Chapter 7 #2
Stacy jumps back in. “It was important! Are you doing your exercises?”
“I just got home yesterday! You women are all alike with the exercise and diet bullshit. I already had that lecture today.”
My sister’s face changes. “What all women? Who’s in the kitchen? I hear someone.”
Here we go.
“That’s Kim. Landon’s friend. Kim! Come meet my daughter and her family!”
When I look at Kim she doesn’t know what to do, and asks me with her eyes.
“Come here. I want to introduce you.”
She puts the kitchen towel down and makes her way over, standing behind the couch. My sister and her family have the oddest looks on their faces, like what is happening is the rarest thing they could have imagined. Like they are meeting an alien from another planet. They are not completely wrong.
“Hi!” Kim waves to the interested parties.
They respond at once, in a friendly intrigued way. I know they are surprised anybody is here, let alone a female friend of mine. The kids don’t hide their impression or questions.
“Is that your girlfriend?”
I ignore Kendra’s question and Dad saves the moment.
“Kim is a friend of us both. She is making us a great lunch. Isn’t that nice?”
“Nice to meet you, Kim.”
Stacy has a look I read instantly. She is chomping at the bit to get the real story. It won’t happen today. I don’t even know the whole story myself. These are only the first few chapters.
“You too!” Kim says. “What a beautiful family you have.”
“Thanks. They are pretty cute. Except for this one today. He has a bad cold and earache.”
“Oh! Poor baby.”
“Speaking of, I have to postpone my trip there, Dad. We just have to push it ahead a couple weeks. Is that okay? I wouldn’t do it unless it was important.”
“Of course, honey. I’ve got Landon here.”
Mother freakin fucker. How am I going to do this?
My father starts fidgeting like his grandson.
“Sorry. I’ll call you tomorrow, Stacy. I have to piss and it takes a village.”
The five- and seven-year-olds start laughing. Grandpa said a dirty word again.
“Okay, Dad. We love you. Thanks for being understanding.”
What about Landon? I’m the one under the gun.
If I didn’t love my sister and her band of hooligans so much I’d be pissed.
Although she is being pulled in different directions too.
Guess I’m a dick. The kid needs his mother.
When I look back, Kim is sending me compassion with her eyes. She gets it. Thankfully someone does.
The remnants of our meal takes up the kitchen counters and island and Kim and I work to clear the space.
She rinses dishes and utensils as I load the dishwLayton.
It’s fun. Everything is with her. Dad is snoring with his mouth open on the couch, his belly rising and falling.
Buttons of his new Pendleton shirt sent from Lex and Holly strain with each push.
Think he went to a 3X over the last year.
“What are you going to do about not having Stacy here? Who is going to take care of your dad? You need to be at the bar, right?”
“I don’t know yet. I might be able to convince Frank to work more hours, but that’s not going to be easy.
One thing is certain though. I need someone here with him when I do need to work.
At night till after two. Sometimes during the day.
That’s the thing. Where will I find the person who can flow with that? ”
“It isn’t going to be easy.”
“There’s the dogs. The physical therapist starts tomorrow. The things that need to be done on the property. It’s all starting to sink in just what a huge job this is gonna be.”
She watches and listens without interruption. When I spit it all out and take a breath, she hesitates with a comment.
“What? What are you thinking?” I ask.
“I could help.”
“How?”
“I’m between jobs right now. Hunter is never home and Ronnie likes my company. I like him. I could stay over on the nights you work late. Just until Stacy comes. In the guest room of course.”
“You’d be willing to do that?”
“Yes. I can make sure he eats right too. I’m not afraid of emptying a urinal or cleaning what needs to be cleaned.
I have experience with all that it takes when you are disabled.
I know how far to push someone to exercise.
And above all, it would be helping the friend who helped me when I didn’t know where to turn.
It’s gratitude and payback. And it’s just for a little while. ”
I don’t know if it’s a good idea or a great one. But this could save our asses.
“This is what I was looking for, Landon. A job with purpose.”
“We would pay you though. I don’t know how much but we could figure it out.”
“No. It’s only for a week or two! Forget about the pay.”
“Thank you. Let me sleep on it and we can pass it by Ronnie tomorrow when he is conscious.”
She looks pleased and sends a beautiful smile as added incentive.
“Did you like the enchiladas?”
“Delicious. I’m stuffed. Are you trying to make me fat?” I say, patting my stomach.
Her eyes fall on my torso and she smiles.
“Lift up your shirt. Show me.”
Really? Oh yes. I’ll show you. Without hesitation I pull the fabric up and show her what she asks to see. The core exercises have paid off. Glad I stayed at it now. Slowly, she gives a review.
“Well done,” she says, lifting an eyebrow.
“Now you,” I say, lowering the shirt.
“What? No!”
“That isn’t fair. I did as you asked without question.”
She dries her hands and turns against the counter. There is one glance at my father, just to make sure he is in a sleep coma. Then with a grin, and without further hesitation, she very slowly lifts the colorful T-shirt that tops a low-slung pair of white pants.
It is just belly button and waist, but I cannot help thinking of more.
What hides a few inches down, or up is taunting me.
It looks so fucking touchable. She does a little dance in place to the saxophone and piano instrumental playing in the background.
Higher and higher the fabric slides over alabaster skin.
But when it reaches the edge of the bright pink bra peeking out, she stops.
“Fuck.” That says just about everything I am thinking.
“Right back at you.”
The shirt goes down, she turns and resumes washing the dishes. Like nothing just happened. But I don’t feel the same. Coming up behind her, I encircle her waist and clasp hands in front of her. I lean in.
“Now I have you.”
“It’s a possibility.”
She turns and faces me.
“Kiss me again and I’ll tell you for sure.”
As lips touch and the current of passion spreads, a solid cheese fart sounds in the direction of Ronnie Podesta. Like a prelude to a song, it goes on longer than expected. Eventually it stirs the man.
“Who said that?” he mutters, still inside a dream.
Tears of laughter fall from her eyes and mine. Death by gas just as I was about to touch her. This isn’t the right time, but it will be soon. I am going to make sure it happens.