“My father’s long gone,” Kip replied. “My mother doesn’t understand. It isn’t that she’s opposed. She simply doesn’t understand.”
Nicky nodded. “Sometimes it’s better that way,” he said. “Family can hold you back if you let them. Sometimes it’s best to cut the strings and do things for yourself.”
“Great,” Claire said. “I’m moving out tomorrow.”
“Over my dead body,” Nick said. Everyone laughed, but Thea saw a flash of pain in Nicky’s eyes. That was how he’d gotten out, after all. Over his mother’s dead body.
The timer bell in the kitchen rang. “Dinner’s ready,” Meg said. “Come on everyone. Let’s eat before things burn.”
“Megs never burns anything,” Thea said to Kip as she escorted him to the kitchen. “She’s a great cook.”
“I had to learn how,” Meg announced as she took the casserole out of the oven and placed it on a trivet. “I didn’t even know how to boil water when Nicky and I got married.”
“Daisy was the original poor-little-rich-girl,” Nick declared.
“Were you the original poor-little-rich-boy?” Kip asked.
Thea was relieved when Nicky laughed. “Not exactly,” he said. “My family background probably wasn’t all that different from yours.”
“Really?” Kip said, helping himself to a biscuit.
Nicky nodded as he served himself. “My father died in the war,” he said. “My mother came from a good family, but no money. When my mother remarried, I suppose it was to give me a home.”
“Did it work?” Kip asked. Thea couldn’t get over his nerve.
“She could have chosen better,” Nick replied. “Heavy drinker, quick temper. Fast with the hands.”
“I have a father like that,” Kip said. “We weren’t sorry to see him go.”
“I was the one who left in my family,” Nick said. “My mother died while I was in high school. I couldn’t stay on with my stepfather. Fortunately, one of my teachers, Mr. Wilson, took me in, and later paid for my college education.”
“Nicky went to Princeton,” Thea said, as though that made up for all the bad things he’d had to endure.
“And a good thing, too,” Nick said. “Because I met Daisy through a classmate of mine there.” He smiled at her, and Thea once more had the feeling that they were the only two people in the world, and everyone else was just window dressing.
“You were lucky to have someone help you out that way,” Kip declared.
“Yes, I was,” Nick replied. “But once a family has achieved a certain social prominence, people are always willing to help out. It was a good thing, too, since I didn’t have a specific talent to display, the way you do. I’d like to see your work sometime.”
“I’d like to show it to you,” Kip said, and Thea could tell that he meant it. She breathed a sigh of relief. Nicky could charm anyone, she’d always known that, but she hadn’t thought he’d bother with Kip. And Kip wanted to be a sculptor. She liked that. It was more interesting than accounting and more promising than Burger Bliss.
“Daisy and Sybil are the creative ones in this family,” Nick said. “Help yourself to more rice, Kip. They can do things with their hands that I marvel at.”
“Thea’s good, too,” Meg said. “She sews very well.”
“I fix things,” Sybil said. “I like to take broken stuff and make it whole again.”
“I wish you could do that with Gina,” Kip said, smiling at her.
“I don’t want to be a doctor,” Sybil said. “I hate hospitals and sick people.”
“Sybil!” Thea said.
“No, that’s okay,” Kip said. “I’m not wild about them myself.”
“But you go every day,” Claire said. “Thea told us.”
“Sure,” Kip said. “I have to. That’s where Gina is.”
“You’d visit daily if it were one of your sisters,” Meg said. “So would you, Sybil.”
Sybil scowled.
“Only if the doctors were cute,” Claire said. “Maybe I should be a model. What do you think, Kip?”
“You’re certainly pretty enough,” Kip replied. “Are you photogenic?”
“Not that kind of model,” Claire said. “An artist’s model. The sort that poses in the nude and has lots of famous artists as lovers. Like the ‘Naked Maja.’ Would you mind that, Nicky?”
“Not as much as you would,” Nick replied. “It must get cold posing in the nude. And artists are not the most sensitive of people, no insult intended, Kip. You could have as many of them as lovers as you want, Claire, but none of them will come across with emeralds and rubies.”
