“Oh my God. You’re possessed. You can’t do that either,” Bradley ordered while covering the obscene gesture with his hand.
“I wasn’t in a hurry to go anywhere. I was pissed off.”
“Obviously. I’m writing you a ticket for reckless operation.”
“No, come on, Bradley. I’m sorry. I won’t let it happen again. I swear. Don’t give me a ticket.”
“I’m not giving you a ticket. I’m giving you a lesson. License and registration please.”
“Bradley, seriously? We’re pals. We’ve known each other since the ice-age. Come on.”
“License and registration, Alexis. I have a half a notion to call your dad. What’s gotten into you?”
An audible deep breath released when she handed over the information. “I’m sure Mrs Beasley’s already beat you to it.”
Alexis was one-hundred percent right. She hadn’t even made it home before her mother was calling. She answered with an eye roll and an attitude. “Don’t, Mom.”
“Don’t what, Alexis Rosaline McKinley?”
“And there goes the middle name.”
“What are you thinking child? You slapped him? You spit in his face? Reckless driving? In town? Your father is going to give you the dickens.”
“Do you know how old I am?” Alexis questioned with a pointed thumb to her chest while she drove the county road toward her house.
“Oh, yes. Old enough to know better. Old enough to keep your life private and out of town,” Lola chastised with an elevated voice through the phone.
“I have to go, mom. I’ll take my ass chewing later, maybe with a side order of dad gnawing at my other ear.” Alexis hung up. Alexis hung up on her mother. She was going crazy. She hadn’t done that since high-school. It was Cory Baker. He was making her crazy.
The thought of fighting Cory’s text message an hour later didn’t even cross her mind. Alexis was trying like hell to burn off some anxious energy with a push mower when she felt the vibration in her back pocket.
Cory—I want to keep the girls one more night. Ellen leaves tomorrow.
Alexis—Fine. I’ll pick them up from Sam’s tomorrow.
Alexis mowed grass that didn’t need mowed, fuming, but mostly at herself. Her life had gone from comfortable and content to anger, angst, resentment, and hate. The part that aggravated her most was the fact that she knew it. She spent many years, knowing it while she kept to herself, and away from stupid men.
Once she was finished mowing the yard that didn’t need mowed, Alexis showered, and did what she knew she had to do. She drove over to her parents’ and apologized.
Walt was rocking on the porch, smoking a pipe when Alexis climbed the steps. “Hey, Sputter Bug. Heard you had a rough day.”
Alexis sat beside him and patted his knee. “You could say that. Thought you were going to throw that thing away.”
“Nah, a man needs his pipe after a good meal. You should go get a plate. I’m sure it’s still hot.”
“I’m not hungry, I’ll get something later.”
“You know this is all going to pass, don’t you? You’re just making it hard on yourself by holding on to this anger,” Walt assured her with two puffs of blue smoke.
“I know this, Dad. I know I need to let it go, but God, he makes me so mad,” Alexis groaned through a clenched jaw, beating her head off the back of the wooden rocker.
“That’s because you’re letting him do it.”
“No, that’s because he’s a fu—fu—an idiot. He thinks I’m just going to let him pack up Kinley and take her clear to Chicago for Thanksgiving.”
Walt rocked his chair and puffed his pipe again. Calm as a snail crossing the sidewalk. “You don’t want him to?”
“No, are you serious. Kinley is our family, not theirs. They’ve never even seen her. Why would that be okay? Don’t you dare take his side on this.”
“Maybe they want to see her now.”
Alexis sat up and placed her elbows on her knees and stared at him like he had two heads. Were all men this audacious? “I doubt that. His sister is getting married that weekend.”
“And you don’t think he deserves to go to his sister’s wedding with his daughters?”
“Oh, my God, Dad. I can’t believe you. You are taking his side. How can you think it would be okay for him to take her all the way to Chicago without me?”
“I’m not taking sides, but I am a father, and I always try to look at from both pairs of shoes. It wouldn’t be fair to Cory if I only walked in yours. Go with him. You loved it there?” Walt suggested.
“Unbelievable, it’s no wonder I’m losing my mind. I’m going to take my ass chewing from Mom. Yours sucks.”
