Fireflies & Family Ties

by Rachel Hanna

  She popped back up and looked at him. “They’re new mommies, William. Do you think they have unlimited income for yoga classes?”

  He smiled slightly. “Do you?”

  “Do I what?”

  “Have unlimited income?”

  “No…”

  “Janine, you asked me to help you with this place, to make sure you were successful. And I have to say…”

  “What?”

  “Now, don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re not the best business person I’ve ever met.”

  She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “That was rude! And I never claimed to be a business person. I’m a yoga teacher!”

  “When you decided to open this place, you became a business person too, Janine. And right now, if you keep making plans like this, this place will go under in a matter of weeks.”

  She was fuming now. “As my boyfriend, aren’t you supposed to support me no matter what?”

  “I’m trying to support you, honey… by telling you the truth. If you give away free classes and discounts, you won’t be able to pay your bills, much less yourself.”

  “I teach yoga to help people.” She walked over to the desk and took a sip of water.

  “You can’t be so…”

  “So what?”

  “Naive. New Age. Head in the clouds.”

  “Get out!”

  “Excuse me?”

  She pointed toward the door. “Get out, Will! If you think those things of me, then we obviously aren’t meant to be!”

  He walked toward her. “Come on now, Janine. You’re just upset…”

  “Don’t patronize me! Get out! Right now!”

  William looked at her for a moment before quietly turning and walking out the door, placing the notepad he had in his hand on the desk as he walked by. She watched him walk down the sidewalk and out of sight before the first tears started to fall.

  Chapter 5

  “So, where did you grow up?” Colleen asked Tucker as they sat together at lunch. This had been their routine for the last week, meeting for lunch at the bistro down the road from both of their offices. A couple of times, he’d shown her samples of toys he was testing. Other times, he’d shown her drawings on his iPad of new toys he was working on. She found the whole thing intriguing.

  “Right outside of Nashville, actually.”

  “And you didn’t become a country music star? Even with a name like Tucker?”

  He smiled. “I’ll have you know that I wanted to be a country music singing sensation. I wanted to be on the Grand Old Opry and win a music award.”

  “Well, what happened?”

  “Turns out I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.”

  Colleen laughed. “That makes two of us. When I was in middle school, my horribly mean theatre teacher made me take a singing part in Oklahoma. I just remember standing there, on stage in front of family and classmates, and freezing. My mouth literally wouldn’t move. The only sound that came out was some kind of croaking noise that sounded like I’d swallowed a frog!”

  “You poor thing,” he said, taking a bite of his chicken salad sandwich.

  “Yes, I’m still very traumatized by it.”

  “So, do you have siblings?”

  “Just one. A sister. Her name is Meg, and she’s nineteen.”

  “I have two brothers, both older, both married with kids. Todd lives in Colorado and runs a tech firm. Mark lives in Montana and has a cattle ranch, of all things.”

  “And you play with toys?”

  “Living the dream.”

  “I think you are. When you have kids one day, you’ll be the coolest father out there.” As soon as she said it, she felt like she’d put her foot in her mouth.

  “Thanks. I hope to be a father one day.”

  “Oh yeah? Do you want a big family?”

  “I’d like to have three kids, I think. Of course, my wife would have to agree to that. I don’t think I should get the deciding vote on that one.”

  “Good answer,” she said, smiling as she sipped on her sweet tea. She found herself enjoying his company so much more than she expected. He was easygoing, and she just felt comfortable sitting with him.

  “What about you? Are kids in your future?”

  “I hope so. I mean, I’m still young. I’ll be twenty-two in a few months, but I definitely want to have kids one day. I thought I was getting closer to that life recently…” Foot in mouth all over again.

  “Really? Why is that?”

  She sighed. “I recently broke off an engagement.”

  Tucker seemed surprised. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Don’t be. It was for the best. We were not a good match.”

  “Well, I have to say I’m glad because otherwise we wouldn’t have met, right?”

