Chapter 8
New York Bound
Kevin and Ann always took a weekend trip to New York every year. Business is booming Ann has a part time job at the school. She’s off all summer which she loves. It gives her time with the children. Everything is going just fine.
The first two children were older. They were becoming less dependent. Carl is seven, Caroline, five. Carl is protective of Charles, he’s two.
Normally they would stay a weekend. Kevin had convinced Ann to stay an entire week. They can’t remember the last time it was just the two of them for a whole week.
Ann arranged for her parents to baby sit. She didn’t mention to Kevin or her dad, she had to pay Momma Alicia and promised that she could stay at their house.
Her mother flatly told her, “Your kids are not welcomed in my house. They don’t know the Lord. That daughter would leave evil spirits behind. I’d be throwing holy water for a year if I let her in my front door.”
Ann didn’t want to disappoint Kevin. All he could talk about for a month was this one week trip to New York. He had some big surprise in store for Ann but would only give hints.
The clothes were packed. The house was sparkling clean to live up to Grandma Alicia standards. The children were fed, dressed appropriately and sent outside.
Caroline was to read Three Little Pigs to her brothers. This assured Ann that the boys wouldn’t get dirty before Grandma Alicia’s arrival.
Ann’s mother treated her more like a trophy to be treasured in the presence of others. She ignored her when they were alone. It made Ann sad that she was having the
kids get dressed up as if they were little show ponies. She thought to herself, they should be out playing and getting dirty. She quickly put those thoughts of her childhood out of her mind and reminded herself how lucky she was. Half the neighbor’s husbands went out of town on a regular basis. They never considered asking their wives to tag along.
It kind of made her smile to think of the envy all the other housewives must feel. She recanted those thoughts with prayer. God forgive me for being vain and thank you for blessing me with Kevin.
The children went to the picnic table behind the house, all dolled up. Caroline announced disdain in how they were being treated.
“How dare Ann have us sit out in this hot ass sun dressed like we are headed for church just because Grandma Alicia is coming!”
Carl responded. “You know Grandma Alicia hate for us to come in her house because she thinks we’re not saved. Mommy is just trying to keep some peace in the family Caroline. You know she gone start spraying that holy water all over the house as soon as mommy and daddy leaves,” he laughed.
Charles giggled and tugged at his brother, pointing, “book.”
Caroline went storming off toward the garage. Charles followed. Carl sat there on the bench as the obedient son he aimed to be.
Grandpa Henry and Grandma Alicia arrived just before dark as planned. Caroline was pretty in pink. She had changed into her pink sundress, white lace socks with white shoes, a pink and white satin ribbon holding her shoulder length hair in a messy pony tail.
Charles was dressed in his khaki colored slacks, short sleeved white oxford shirt with his brown church shoes.
Carl was dressed in his black slacks, white golf shirt and black shoes Ann had originally dressed him in.
The kids were the picture of health, happiness and cleanliness it appeared. Ann took a second look back at the three of them. A broad smile on her face looking at the younger two, “We’ll discuss the outfit changes later. Good choices though,” she said. “Carl you’re always the perfect little boy.” Off she went to greet her Dad. She was always so happy to see him.
For a moment she thought maybe this trip to New York was just what Kevin needed. She would try to convince him to become closer to Caroline. The distance between the two was obvious. She could only imagine what everyone else thought.
“Hi Daddy,” Ann was at the truck before Grandpa Henry could put it in park. Kevin was walking slowly behind her. He liked to watch the interaction from a distance. He often wondered if he and Caroline would ever become so close.
Ann was kissing and hugging her dad as if she hadn’t seen him in months. The two had dinner less than a week ago.
Henry was beaming. He was just as happy to see Ann. Alicia’s reaction to the father daughter reunion was no surprise.
“Well hello Ann, your daddy is not the only person doing you this huge favor of watching the spawn of the devil. You would think the least I would get is a hello,” Alicia said in a dry, I could be doing something better with my time tone.
.
“Mother, I didn’t mean to ignore you. I know Daddy wasn’t feeling well so it was great to see him looking good and a blessing from above that you don’t have to baby sit my children alone. I am thrilled to see the both of you,” Ann said.
Ann was smiling in her father’s direction. Henry was smiling back. He refused to allow Alicia to ruin his fun with his only child and his beautiful grandchildren.
The children were kissed assured they were loved. Kevin and Ann filled with excitement were on their way to New York, New York the big Apple.
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