Out of The Box Awakening

by Theriot, Jennifer

  “This is such a cool tree,” Emily says.

  “Yeah. We haven’t had a Christmas tree in this house for over five years. It’s kinda nice to have one this year. Plus, they smell really good.”

  Emily asks Tommy why they haven’t had a tree. He gives a brief explanation.

  Ellen and I decide to hang out in the kitchen and let the kids talk. Emily seems to have the project under control, and I can hear her telling them where the bare spots are.

  “Look Brian—there is a whole layer with no lights. Take the strand and move it to the bare spot.”

  “How in the hell can you see a bare spot,” Brian asks.

  “Well, step over here and I’ll show you what a bare spot looks like...Geez!”

  “Okay, Miss Smarty Pants. Yeah, okay, I see it.”

  After 1,200 bright clear lights are on the tree, it is starting to take shape. Brady gets down from the ladder and we all clap. He takes a bow and says he is now ready for a beer.

  “So where are the ornaments,” Emily asks.

  “Oh crap! They’re still out in the garage—we forgot to bring them in,” Tommy says. “Wanna help me bring them in?” Emily follows him out into the garage.

  “I think we should go help them,” Todd winks and says. They all start cracking up laughing.

  “Okay, y’all need to stop!” I say.

  I can’t wait to take a picture of the tree and text it to Ash. I find that I miss him more and more, but I’m happy to have company tonight. If I were here by myself, I would probably just have a pity party. I start to wonder how Christmas is going to play out. This has been quite a different year. Adapting to the changes seems to be my new M.O.

  The ornaments are being put on the tree and it is taking shape. Emily asks me where the bows are.

  “Dammit!” I say, remembering too late. “The bolts of ribbon and wire are in the car. I guess in all the excitement, I forgot to get the gals at the shop to make them for me.”

  Emily speaks up. “I’ll go out and get them—I can make bows, so no prob.”

  I am so relieved! I can’t for the life of me make a bow that is tree-worthy. Emily tells me that she used to make bows for people during the holidays for extra money.

  “I probably made over a hundred bows each Christmas. I think I can even make one with my eyes closed.” She plops down in the middle of the floor Indian-style with the ribbon and wire, and crafts the biggest, most amazing bows like it is second nature to her.

  “Damn! Girl! Those are sick!” Brian says.

  I still can’t get over the fact that “sick” in young people’s language is “good.” Every time one of my boys tells me something I wear or do is “sick,” I have to remind myself that this is a good thing. I guess in my day, our parents thought groovy was kind of like that. Funny, how words and meanings change over time. Well, the tree is absolutely sick!

  Ellen and I join the group in the living room to help put on the rest of the ornaments. Christmas music is playing, and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” comes on. The guys all stop what they’re doing and sing along. Todd hands Emily a candlestick and she holds it like a microphone and sings along with them. She is totally comfortable acting silly along with the guys. Ellen and I, not wanting to be left out, lend our voices as well. She and I start dancing together, and the guys think we are too funny.

  “I’m so glad I came over tonight, Olivia. This is so much fun! I just wish Ash were here too. He would really love this! He loves being around the kids.”

  Oh Ellen, I think to myself, you have no idea how much I wish Ash were here too. I wonder if she has any idea how much I love her brother.

  “Olivia,” she says, “get your phone. Let’s take a picture of the kids by the tree and send it to Ash!”

  We make the kids pose by the tree. The guys move the ladder in front of the tree. Brady, with his shaved head and too many tattoos, adorns the top of the ladder. He is muscular, with good-looking bad boy style. He has on a black V-necked T-shirt, with his arms fully inked. His tattoos are all black, with not one bit of color. It’s a great look for the top of the ladder! The other guys each take a step on the ladder for the pose, all of them equally good-looking. Steve is on the next step, with his messy blondish hair, dreamy eyes, and he’s also totally tatted up. Brian’s next, with equally dreamy blue eyes, sandy, messy hair, muscles and colorful tats. Todd takes the next step. His black hair is short and spiked, his eyes a piercing blue, and his tattoos look sharp. Tommy takes his place on the lowest step. Tommy, of course, is my favorite. He has blondish, messy hair, a gray T-shirt, and his beautiful, equally colorful tattoos covering his chest and arms.

  Emily comes to stand over by us, and Ellen pushes her over toward them and tells her to get in the picture too. She is a little reluctant, but Tommy motions her over to stand by him. He props his elbow on her shoulder. She looks up at him and he just smiles at her. They look so damn cute together. I realize they’ve only just met, but I’m just sayin’. She totally fits into this equation.

  The picture is too cute. Total bad boys with tattoos and a great looking girl, all next to a beautiful Christmas tree.

