Siblings (2 page)

Chapter 2

6:15 a.m. at the Symington Household

Marilyn Symington heard her husband get up and leave the bedroom for the main bathroom down the hall. She knew his routine on holidays. He always rose early, shaved, and waited until he heard her in the kitchen before returning to the bedroom to dress. If perchance she was sleeping in, he would usually go down to the living room and watch TV with the volume very low, so as not to wake her.

She went to the small bathroom off their bedroom, ran a comb through her short blond hair, brushed her teeth, and gargled some mouthwash. She put on a bathrobe and made her way down the hall to the staircase. As she passed the main bathroom, Marilyn thought she heard her husband talking to someone, but dismissed it as coming from an early morning talk show on the radio that he often listened to as he shaved.

Marilyn Meret Symington, née Porter, worked as a Special Needs Teacher until the birth of their first child and then dedicated her time to raising her family. Born of well-to-do parents, Marilyn was used to the better things in life, including the best schools and travel abroad. She met Ron at a church dance and was immediately smitten by his confident demeanor and his plans for the future. They had courted for four months when she discovered she was pregnant. He offered to perform an abortion, having received high grades for his classes in the subject, but Marilyn refused to even consider such an idea. “We want to raise a family, so let’s start now,” she reasoned. She convinced Ron that marriage would be the best solution. He acquiesced, and a month later, in his last year of residency, they had a simple marriage ceremony in the church where they had met four months earlier and where they also had had their first sex together in the church’s parking lot. It was a small wedding attended by only a few close friends. Both Ron and Marilyn’s parents had passed and neither had any other siblings. They were on their own.

Their first son, Richard, followed in his father’s footsteps, becoming an OB/GYN at the town’s hospital.

Daughter Margaret continued the family in medicine by becoming an RN.

Their son Wilson was a different story. He was arrested in 2009 for drug possession and intent to distribute. His father hired a top-notch lawyer to defend his son, hoping to get him off as a first offender, but Judge Philip E. Benson had other ideas and put Wilson in a minimum security prison for five years with the possibility of parole in three. Wilson was paroled in the spring of 2013, but instead of returning home, he moved in with a high school chum. The only job he could find was as the supervisor of the valet service at the town’s only hotel, Wallington House.

Arriving in the kitchen, Marilyn’s first job on this Thanksgiving Day would be to start the coffee brewer. It was already set up to make eight to ten cups. All she had to do was plug in the machine. Ron liked his coffee strong and undiluted by any dairy or sweeteners. She removed two mugs from the cabinet, set them by the coffee maker, and sat down with a pen and a blank sheet of paper to make a schedule that would assure everything was done on time. She thought,
If only there was some way to guarantee that everyone would have a good time
.

She finished her list just as Ron entered the kitchen. “I smell something good brewing,” he said as he walked over to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup. “Are you ready for yours?”

“Sure. I’ll add the cream.”

He filled the mug and brought it over to the table, then went to the refrigerator to get the carton of half and half.

“Good morning, Lynn,” he said as he leaned over to kiss her on the cheek.

Ron and Marilyn Symington, both in their fifties, were still very much in love. Through the trials and tribulations of raising three children they still managed to make love at least once a week. Thanks to the “little blue pill,” Ron had no difficulty keeping up with the sexual needs of his bride of twenty-nine years, who regardless of her age was a very passionate lover.

“Did you sleep well?”

“I did after I took a pill. I tried to get to sleep without it, but my mind was racing with dozens of thoughts. So finally at midnight I gave in.” She took a big sip from her cup.

“You’re looking sharp today, Ron,” she said after taking a lengthy, admiring look. “I like that combination on you. It goes so well with your blue eyes and dark hair.”

“You mean my graying hair, don’t you?”

“I don’t see you that way. Sure there’s some gray blending in, but it gives you a very distinguished look and you do still have a full head of hair, just like your father.”

“Getting back to last night, Lynn, what was on your mind the most?”

“Oh, nothing in particular. You know how I get when we’re going to be entertaining. There’s so much to do and I want everything to be perfect.”

“Isn’t Maggie coming over early to help you with the preparations?”

“Well, yes, but there’s just so much she can do. Her heart is in the right place, but I have to watch what she does. She tries, I’ll give her that, but her mind seems to be miles away. I’m not sure I’ll ever feel right about turning over my family’s secret recipes to her.”

“Is that all that’s on
your
mind? It doesn’t seem as if Maggie’s lack of culinary skill would be enough to lose sleep over. After all, she helps you every year. By now you should know what you can trust her with. I would think that you would be more concerned about everyone getting along.”

