Florie
“After graduation, I’m moving to Milwaukee,” she blurted.
Lifting her chin, she continued. “It’s true. Daniel has a job teaching at the University of Wisconsin and I’m going with him.”
“Mom. I’m twenty-two.”
“Are you pregnant?” Lydia asked.
“No,” Florie snapped. “Are you?”
“Milwaukee is so far away,” Jane mused.
“Milwaukee’s cool,” Lydia told her mother. “I’ve stayed at the most fabulous hotel there, the Pfister Hotel. Google it.”
“What does Daniel teach?” Jane asked.
“Poetry.” Florie’s face lit with pleasure. “He won the New Midwestern Poetry Journal prize for his first book of poetry. Impressive, right?”
Lydia nodded. “Okay, Flor, I get it, but once you’re out there in Milwaukee, what will you do?”
“With a degree in business administration, I’ll have lots of options. I’ll find a corporation that I like and work there. I’m not worried.”
Lucas said, “But, Florie, I thought you wanted to live in Boston.”
“That was before I met Daniel,” Florie said. “I want to be with him.”
For a long moment, it was very quiet in the kitchen.
Lucas spoke up. “Well, I for one think it’s very cool that you’re with a poet, Flor! Actually, I think the Violent Femmes were from Milwaukee.”
“That is not reassuring,” Jane murmured.
“They were a male rock band, Mom,” Lucas informed his mother.
Florie took a deep breath. She was extremely aware that her father had said nothing yet. “Dad? What do you think?”
Brick Three shifted in his chair. “You seem to have it all organized. I’m looking forward to meeting this Daniel, the Milwaukee poet.”
Florie couldn’t tell if her father was being sarcastic or sincere. Now she was the one who was confused. She wanted to move the spotlight away from herself.
“Lucas,” Florie asked, “are you sure about this nurse business?”
“Florie,” Lucas responded, “are you sure about this Milwaukee business?”
“Children,” Jane warned.
“Look, everyone, let’s take a breath.” Lydia obviously felt like the sane child, the good child, the child who hadn’t completely done a one-eighty in the last four months. “These are huge decisions. We can’t let them spoil our Christmas Stroll weekend.”
Florie rushed to agree. “You’re right, Lyd. Daniel will be arriving soon, and I bet Jari will be here, too. The Stroll is a super fun occasion. We want them to enjoy themselves.”
“We want them to believe we’re a happy family,” Lydia added.
Jane spoke up. “We are a happy family, dammit!”
Florie and her siblings burst into laughter. Their mother so seldom swore.
Lydia spoke calmly. “What we’re doing is only natural.
We can’t stay stuck in this house like people in an Edgar Allan Poe story.
We’re adults. We work. We have plans, big plans.
Lucas, I think you’ll be the best nurse in the world.
And, Florie, I’m glad you’ve found true love even if you’ll be moving so far away. ”
“Thanks, Lyd.” Florie blinked back tears.
Brick Three looked miserable, but he muttered, “You’re right, Lydia. It is only natural for the three of you to grow up and go your separate ways. Your mother and I just want you to be happy.”
Florie rushed to hug her father. “Oh, Dad, that’s so sweet.”
Lucas said, “I say we focus on the Stroll. It’s going to be a crazy weekend. It always is. When does Jari get here, Lydia? And Daniel, Flo?”
“I’m meeting Daniel at the Hy-Line at one,” Florie said. “I’ll walk down to meet him. We won’t need a car. He’s bringing his backpack, no other luggage.”
Lydia smiled. “Jari is flying in and taking an Uber to the White Elephant.”
“Oooooo,” Lucas and Florie taunted.
Lydia ignored her brother and sister and checked her watch. “He should be at the hotel now.”
“Want to meet for lunch?” Florie asked.
“Thanks, but he’s probably eaten. Mom, can I take your car? I want to show him some of the island. I’ll probably be gone awhile.”
“I’m sure you will,” Lucas said, grinning.