Page 11 of Even More Christmas Magic and Romance (Holiday Hiccups #3)

Eleven

MY QUESTION MUST have acted as a sort of emotional smelling salt.

My mom and Barbara both came alive with concern.

But I didn’t care. I stood up, put my hands on my wider-than-usual hips and scowled back.

“You’re both very strong women, and I want to look up to you as role models.

But if you’re my future, I need to rethink everything. ”

Before Mom or Barbara had a chance to respond, I called out to my frisky pup, Ben. He came running over, and I headed to the foyer closet. I grabbed my coat and began to put it on as both Mom and Barbara came into the foyer. Again, I ignored them. I’d seen the truth.

Under the personalities of the two strong women, there were two unhappy, bitter people. I couldn’t end up like them, not with a baby to think about. I put a leash on Ben and let myself out of the house while they were both trying to convince me to stay.

As I headed for home, I was careful to navigate the sidewalk.

Even if it wasn’t slippery, I had to be aware of what I was doing and be safety conscious.

I couldn’t let my emotions overwhelm me.

If I did, I’d start crying, and my eyes would go blurry.

Then I could trip and fall. I had to take charge of myself or I’d eventually end up like my mother or my mother-in-law.

If that happened my child would have an old, bitter parent to deal with.

I wanted so much more than that for both of us.

By the time I arrived home, I was much calmer. The cold, brisk air was a cleansing agent that helped me to think with more clarity, and I knew what to do next. I needed a tranquil place where I could relax and review my options on how to go forward.

Stanley and Stan Sr. must have decided to forget decorating the porch. When I arrived home, they were busy assembling a family of Christmas deer. Each had their own deer to put together so I guess there was nothing to argue about.

Stanley came over to me as soon as I walked up the driveway. “Gloria, I thought you were having lunch at your Mom’s.”

My mom’s dejected face came to mind. “Change of plans,” I said with as little emotion in my voice as possible. “I’m driving over to my Dad’s house.”

Stanley took my hand. “What happened? You seemed so happy this morning when you spoke with your mom.”

As Stanley was talking to me, I noticed that his father stopped working on the deer decoration. Stan Sr. stood up with a look of concern.

“Gloria, Stanley said that my wife was going to be there too. Is that right?” he asked.

I nodded. “She was there,” I said, but I refused to go into detail. If Stan Sr. wanted to know more, he could talk to his wife.

Stanley gave me a pleading look. “Did my mother do or say something that, that—”

I slipped my hand out of Stanley’s and headed for the house. “I’m sorry, both of you, but I don’t want to talk about it. After I get my purse and car keys, I’m leaving. So please remove your projects from the driveway.”

I must have been very firm with my announcement because neither son nor father seemed to know what to say.

However, as I was letting myself into the house, I heard Stan Sr. make a comment to Stanley.

“Sorry, son, but it appears that your wife is running out on you just like your mother ran out on me.”

I refused to listen to any more of his comments and quickly went inside to get my things.

But once I shut the front door, Ben began jumping up on my slacks.

I think he was picking up on the mood of all the folks around him.

I petted his furry head and smiled at my sweet, little pup.

“Ben, it’s okay, but you have to understand that people’s lives are more complicated than yours. ”

I drove to Dad’s house wondering if he’d be home.

If he wasn’t, I had a key to his house. When he gave it to me, he said I should think of his place as my home away from home.

My dad wasn’t always so thoughtful. He’s come a long way in being sensitive to the needs of his family.

However, when I got to his house, I knew someone was there.

Lolly’s car was parked in the driveway. I parked next to her car, wondering why my sister was visiting our father.

Earlier, when we spoke, she said she and Gerald were going to do a little indoor decorating that day.

I got out of the car, put a leash on Ben, and paused. I’m usually full of energy, but with a baby on board, I’m feeling tired more and more of the time. Ben is my opposite. After a quick snooze on the way over, his eyes were bright, and his body was all wiggly and excited.

After a restful moment, I let Ben out of the car.

He danced around on the end of his lead, letting me know we needed to get into the house as quickly as possible.

He loves visiting my father because, like Mom, Dad has treats.

Within minutes of arriving, Ben and I are usually standing in the kitchen while Dad gets me something to drink, and Ben gets something yummy to eat.

I went to the front door and knocked a couple of times. There was no answer, so I used my key. After I let myself in, I announced my presence. “Hi, it’s Gloria! Is anybody home?”

A voice called out from upstairs. It was my sister Lolly’s voice. “Gloria? Come on up.”

I was on my way to the stairs, but Ben wouldn’t have it.

I’d taken off his leash, and he was letting me know what I was supposed to do.

In this case, he kept running towards the kitchen and back to me.

It’s always hard to say no to his pleading, doggy eyes, and I was soon getting him a biscuit out of a canister marked “Ben.” He accepted the treat in a polite manner and ran off to his dog bed.

While Ben was enjoying his treat, I went upstairs looking for Lolly.

I found her in a spare bedroom. For a moment, it was like looking at a younger version of Mom.

The older she gets, the more Lolly resembles our mother.

My brother takes after our father. As for me, I sometimes wonder if my parents brought the wrong baby home from the hospital.

My mother says that’s silly, that I’m a combination of both her and Dad. Maybe so.

