go all out on decorating? It’s going to be a small group of people,” Vivian advised.

  “Just because it’s a small group doesn’t make it any less special, does it?”

  “No, you’re certainly right on that, Tessa. Find whatever you want, and then we can decide together what we’ll use to decorate it. Sound good?”

  Tessa nodded.

  Vivian left the room, and Ivy turned to Tessa. “So, do you want to get started on, the research or the baking?”

  “I’ll start on the research, but I’ll also help bake.”

  Ivy eyed her sister. “How are you going to do both?”

  “I’ll get the supplies out and whatever else you need, then I’ll start researching.”

  “Sounds like a decent plan to me.”

  Ivy gathered up the ingredients for the cakes she would be baking for the party. “You sure you still want marble for your cake?”

  “Hmm. Could we do a layer of marble, then white, then a chocolate layer? It doesn’t matter if the marble is on top or bottom. I just want the white in the middle.”

  Ivy nodded. “Okay, I can do that. I’ll get the cakes mixed, and you read up on what you want for your frosting and we’ll get the ingredients ready so when the cakes are cooled off enough, we can get them frosted.”

  “Cool. I can’t believe I’m nineteen today. I’m more of an adult.”

  “Yep and you graduate this spring and then head off to college in the fall. That is, if you plan on going.”

  Tessa shrugged.

  “What’s up? You used to be excited about going to college because you’d be getting out of the house. What’s changed?”

  “Yes, I can’t wait to move out, with Dad being an ass. I like being with Derrick and all, but I don’t know if I want to go away to a school…”

  Ivy measured the first few ingredients into the mixer. “Yes, I understand what you’re trying to say, I think, but don’t change your college dreams because of a guy. He lives in upstate New York, and depending on how well you did on your ACTs and where you get accepted, you could even go to some colleges or universities in New York. Have you decided on what you wanted to do?”

  Tessa gave a slight shrug. “I haven’t decided fully what I want to do. It’s a toss-up between art and writing, or maybe I just won’t go.”

  “Now listen here, little sister, you need to go. Even though you’re rebellious, you’re a good student. Don’t let your good grades go to waste. Also, don’t let Dad talk you into doing something you don’t want to do. Make your own mind up.”

  “You didn’t want to go to school for banking or whatever, did you?”

  “No. I did what Dad told me to because I thought that was the right thing to do. Now, standing here, I’m not sure I want to do what I do anymore.”

  “Could you go back to school? What would you want to go back for? Would Jace support you?”

  Ivy picked up the bowl and poured the batter into the first cake pan, thinking about the questions her sister threw at her. Would she want to go back to school? She knew it would piss off her dad, but at this point in the game, did she really care? Putting the first cake in the oven, she knew her answer.

  “I really think I could go back to school, but for what, I’m not sure. There are so many things to look at and decide what field I’d feel comfortable in.”

  “Then maybe we could sit down together and do it. That’s if you want to,” suggested Tessa.

  “I thin
k that would be great.”

  Ivy twisted and put the mixing bowl in the sink and washed it so she could make the chocolate cake layer next. So many opportunities out there. Jace and her mother would support her in whatever she did; she would only have to worry about her father. He would be the one who would throw a fit. Ivy had only been employed as a stock trader for about a year. She wasn’t happy there. Jace knew it, even if she tried to play it off like she was. Maybe Tessa was right; it was time to find something she wanted to do, but what?

  After cleaning the mixing bowl, Ivy placed it back onto the mixer. As she stood, measuring out the ingredients and thinking about things, a pair of arms wound around her from behind, startling her. She turned and slapped whoever it was in the face. “Jace! Oh, I’m sorry, baby. You scared the crap out of me.”

  Jace rubbed his face. “Ouch. You pack a punch with that slap. Didn’t you see me when I came in?”

  She shook her head, soothing Jace’s face where she’d slapped him. “No, I have some things on my mind.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “Somewhat. Thinking about going back to school. Don’t want to be where I’m at anymore.”