“Then forget it,” Claire said. “I’ll be a courtesan instead.” She smiled at Kip, who much to Thea’s annoyance, smiled right back.
“Do sculptors get to have love affairs?” Sybil asked. “What if they don’t have models?”
“They find someone else, then,” Claire said. “They have affairs with rich men’s mistresses. I saw that on a miniseries once. She was a poor girl from the slums, only she was beautiful, of course, and this rich mobster discovered her working as a coatcheck girl and she became his mistress and then he got shot, and some other rich guy, but respectable, rescued her, only he wouldn’t marry her because he had this fiancee from the right side of the tracks, and she met this artist, I think he was a sculptor, and he made beautiful statues of her, and he sold them to a gallery, and the rich guy’s fiancée bought one for him as a wedding present, because she didn’t know he was really in love with her, and then the rich guy got his present, and he didn’t know what to do, because it was his girlfriend, only his fiancee didn’t know that, and the sculptor used the money he got for selling the statue to go to Europe, and he tried to convince the girlfriend to go with him, only she wouldn’t. And then the fiancee met the girlfriend at the gallery, and she brought her home to meet the rich guy. That was the best scene. They tried to pretend she didn’t have any clothes on when she modeled, but you could tell they faked it.”
“My sister Dani saw that miniseries, too,” Kip declared. “That was when she decided it would be okay for me to be a sculptor.”
“Maybe we should get rid of the TV,” Nick said to Megs. “If that’s the sort of thing our daughters are watching on it.”
“Only Claire, Nicky,” Thea said. “I never watch TV, and Sybil only watches educational stuff.”
“I like trash,” Claire said. “I intend to lead a wonderfully trashy life as soon as possible.”
“What happened when the rich guy met his girlfriend?” Sybil asked.
“I don’t know,” Claire said. “That was all on part one of the miniseries, and I never got to see part two.”
“Ask Dani,” Kip said. “She committed the whole thing to memory.”
“Of course she did,” Claire said. “It was research for her. I’d memorize a miniseries, too, if it told me all about what Evvie was going to be doing the rest of her life.”
Kip laughed. “I don’t think that miniseries was exactly my life story,” he said. “From what Dani told me, there was no welding.”
“I’d like to weld,” Sybil said. “Would you teach me sometime, Kip? Not so I could sculpt. Just so I could weld.”
“If it’s all right with your parents,” Kip replied. “Welding can be dangerous.”
“I’ll be careful,” Sybil said. “May I, Nicky?”
“We’ll talk about it,” Nick replied. “Thea, would you please pass me the string beans. Daisy, this is truly delicious.”
“Thank you,” Meg said. “Do you like to cook, Kip, or does Burger Bliss knock all that out of you?”
“It certainly helps,” Kip said, and soon they were all talking about fast food and what Kip’s job entailed.
After supper, they went back to the living room, and continued to talk. Thea couldn’t get over how well Kip fit in, and how easily he and Nicky conversed. By the end of the evening, even Kip’s suit seemed to fit him better.
“I’d better ge
t going,” he said around nine. “Mrs. Sebastian, dinner was delicious. Thank you for having me.”
“I’m glad you came,” Meg said. “Do come again, Kip.”
“I’d like to,” Kip said.
“I’ll walk you to the door,” Thea said. She got up, and went with Kip. They walked outside, and stood together in the cool night air.
“I like your family,” Kip told her. “I have to admit, I didn’t expect to.”
“We’re never what people expect,” Thea replied. “We always surprise people. That’s what Sam says. He’s Evvie’s boyfriend. He said none of us were the way he pictured.” She realized she was babbling, and wished she could figure out a way to stop.
“Your father,” Kip began. “Well, I just assumed he’d be some fat cat, you know, born to the money. And then when you told me you didn’t always have money, I figured he’d be a bum, maybe like my father only with more money to burn. I didn’t expect someone who was so much like me.”
“He was thinking about his mother earlier,” Thea said. “He told me. He doesn’t usually talk about his family. I guess the memories are too painful.”
