Ch79 Something Bittersweet

“Cindy, would you mind taking this to Stevie. He hates plain water and I know he’s dying of thirst,” Jeffery said, holding out a bright blue sports drink bottle.

“Okay,” she eagerly said. She then ran down the bleacher steps and sprinted to the goal post where Stevie and his team were resting and listening to the coach at half time.

“She’s quick to please,” he said handing Wendy a box of Cracker Jacks.

She stared at the box and an unaccountably bittersweet feeling swept over her. “You didn’t have to get this for me, Jeffery.”

“Sure I did. It’s tradition. Since Stevie was this high on the U-6 team, “ he said holding his hand three feet off the floor, “We’ve shared a box while he played.”

“Perhaps it’s time for new traditions,” she replied, giving back the unopened box.

Ch78: Sweet Sixteen

Cindy started at the beginning. She told Wendy that when she and Steve entered school that day everyone assumed they were now going out, mostly because Steve followed her to her locker, to Spanish class, to Math class and they even had lunch together.

“We’re like…best friends now…kinda,” Cindy said, blushing slightly. “But…I don’t know why everyone thinks we’re like…you know…boyfriend and girlfriend.”

“Well, I’m sure that’s because Stevie doesn’t usually hang out with girls unless he’s romantically interested in them. That’s gotta tell you something,” Wendy replied. 

 “But you don’t like Stevie like that?”

“I…uh…I like him a little,” Cindy said, again trying for casual, but failing miserably.

Wendy hid her smile. “Well, I know he likes you,” she said.

“You really think so?”

Ch77 Make My Dreams Come True

“I’ll take it!” Wendy said excitedly.

“Don’t you think you ought to ask your sister first?” Donny said following her from the dirty back room to the even messier front half. “It is for her, after all.”

“Please! If I left it to May, it’ll never get done. I’ll just get it for her.”

“Wendy, there’s more to it than that,” he said. “There is the lease to be signed and she’s the one who has to do that, not you.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s for her business. If you sign it, you would be responsible for it whether or not you got her to move here.”

“No worries there. She’ll come when I tell her I have the perfect spot and then we can switch it to her name.”

“Not that easy, Wendy. The person who is going to be renting the space has to sign the lease. That’s how it works. And it doesn’t matter that she’s your sister. You’re going to have to get her to come up and see it for herself, and if she likes it she can take it.”

Ch76: I could kiss you!

“I could kiss you!” Donny shouted.

He had just waved goodbye to the Escaleras…the very happy soon-to-be-new-owners of the house Donny had just shown them. Yes, the very same couple who thumbed their uppity noses at every house they were shown thus far. Only thing different this time was Donny left the selling primarily to Wendy.

The Escaleras finding this house irrisistable was all due to Wendy’s useful prattle as they wandered throughout the house. She couldn’t help spot the deformities of the house, all that made it a bad choice for her sister and commenting on them.

 Such were her mutterings:

Ch75: Playing Hooky with Wendy

After the last of the kids left and they were now alone, Wendy sipped her peppermint tea and smiled at Donny. 

“Want anything else?” she asked.

What first popped into his mind being completely inappropriate, he shook his head and said, “Are you not eating?”

“Already had my breakfast.”

“Which was?”

“Yogurt with granola,” Wendy said.

Donny stared, astonished. “You really are just like Margarita,” he said.

“Wes seems to think so too,” Wendy said with a shrug.

“That explains so much. Wish I had listened to Luke. He told me you were great. We could have met sooner,” he said.

 “That would have been nice,” she said, taking a seat next to him. She propped her chin in her hand and grinned. “You don’t really want to go to work today, do you?” 

“Want to? Perhaps not.”

“Great! Call your client and tell them you have more important things to do,” she said. She then got up and started clearing the table. “You’re spending the day with me.”

“I’m sorry, what?” he asked, equal parts bewildered and excited.

Ch74 Nothing to Worry About

After Wes and Janet left, Donny stared at Wendy searching for something to say. “Well, um, thanks for everything,” he said, forgetting he had already thanked her.

