Macy's Parade

by D. R. Grady

  He glanced at Macy. She also watched Savannah. What was wrong with his daughter? He glanced at his mother. She frowned.

  “Are you?” his mother asked. He thought he detected concern in her voice.

  “Yes,” she sounded defensive. Her shoulders shrunk in.

  “There’ve been a lot of changes going on here,” Macy said, and Savannah’s eyes jerked to her. Macy nodded to her, and Savannah seemed to straighten.

  “Yes, there have been a lot of changes. I’m sure they’re taking some time to get used to,” his mother commented.

  With a frown, Nick turned his gaze to his father. Had his dad caught on, or was he as clueless as Nick felt? His dad spooned up more soup, and short of smacking his lips, appeared totally engrossed in his lunch.

  No help from that front. Thanks, Dad, he thought. But he set Bryce’s uneaten half a sandwich on his dad’s plate as he finished the rest of Starla’s.

  He turned his attention back to Macy. She continued to watch Savannah, a furrow between her eyebrows. Nick made a mental note to ask her what was going on.

  “How are you, Starla?” His mom switched her attention to his other daughter.

  “I’m okay, Granna,” Starla said and looked at her through her eyelashes. Again he thought of Greta Garbo’s father, again with the idea that he should look into the man’s life. Nick thought he could learn a thing or two.

  His mom went round the table, asking the boys how they were doing. His dad got up and helped himself to more soup. Twice. He also finished off the rest of Macy’s sandwich.

  After the meal, Macy and Savannah disappeared briefly.

  He passed the laundry room and heard their voices.

  “Savannah, do you have cramps?” Macy’s voice.

  He heard a rumble, but couldn’t hear Savannah’s reply. Cramps? Savannah? She was his little girl.

  Nick thought about interrupting the conversation but thought Savannah would be embarrassed. He edged closer to the door.

  “You look like you’re in pain. I can help. You just need a Motrin.”

  “Macy, it’s so embarrassing,” Savannah wailed.

  “It’s a fact of life. Do you have pads?”

  Another mumbled response.

  “Under the counter in all the bathrooms I’ve placed necessary items. Help yourself to what you want and let me know which ones you prefer. I’ll buy you some, okay?”

  “Okay,” Savannah said, sounding tearful.

  “This is a major part of your life, Savannah. Every female gets her period. It’s okay, really. Nothing to worry about.”

  “Macy, I think I’m going to throw up.”

  Chapter 4

  Macy finished unpacking the shopping bags and when Savannah strolled through the room, waved her over.

  “What?” Savannah asked, not belligerently, but more like her mind played on other things.

  “I bought this stuff for you.” Macy handed her some packages of pads and tampons.

  “Macy,” Savannah said, like she wanted to protest, but wasn’t sure how.

  “You said you like these best so I got you your own supply. I also got you this,” Macy said, extracting a small, pretty bag from the bottom of the drug store bag.

  “What is it?” Savannah’s attention was riveted on her.

  “This is a bag for your backpack. You can place your pads and tampons in it.”

  Savannah turned the bag over in her hands several times. “Why would you do this for me?”

  “What do you mean?” Macy stared at her. She didn’t understand.

  “Why are you being so nice?”

  Ah, right. “Savannah, these are things you need.”

  Savannah’s chin jerked, but she didn’t say anything.

  “I’m also a woman, so I understand how you’re feeling. Oh,” she dove her hand back into the bag and dug out another item. Rattling the bottle, she handed it to Savannah. “Here’s a bottle of pain reliever for you. This is teenager friendly.”

  Savannah accepted the bottle and placed it in the bag. “This is all for me?”

  “Yes. Be careful of it, I’m not sure you’re allowed to have it during school. I’ll call the school nurse. She can decide what to do with it. Just follow her instructions, okay?”

  Savannah nodded. “I’m feeling better today.”

  Macy thought it took a lot for Savannah to tell her that. Some of her hostility had faded. Instead Savannah seemed to eye her warily.

