by King, Dean
She patted his thin shoulder. “I’m sure you did Sam.” She turned to Danny. “How about I buy you a new hat tonight? We’re going for some ice cream anyway, we can go to that sports store you guys like and pick out a brand new one.”
“Can I get one totally different from Sam’s?” His golden eyes glaring daggers at his twin brother.
“Yes, sweetheart, you can get anyone you want.”
“Yeah! Come on, I know just the one I want.” Danny ran to the car throwing the passenger door open, he slid inside.
Sam followed at a slower pace, his blond head hanging in abject misery.
Nina shook her head and closed, then locked the front door. She smiled at Beth, who stood shaking her head. “Come on let’s go.”
“Those boys.” Beth said.
“Yes,” Nina hooked her arm through one of Beth’s as they walked to the car. “But they are our boys, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Beth pulled a face then laughed. “Me too, I like them most of the time.”
Once everyone was settled in the car, Nina asked. “Seatbelts everyone?” Satisfied, she started the car and threw it into drive and was preparing to pull out when she noticed the sun was shinning directly in her eyes. “Hold on a minute.” She put the car in park. “Let me get my new shades.” Reaching up, she pulled down the sun visor. Something bright flew by her startled eyes and landed square in her lap. Nina looked down and then screamed at the top of her lungs. A thin snake reared back its tiny head and struck at her! It caught a mouth full of her shirt between her breasts. She quickly reached down and scooped it up. Pinching the head right above its neck, she dislodged it and held it away from her. She quickly took off her seatbelt and fumbled for the door and hurried out.
Beth’s screams barely registered as Nina’s anger grew by leaps and bounds.
“Danny!” She shouted holding the snake. “Danny, look at this. If I’d been driving, we’d all be dead right now!”
Danny and Sam stood side by side in the yard staring wide eyed at her. “That’s not my snake.” Danny said quietly, his golden eyes wide.
“Stop it, Danny!” Nina snapped. “I am tired of your lies. Every time I go into your room I see this snake! We could’ve been killed, don’t you understand?”
“Mama, mama…give me the snake.” Beth said, her voice held a frantic note, her movements stiff as she walked slowly towards Nina.
“No, Beth, this is a lesson he needs to learn.” Nina insisted. “I’m sorry, Danny, but this snake has got to go. I’m letting him go back into the forest.”
Sam edged closer to Nina. “Mama, can you please give me the snake?”
“Mama, please that’s not my snake. It’s gonna bite you.” Danny cried, his little chest heaving with the tears that ran down his brown face.
Nina looked at the snake in her hand. “What is wrong with you? Why are you crying? It looks just like yours, Danny. I see you playing with it all the time so don’t stand there and tell me this thing isn’t yours.” She stormed.
“Mama, don’t put it down, throw it as far as you can.” Beth whispered her lips pinched and colorless.
Nina frowned, “What’s wrong with all of you? It’s just a snake,” she uncurled its body from her arm. It was rather attractive, with red, yellow, and black lines running its length.
“Please, mama just throw it away,” Sam begged, tears clogging his throat.
“It’s a bad snake, please throw it away,” Danny cried. “It’s gonna hurt you.”
Finally it registered, something was wrong. Beth stood with silent tears running down her cheeks. Nina swallowed hard. Why were they all so afraid? A sudden fear shook her, Nina drew her hand back and threw the snake as far as she could. All three children raced to her, the twins wrapped their arms around her hips while Beth fell into Nina’s arms.
*****
Hours later, Nina lay on her couch beside Beth, thinking about her children. She felt extremely foolish for scaring them like that. The house was quiet now. The boys were asleep in their beds upstairs. They were thoroughly convinced she’d nearly been killed. It took much talking to get them to understand that she hadn’t been hurt, that she was fine. Earlier, they’d all been curled up on the couch as she read to them to calm their fears.
She would never admit to them how afraid she’d been when they told her it was a deadly coral snake instead of Danny’s harmless pet the king snake. Because of the incident, Danny and Sam decided to release all his snakes into the wild. She was still shaken, but would continue with the pretense of being strong as long as Beth was watching her.
