by Marcia Ware
“Sorry. When she said we were having ‘coco-van,’ I was thinking we were finally getting something chocolate for dinner.”
“I miss Aunt Maggie’s baked chicken,” said M&M quietly. “When she made dinner, it felt like Thanksgiving all the time.”
“I miss Aunt Maggie,” said Matty.
Gwen could see the dejection on her aunt’s face, and quickly tried to lighten the mood. “Now guys, Aunt Sissy worked real hard on this, and it is chicken, little sister, so let’s try it, okay? Aunt Sissy, I think it smells really good. Come on nerds, dig in!”
The children ate their meal; at first tentatively, but finally cleaned their plates. Sissy was grateful, but irritated that she was being compared to Maggie yet again - and failing miserably.
As the dinner progressed, each child was full of questions and comments about Maggie and her time away.
“When is she coming home?”
“Is she getting famous?”
“What’s the fun in eating my vegetables if she’s not fussing at me?”
“When she called last week for our birthday, we talked to her for like, ever!”
“I know! She even helped me with an English assignment over the phone.”
It was during this dinnertime conversation that a profound truth became crystal clear to Sissy: to the children, Maggie was love; she was merely a baby sitter.
And then there was Joe.
In the months since Maggie’s departure, there was the lingering awareness on Sissy’s part that she was becoming more like the guest who had overstayed her welcome, than the savior she had hoped to be.
Having her around did make things easier; but Joe was finally able to see that his sister-in-law was holding out hope for something more from him, despite their talk a few weeks back.
The demands of his life, his inability to reach Maggie, and Sissy’s questionable motives collided in a perfect storm one morning as he descended the stairs to find her in the kitchen cleaning up after breakfast.
“Don’t you ever go home,” he asked wearily, barely cognizant of what he’d said.
Sissy felt as though she’d been slapped with a wet towel. “Um…I’m sorry, Joe…” She quickly attempted to leave the kitchen, her work unfinished.
Joe realized his harshness and immediately backpedaled. “Wait, Sissy. I’m sorry. Come back, please.”
Sissy stopped just past him at the doorway. Without looking at him she said, “No, Joe, you’re right. I didn’t mean to overstep. You call me when you need me, okay?”
“Miss Hammond. Miss Hammond?”
Sissy had been reading the same paragraph for the better part of twenty minutes. The perky young blonde intern was standing in front of her desk; a cup of coffee in one hand, and a stack of trade magazines in the other. She attempted to break through Sissy’s wall once again. Her words were louder and more deliberate, with a slight tremolo of nervousness at having to elevate her tone:
“Miss Hammond!”
Sissy startled at the sound, “Wha?! Oh, my word, Becky, you scared me! What do you want?”
“I…I’m sorry, Miss Hammond, you were just so deep in thought. I brought the trades you asked for that had articles about Maggie West’s radio tour.
Sissy regrouped and took a sip of tea. “Oh darling, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell. Yes, I was deep in thought. Hand me those magazines dear. And again, I apologize.”
Becky’s fear dissolved in the light of Sissy’s changed mood. “Oh no problem, Ms. H. I took the liberty to stick post-it strips on the pages that talk about her so you can find them easier. Looks like she’s really kickin’ butt out there. Everybody loves her!”
Sissy managed a smile that would be considered less than sincere by anyone who knew her well. Frozen in place, her lips barely moved when she spoke.
“Yes,” she said as she drew out the word. “Thank you dear. I think that’s all I have for you today.”
“Oh, one more thing, Ms. H. Ms. Hoyos wanted me to give you a heads up on the meeting with Maggie’s management concerning her showcase at The Factory.”
Sissy felt that if she heard Maggie West’s name again, her head would implode. “Uh-huh,” she said as she flipped through the trades. “Got the e-mail, but thanks for the reminder.”
“The time’s been changed,” Becky said. Looking at her cell phone clock she said, “You’ve got about 25 minutes.”
“Fine,” Sissy said. She looked up briefly. “Anything else?” she said, trying to sound pleasant.
