In Sickness and In Health

Chapter 10

Sharon Brenner's POV:

I sit staring at my beautiful Christmas tree. It is decorated magnificently as always. The company I hire to do it every year transformed the tall spruce tree into a striking Christmas statement. The family and I have decided to downplay Christmas this year, since Owen and Molly's wedding was so close to the traditional holiday. And they will be in Mexico over the holidays. However, I refuse to give up my beautiful tree.

I'm feeling a little sad and out of sorts. Now that the wedding is over, I have really nothing to do. Normally I would be shopping for gifts and decorating and deciding on menus for the holiday feasts and parties. However, I did all my shopping early so that it would be out of the way. I don't need to decorate since the tree is done and nobody else is coming for Christmas. And we don't need any special menu since it will just be me and Owen and mother for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Maybe I should have planned a party for Christmas Eve. That way I would have something to do getting ready for it.

I wonder if this is what they call "the empty nest syndrome". Not that Owen was still living at home, but he was here a lot. Now I'm not sure when we'll see him. I guess that will depend on Molly. He bows to her every wish.

It's hard not to feel sorry for myself. I don't much like being alone. I tend to think too much, and not in a good way. I can become maudlin. Maybe I should call mother and see if she wants to come over for a game of gin rummy.

I pick up the phone and hit her number on speed dial. I wait as it rings.

"You have reached the home of Sarah Kingsley. I am currently unavailable, but you may leave a message."

"Damn," I say aloud. I wonder where she could be. She's usually home around this time of day. Oh well, I'll try her later.

After a few minutes of staring at the Christmas tree, I decide to turn the lights on. It's not dark yet, but maybe the warm glow of the lights will make me feel better. I love the look of the tree, especially when it's all lit up.

"It's lovely, darling," Owen Sr. says, as he comes into the room.

"Yes, yes it is," I reply, but my eyes never leave the tree.

"Is something wrong?" he asks.

I'm not covering up my sadness very well. But then I'm not really trying to. "I'm feeling a little lonely," I admit.

"Sharon, are you missing our son and new daughter-in-law?"

"Definitely the son part," I sigh.

"That's not very nice." He sits down on the sofa beside me.

"I don't feel like being nice. I want Christmas the way it used to be with family around us and parties and a feast on Christmas Day." I sound pathetic even to myself. But that's exactly how I'm feeling, pathetic. Owen pulls me into his arms and I feel a tear slide down my cheek.

"It's all right, Sharon. Owen will be home soon. And then we'll have him and Molly for dinner." Owen thinks he's helping.

"That doesn't make Christmas any better," I say, trying to pull away from him.

"You want a Christmas dinner then have one," he tells me.

"For the two of us, and mother, of course."

"Of course," Owen agrees smiling at me.

"I tried to call her, but she wasn't home. Where do you suppose she might be this time of day?"

"She might be sleeping and has the phone turned off. I imagine the wedding tired her out," Owen suggests.

"The wedding was days ago. She should be home. You don't think something's happened to her, do you?"

"No, no, I'm sure she's fine. Maybe she's visiting some friends, delivering gifts."

I look at the presents under the tree. Half of them are for Molly and Owen. We never get that much for each other. We have everything we could ever need.

"I'll be fine," I say, pushing Owen away and dabbing at my eyes. "I'm acting like an old fool."

"You're acting like a mother whose son just got married. You're feeling the loss, but try to look at it as gaining a daughter."

"I'll try," I say, not knowing if I really mean that or not. I'm not sure how Molly and I will get along. I hate the thought of being a mother-in-law and everything that stereotype conjures up. I want to be kind and loving, and loved in return. I hope I can pull that off.

Just then the phone rings.

"Hello," I say, as Owen sits down in his favorite chair and opens the newspaper.

"It's mother."

"Mother, where have you been? I tried to call earlier. I wanted to clarify our arrangements for Christmas."

"You'll have to do Christmas without me this year, dear," Sarah says breezily.

"Without you? What do you mean?"

"I'm calling from Florida."

"Florida? What the hell are you doing in Florida?" I sputter.

"Language, Sharon!" she admonishes me. "Mavis called me yesterday morning. They needed a fourth to play bridge. Ethel backed out at the last moment. She's spending Christmas in Iowa with her daughter and son-in-law. Can you imagine? Iowa? So, I said sure I'd come down. I'm firmly ensconced in my condo, enjoying the warm weather and lack of snow. I just thought I better let you know where I am and what I'm doing. I'm sure you'll have a lovely Christmas without me."