  “I’m glad. Usually the first day is the worst.”

  Savannah nodded. “I didn’t know who to tell,” she said, like she admitted a deep, dark secret.

  “It’s a hard call. You’re in pain, you’re bleeding where you never have before, which is scary. Your school probably prepared you for this, but it’s nothing like experiencing it firsthand.”

  “Macy?”

  “Yes?”

  Savannah’s shoulder jerked, but she looked Macy in the eyes. “Do you think Granna’s mad at us?”

  “No,” Macy exclaimed and looked askance at the teenager. “Why do you think that?”

  “She hasn’t been here much.”

  “I know. I think once her foot heals, we’ll see her more often.”

  “She’s not mad at you?”

  Macy laughed. “No. Honestly, Savannah, I think she’s just been in a lot more pain than she’s admitting.”

  “Wouldn’t they give her pain medicine?”

  “I’m sure they did.”

  “Oh. Well, thanks for this,” Savannah said and waved the bag and other items Macy had purchased for her. Macy helped her repack the plastic bag so she could carry it to her room.

  “You’re welcome. If you need things, Savannah, please let me know. I can help.”

  Savannah didn’t meet her eyes, but she didn’t look down, either. “Thanks, Macy.”

  “That’s what I’m here for.”

  The teenager frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I’m here to help make your life easier, not harder.”

  Savannah’s chin jerked as she processed that. “Okay.”

  After that, Macy noticed Savannah’s attitude toward her thawed considerably. She actually worked with her sometimes and Macy found she knew the kitchen very well. Savannah also knew her way around laundry. In fact, she did so well at it and seemed to enjoy it, so Macy asked her to help with the laundry.

  She planned to give each of the kids chores. Bryce could take out the garbage, Brandt was capable of taking care of the animals, and Starla liked to help her with the dishes. The kids could all learn to make their own beds and keep their rooms habitable. Macy just had to work out a few details before she explained her ideas to them.

  Now that she had cracked Savannah, Macy decided to move on to Bryce. He was still the sole hold out, and Macy figured this was because of his general personality.

  The doorbell rang on the following Saturday when the kids were home. She answered it and saw exactly what she expected. Rob, her brother, stood there awkwardly tugging on his shirt.

  She hugged him and felt him relax.

  “Who’s that?” Brandt asked as she tugged him into the family room. She nudged Bryce to snap him into the present.

  “This is Rob, my brother,” she said and glanced at Lily, who happened to be visiting.

  Rob and Bryce sized each other up. Macy didn’t know if Bryce would recognize the sloppy shirt and baggy jeans Rob wore. But the two of them could have been brothers so similar were they.

  “Do you play Warrior Quest?” Bryce asked.

  “Yeah,” Rob answered.

  Macy rolled her eyes. “He created it, Bryce, so don’t be mad if he beats you.”

  “You created it?”

  “Yeah. I did some of the graphics and all the programming.”

  Bryce’s eyes were huge, which she hoped Rob would read as excitement. She still guessed with him sometimes.

  Soon the two were engaged in a hearty electronic battle and both lost touch with reality. Macy ho
ped to steer Bryce in the direction of understanding when it was acceptable to disengage from reality, and when it wasn’t. She had mostly succeeded in her efforts with Rob.

  Lily beckoned her across the room. Macy strolled over to her and sat in the chair next to hers.

  “So Bryce’s condition didn’t escape your notice?”

  “Of course not. I’ve already raised one just like him.” She indicated Rob. “I just waited a little while to be sure I was right about him. They’re so similar.”

  “Asperger’s Syndrome?” Lily watched her grandson for a long moment.

  “Yes. Autism is a tricky thing, especially Asperger’s.”

  “The doctor who diagnosed him said Bryce is wired differently.”

  “He is. He’s incredibly intelligent, but he has no social skills.”

  Lily nodded and tapped her lips. “We don’t know what to do about that. Nick and I both read up on the syndrome when we can. We haven’t been sure about how to help him.”

