by Kelly Utt
“Hey, George,” she says, almost hesitantly.
“You okay, Jen?” I ask. “You look a little under the weather.”
Jen glances at Duke and smiles as she uses the propped open car door to steady herself. Then the realization dawns on me.
Jen and Duke are pregnant! Ali is going to be over the moon excited about this news. I can’t wait for her to find out. She and Jen have been best friends ever since they were kids in Manhattan. They’ve always dreamed of living near each other and having kids around the same age who would grow up playing together. Back when Ali and I were first pregnant with Ethan, Jen wasn’t even dating anyone. It looked like their shared childhood vision wasn’t going to happen. But now, with little Will being just six months old and Jen expecting, it can all become reality. A huge smile spreads across my face as I think about it.
“She’s good,” Duke says, winking at me as he smiles broadly.
He has the look of a man who is about to become a proud father. I knew the moment I met him that he’d be a good one. And every time I’ve seen him interact with my boys, my impression has been reinforced. Duke is amazing with kids.
“I’m so happy for you two,” I say, hugging Jen again, then Duke.
“Thanks, George,” Jen says. “We’re going to make an announcement to the group at dinner tonight. Please keep the news to yourself until then, alright?”
“Sure thing,” I confirm. “Although it’s going to be difficult to keep it from Ali for that long. Won’t she be able to tell? She knows you so well.”
“I had lunch with her a few days ago and I don’t think she noticed anything,” Jen says. “Of course, I was feeling much better that day than I am today. It’s early. Still hit and miss as to how I’ll feel at any given moment.”
“I remember Ali going through the same thing. I’ll do my best to keep her occupied until your announcement,” I promise. “They are plenty of other people here for her to talk with, so hopefully, we can keep her distracted.”
“That will be great,” Jen says.
“I am so incredibly happy for you both,” I say again, pumping my fist in the air for emphasis.
This truly is fantastic news. I’m glad for my wife, who will be elated about this news. Happiness all around. I knew this would be a night to remember, for more reasons than one. Several of us have big announcements to make.
As if on cue, Ali’s brother Nicky, his husband Luis, and their daughter Sara pull up just as Jen and Duke turn to head inside. Sara has her window rolled down and is waving from the back seat as Nicky pulls up to the curb and shifts their black sedan into park. I’m functioning as a regular greeter out here. It works.
I chat with my brother-in-law and his family for a while. All three of them seem to be in good spirits. They plan to put their party clothes on inside once they take their luggage to their bedrooms. I’m hopeful that Sara will have a good time. She smiles shyly and tells me about the dress she plans to wear and how it has a pretty purple flower on the front. I tell her I know she’ll look beautiful and that I can’t wait to see her all dolled up. When they turn to head into the house, I stay put.
Mom’s the only one left who isn’t here yet. I’m quite curious about this mystery guest she says she’s bringing. I’ve had a feeling for some time now that there’s something she isn’t telling me. The day I went to her house when John Wendell was sick, I had a suspicion that someone else was there with them. Or maybe someone else had been there with them. Something was off. And now she says she has an announcement to make. I wonder if she could be dating someone. The thought seems almost ludacris. It’s been nearly twenty-five years since Dad died and, as far as I know, Mom hasn’t dated anybody. I’m not sure what would make her decide to venture out after all these years.
Maybe John Wendell’s passing left space for something new. After all, she spent a lot of time with her dad. And as he aged and needed more of her care, the combination of those duties and her nursing job at the hospital didn’t leave much extra time. It will be interesting to learn what’s happening with her. I certainly wish her all the love and happiness in the world. She deserves it. She’s spent most of her adult life focusing on everyone but herself. Maybe her time has finally come. I’d love to see her lighten up and have some fun.
I stand in the sun for a few extra minutes and eye the south end of East Shore Drive expectantly, hoping Mom and her mystery guest will roll up. I’d love to meet her guest out here privately rather than having to do so amongst the crowd. If she is dating someone, that seems like the respectful way to handle our first introduction to each other.
