Chapter 44: Memories of Mom

Wes stared after Janet as she walked up the stairs and even after she had turned the corner and disappeared down the hall with his sister. Why did he have the feeling he’d screwed up beyond repair?

“So, whatcha do to piss her off?” Troy asked.

“Nothing. Think you can get me a towel? You almost live here,” Wes said.

Troy laughed and went into the power room off the foyer then threw him a towel. “Told you it wouldn’t be easy with her, but you’re doing far better than I thought you would. So...still like her?”

Wes rubbed his hair dry and glared at him. “Of course! What kind of question is that?” he snapped, thoroughly annoyed.

“Just asking. Some guys lose interest as soon as they get to know a girl. Happens all the time,” Troy said, shrugging. 

“Not gonna happen with me,” Wes said.

“Okay,” Troy said, indifferently. “Their mom’s in the kitchen. She was hoping you got back before she had to leave for work. She’s cooking and um… that’s something everyone should witness at least once before they die.”

Wes made a weird face. “Why would I want to watch her cooking?” he said.

“Go on. You’ll see what I mean in a minute,” Troy said smirking. He then went into the family room and plopped down onto the couch to watch the rest of the football game.

Wes frowned, shrugged and entered the kitchen. His eyes popped open and then a sad, reminiscent smile appeared as he was sent back in his memory. He found a lump forming in his throat. It always happened when he thought of his mother. 

He was just barely four years old sitting on a tall stool at the counter watching his mother baking cookies. She was singing along with Jennifer Lopez and dancing like her, too.

He munched on an oatmeal-raisin cookie watching. “Mommy, why do you always sing and dance?” Wes asked.

“Because I’m happy,” she replied, scooping cookies off the sheet with a spatula.

“Why are you so happy alla time?” he asked.

“Because I have a wonderful boy like you asking me funny questions,” she told him giggling.

“You’re not happy when I make a mess,” he reminded her.

“But I’m extra happy when you clean up the mess, aren’t I?” she said as she put another baking sheet full of cookie dough into the oven.

“Are you ever sad?” he asked innocently.

She went around the large island and hugged him, kissing the top of his curly head. “How could I be sad when I have my favorite boy with me? Come dance with me,” she said. He hopped off the stool and they danced around the kitchen. 

“Hey, that’s my girl,” Donny shouted and snatched Margarita away from Wes. He hugged her, swaying gently to the music. 

“Time for a siesta in Margaritaville, I think,” Donny whispered in her ear before kissing her.

“Donny, I have cookies to bake,” she said, smiling sweetly up at him.

“What do I care if they all burn?” he replied as he nibbled on her neck.

“I care. I don’t like burnt cookies,” Wes interjected staring up at the two most important people in his young life. 

They laughed and ruffled his curly top.

“Wes!” Wendy said, obviously startled. “Why aren’t you wearing a shirt?”

Wes came back to the present with a jolt. He now understood what Troy meant. Wendy looked extremely sexy in the kitchen. Funny, he never thought of his mother like that, but it did explain why his dad could never keep his hands off her even when she was very pregnant.

“Uh,” he said, pointing a thumb over his shoulder. “Jasmine…she took it…all wet…uh, and my jacket…um, cuz it’s raining.”

“It is?” Wendy looked out of the window over the sink and gaped. “Wow, I didn’t notice.”

Wes laughed. “No, you have the music on too loud.”

“True,” she said and turned back to the oven donning oven mitts.

“So, what’s all this for? Having a party?” he said counting three casserole dishes, two loaves of braided bread, several types of cookies in colorful tins and an apple pie which all smelled heavenly.

“Oh, you know,” she said taking a loaf of wheat bread out of the oven and placing it onto the wooden board next to the others. “Practicing.”

“I doubt you need practice. Janet says you’re the best cook in West-Castillo,” he said.

She spun around and blinked at him. “She said that?”

He smiled. “That shouldn’t surprise you. My Janet loves her mom. Troy says the same thing.”

“Troy doesn’t count. He’ll eat anything!” Wendy said and she giggled. “That’s cute. Your Janet,” she said, pushing a tin of cookies toward him. “I’m thinking you really like her.”

He took a cookie and bit into it then he looked at her. “You have no idea how much,” he admitted.

“I think I do,” she replied. “So, where is she?”

“Upstairs changing. She’s getting something for my sister, too. They’re both soaked. Raining like crazy.”

“Your sister? Oh, I’d like to meet her!”

As if on cue, Cindy walked into the kitchen. “Hello,” she said shyly then she frowned. “Wes, where’s your shirt?”

Wes gaped at her, his mouth hanging open. “Cindy, you look beautiful,” he said. He went to her and hugged her. “You look just like Mom.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really,” Wes said smiling at her.

“Janet let me have this dress, like to keep. She’s the best,” Cindy said.

“I know,” he said. “This is Ms. Meadows, Janet’s mom.”

“It’s so nice to finally meet you, Cindy,” Wendy said. “Wes has told me so much about you.”

“He has?” Cindy said, looking from one to the other.

“Yes. You’re his favorite little sister,” Wendy answered.

“Uh, I’m his only sister,” Cindy said.

“Guess that’s why you’re his favorite,” she quipped.

Cindy giggled, but quickly stopped when Stevie walked into the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks gaping at her as if he'd never seen a girl before. 

“Hello,” Cindy said, shyly.

“Stevie, this is Cindy, Wes’ little sister,” Wendy said. She waited, but her son just continued to stare. “Stevie, say hello.”

“Hi,” he said, looking at her dress then back to her face. “You look nice.”

Cindy smiled. “Thanks. Um, Janet said maybe you could help me, um, with my math…if that’s okay,” she said, biting her lip nervously.

“Me?” Stevie said, incredulous.

“She said you were a math wiz,” Cindy said frowning slightly. "Aren't you?"

“He is, Cindy, and I’m certain he’d love to help you. Won’t you, Stevie?” Wendy said.

“Uh…okay,” Stevie said, looking dazed. “Um…come on.” He then led the way to the living room just as Janet showed up.

She stared after them frowning. “What’s up with Stevie? He looks like someone just smacked him with a two by four,” Janet said.

Wendy giggled. “Or with a very pretty girl.”

“Hi, Mom, how are you doing?” Janet said looking around the kitchen at all the food. “A bit nervous, huh?”

“How’d you guess?” Wendy said, taking off the oven mitts and setting them aside. She took a deep breath and attempted a smile. “I better get going. Need to …get ready…change.” 

“Mom, don’t worry. You’ll do fine,” Janet said, giving her a fierce hug. “We’re all gonna be there, okay? Wes’ dad, me and Cindy and Jasmine and Stevie and even Troy if he wants to come. And you know he’ll want to come. You’ll be cooking for us and we already love everything you make, and so will everyone else, so no worries, okay? Nothing to be nervous about.”

Wendy held on extra-long and looked ready to cry. “Thanks, Sweetie.” She stepped back, looked at them for a minute then waved and went up the stairs.

Janet sighed as she watched her mother go. Now she had to deal with Wes and she wasn’t sure if she couldn't decide if she was still angry with him.