by Syd Parker
Lex smiled sheepishly. “Guess it’s the shoes.”
Susan’s eyes took in her heavy looking Borns and she laughed. “Yes, you did always like the clodhoppers; I remember.”
“Is anyone else as hungry as I am?” Ginny had already found her way to the fridge and when they turned to answer her, the only thing visible was her bottom pointed at them from inside the fridge. “I’m in the mood for fried chicken.”
Lex rubbed her hands together greedily. “Yes, please.”
Susan laughed. “And she hasn’t lost her appetite either.”
“I would say not.” Aspen seconded the observation. “You should see what she can put down. I don’t know how she isn’t as big as a house.”
“If you’re anything like me, you won’t get so lucky.” Susan said with a chuckle and swatted Lex’s arm. “One day you will wake up and realize there is a small caboose following you.”
“Oh, stop it, Mom.” Lex chuckled softly. She tested her old habit of calling Aspen’s mother Mom. When she wasn’t corrected, she continued. “You look wonderful. I hope I can look that good when I’m your age.”
Ginny set a package of chicken on the counter followed by a carton of buttermilk. “Oh, not the your age comment. That’s like saying your old and have a foot in the grave to women our age. Lex, I thought you were quite the flatterer, but not anymore.”
Lex reddened deeply, the laughter breaking out around her. She caught the wink Ginny gave Susan. “Hey, not funny.” She shot Aspen a look, begging her to step in, but Aspen merely threw up here hands as if to say you are on your own. “Fine. Laugh it up, ladies. I deserve that.”
Aspen stilled, waiting on her mother’s reaction. So far, she hadn’t given Lex hell for leaving all those years ago, and she wasn’t sure if Lex would continue relatively unscathed. She was saved when Ginny held the chicken out to her sister and told her to get to cleaning. “So, how was your stay, Aunt Ginny? Did Mom put you to work fall cleaning?”
Oh, lordy, you know she always does.” Ginny said with fond laughter. “I’ll be returning the favor, of course.”
“I hope so.” Aspen watched her aunt pour buttermilk into a bowl and add several shakes of pepper and some hot sauce. “So, what are we planning for Thanksgiving?”
Susan lifted her brow and shot her sister a look. “You want to tell her or should I?”
“Tell me what?” Aspen asked suspiciously. “What have you two women cooked up in my absence?”
“Oh, you know, a little of this and a little of that.” Ginny’s eyes sparkled with obvious delight. “I talked your mother into a cruise instead of doing the traditional dinner.”
“Are you serious?” Lex cocked an eyebrow questioningly. “What about your no water rule?”
Ginny laughed. “Well, I am getting so much older.” She couldn’t resist the chance to tease poor Lex. “I think it’s high time I did something fun.”
“That’s great, Mom.” Aspen offered. “Where are you going?”
“Some place in the Caribbean. Your aunt made the arrangements. All I had to do was pack and show up.”
“Wow, Aunt Ginny. I am seriously impressed. Dad tried to get Mom to go on a cruise for years.”
Ginny took the chicken from Susan and dumped it unceremoniously in the buttermilk mixture and set it aside. “I always have been a good deal more persuasive than your Father ever was.” She shot Susan a look, which was rewarded with a surreptitious smile.
“Whoa, I know that look.” Aspen interjected. “What aren’t you telling us?”
Lex leaned forward. “Yeah, something tells me there is a story behind that look.”
Susan waived her hand dismissively. “Nothing as exciting as you two are thinking; I'm sure. Although, you might be surprised that your aunt got me to traipse around Europe for a summer.”
“What?” Aspen’s eyebrows shot up. “You never told me about that. When was this?”
Ginny chuckled. “It might surprise you to know that us old fogies have a few tricks up our sleeves.”
Aspen shook her head, disbelievingly. “So, tell us about this clandestine trip to Europe. When did you go?”
Susan smiled reminiscently. “It was the summer after I graduated from college. We went to Europe. We had rail passes and just went everywhere. Ginny even got me to stay in hostels while we were there.”
“Hostels?” Lex frowned. “That’s not safe.”
