Be Careful What You Wish For

Chapter 11

“Can I help with anything?” Claire asked tentatively. Justin was in the kitchen dicing up vegetables and throwing them into a large pot that was simmering on the stove.

“No, thank you, I’ve got it covered. Why don’t you rest a while or take a walk in the garden?”

“Maybe, in a while.” Claire inhaled the soft aroma of the ingredients that would soon meld together into chicken soup. Justin thought it would go down easy for Joan. “It smells delicious. I can’t believe you cook.”

“I love to cook. Brian cooks too.”

“Brian? Cooking? I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it. He may not be very good with the intricacies of chicken soup but he makes a mean breakfast and no one can match him when it comes to large hunks of meat on the grill,” Justin said proudly with a laugh. “He is the master of outdoor grilling.”

“My brother can cook,” Claire said incredulously.

“He also knows how to fashion the perfect pigtails!”

“Incredible.”

“Your brother is an incredible man. He’s also our chief gardener.”

“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”

“Not at all. He’s probably out there now. Here,” Justin said as he handed Claire a bottle of water. “Can you bring this out to him?” Claire nodded as she took the bottle. She hesitated for a few seconds then walked down the hall toward the sun porch and the glass door that led to the garden.

“Should have bought her a real baby grand,” Brian muttered as he pulled out weeds from in between rows of tall deep purple irises. He was kneeling in the flowerbeds grumbling softly. Claire could hear him but couldn’t see him.

“Brian?”

“Over here,” he answered raising his arm and waving a small spade.

“What are you doing?” Claire asked as she handed him the bottle.

“Weeding,” Brian replied as he accepted the water then sat back on the path between the beds. “Pull up a slab,” he said as he patted a paver, twisting the cap off the bottle then taking a good long drink. “Joan still asleep?”

“Yes, and why do you insist on calling her Joan. She’s our mother. It’s not right and very rude of you.”

“Claire, our mother didn’t die so there’s no need to speak to me as if she did and you’ve already taken over the job,” Brian growled, scowling at his annoying sister. She’d only been at the cottage for less than two hours and already Brian was regretting it. “Besides, I’ve been referring to our mother as Joan for years. I don’t see why I should change.”

“Fine! I’ll drop it.”

“Good.” They sat on the path, not speaking. Brian leaned back on his elbows relishing in the bright sunlight warming his face.

“You’ve always had such beautifully tanned skin,” Claire commented. “If I stay out here without sunblock, I’ll fry.”

“Justin’s the same. He burns at just the thought of sun. He had to be very careful when he assembled his henge.”

“I saw it at the Village garden. It’s spectacular.”

“He’s spectacular.”

“Did you know he’s making soup? He thought it would be nice for mom. Did his mother teach him how to cook?”

“Jennifer? Nah. Don’t get me wrong, Jenn can cook but when it comes to making soup, nobody can make soup like Debbie. It’s her recipe.”

“And she doesn’t mind?”

“Mind? Who do you think taught him? She tried to teach me to cook,” Brian laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Me, twenty years ago, hanging out in Debbie’s kitchen. She was always trying to get me to eat.”

“You were always too skinny.”

“Yeah, well, it’s easy to get complacent. Besides I work hard to keep my girlish figure,” Brian quipped as he struck a pose for his sister.

“Idiot,” she mumbled. They sat quietly for awhile as Brian finished his water. He placed the empty bottle in his bucket then surveyed the bed he was working on.

“Did Justin show you the brass bed in the porch?”

“Yes, but...”

“You don’t like it.”

“It’s beautiful but I don’t like the idea of being so out in the open. I mean, anyone could see me through the window.”

“Claire, who the fuck is going to see you? We’re miles from anyone, we have a goddamn gate erected at the top of the lane and then there’s Beau. No one can get past Beau.”

“I just don’t know, Brian.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake! It’s only for two days. You can always use the futon in the office.” Claire snorted. “Very lady-like,” Brian snarked, “and for your information your mother has slept on that futon many times.”

“She has?”

“Old Joanie got rid of that stick up her ass years ago.”

“Brian! Watch your mouth, she’s our mother!”

“Get over yourself, Claire. I have.” Brian pushed himself up off the ground. “I have to add this shit to the compost bin and take a shower. It’s my turn to get the kids from school. You can come along with me if you’d like. I’m not sure Bree remembers you very well. She gets a little shy around strangers sometimes.”

“Um, okay.” Claire followed Brian to the compost bin and then into the house to wait for him.

 

*****
 

“Where’s Claire?” Joan asked as she came into the kitchen. Justin was sketching on a small pad while keeping an eye on his soup.

“She’s with Brian picking up the kids from school. Bree’s been so excited since she found out that you’ll be staying with us for awhile,” Justin said with a brilliant smile.