I wonder why she’s been so cagey. Does she feel like she has to hide her love life from me? Maybe she thinks I won’t approve, or that I don’t want to see her with anyone other than my father. Perhaps I should make my position clear so she doesn’t have to worry about it. Don’t get me wrong. I’d love nothing more than to have Dad here and to see my parents together again. But the reality of our mortal existence dictates that such a scenario isn’t going to happen. Mom might as well find a new love if she can. Dad would want her to enjoy whatever life she has left on this Earth this time around. She’s grieved and suffered long enough. Mom is a good person. She never deserved to suffer in the first place.
I check my smartwatch and wipe the perspiration from my brow. It’s warm out here. Once I’ve been standing alone for a full ten minutes, I decide to stop waiting and I turn to join the others inside.
As I near the front courtyard, thoughts of Mom and her mystery guest fade as I’m welcomed by the happy energy emanating from my house. I won’t let Mom’s angst spoil the good things in my life. The live music sounds festive and the smell of delicious food wafting out through the open front door is amazing. I can hear laughter and pleasant voices, along with clinking glasses and plates. The crowd is already digging into the wine and hors-d’oeuvres.
Lady trots out to greet me and even she appears to be positively glowing with happiness and excitement. She stands beside me and bumps the side of my thigh with her snout as if to say all is well in our world. I tousle the fur on the top of her head and tell her she’s a very good girl. She’s glad to hear it.
I walk inside and am overwhelmed, in a good way, by how much I love seeing my people like this. Ali wanted a seafood theme for the party since it’s the middle of summer. I’d say she made a good call. I pick up a plate and fill it with crab stuffed mushrooms, bacon wrapped scallops, and bang bang shrimp. The variety of options is nice. There are fried calamari and mini salmon cakes, too. I save room to make sure I at least taste one of everything. Our guests seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and we’re just getting started.
The musicians are playing feel-good summer, beach, and water-themed songs per Ali’s request. The entire ambiance is very charming, that’s for sure. They’re in the middle of a rendition of Rod Stewart’s Sailing when I see Marjorie step up to the mic, ready to make her announcement. She isn’t wasting any time. Roddy’s standing behind her and they look like a couple of giddy kids at Christmas. I have no idea what they’re going to say, but apparently, it’s good news. Their lives are already really good, so I can’t imagine what would make them so excited. It must be something about a new creative endeavor. Maybe Roddy has finished writing a new play. Or maybe Marjorie won a viola solo with the New York Philharmonic. I’m sure she was missed when she took time off to stay with us last winter. I can easily imagine the conductor celebrating her return with a sweet feature.
Before the song is finished, Marjorie begins to speak as the ensemble plays softly behind her.
“Hello, everyone!” Marjorie says into the mic, her glass of Seneca Lake red wine sloshing cheerfully in one hand.
“Yes, hello there,” Roddy says as Marjorie moves over a little and nudges her husband to share the spotlight. They’re both very comfortable in that position.
The crowd of us gathers around to listen. Even the kids are closely tuned in. Liam holds Will on his shoul
ders like he’s a little monkey. Leo and Ethan stop their dancing and twirling long enough to lean on either side of Ali’s legs as they wait to hear what Mama Marjorie and Papa Roddy have to say. The warm summer breeze swims through the air around us, wrapping us in its simple goodness.
“I think most everyone is here now, right, sweetheart?” Marjorie asks her daughter as the rest of us look on.
“Yes, I believe everyone but Linette is here,” Ali answers.
“Go on anyway,” I say loudly. “We’ll catch Mom up when she gets here.”
“Alright then,” Roddy says as Marjorie bobs up and down beside him excitedly. “I don’t think my wife could wait much longer if she had to. She’s been dying to tell you folks the news.”
“So tell it,” Ali says. “You have us intrigued!”
“Yeah,” several of us say in unison. “Tell us.”
“Okay,” Marjorie begins, trying to keep her enthusiasm contained long enough to get the news out. “I’m just going to come right out and say it.”
