A Falice Story

45. Grandma Kathleen

"Mom--what...what the hell are you doing here?"

My mother clicks the snow off of her boots anxiously, "I wanted to see you. I wanted to see my grandbabies."

Kathleen Jones was a good person, she just hadn't been a very good mother.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair, trying to comprehend the fact that my mother who has been in an out of my life since I was a kid--and whom I have not seen in 10 years, is standing on my doorstep on Christmas day. 

And as if on cue, the whole Brady Bunch has to wander through the kitchen and crowd around behind me. 

"Grandma?!" Jughead says in disbelief, moving towards the front of the pack.

My mother's face lights up upon seeing him, "Jug?! Oh my god! Look at you! Aren't you just as handsome as your father! I can't believe it!" He blushes slightly and embraces her warmly.

"Well, that's what happens when you don't see someone for ten years..." I mutter under my breath and Alice picks up on it.

JB is hanging back by me. I know she doesn't remember her Grandmother at all. I sigh, "Mom--this is the baby, well, not anymore, but the last time you saw her she was."

She can tell by the tone of my voice that it was a statement dripping with disdain, but even so, she smiles widely, "Oh, my, Forsythia? Wow! You are just beautiful. I bet you have lots of boyfriends, huh?"

JB giggles, "Well, not lots."

The rest of the crew awkwardly hangs around and I can tell by my mother's expression that she's confused as hell as to who all these people are. 

She spots Gladys, who conveniently tried to hide behind Charles and my mother's cheery mood changes significantly upon seeing her, "Gladys. Hello. I am sure surprised you two are still...together."

Gladys looks at me and we both burst out laughing. 

"That is a good one! Whew! That is rich..." Gladys says, trying to contain herself.

My mother stares at us both in bewilderment, "I'm sorry? Am I missing something?"

"We aren't together anymore! Me and him have been split up for years!" Gladys says still chuckling.

My mother half laughs, "Okay, so why are you here then?"

"I ask myself that same question every day," Alice pipes up, smiling sweetly. 

I realize this is going to take a lot more explaining than, 'Hey, let me quickly introduce you to everyone while we all stand in the entryway' type of ordeal. 

"Uh, Mom--why don't you come in so I can explain this."

She nods happily, "Okay." 

Jughead takes her jacket and she follows us into the living room. "Lovely home, FP."

"Thank you..."

I sit down on the couch with Alice and my mother sits across from us with Jughead and JB each on a side. 

"So...uh, yeah. This is Alice--"

"--Alice? As in high school Alice? Jessica Smith's daughter?" my mother questions with a pleased smile.

"Yes. That's her," I say with a smile, looking over at Alice.

"Are you two...?"

"We are," Alice answers, "We've been back together for about a year now."

I can tell my mother is very happy about this, "That's wonderful! Can I just say, you are just as beautiful now, as you were in high school."

Alice eats that comment up and I catch Gladys rolling her eyes from the lounge chair. 

"These are Alice's girls, Betty and Polly--the little ones are Polly's kiddos, Juniper and Dagwood."

My mother smiles, but I can tell the only thing she's thinking about is how bizarre the twins' names are.

"You two are simply stunning! You obviously get that from your mother."

Gladys mutters something in irritation under her breath and Alice can only bask in the glory that is my mother fawning over her, while ignoring the fact that Gladys even existed. 

"It's no nice to meet you Mrs. Jones."

"Oh, Betty! Please, call me Grandma Kathleen."

I finally get to Charles and I know this one is going to be a huge shock to my mother. "This man right here, is my son, Charles."

She looks between myself and Charles for several seconds, a stunned expression on her face. 

"FP--I--did you--?"

"I got Alice pregnant when we were juniors in high school. I cared about her a lot, but I was an idiot and didn't know how to communicate that to her. So, things spiraled out of hand and she and I broke up. I didn't even know Charles existed until about a year ago."

As my mother is trying to process, Alice takes my hand, "I didn't tell FP Charles was his until last year. I tried to convince my ex-husband into thinking the baby was his. I thought I'd be able to keep him. But Hal wanted me to...end the pregnancy, which I refused to do. So, I got sent to the Sisters of Quiet Mercy until the baby came. I had to give Charles up minutes after he was born--and I'll never forgive myself for it."

I wrap my arm around her back, rubbing it gently. My mother looks at the two of us with a sad smile, "Oh, my. You poor thing--I can't believe what you've been through."

She stands up and goes over to Charles, who also stands up. "It is so nice to meet you, Charles. I truly am happy to know I have another grandbaby--and a very handsome one at that," she pinches his cheek jokingly and he laughs. 

"I'm very happy to meet you too."

I know I shouldn't be frustrated over the fact that my kids are happy their Grandma is here, but I can't help it. I'm still so bitter over what she did to my siblings and I.

Moments later the baby monitor goes off and Alice gets up to go get Isla. My mother looks at us surprised, "I didn't know Polly had another child?"

Alice and I exchange a laugh, "Charles isn't your only new grandchild, Kathleen. Actually, FP and I just had another one--a couple weeks ago, believe it or not."

"You did?!"

She nods with a smile, "I sure did. I'll be right down with her."

I stand up to follow her, needing to talk to Alice in private, "Let me help you, Al."