Summer in the City

Chapter 18

“It was a lovely party, Melanie,” one of the partners at her law firm said, as he made his goodbyes.

“Thanks, Vern. I’ll see you Monday at work.”

Vern ushered his wife out the door. He was followed by several other guests taking their leave as the party was winding down. The comments to the hostess were all very positive. Everyone said they’d had a lovely time and thanked Mel for having them.

Lindsay stood beside her mate, playing the role of dutiful wife. She smiled graciously and made innocuous comments to everyone as they left. She still had little idea who most of them were. She heaved a sigh as this group exited. “The party went really well, Mel,” Lindsay said squeezing Melanie’s arm.

“Yeah, it did.”

Lindsay looked at her wife. Considering that the party was pretty much a success, she wondered why Mel didn’t sound more upbeat. “Is anything wrong, Mel?” she asked.

“Um…”

Just then Ted and Allen came over to the door. They kissed the girls and said they were ready to leave.

“I hope you had a nice time,” Lindsay said as she had done with each guest who had already left.

“Oh, very nice, lovely party, great time,” Ted blathered.

“Screw off, Schmidt,” Melanie stated harshly, but not loud enough for the remaining guests to hear.

“Charming,” Allen said derisively, taken aback by Melanie’s words.

“It was a charming party till now,” Ted concurred.

“You hated every minute of it, didn’t you?” Melanie demanded.

“No, of course not, never, well, maybe a little, maybe more than a little, I have had better times,” Ted mumbled.

“I thought so,” Melanie said with a glower on her face.

“It was a fine party, Melanie,” Allen put forth, hoping to make their hostess feel better.

“You just didn’t enjoy yourselves,” Melanie continued.

“The food was good and the music was…” Ted began.

“The music was great,” Allen said decisively. He played in an orchestra and knew good music when he heard it. The only problem had been that the music was rather somber for a summer party, but it was still good music.

“Yes, very good,” Ted added, picking up on what Allen was trying to do.

Melanie stared at the two of them. She looked like she was about to start some kind of a rant. Ted wondered what he had done. He had tried to be gracious about the party. It had been all right, just not much fun.

“We better be going,” Allen said.

“Off to Debbie’s party?” Melanie asked with a raised brow.

“Um…we did promise her,” Ted stammered.

“Have a blast,” Melanie said sarcastically.

Ted and Allen beat a hasty retreat out the door. As they left Melanie and Lindsay could hear voices from outside. The door opened and JR came in, followed by Curtis and then Michael.

“Did you have a nice time?” Mel asked with sarcasm oozing from her voice.

“It was great, Mama. We had cluckers,” JR giggled.

“What the fuck are cluckers?” Melanie demanded.

“Mel, language,” Lindsay whispered, nodding not towards JR as she usually did, but towards nearby guests.

“It’s fried chicken, Mama. Lacy calls them cluckers.”

“The chicken was real good,” Curtis said with a big smile.

“As opposed to my party,” Melanie accused.

Curtis turned pale and stared at the floor. He had been having such a good time at the diner. He wondered where Raph and Hector were. He suddenly wanted nothing more than to go home.

“Leave the kids alone,” Michael piped up.

“Shut up, Michael,” Mel retorted.

“I will not shut up. JR, Curtis, go find Raph and Hector. It’s time this party was over. Come with me,” Michael said grabbing Melanie’s arm and pulling her out onto the front porch. He closed the door none too quietly behind them. “What the fuck is the matter with you?” he demanded.

“Nothing’s the matter. I just … wish my own family could appreciate what I do for them,” Melanie replied, and then realized that it almost sounded like a whine.

“What you do for them? Don’t you mean what you do for yourself?” Michael demanded.

“No, I don’t,” Melanie protested. “This party was for the whole family.”

“Really? Who chose the food?”

“Well, Emmett … and me.”

“And the music?”

“Emmett … and me.”

“And the style of the party?”

“Um … Emmett and me,” Melanie admitted beginning to see the point that Michael was making.

“Sounds more like Emmett’s party than Lindsay’s. What part did Lindz have in all this?” Michael asked driving home his point. Subtlety had never been his strong suit.

“Well, she was here and stood beside me.”

“And who made the guest list?”

“Well, I … it was my idea.” Melanie realized that Michael wouldn’t even have been there if she had followed her original plan for the party.

“How come Ma and Carl and most of the rest of ‘our family’ weren’t invited?”

“I … I didn’t think they’d fit into this kind of party … and besides, Debbie’s having her own party today. She wouldn’t have had time to come here,” Melanie stated, trying to justify her choices.