“Oh, sure it is.” Ginny said dismissively. “They are a lot different now than they were forty years ago. It’s a different world now.”
“I’ll say.” Susan seconded. “It really was fine, honey. No need to worry. We made it home safe and sound, and here we are to tell all about it.”
“Oh, sure. Forty years later.” Aspen shook her head, still unable to believe that her own mother had done something as outside the box as go to Europe for the summer. “What else haven’t you told us?”
This time the look that passed between her mother and aunt was almost comical. “Okay, this is totally blowing my mind.”
Susan laughed. “Oh, honey, there is a lot that would surprise you about your old Mom. I wasn’t always a stodgy old curmudgeon.”
“Well, I don’t think you are that now.” Aspen countered. She looked around for something to occupy her hands, which were wringing together with obvious excitement.
“Here.” Ginny handed her the chicken and a bowl of flour. “You can be my sous chef. I’ll tell you a story that will knock your socks off.”
Grateful for a distraction, Aspen dived into her task; her eyebrows cocked. “I can’t get over Mom in Europe. I’m not sure you can top that one.” She shot Lex a look, and was rewarded with a barely perceptible shoulder shrug that clearly said I’m just as thrown as you.
“You know your uncle was in the Army.”
Aspen nodded. “Yes, Airborne?”
“What you don’t know is that Neal went A.W.O.L after the first two years.”
“What?!” Aspen and Lex’s voices combined in a comical half—shriek of disbelief.
“Oh, yes.” Ginny continued. “He ran away to Mexico. Even had a girlfriend named Esperanza. Mexico’s the reason your uncle wouldn’t ever drink tequila.”
“What? Why?” Aspen’s head was spinning. She knew that her parents and her aunt and uncle had a life prior to them, but she had no idea it was so colored.
“Let’s just say he drank way too much nickel tequila and ended up on the floor of the cantina way too many times. After that, just the smell was enough to make him sick.”
“Unbelievable.” Aspen shook her head, unable to wrap her mind around this new information.
“What about you, Mom?” Lex leaned forward questioningly. “Any other sorted stories in your past?”
“My dear, there are some things a mother never tells.” Susan smiled mischievously.
Aspen finished battering the chicken and watched as Ginny started dropping it into a pan of hot oil. The immediate sizzle reminded her so much of being a child, waiting for her mother to cook dinner. She looked at her mom and saw the sparkle there and wondered what stories her own mother hadn’t shared. She shook her head, realizing that she may never know. Somehow, she was okay with that. She had always looked up to her mother and believed her to be without guile. She wanted to keep it that way. “So, tell us about the cruise.”
Ginny clapped her hands together excitedly. “Show her the brochures.”
Aspen laughed at her aunt’s excitement. She washed her hands and took one of the colorful brochures her mother handed her. She scanned the pages and had to admit it sounded like more fun than staying home and pigging out on traditional holiday fare. “But what about the too much time together and threatening to send Mom to the bunkhouse?”
Ginny laughed and waived her hand dismissively. “It’s a big ship. If I get tired of your mom, I’ll just send her to the opposite side.”
“Ha!” Susan countered. “I’ll just push your aunt overboard.” They dissolved into a
mused laughter.
After several minutes of chatter about the itinerary, Lex’s brow wrinkled. “What about you?”
“What about me?” Aspen laid the brochure down.
“What will you do for Thanksgiving?”
Aspen shrugged. “I guess I’ll just stay here, pig out on anything and everything unhealthy and watch the parade. I really need to get some more pieces done. This will give me a chance to do that without any distractions.”
“No.” Lex replied. “You can’t stay here alone on Thanksgiving.”
“Why not? I’m a big girl.”
“You’re coming with me.”
“Oh no, I am not.” Aspen said with a chuckle. “I am not subjecting myself to another Tataris Thanksgiving. I want to fit into my clothes, after all.”
“Nope.” Lex said with finality. “I refuse to let you stay here alone. You’re coming home with me.”
A knowing look passed between Ginny and Susan. “That’s a good idea, honey.” Susan offered. “There’s no reason you need to be here by yourself.”
“I can’t leave the horses.” Normally, Aspen wouldn’t have minded going to Lex’s family’s house for the holiday. But it was different now. Now that they were no longer together. It would just be weird. “And I really need to work in the studio.”