  “Do what you want, babe. I’ll stand behind you in whatever you chose.”

  Ivy threw her arms Jace’s neck as tears of joy streamed down her face. “That means the world to me. Now to figure out the next step, what to go back for.”

  “I’m sure it won’t take you long once you get looking.”

  “The only problem Ivy has is Dad. He’s going to be pissed,” Tessa stated.

  “That might be, but she’s an adult. There isn’t much he can do about it. People make career changes all the time. If that is what she wants to do, then so be it.”

  “I’m glad she has you to support her, Jace.”

  “I’m here to support you too, little girl,” Jace quipped.

  Ivy sighed. “Well those are done. Just waiting for everything to be finished baking and cooling, then we can make the frosting, if you’ve found a recipe.”

  “Yep I found one. But you aren’t going to believe the color I want.”

  “Let me guess, it’s orange, pink, or purple.”

  “Yes…I want a purple…but it’s a certain purple.” Tessa turned the laptop around and showed Ivy.

  “Wow, that’s a violet purple. You sure it’s the shade you want?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay. I’ll get to work and see how to get the right coloring for you.”

  Tessa danced in her chair, making Ivy giggle. Her sister was happy. Tessa walked out and left Ivy working with the food coloring. After several tries, Ivy finally got it right. She wrote the number of drops each on a piece of paper and set it aside—she would need it later when they did the frosting. Her father stood in the doorway of the kitchen, frowning as always.

  “What’s the matter, Dad?”

  “When were you going to tell me you were thinking about going back to school?”

  “How do you know?”

  “I overheard you girls talking about it. You’ve got a good career going. Go figure Jace would talk you out of it.”

  Ivy narrowed her eyes at her dad. “This has nothing to do with Jace. I’m not happy there, and it isn’t something I wanted to do in the first place. I did what you wanted me to do, but it’s not what I want to do.”

  “So now your job isn’t good enough?”

  “I didn’t say that. All I’m saying is I want a change. Something I want to do.”

  “So tell me. What would that be?”

  “I haven’t figured that out yet. I’ve thought about going back for nursing or teaching. I like helping people as much as Jace does.”

  “I knew he put you up to this.”

  “No, he didn’t. Tessa and I were the ones who were talking about it. She’s the one who got me thinking. I told her she’d be good at writing or art.”

  “No. Absolutely not.”

  “I’m not going to let you do to her what you did to me. If she wants to follow her heart, she should be allowed to. You wanted to be the banker in the family. We don’t want to. Let us live own lives. We’re adults, not little kids you can push around anymore.”

  “As long as I pay for the college, she’ll do what I want her to do and go where I want her to go.”

  “You think you can have us under your thumb, but you can’t. You wonder why Tessa rebels. This is why. Because you make her do things she doesn’t want to, and you treat us like we’re your little pets instead of your children.”

  “If Tessa wants to go to college for art, writing, or whatever else Michael, we’ll support her. The same with Ivy,” Vivian interrupted from behind Michael.

  “Like hell I will.” Michael turned around.

  “Michael. That’s enough. I’ve had enough of all this. I’ve stood by and watched you push these girls around all their lives. Now that Tessa is finally nineteen, I’m speaking my mind. If you don’t like it, too bad.”

  Michael pushed past Vivian, almost making her fall. Jace caught her in time before she did.

  “That man needs a rude awakening, but I fear it may never come,” remarked Vivian.

  “I don’t think he likes that he’s losing control,” suggested Jace.

  “That could be very true. Though he could have some common decency and not try to knock me down when walking by.” Vivian embraced her daughter. “Don’t let him get to you. He’s been this way for many years now, and he just doesn’t want to give up the reins, no matter the cost to others.”

  “He doesn’t need to be mean to you of all people though, Mom.”