“I don’t want to be a burden.”

Justin put down his pad then turned to face the woman he had grown to care very deeply about. “You’re not a burden. We want you here. Brian wants you here. I’ve never seen him so worried like that before. He was scared.”

“I was scared. We wasted so much time with hate and distrust. I prayed for another chance to make it up to Brian.”

“I don’t think you have anything to make up. Brian’s moved on from what happened in the past. He’s just happy that you’re here.”

Joan smiled at that. “May I?” she asked as she picked up a pot holder so she could lift the cover off the simmering pot of soup. Justin nodded. “Mmm, smells good.”

“I thought soup would be easier on your stomach.”

“Thank you, that’s so thoughtful of you. I’d love to have your soup.”

“It’s got to cook some more but it’ll be ready for dinner. We’ll have some fresh bread and a salad too. We usually eat with the guys but if that’s too much for you, we can eat by ourselves in here.”

“Please don’t change your routine on my account. The boys are your family and that makes them my family. I really want my family around me right now.”

“Would you like some tea? If you’d like to sit in the porch I can bring it out to you.”

“I’d love a cup of tea. Thank you, Justin.”

“Then go make yourself comfortable and I’ll bring it out when it’s ready.” Joan smiled at the earnest young man then slowly walked out to the porch.

 

*****
 

“I don’t think I’ll ever make up all the work I owe,” Richie said sadly as Emmett picked him up from the Rainbow school. “I get the math stuff but history and English lit, yuck!”

Emmett chuckled at the face that Richie made. “Would it help if I got you a tutor? I have a good friend who’s a professor at Carnegie Mellon.”

“Do you know everybody?”

Emmett appeared to give the question some thought. “Not everybody, but enough. Shall I call Ben? Maybe he can spend some time with you this weekend.”

“Okay.”

Emmett flashed a toothy smile, planning to call Ben the minute they got home.

 

*****
 

“Hey, Squirt,” Brian called as Bree ran out of the school.

His daughter ran over to him wrapping her arms as far around his waist as she could get them. “Love you, Dada.”

“Love you too, Squirt. I brought someone with me today. Do you remember your Auntie Claire?” Brian asked nodding his head toward the front seat of the SUV where Claire had chosen to stay.

“I don’t know,” Bree replied holding onto Brian’s hand.

“Claire is my sister,” Brian said by way of further explanation.

“Like I’m Gus’ sister?” Bree asked.

“Yes, like that,” Brian said although he knew very well that his relationship with Claire was nothing like Bree’s relationship with Gus. “Can you give her a hug?”

Bree nodded as she studied the woman who got out of the SUV at Brian’s wave.

“Hello, Bree,” Claire said gently. Her worst nightmare would be that the little girl, the apple of her father’s eye, would refuse to acknowledge her.

“Hi,” Bree responded before running over and hugging her Auntie Claire much like she had hugged her father. “I’m glad you’re here, Auntie Claire,” she said when the hug ended.

“Suddenly … I’m really glad I’m here too.” Claire smiled over at her brother.

Brian smirked, thinking once again how that Taylor charm could melt even the frostiest heart.

“Hey, Uncle Bri,” Patrick called as he finally got out of school.

“Say hello to my sister Claire,” Brian advised the boy.

“Hello, Miss Claire,” Patrick said politely.

“Hello, young man.” Claire had been filled in on all the residents of Edna’s Treasures while she and Justin were waiting for Joan to wake up.

“All aboard,” Brian called indicating everyone should get back in the SUV.

“Hello, Mr. Brian!” Winona called as she too ran out of the school.

“Why, if it isn’t the beautiful Miss Winona,” Brian said with his best bow to the young lady. She blushed from head to toe.

“Brian, you are incorrigible,” Claire laughed.

“I’ve been told that a time or two,” Brian smirked.

“I have to go,” Winona said as a horn honked in the parking lot. It was her mother who thankfully didn’t get out of the car and accost Brian.

“Nice to see you again,” Brian said to the girl before she ran off to her mother’s car. He checked the seatbelts of the children before getting into the vehicle and starting the engine.

Claire looked at her brother as they drove away. He seemed so happy, and everyone liked him and she realized she didn’t much know him at all.

 

*****
 

“Gamma Joan, Gamma Joan!” Bree shouted as she burst through the front door of Edna’s Treasures.

“Slow down, sweetheart, she’s in the sun porch,” Justin managed to get out, before the little whirlwind disappeared from the kitchen. “Bree!” Justin shouted. “Halt!”

Bree stumbled to a stop just inside the entrance to the sun porch. She could see her Gamma Joan laying on one of the chaises. She was smiling at her granddaughter. Bree frowned wondering why her father had told her to halt. She knew that tone of voice and she knew he was to be obeyed. “What’s wrong, Daddy?” she asked as Justin caught up to her.