“Well, I am, a little bit. Yesterday I read an article on how to avoid family arguments on Thanksgiving. The author pointed out that there’s something about Thanksgiving Day that brings out the worst in people. His viewpoint is that every family is dysfunctional in some way and that every family member has an Achilles heel of one sort or another. It’s just the nature of things when people get together, for them to push buttons. Sometimes you hit a sore point without even knowing it. When you get a small group like this together it doesn’t take too much to get someone riled up. The author thought that it might be that there were no presents involved to act as a distraction as there is on Christmas and at birthdays. His second idea was the lack of activity, too much sitting around, which results in idle conversation, which in turn often leads to hurtful words. The biggest culprit on his list was alcohol. In his view, nothing fueled ‘differences of opinion’ more than an elevated blood alcohol level. He pointed out that it only took one argumentative person to over-consume to set things off. He concluded that it was sort of a catch twenty-two. I think we’re just going to have to play it by ear.”

“Maybe you should stick to a festive punchbowl and forget to put in the punch. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it sounds as if you’re more concerned about today than you’re letting on. Who do you think will be the main perpetrator?”

“You know our kids; each has managed to stir things up in the past. It could be any one of them and once they get started, they won’t back down. Unfortunately, they all have issues.”

“Did that magazine writer of yours recommend anything else to help us get past the Thanksgiving dinner blues?”

“Yes he did, matter of fact. Some of his suggestions are rather obvious, like he says if an argument starts, you should try to change the subject. Now, that’s a joke. Try to do that with our gang—fat chance. Some of the advice makes sense, though. We need to keep them entertained. He suggested that we have something going on in more than one room. That’s good advice since we have TV in the living room and out on the porch. Between the parade and football, there will be enough to watch if that’s what they want to do. You can set up the corn-hole game in the backyard. They all enjoy playing that, and of course we have the pool table and the ping pong table downstairs. We just need enough things for them to do. That’s going to be your job. I’m putting you in charge of entertainment.”

“I realized yesterday that I still don’t know much about Richard’s fiancée, but when I asked Richard about her, he was very vague. They’ve only been going together for six months; she moved in with him a month ago. The only thing I know about her is what we learned last month when we had dinner with them at his place. She seems like a very nice person. Let’s try to get her to talk about herself a little at dinner. Maybe that will help keep things peaceful. I plan to serve dinner around two-thirty. Richard and his fiancée will be here at noon. I have no idea when Wilson will get here, but it will probably be around noon also. That leaves two and a half hours that we need to keep them entertained and out of trouble.”

“Well, we’ll have to play that by ear, I guess.”

“Do you remember the time that Richard and Wil got into it over the last croissant?”

“Oh god, yes. How could I ever forget that day? Out of spite, Richard put the whole croissant in his mouth and Wil got so angry that he stabbed Richard’s hand with a fork. Fortunately he didn’t cut the skin, but we were worried there for a few minutes.”

Smiling, Ron said, “Well, I suggest that you make extra croissants today.”

“Don’t worry; there’ll be plenty of everything. Now, can I make you anything for breakfast?”

“No, don’t bother. You’ve got enough to do today. I’ll just have a glass of orange juice and a bowl of cereal.”

“I guess I’ll have the same.”

They finished their coffee and cereal at the same time. Ron gathered up the dishes. “I’ll clean up here. You need to get dressed.”

“What, in my best ‘going to kitchen’ clothes? That won’t take too long. The bird is a little over twenty pounds and I want to get him cleaned, stuffed, and in the oven by nine. I’m going to slow roast him today.”

“I can hardly wait.”

“Getting back to the alcohol situation, the punch bowl without any booze is probably not a good idea. It’s sort of saying that we don’t trust them. Offer them beer or wine after they settle in and then wait for them to ask for refills. That’s about all we can do without being too obvious. I don’t want them to feel uncomfortable. After all, we invited them over here.”

Marilyn returned to the bedroom, took a quick shower, and sat down at the makeup table to apply some eyeliner, mascara, and eyebrow pencil. She could always do the rest later. Right now she just wanted to look presentable for when Maggie arrived. She went to the closet, picked out a pair of slacks, and put on a cotton top that was roomy and cool; something that would provide some comfort from the heat of the kitchen.

As she walked by the full length mirror on the closet door, she glanced over her shoulder and gave herself a quick approval. She made a quick call to her daughter and then headed on down to the kitchen. There was so much to be done.