Walt stopped her by straightening his knee. “It’s called respect for a reason, Alexis. It’s about respect, not attention.”
“Dad, I wasn’t...Never mind.” Alexis stepped over her dad’s leg, cursing the guilty conscious for making her come there. Did he really think she deliberately lashed out at Cory in the middle of town for attention? She wasn’t very respectful to Mrs. Beasley.
“I fixed you a plate. Do you want to eat it here or take it home,” Lola questioned.
“I’ll take it home. Thank you. Go ahead, let me have it so I can go home and wallow in self-pity for the rest of the night.”
“You’ve had enough for one day. Tough times don’t last, tough people do. It’s salmon patties,” Lola explained with a smile and outreached arms.
Alexis sighed and took a deep breath, plopping to the barstool. “Cory wants to take the girls to Chicago for Thanksgiving.”
“I heard you telling your father. For his sister’s wedding, right?” Lola turned and continued to clean up the night’s meal while she engaged in conversation.
“You think I should let him, too?” Alexis took the lid off the food and picked off a piece of Salmon.
Lola handed her a fork. “I think it’s more about Kinley than Cory.”
“What do you mean?” Alexis questioned while stabbing a potato.
“You don’t want your baby going that far away from you.”
“Exactly. That’s all it is. It’s not about anything else.”
“I’m calling your bluff. Do you want tea?”
“Yes, what bluff?”
“Are you afraid he won’t take care of her?”
“No, not at all. Cory’s a great father, but what if she got sick or something? This is good,” Alexis said while taking another bite of the salmon.
“You’re afraid he wouldn’t take care of her if she got sick?”
“You’re trying to twist this around. I know what you’re doing.”
Lola pulled up a stool and sat in front of her. “Would you take her to Chicago if, say Paige was getting married?”
“Of course I would, but that’s different. I love Paige. He doesn’t even talk to his sister,” Alexis said around the food in her mouth. That was like comparing apples to pizza.
“So, because he doesn’t talk to her much, he doesn’t love her as much as you love Paige, and he shouldn’t want to be there?”
“I’m not saying that. He can go. I just don’t want him to take Riki and Kinley. Riki I have no say in, but I do Kinley.”
“Like you said, you’re a big girl. I’m sure you’ll make the right decision. In the meantime, how about no more public displays of rage?” Lola patted Alexis on the hand and presumed her evening chores. Why did her parents always have to do that? How did they do that? She wasn’t thinking about it before she came there. She hadn’t even come there to talk about that. She only wanted to get the lecture over with. Reverse psychology, that’s what it was.
Alexis didn’t feel any better after she left there, worse if anything. Now she was really thinking about the whole stupid Chicago thing. By nine o’clock she was beat, ready to give up on her eventful day. The last time she was in bed by nine was ages ago. Nonetheless, she’d had enough and just wanted to wake to a new day. Rolling to her side in a curled
little ball, she ignored the kicking baby and closed her eyes. Tomorrow would be a better day.
****
Sam woke her at five-thirty the next morning. Alexis was instantly alarmed. Why would Sam be calling her this time of day? Something was wrong.
“What’s up, Sam?”
“I’m sick, Lex. Can you see if Mom and Dad can keep the girls today?”
“I’ll stay home with them. What’s wrong?”
“Oh my God, I think I’m dying. I have that stupid stomach bug that’s been going around. I’m going to lay down. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Do you need anything?” Alexis offered in a stretch mixed with a yawn.
“No, I’ll be fine.”
Alexis rubbed her eyes, debating on whether to call or text Cory. She sat up and dialed his number. The sound in his voice expressed the same alarm she’d had.
“What’s wrong, Lex?” Cory questioned. He was so confusing. The way he said her name with concern assured her that he still cared.
“Sam’s sick. She can’t keep the kids. Bring them to me. I’ll stay home with them.”
“Fine, whatever. I’ll see you around seven.”
“Yeah, see ya,” Alexis said to her blinking phone. Okay, maybe he didn’t care. With another yawn, she dropped back to the bed and closed her eyes. The next thing that woke her was Cory, standing in her bedroom with Kinley.
