Cottages

Chapter 15

Craig lounged on a chaise with Bree happily perched on his lap; his eyelids were closed. Susan recognized the signs of a man sated with food and perhaps too much drink. Before returning to the sun porch with their coats, Susan pocketed Craig’s car keys.

“Craig, I think we’ve over stayed our welcome,” Susan said as she gently shook her husband’s shoulder.

“Mumph,” Craig mumbled as he opened his eyes. Bree looked up at him with a smile.

“Gampa, can I visit you and bake cookies real soon?”

Craig broke out into a genuine smile for his granddaughter. “Yes, sweetheart. Grandma Susan and I would love it if you’d visit,” Craig said as he hugged the child while his eyes sought out Justin. Justin nodded in agreement.

“I have business at the gallery to take care of next weekend. I’ll drop off Bree at your house. She can spend the day,” Justin suggested.

“We can bake Christmas cookies, Briana, and do some shopping,” Susan suggested. “Maybe if Grandma Jennifer and Grandma Joan are free, we can all have lunch together. How does that sound?”

The other grandmothers had unintentionally rallied around Bree when she decided to make her grandfather a captive audience. They had maneuvered their chairs closer to Craig and Bree and continued their visiting, while never letting Bree out of their maternal and protective sites.

Jennifer and Joan readily agreed. The subject of their scrutiny was ecstatic at the thought of a day with her grandmothers.

“I’ll call you,” Justin said to Susan.

“Time to go,” Susan said as she handed Craig his coat. He slipped it on then patted down his pockets looking for his keys. Susan shook her head as she dangled the car keys in her hand. Craig nodded in submission. “Justin, Brian, thank you for a very pleasant afternoon,” Susan said graciously to her hosts. “Good night, everyone. Happy Thanksgiving!” Susan called out. The remaining family wished them a safe drive home as Justin walked his father and stepmother out to their car.

“Well, my dear, I think we should take our leave as well,” Owen Sr. said to Sharon. “I believe your mother looks ready to go too,” Owen said with a chuckle. Sarah Kingsley appeared to be deep in conversation with Pittsburgh’s premier party planner. The attentive party planner had a specially wrapped parcel filled with all of Sarah’s favorite canapés. Sarah didn’t have enough kind words for the beaming queen. Emmett was very solicitous and humble.

“It is a bit of a drive back,” Sharon agreed, but kept the ‘to civilization’ to herself. “Mother must be tired. But perhaps we might have another cup of coffee at the children’s cottage before we go?” Sharon asked. She was trying to compromise.

“I think that is a wonderful idea. We can drive the children down the lane. It might be too cold for the baby now,” said Owen Sr.

“Mother Sharon, I would love to make you some coffee or tea before your drive home,” Molly said sincerely. Both Owen Sr. and Junior smiled brightly as the two Mrs. Brenners came to an amiable agreement.

“Then I think we’ll say our goodnights to our hosts,” Sharon said.

The Brenner family packed up, bid the rest of the family good night then drove the short trek down the lane to Molly and Owen’s getaway.

"I think we’ll get going too,” Jennifer said as Seth handed her her coat. Joan was also ready to leave. She had come up with Jennifer and Seth.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay? You know we can find the room,” Justin said. It was highly unusual for this many guests to actually leave after a holiday dinner at Edna’s Treasures.

“We’re sure. Believe it or not I have a house to show tomorrow,” Jennifer stated.

“And I promised Danny to be at the store bright and early,” Joan confided. “It’s one of our best selling days,” she said as she wrapped a warm scarf around her neck. Joan then received many hugs and kisses from her grandchildren. “You will drop me an email now and then, won’t you, young man?” Joan said to Gus. “What good is that computer to me if I can’t get an email from my grandson?” Joan lightly admonished Gus.

“I promise,” Gus said as he gave Joan another hug.

“I’m so proud of you,” she said returning the hug. “You’re as handsome as your father,” Joan whispered as she gazed into Gus’ hazel eyes that mirrored her son’s. “And you, my sweet little girl, I’m sure you know how to use the telephone. I expect a call letting me know when we’re going to meet for lunch,” Joan said to Bree.