“It’s one day.” Ginny pulled the first of the fried chicken out of the pan and set it on a paper towel to drain. “Lex, can you grab a box of those instant potatoes out of the pantry?” Ginny may stick to some of the home-cooked meals, but she loved convenience, and if she could make decent mashed potatoes out of a box with minimal effort then by God, she was going to. “The girls will be fine.”
“I shouldn’t really.” Aspen hesitated. “I haven’t told you guys yet, but I have an exhibit in the spring. I don’t have enough pieces yet, so this gives me the perfect opportunity to catch up.”
“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful.” Susan squeezed her shoulder affectionately.
“No way, are you serious?” Lex was almost out of her chair. “When were you going to tell me?”
Aspen shrugged noncommittally. “It’s no big deal.”
“It’s a huge deal. This is what you’ve always wanted.” Lex pressed. “When did you find out?”
“Last week.” Aspen offered. “It’s just a small gallery in New York, so it probably won’t be seen by too many people.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t say anything.” Lex pretended not to be hurt. The past few months had brought them closer, and she wished that Aspen could share things like that with her. Her heart ached knowing that five years ago, she would have been the first person Aspen told and now, after her mistake, the news was shared as an afterthought.
“Really, it’s no big deal.” Aspen took the box of instant potatoes from her and pulled a pan out of the cupboards. She couldn’t take the look of hurt in Lex’s eyes. Those brown eyes had been her undoing so many times before, and she needed a distraction before they pulled her in again.
“Well, honey, I’m certainly proud of you.” Susan winked at Lex conspiratorially. “I am sure you will have plenty for the show. I don’t want you alone on Thanksgiving.”
“I agree.” Ginny seconded. “Besides, it’s one day. I promise you the girls will be fine.”
Aspen shook her head in defeat. She couldn’t stand up against the three of them. “Fine, but I can only be gone for the day.”
Lex smiled exuberantly. “Awesome! I’ll let Mom know you will be there. She will cook everything under the sun, you know.”
“Ugh.” Aspen pictured herself lying uncomfortably on the couch, so full she wouldn’t be able to move. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Well, it’s all settled then.” Ginny took the last piece of chicken out of the pan and shooed Aspen out of the way. “Go, sit. Tell us about your show.”
Over chicken and somewhat tolerable mashed potatoes, Aspen filled them in on the details, all the while questioning her decision to go home with Lex. The pain of not being with her had dulled to a gentle ache, and she wasn’t sure she would survive the day unscathed. If not, the next couple of months were going to be even harder than the last couple. Oh well, it will make for some interesting pieces.
Chapter 12
“Aspen, you are way too skinny. It’s a good thing my Lex brought you home. You need some fattening up.”
“Ma.” Lex’s voice dragged out in exasperation. “She just got here. Can you wait until she gets her coat off before you start shoveling food into her face?”
Aspen laughed at Lex’s attempt to save her from the day long food fest. She saw the twinkle in Maria’s eyes and knew she was in for trouble today. She felt herself pulled into Maria’s arms again for the third hug since she had walked in. “Maria. It’s so good to see you.”
“Kopela mou.” Maria beamed, obviously delighted that Aspen remembered her pet name. “I told Alexis she should have brought you home years ago.”
“Ma.” Lex’s tone was serious, but her mother merely waived her off with a chuckle. She hated being chastised almost as much as she hated being called by her full name. “Aspen, you come in and see Nicky. He heard you were coming and hasn’t talked about anything since. You know, he always did have a crush on you.”
Aspen caught Lex’s eye and winked conspiratorially. Both of them knew that Lex’s brother Nicky liked pretty much any female. He was as undiscerning in his taste in women as anyone. He liked to say he found something in all women to love.
Maria led them into the kitchen and immediately smacked Nicky’s shoulder. “Sit up, Nicky. We got company.”
He met Aspen’s gaze, and his whole face transformed into a smile that went from ear to ear, making her wonder if maybe Maria was right, and he did have a crush on her. “Hi, Nicky.”