I feel the tears welling up. "We'll be fine, Mother. I have to go," I say hastily before she hears me cry or my voice cracks or something.

"Merry Christmas," Mother calls out before I cut the connection.

"Shit!" I say and then the tears come pouring out.

"Sharon," Owen says, rushing over to sit beside me and hold me once again.

"I'm … I'm being foolish, I know, but I can't help myself." And then I truly sob.

Owen holds me the whole time, whispering in my ear that everything will be all right. Telling me that Molly and Owen will spend lots of time with us. Saying that we don't need my mother there to make Christmas turn out all right. Promising that he'll be with me every step of the way. Sometimes I forget why I married Owen, but at moments like this, I know that I truly love him. He's the best thing that ever happened to me, except of course, for Owen Jr.

Finally I stop crying. Owen hands me the box of tissues and I wipe at my face.

"I … I'm sorry," I mutter as I try to compose myself.

"Don't be sorry. If this is how you feel then you have every right to feel it," Owen assures me.

I place the palm of my hand against his cheek and gently kiss his lips. "Thank you for being here with me. It seems like everyone else has abandoned me."

"Nobody has abandoned you. If you want company for Christmas, I have an idea," Owen states with a smile on his face.

"What are you cooking up in that devious brain of yours?" I ask. He makes me smile even though I'm still feeling pathetic.

"At the reception, I was taking to Raphael Angles, our vet."

"Yes?" I ask. I don't see what that has to do with anything. I know who our vet is, but his connection with Christmas is lost on me.

"He was saying that he and Hector always volunteer to be on call on Christmas Day. They never really celebrate the holiday to any extent. What if I ask Raph and Hector to join us?" Owen's smile is almost infectious. He looks very pleased with himself that he has thought up this idea.

"I don't know," I say. I frown trying to picture Hector. He works at the vet's office, I think, but I don't even know who he is. I can't really understand why my husband would choose to invite these people.

"But you would be doing a good deed. We could have our big dinner. Raph and Hector will get a great meal, and we'll all keep each other company."

"You just said they are working. They won't be able to come."

"There's still a couple of days before Christmas. Maybe they can find someone else to be on call, or they could be on call while they're here. I imagine there are very few animal emergencies on Christmas Day."

"I don't know," I repeat. I'm not at all sure about inviting virtual strangers to Christmas dinner.

"Come on, honey. It will be fun, something new and different, just what we need," Owen says enthusiastically.

I sigh. "I guess it would be better than being alone and feeling sorry for myself."

"You won't be alone. I'll be here with you," Owen tells me.

"I know, darling. I didn't mean it that way. Go call Raphael and see if they can come."

"You won't regret it," he says as he goes into his study to look up the number and make the call.

I certainly hope I won't regret it.

*****

I begin to pace the hallway in front of Owen's study. There has got to be someone else I can invite. I mean I like Dr. Raph. He's a fine man and very learned. All of my friends take their pets to him, but I would never consider him in a social situation. I mean what would people think? Oh good heavens, that sounds like I'm being such a snob. I mean just look at who Jennifer Taylor associates with. She's attractive, very intelligent and I've heard she is rather business savvy. Seth Harris is quite a catch and yet just look who her friends are. That Debbie Horvath woman, amazing! I have absolutely nothing in common with her. She was very polite when she congratulated us but really, that mouth of hers. How Jennifer can associate....Jennifer.

I quickly go to the sitting room. My rolodex is on the desk.

"Jennifer? Sharon Brenner, here. Oh yes, the wedding was lovely and the brunch superb, but that's not why I'm calling. I, um, oh I don't know quite how to say this but Christmas, I feel... You too? Oh thank you for saying that. I thought I was just a silly woman. I never understood all that empty nest jargon until now. Now, the reason that I called, would you and Seth care to join us for Christmas dinner? It will be simple affair, just us and Dr. Raphael and his uh, partner, Hector."

As I wait for Jennifer's answer, Owen comes running into the sitting room. He has the phone in his hands. He's asking me about the time. I don't understand what he means and Jennifer is apparently speaking with Seth.

