Just Beginning: A Prequel to Just Destiny

by Rizzo, Theresa

  “And rescuing this one from a piss—,” Jenny glanced at Josh, “—an angry mama goose.” Given that his son was watching them, Jenny reigned in her annoyance when she really wanted to bite Steve’s head off for not watching his kids better. She raised her eyebrows at Steve. “She tried to pet some goslings.”

  Steve lifted the baby from Jenny’s arms. “Thanks.” Turning to the toddler, he frowned sternly. “Sophie, you know you can’t touch the babies. We talked about that, remember?”

  With one chubby arm anchored around his neck, she twisted in his arms, pointing to the dock. “Duck.”

  He turned to Jenny. “Sorry about that.”

  “You need to watch your kids better.”

  “Yeah, they slipped away while... I will.”

  “If Ritz hadn’t been there, that goose could have really hurt her or she could’ve fallen in the water.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” He met her annoyed gaze with a soft, contrite expression. “It won’t happen again. Though, she can swim.”

  “She can?” Gabe asked. “How old is she?”

  “Two. Josh is four.” He turned to the kids. “Josh and Sophie, this is Doctor and Mrs. Harrison.”

  Josh muttered a greeting.

  “Josh and Sophie are my girlfriend’s kids. Josh swims pretty well, and Sophie swims well enough to float on her back if she fell in.”

  The fact that they could swim somewhat mollified Jenny. Shaking off the lingering fright, she inspected her husband, taking in the Ping Pong paddle and white ball in Gabe’s hand, his sweaty, flushed face, and his mussed hair. “You look like you’re having fun.”

  “Just a friendly game.” He pointed at Steve. “He got a new table and needed a little help putting it together.”

  “And then you had to try it out.”

  “Had to break it in,” Gabe agreed.

  Steve set Sophia down, and the adults watched chubby, short legs pump as she retrieved a basketball from the garage and carried it to the hoop seven and a half feet over her head. Jenny worried the baby would hurt herself with the hard ball that was half her size, but Steve didn’t object.

  The ball rolled off her fingertips as Sophie tried to heft it over her head. Josh scooped it up and lobbed the ball into the air in the right general direction. Jenny winced, praying that the ball wouldn’t come down on either of their heads. It brushed the bottom of the net and bounced off the pole back toward them. Steve palmed the ball and handed it to the baby, then lifted her by her fat thighs and moved close enough to the basket rim for Sophie to roll the ball through the net.

  Cute trick. Jenny moved closer to Gabe.

  Josh danced around Steve’s legs. “My turn. My turn.”

  Jenny nodded toward Steve, as Gabe wiped his face on his T-shirt sleeve. “How come he’s not all sweaty?”

  “’Cause he runs every morning and I’m out of shape.”

  “Not anymore.” Steve grimaced. “Having trouble with my Achilles. Can’t run anymore, so I’m going to start biking.” After helping Josh make a basket, he returned him to the ground, kicked the wayward basketball back to the children, and looked at Gabe. “You should come.”

  “How far you going?”

  “Just a couple of miles to begin with.” He waved them over, picked up the baby, and headed back through the hedge into his garage. “I got a new bike. These things are so light, two miles should be a breeze. Check it out.”

  Gabe circled the gleaming blue state-of-the-art bicycle, his eyes lighting up like a little boy watching his first fireworks display.

  Steve smiled at the look of envy. “Go ahead, try it out.”

  Gabe carefully moved the bike out, mounted it, and wobbled down Steve’s driveway and up theirs. On the way back, he rode steadier, much more confident.

  “What’d you think?”

  Gabe straddled the bike, grinning. Eyebrows raised, he looked first at Steve, then at her. “I’ve got to get one.”

  Jenny laughed and went back to work as the men and children, headed for the bike store. Several hours later, Gabe called her out to admire his newest toy.

  “Where’s Steve?”

  Proud eyes glued to the red bike, he rested a hand on the foam handlebars. “Putting the kids down for a nap. What do you think?”

  She shrugged. “It’s a bike.”