She laughed. “You’re welcome, Donny. I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow. Like omelets?”

“Love them,” he replied.

“Good,” she said, hesitating only a second before she kissed him on the cheek. “Good night, Donny.”

“Good night, Wendy,” Donny said. It took all his strength to turn away from her and leave her house. He stepped out onto the porch and very much envied his son who was currently kissing Janet much in the way he wanted to kiss Wendy.

Funny, he thought as he watched them, he hadn’t been attracted to anyone since meeting Margarita more than two decades before, and now, long after her death, he not only was attracted to Wendy, but he was also feeling as randy as any teenage boy. Pity she was off limits, being she was still married.

He cleared his throat effectively separating his son and his girl and after a bit of coaxing they left, but not for long. He would be coming back for breakfast and—if he allowed himself to think it-- to bask in Wendy’s glowing presence. He couldn’t believe how much he was looking forward to it. He was almost certain he would spend half the night dreaming of honey blonde hair, vivacious hazel eyes and a smile which could light up the darkest sky. Of course, thinking of her curves might keep him wide wake!

Janet saw first Wes and then his dad pull away from the curb and she watched until she could no longer see their tail lights. Then she sighed and went back inside, her thoughts on undoing what she had never done in the first place. How was she to keep her mother from Mr. Sebastian?

When she entered the house, she found Jasmine and her mom clearing away dessert dishes, coffee cups and glasses and she hastened to help.

“That was fun,” Wendy said, heading into the kitchen.

“Sure was,” Jasmine said. “We should do that more often.”

“Is the morning soon enough?” Wendy asked.

“Huh?” Jasmine said, as she placed the dishes on the counter.

“Everyone will be here for breakfast, so it’ll be just like tonight only…earlier,” Wendy said laughing.

“Well, not everyone. Mr. Sebastian won’t be here,” Jasmine said.

“I think he will since Mom just invited him,” Janet said.

“You did?” Jasmine said, staring at her mother.

“Only made sense. His kids were going to be here,” Wendy said, as she wiped down the counters. "Couldn't see not inviting him. Doubt he has much home cooked meals."

“Mom, that’s so nice of you,” Jasmine said. “Mr. Sebastian could use to get out more and live a little. He’s so serious all the time.”

“Coulda fooled me. He kept me in stitches all night,” Wendy said.

“I noticed,” Janet grumbled as she loaded the dishwasher. She slammed shut the door and with a vicious twist of the nob set the timer to wash while they slept.

“Are you okay, Honey?” Wendy said. “You’re not annoyed about the swimsuit story, are you? We were just teasing. Nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Janet stared at her mother and shook her head. “No, it’s nothing about that.”

“Then what?”

Jasmine looked from one to the other and decided she wasn’t needed here. “Well, I’m going to bed. Night, Mom,” she said and she kissed her mother on the cheek.

“Night, sweetie,” Wendy said. She waited for her to be gone then she turned to Janet. “Well, what’s wrong?”

“Do you…do you think it’s a good idea to…uh…you know, get so friendly with Mr. Sebastian?” Janet said.

Wendy’s eyes widened in surprise. “Sweetie, Donny is the one man who most definitely needs a friend. I’ve never seen such a sad man.”

Janet made a weird face. “But you two were laughing the whole time. He wasn’t sad at all tonight.”

“Oh, honey,” Wendy said, caressing Janet’s cheek. “It’s those who laugh the loudest that are the saddest. He’s still hurting about his wife. I thought surely you would see it. I feel so bad for him. He reminds me of May right after Chad died. I need to pull a May on him.”

Janet blinked several times. “A May?”

“Yes, I have to get him over his wife’s death, just like I helped May get over Chad.”

“Is Aunt May over Uncle Chad’s death?”

“Well, not entirely perhaps, but she hasn’t been a widow as long as Donny’s been a widower. He needs fixing more so than even she does. Cindy told me you started him on that path. You were so wonderful, what you did for him, for them.”

