The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels

by Girard, Dara

  He nodded. "It would." He was silent. "Why did you stay?"

  "I'm trying to be a grown-up." She pulled out a chair and sat. "I can't make Nina into me any more than my mother could make me into her."

  "Why would you want Nina to change?"

  "So we would have more in common."

  "Sometimes our differences make us more common."

  "Is that supposed to make sense?"

  He sat next to her. "When you told me about how you felt about the salon, saying that it was something you loved, something you couldn't imagine not doing, I understood the passion and thought about my plants. I understood you because we had the feelings in common."

  "So I'll understand her more by letting her be herself?"

  "Yes." He held her hand. "Have you ever noticed how often she wears the shirt you made for her Halloween costume?"

  "No."

  "You should take note. You've given her things of importance that you've never noticed because they hold a different meaning to you."

  Adriana swallowed building tears. "So I'm a good mother? She knows I love her?"

  "Yes."

  She hugged him and went into the kitchen.

  * * *

  Eric approached Clay, who sat and watched TV. "I need to find out something about an artist named Keith Trenton."

  Clay didn't look at him. "Description?"

  "Looks like a bottom feeder, but then again I'm biased."

  "One of Adriana's?" Clay asked, familiar with her choice of men.

  Eric nodded.

  "I'll see what I can find."

  "What's the fee?"

  "We're family." He turned to him and grinned. "I'll think of something."

  When dinner was announced they all headed for the table, which was dressed for the festivities. There was an elaborate array of votive candles set on a mirrored tray, red goblets, silver-plated cutlery, and red-beaded silk place mats. The food was just as decorative: the vivid green of sautéed zucchini, the fluffy whiteness of mashed potatoes, the deep brown of jerk chicken.

  Marcus raced in front of Adriana and climbed onto a chair next to Nina. It was clear it was not his placement. Aside from the table setting, his eyes could barely be seen above the table.

  "Honey, you know that's not your seat," Cassie said.

  He settled in his seat. "I wanna sit with Nina."

  "That's nice, but perhaps she wants to sit next to her mom. You didn't ask if she'd mind."

  "No. She likes me."

  Cassie sent Drake an eloquent "he's your son" look. He shrugged, then winked.

  "It's all right, I'll move next to him," Nina said. She sat next to his booster seat and all was well.

  "So how's business?" Clay asked Adriana as everyone began to eat.

  "It's fine," she said vaguely, not wishing to elaborate.

  "Must be an interesting field."

  "It has its moments."

  "Did you read about the lingerie designer who created matching bra and knickers out of human hair?"

  Cassie laughed. "You're joking."

  "What are knickers?" Nina asked.

  "Panties."

  "Eww!"

  "I agree," Jackie said, scrunching her face. "Eww."

  "They're being sold at two thousand pounds a set," Clay continued.

  Eric pushed up his glasses. "The scary thing is that someone will buy them."

  "No, what's scarier is that someone would wear them," Drake said.

  Clay laughed. "I hear you, mate. Imagine chatting up a woman and finding that."

  The men shivered. Cassie tapped her glass.

  "Excuse me, gentlemen, and I use the term loosely, please remember that there are children present."

  "So I guess I won't mention about the—"

  "Clay," she warned. "If you don't behave, I'll tell Mom you want to visit her for Christmas."

  He returned to his meal properly scolded. "The chicken is great."

  "You can thank Nina," Drake said.

  She looked up, surprised. "Me?"

  "Yes, I used your chives for the jerk marinade. It gave it that extra-special flavor."

  "Let's give her a round of applause," Clay said.

  Everyone clapped, Marcus the loudest. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he liked to clap. Nina smiled, both embarrassed and pleased.

  After the main course, Adriana excused herself. As she returned to the table, she walked past the kitchen and saw Cassie stacking the dishwasher. She ducked behind the corner when Drake entered. He said something in a low voice and Cassie flicked him with water. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. Adriana sighed at the tender moment.