  “It’s a b-e-a-utiful bike. We’re going for a ride this evening after his girlfriend picks up the kids,” he turned to her, hopeful. “Unless you’d be willing to work over there just in case—”

  “Not a chance. I’ve done my babysitting for the day. You’ll have to wait. Besides, Alex is coming for dinner, remember?” She touched the shiny rearview mirror, then the tiny computer attached to the handlebars. “I see you’ve got all the cool gizmos.”

  “Had to have them.” He grinned. “We’re going to ride at least three mornings a week before work. I need them.”

  Jenny smiled at his defensive tone and couldn’t resist teasing. “Gotta have ’em. Did you get one of those cute, tight little spandex outfits, too?”

  He scowled, clearly appalled at the idea. “I don’t think so.”

  “How about a helmet?”

  He rummaged around a shelf and pulled out an old black bike helmet. Brushing off the dust, he plopped it on his head. “Still fits.”

  “It looks a bit worn. Why didn’t you get a new one while you were at it?”

  “It’s already broken in. It fits my head perfectly.”

  Jenny laughed, delighted by Gabe’s new interest. “Well, it’ll be good for you.”

  He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Why don’t you join us?”

  She gave him a horrified look. “I’m not getting up before seven in the morning, three times a week, to get all chilled and sweaty—” She raised her eyebrows in a suggestive look. “Well, at least not for that.”

  “We’ll see. You’re going to be jealous. I’ll be all hard muscles and buff.”

  Jenny loved his hard muscles and doubted that he could be much more buff, but if it made him happy, why not?

  She ran her hands over strong arms and down his firm, hairy chest. Trailing her arms under his shirt, she circled his warm, bare waist and pulled him close until their stomachs and thighs pressed intimately together.

  “And I’m gonna love it. But first...maybe we should conduct a thorough inspection, a sort of before and after, hmm?”

  A growl rumbled deep in his throat as he lowered his head for a long, deep kiss that left them both breathless. Jenny slipped her arms around his neck and nuzzled the spot under his jaw where hints of his morning cologne tended to linger.

  God, with so little effort, just a simple kiss really, he had her trembling, longing for more. It’d never been this wonderful with any other man—not even during her infatuation with her first love—and she suspected it never could be with anyone else. She rubbed her hips against his arousal in blatant invitation.

  “I love the way you think, lady.” Suddenly bending and lifting, Gabe scooped her in his arms and carried her into the house.

  Jenny’s phone started playing the theme song from Jaws. She pulled Gabe’s head down for another kiss. Gabe pecked her lips and set her on her feet. “Answer your mother.”

  Jenny slid her phone from her back pocket. “Hey, Mom. What’s up?”

  “Dad was sharpening the kitchen knives, and he sliced his hand. I’ve got to run him into the ER for stitches.”

  Yow. Jenny winced.

  “But Michael’s got a dance tonight and the parents of the other boys we’re carpooling with have already gone out to dinner. Can you drop the boys off at school at eight if we’re not back by then?”

  “Sure. No problem. Has Michael eaten?”

  “No. I was starting dinner.”

  “No worries. I’ll be right over to get him. He can eat with us.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  “Okay, Bye.”

  “What’s going on?”

&nb
sp; “Mom’s gotta take Dad to get stitches.” Gabe followed Jenny from room to room as she searched the house for her purse. "Michael’s going to have dinner with us, and then I’m chauffeuring him and his buddies to a school dance if Mom and Dad aren’t back in time.”

  “What happened to Mike?” Gabe followed her out of the bedroom and downstairs.

  “Cut his hand sharpening knives.” Could she have left it in her car? Jenny headed for the garage. Not in the front seat. Ah! There it was on the backseat. She picked it up and went inside for the Jeep keys. “If Alex gets home before I get back will you ask her to make a salad?”

  “What hospital are they going to?”

  “Probably St Francis. That’s the one we always use. Why?”

  “Hang on a minute. The ER’s packed most Saturday nights. Let me make a phone call.” Gabe pulled out his phone. “Hey Helen, it’s Dr. Harrison. How’re you doing tonight? Great. Is it very busy there? Mmm hmm. Okay, well, look. My father-in-law’s on his way in with a hand laceration. His name’s Mike Campbell. Can you put him in a room, and I’ll be there in ten minutes?” He nodded. “Thanks very much. Bye”

  Gabe turned to her. “I’m going to run in and take a look. If it’s a simple cut, I’ll sew him up myself. If it’s complicated, I’ll call in a plastic surgeon buddy of mine to take care of him.”

