Between Octobers

November 29th

November 29th

Everyone was downhill at the opposite end of the property, helping to set up the tents and tables for Noah's party. Evan was overseeing everything, but he'd roped Sheri into helping with the last-minute details. 

I'd already finished preparing everything for Noah's family dinner; the peach pie was cooling, the food was simmering. Now I was vacuuming the area rug in the living room.

Caleb jumped from the sofa when the doorbell rang, tossing his book to the floor. I gave him 'the look' and he stopped to pick it up, giving me time to beat him to the entry. 

I checked the peephole to find Sheri waiting on the porch in a light pink power suit. Her face held an air of deep concentration that was broken when Caleb swung the door open. I couldn't resist his puppy dog eyes.

"Hi!" he hollered.

Sheri smiled down at him. "Aren't you a big boy, answering the door? Here's to a job well done." She shook his hand and passed him a few bills.

Caleb's face lit up. "I'm saving this to be rich," he chirped. "Thanks!" He ran to his room in search of his piggy bank. For his age, he was surprisingly conscientious.

Sheri looked to me. "Alright, I've got the big present. Open the garage so we can pull it in before Noah sees." There was an excited look in her eyes as she gestured to the giant red bow in her hands.            

My feet unconsciously stumbled down the hall while the foggy thoughts fought to connect. My hand found the switch on the wall and the garage door rolled up with a rackety hum. As the large door drew higher, my eyes latched onto the shiny chrome and black tread. Soon, all I could see was the large, black shape of a pick-up truck. Noah's birthday present.

And red. There was lots of red.

My ears felt like they'd been stuffed with cotton. When did I reach this bizarre alternate universe where there was no such thing as parental authority? 

Marcus stepped out of the driver's seat. He and Sheri were going on about how exciting, how wonderful it was. They couldn't wait to see the look on Noah's face when he saw his shiny new truck. There was nothing wonderful about any of it, but I was very excited. I could tell they were both under the impression that Evan and I had discussed this extensively and decided, together, what to give Noah for his birthday.

I wanted to vomit.

Marcus must have picked up on my mood because he suddenly had to leave. Sheri lingered, going off to find Caleb. I think he was her favorite person. Aside from Evan, he was the only one to whom she expressed a true kindness—everyone else, she just put up with. She was always giving him things, playing games with him, doing her best to spoil him when she came around. I didn't mind because she was hardly ever around.

I closed the garage and went back to vacuuming. Vigorously. A minute later, Sheri tapped my arm to let me know she was leaving and mouthed the words, "Evan is coming," as she left.

When Evan entered, all was quiet. He noticed my demeanor immediately and sighed, taking me by the arm and leading me towards the bedroom. But Caleb was on the bed, playing fort under the canopy.

"We can talk in the garage," I suggested.

I followed down the hall to the large dark door and stepped in after him. I wanted him to see the shiny, black death trap. I wanted him to explain.

But he smiled.

"Good, it's here," he sounded relieved. "I was running out of reasons to keep Noah away."