  “Right,” she said, struggling to contain her smile.

  “And I really enjoy your company, Colleen.”

  “I enjoy yours too.”

  “Good. So, would you like to… um… go on an actual date sometime?”

  She grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Dixie stood at the front register, watching people pass by on the street outside the shop. She loved to people watch. Mainly, she liked to make up stories about them as they walked by.

  She was surprised to see Julie’s daughter, Meg, walk through the door.

  “Well, hello again, young lady!” Dixie said with a smile.

  “Hi.”

  “Your Mom isn’t working today, hon. She had a dental appointment over in Charleston.”

  Meg smiled. “Yes, I know. I just thought I’d come browse around a bit, if you don’t mind?”

  “Of course. Can I get you a cup of coffee? We have a new French roast that’s heavenly.”

  Meg paused for a moment. “No, thanks. I’ve been trying to cut back on coffee.”

  Dixie eyed her carefully. “I understand. Well, make yourself at home, sweetie. I’m going to do a little cleaning behind this register.”

  “Thanks.”

  Meg walked toward the back of the store, looking at Dixie one more time before disappearing behind a bookshelf. If she didn’t know the girl, she might have thought she was a shoplifter. She was definitely hiding something, and Dixie felt certain she knew what it was.

  It wasn’t in Dixie’s nature to hold her tongue, and she immediately knew this time wasn’t going to be any different. She quietly walked to the back of the store and could see Meg looking at the pregnancy books. Surely, a young girl like herself could find all sorts of information on the Internet, but she seemed engrossed in whatever pregnancy book she was holding.

  Dixie felt a pang go through her chest. She remembered what that felt like. Back in her teenage years, she’d found herself pregnant too. It was the most tumultuous, scary time of her life. A few weeks in, she’d lost that baby, something she’d never really gotten over to this day.

  “Honey?”

  Meg turned around quickly, trying to hide the book behind her back. “Oh. You scared me,” she said, her voice shaking.

  “It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone.”

  “Tell anyone what?”

  “That you’re pregnant.”

  Meg’s eyes opened wide, and she laughed nervously. “What in the world would make you think that?”

  Dixie leaned against a bookshelf, one of the things she often did to stabilize herself after her Parkinson’s diagnosis. “Well, darlin’, when I gave you that hug a few days ago, I felt a baby bump as clear as day.”

  “I’ve just put on some weight recently. All those baguettes in France, I guess,” she said, giggling nervously.

  “Sweetie, it’s time to admit the truth, isn’t it?”

  Meg hung her head. “Oh no… Did you say something to my mother?”

  “No, of course not. That’s not my business, hon. But, your momma is sure worried about you, and I think you need to be honest with her. A girl needs her mother when she’s pregnant.”

/>   Meg put the book back on the shelf and sighed. “I do need her. I hate lying to her.”

  “Then why’re you doing it?”

  She shrugged her shoulders. “I just can’t take the thought of my mother being disappointed in me like that. Do you know how proud she was to tell everyone that I had straight A’s in high school? And that I got into a university in Europe with a full ride scholarship? She was just beaming. And now I’m supposed to tell her that I’m knocked up, unmarried and no longer in school?”

  Dixie smiled. “Mommas love their babies, no matter what. Life doesn’t always take a straight course, sweetie. Your Mom knows that. She’ll love you and be proud of you no matter what. Now, I’m not saying she won’t be shocked as heck, but she’ll get over that.”

  “I’m actually planning on telling her this weekend. We have a family dinner planned, so I don’t want to ruin it. But the next morning, I’m going to do it. I can’t wait anymore. Besides, my Aunt Janine and my sister know now, so it’s only a matter of time before Mom finds out.”

  “Wait. They know and your Mom doesn’t? Oh, hon, that’s not good.”

  “I know. I didn’t intend for that to happen.”