“What in the world is it, Mom?” Ali asks, exasperated.
Marjorie looks at Roddy again, smiling up at him just like she’s done for so many years. He smiles back down at her lovingly and places one arm tightly around her waist from the side.
“We’re moving to Ithaca!” Marjorie exclaims.
“You’re what?” I ask, as the room claps and cheers. “I mean, that’s incredible. We’re thrilled!”
“But what about your careers in the city?” Ali asks, finishing my thought for me.
Roddy explains further. “We’re opening a music and theater program right here in town,” he says. “I’ll write and produce mostly original works, and Marjorie will serve as musical director. Between the two of us, we’re well suited to bring some big city fun over here to the Ithaca community.”
“That’s right,” Marjorie adds. “We’ll produce plays, and we’ll also have classes and camps for kids, plus concerts from a new philharmonic orchestra I intend to start up. And our facilities will be nice enough to host concerts and plays performed by touring groups. We’re building from the ground up!”
“Oh, Mom and Dad,” Ali says as she steps up to hug her parents’ necks. “This is a dream come true. But better, because I couldn’t have dreamed up anything this good if I tried.”
“I’m so glad you’re happy,” Marjorie says through tears as Roddy leans over and kisses his daughter on the forehead.
“We’ll stay loosely involved with things back in the city,” Roddy says. “We’ll keep our townhouse and will spend time there periodically. I’ll still write new material for Broadway and I’ll maintain a presence. But I’ll let someone else do the directing there.”
“And I’ll stay involved with the New York Philharmonic, too,” Marjorie says. “They promise to let me fill in from time to time and to play a guest solo every once in a while.”
“Do you have a spot picked out for the new facility?” Ali asks.
“Nothing firm yet,” Marjorie answers. “We’re going to look closely when we get back from Tahoe. We plan to purchase both land for the business and a lakefront home for us to live in before we return to the City.”
“We want to be moved in and spending most of our time here in Ithaca by the first of the year,” Roddy explains.
“That’s amazing,” I say.
The rest of our guests have stayed mostly quiet waiting for our reaction, but they’re loosening up now and beginning to chat amongst themselves. Liam jostles Will up and down in the air as he tells him how his grandma and grandpa will be here to play as he grows up. I’m not sure Ethan and Leo completely understand what’s going on, so I squat down and scoop them up in my arms to make sure.
“Boys, do you understand what Mama Marjorie and Papa Roddy are saying?” I ask.
“They’re moving to Ithaca so we can all be together, Daddy,” Ethan says matter-of-factly. “We should be together. Because we’re all here now. We should make sure we stay together and have fun.” This kid never ceases to amaze me with his wisdom. Simply put. And he sums the situation up beautifully.
“That’s exactly right,” I say to Ethan. “Good job, son.” Then, “do you understand, too, Leo?”
“Yes, Daddy,” he replies. “We all going to be together.”
“That’s right,” I answer. “We’ll talk more about it later, okay? But this is exciting news. Be excited!”
Both boys shake their heads up and down happily, then prance over to where Ali, Roddy, and Marjorie are standing for a round of celebratory hugs. I follow along to get in on the action, then motion for Liam and little Will to join us. The string ensemble begins to play Kenny Chesney’s No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem to meet the festive mood. Liam’s becoming a country music fan in his old age, so it’s actually kind of perfect.
“Hey, Uncle Liam,” I say when he reaches the place where we’re standing. “You have an announcement to make, too, don’t you?”
“That, I do, buddy,” he replies as he sways back and forth to the music while little Will bounces and giggles on his shoulders.
“Are you ready to make it now?”
“Sure, might as well,” he replies.
“Want me to take Will?” I ask.
“No way,” Liam answers, smiling up at our baby boy. “We’re having too much fun together. Will’s my little buddy now. We’re a pair.”
“Okay, well, I’ll situate the microphone for you then,” I say.
“Let’s do it,” Liam confirms.