“No ma’am.”
Closing the magazine and pulling a file from her drawer, she said, “Okay then. Now I’m done with you.”
The same frozen smile was on her face, but for Becky, its meaning felt darker and much more ominous. Nervously, she scurried away.
Down the hall, Becky could be heard breathlessly greeting Blake Fabian in the way that most young women greeted Blake Fabian.
“Yes, she’s in her office,” Becky said with the ardor of a teen in the presence of her favorite idol. As Blake appeared in the hallway, stifled giggles could be heard fading into the distance.
“Gwen, you flaxen-haired beauty,” Blake cooed, still basking in the glow of the attention he was receiving at the other end of the hallway. “So good to see you again.”
Sissy was in no mood. “What do you want, Fabian? I’ve got a meeting in less than half an hour and I need to get my ducks in a row.”
“Yes, I know. I’m in on it too. It’s about Maggie’s showcase. I’m going to be serving as a production consultant for the video.”
“Video?”
“Yeah, that’s what the meeting’s about. I was able to convince the folks at CMT to tape an hour long broadcast. Got some great sponsors lined up, and a few top acts to come sit in with her…”
Sissy sat back and crossed one leg over another. “Well aren’t you just the hero of the day,” she said sarcastically. “You and Maggie are just poised to be the next power couple, aren’t you?”
“Seriously, lady, what’s your problem with Maggie?”
“I have no problem with…her.” she said, unable to even speak her name.
“Well you’ve got me scratchin’ my head on this one, because with any other artist, you’d be looking for your spot on the carcass to sink your teeth for your share of the glory. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you so hesitant or unwilling to be part of things.”
“Well, I’m sure Country Music’s newest sweetheart can fill you in the next time you have a nice romantic night out…or, rather in.”
“What?”
Sissy stood up and began to collect the materials she’d need for her meeting. “Oh, come on. Everyone knows it was business as usual with the ol’ Aussie,” she cracked. “You sweep in to Nashville; pour on your “G’day” charm, and bam! Maggie’s wrapped around your little finger.”
Blake felt the feminine claws come out in Sissy’s words, and was in no mood for a catfight. But she was making this so easy that he couldn’t resist. He figured with 15 minutes to kill, he might as well have a witch for breakfast.
He closed the door.
“Sure, I pulled some strings a few weeks back and laid out a nice spread for her at the studio.”
Sissy scoffed, “Wow, that’s a great way of putting it.”
The sophomoric nature of her statement caused Blake to grimace in disgust. He went on. “That was to cheer her up after a hard day’s work. That was after she told me her story - about her best friend, and a guy named Joe - her family, your family, a story that ended with her seeing the two of you in his kitchen…”
Sissy slowed her pace, eventually stopped and looked Blake in the eye. Blake took that as permission to continue; he knew he’d hit the mark.
“So if you wanna talk about someone sweeping in and ruining someone’s love life, Ms. Pot, watch what you say to the ol’ kettle here.”
Sissy stammered in her defense, but was unable to formulate a reasonable explanation.
“What was
that deal with you showing up at the studio wearing that guy’s shirt,” Blake asked.
It seemed that Maggie held nothing back in her recollection to Blake. A nearly unrecognizable pang of guilt over her actions caused Sissy’s frustration to reach fever pitch.
“What Joe and I share is none of your business,” she half shouted.
“What you and Joe share sounds like it’s all in your head,” he said, leaning against the wall.
Muttering an obscenity, Sissy rushed past him. “Shut up, Blake. It’s time for the meeting.”
Chapter 13
Entering her grandparent’s library, Gwen sat next to Joe on the sofa in the middle of the room. “Hey there, kiddo,” he said as cheerfully as he could.
Gwen had been studying her father closely in the weeks following Maggie’s departure. His sadness was evident, despite his attempts at covering his feelings. But his eldest child could tell that he was feeling the void as deeply as she and her siblings were.
The trip to the Hammond’s house was meant to be an opportunity for the kids to spend a much needed weekend with their grandparents. It also afforded Joe the chance at a temporary break from any and all reminders of what he felt he had lost with Maggie.