  I text it to Ash. “This is what is going on at your house tonight while you’re away. Jealous? Sure wish you were here. ILY!”

  He quickly texts back. “Wow! Tree looks great! Glad all the guys showed up. Love the picture!! A good-looking bunch. Lots of tats, huh? Where are you and Ellen? And the girl in the pic by Tommy? Call me later and fill me in! ILYB “

  After over two hours, 1200 lights, probably a hundred and fifty ornaments and many many bows, the Christmas tree is officially decorated.

  “Hey, Olivia, where’s the food? I’m fuckin’ starving! We’ve worked our asses off—time for alcohol and food! You promised you’d feed us!”

  Classic Todd. Emily laughs and rolls her eyes—I think he amuses her. We all go into the kitchen and eat. My soup turned out nothing short of fantastic. I made a few pans of cornbread as well.

  “This is some gooood shit! Is this what y’all eat in Texas?” Brian says.

  “Si Senor! This is what we eat in Texas,” I say.

  After we eat, we drink lots more. I think Ellen’s having a really good time. I know with the wedding plans underway that she needed some downtime and diversion. She calls out, “Hey, Brady, can you bring the ladder to the front door for a minute?”

  “Sure, but why?”

  “Well, Emily brought some mistletoe and it needs to be hung.”

  Brady brings the ladder and gets the mistletoe hung perfectly. Todd, being classic Todd, has to put his spin on it.

  “Hey, Bri, come here, man!”

  Brian comes over where Todd is standing, under the mistletoe, totally unaware of what’s about to happen. “Look up! Now you gotta give me a big kiss, let me stick my big wet tongue down your throat.”

  “Awww, Bert, you know I love ya, man! I love it when you talk dirty to me! Muahhh!”

  They all laugh, and Todd pretends to suck face with Brian.

  Ellen rolls her eyes. “Honestly, I don’t know how you live around these guys, Olivia!”

  Tommy shrugs and Emily laughs. Well, if that didn’t scare her off, then nothing will. Maybe, just maybe, Tommy will catch Emily under the mistletoe later, when we aren’t all watching.

  The guys grab more beer and head up to the music room, Emily in tow. Ellen and I go into the kitchen to clean up. We talk about the wedding plans. What an extravagant wedding this is going to be! Ellen says they have two ballrooms reserved at the Breakers. In one of them will be a band for the younger folks. Another will have a band playing big band tunes for the older folks. The ceremony will be outside.

  I’ve seen pictures of the Breakers before, and I know it is a very beautiful historic expensive hotel. There’s no telling how much they are spending on this soiree. She said that they have one of the top wedding planners hired. Melissa is having eight bridesmaids, most of them college friends—sorority sisters, I think. S
ince Trey is from the area, there will be a lot of people there. Ellen said there should be around 350 people there.

  “Olivia, I’d love if you would go down with me next time. In March I’ll be going for the weekend to meet with the planner and go to the fitting for Melissa’s dress. You should come! It’ll be so much fun!”

  I tell her that I would love to, if I don’t have to work. I really want to ask her about the fiasco with Jocelyn, but don’t know if I should bring it up. I know she is curious about Ash and me, because she keeps looking at me and smiling like she wants to say something.

  “What?”

  “What, what?”

  “Geez-Louise! How do I say this without sounding like Gladys Kravitz? Okay, here goes. Olivia, are you and Ash an item?”

  “An item?”

  “Yes, an item. I mean, you’re living here. I know he cares for you. I can just tell. I know my brother, and I haven’t seen him this happy in so long. It’s a good thing. I mean, I really think the two of you are great together. I really like you, and I guess I’d just like to know if there’s anything between you two. I’d kinda like to know. There! I said it!”

  “Well, Ellen, Ash is a very special man. He has been so good to me, letting me stay here, helping me get a job, listening to my problems.“

  “And?”

  “And, yes, he’s very special to me. I do care for him.”

  She takes me by the shoulders. “Yeah! I knew it!”

  “This isn’t for public knowledge, Ellen. I am, after all, going through a divorce. And, more than that, I think Ash should have been the one talking to you about this.”

  “Well, I won’t say a word to him that we had this talk. Do your kids know?”

  “Oh, heavens no! I wouldn’t want this to get out to them, or to Tommy, for that matter.”

  Ellen swears secrecy, and I actually believe her. I don’t think that she knew about Jocelyn’s phone call to Ash, because she probably would have asked me about it. We talk about Anne. Ellen admits that she never really cared for her. She told me that Anne was pretty intense, a bit snooty, and all business. She and David called her “the ice princess.” I find it hard to believe that she and Ash were married if they were so different. Ash is such a laid-back, fun, sensitive, caring guy.

