Old Flames

Old Flames: Chapter 22

Old Flames: Chapter 22

“Was it that bad?” Lainie asked Aaron, smiling gently.  He shrugged and recounted his night with the kids as he dropped down onto the only chair in the room.  Lainie’s heart pinged when she heard how Chris suffered from the vomiting and diarrhea.  That had to be rough, and a part of her was glad she missed it.  But the mother in her wished she’d been there to ease her son’s discomfort through it all.

She looked down at Chris, who curled up on the hospital bed, apparently still exhausted from his sickness.  “Poor baby,” she muttered to him.  “Let’s get you home and in bed where you can rest.”

Aaron cleared his throat.  “Um, well...you can’t go home,” he said.  Lainie blinked at him.  “Your landlord’s insurance guy needs to assess the damage from the fire, and make sure the house is okay to occupy again.”

Oh.  She’d forgotten about the fire, only concerned with how awful she felt and worried about her children.  “But you said it was just the porch.  Surely the rest of the house is fine.”

“There are procedures, Lainie,” he explained.  “The house is very old.  Even if it was only the porch, there might be some structural damage, because of how houses were built back then.  You do want to make sure it’s safe before you can live there, right?”  

“Okay,” she said dejectedly since she couldn’t do anything about all that.  She only leased the house.  She didn’t own it.  “I’ll call Mom.  I guess we’ll have to stay there for a few days.”

Aaron didn’t seem too happy with that idea either.  “What?” she asked him.

“Lainie, I don’t like the idea of them staying at your mom’s house,” he answered, glancing at the kids to see how closely they were following the conversation.  Chris was nearly asleep again, and Chloe was playing the buttons on the bed, making the head rise and fall repeatedly.  “She’s not fit to care for them,” he finished in a whisper.

Lainie felt a little piqued by his assumption, but she was grateful that he tended to her kids when he didn’t have to.  So, she softened her voice to make sure she didn’t sound angry.  “Aaron, I appreciate all you’ve done, but I have to stay somewhere.  I will be there, too, you know.  It’s not like I plan on abandoning them again.”

Irritation flared in his clear, green eyes, and Lainie thought that maybe she sounded more peeved than she thought.  He cleared up her confusion by saying, “You didn’t abandon them, Lainie.  Don’t ever think that again.  You were sick.  You couldn’t help it.  No one blames you for that.”

She imagined there was a big fight on the horizon, yet, she didn’t want to do that here, with impressionable ears around.  “I didn’t mean that at all, Aaron, and I don’t want to discuss that right now.  Let’s just get out of here, okay?”

He rose from the chair and bent to pick up Chris.  A young man came into the room then, pushing a wheelchair, and Lainie eyed it with disdain.  The man smirked, as though to read her thoughts.  “Hospital rules, ma’am.  Everyone leaves in a chair.”

Lainie sighed and got in the chair.  Chloe crawled up in her lap, eager for a ride, and that made Lainie feel better about it.  Aaron followed behind them, Chris hefted in one arm and her overnight bag in the other.  Downstairs, he left her by the entrance with her escort while he went to retrieve his truck, taking her son and daughter with him.  The man leaning on the handles of her chair tried to make polite conversation and said, “You’ve got a nice family, ma’am.  How long have you been married?”

She opened her mouth to say that she wasn’t married to Aaron, but the words, “A few years,” came out instead.  

He said, “My wife’s expecting a set of twins, too.”

“Oh, congratulations,” she said, not know what else to say.

He smiled.  “I’m scared shitless,” he admitted.  “Never thought I’d get two kids at once, but I’ve watched how easy your husband manages, so I think I will, too.”

As Aaron pulled to a stop in the circle drive before them, Lainie stood up and turned to the man, really seeing him.  He looked to be only about twenty, very young by her standards to be a father, but there was maturity in his eyes.   “I think you’ll do just fine,” she told him and turned to join her “family.”  Aaron helped her into her seat and even went so far as to buckle her seat belt for her.  Their eyes met, Lainie’s heart jumped at the caring emotion running through his sea-foam orbs, and he smiled softly.  

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing,” she smiled back at him.

His hand brushed her hair back from her shoulder, and his expression told her he really wanted to kiss her right then.  He said, “You sure you want to go to your mom’s house?  You know you’re always welcome to stay with me.”

“Aaron, you’ve already done so much...”

“And I’d do a lot more, if you’d only let me,” he replied, now stroking his knuckles down her cheek.