“A, you made it!” He lifted her into the air and spun her around exuberantly “You look great. You should have picked me, A. I never would have left you.”
His comment earned him another smack on the shoulder from his mother and a momentary glare from his older sister. “Aww, Lexie, you know I’m just kidding.” He turned and gave Aspen an earnest smile. “We did miss you like crazy though. It hasn’t been the same without your cooking. Sorry, Ma.”
“It’s okay, Nicky. You did know your way around the kitchen…with American food.” She smiled mischievously. “But, not with our Greek food. No one does Greek like Maria Tataris.” She pointed at an empty chair. “Now sit, tell me what you’ve been up to the past few years.”
Aspen felt everyone’s eyes on her, and she felt the heat rise in her cheeks. She knew she had better get comfortable fast. Her audience of three was going to grow to about fifteen within minutes. Lex’s extended family filled in every empty spot in the house during the holidays.
“Ma, let her be for a few minutes, okay? We just got here.”
Aspen shot Lex a grateful look, and she mouthed a silent thank you.
“Yo, Nicky, where’s your girl?” Lex grabbed a piece of turkey off the tray and sidestepped quickly, avoiding her mother’s swat. “Too many to narrow it down to just one?”
Nick looked at his sister askance. “It’s just me tonight, Lexie.”
“Can you believe that?” Maria wiped her hands on her apron. “My Nicky, he doesn’t have a date.” She squeezed his chin and shook his face. “Aspen, look at my handsome boy and tell me why he has no girl tonight.”
“Ma.” Nick’s voice raised in a long, nasal whine. “Cut it out, will ya? I told you, I am not dating anyone right now. I want to graduate from the academy first.”
Nicky had enrolled in the police academy and was just weeks from graduating. It was an ironic choice for the man who had spent many hours trying to avoid the law. Lex wondered if maybe he was finally growing up to be the man she knew he could be.
“I just don’t understand.” Maria set three sandwiches down on the table. “Eat.”
Lex rolled her eyes. They would be eating in an hour, and here she was sh
oving food at them. She opened her mouth to respond when Nicky caught her eye and shook his head.
Maria continued unfazed. “You need a woman to take care of you. You aren’t getting any younger. You should be dating. I’m not getting any younger, and I am not bouncing any grandbabies on my knees yet.”
Lex met Nicky’s eyes, and she shook her head from side to side. It was the same thing at every holiday. They knew the speech by heart and if pressed, could repeat it word-for-word. Swallowing a snicker, she took a huge bite of her sandwich and figured she would need to work out extra hard to lose the additional five pounds she put on every Thanksgiving. Lex could feel Aspen’s eyes studying them all, taking this annual ritual in with barely concealed amusement. Leaning closer, she met Aspen’s twinkling blue eyes and whispered. “You think this is funny?”
Aspen’s eyes danced with amusement. “Nothing like a Tataris Thanksgiving.” She waggled the sandwich in Lex’s face. “No day would be complete without your mom over feeding us and riding Nicky’s ass all day.”
Lex rolled her eyes. “You know Ma.” She held Aspen’s gaze a bit longer, looking for something buried in her eyes. “You’re okay though? I mean this isn’t too much, is it? I know Ma can go a little overboard.”
“No, it’s fine.” Aspen shook her head and finished the last bite of her sandwich. “She makes me comfortable. My little girl, she remembered.”
“Of course she did.” Lex’s smile widened. “Ma always loved you.”
“Alexis.” Maria’s voice filled the room. “You take the tzatziki and put it on the table. Your aunt Irene will be here soon and she is not going to outshine your momma with her spinach and cheese pie.” Maria’s voice suddenly changed to emulate Irene’s nasally whine. “It’s so much better than yours because I put leeks in it. Humph! Leeks. Thinks it’s so good. Nick doesn’t even touch it. How Milo eats Irene’s cooking is beyond me.”
“Ma!” Lex shot her a look and when Maria turned around she feigned innocence.
“What?” Maria shrugged her shoulders. “Milo is a better man than most. Your poppa, he would say to me. Maria, I love you, but you need lessons in the kitchen. Mind you, I don’t. But, that is what Milo should tell your aunt Irene.”