Janet gaped. “Uh, what did I do?”

Wendy laughed and hugged her. “Oh, nothing really. You just got him to go out to the movies and for ice cream and to remember he has kids who need him and want him to be happy. You made him realize just because he lost his wife, doesn’t mean he has to stop living, especially when he’s got kids. You started it, but I’ll finish it.”

“Finish what?” Janet apprehensively asked.

“Fixing his broken heart, of course, and I think I know just how to do it, too. May can help with this.”

“How? Are you…you’re not thinking of setting them up together, are you? She’s still living in Texas. How would that work?”

Wendy’s eyes widened. “Wow, I didn’t even think of that. That’s an awesome idea!” She turned to Janet and kissed her cheek. “You really are the yenta, aren’t you? Oh, yes, Donny will be fixed in no time at all. I just gotta get the wheels in motion. Ooh, got so much to do. Good night, Honey. Sleep well.”

Janet watched her mother climb the stairs with a happy bounce in her step. Could it truly be that easy? Had her mother really not been flirting with purpose? But then, didn’t she always? She had always been faithful to Jeffery, even when he made a fuss about her flirtatious behavior. Wouldn’t she continue to do the same? She as much as said she would. Surely she wasn't lying.

“Hope not!” Janet said to herself and then she laughed, shut off the lights and went to bed.

                                                               * * * * *

Janet opened the door before Wes and Cindy climbed the porch steps. Cindy greeted her briefly and slipped inside, but Wes lingered behind for a good morning kiss.

“Hey, Janet baby, How are you?” he said embracing her.

“Good,” she said, melting into him.

“Guess what?” he said. “I was worried for nothing. My dad must’ve gone to work early. I didn’t even see him this morning. ”

“Um…that’s cuz he’s already here,” Janet said.

His smile instantly vanished. “What?”

She pointed to his father’s car parked in front of her neighbor’s house.

“I thought it looked familiar,” he muttered. “So I do have to worry.”

“Actually, maybe not. I talked to my mom last night and she said that she just wants to help him get over your mom’s death.”

“Uh, that’s exactly what I’m worried about. I mean….you know I want him over it but…”

“But not with my mom, I know,” Janet said. “She said she was going to try to get my Aunt May and him together.”

Wes made a face and shook his head until his curls bounced around. “But isn’t she the one you told me lives in Texas? What the hell good is that?”

“My mom says she’s gonna work on it. I know she’s been trying to get Aunt May to move back here, so…She said she wants to fix your dad and at the same time help her sister.”

“Fix him? Didn’t know he was broken,” Wes said.

“Yes, you did. Isn’t that why you hired me? You wanted me to fix him up with a new lady love.”

“But you didn’t do it, did you? You let him get attached to your mom instead.”

“No, not attached.  They’re friends. My mom thinks he really could use a friend and that’s what she’s doing.”

“So, you’re not gonna be his yenta?”

“Well, I guess I outsourced the work to my mom.”

Wes’ eyebrow rose and disappeared into his curly bangs. “Aren’t you industrious for so early in the morning?”

“Guys are you coming to eat or what?” Steve shouted.

Janet kissed Wes quickly and then pulled him into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Wes!” Wendy said. “What would you like on your omelet?”

“Uh, whatever you have,” Wes said.

“Make him one like mine. It was perfect!” Donny said, sipping on some coffee while nibbling on an apple bran muffin.

“Man, this is the best omelet ever!” Troy said.

“Troy, my love, you always say that,” Wendy said as she cracked a few eggs and whipped them until frothy.

“I do?” 

“You’re very consistent that way,” Jasmine told him kissing his cheek.

Within a few minutes Wendy placed a plate in front of Wes and he ate it ravenously.

“We have to get going,” Troy said after putting his plate into the sink.

All the kids got up, thanked Wendy and grabbed their book bags and jackets.

“Dad, are you coming?” Wes asked, his arm around Janet. “You’ll be late for work.”