  Dixie walked closer and put her hands on Meg’s shoulders. “You’re going to be a momma soon. Time to deal with the hard stuff head on, okay? Tell your mother.”

  Meg smiled as a tear escaped her eye. “I will. I promise.”

  Dixie took the book off the shelf and handed it to her. “Here. This is my gift to you.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t…”

  “Take it. Really.”

  Meg took it and slipped it in her tote bag. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. And congratulations, little momma.”

  Julie pressed down on the potato masher with all her force, and probably more than was needed for potatoes.

  “Why are you so angry today? We’re having a nice family dinner, but you’re acting like a rabid wolverine right now,” Janine said, taking the masher out of her hands.

  “I’m not angry,” Julie said, turning her attention to the biscuit dough. She punched and pulled at it, rolling it out on the countertop.

  “Julie, come on. What’s up?”

  She stopped and sighed. “I guess it’s this whole thing with Dawson. I’ve tried to pretend I didn’t see him and Tiffany exchanging numbers, but I just can’t.”

  “Why don’t you just ask him about it?”

  “Seriously? And you think he’d tell me the truth? Men always hide whatever they need to.”

  “Julie, this is Dawson we’re talking about. Have you forgotten what a great guy he is?”

  She hung her head. “Maybe I have. Of course, I haven’t seen him much this week. Every time I invite him to get together, he tells me he’s just really busy working right now. We live on an island. How busy could he be?”

  “Is he coming today?”

  “Who knows? I invited him, and he said he’d try to stop by.”

  “What’s for dinner?” Colleen asked as she breezed into the kitchen. Ever since she met Tucker, she’d been all smiles, constantly in a good mood. Julie was excited to meet him soon, although Colleen wasn’t quite ready to bring him to Sunday dinner. With her girls home, she wanted to create a new tradition, and this meal was just the way to do that.

  “Well, we’re having grilled lemon chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits and a cherry cobbler for dessert,” Julie said, planting a smile on her face. “Where’s Meg?”

  “I think she’s freshening up. She’ll be out here in a minute.”

  “How much freshening up does a nineteen-year-old need to do?” Julie said with a laugh. “I’d give anything to be that age again.”

  “Tell me about it,” Janine said.

  “Hello?” Dawson said as he walked in the front door. He was dressed nicely, in his best jeans and a white button up shirt.

  Julie smiled slightly. “Hey. Glad you could make it.”

  “Of course. Wouldn’t miss it. Here, I brought some of Lucy’s famous sweet tea.” He handed her a jug, and she immediately felt bad. There was no way Dawson would hide something from her, especially not knowing her history. She was just being ridiculous. As she looked up at him, her heart melted a bit.

  “Thanks. I love Lucy’s tea.”

  Dawson gave her a quick kiss on top of her head, something he did a lot, and waved at Janine and Colleen. “Can I do anything?”

  “Nope. We’ve got it covered. Make yourself at home,” she said, pointing at the sofa. The TV already had some game on, and she was sure Dawson would have no trouble amusing himself.

  “Well, don’t you look cute,” Julie said as Meg walked into the living room. She was wearing an oversized pink sweater and a pair of jeans. “But I think that sweater’s a bit big on you, sweetie. You’re such a tiny thing, like your Aunt Janine. Show off that young figure while you can!”

  Meg sucked in a sharp breath. “It’s just the style, Mom,” she said, with that teenager attitude that most parents recognized well.

  “It’s adorable, honey. I wasn’t trying to pick a fight…” Julie started to say, but Meg just rolled her eyes and walked into the living room, plopping down into the chair and closing her eyes. “Is she okay?” Julie asked, looking at Colleen for some kind of help.

  “She’s just hormonal,” Colleen said.

  “Oh. I see. Should I get her some pain medication?”

  “No!” Colleen and Janine said a the same time. Julie looked at them quizzically.

  “What’s wrong with you two?”

  Janine laughed. “Oh, we probably saw the same news report about those medications. They can cause an increased heart attack and stroke risk. Much better to just take an epsom salt bath and use a heating pad.”