I walked over to one of the two reading chairs by the window. Lolly sat in the other chair. I once had a similar furniture arrangement in one of my bedrooms. However, things changed when the room was converted into a nursery.

I barely sat down when Lolly gave me a puzzled look. “What are you doing here?” she asked in a demanding tone. “You’re supposed to be at having lunch at Mom’s house.”

“And you’re supposed to be at home with Gerald, decorating,” I said.

Lolly’s face wilted into an miserable scowl. “What’s wrong with Gerald? Why is he questioning the names I picked out for our baby?”

I frowned back. “I thought both parents should have a say in naming their baby.”

“Not if one parent’s names are unsuitable.” Lolly’s stared at me with fierce, brown eyes. “Can you imagine naming a boy Archibald?”

I hesitated. “Well—”

Lolly cut me off. “And how about Nellie for a girl’s name?”

I gave her a smiling shrug. “They’re both nice names. But you sound like you already know what names you’d prefer.”

“My names make sense. Gerald Jr. would be perfect if we have a boy, and if we have a girl, I like Rose.”

“Are you saying Gerald doesn’t like those names?”

“Oh, he likes them okay, but his hesitation speaks volumes.”

“Maybe he simply likes to be part of the process and wants to contribute.”

“So you’re taking his side? Is that it, Gloria?”

Instead of thinking about Lolly’s question and her harsh voice, I sat back wondering why everyplace I go, people are cranky.

Lolly leaned forward a little. “Earth to Gloria! Why are you sitting there looking all lost?”

I finally stared back at Lolly and tried to explain my attitude. “I just came from Mom’s house. After a few minutes of listening to nothing but bitterness and complaints, I couldn’t take it and left. Now, you’re kind of acting the same way.”

Lolly sniffled. “I don’t want to be like this. And you of all people should understand why I’m acting like I’m acting. You were just complaining about your own worries, that your baby might have a Christmas birthday. But deciding on a child’s name is definitely more important.”

“You’re right. I haven’t been great when it comes to being a helpful big sister. But it’s your fault too. You’re usually a very nice person, a very reasonable person. I’m not used to you being, being so, so—“

Lolly sniffled again and patted her large belly. “I think it’s the pressure. I want to do everything right for this baby. I know Gerald wants the same thing, but he’s able to be more relaxed about it all. As for me, I find myself always worrying.”

I smiled. “If it helps, I have complete faith in you, dear sister.”

“Thanks, but now I have another question. Why did you come here instead of talking to Stanley. He’s always been very helpful.”

I looked out the window and noticed the barren branches of several trees in the back yard. They had a wintery, stark look, but I knew they’d give the yard lots of shade in summer.

Lolly interrupted my dreams of a summer barbecue. “Gloria, you’re avoiding my question about Stanley. I hope you two are getting along.”

I let out a heavy breath. “I’m upset with him, too.”

“Really? What did he do?”

“He was putting up outside decorations with his dad, and the two of them were arguing. When I looked at Stanley’s face and then looked at his dad’s face, I could see a common determination to be right about what they thought.”

Lolly looked back with confusion. “So?”

“So what if he turns into Stan Sr., a guy who can be very set in his ways and wants others to always agree with him. What if I end up having to fight with Stanley as time goes by? What if he becomes inflexible like his father?”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I know you, and I know Stanley. You two respect one another, and if there’s a problem, you talk things out.

As for arguing with his father, maybe Stanley is upset about the current situation with his parents.

From what you’ve told me, his mother has never really believed enough in herself when it came to her marriage.

Her running away may be a triggering agent for Stanley, making him want to establish a stronger position with his father. ”

I blinked back. “Wow, all those psychology courses you took in college have paid off. You make a lot of sense.”

“Gloria, I think Stanley needs you right now. He needs to know it’s okay to take a more assertive position with his dad.”

“I see your point, but what about Mom? I thought she was doing so great, getting a life, and feeling good about herself. But today, she was this, this dependent, needy type of person who has a terrible attitude about her relationship.”

Lolly pushed herself out of her chair and came over to where I sat.

She gave me a sisterly hug. “I think Mom is just afraid. After being in a marriage that lasted a long time and ended in divorce, she’s in her first relationship.

And she and Adam were getting along very, very well.

When they had an argument, Mom must have lost some of her confidence and did some backsliding. ”

“Goodness, that makes a lot of sense too. You’re on a roll, Lolly.”

Lolly started for the door. “Good, I’m glad I could help.”

“Where are you going now?” I asked. “I thought you were upset with Gerald.”

“I was, but after talking about your problems, I think I solved my own. Gerald is a great guy, and I want us to both be happy with the name we pick out for our child.”

“I’m curious. Why the names Archibald and Nellie?”

Lolly turned to me and smiled. “Gerald had an uncle named Archie. He was always very kind. And Gerald had a grandmother named Nellie.”

“They sound like people he really cared about.”

“Yes, and after our discussion, both names seem less of a problem. So I’ll give them every consideration.”

I followed Lolly out into the hall. “By the way, where’s Dad?”

“He wasn’t here when I arrived so I called him. I found out he’s out shopping.”

“Christmas shopping?”

Lolly started down the stairs. “Yes, and it reminds me that I need to do the same.”