  “It’s both simple and complicated. He doesn’t understand instinctively how to read people’s facial expressions, but he’s smart. He can be taught them.”

  “Do you truly think Bryce can learn that?”

  “Oh yes. Rob didn’t know how to read them either. But we taught him and now he does fine. He probably doesn’t catch subtle body language, but he picks up on most obvious expressions.” Macy watched the two of them, both with their tongues out and moving in sync with their arm movements, twitching their game controllers this way and that.

  “Nick said you’ve been working with Bryce to force him into our reality.”

  “Yes. If I have to punish him, I started taking away his dessert. When that got to be a habit, I pulled out my bigger guns.”

  “Oh?”

  “Rob and Bryce and those like them want to be sent to their rooms. That’s what they desire. They’re loners and would really rather not have to deal with other people. I’ve taken to locking Bryce’s room when he’s in trouble. I make him sleep on one of the couches down here.”

  Lily’s eyes went wide. “He’d hate that.”

  Macy grinned. “Absolutely. You can bet the behavior improved after only the second episode of sleeping on the couch.”

  “He had nowhere to hide.”

  “Nope.”

  “He didn’t, er... throw a fit, did he?”

  “Of course he threw a fit. Broke one of the lamps, which will come out of his allowance. I didn’t care. I’ve lived through Rob’s fits of rage. No big deal,” Macy said with a shrug.

  “I’ve witnessed his episodes,” Lily confided in a whisper.

  “Yes, so have I. And I informed him that every time he gives in to one, his bedroom door will remain locked until I deem it can be opened.”

  “And Nick has gone along with this?”

  Macy sent her an amused glance. “Nick is only just beginning to re-enter the land of the living.”

  Lily nodded slowly. “I noticed he seemed a bit...”

  “Zombie-like,” Macy supplied with a wry twist of her lips.

  “Yes that rather sums it up. So he’s supporting you in your discipline efforts?”

  “He has no choice.”

  “I see,” Lily said, in a tone that indicated she didn’t actually.

  “I threatened him with no dessert if he didn’t agree to my methods.”

  Lily gurgled with laughter. “Oh. That is quite a threat.”

  “Yes, I’ve found it rather effective. Although I must admit, I don’t think he cares what I do, so long as the kids are healthy, safe, and looked after.”

  Lily nodded her expression solemn. “That’s how I feel.”

  “The problem with them is that they’ve had little stability in their young lives.” Macy frowned. “I don’t want to be too harsh with them, but then again, they need boundaries.”

  “Yes, they do. My husband and I have tried to provide that stability. Goodness knows Nick...”

  “Had to simply function. I’m not sure how he’s managed.”

  “He hasn’t had any choice,” Lily said, her expression turning pensive.

  “No. But now he does.”

  Lily cocked her head to the side. “Nick said you’re not here permanently. Have you given any thought to what will happen to the children once you move on, Macy?”

  Her question caught Macy by surprise. “I guess I assumed we’d have another nanny fill my place.”

  “Who?”

  “Well, someone will surely apply. Nick might do well to hire two people or even just a housekeeper since the kids don’t need a nanny now.”

  “Now there’s a thought.”

  “If the new person only had to worry about the house and the occasional load of laundry, the position might appear easier. The kids just need a stable adult to help them from time to time.”

  “For that matter, he could hire a maid service and then just someone to be around for the kids after school.”

  “Yes, and with someone cleaning regularly, the “nanny” could make meals. Fortunately, the kids are all in school now, so that allows more freedom for everyone.”

  “I see you’ve already managed to make the place habitable again.” Lily glanced around the room, her eyes lighting on the dusted surfaces, recently vacuumed floors, and straightened bookcases. Macy tried to block the memory of the room when she’d first encountered it.

  “I admit to being daunted when I came for my interview.”

  “I imagine. I’d rather not know how the place looked. I hadn’t been here for over a week.”

  Macy suppressed a shudder. “I noticed.”