  Drake was a very affectionate husband without being distasteful. He would tuck a strand of hair behind Cassie's ear, touch her cheek, or whisper words meant only for her, demonstrating small gestures of devotion. They looked at each other with such love it made everyone around them feel good.

  She and Eric probably made everyone feel nervous. He would glance at her, but there was nothing in his look, no hidden desire, no secret message in his gaze. He barely touched her when others were around. If her leg brushed his, it might as well be a piece of board. He was a kind and thoughtful lover when they were alone, but that didn't stop her from wishing he were a little more like Drake when it came to affection.

  "Is the coast clear?" a male voice whispered behind her.

  She spun around and slapped Eric in the chest. "You shouldn't sneak up on people."

  "Why not? It's fun." He peered around the corner. "What are you looking at?" He saw Cassie and Drake preparing the dessert: mixed fruit with ice cream. Drake fed Cassie a melon ball. "He loves her very much."

  "I know. It's nice."

  Eric adjusted his glasses. "Making some comparisons?"

  Adriana nodded.

  His eyes grew wary. "I see."

  She thought about how he had planned the food and table settings. How Nina's herbs were used. And he did it to please her. He might not be physically affectionate, but his tenderness was clear. She kissed him on the cheek. "I like you better." She grabbed his hand. "Come on. Dessert looks good."

  After dessert they all sat in the living room. Nina and Marcus played with blocks, Jackie coddled Ericka. Clay scowled at her.

  "So, Adriana, do you think we can convince you to come next year?" Drake asked, sitting next to Cassie on the couch.

  She sat on the floor next to Eric's legs. "Certainly. I'll probably become a nuisance."

  "Or we could go to your place," Jackie said.

  "I'm not the greatest cook."

  "Don't worry, Eric can help you."

  Silence fell, dropping so suddenly even the children sensed something was wrong.

  Would they be together next year? "Yes," Adriana said finally, to fill the air.

  Cassie spoke up. "More dessert, anyone, or something to drink?"

  Eric stood. "No, I think we'd better leave."

  "Bigmouth," Drake scolded Jackie as Eric, Nina, and Adriana went to the closet. He took Ericka and handed her to Clay. "Go find a foot to chew."

  Jackie blinked, innocent. "What did I do?"

  "You just couldn't leave it alone."

  She kissed her teeth, annoyed. "It's obvious they are in love."

  "No, it's not obvious. Leave it alone."

  She rolled her eyes, but said nothing.

  * * *

  Nina put on her jacket. Marcus watched with building tears. She buttoned up her jacket and stared at him. "Don't cry." Eric hid a grin, recognizing the tone. "I'll come back and visit, okay? So don't cry."

  He nodded. However, when they opened the door he grabbed his father's trouser leg and burst into tears as if his little heart would break.

  Nina looked at him, sad. "I said I'd be back."

  Drake saw her distress and smiled. He touched her cheek. "Don't worry, he'll cry for a while, then go to bed and wait for your return."

  Nina was only partially comforted. Nobody had ever cr
ied when she had left before and he looked so unhappy. Eric took her hand. "He's young. He still has to learn that people will come back."

  * * *

  "Marcus is so silly," Nina shared on the drive home. "He says his father makes clouds."

  "Clouds?" Adriana asked.

  "Yes, he takes a white stick and makes clouds with it when he's on the balcony."

  Eric frowned. "He means his smoking."

  Nina's eyes widened. "Uncle Drake smokes?"

  "Sometimes."

  Her voice grew anxious. "But smoking kills people. Uncle Drake's too nice to die. I don't want him to die."

  "He's not going to die."

  "Yes, he is, I've seen it," she said, adamant. "He's going to get black lungs and die." Her voice wavered.

  "He's not going to die."

  Adriana saw Eric's tense profile and said, "He's trying to quit. Eventually, he won't smoke anymore."

  Nina nodded, satisfied. "Good."

  * * *

  Eric walked them to the apartment, then stood in the doorway, wondering the best way to end the evening. Elissa came up to greet him.

  "Don't you want to come in?" Adriana asked.

