Two by Two(40)

I thought about that. "Have you had clients who've done things like this? Other wives?"

Liz nodded. "A few times."

"And?"

"Like I said, it can mean different things."

"I know you're trying to be diplomatic here, but I'm at a loss. Is there anything you can tell me?"

Liz took her time before answering. "If there's one common thread that underlies situations like these, it's generally anger."

"You think Vivian's angry with me?"

"I don't spend a lot of time with Vivian, and when I do, it's usually  when we're here with the whole family. There's only so much one can  learn in a setting like this. But when people are angry, they often  behave in ways that are dictated by that emotion. They can do things  they ordinarily wouldn't do."

"Like open a secret bank account?"

"It's not secret, Russ. She told you about it."

"So she's …  not angry?"

"I think," she said, "that you'd be in a better position to answer that than I am."





Another hour passed, and there was still no sign of Vivian or London.  Marge and Liz had gone for a walk around the block while Dad had settled  in front of the television to watch a ball game. I found my mom in the  kitchen, dicing potatoes as a large pot of stew simmered on the  stovetop, the aroma already tantalizing. She wore a bright orange apron  that I vaguely remembered buying for her.

"There you are," she said. "I was wondering when you'd finally get around to visiting with your old mom."

"Sorry," I said, leaning in to give her a hug. "I didn't mean to offend."

"Oh, hush. I was kidding. How are you? You look like you've lost weight."

I liked that she'd noticed. "Maybe a little."

"Are you eating enough?"

"I've started jogging again."

"Yuck," she said. "I don't understand how anyone can like jogging."

"What are you making? It smells great in here."

"It's a French country stew. Joanne gave me the recipe and I thought I'd give it a try."

"Liz probably has a great recipe."

"I'm sure she does. But Joanne beat her to punch."

"Do I know Joanne?"

"From the Red Hat Society. You probably saw her when you picked up London at lunch that day."

"Was she the one wearing the red hat? And the purple blouse?"

"Ha, ha."

"How are those fine red-hatted ladies doing?"

"They're wonderful, and we have so much fun together. Last week after  lunch, a few of us went to a lecture at the college given by an  astronomer. Did you know that they've recently discovered an earth-sized  planet that orbits another sun? And that the planet is the same  distance from the sun as Earth? Which means there could actually be life  on that planet."

"I didn't know that."

"We talked about it at our next meeting."

"Because you want to be the first group to welcome the aliens with red hats if they ever visit?"

"Why are you teasing me? It's not nice."

I chuckled. "I'm sorry, Mom. I couldn't resist."

She shook her head. "I don't know where you got the idea that teasing  mothers is a good thing. You certainly didn't learn it from me."

"That's true," I said. I motioned to the onion sitting beside the chopping block. "Do you need me to help with that?"

"You're volunteering in the kitchen?"

"I've been doing quite a bit of cooking lately."

"SpaghettiOs from a can?"

"Now who's teasing who?"         

     



 

Her eyes sparkled. "Just trying to keep up with my children. But no, I  don't need any help. Thank you, though. Is your father watching the  game, or is he still in the garage?"

In the family room, I saw the flicker of the television screen.

"The game," I answered.

"I had a dream about him a couple of days ago. Or at least, I think it  was about him. It was one of those dreams where everything was foggy, so  I couldn't see very well. But he was in the hospital with the cancer."

"Hmmm."

"Anyway, there were all these beeping machines around him and Judge Judy  was on the television. The doctor was from India I think, and there was  a giant stuffed animal on the bed beside your dad. A big, purple pig."

"Hmmm," I said again.

"What do you think it means? The purple pig, I mean?"

"I really couldn't tell you."

"Did you know my grandmother was psychic? She used to have premonitions, too."

"I thought you said it was a dream."

"The point is that I'm worried about him."

"I know you are. But the doctor said he was fine. He hasn't been short of breath again, has he?"

"Not that I've noticed. And if he has, I'm sure he wouldn't tell me."

"I'll ask him, okay?"

"Thank you," she said. "Where are Vivian and London?"

"They're grabbing some last-minute school supplies. They should be here  pretty soon. London's first day is Tuesday, by the way. I don't know if  you'd like to come, but you're welcome to."

"Your dad and I will both be there," she said. "It's a big day for her."

"It is," I admitted.

My mom smiled. "I can remember your first day of school. You were so  excited but after I walked you to the classroom, I remember going back  to my car and crying."

"Why were you crying?"

"Because it meant you were growing up. And you were so different than  Marge. You were always so much more sensitive than she was. I worried  about you."

I wasn't sure I was happy about being described as more sensitive than  my sister but I suspected my mom probably wasn't entirely wrong about  this.

"It turned out okay. You know I always liked school. I just hope London  will, too. We went to the open house and she met her teacher. That  seemed to go okay."

"She'll be fine. She's smart and mature and really sweet. Of course, I'm biased."

"That's a good thing."

"I'm just glad that you're not angry with me."

"Why would I be angry with you?"

"Because I wasn't able to watch London whenever you needed it."

"You were right," I said. "It wasn't your responsibility. But let's just  say I developed a whole new level of respect for single mothers."

"It's been good for London, too. She's changed a lot this summer."

"You think so?"

"Of course she has. You're just too close to see it."

"How has she changed?"

"The way she talks about you, for starters. And how much she talks about you."

"She talks about me?"

"Lately, she talks about you all the time. It's, ‘Me and Daddy went bike  riding,' or ‘Daddy played Barbies with me,' or ‘Daddy took me to the  park.' She never used to do that."

"That's pretty much been my life these days."

"It's been good for you, too. I've always thought that your dad could have benefited from knowing how the other half lives."

"But then he wouldn't be the big, gruff guy that Marge and I came to fear."

"Hush," she says. "You know he loves you both."

"I know," I said. "As long as I don't talk to him too much while the  ball game's on. Of course, Marge and London can talk the whole time and  there's no problem."

"That's because Marge knows the game better than you do, and London will  get up from his lap and bring him a beer. Why don't you try that?"

"I'm too big to sit in his lap."

"You're such a comedian today. There are a couple of beers in the  fridge. Why don't you grab two, and see what happens. He likes visiting  with you."

"I know exactly what's going to happen."

"Oh, don't let him scare you. Just remember-he can sense your fear."

I laughed as I walked to the fridge, certain that I had the best mom in the world.         

     



 





"How are you, Dad?"

I held an open bottle of beer toward him. "For you," I said.  Fortunately, I'd timed it perfectly with a commercial, which he'd  already muted.

"What are you doing?"

"I brought you a beer."

"Why?"

"Why? Because I thought you might want one?"

"You're not going to ask if you can borrow some money, are you?"

"No."

"Good. Because the answer's no. It's not my fault you quit your job."

My father, the King of Blunt. I took a seat on the couch beside him.

"How's the game going?'

"Braves are losing."

I brought my hands together, wondering what to say next. "How are things, Dad? Plumbing business going okay?"

"Why wouldn't it be?"

I don't know, I thought. Because you make me nervous sometimes? I took a  drink of my beer. "I told you I landed my first client, right?"

"Yep. The attorney. Italian guy."

"I'll be filming a couple of commercials next week. I also have to meet  with some child actors, so I can film a third commercial, too."