  ***

  “Macy, none of the other nannies gave us chores,” Savannah informed her. The girl didn’t speak through clenched teeth, which Macy took as a good sign, but her voice sounded strained.

  “Yes, I know, and how many of them lasted?” Macy stared down the four malcontents in front of her. “There is no way I can keep the house clean, keep all of you in clean clothes, make meals, and do all the shopping without some help.”

  “We don’t know how to do chores,” Starla informed her.

  “That’s okay. You’ll all learn.”

  “But Macy—” Brandt started.

  Only Bryce didn’t argue with her. Macy figured Rob had clued him in on some of her ideas, which meant he was the only one of the four who’d been expecting this.

  “Look, I understand you’ve never had chores before, but this is the only way. I need your help,” Macy said firmly. She tapped the white board in front of her.

  “As you can see, I’ve placed your names and all the chores I feel each of you can do.”

  Savannah stirred like she wanted to argue, but Macy quelled that with a look. “Savannah, I know you’ve shouldered a good many of these tasks when there’s been no nanny. You’re not expected to do everything. You’ll have a few assigned tasks, each of you, and they’ll change from week to week so you don’t get bored.”

  “All of them will change?” Starla asked. The frown on her face just made her look pouty and gorgeous. Figured.

  “Not all of them. Bryce is in charge of collecting and taking the trash out to the big trash container. That job will not change. And Savannah will always have one night to cook.”

  The teenager started. “I’m not supposed to help you with laundry?” Macy thought she detected relief in Savannah’s voice. Even though Savannah enjoyed doing laundry, it was daunting for this large a family.

  “No. All you have to do laundry-wise is bring your laundry down, and I’ve bought each of you your own basket. Your name is on your basket. Bring your laundry down on your laundry day, and then once I’ve washed and folded everything, you take it back upstairs and put it away.”

  Brandt frowned. “You’re not gonna put it away?”

  “No. You all have your own way of putting your laundry away. There’s no need for me to change that. It will take you a lot less time to put your clothes away than if I do it. I probably won�
��t put it away right,” she said wryly. What a nightmare trying to put Starla’s favorite outfits in the designated spot. Much less try to tackle Savannah’s clothes.

  No way.

  The girl’s attitude had softened toward her, but Macy realized they had a long way to go yet. The kids all treated her with a wary respect she found both amusing and pathetic. It wasn’t like she was unfair.

  “What about Daddy?” Starla asked.

  “What about him?” Macy looked over the list, satisfied that the chores she’d determined for each child was reasonable.

  “Will he have to bring his clothes down and put them away himself?”

  “Absolutely. He also has some jobs.”

  “You put Daddy to work?” Starla sounded stunned.

  “Yes, he has to take the garbage and recyclables to the curb each week. He also has to bin his newspapers and clean his own bathroom.”

  Even Savannah blinked in disbelief at this news. Macy stared at them with a frown. “What?”

  “You told Dad what to do?”

  “Of course. He’s busy, but he’s not as busy now as he was. I’m doing most of the household stuff, but he can do that much. And I have enough bathrooms to clean without adding his to the mix. He’s also responsible for keeping his room clean, just like the rest of you.”

  “We have to keep our rooms clean?” Bryce asked, and because he’d spoken on his own free will, Macy was impressed.

  She turned to him. “Yes. Just throw your covers over your bed and try to keep a path cleared in your rooms. Each of you are responsible for dusting your own room.

  “Starla, you and Brandt will take turns dusting downstairs and helping with the dishes.”

  “What about vacuuming?” Starla sounded suspicious.

  “I’ll handle that. My chores will be to wash and fold all the laundry, vacuum, clean the bathrooms, do general straightening, shop and cook, and run you guys to your various activities.”

  “Macy, how are we supposed to do our chores, our activities, and our homework?” She had expected that question from Savannah.

  “These chores won’t take much of your time, and of course we’ll work around your homework and activities. There will be nights when you won’t have a chance to do anything other than track and field and then your homework.”