“Daddy, can I talk to you for a second?”
“Of course. What’s on your mind?”
“Well…you, mostly.”
“Me?”
Gwen nodded slowly as she curled her legs under herself on the couch. “Yeah. The twins and I were talking…”
“Oh boy,” he said with a furrowed brow. “A meeting of the minds? That’s scary.”
“I’m serious, Daddy. We know you’re sad ‘cause you’re missing Aunt Maggie.”
Joe’s expression conveyed acquiescence.
“You guys had a fight, didn’t you?”
“More like a really intense disagreement.”
“What about?”
“Grown up stuff,” Joe said, taking her hand. “Nothing you need to get concerned about.”
“It’s been like, forever since she’s come to see us.”
“Well, her singing career is keeping her busy. You know, like when she was with Miss Timmons. But these days, she’s doing her own songs, so now she’s gotta work a little harder.”
“Is that what you guys fought about?”
“Sort of.”
Gwen’s eyes narrowed and she drew away her hand. “That’s a load of bull, Dad.”
His daughter’s comment immediately sparked Joe’s anger. “Gwyneth Michelle Buchannan, that’s no way to speak to any grownup, much less your father,” he chided.
“I’m not trying be disrespectful,” she said immediately. “But you’re always telling us that the truth is more important than anything. And I don’t think you’re telling me the truth.”
Her ability to get to the heart of a situation moved Joe deeply. She came by it honestly - something else inherited directly from her mother.
“Dad,” She continued. “I think you and Aunt Maggie like each other, I mean, like, boyfriend-and-girlfriend like each other. And I think that’s why you fought.”
Joe shook his head in disbelief. “Did Maggie say as much to you?”
“Heck no,” Gwen said. “I could just see the way you guys would look each other all the time. All the time we spent together. You were happy, jokey and fun to be around. Now, you just mope all over the house. It’s depressing.”
“You can tell all of that?”
“Hey, I’m a kid, but I’m not stupid,” she said.
“No, sweet girl, you kids are anything and everything except stupid, that’s for sure,” he said as he leaned back and stared at the ceiling.
“And it’s the same with Aunt Maggie. Now when she calls us, it’s cool and all, but when she asks how you are, it’s in a sad way.”
Gwen looked at him with pure pleading in her eyes. “What happened, Daddy?”
“Well, I guess we’d better talk about it then, huh?”
“Can we? ‘Cause one minute we’re happy with Mom, then we were sad ‘cause she died. Then Aunt Maggie kept us happy, then we were sad again ‘cause she went away.”
“Thanks for the recap.”
“I do have another question though.”
“Shoot.”
“Why does Aunt Sissy hate Aunt Maggie?”
The question, while logical, shocked Joe because he had no idea just how much his children actually saw.
“Hate’s a pretty strong word, kiddo.”
“That’s how we see it,” Gwen said. She started playing with a rubber band that had been on her wrist. Before it became a distraction, Joe took it from her.
“What did exactly did you see?”
“Welllll….” Gwen was hesitant to tell the whole truth, but since she knew she’d begun the conversation, she owed it to her dad to tell him everything. “It was mostly me and M&M. We’d hear things…phone calls Aunt Sissy would make when she’d babysit us. I’d hear her call Aunt Maggie names; then talk about how she was trying to…um, what’s the word…hone in on Aunt Sissy’s territory.”
Her usage of the word ‘hone’ had a questioning tone to it, as if she doing her best to quote correctly.
Joe’s eyes widened in disbelief. Gwen’s story was plausible; it sounded like a word Sissy would use.
Gwen continued. “There were some words used I don’t really wanna say…but I could tell that Aunt Sissy was jealous…and…and…”
“And what?”
“I think Aunt Sissy wants to be your girlfriend too.”
That was all Joe needed to hear. The fact that his mother, Maggie and his own child could see what he could not gave him a sick feeling of embarrassment.