“Yes, Gamma Joan,” Bree said with her ponytails twirling madly by her ears.

Joan then hugged each of the men of Edna’s Treasures then gently patted her son’s face. “Thank you, Brian,” Joan said as she gazed into her son’s eyes, the same eyes that once held only resentment now were filled with love.

“I’m glad you were able to join us, Mom,” Brian said as he walked her, Jennifer and Seth to the door and out to their car. He opened the car door for his mother, made sure she was settled then shut the door. Brian watched as the car drove down the lane toward the gate.

“You’re leaving too?” Brian asked as he was met at his door by Claire, Steve, Dan and Emily. They were going to spend the night at Rachel’s then come back for breakfast in the morning. Rachel’s girls were out of town for the holiday, promising to be back for Christmas, so it was just Rachel and George tonight.

“We’ll be back to help with breakfast,” Claire reassured Brian. John and Bobby walked their family over to Rachel’s and made sure they were all settled before returning to the cottage.

“Emm, this is too much food!” Lindsay protested as Emmett shoved two shopping bags of goodies into her arms.

“Oh pooh! Considering all the activities you’ll be doing, this isn’t nearly enough to keep up your energy,” Emmett explained.

“What activities?” Lindsay asked in all innocence.

“You know,” Emmett said, trying to hint without really saying anything.

“You know,” Melanie repeated as her eyes grew wide.

“Ooohhh,” Lindsay said as she finally got it then blushed from head to toe. Melanie giggled as she reached up to give Lindsay a kiss.

“You two are disgusting,” Brian groused. “Must you always think about sex?” he complained as he helped Lindsay with her coat. “There are other things to think about, you know.”

The family froze then stared at Brian in disbelief.

“What?!” Brian asked. The family ignored him as Lindsay and Mel said their goodnights to the kids and the rest of the family.

“Um, we won’t be here for breakfast,” Mel giggled as she ushered Lindsay out the door and to their car.

“Lesbians!” Brian and Emmett grumbled with mock disdain then shut the door.

“I declare Thanksgiving dinner a huge success, and my Drewsie and I will be here for breakfast,” Emmett stated with satisfaction.

“If it was successful, then the credit goes to you, Emm,” Justin emphatically stated. “You certainly know how to keep the great Sarah Kingsley amused.”

“Oh honey, I’ve had years of practice with his majesty. Sarah Kingsley is a walk in the park compared to him,” Emmett said as he kissed each member of Edna’s Treasures. Ignoring the death glare, Emmett even gave Brian a kiss then hugged the children. “See y’all in the morning!” Emmett said cheerfully as he and Drew were about to leave.

“Not before nine!” Brian demanded, knowing hell might freeze over before that happened. Emmett gave Brian a toothy grin then closed the door behind them.

Too early for bed, the kids decided to play computer games in Gus’ room while the men of Edna’s Treasures enjoyed more coffee and wine in front of the fire in Brian and Justin’s end of the cottage.

 

*****
 

“I’ll just get Taylor settled,” Molly said as she carried her son into the small room they were using as his nursery. The baby slept on oblivious to everything around him. Molly smiled down at his sweet face. “Would you start a pot of coffee?” she asked Owen Jr.

“Sure,” Owen said as he took coats from everyone and hung them in the closet next to the front door. He then went behind the counter of the small kitchen and filled the coffeepot with water.

“No coffee for me,” Sarah Kingsley said imperiously. “I’ll be awake all night if I have coffee at this time of day.”

“How about tea?” Molly asked as she returned from putting Taylor in his crib. “I have some Sleepytime.”

“Hm,” Sarah replied. “I guess that would do.”

Molly smiled to herself. Sarah always had to make do with everything. She wondered if anything ever lived up to Sarah Kingsley’s standards.

“I don’t understand why you and Junior didn’t make a decent sized summer home, instead of this tiny place,” Sarah observed.

“We wanted to make something that was cozy … and within our means,” Molly explained a little testily. She loved her cottage and didn’t like Sarah’s criticisms.