“I won’t talk about mine, either,” Kip said. “When I’m gone, they’ll be gone, too.”
Thea shook her head. “Family isn’t like that,” she said. “They’re part of you. You always carry them with you.”
“Only if you like them,” Kip said.
Do you like me? Thea wanted to ask. Will you carry me with you?
Kip looked down at Thea. She waited for him to kiss her. But instead he said, “I’d better get going. Will you be visiting Gina, tomorrow?”
“Of course,” Thea replied. “My regular Thursday visit.”
Kip nodded. “See you then,” he said. “And thanks again.”
“You’re welcome,” Thea said. She watched as Kip walked away, and wondered whether his not kissing her had meant more than a kiss would have.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“I’d better get going,” Thea said to Gina. “I promised Megs I’d help her with supper tonight, and I have that big math test to study for.”
Gina nodded. “Will you come again on Thursday?” she asked.
“Of course I will,” Thea replied. She bent over and kissed Gina on the forehead. “Now you do what the doctors tell you, and get some more sleep,” she said. “See you Thursday.”
“I’ll try,” Gina said.
“I’ll walk you out,” Kip declared. “I’ll be back in a minute, Gina. And if you fall asleep, I’ll wait until you wake up.”
Gina smiled at her brother. Thea thought she’d start crying. She could see how much weaker Gina had gotten in the past few weeks, and the toll it was taking on Kip as well.
“Thanks for coming,” Kip said to her once they were in the corridor. “I know it’s tough on you.”
“It’s tougher on you,” Thea replied. “How are you doing?”
“I’m okay,” Kip said, but then he scowled. “No I’m not,” he said. “It sucks. I hope you never have to watch someone you love die.”
I am now, Thea thought, but decided it would be presumptuous to say so. She couldn’t be feeling a tenth of what Kip was. “How’s your mother taking it?” she asked instead. Not that Kip’s mother was safe territory.
“It’s getting to her, too,” Kip said. “I hardly see Dani anymore. God only knows where she’s spending her nights.”
“Does she see Gina?” Thea asked.
Kip shook his head. “Part of me wants to force her to come, for her sake more than Gina’s. But most of me just doesn’t care. I won’t be around when Dani starts feeling guilty. She can deal with it then, all by herself.”
Thea wished she could reach out and comfort Kip, but there was nothing she could say that he wanted to hear. She kept walking down the hallway, and tried not to look at him. “Do the doctors think Gina’ll get any stronger?” she asked, trying to sound casual.
“The doctors are jerks,” Kip declared. “They insist on talking to Mom, who only takes in half of what they say, and she tells me half of that and then I’m supposed to explain it to her. As far as I can see, they’re worried about Gina picking up another serious infection. She has no resistance at this point. If she doesn’t get sick, then I don’t know, maybe another three months, maybe more. If she does, it’ll be a matter of days. I’d really like her to be alive for Christmas. Dammit, is that asking too much? One more Christmas. I have money this year, I’ve been saving, and I’d like to give her something, the perfect Christmas present. Gina’s entitled. She’s never had anything her entire damned life except sickness and pain, and just for once I’d like to see her eyes light up, I want to see her happy about something. I don’t even know what to get her, but it’ll be perfect. I don’t care what it costs. I’d rather spend the money on that one perfect present than on the biggest damn funeral in town.”
“Oh, Kip,” Thea said.
“What?” Kip said. “I said the f word? Funeral? We’re going to have to have one, you know. It’s a lot more in Gina’s future than some stupid Christmas present that’s supposed to make up for her whole stupid life.”
“Do you want me to go shopping with you?” Thea asked.
“For what?” Kip replied. “Coffins?”
Thea rubbed her forehead. “For Christmas presents,” she said. “I’d like to get Gina something, too.”
“Sure,” Kip said. “If she’s around in December, we’ll go shopping together.”
“She will be,” Thea promised. “This may sound dumb, but I just can’t see a kid dying right before Christmas.”
“You’re right,” Kip said. “It does sound dumb.”