  He patted the cat, then straightened. "No, I think I'd better leave." He hesitated. "About what Jackie said—"

  She waved his explanation away. "Jackie is Jackie."

  "Yes." He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I want you and Nina to spend Christmas with us. We—"

  "Yes."

  He frowned. "I haven't explained it to you yet."

  She shrugged. "Call me impulsive."

  "We spend the night Christmas Eve and stand on our head till morning."

  "Fine. I'll see you then."

  Eric smiled. "Thanks for deciding to stay."

  Adriana brushed his lips with hers. "Thanks for giving me a reason to."

  * * *

  She would not overspend, Adriana coached herself as she stepped into the mall. Everything was dressed in the holiday tradition, urging you to spend more than necessary only to suffer a mild stroke at the sight of your credit card bill in January. She had a budget and she had a list. She stared down at the items. She would only give one gift to each person, not three like last year.

  On Christmas Eve, they scattered birdseed around a tree and everyone named a blessing for the coming year. Inside they shut off the electricity and sang songs by the fire.

  Adriana stayed up after everyone had gone to bed. She sat in the living room and stared at the Christmas tree. Handcrafted glass ornaments hung on the branches, red and gold satin ribbons, white lights, and silver candy canes decorated it. Wreaths hung in the windows. She sat in front of the dying light of the fireplace.

  In the distance Eric watched her, the glow of the fire touching her dark skin, illuminating her face. She looked serene like a queen draped in her blue silk robe, a gift Laurence had given her on a trip to Milan. The emeralds in her ears were twinkling like green flames.

  She was like a doll in a toy store he could not afford. No matter how he pressed his face against the glass and dreamed... she was meant for someone else. Someone who could take care of her, provide for her. But he'd let the dream last a little longer. He stared at her, wanting this moment to burn into his memory. Right now he could pretend that what he gazed upon was his.

  She suddenly turned. He took a step back, ashamed of staring. She held out her hand and smiled. "You couldn't sleep either?"

  Eric sat next to her. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. You've been quiet."

  "I was just thinking about family." Adriana took his arm and draped it over her shoulders, cuddling next to him.

  He turned to her, the firelight catching the dark purple highlights of her hair, the silk of her robe whispered against his skin, her scent as alluring as a falling star. Her warmth and vibrancy called him home. He felt the earth shift beneath him and he fell.

  * * *

  There was no snow on Christmas morning, but cold had gripped the city, creating frost on the windows and trees. The adults watched the kids dive into their gifts. To Adriana the feeling of home and family was as euphoric as any shopping high. She bought Nina a picture book on the rain forest and saw her face light with joy. As Nina hugged her she saw Eric wink and knew she had gotten it right. Nina had painted a mug for her and Eric bought her an organizer. She gave him a purple sweater.

  "I have to get you out of gray and black," she said when he frowned at it.

  "Good luck," Cassie said in a stage whisper, glancing at Drake. "I've only recently gotten him to wear white."

  "You're island men," Adriana said. "You've been in the U.S. too long."

  Drake looked at Eric. "Should I bring out mi shirt wid de palm leaves?"

  "Don't forget the Panama hat."

  After breakfast they told stories, and played games. When evening came, they ate Christmas dinner, filling the house with sounds of love and laughter.

  * * *

  "What are you working on?" Drake asked when he found Eric at his dining table working. Eric had been acting strange since New Year's Day.

  "It's a business plan for Adriana."

  "Why are you doing that here?"

  "I had to ask Cassie a few questions. I've done some research on the fashion industry and think I could give her some direction. She needs to approach this goal with organized steps."

  Drake sat down in front of him, amazed. "You're in love with her."

  He scratched out a few numbers.

  "Are you going to tell her?"

  Eric crumbled up a sheet of paper and tossed it away. "You're as nosy as an old woman."

  Drake ignored him. "Try to make it romantic when you do."

  "Have you forgotten who I am?"

  "Try."

  "How?"

  "Good question." Drake rubbed the back of his neck. "Food?"

  "Not everyone sees food as an instant aphrodisiac."

  "Poetry?"