"Owen, please, I'm speaking with Jennifer. Jennifer, yes, dear, I can hear you. What? The cottage? What cottage? Edna's Treasures, I've never heard of it. Outside of Pittsburgh? Well I suppose. Greenhouse? Eating outside? Oh, looks like you're dining outside."

Owen keeps babbling about the time Raphael and Hector should come over.

"Hold the line for a moment, will you, Jennifer? Owen I can't hear her, what is it?"

"Raph and Hector would love to join us for Christmas dinner. I'm trying to get you to tell me the time. He's holding on!" Owen shakes his phone at me.

"I'm trying to finalize things now, but Jennifer is inviting us to some place called Edna's Treasures. It sounds like a very nice resort about an hour and a half outside of the city. She mentioned something about dining in a greenhouse."

"Honey, I just invited Raphael and Hector. We can't back out now."

I motion to Owen to hold on for a moment as I go back to Jennifer.

"Jennifer, I...you'd like to invite us? Including Raphael and Hector? Jennifer, are you sure? I am just as liberal as you are, but not everyone would extend a warm welcome to a...well, if you're sure. Hold the line, dear. Owen, she's emphatic, says she and Seth are going to Edna's Treasures for Christmas dinner. And that the more the merrier. Apparently she has pull with the owner. She wants all of us to meet at her townhouse at about 1:30 for cocoa and hors d'oeuvres then she and Seth will guide us up. She wants you to ask Raphael."

Owen shrugs then walks a few feet away as he speaks to Raphael. When he returns he's all smiles.

"Jennifer, we will see you Christmas afternoon. Yes, I remember, we'll see you then and thank you. It sounds like fun."

Owen has hung up with Raphael and he appears to be very pleased with himself.

"See, honey, I knew it would all work out. We will have a wonderful Christmas and forge new friendships!" He swoops me up into his arms. This is why I fell in love with this man. He has the biggest heart in the whole world.

*****

Raphael and Hector:

"Well that's interesting?"

"What is?"

"That was Owen Brenner..."

"I gathered."

"Well it seems that Sharon Brenner is getting first hand knowledge of the empty nest syndrome and to top it all off, Sarah Kingsley flies off to Florida without telling her daughter."

"Oh that's so not cool! Her son is on his honeymoon and her mother flies off, poor thing."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"Maybe, so go on. I have a feeling there's more."

"Yes, there is. Owen issued an invitation for us to join him and Sharon for Christmas dinner."

"You' re shitting me, right?"

"Nope, far from it. He remembered that I have the vet office forward the emergency calls to me during the holidays and that we don't do much on Christmas."

"Yes, well your family doesn't quite approve of me..."

"They don't approve of me either, and your family barely tolerates me. I guess I'm tired of spending Christmas some place where we have to censor ourselves. For once I'd like to be invited somewhere where we can be ourselves."

"So, that means Owen and Sharon Brenner?"

"Wait, it gets better. As Owen was talking to me, Sharon was talking to Jennifer Taylor. Sharon issued the same invitation."

"So we'll be a party of six. I like Jennifer. She genuinely accepts her son's lifestyle and his family. I wouldn't mind spending the afternoon in her company."

"Apparently, Jennifer already had plans to spend Christmas at some resort called Edna's Treasures. It's just outside of Pittsburgh and get this, we're invited!"

"Let me get this straight, first we were going to spend Christmas alone, just the two of us like always."

"Right."

"Then Owen calls and we were going to have dinner there."

"Yes."

"And now we're going to some restaurant called Edna's Treasures."

"Apparently."

"I'm game!"

"Hector, baby, are you sure? I like Jennifer too, felt respected when I was introduced to he,r and Owen, I really like him. I've never understood what made him marry someone like Sharon Kingsley."

"Raph, you're being prejudiced."

"I know and I'm sorry but..."

"Raph, I love you and I'm proud to go anywhere with you. Let's take the chance and do something different. If we don't like it we can excuse ourselves and go home."

"Okay, baby. We meet at Jennifer's home and follow them to Edna's Treasures."

"Will Katerina be joining us?"

"Hector, is there something you'd like to tell me?"

"Now don't you worry, my big handsome buck. I just enjoyed talking to the girl and she's a lesbian. Don't get your boxers in a bunch."

"Handsome buck, huh?"

"Uh huh."

"Come here, my Latin lover, and I'll show you some bucking."

"I love you, my angel."

"Love you too."

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