Thea resisted an impulse to kick him. Instead she began walking faster and moved a couple of steps away from him.
“I’m sorry,” Kip said, grabbing her arm to slow her down. “I am, Thea. It’ll be good to go shopping with you. You’ll have a much better idea of what to get than I would. And I appreciate all you’ve done for Gina. Your visits are just about the only thing she has to look forward to, and you’ve never let her down. I know it can’t be easy on you, either, and I’ve been taking you for granted. Actually that’s a compliment, but you might not see it that way. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Thea replied. She yearned to take Kip in her arms, hold him, comfort him. Instead she smiled. “Gina’ll get better,” she said. “I don’t mean she’ll get well, but she’ll get stronger. And you’ll give her the most beautiful Christmas present ever.”
Kip nodded. “I’ll get you something, too,” he said. “Gina and I will figure out just the right present for you, and it’ll be from both of us. Gina’ll like that.”
“I’ll like it, too,” Thea said. “Kip, you know you can call me if you need me.”
“I know,” he said. “And I’m grateful.”
“All right,” Thea said. “Well, I’d better get going. I have a lot of homework to do. That math test scares me.”
“You’ll ace it,” Kip said. “See you on Thursday.”
“Thursday,” Thea said. She opened the door and walked out into the crisp October day. She didn’t know how much more she could take. Each visit with Gina was a small agony, and seeing Kip in so much pain only made things worse. She knew she should feel enriched by being a Friendly Visitor, grateful for the spiritual lessons that befriending Gina had taught her. But for one awful glorious moment, Thea hated everything about the Friendly Visitors, and wished that all those who’d involved her in the program would have to endure half of what she’d been through in the past month.
She walked down the hill toward her house, and was shocked to find Sybil half a block ahead of her. “Sybil?” she called. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, hi, Thea,” Sybil said. “I’m collecting candy wrappers.”
“Of course,” Thea said. “How could I not have known.”
Sybil stuck her tongue out at her. It was such a wonderful healthy twelve-year-old thing to do that Thea almost h
ugged her. “It’s for my refund offer,” Sybil explained. “I got the form from the supermarket bulletin board. If you collect one hundred candy wrappers from the right brands, they’ll send you twenty bucks.”
“You’re kidding,” Thea said. “Twenty dollars?”
Sybil nodded. “They expect you to buy all the candy,” she said. “And save the wrappers and mail them back in. Only instead of buying the candy, I’ve been looking for wrappers on the sidewalks. I love litter. I’ve been taking walks for a week now, and I’m already up to nineteen wrappers, and I have until December first to find the other eighty-one.”
“Are you going to use the twenty for Christmas presents?” Thea asked.
“Are you crazy?” Sybil said. “I’m saving it.”
“For what?” Thea asked.
“For emergencies,” Sybil said. “So the next time Nicky goes belly-up, I’ll have some cash reserves. I’m not going to waste good money on stupid Christmas presents.”
“First of all, Nicky isn’t going to go belly-up,” Thea said. “We’re in great shape from Harrison, and he has two good deals going here already. And secondly, there’s nothing stupid about Christmas presents. I always get you something nice, and so does Evvie, and so do Nicky and Megs. You’re old enough to start giving us nice things back.”
“Nicky’s getting Megs a piano,” Sybil replied. “And Megs’ll get Nicky something expensive, too, a yacht maybe, or some fancy watch. They always give each other great stuff when Nicky’s in the money, so they don’t need anything from me. Evvie has Sam to give her things, and Sam has money, So it’ll be something nice, too. The stuff Claire wants, I can’t afford, so there’s no point worrying about her.”
“That leaves me,” Thea pointed out.
“I’ll get you something,” Sybil said. Her eyes lit up and the next thing Thea knew, she was running down the street yelling, “Hey, mister!”
Thea followed Sybil, not knowing what had excited her so. Maybe Sybil had witnessed a bank robbery, and would get a reward for stopping the thief. That should give her a healthy cash reserve.
“Don’t throw out that candy wrapper!” Sybil cried, and Thea considered dying on the spot.