  Jenny frowned. “What about your bike ride?”

  Gabe shrugged it off. “Steve will understand. We’ll go tomorrow.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  Gabe smiled. “Perk of having a doctor in the family.”

  “Oh, yeah? What perks do you get from my dad?”

  Gabe wrapped his arms around her. “He gave me you. I can’t think of a better perk than that.”

  Chapter 11

  Spring and summer flew by in a flurry of work, finishing touches on the house, and settling into married life, and before she knew it, Jenny and Gabe celebrated their one-year anniversary. They’d fallen into a comfortable pattern.

  Jenny was glad Gabe continued to get up early to whip around the Pointes with Steve. It was a healthy stress buster that kept her guy in great shape. Gabe came up with the idea of having residents do a rotation at the Donnatelli clinic for credit, so getting that program off the ground kept him extra busy. Make a great suggestion and you acquire a job. Duly noted.

  Jenny grew accustomed to having Alex with them every other week. Her summer job as lifeguard, college applications, and field hockey practices kept Alex as busy as Jenny and Gabe. Ted happily spent the summer in Ann Arbor working for a professor in the computer science lab.

  Jenny settled in nicely at the paper, honing her interviewing skills and budgeting her time so that deadlines no longer filled her with dread. They spent their leisure time playing tennis—often round robin with Steve—enjoying the occasional movie and dinner out, chatting around their new fire pit over a glass of wine, or fiercely competing during game night. Once in a while Jenny joined the men on the golf course, but she didn’t play often enough to master the game. She was a beast off the tee, but her short game sucked.

  Jenny leaned over her vanity to get closer to the bathroom mirror. She swiped red paint around her cheeks, then freshened the triangle painted on her nose before trading the red for the black makeup pen. She drew a curvy line from the corner of her mouth to her rosy cheeks; first one side, then the other to complete an exaggerated smile. She pulled back to get a broader perspective. Consulting the picture taped to the glass, she drew extravagant bottom eyelashes.

  Ritz barked as the doorbell rang and children chorused, “Trick or treat.” Gabe answered the door, but she only detected murmuring voices.

  Twisting her long hair into a tight bun, Jenny stuffed it under her red yarn wig. She stood and backed up to inspect her costume. Perfect. From the top of her white cap, down the blue dress covered with the classic white smock, to her red and white stripped tights and black Mary Jane shoes, there was no mistaking who she was. Jenny neatened up the bathroom and skipped downstairs.

  Jenny loved Halloween. It celebrated the end of her favorite season, in a fun, spooky way. She loved the warm fall colors, the musky scent of dying leaves and smoky fires, and the fun decorations adorning the houses. Some Grosse Pointers got incredibly elaborate and creative. The changing season brought out a nesting instinct in Jenny, and invariably she found herself cleaning house in anticipation of the cold weather driving everybody inside.

  Dressed all in black, with cape and mask, Gabe made an imposing figure. The lightsaber and breathing device were his favorite part of the costume. Jenny shook her head. Boys never really grew up. Gabe pulled off the mask and tucked it under his arm.

  “Your turn to man the door. Sorry babe, I’ve gotta run into the ER and check on a patient.” He picked up his phone and tucked his wallet in his back pocket.

  “Like that?” Jenny nodded at his costume.

  “Of course not. I’ll leave my lightsaber in the car.”

  “What about the mask?”

  “Did Batman go to work without his mask?”

  Jenny bit back a smile and shook her head.

  “Spider-Man? Superman? Captain America? Green Hornet? The Lone Ranger—”

  “Actually, I’m pretty sure Superman didn’t wear a mask.”

  Gabe scowled. “Okay, the others then.”

  “They fought criminals. They needed to hide their identities.”

  “Whatever. I fight disease, repair bullet holes and knife wounds. I save lives, too.” Mask and lightsaber in hand, Gabe headed for the garage. “If I have to work on Halloween, what they see is what they get.”

  Jenny laughed. “All right, Darth Vader.”