They both reclined on the couch. One at each end, their backs propped against the armrest. Their legs almost the same length intertwined, a brightly colored knitted blanket tossed over them.
“Mama, what’re we going to do about Danny?” Beth’s blue eyes were thoughtful for a moment.
“What has he done now?” Nina sighed. She had had the twins since they were five. Now Danny was turning out to be a handful.
“He made a finger sling shot and popped Sam on his cheek with a rock.” Beth explained.
Nina sat up straighter. “What? Why didn’t you tell me? When did that happen? Is he alright? I didn’t see any bruises.”
“It happened days ago and you look like you had other things on your mind. He wasn’t hurt. I cleaned it up with peroxide.” Beth explained quickly.
“Oh, honey, you have to tell me these things. What if he does it again?” Nina knew she should've been there to handle this.
“Oh, he won’t do it again.” Beth giggled. “We jumped him for it. He was very well reprimanded.”
“Is he okay? I didn’t see anything with I tucked them into bed.”
“He’s fine. We didn’t really hurt him. Besides it was Sam who started it. He went after his brother like a dog after a bone.”
“That’s my department.” Nina leaned forward and put one hand on Beth’s knee. “You’re too young to be playing parent sweetheart. I wish you didn’t have to but, as it stands with school now out for the summer, I need you to keep an eye on the little ones.”
“What little ones? The twins are ten.” Beth wrinkled her pretty nose, and patted Nina’s hand. “I don’t really have much to do since we live so far from town, anyway.” She shrugged as if dismissing it.
Nina winced, the time she dreaded had come, Beth wanted to hang out with her friends. “What about you? You have the big sweet sixteen coming up. Tell me, what do you want?” She caressed Beth’s knee as she waited for an answer.
Beth shrugged, her pale amber skin glowing in the soft light coming from the table lamp beside them. “I don’t want anything.” She picked absently at the blanket.
“How about a car?” Nina waited with an eager smile to see what kind of reaction that would get.
Beth’s large blue eyes were shining with sudden interest. “Are you serious? Can I have a car?”
“Well, it won’t be a new one but it’ll be something that won’t break down on you.” Nina grinned at the glow on Beth’s sweet young face. “Besides, I don’t like the fact that you three are here all day with nothing to do. If you had a car you could take them places.”
“Oh! That means I have to get my license.” Her eyes gleamed like sapphires. “I’m ready! I’ve been studying and studying! Ask me anything!”
Nina laughed tugging on one of Beth’s pitch-black curls. “I’m sure you are, sweetie, let’s plan a date when we can go take the test. Things at work have been a bit more flexible, so I’m sure I can get the time off.”
“Oh, mama, thank you so much! Then I can go where I want, when I want.” Beth jumped, clasping Nina’s hands in hers. “I can’t wait to tell Nancy!”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.” Nina laughed as Beth threw her arms around her neck in her happiness, and squeezed tight.
“Oh, thank you! Thank you so much, mama.” Beth beamed.
“You deserve it, sweetheart. You’re such a jewel. It’s j
ust my way of thanking you for all your help.”
Beth sat next to Nina. “Do you know that I love you more than anything in the world?”
She caressed Beth’s long blue-black curls. “I know because I love you just the same. It’s always been you and I. No matter how many other people come into our lives. We have enough love for them. But between us our love is special.”
Beth nodded, kissing Nina’s cheek. “I’m glad you picked me, mama. I don’t ever want to lose you.” Only twelve years separated the two, Beth insisted on calling Nina mother. It was a title Nina cherished.
“You won’t ever lose me, sweets.” Nina reassured her. “I’m here for the long haul.”
“Yes, but when I saw you holding that snake...” Beth paused, her voice caught on a sob, her eyes sparkling with tears. “I didn’t know what to do. I thought it was going to bite you and you would die.”