“Alexis!” he called. Alexis squeezed her eyes shut. She wasn’t ready to wake up. What was that? Who was that? “Alexis!” And there it was again. With raised eyebrows, she fought to focus on the blurred man standing in her room. He smelled good. Maybe this was a good dream. Kinley’s squeal was the eye opener, the moment Alexis realized she was sprawled out in the middle of the bed, giving him the perfect view of her scarcely covered ass.
“What the hell?” she chastised while clawing at covers to cover herself. Kinley leaped into her arms and Riki came running in behind her.
“Tomorrow’s school day, Lexis. Did you wash my stuff?”
“Yes, sweetie. It’s all hanging up.”
“I’m going to pick out my clothes.” And she was off.
Cory anxiously shuffled from foot to foot. “I yelled from downstairs. The diaper bag is on the couch. You got those receipts?”
Alexis watched a bead of sweat form on his forehead, wondering why he was so nervous. His hand gave it away. His hand hid something, and it was all she could do to keep from smirking. Cory had a hard-on. The magazine on the stand distracted Kinley while Alexis distracted her daddy. So this was what Bernie was trying to tell her. Hmmm.
“They’re over there. I don’t have any pants on,” Alexis explained while one leg conspicuously fell from the covers.
“I’ve seen you with no pants.”
Alexis got up, not even trying to cover the pink silk with her shirt and pointed toward Kinley reading the magazine. “Watch she doesn’t fall.”
Cory took a step closer to the bed, but the mirror betrayed where his eyes went. Right to Alexis’s ass. Score. “Some of the stuff was for Kinley and some was mine. I circled what was Riki’s. Where is Ellen?” Alexis questioned while she lifted Kinley from the bed.
Cory tried to keep his eyes on the receipts, but they kept going to Alexis’s bare legs. “She’s in the car. I’ve got to go,” Cory said like it had just dawned on him that he needed to get her to the airport.
“Hold her. I want to say goodbye to her.” Alexis tossed Kinley toward him and slid on a pair of shorts.
Cory spoke behind her while she descended the steps, holding Riki’s hand. “What time does Riki get on the bus tomorrow?”
“Eight-thirty. Did you pick out something pretty to wear?” Alexis asked Riki, barely acknowledging Cory.
“Yeah, I’m going to wear the pants with the diamond on the pocket.”
“The one’s that we got Kinley, too?”
“Yes with the pink shirt, and my new cowboy boots. Will that look good?” Riki asked with her head tilted to Alexis.
“Yes, but it’s supposed to be hot tomorrow. You sure you want to wear jeans?”
“Maybe I’ll look again.”
Ellen wasn’t in the car at all. She was petting Mr. Dog and he was eating up the attention. “He’s so pretty, Alexis. Yellow lab?”
“Yes, my dad says he’s got some hound in him, too. He’s a good dog.”
“We need to go, Ellen. You have a plane to catch.” Cory looked at the time on his phone and handed Kinley over to Alexis. Alexis looked away when he tried to hold her gaze. Maybe she liked having the upper hand. Maybe she could play games, especially when she felt like she was winning.
Ellen hugged Riki tight, kissed Kinley’s little cheeks, and hugged Alexis. “You two are going to work this out. I know it.”
“We’re not, but it’s okay. I’m so glad I got to see you.” Her eyes moved to Cory’s that time.
“You call me anytime you need anything. I’m a flight away. And I would love to come see this little baby when it arrives.”
“I would like that.”
Cory kissed both girls and rushed Ellen along. “I’ll be here in the morning to see you off, Riki.”
“Okay, I’m riding the school bus with Emily.”
“I know. That’s exciting. I’ll see you in the morning, sweetie.”
Alexis made pancakes for breakfast and spent the entire day with her girls. Maybe she could do this alone. Maybe her parents were right. She did have a lot to be thankful for, even without Cory in her life. They dug up flower-bulbs and put them in the basement for the winter, fed the fish in the pond, gave Mr. Dog a bath, ate lunch with her parents, and went for a ride on the gator. By bath time both girls were beat. Kinley was out by eight thirty, but Riki had too much nervous energy. Alexis refused the third book at nine o’clock.