“I was at a party like this a long time ago when I was with David. I didn’t invite any of my real friends because I thought they’d embarrass me in front of David’s hoity-toity friends. I learned the hard way that that was a big mistake. These people that you invited here today aren’t your real friends, Mel. They probably don’t even really like you. I hope you enjoyed putting on the dog for them, because you made your own daughter uncomfortable doing it. Happy Fourth of July, I’m going to Ma’s party now. I can guarantee that I’ll have a much better time there.” Michael stepped down off the porch and walked towards his car, then he remembered that Ben was still inside the house. He turned and came back, feeling foolish for having tried to make a grand exit and screwing it all the fuck up. “I need to say good bye to JR and get my husband,” Michael said to the women as he went back inside.

Melanie stood with her mouth dropped open. How could Michael talk to her like that? And how the fuck could he be so right about everything? She shook her head at her own stupidity.

A couple more guests came out with Lindsay and said their goodbyes. Then Michael reappeared with Ben and JR. Michael and Ben headed for their car while JR walked along with them. Melanie was sure her daughter wanted to go to Debbie’s party with her father, but the little girl turned around and came back to her mothers as Michael got in his car and drove off.

Raph, Hector and Curtis took their leave, saying they had enjoyed themselves. Lindsay made nice, while a nearly silent Mel sputtered out a few obligatory words. Following them were the last stragglers, and then the party was over.

“It went very well,” Lindsay said to Mel, a big smile on her face.

“Everybody hated it,” Melanie stated.

“They did not,” Lindsay protested.

“All our friends did. Even my daughter,” Melanie admitted.

“I’m sorry, Mama,” JR said her eyes filling up with tears.

Melanie shook her head. She didn’t know what to say or do.

“Mel,” Lindsay said gently. “Your associates at the law firm and the other contacts that were here all had a very nice time. They all said they enjoyed themselves. You did a good job with the party.”

“A good job,” Mel said shaking her head. “That’s what it was. A job. I treated this party like part of my work. It was no fucking fun at all. It was work.”

“Mel, what are you talking about?”

“If I ever want to have another party, you two need to do all the planning. Just tell me to shut the fuck up and plan something that will be fun,” Melanie instructed them and then burst out laughing. “Poor Teddy, trying to mollify me when he hated every minute of this fiasco.”

“It wasn’t a fiasco. It was a very nice party,” Lindsay protested.

“What do you two say about us blowing this pop stand and heading over to Debbie’s for some real fun,” Melanie said with a big grin.

“Yay!” JR shouted.

“That’s my girl,” Mel laughed. “What about you, Lindz?”

“There’s a lot to clean up inside.”

“Fuck the clean up. We can do that later. Let’s go have some fun.”

“Okay,” Lindsay giggled sounding like the young girl Melanie had fallen in love with. “Maybe we can take some of the leftovers to Debbie’s.”

“Grandma wouldn’t want it,” JR pronounced. “She’ll have real food at her place.”

Mel and Lindz laughed at JR’s comment.

“She’s right, you know,” Melanie said. “Let’s get changed and we can take some wine. They’ll appreciate that a lot more than this food.”

The Marcus-Peterson family went into the house to change for the real Fourth of July party.

 

*****
 

“I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed this,” John said casually as he and his mother sat on the rocking lounger in the screened porch at the farm. John, Bobby and Patrick decided to spend the July 4th holiday with Claire and Steve. Bill and his life partner Gary, had come by for an intimate barbecue, as did several friends and neighbors.

“It’s such a beautiful afternoon,” Claire commented as Bobby was giving Patrick some pitching and batting tips. Two heads with flaming red hair were blazing in the July sun.

“Do you ever regret that I relocated the cottage?”

“No, Jackie, of course not. As a very wise man once said, no apologies, no regrets,” Claire quipped with her tongue in her cheek a la Brian Kinney. She and John chuckled. “It makes sense for you to be there; I have no regrets. But you could bring my grandson to visit me more often,” Claire admonished with little sting in her words.

John dipped his head. “Yes, mother, I intend to. It’s good for Patrick to know his grandmother and our family history. You have such great stories of growing up with Grandma Patience and Grandpapa Aidan. I want Patrick to know those stories.” Claire nodded in agreement. It was the past that united her son with his brother. It was only right that the children should know their family history.

“More iced tea?” Claire offered John who readily agreed.

The boys had spent most of the morning cleaning up the treehouse. Now that Patrick was old enough to appreciate it, he wanted to camp out in it. John and Bobby wholeheartedly agreed and had arranged their schedules accordingly. The Village project was almost complete, requiring only a few adjustments as new tenants moved into the apartments or occupied a store. John’s construction crew was more than adept to handle it.

John sighed loudly.

“What is it, sweetheart? You’ve been moping all day,” Claire observed.

“I miss them,” John said softly. Claire needed no explanation; she too, missed the Kinney-Taylor part of their family. Claire nodded, then she smiled as Beau who was invited to the party had leapt high and stolen the softball Bobby had pitched to Patrick. John and Claire laughed loudly as the two red-heads happily chased the dog around the yard.

“He’s such a good dog,” Claire stated.

“Yes, he is, a credit to the Beaus who went before him.”