“No, no ssh, I’m sorry I scared you. I don’t like snakes, why I let Danny keep them is beyond me. As they always say god looks out for babies and fools. He was there for me today.” Nina didn't add her deep fears to that; there was no need to scare Beth. But her mind wouldn't let go of how did the snake get in the car? Or maybe she was jumping at shadows, since it could’ve crawled in through a vent in the dash.
Beth wiped her eyes. “Danny never owned a poisonous snake. I don’t know where that came from. But you’re right, if you had been driving when it fell in your lap we would all be dead now.”
Nina pulled Beth into her arms and held her close for a moment then released her, she tweaked her small nose. “I want to go shopping, will you come?” She had to get her mind off of today’s events.
“Oh, yes, when?” Beth asked eagerly.
“I don’t know, how about Sunday? I feel the need to change my look.” Nina had to do something to lift herself out of the funk she was in, shopping was the only thing she could think of. Spending so much time with the stylish Miranda was starting to rub off.
Beth frowned, “I think you look just fine.”
Nina shrugged and looked away from Beth for a moment. “I’m just tired of my clothes. I’m older and I have a new job title, I feel the need for something different. You did like that yellow sundress I bought the other day.”
“Yes, I did, it was the first time I’ve seen you in that kind of dress.”
“You mean the kind that fits.”
“Well, maybe it fits too well.”
Nina laughed. “What do you mean by that?”
“I don’t want anyone staring at my mother. If you wear things like that, no one will ever notice little skinny me.”
“Oh, please!” Nina tweaked Beth’s nose. “I could never out shine the brightest star in the sky. You, my dear, are a rare gem and anyone who would look at me rather than you needs to have their head examined.”
“Thanks, but I still don’t think you need new clothes.”
“I’m ready for a change, I know you could use a few new things too.”
“Okay, but I think you look fine,” Beth looked at her through narrow eyes but she didn’t say anything as she stood up. “Goodnight, I’ll wake the boys up in the morning and get them started on their lessons.”
Nina chose to ignore the look. “No, don’t do that. I’ve decided to play hooky from work. It’s summer break. I might as well spend a little fun time with my brood. Tomorrow is Friday, it’ll give us three whole days together. Think hard tonight and tell me what you’d like to do this weekend.” Nina kissed Beth’s soft cheek.
“Why don’t we go shopping tomorrow?” Beth suggested.
“No, tomorrow I want to spend just the four of us doing something fun for all of us. You know the boys will complain if we take them shopping.”
“How about Saturday?”
“No, Saturday, I have a surprise for you all. You don’t want to go Sunday?”
“No, it sounds good to me. What’s the surprise?”
“It’s for me to know and you to find out. Now, off to bed with you.”
“Oh, alright. Are you going to your cooking class tonight?” Beth asked, it was Thursday.
Nina looked away from her for just a moment as a bittersweet longing swept through her. “No, I’m not going tonight. I won't be going to any more classes. They’re over. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Beth nodded. “I’ll see you in the morning.” With that, she hurried up the stairs and into her room.
Nina leaned back in her seat, her mind drifting back to her gray-eyed friend. If she were honest with herself, that was all he was, just a friend. He satisfied a need in her, and she was sure she’d done the same for him. Now it was over. Staring at the ceiling, she let out a sigh of extreme longing. Not a day went by without his image haunting her, she craved the madness he brought out in her. She wanted so much from him, and yet she had known all her life she would never marry. Then he came along, giving her foolish hopes. Making her think of love and happiness, of happy endings.
Those nights she’d spent in his arms had been heaven, she savored them, turning them into something more than they were. The pain from the way he ended their affair stabbed at her. Not even a note. He just disappeared. Of all the things she thought of him, cruel had not been one of them. Nina chalked it up to another hard lesson learned. Sighing hard, she swung her feet to the floor and stood. It was time to get back to the reality that was her life: her job and her children.