  "I already gave her a poem." He reached for his checkbook, then stopped. He looked at Drake.

  Drake grinned, reading his mind for the first time. "Perfect."

  * * *

  Adriana paced in Rita's studio as the woman looked at her designs. They were surrounded by stacks of fashion magazines, sketches by various young artists taped to the wall, flyers for different shows scattered about, and ashtrays positioned on every flat surface, flooding with ashes and cigarette butts.

  "They're awful," Rita said at last.

  Adriana halted as if she'd been slapped. "What?"

  Rita tapped her cigarette in a nearby ashtray. "I said they're awful." She took a brief drag and set it down. "There's no originality." She gestured to a mannequin. "This male robe is much too effeminate for any man to wear. And the color." She just waved her hand, the gesture eloquent enough. "You have no vision, no voice." She shrugged. "But it isn't like this is New York so you can show your designs at our little fashion show without any fanfare."

  Instead of disappointment, Adriana felt a rage that was blinding. Rage at having her work verbally slaughtered without cause. She might not be smart on many things, but one thing she did know was what would sell. Her vision might not be unique, but she knew her consumer and she knew her talent. She took her clothes and gathered up her designs.

  "I worked for months on these patterns," she said quietly. "Getting every detail right. Every seam is perfect. These are quality items and I'm going to show my designs at the fashion show if I have to call them out myself. And I will succeed because they will sell." She marched to the door.

  Rita laughed. "Good girl," she said, picking up her cigarette. "You'll make it after all."

  Adriana frowned, recognizing the test. It did not improve her mood. "I'll get you for this."

  Rita laughed harder. "Like to see you try."

  "I'll see you at the show." She slammed the door.

  * * *

  He was lost. He knew he should have waited until after the fashion show to see Adriana, but he wanted t
o wish her luck. Eric searched through the crowd of half-dressed women, but couldn't see Adriana anywhere. He should have brought her flowers, he thought, frowning at the envelope in his hand. It would have been more romantic and perhaps he wouldn't look so out of place. He shoved it inside his jacket. He looked as if he were delivering a summons.

  He sighed and took off his glasses, wiping them with a cloth. Someone bumped into him and he lost his grip, sending his glasses crashing to the floor. He bent to pick them up, but someone kicked them away. He swore and dropped to the floor, searching for them. He crawled on the tile floor, unnoticed through the chaos of legs. He swept his hands across the floor, finally finding his glasses near a clothes rack. He grabbed them, relieved, and shoved them on. A pair of hot-pink high heels came into focus. They were attached to long legs. He glanced up.

  "Thank God!" the woman said in a deep, smoky voice. "You just saved me from having a coronary. I thought you hadn't made it." She seized his arm and helped him up.

  Eric began to protest. "But I'm not—"

  "Honey, right now I don't care who you are. I was so scared we'd be a man short. You'll be wearing these." She held up red silk boxers and a robe. "You'll escort Laviana out on your second changing." She pointed to a woman getting her makeup done.

  Eric stared at the items she'd given him, his heart accelerating. She couldn't possibly want him to go out in these. "But—"

  "Hurry, we're about to start. Don't worry, you'll look fabulous. They're from Divine Notions." She looked him up and down. "You'd have thought they were made just for you."

  "But—"

  "See you out there." She spun away and began barking orders at a hairdresser.

  He swore. He couldn't do this. He was a financial adviser for God's sake. He glanced at a man in boxers getting the shine taken off his nose. He caught his eye. The man winked. No, he definitely couldn't do this. He put the items down and walked to the door, then stopped. Adriana would be disappointed if her new design wasn't shown. He swore fiercely, snatching the items.

  Chapter 12

  "Will you relax?" Cassie said as they sat facing the runway. "I'm sure he'll be here."

  Adriana tried to keep calm. The seats around them were quickly filling up while the seat next to her remained empty. She looked toward the stage at the cream curtains, red carpet, and technicians working on the lighting. There were reporters setting up in the back of the room. It wasn't a large event, but some minor celebrities always showed up, giving the event some exposure.