“Grandma Joan is still recuperating from her operation. You can’t throw yourself at her,” Justin warned in his father tone that said she better do as she was told.

“Oh!”

“Now, go say hello, but don’t get too rambunctious.”

“I’m okay, Justin,” Joan said with a little laugh.

“I’m not bunctious, Daddy,” Bree protested.

“You are sometimes, but not with Grandma Joan. Understood?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“How’s my girl?” Joan asked.

“I’m fine, Gamma. Are you okay?” Bree had moved to the end of the chaise where she stood studying her Gamma. This woman looked like her Gamma Joan, but she seemed a little smaller and older in Bree’s young eyes.

“Just a little tired and weak,” Joan admitted. “Can I have a hug?”

Bree looked at her father for permission. Justin nodded and said, “Gently.”

Joan and Bree exchanged a warm but gentle hug. Joan shifted so that Bree could slide onto the chaise beside her.

“If you two can behave yourselves, I’ll get some snacks for the kids,” Justin said. “Would you like some tea, Joan?”

“That would be lovely.”

Justin went back into the kitchen to put the kettle on.

“I brought something back to you,” Joan said to Bree. She lifted the grey bunny from the side of the chaise.

“Oh, thank you, Gamma Joan. I missed you,” she said to the grey bunny before crushing him against her chest.

Joan smiled at the little girl. “He helped me get better faster, but he missed you.”

“I know,” Bree said solemnly as she hugged her bunny tightly. “Are you really okay, Gamma?”

“I’m going to be just fine and back to normal in a few days,” Joan promised.

“I love you, Gamma.”

Claire walked into the sun porch at that moment. She felt her eyes well up at the site of her mother and the little girl. She herself had rarely if ever shared such moments with Joan. And Joan had never done anything like this with Claire’s own sons. Claire felt the old green eyed monster rise inside her.

“Hi, Claire, did you enjoy the ride to the school?” Joan asked. “It’s such a beautiful day and the countryside is lovely out here. I’ve been lying here enjoying the afternoon sun.”

“Yes, beautiful day,” Claire mumbled.

“Is Auntie Claire your daughter?” Bree asked, beginning to put things together in her head.

“Yes, yes she is,” Joan said gently.

“How come you don’t visit us?” Bree asked Claire.

“I … I have a family of my own. They … um, they take up a lot of my time.”

“Oh,” Bree replied. She knew she too had a huge family, but there always seemed to be time for anyone who needed it or wanted it.

“Come sit on the chaise next to us,” Joan invited.

Claire moved over to them and sat down on the chaise. She wondered what they could talk about. She wasn’t much good at idle chatter.

“Did you see Bree’s new piano?” Joan asked her daughter.

Claire looked around the sun porch and spotted the little pink piano. “How cute … and how pink!”

“I can play real good,” Bree said. “My Daddy and my Dada might get me a real piano if I play good on this one.”

“You want to play the piano?” Claire asked. “Nobody in our family has any musical talent.”

“I like to sing,” Joan corrected her daughter.

“Me too. I love Christmas songs,” Bree added.

“Is that what started your interest in music?” Joan asked. “Going to all the Christmas concerts this year?”

“Yep,” Bree said bobbing her head to show her agreement. “I love singing in church.”

“Did … did Brian actually take her to church?” Claire asked.

“Of course he did,” Joan said rather sharply.

“But he…”

“Brian came to the Christmas concert at my church, and he brought the whole family.”

“Gus liked the singing too, and so did my daddies,” Bree informed her aunt. She couldn’t understand why her Auntie Claire seemed surprised that her Dada would take her to church, and that he liked to sing. “My Dada is a good singer,” she declared.

“Yes, he is, sweetheart,” Joan agreed.

Claire shook her head. The Brian she knew wouldn’t set foot inside a church, let alone go voluntarily to sing Christmas carols. What was the world coming to?

“Tea’s ready,” Justin called as he came back into the sun porch. He was carrying a tray with a teapot and mugs, and glasses of milk for the kids. Brian followed with snacks for them all.

“I thought we could have a cookie or two in honor of your recovery,” Brian said as he set the plate of cookies down on the table between the chaises.

“Yum, cookies,” Bree said.

“Yeah,” Patrick agreed. “You should come more often, Grandma Joan, so that we can have cookies.”

“It’s good to know that I have a valuable position in this family,” Joan laughed.

“You know you do, mother,” Brian said squeezing Joan’s shoulder gently.

“Yes, I do know. Thank you, son.”

Claire observed the obvious affection between her mother and her brother. How had things come to be like this? She truly felt like an outsider in her own family.
 

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