*****
Rafe hurried through the foyer of his mother’s home, barely noticing the dark furniture or the echo of his loafers on the flagstone floor. Rushing through the long dim hallway, his mind rolled over thoughts of Nina. Weeks ago, after Nina spoke with Miranda, something about her changed. For better or worse, he didn’t know, but he remembered the uncertain thoughts which cut his vitals like knives when she’d come to him that night. That first kiss of greeting was usually full of promise, but this time it was reserved. She’d even pushed softly on his chest, then moved away from him.
At first he thought maybe she was just tired and needed to relax, but later, after they had eaten, he took her in his arms as they lay curled up on the couch in front of the fireplace. Again she pushed away; in that instant he knew something was wrong. She stood up and walked away. He remembered his panic, it was as if his heart were about to explode as he waited for her to speak.
When she didn’t say anything, he had to ask. “What is it? Tell me what’s bothering you?” But she shrugged and grabbed her purse.
“I have to go. I’ll see you next week.” She wouldn’t look at him, she had been avoiding eye contact all night.
He jumped up and rushed to her, catching her wrists, he pulled her into his arms. “I don’t know what’s going through that pretty head of yours, but I thought you would have more guts than to run out on me.”
Her startled eyes flew to his, and the color drained from her mocha skin. “I…I’m sorry, I thought it would be easier to do this in person rather than on the phone...but it’s not.”
He felt as if a fist had plunged into his stomach. She was ending their association. It was something he knew he wasn’t ready for, but deep in his heart he had known the day would come. After all, she had been raised devoutly Catholic. Nina probably thought she would burn in hell for what they were doing. He was surprised it’d lasted this long. But he needed more time to get his thoughts together, to understand what he was feeling. “Listen we don’t have to end this now. I mean, I can’t lose you N…my Lily.” Rafe bit his tongue at his slip, the pretense was becoming harder and harder to maintain.
Her eyes changed to a mint green as she looked at him. “What are you saying?” She had said softly, her hands at his waist holding onto his shirt.
This was the moment of truth, he couldn’t let her go and yet he wasn’t ready to tell her the truth. Not until he had her complete love and trust. “I’m saying that I can’t lose you, I need you with me.”
Her beautiful eyes had shuddered, “Is that all? Is this just physical b
etween us?”
“No, I don’t think so,” he confessed. “I think it could get deeper, if we let it.” He brushed her lips with his and she sighed leaning into him.
“I think it could, too. I wanted to say…” she paused.
“What is it?” He urged her on. “You can tell me anything.”
She took a deep breath. “I started my monthly and we can’t make love tonight. Do you still want me to stay?” She said it so quickly that he could barely make out the words. But her face was deep red, and her eyes squeezed tightly shut.
He couldn’t help but laugh as his panic faded away. Pulling her fully into his arms, he squeezed her tight. “Is that all?” He finally got out, as his laughter stopped. She looked at him from under lowered lashes.
“It may not seem like a big thing to you, but to me it is. It keeps me from your arms and I find I can’t stand that.” Her quiet confession thrilled him more than he cared to admit.
“Nothing can keep you from my arms, my sweet Lily. Say you’ll stay with me tonight...”
“But we can’t do anything,” she whispered.
“Do you want to stay?” Rafe asked.
“Yes, very much,” she breathed.
“I would be offended if you left. I would think you only wanted one thing from me, is that true?” He teased.
She had pulled out of his arms. “I want very much to stay with you al…” She cut short whatever she’d been about to say.
He wanted to press her for more, but he knew if he did, he’d have to tell her everything. Then wasn’t the time.
A light fresh scent hit Rafe as soon as he walked through the doorway of the sunroom. It was bright, as if the place had just been cleaned. He had to find out what they’d talked about. Had Nina mentioned him? Did Miranda suspect he was still seeing Nina? He’d been caught up with an emergency at work and this was the first opportunity he’d had in weeks to see Miranda. It had been at least that long since he’d seen Nina. She probably thought all kinds of mean things about the way he’d just stopped meeting her. Now this, for some odd reason Miranda failed to return any of his calls. He knew she’d be here, this time of day, reading the evening paper. This was the perfect time to corner her. “Well, what did you think?” He came right out with it.