Is a Dream Just a Dream?

The Choice

July 2002

"Congratulations mate, do twins run in your family?" Not that I'm aware of actually it's weird I can't think of a single set of twins on my side. Either my father's or my mother's people "Maybe they run in Kristen's family somewhere..." Mick lifts his beer and we clink out glasses together the BBQ we're throwing in honor of the boys coming home from the hospital is up and swinging. The Mac, minus Stevie because Kristen banned her from social functions, are all here. Poking at the sausages on the grill I take a few off minding not to burn the others.

Dicky, one of Kristen's friends, muscles over toward me glass of white wine dripping cold condensation down his fingertips "Love the patio Linds, did Krissy decorate?" Of course she did. I don't decorate around here, if I did things would look a hell of a lot different. Fewer sharp modern angles for starters, I'm starting to feel like we live in an art museum. "Well, she's got a better eye for style than I do" and a better capability to spend my money. When did I become that guy?

Oh right when I got married.

"You know I think a marble statuette would look divine near that fountain don't you?" Dicky sips at his cool beverage as I spear another sausage "Yeah sure...say Dick you mind taking these inside?" he nearly clutches his pearls at the suggestion of work but with no other alternative but to do what I ask, lest he be seen as rude, he balances the tray of sausages as he navigates his way around pool furniture and inside. I hear a petulant squeal and watch as a streak of blue and wild chestnut curls comes flying out side.

Kristen hustles to catch him her face in a tight lipped smile "William, sweetheart mommy needs to put sunscreen on your back so you don't burn up" Will runs behind my leg clutching the hem of my shorts "I don't want it!" hands on her hips Kristen looks at me to intervene, right parenting and stuff. "Will, buddy you need to put your sunscreen on if you want daddy to take you swimming" he groans scrunching his eyes trying to be as tough as a four year old possibly can "I'm not kidding young man sunscreen now". Kicking the ground he walks towards Kristen who takes his hand.

"That burger is burning" I move the offending piece of meat away from the flames as she walks away toward the house "Thanks for taking care of that Lindsey. No problem honey..." as if she'd ever thank me for anything. I open another beer and Mick scoops a fresh hamburger onto his already dressed bun "Where's our little white winged dove? She only lives twenty minutes away. Don't tell me she's still making grand entrances after all these bloody years" he shakes his head impatiently and I flip another burger.

"Stevie's not coming...she had a previous engagement" Chris lights a cigarette sipping from her wine as usual. Somethings never change. "Well I personally don't understand why she's still holding on to that old bologna from the 70's. we're all too damn old to have grudges" I couldn't agree more and I'm sure she's of the same mind, but l cant very well tell my bandmates that Stevie's been perma-banned from parties at the Buckingham residence.

"Lindsey check on Bryce and Derrick!" I resist the urge to yell back and John and Mick both chortle at my obvious restraint "Here" I hand Christine the meat fork which she stares at then uses to prod the food on the grill "Well at least mine won't be burnt".

I swish the sliding glass closed rushing over to the bassinet where Elania, the nanny Kristen hired, gently rocks my twin boys. I can't help but soften my demeanor the instant I clap eyes on them "Hey guys" Bryce and Derrick are only two weeks old, and they couldn't be more beautiful. Bending down I stroke the downy softness of their hair as they make infant noises. "they look just like you". Well, they have blue eyes and curly hair which most babies have by default. But yeah, I see a strong resemblance to me and Greg.