“Actually, I have time this morning. My first showing is just around the block from here, so I’m staying put until Wendy kicks me out,” Donny said grinning at her.

“Well, then you can help me clean up,” she said. “You thought breakfast here was for free, huh? News flash! You’re stuck on kitchen duty.”

Donny grinned and waved to Wes. “Have a good day, Wesley. I know I will.”

“Nothing to worry about, huh?” Wes said to Janet.

Somehow, Janet wasn't too certain either.

Ch73: Undo the Love magic

“Great game, Wesley,” Donny said.

“So, you actually watched this time?” Wes asked.

“I did,” Donny lied,  not looking his son in the eye. 

“So, Janet kept you off your cell?” Wes said, grinning at her, and she also avoided his eyes. 

“It was me,” Wendy said, bouncing into the kitchen wearing snug jeans and a tight fitting top. “He couldn’t possibly talk on the phone when I was constantly chatting with him. Wes, it was a great game. Ooh, I have something for you.” 

She went for her purse and rummaged through it until she extracted a baseball cap. She put it on his head then made a face. “That’s no good. It’ll flatten your curls, but your dad said it was better than throwing it into the mud.”

Ch72: Puppy Love

Donny watched in an amazed déjà vu moment. Wendy reminded him of Margarita as she whirled around the kitchen, popping this into the oven, that into the microwave and stirring something else on the stove top, all the while chatting up a storm with him and Cindy. She was nothing short of a dynamo…and a very pleasing one to look at.

“Have any homework, Cindy?” Wendy asked.

“Yeah, math. I was hoping Steve would help me with it before dinner’s ready, but he’s still in the shower,” Cindy said, tugging a math book out of her backpack.

“What is taking him so long?” Wendy said.

Ch71: New Best Friend

Cindy had just found a new best friend. Before she knew what she was doing, she swiftly kissed Steve on the cheek and blushed when she saw the stunned expression on his face. 

“Sorry,” she said. “I just wanted to thank you for sticking up for me.”

He blinked several times then shook his head. “I’m not, sorry.”

They stared at each other neither knowing what to say, and just as they both opened their mouths to speak, they were rudely interrupted.

“Hey, kids,” Donny said. “Ready to go home?”

Cindy quickly dropped Steve’s hand, turned to her father and then she hugged him round the middle. 

“Hi, Daddy. We can’t go home. Ms. Meadows invited me and Wes to dinner,” she said casting a hopeful glance at Wendy. Would she invite her dad, too? Oh, she sure hoped so!

Wendy elbowed Donny playfully. “See? I told you. Now you have to come too.”

Ch70: Old Enemies

Cindy and Steve walked straight up the bleachers to their parents and the first thing out of Cindy’s mouth was, “Oh, Ms. Meadows, you look beautiful!”

“She certainly does,” Donny said, without thinking.

“Thank you, Cindy, and you too, Donny,” Wendy said, smiling at him.

“Mom,” Steve hissed, “Why are you dressed like that here?”

She looked up at him stunned. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?”

“Absolutely nothing,” Donny replied, under his breath, but loud enough for Steve to hear.

“You…you’re a mom! You gotta wear jeans and sweat shirts and stuff, not all that makeup and fancy dress and heels,” Steve said.

Wendy laughed. “You sound more and more like Jeffery every day. Sit down, Mr. Grumpy pants, and watch the rest of the game.”

Steve glared at her until Cindy grabbed his arm, pulled him away and sat him down a few seats away from them.

“What? Why are we sitting here?” he asked, his eyes glued to his mother and her way-too-friendly behavior toward Donny.

“I didn’t want them to hear,” Cindy whispered.

“Hear what?” Steve said finally giving her his full attention…well, almost full. He still stole a glance at their parents every few seconds.

“About your mom and my dad. I think they’re friends now,” she said, excitedly.

Steve said nothing, but sat with a scowl on his face.

“I think my dad likes your mom. Isn’t that cool?” she added.