“I can’t ask that of you,” she said, swallowing.

“You never have to ask, Lainie.”

“Please... just take me to my mother’s house,” she pleaded, because living with Aaron for only a couple of days might just be her downfall, and she wasn’t ready to shove her kids into another rocky situation quite yet.  They’d lost their father only months before.  What would they think about her taking up with another man so soon?

No, she couldn’t do that to them.  Not yet.

Aaron sighed heavily.  “Alright...to your mom’s.”

“Thank you,” she said, and he closed the passenger door and walked around to climb into his side.  She studied his profile as he drove, and so far, he didn’t seem upset or the least bit angry.  Just resigned.

A few blocks from the hospital, she called her mother to let her know they were on their way.  Genna said, “Oh, no, dear.  You can’t stay here.”

Lainie frowned.  Aaron peeked at her, but she was fairly certain he couldn’t hear what her mother was saying.  “Why not?”

Her mother paused for a moment.  “Because... you just can’t.”

“Mom, what’s going on?”

“Um...I have to leave for...a few days,” Genna said, slowly, and Lainie pursed her lips.  Something didn’t sound right.

“Mom...”

In a quick, pleased tone, Genna said, “I have termites in the pool house.”

Lainie groaned.  “Mom, we don’t plan on living in the pool house, you know.  It’ll be fine.  I can keep the kids away from the backyard.”

Her mother gasped slightly, like a child coming up with a quick lie.  “And I have mold in the air vents!”  She coughed -- a fake cough -- and added, “I have to leave right away, so you can’t stay here.  It’s not good for the kids.”

Lainie closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.  Aaron was very interested in her phone conversation by now.  “And where, dare I ask, are you going?”

“Vegas,” her mom exclaimed happily.

“You’re going to Las Vegas?  Just like that?”

“No good time like the present,” Genna said.  “I haven’t been in years.”

“You have termites and mold, and you’re going to Vegas,” Lainie said, just to be clear here.  Her mother was up to something, and she had a very good idea what that was.  The only problem with her reasoning was that her mother didn’t seem to like Aaron all that much, so why was she pushing Lainie on him like this?

“Yup.  I’ll be back on Saturday.”  And she hung up.

“So...” Aaron drew out.  “What’s going on?”

Lainie dropped her cell phone into her purse.  “My mother has termites eating at her pool house and mold breeding in her air vents, and she’s taking a trip to Las Vegas.”

He frowned, but there was a tiny, victorious smile playing around the corners of his mouth, and Lainie wondered if he knew about this all along.  “When did this happen?”

“Apparently, just now,” Lainie answered, watching him closely.  “Did you know anything about this?”

Innocence was written all over his face as he turned to her.  “Of course not.”  He turned back to watching the road and the traffic.  “So, I guess this means you need another place to stay?”

Lainie crossed her arms.  She didn’t know if she believed him.  She wanted to, but there was something very convenient about all of this.  “Take me to mom’s anyway.”

“But...”

Lainie interrupted by saying, “She’s up to something.  I can tell.  I want to talk to her.”

He exhaled roughly.  “Okay...to your mom’s.”

Genna was coming out of the front door, dragging a suitcase behind her as they pulled up.  Lainie got out of the truck and experienced a sense of dizziness as she stood up.  Immediately, Aaron was beside her.  “Take it easy, Lainie.  You’re still weak from the flu.”

She held onto the door for a moment to let the sensation pass.  “I’m fine,” she said and stomped over to her mother.

“Hey, Honey,” Genna said, stopping beside her car.  “You didn’t have to come see me off, but it’s very sweet of you.”

“Cut the crap, Mom,” Lainie said.  “What’s really going on?”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Mom, stop prevaricating.”

Her mother looked dumbfounded.  “Stop what?”

Lainie stuck her hands on her hips.  “Prevaricate.  It means ‘beating around the bush.’  And you’re doing it.”

Genna laughed.  “Oh, you and your vocabulary sometimes.  You must get that from all those books you edit, huh?”

Lainie pumped her fists like a child and stamped her foot with irritation.  Thank goodness the kids were still in the truck and didn’t witness that little act of immaturity.  “Mom!  You’re doing it again!  Just tell me what’s going on.”

Her mother dug out her cigarettes and lit one up.  Blowing smoke out of her nose, she said, “I’m going on a much-needed vacation.  That’s what I’m doing.  I’d think you’d be happy for me.”

“And your house?”

“The inspectors are coming this afternoon,” she said with a smug smile.  “They know how to get a hold of me if they need anything.”