“Well, I would have been happy to contribute,” Sarah replied. “Then you could have built something more suitable.”

“This is perfectly suitable for our needs,” Molly snapped.

“Um … I think the coffee’s ready, and the kettle is boiling,” Owen Jr. interrupted trying to fend off an argument. He knew his wife would not back down.

“I’ll help you,” Molly said moving to the small kitchen area. She pulled some mugs from the cupboard and a teapot to brew Sarah’s tea. The woman would make a huge issue of it, if Molly gave her a teabag in a mug.

“Thanks for not telling her off,” Owen whispered as he poured coffee.

“She can be extremely annoying,” Molly replied.

“I know.”

“How does she always get away with it?”

“Because she’s the only grandparent I have left,” Owen said sadly. “She’s old and set in her ways. Nobody’s going to change her at this point.”

“That’s for sure.”

“And she can be generous. You heard her. She just offered to help us build this place.”

“And then it would have been her place,” Molly griped but continued to whisper. “We’d have to furnish it the way she wanted and paint it the colors she wanted. And we’d have to have a room for her.”

Owen tried not to laugh, as he poured some cream in a small pitcher and set the sugar bowl on the tray with the cups of coffee. “It’s not her place and it never will be,” Owen stated before giving Molly a peck on the cheek.

“And that’s just one of the reasons I love you,” Molly said with a smile.

“I hope there are others.”

“Thousands.”

“I love you so much.”

“Hey, what are you two whispering about over there?” Owen Sr. called.

“We’re plotting how to take over the world,” Molly called back, having achieved a feeling of equanimity with everyone after Owen’s lovely words.

“My kind of girl,” Sarah said, causing Molly to laugh heartily.

“Thank you, dear,” Sharon said as Owen Jr. handed her a mug of coffee.

Molly set the teapot on the coffee table and proceeded to pour two cups of tea, one for Sarah and one for herself.

“Lovely, dear,” Sarah said as she accepted the tea and added a few drops of cream.

“That was a very nice dinner up at Edna’s Treasures,” Sharon observed.

“Very nice,” Sarah agreed. “However…”

There was always a however, Molly thought to herself. She wondered what was wrong with the dinner this time.

“I found that cornucopia to be rather inappropriate for such a lovely occasion,” Sarah continued.

“Then I guess you won’t like it when I put Taylor’s on our Thanksgiving table,” Molly couldn’t help but snark.

“My goodness, it will be years before Taylor could make any such thing.”

“I know, but if he does, I intend to use it,” Molly declared.

“Well, I suppose parents like to do that kind of thing.”

“Yes, parents do.”

“The other thing I didn’t like was the amount of food. They always overdo to such an extreme extent.”

“Would anyone like a pumpkin tart?” Molly asked just to be bitchy. “Emmett sent a bunch home with me.”

“I think I’ll pass,” Owen replied with a laugh. “I’m sure I’ll pop the button off my trousers if I eat another bite of anything.”

“That makes two of us,” Sharon agreed.

“You’re wearing trousers now, mother?” Owen Jr. asked with a twinkle in his eye.

“You know what I meant,” Sharon laughed.

“I think it was a lovely day. That Emmett Honeycutt certainly knows how to cook,” Owen Sr. stated.

“He’s a very charming man,” Sarah said giving her seal of approval to the man who had spent so much time with her during the day. “I’m thinking about having him cater my cocktail party that I’m going to have before I head to Florida.”

“Oh, you’re having a cocktail party?” Sharon asked.

“I think so. I asked Emmett about a week Wednesday. His weekends are all booked right into the New Year.”

“I can imagine,” Sharon said, slightly annoyed that this was the first she’d heard about her mother’s cocktail party.

“I will expect you and Owen to be there, of course,” Sarah continued.

“It would have been nice to have been informed about this earlier,” Sharon said. “Maybe we have a previous engagement on that day.”

“I’m sure you don’t, dear,” Sarah told her daughter.

Sharon was about to retort when she felt Owen’s hand wrap around hers and squeeze gently.