Chapter 3

Margaret was already up, brushed, and enjoying a cup of coffee when her mother called. Maggie, at 5’7” and 119 lbs., would by most standards be considered a good catch. A curvaceous blond, she had no trouble turning the heads of the young, unattached doctors and even some of the married ones; however, her easy-going nature made her vulnerable to men wanting a good time rather than a serious relationship. It was a major process for her to sort out the difference.

Maggie moved out of the family house two years before when she became engaged to Tom Easton, a sales manager for a large Ford dealership in Wallington. They moved in together, and it was a whirlwind romance with lavish gifts of jewelry, trips, and a new car. Maggie was looking forward to a big wedding a few months out when one day, having had a change in her shift, she returned to the apartment to find Tom in bed with their neighbor. Totally heartbroken, she sought shelter with a fellow nurse. She returned the ten thousand dollar engagement ring, but kept the car. Her father tried to get her to move back home, but she felt too embarrassed. Instead she got her own apartment just minutes away from work, making visits home even more infrequent and mostly only around holidays.

Maggie knew it would take a very special man to overcome the pain she suffered from Tom’s betrayal. He had not appeared on the scene as yet. Meanwhile, as the search continued, there was no lack of male companionship in her life.

“Hi, Mom!”

“I didn’t call too early, did I?”

“No. I’ve been up since five -thirty. I just finished an hour of Tai Chi and had a light breakfast. What’s up?”

“I was just wondering what time you were coming over.”

“I was planning on getting there between nine and nine-thirty, unless you need me sooner.”

“Oh, no dear, that will be just fine. I wonder if you would do me a favor, though. Will you stop at the Corona Mart on the way here and pick up a package of refrigerated croissants, their store brand? I think they come in a twelve pack.”

“Sure, I pass by a couple of them on the way over. I know they’re open all day today. Are you sure that’s all you need? I’ll be glad to pick up anything else.”

“Well, now that you mentioned it, you could also get a large can of cranberry jelly. I don’t care what brand you get. I just want an extra can for leftovers during the week. I’m baking a twenty-pounder this year, so there’s bound to be plenty of leftovers. I hope everyone will want to take some home.”

“I’ll take care of everything, Mom. I’ll get a few of those plastic storage containers too. You know, I’m really looking forward to meeting Richard’s fiancée. What’s her name again? Terry?”

“Theresa. We met her once. She seems like a real nice girl. She moved in with him.”

“Well, that’s a big step. I guess they’re serious about being together.”

“Richard hasn’t said anything about it. He’s very hush-hush about her. Maybe they’re planning to make an announcement today; who knows. It would be the perfect opportunity, although sometimes couples like to wait until Christmas or New Year’s to announce their engagement.”

“That would be nice. How long have they been going together?”

“About six months, as far as I know. I think she works in the office at the hospital where Richard has his practice.”

“Well, I’ll see you a little after nine, then. Love you, Mom.”

“Bye, dear.”

Once again, her mother ignored her “love you.” Maggie was raised in a family that was uncomfortable expressing their love for one another. She was certain the love existed. She could tell by the way her parents raised her and her two brothers, but she could not remember a single instance when either her mother or father expressed that love with a simple “I love you”; not even on greeting cards. Maggie’s attempt to introduce a verbal expression of love was always a miserable failure.
I’ll never understand people. Why is it so hard to say “I love you”?

Maggie clicked off the cell phone and reached for her coffee mug. She started thinking about Thanksgiving Dinners past.
I sure hope things go well today. I hate seeing Mom getting upset after all the work she does. I’ll try to check my sensitivity at the door today, but I know that I can count on Richard for a zinger or two. Maybe, with his fiancée there, he’ll be at his best behavior. If he starts with me, though, I’m not just going to sit there and take it. Fiancée or not, I’ll put him in his place. I don’t think he’ll start anything, though. I’m sure he won’t want Theresa to think she’s marrying into a dysfunctional family.

Then there’s Wil. We used to be so close, but all that’s changed now. I remember as a kid we used to hang out together. Richard was always aloof, but Wil was special to me. Hell, we even practiced kissing with each other when we were teens. Once, he even had a mental lapse and put his hand on my breast. I remember at the time I had all I could do to act nonplussed by the situation.

Everything was going good for him until he came home for Christmas during his last year at college and got involved with the neighborhood thugs, the Abbott brothers. That’s when he got into drugs. When I visited him in jail, he told me he wasn’t using; just selling for them. He swore to me that he wouldn’t see the Abbotts when he got out and that he wouldn’t ever sell drugs again. I believe him.

She left her apartment at eight-thirty and headed straight for the Corona Mart.