Lainie felt a wave of exhaustion flow from her head to her toes.  “Mom...please tell me you’re not lying about all this.  I need you.  I can’t stay in my house, and I don’t have anywhere’s else to go.”

“You can stay in a hotel,” her mother offered, inhaling another drag and eying her daughter through the smoke.

“I can’t afford to stay in a hotel,” Lainie said.  Her mother glanced over at Aaron, who stood by his truck, watching them, but far enough away that he couldn’t hear their exchange.

“Then why don’t you ask your friend if you can stay with him?  He seemed only too eager to snatch my grandchildren away from me yesterday.”

Lainie stared at her mother as though she’d never seen the woman before in her life.  “Really, Mom?  That’s the way it is?  This is your way of retaliating because I asked Aaron to watch the kids?  Can you be any more childish?”

Genna snubbed out her cigarette under her shoe and considered her next words before speaking.  “Lainie, dear.  It’s time you moved on with your life.  You’ve got a man there, eager -- giddy to his toenails -- to take care of you and the children.  You should be grateful for that.  Most men wouldn’t take on a woman with two kids.”

Lainie clenched her teeth.  “I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

“Then why are you here, begging me to let you stay?”

Lainie never hit anyone in her life since that night she punched Aaron all those years ago.  And she considered it a cardinal sin to take a swipe at one’s own mother, but oh, the temptation!  She was tired, still sick, had no home to go to right this moment, practically broke, and two babies to provide for.  And her mother was pushing her away, instead of opening up her arms like a loving parent should in this situation.  

“Thank you, Mom,” Lainie pushed out.

Genna smiled.  “You’re welcome, but for what?”

“For making me subjugate myself in order to provide a home for my children while you’re off gallivanting in Las Vegas.  I will have to prey on Aaron’s mercy and charity once again.  You’ve taught me just how selfless and debasing mothers have to be to make sure their kids are safe and well-cared for,” Lainie answered sarcastically.

Her mother cocked her head to the side.  “There you go, using those big words again.  I guess it’s a good thing.  Chris and Chloe are exposed to a broader vocabulary.”

Lainie was done.  “Have a safe trip,” she spit out, dismissing her mother.  

“Thank you, dear.  I will.”  Genna climbed into her car and backed out of the driveway, waving as she drove away.  Aaron waited until she was out of sight before approaching.  He saw the tears gathering in her eyes and turned her around so the kids wouldn’t see them.

“You okay?”

Lainie blinked profusely.  “No.”

“Hey,” he said softly, taking her hand and rubbing the back of it.  “If it will make you feel any better, you and the kids can stay at my house, and I’ll go sleep at the station until you’re able to move back into your home, okay?”

There he went again, making everything seem so easy.  “I can’t ask you to do that,” she said.  “I won’t let you give up your home for me.”

“I’m willing, Lainie.  Whatever you need, I’ll do.”

She leaned into him, needing his comfort and strength more than anything else right then.  “If you don’t mind, we’ll just spend the night so I can figure out what to do.  Maybe we can go home tomorrow.”

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her head gently to his chest and smoothing circles on her back.  “You can stay as long as you need, Lainie.  You know that, and you would never have to repay me.  All I ask is that you’re happy and the kids are safe and happy, too.”

At that moment, Lainie felt it.  That old, familiar love blooming in her heart and soul, and she clung to him, wishing she had the courage to voice her emotions.  

But she didn’t.

Like the man at the hospital, Lainie Moon was scared shitless.  

Back at Aaron’s house, after an early, light lunch, he insisted that she take a nap while he kept the twins occupied.  He muttered something about burning some sleeping bags and spraying down his tent.  Lainie vaguely recalled what he was talking about, remembering their disastrous, camping-out tale.

Lainie was too tired to argue.  She crawled into his bed, feeling embarrassed about that, and sighed softly because it was one of those air beds which she could adjust the settings to a more comfortable level of softness.  After sleeping on that hard, hospital mattress, Aaron’s bed was like magic to her body.  And it smelled good, too.  Like fabric softener and his cologne.  His bedroom window overlooked his backyard, and through the opening of the curtains, she watched him playing with the kids as he attempted to clean up their makeshift campsite from the night before.  Their squeals of happiness and laughter encouraged her to close her eyes and drift off to sleep.

Aaron would tend to them.  She felt it in her heart that he would be very good for her children.