  Julie stared between them for a moment. “Okay then…”

  “Hello, hello!” Dixie called as she walked in the house. Julie loved the ease with which her friends came into her home. They were all like family now. William followed behind his mother, holding a covered dish. Dixie never showed up without something.

  “Glad you could come,” Julie said, hugging Dixie and then William. She noticed Janine glaring at him and assumed they were still in a spat about his business advice and her inability to listen. She decided to stay out of it because she could honestly see both sides of the situation.

  “I brought my mother’s famous potato salad. She was the best cook I’ve ever known. Wait until you try it!” Dixie said.

  Julie took the bowl from William. “I’ll be looking forward to that then. Have a seat and relax. We’ll be ready to eat shortly.”

  For the next twenty minutes, Julie, Janine and Colleen worked in the kitchen, making sure everything was ready. Dawson, not able to stop himself from helping, took food from the kitchen and put it on the table. Meg set the table, still not looking at her mother or speaking to anyone. Julie was growing more and more worried by the moment. It sure didn’t seem like she was just hormonal. After all, she had raised her daughter during those dreaded high school years, and she knew what her hormone surges looked like. This wasn’t it.

  They sat down at the table and said grace, something Julie loved to do. It felt like a real family, problems and all.

  “So, did you get a call from Mom today too?” Janine asked Julie.

  “No, why?”

  “She and Buddy are taking a cruise to the Bahamas, and she sent me some pictures of her cruise wear. All I can say is God bless those poor Bahamian people. I hope they’re color blind.”

  Everyone laughed, even Meg. Julie tried not to stare at her, but she wanted to make everything okay. She just wanted her daughters to be happy.

  As with most of Julie’s dinners, there was suddenly a knock at the door, interrupting the lively conversation that was going on around the table. She walked over and answered the door, but didn’t recognize the man standing there.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Yes, please. I’m looking for Meg…” he leaned
around and saw Meg looking at the door, her eyes wide. “Meg, my darling!” Without warning, he moved past Julie and into the house.

  “Christian…” she said softly. She didn’t get up. Instead, she just kept staring at him.

  “You’re Christian? From France?” Julie asked. He turned back to her.

  “Yes, madame. I’m so sorry to interrupt your meal, but I’ve been trying to reach Meg for weeks now. I had to know she was okay.”

  “Christian, you shouldn’t have come here.”

  The room was silent, everyone looking at the man with the thick French accent like he’d just landed from Mars.

  “Maybe we could take a walk?” he asked.

  “No, Christian. Please go. You see that I’m okay.” Meg looked down at her hands in her lap, and Julie felt a surge of motherly anger. This guy must have hurt her. Maybe he was abusive.

  “You need to leave. My daughter obviously doesn’t want you here,” Julie said, touching his arm.

  Dawson and William both stood up.

  “Meg, please.”

  She still didn’t look up.

  “Okay, fella, it’s time for you to head back to the Eiffel Tower,” Dawson said, walking around the table.

  “It’s alright. I will leave. But I need to just ask Meg one question. Please. And then I will go.”

  Dawson stopped and crossed his arms.

  Christian reached into his pocket and pulled out a plastic bag. He held it up toward Meg. “I need to know why I found this positive pregnancy test in your bathroom waste bin?”

  Chapter 6

  Why did Julie’s dinner parties always end up with some unexpected person showing up at her door and creating chaos?

  The silence in the room was deafening as Christian stood there, like some European statue, holding what appeared to be a positive pregnancy test in the air.

  “Meg?” Julie finally said softly. Her daughter continued staring down at her hands. “Say something, honey. Tell him he’s made a mistake.”

  When she looked up, tears streaming down her face, Julie had her answer. How hadn’t she noticed that her daughter was pregnant? Had she been so wrapped up in her petty day to day life worries that she didn’t even realize her daughter was struggling?