“I’m sure we’ll be able to come, Sarah,” Owen Sr. said gently.

Sarah smiled at her son-in-law. “I’m so happy to hear that. And of course, I would like you and Molly to attend as well.” She smiled at her grandson.

“Of course, Grandmother,” Owen replied. He gave a warning glance to Molly who looked like she had been about to reply in much the same way his mother had.

“Wonder if we’ll have an early winter this year?” Owen Sr. said, effectively changing the topic to something safer.

 

*****
 

“Hey, guys, can you play for a while without me?” Gus asked.

“Why, Gus?” Bree asked with a frown.

“He wants to call his boyfriend,” JR giggled.

“Oh, Ray!” Bree said with a sunny smile as she immediately understood what Gus was up to.

Gus shook his head and grinned. He had two smart sisters.

“I’ll look after them, Gus,” Patrick stated.

“Thanks, buddy,” Gus replied, before he slipped out of the room and walked down the hall. He saw his father and Justin sitting in one of the big oversized chairs. They looked so cozy and happy. John and Bobby were cuddling on the sofa as the fire blazed in the hearth.

“Where are you going, Sonny Boy?” Brian asked as he saw his son.

“I need to make a phone call.”

“Tell Ray we hope he had a nice Thanksgiving,” Brian called as Gus headed for the sun porch.

Everyone else called out the same thing. Gus couldn’t help but smile. He must be so fucking transparent. Everybody knew exactly what he was doing, even his six year old sister. Anyway, he wanted to talk to Ray so he could put up with their teasing.

“Ray?” he said into his cell phone as he heard his boyfriend pick up.

“Yeah, how was your Thanksgiving?”

“Good, yours?”

“Not bad. The dads outdid themselves on the food.”

“I could help you work it off,” Gus suggested with a grin.

“If only you were here.”

“Or you were here,” Gus countered.

“Have you talked to your Dad and moms about Christmas?”

“Not yet, but I will before I head back to Penn.”

“You think they’ll let us be together for New Year’s?”

“They fucking better, or I’m running away to New York like Justin did all those years ago,” Gus declared.

“Except that I’ll be here when you arrive,” Ray chuckled. “You won’t have to become a go-go boy in Chelsea.” He had heard the infamous story of how Justin had run away to New York with Brian’s credit card, and Brian had gone to find him.

Gus laughed. “Justin didn’t have to become a go-go boy either. But I think if I agree to Christmas with the family, they’ll let me come there after that.”

“I hope so,” Ray sighed. “I miss you so much.”

“Me too.”

“I can hardly wait to see you again.”

“And do … other things as well.”

“Yeah, other things,” Ray agreed. They both knew what that meant.

“I better go. I’ll call you before I go back to Penn.”

“Do that.”

“I will.” Gus cut the connection and pocketed his cell phone. He headed back into the house to join his sisters.

“So, did you and Ray get the Christmas holidays all organized?” Brian asked.

Gus stopped and stared at his father. “How … how did you know?”

“Been there, done that,” Justin chuckled.

“Yeah, we all have,” Bobby said. “It’s not easy juggling family and boyfriends.”

“Although I never really had that problem after my father kicked me out,” Justin supplied.

“There was always Debbie and your mother and me. I always voted for spending Christmas at Babylon, but they would never let me,” Brian said with his tongue in cheek.

“You are so full of shit,” Justin laughed giving Brian a gentle swat.

“Are you spending Christmas with us and your moms, and then going to New York for New Year’s?” John asked.

“Yeah, if that’s all right with everybody,” Gus said with a smile.

“Only if you clear it with your mothers first,” Brian told his son.

“I will.”

“Then it’s almost a done deal.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Nothing to thank us for,” Brian said. “We know you want to be with Ray.”

“And you guys too,” Gus said softly. He meant it too.

“We know,” Justin said. “Go play with your sisters before Bree and Patrick have to go to bed.”

“Sure,” Gus said as headed down the hall wondering how he had managed to get such great parents and family.

The men watched him go, knowing they had told him just the right thing.
 

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