However, her nap did little to ease her anxiety.  She dreamt of Gary, and he was clearly unhappy at being replaced so soon.  

“They need a father,” she explain to her dead husband.

“I am their father,” he said angrily.

“You left us--”

“You pushed me away,” he yelled at her.  “You always loved them more than me!”

“Gary, please,” she begged him, but he wouldn’t hear her out.  

The rest of her dream was filled with him scowling at her, showing her scenes of their life while he still lived, mostly of their time before the twins were born.  Lainie awoke from her nap, feeling very confused and heartsick.  She knew Chris missed Gary very much and was angry at his daddy for dying, and Chloe seemed to be alright, but Lainie just didn’t know sometimes.  There were days when her daughter would sneak into her bedroom and stare at their family photo.  She would draw pictures of her daddy, and Lainie knew that she missed him, too.

As she lay, staring at the ceiling, she realized that the house was too quiet for her kids to be up and about.  Lainie crawled out of Aaron’s bed in search of the rest of the household.  She found them in the living room, both kids curled up beside Aaron in his recliner, fast asleep.  He was watching television, but the sound was turned down so low, it was barely audible.  Aaron smiled at her.

“She lives,” he said, teasing her.

“What time is it?”

“Almost four,” he answered.  “You got a call from your landlord.”

“Your father, you mean,” she said, cautious not to put any scorn in her voice, but the sentiment was there.

He gave her an understanding gaze.  “I told him you were still unwell, so he said he’d meet with you tomorrow.”  He watched for her reaction.  Lainie sat on his couch, tucking her legs under her and stared at her precious, sleeping children in his arms.  She had a bad feeling about all this.  For some reason, she knew that Aaron’s father would find a reason to evict her because of the fire, and she didn’t know why he would do that.  Why did he want her out of the house so badly?  Did he really dislike her that much?  Or was it for another reason?

She looked up at Aaron.  He watched her carefully, his arms hugging Chris and Chloe tighter to him.  Lainie didn’t miss the protective gesture, and her mind flashed back to Gary in her dream.  That stubborn guilt swamped her.  She recognized that she was falling in love with Aaron all over again, but was it fair to replace the kids’ father so quickly and blithely?

She knew that Aaron had no issue with that.  He was -- what did her mother say? --  “giddy to his toenails.”  And if it were only Lainie here, she’d be inclined to explore their renewed relationship further.  But the kids?  Were they ready?

They obviously adored Aaron, yet Lainie thought it was because they were just so young and hungry for the love that only a father could give them.  Ten years from now, when the rebellious teenage years set in, would they hate her for discarding their real father so easily?

“Lainie,” Aaron said softly, bringing her attention back to him.  “Whatever you feel is best...”  He left the declaration hanging, proving to her just how understanding and sensitive he was to her plight.  

She smiled at him because she did trust him.  It was herself she was battling with.  “What do you think is best, Aaron?”

He stole a glance at the tiny bodies in his embrace, and Lainie spied pure indulgence and weakness of fortitude in his expression.  Yet, true to the mature man he’d become, he said, “I think that, as their mother, you will always make the most beneficial choice for them.”

She had to know.  “And if that doesn’t include you?”

Pain plagued his look at her, but he hid it behind a small smile.  “I may not agree, but I will stand behind you whatever you choose.”

She returned his smile.  It took a lot of courage to say that.  “Thank you.”

He didn’t reply, only turned back to watching the television and tensing slightly as though she was about to make a decision right then, taking her kids from him and never look back.  Lainie sighed, stretching out on the couch to stare at the show as well.  After a moment, she sensed him relaxing.

Then it hit her.  She had more impertinent worries to think about.  Like the sleeping arrangements.  Aaron only had the one bed.  His house had two bedrooms, like hers, but the second was currently occupied with Bowser’s dog bed and a jumble of cardboard boxes...and the room smelled like the canine.  Lainie figured that she could sleep on the couch tonight, and the kids could make a pallet on the floor, but she knew that Aaron wouldn’t allow that.  She’d be given his bed, and he’d make other arrangements.

Or maybe he would just offer to share.

Lainie’s body tingled with that thought, even though she knew she’d never agree to it.  How could she sleep with him while the twins snoozed in the other room?

She risked a glance at him.  Aaron had abandoned the television show to watch her through hooded eyes.  As if he could read her very thoughts, a dark yearning glowed from behind his eyelashes...and he smiled precisely to let her know he was thinking about that, too.

Lainie blushed and looked away.  The night to come should get very interesting indeed.