“I miss having a dog around the farm. I still wake up ready to call him to breakfast. But your Beau fits right in at Edna’s Treasures.”

“I agree and he’s the only one that the princess can’t bamboozle!” John and Claire giggled.

“She certainly knows how to work her assets.”

“Tell me about it. She has Brian totally wrapped around her finger and I can’t say that me or Bobby are any better. And I’m afraid Patrick may fall for her charms some day. Beau’s the only one that can keep her in line, although Justin does stand firm with her.”

“Then I say Beau’s worth his weight in kibble,” Claire said with a sideways glance making John burst out into belly laughs.

“Oh, it’s so good to laugh like this, Mom. You were always my best friend growing up.”

“Comes with having a young mother. I think we raised each other. And now you have your own son. I’m so proud of you, Jackie. You and Bobby have done a wonderful job as parents. Patrick is a bright, happy child and so well mannered. A perfect combination of the both of you.”

“He’s growing so fast.”

“Little boys do. Before you know it, he’ll be dating.”

“Oh please, don’t you start too.”

“What did I say?”

“Justin called the other night. Apparently Gus is trying to take the Big Apple by storm.” Claire gave John an incredulous look. “He and Raymond were caught kissing and now Gus has his eyes set on some kid he met at the GLC dance. Brian and Justin have insisted on meeting this boy but so far he’s been elusive. You know how Brian can get.”

Claire rolled her eyes. "Big time!” she snarked.

“Well, supposedly they’re meeting today. The GLC is sponsoring a July 4th picnic in Battery Park. I just hope Brian survives."

“You mean you hope the kid and Gus survive.”

“That too. My brother is rather protective, you know.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” Claire said with a straight face then the two of them laughed. “I’m sure it will all go well. I take it that our calm cool and always in control, Brian Kinney, is not handling Gus’ foray into manhood very well.”

“In a word, no. I fully believe that Brian was hoping Gus would miraculously bypass the teenage years and jump right into adulthood so that Brian wouldn’t have to deal with dating issues.”

“Is it really dating issues that has Brian flustered?” Claire already knew the answer to her question.

John sighed again. “No, it’s not, as you well know. I guess he’s afraid of what all parents are afraid of, our children growing up too fast, having sex before they’re prepared or fully understand the consequences.”

“Honey, I’m the last one to pass judgment.”

“Mom, this is no reflection on you. You thought Jack was coming back for you and when you knew he wasn’t you didn’t want to burden him with a child he may not have wanted. I have no complaints about my life. I loved my childhood. You’re the best mother a child could ever want. But things are so different today.”

“Not so different, but you are right about the consequences. Teenage pregnancy is just the tip of the iceberg. Have Brian and Justin had the talk with Gus?”

“Many times, as well as the girls, and Debbie threw her two cents in as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if the poor boy winds up with cases of condoms for his next birthday. No, I don’t think that’s it; it’s just the concept of your child engaging in sexual activity,” John said in all sincerity then blushed as his mother looked at him. “You know what I mean.”

“I know,” Claire said then patted her son’s hand. “Besides, I do believe that embarrassment works both ways. I’m barely eighteen years older than you and I have to admit that Steve keeps me quite busy.” Claire had a smirk on her face.

“Okay, now we’re approaching the TMI line. I think I’ll go play ball with my men before I blush redder than their hair.” Claire laughed as John gave his mother a kiss before scurrying to join Bobby and Patrick.

“What’s up with him?” Steve asked as he took John’s place on the rocker. He had a cold beer in one hand and took Claire’s hand in the other.

“Nothing, really. He just can’t accept the fact that he has one hot mama for a mother,” Claire said.

“Oh. That’s all right; he’ll get over it, eventually,” Steve quipped as he gave his hot mama a kiss and squeezed her hand. They rocked contentedly as they watched their family at play.

 

*****
 

“Hello?”

“Justin? It’s me, Daphne. I can’t believe you still have the same cell phone number.”

“Never had a reason to change it. You did, however. I tried to get in touch with you several times, but you never returned my calls and then your parents moved away.”

“Yeah, they retired and moved to Phoenix.”

“What can I do for you, Daphne? I got the impression you really didn’t want to know me.”

“It’s not that, Jus. It’s that so much has changed.”

“What happened to you? Did you ever finish medical school?”

“Sort of, but I wound up marrying a doctor instead of becoming one.”

There was an uncomfortable silence between them that made Justin begin to mourn the loss of his childhood best friend and confidante.

“I called to ask you to lunch tomorrow, at the club. My friends are looking forward to it. We’ve gone to all of your exhibits.”

“But why haven’t I ever seen you at any of them? Never mind, I’m not sure if I want to know.”

“Please, Jus. It’ll be like the socials we went to as kids.” Justin sighed but then quickly jotted down the address of Daphne’s club. “One o’clock, and look fabulous, okay!” Before Justin could respond, Daphne hung up.

“Okay,” he said softly and to no one.


 

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