  “I know. He’s upset with everyone right now. If you want to change careers, then go for it. Make yourself happy, because that’s whom it’s going to matter most to. Years down the line, if you’re at a job you aren’t happy with, it’ll affect your home life as well as your job.”

  “Are you trying to say something, Mom?”

  Vivian stopped talking and shrugged.

  “It’s not a big deal, Ivy, nor is it your problem. If you want to go back to school and if you need the help, I’ll make sure you get the help.”

  “Mom, it’s not that. I want to make sure you’re going to be safe.”

  Vivian patted her daughter’s cheek. “Have no fear. He’s never hurt me. He’ll come around; I believe in that. Both you girls mean the world to him.”

  “I understand. I won’t talk to him about any of it. I need to get back to finishing these cakes. Do we have anything that matches this color? Tessa has picked out a violet purple shade for frosting.” Ivy showed her the bowl with the coloring in it.

  “Oh, wow, that’s a purple.” Vivian laughed.

  “Yes, it sure is, but it’s the color she picked.”

  “Hmm. I do believe there could be some items in the pantry, but if there isn’t, you might want to try the closet where we keep the supplies. Things are spread all over right now due to the housekeeper loading up the house.”

  Ivy hugged her mom and got back to work. Turning around, she noticed Derrick standing there. “What’s up, Derrick?”

  “Is your dad always an ass?”

  Ivy looked at him in shock. “Wow, I never expected to hear you say that about him. What’s going on?”

  “Where do I start?”

  Ivy laughed. “Usually the beginning is best from what I’ve heard. Have a seat and tell me what the ol’ man is up to now.”

  Sitting, Derrick rubbed his face. “As you might know, I’ve worked for him for the past year or so at the bank. He has always talked a lot about Tessa but never much about you. Well, back in my room, he cornered me and blasted me about not helping him with his plans.”

  “Plans for what?”

  “The only thing I can think of is Michael wanting you to realize Jace isn’t the right person for you. It was his original plan for me coming up here, for you to see the type of person I am, a banker type. He thinks I’m so much like him, but in actuality I’m a lot like Tessa,
and Michael doesn’t like it.”

  “What exactly does he want to you do?”

  “He told me he wants me come out and tell Jace he isn’t good enough for you.” Derrick raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.

  Ivy closed her eyes. She couldn’t believe how low her father was stooping. “I’m sorry he’s doing this. He’s gone too far, and this has got to stop.”

  “What do you have planned?”

  “It’s not me who has something planned, but I do believe my dear sister has got something up her sleeve. My father won’t be a happy camper by the end of the night.”

  Derrick’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Do you know something I should know?”

  “Maybe, but I’m going to make you wait until it happens because I want you to be just as surprised as my dad.” Ivy smirked.

  “How did I figure you’d do that to me?” Derrick chuckled.

  Ivy smiled. “Well, you know Tessa. When she has a plan, it’s best to stay out of her way and let her work her magic. Because I sure don’t want to be on the receiving end of her anger if we do something to mess it up.”

  Derrick moved his head back and forth. “How do you suggest I deal with your dad, then, until tonight? Each time I see him, there’s always a glare or a question about what my plans are.”

  “Let me suggest something to you. Not saying this is going to help any, but it could. The next time you see him, just tell him to mind his own business and you’ll do what you feel is right. Granted, it might make him madder. He’s never been an easy man to please, so however you tell him, he won’t be happy with it.”

  “True. He’s like that even at work. I respect Tessa too much to make waves, and I don’t want to cause problems.”

  “I understand, I do and I thank you for having some morals. My mom sure wasn’t too happy with the situation at first, but I think that has changed.”

  Derrick nodded. “Yes, it has. She came up and talked with me before she left. But anyway, I’ll let you get back to working on Tessa’s cake. I don’t want to be the cause of it not getting done.”

  Ivy laughed. “If that was the case, I’d have you jump in and help me finish up.”

  “Oh no, not going to happen. I always seem to burn stuff.”