“No, it’s not!” he snapped.

Cindy gaped. “Why not? Your mom is great and my dad’s nice and he needs to start dating and…”

“My mom is married!” Steve snarled.

“She’s separated and that means…” Cindy corrected.

“That my parents are getting back together,” Steve said, fiercely.

“But…I thought separating is just the first step before divorce, isn’t it?”

“No, it’s not. They’re…” Steve said searching for right the words. “They’re working things out. They just need time. They will definitely get back together.”

“Oh, okay,” Cindy said. “I guess I have my mom’s sense of romance.” She then laughed.

“What ya laughing at?”

“Well, I just was thinking,” Cindy said, covering her mouth to smother a giggle. “If my dad and your mom got married, you and me would be brother and sister. That’s so funny!”

Steve had never heard anything less funny in his entire life. He sat in stone-cold silence shooting daggers at Donny and wishing Cindy would shut her mouth about the whole thing, but to his dismay, she didn’t.

“Wes would be your big brother and you’d have to get used to him bossing you around, but he’s really nice, so you don’t really hafta worry and I’m not too much trouble, like a sister, I mean…at least that’s what Wes says. If you were my brother, maybe Wes would stop worrying about me getting in with the wrong people. You could protect me instead of him…” she said, giggling again. “At least you wouldn’t be all like don’t go there, Cindy, and don’t do that, Cindy and stuff, you’d be a much easier brother to …”

“Shut up already!” Steve snapped.

“What is wrong with you?” she asked, stunned.

“Shut up about us being brother and sister. I don’t want another sister. I already have two and two is more than enough,” he said.

“Don’t hafta be mean. I was just kidding around,” she said, and for good measure she stuck her tongue out, then turned her back on him, and folded her arm over her chest.

Steve might have been upset about Cindy being mad at him, but he had more important things to worry about…namely Mr. Sebastian stealing his mom away from his dad.

“Oh, no,” Cindy mumbled, hiding her face.

“What’s up?” Steve said, but he soon saw exactly what. Three very annoying girls were heading straight at them and they were smiling at him and totally ignoring Cindy, their supposed friend. He had not forgotten what they did to her and he was pissed as hell about it.

“Hi, Stevie,” Vicky Stratter, Hillary Gillen, and Patty Berg said simultaneously.

“What do you want?” he said, not even bothering to be nice.

“Just saying hi,” Patty said.

“You were so great at the game last week,” Vicky gushed.

“Yeah, just awesome,” Hillary said.

“Yeah, thanks,” he muttered reluctantly. “Now go away.”

“Can’t we... like... hang out?” Vicky asked.

“We were gonna get some ice cream. Wanna come with us?” Hillary said.

“Not if it was the last ice cream ever,” he said.

“Why?” Patty said.

“Cause you were mean to Cindy, that’s why,” he said.

“No, we weren’t!”

“We didn’t do anything to her.”

“So, you didn’t invite her to a party then, uninvited her?”

“No,” they all said, exchanging guilty looks.

“She’s lying,” Patty said.

“You expect me to believe you over her?” he snarled.

“It was just a joke,” Hillary said.

“A joke? You’re so totally lame,” he said.

“We’re still friends, right Cindy?” Vicky said, fake smiling at her for the first time.

“Forget it. She’s never gonna be your friend and anybody that’s mean to Cindy can kiss my ass. So go away and don’t ever let me hear you say anything bad about her. Got me? Good, now go away!”

The girls could do nothing but leave. They didn’t even dare give Cindy the dirty looks they had been giving her all day.

“You tell me if they bother you again, okay?” Steve said. “I hate girls like that.”

Cindy bit her lip and started crying.

“Hey! Whatcha doing that for? They won't bother you again. I swear.”

“They were my best friends…” she mumbled.

“They were never your friends!”

“You didn’t let me finish. They were my best friends, but now I think you are,” Cindy said, wiping away a tear, taking his hand and squeezing it.

Steve suddenly forgot all about his mother and Mr. Sebastian.