“Gwen,” Joe began slowly. “Aunt Sissy is your mom’s sister. And she is pretty and funny and smart. But no matter what she may or may not want, that’s all she is to me. Like a sister. Do you understand?”
Gwen nodded.
“Did you want her to be my girlfriend,” he asked cautiously.
Gwen crinkled her nose in thought. “Um…I dunno. No, I guess. It doesn’t feel right for some reason. I mean, I’m with you - she is so much fun when she babysits. But she’s Aunt Sissy. I couldn’t see her in a million years being my mom.”
There was silence between the two of them that lasted for several seconds before she added, “But what about Maggie?”
Her deliberate omission of the title Aunt took Joe by surprise. He could tell that she was trying to have an adult conversation, so he responded in kind.
“Maggie…well…Maggie…”
“Yes Dad, Maggie.” Gwen couldn’t hide her smile as she watched her father squirm at the thought of answering the question.
“Okay, okay. Maggie,” he laughed. “I’ve always thought the world of her…she’s amazing.”
The innocuous nature of their exchange was beginning to wear on the teen. “Dad,” she said sighing. “Answer my question! And don’t lie, ‘cause I can tell.”
Again, Joe considered his words carefully. “How would you feel about us dating?”
“Honestly?”
“Seriously? You’re pulling the ‘honestly’ thing on me after all this? Yes, Gwennie. Honestly.”
“She’s gotta be the single coolest person on the planet. And I miss her. And I think it would be totally cool for her to be your girlfriend…or…”
“Or…?”
“Don’t make me say it, Dad. The thought of you having a love life is kinda gross ‘cause you’re so old. But yeah, I think she’d make a cool mom.”
Once again, Joe shook his head and laughed out loud. Gathering her in his arms, he quickly put her in a headlock and proceeded to rub her head with his fist.
“Dad. A noogie? Seriously? Ugh! Quit it!”
Janice sipped her coffee as she leaned against the wall just outside the library. A sad smile formed on her lips as she considered the conversation that had just taken place between her son-in-law and grandchild.
“Matthew,”
she said to her husband as he walked by, newspaper in hand. “Can you come upstairs with me? I need to talk to you about something.”
It was a brief conversation; Janice spilling the details of what she heard about Joe, Maggie and Sissy. Matthew was less concerned about the romance, and more about how Sissy’s machinations and cruelty went unchecked.
“Don’t worry about our daughter,” Janice said with an uncharacteristic sternness. “I’ll have a word with her.”
“We need to talk to Dex and Lenore,” Matthew said. “I’m curious to hear what they know.”
The conversation with Maggie’s parents was intense at the start; Dexter and Lenore seemed to know as little, if not less than what the Hammonds knew.
Dexter’s countenance was on edge; he’d long harbored concerns that something like this could happen, and said as much.
“What do you mean, Dex?” Matthew asked.
“That girl has constantly been living up in her best friend’s life from the moment they met. It’s as though she couldn’t get a life of her own.”
“Okay, I’m going to skate by the fact that you are accusing our daughter of something you’ve been doing all along,” Lenore exclaimed at her husband. “What I can’t believe is that I hear you actually insinuating that Maggie had planned this! Please tell me you’re not about to put any kind of blame on her!”
“Dex, Lenore…please,” Janice said. “This isn’t about blame. We just want the kids to be happy.”
“Dex,” Matthew said. “This isn’t an easy situation for any of us. But we’re going on two years since Gracie’s passing. We know that Maggie wasn’t waiting in the wings, or biding her time. She was just always there, and given the closeness of their friendship, it was just a matter of circumstance.”
Janice reached across the table. She said, “Joe getting into another relationship was inevitable. That boy mates for life. The fact that it was Maggie just caught us off guard.”
Matthew nodded in agreement. “Dexter,” he said. “You are my brother. You have been since the day we became friends. And even though I wondered at first, race isn’t the issue here.”
Dexter was taken aback. Aside from the occasional joke between the two of them, he never once felt any sort of racial tension between him and his friend and fellow jurist. “At first?” he asked, his surprise evident.