He gives a nod to the band leader, who directs the other musicians to gradually lower the volume. Then he steps up to the mic and smiles a huge, warm smile. I have a much better idea what the announcement will be than I did when my in-laws stepped up to the mic. But just because it lacks the element of surprise doesn’t mean I’m not every bit as excited about Liam’s announcement as I am about Marjorie and Roddy’s. I can’t wait to have my uncle in town more often. And I look forward to getting going on our business plans.
“Hi, friends,” Liam says over the microphone. Will laughs and coos cheerfully, garnering oohs and aahs from the crowd. Everyone loves a happy baby. “I have an announcement of my own to make.”
“Yay!” Ali cheers. She’s enjoying the wine and the good news and is beginning to loosen up now. I think we’re all right there with her.
“I’ll get right to it,” Liam begins. “I’m retiring from the Air Force and moving to Ithaca so I can go into business with my nephew, who also happens to be my best friend, George Hartmann. That is if he’ll have me.”
My eyes fill with tears upon hearing this. It chokes me up.
“You bet I will,” I reply, hugging my uncle tightly and patting him on the back.
The crowd claps and smiles along with us.
“How soon?” Ali asks.
“I’ll buy a house while I’m still on leave after we get back from Tahoe, then I’ll return to D.C. for a few weeks to wrap some things up. I’m hoping to be moved to the Empire State by Halloween. I want to take my great-nephews trick-or-treating this year.”
“Awe, Liam,” I say as my eyes continue to produce water. “That’s so good. I know they can’t wait. Hell, I can’t wait.”
“Hey, we can house hunt together,” Roddy calls out from the other side of the room.
“You know it,” Liam affirms.
I lean in close to my uncle to ask the question on everyone’s mind. “And Estella?” I ask, quietly enough that he doesn’t have to answer for the mic if he doesn’t want to.
“We’re separating for a while,” my uncle says, still swaying to Kenny Chesney’s song and smiling. He doesn’t step away from the mic, but the other guests don’t seem to be paying close attention. I assume they know what we’re talking about and want to give him some privacy.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“No need to be,” he replies. “It was a mutual decision and I’m at peace with it. Estella and I will either find our way back to each other or we
won’t. My future is right here, nephew, with you.”
Before I lose my composure altogether and become a sobbing, sentimental mess, Nicky comes along and saves me. The band moves on to a rendition of Hooked On a Feeling by Blue Swede and the excitement in the room jumps up another few notches in response to the catchy tune.
“Hey there, brother,” Nicky says. Sara is standing in front of him and he has both hands resting on her shoulders. “Can we get in on this announcement action?”
“Are you moving to Ithaca?” I say, jokingly. I know Nicky wouldn’t leave his successful architecture firm in Manhattan. Or would he? Luis could certainly find a good teaching job around here.
“No, we’re not,” Nicky says. “Not right now anyway.”
“I’m mostly joking,” I reply.
“I know. So am I.”
“Although we’d love to have you,” I clarify.
“I know,” Nicky says again. “And we appreciate that. Our announcement isn’t quite as life-changing.”
“All announcements are welcome,” I say as I look down at Sara and give her a wink. “Go ahead, Nic. Step up to the mic.”
The musicians take their cue and reduce volume again. They seem to be getting a kick out of providing a backdrop for all of the happy announcements.
“Hi everyone,” Nicky begins. “Family, friends…”
“Whooo,” Luis shouts out in support of his husband.
“My daughter, Sara, has something special she’d like to share,” Nicky says, then looks down at his little girl proudly. “Go ahead.”
Sara pulls the microphone carefully down to her level and smooths the front of her pretty dress before she begins. The flower on the front is every bit as lovely as she described it.
“I want to say that I got into a new school,” she proclaims, leaning back a little and clapping. The crowd claps with her and smiles. Luis grins so big with pride at his daughter that his face looks like it can barely contain the expression.
“A Montessori school,” Nicky adds. “It goes all the way through eighth grade, so Sara will be there for several years. They focus on experiential, hands-on learning with a global slant. It seems like a great fit.”