“No more books. It’s bed time. You have a busy day tomorrow.”
“I can’t go to sleep,” Riki complained in a whine, flipping to her side.
Alexis kissed her head and pulled the covers over up to her neck. “Try. Close your eyes and think about something relaxing, like sitting by the pond with the sun warming your face. Night pumpkin. I love you.”
“Night, I love you, too.”
****
Alexis walked with the girls to the end of the drive. It was a bit, chilly but not too bad. Sweaters were all that was needed. It wouldn’t be long before Alexis would be driving her to the end of the road due to frigid cold temperatures. She was taking advantage of every warm day she had. The thought of having to bundle a new baby and Kinley up in the dead of winter twisted her stomach. Stupid Cory.
“I thought my dad was going to come and watch me get on the school bus,” Riki complained.
“He should be coming. We are fifteen minutes early,” Alexis reminded her. Riki was too excited to wait one more second. Kinley squirmed to get down at exactly the moment the sound of the truck was heard. Alexis held onto her hand until Cory was parked to the side in his sweet new truck. Both girls went to him and he swooped Kinley up, tossing her into the air. Kinley giggled and Riki showed him everything she had in her backpack, everything, right down to the box of crayons Mrs. Willard had on her list. Alexis messed around on her phone, reading old text messages from Bernie to busy herself. Neither one of them spoke a word to each other, not until Riki asked where Ellen was.
Cory slid Riki down his body and replied. “She went back home. We’ll see her in a couple months.”
Alexis made a grumbling noise from her throat and moved the rock away from Kinley’s mouth.
“What?” Cory questioned. “I’m taking them to Chicago.”
Alexis lifted Kinley from the gravel, but it didn’t last. She wanted down. She wanted to play in the rocks. “Don’t put them in your mouth. Fine, Cory. Get two rooms because you’re not taking them that far without me. And we’ll fly. I’m not riding in a car with you that long. I’ll get my own room, just tell me where. At least that way, I can be on a different floor than you.??
?
“We’ll drive my truck. There’s plenty of room for all of us.”
“Of course we will,” Alexis countered.
“It’s here. It’s coming!” Riki exclaimed with a high-pitched squeal and way too much excitement, especially for someone going to school.
“Don’t forget, you’re going to get on bus number seven. You’ll get off at Aunt Sam’s with Emily, and I’ll pick you up there.”
“I know, Lexis,” Riki complained. She’d heard it a thousand times. She knew what to do. That didn’t stop Alexis from worrying. She was five, a baby, going off all by herself.
Alexis hugged her tight, told her she loved her, and to have a good day. Cory hugged her next, picking her feet up off the ground, and saying the same thing. He picked Kinley up next, fishing the rock from her mouth. Riki stepped up to the giant step, turned and waved one more time, and chose her seat, half way back. She waved again when she slid to the window, wearing a big smile.
“When are you due,” Cory blurted out while Alexis watched the school bus disappear.
Her eyes snapped to his and she snatched Kinley from his arms. “Why? Because you care? Don’t worry about it. It’s not your kid.”
“You could at least let me say goodbye to Kinley,” he retorted. Alexis dropped her to the stones and Cory picked her up. With crossed arms and a clenched jaw, Alexis waited to get the hell away from him. Cory baby talked with Kinley, kissing her little cheeks and Alexis fumed. Her eyes didn’t meet his although he tried. She once again jerked Kinley from his arms and walked away. No way. No way could she ride in a truck with him for eight hours. She’d kill him before one was over. One step forward and two steps back. That’s how she felt. One minute she missed the hell out of him and the next she wanted to kill him. The best thing she could do was keep it just like this. Stay mad. It felt a hell of a lot better than feeling hurt. A hell of a lot better.
Eight
September proved to be much of the same. Cory mostly avoided Alexis and she really didn’t care. He picked the girls up from Sam’s and dropped them back off there. It was best that way and Alexis knew it. She and her girls were quickly falling into a normal routine, and just like her dad had promised, it was passing. The tears were few and far between, and each day got a little better. Besides the fact that Alexis was as big as a house, things were okay. She was okay and for the most part she was happy.