  Jenny stood at the window and watched the taillights disappear down the drive. Having a long driveway tended to discourage trick-or-treaters, since it simply wasn’t as efficient as hitting the streets with houses closer together, so Jenny made sure to reward those hearty enough to make the trek with their choice of an assortment of huge candy bars.

  So far they’d only had a half-dozen kids come by. Jenny went into the kitchen, opened the fridge doors, and surveyed the contents. What does Raggedy Ann want for dinner? The doorbell rang.

  “Trick or Treat,” high-pitched voices chorused. Ritz barked and ran to the door.

  Jenny pulled the door open, then smiled brightly at the three older kids. Somehow Michael had conned Alex and her friend Suzy into bringing him over. “Hi. Come on in.”

  Michael, dressed as a pirate, bent to pet Ritz and admire her lion costume. “Where’d you get the mane, Jen?”

  “She looks like a real lion,” Alex said as she followed Michael inside. “I can’t believe she leaves that on. Sadie wouldn’t.”

  “Great costume, Maleficent,” Jenny said to Alex. Then her smile faded as she took in Suzy’s costume. “Oh. My. God. I don’t even know what to say.”

  Jenny stared at Suzy’s stomach with mixed feelings of fascination and horror. Suzy wore a tight T-shirt that accented her six-month baby bump. Bloody splotches surrounded baby arms reaching out of her stomach, and she’d attached a miniature pumpkin candy basket to one little hand.

  She’d known Alex’s best friend was pregnant, but she couldn’t decide if the brazen display was brave or stupid. Part of her thought it was hilarious, the other half was horrified.

  I am so glad Gabe’s not here! He’d be apoplectic.

  On an older woman it’d be irreverent, and ghoulish, and funny, but on a pregnant teenager, in conservative Grosse Pointe...it was... Oh my God. Jenny couldn’t take her eyes off Suzy’s stomach.

  “Have your parents...seen...uh, you?” Wide eyed, she tore her gaze from the ghoulish sight to look at Suzy.

  “It was her mom’s idea,” Alex said.

  Jenny’s jaw dropped open. She knew Suzy’s parents had been supportive about her decision to keep the baby, but this...this went beyond support. “Nooo. You’re kidding.”

  “Nope.” Suzy wagged her head back and for
th.

  “Uh... How many houses have you gone to dressed like that?”

  Michael poked her. “You are so gullible.”

  “What?” Jenny frowned. “Why?” she looked from one kid to the other.

  The girls burst out laughing.

  “You should see your face,” Suzy giggled.

  “It’s priceless,” Alex grinned.

  “Very funny. Okay, you got me.”

  “My parents almost had a heart atta—”

  “Your mom thought it was kind of funny,” Alex corrected.

  “Yeah,” Suzy smiled. “But Dad threatened to lock me in my room until I promised to wear this mask,” she held up a cat mask, “and come straight home after we came here.”

  And Jen thought she’d been a difficult teen. Oh, man. She felt sorry for Suzy’s parents. She winced. “Did my parents see you when you picked up Michael?”

  Alex rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t do that to Grams and Pops.” She frowned and looked around. “Where’s Dad?”

  “But your dad’s fair game.”

  “Well, yeah.”

  Michael came out of the kitchen. “He’s not in there.”

  “He’s at work.”

  “Here.” Alex handed Jenny her phone and pulled Michael and Suzy close. “Take our picture.”

  Jenny raised the iPhone, then lowered it. “No. I’m not going to be an accomplice in tormenting your father—at least not that way.”

  “Fine. I won’t send it to him. Just take the picture.”

  Jenny narrowed her eyes at Alex.

  Alex harrumphed and made a face. “I promise.”

  “Fine.” Jenny raised the phone and zoomed in, taking a close-up of the kids from the waist up.

  “One more, please,” Alex said. Her phone started beeping. “Hurry. I’m running out of battery.”

  This time Jenny lined it up to the left so Suzy was cut out. She handed back the phone and simultaneously thrust the candy bowl at them to distract Alex from checking the pictures.

  The doorbell rang, and Jenny hurried off to hand out more candy to a Tin man, a clown, a witch, and a baby in a stroller dressed up as a pumpkin. Suzy lowered the kitty mask over her face, and the three kids followed the crowd out.