  “Wesley and Hayden are just like their mom. You haven’t met them yet, have you?”

  “No, they didn’t come in for Thanksgiving. What are they like?”

  “Well, both damn good-looking guys. Military types, toned bodies, chisel cut, deep blue eyes, short, military-type hair. Not identical twins, though. Totally different from Tommy. Actually, I’m closer to Tommy, because he reminds me so much of Ash. The twins, well, they’re driven, like Anne was. Hard to put my finger on it … we just weren’t as close as I am with Tommy. Tommy just melts my heart. He is sensitive and caring, just like his papa! And I love that he is a little off the straight and narrow. He stood up for what he wanted to do, and he’s done it. All the boys have a trust fund, so they live pretty comfortably…God! I probably shouldn’t be telling you all this. Am I boring you to death?”

  “Absolutely not!” I am glad Ellen is talking to me about this. I want to know all about the family and don’t feel comfortable grilling Ash about it. She tells me that when the twins went off to WestPoint, Anne’s dad was ecstatic. They did exactly what her father had wanted them to do. Anne was equally pleased.

  She says that Anne’s folks are still alive and live in Florida, in Winter Park. The subject of Anne’s parents never came up in my discussions with Ash, so I had no idea they were even still alive. She says that once Anne died, Ash didn’t stay in close contact with them. I ask if they are coming to the wedding.

  “No, I asked Ash if he wanted them invited and he said he didn’t care one way or the other. So that was all I needed. I doubt they would come anyway.”

  We continue to talk about Ash and his life after Anne’s death.

  “Olivia, he totally put his life on hold to take care of Annie when she got sick. It broke my heart to see him so helpless and broken. At the end, she was in really bad shape. He barely even called any of us. She wouldn’t allow company—she wouldn’t let anyone see her like that. She was too weak to talk on the phone, so no one got to see her in her final days except Ash and the twins. The twins came in and stayed the last week before she died. I think there was some kind of conflict between them and Tommy. They stayed at the house, but Tommy ended up staying at the condo. They were with her when she passed and Tommy wasn’t. I don’t think Tommy will ever get over that. He didn’t stay at the house because he didn’t want to upset his mom and the twins. He said it was best that he just stayed away. Poor Ash. I think he would have insisted that Tommy stay there, too, if he hadn’t been so out of it.”

  I am really curious what happened.

  Ellen continues, “The twins don’t like Tommy’s lifestyle. They told him that his tattoos and music are something he needs to get over and get a life. Anne would have just died if she’d ever seen his tattoos. Poor thing, he always kept his arms covered out of respect, so she wouldn’t see them. Even if it was 100 degrees outside, he wore long sleeves. Imagine having to hide something about yourself that you are proud of, because you think you aren’t living up to someone’s expectations or that someone might think badly of you? Have you seen all of his tats? They’re beautiful! He’s got one that is a tribute to Anne. You should ask him to show you sometime. Never showed her, and that’s a damn shame! What mother wouldn’t be proud of her son? It’s called unconditional love, goddammit! Enough of our family dramatics! I’ll give you chapter two some other time!”

  Well, this sure has turned out to be an informative night. Never in a million years would I have imagined conflict in the Harper household.

  “So, let’s go up and spy on the kids,” I say.

  “Let’s do it!” Ellen agrees.

  We go upstairs to the music room. The guys are playing music. Emily is comfortable on the couch, and I can tell she’s having a good time.

  “Emily is such a cute girl!”

  “Shhhhh…don’t let them hear us spying on them. Yes, I asked her to come over so I could introduce her to Tommy. Matchmaking 101.”

  “Olivia, you are too funny! I think Tommy definitely needs a cute girl in his life. Good choice. She’s a darling.”

  We go back downstairs and get more beer to bring up to the guys, and wine for Emily. I am thinking that if it gets too late, Emily can just spend the night and not have to drive all the way home.

  Around one in the morning, everyone comes downstairs. Being the moms we are, Ellen and I figure they will be getting hungry and get snacks out for them.

  “Awwwwww, food! I’m starved!” Tommy says when he sees the spread.

  Everyone eats, and I am so glad that Ellen is here to help.

  “I should probably get going soon,” she says as we finish up. “David is out of town, but I should go before I have too much to drink.”

  “Ellen, I can drive you home if you want. You should come over more often. I totally enjoyed having you here tonight.”

  “Oh, I’m fine to drive…no worries. I had a wonderful time and I am so glad you are in my brother’s life. Maybe one day you will be my sister-in-law!”

  Wow! That was a great compliment. When Ellen is ready to leave, Tommy comes and gives her a huge hug.

  “Glad you came tonight, Aunt Ellen. I miss seeing you! Let’s be better about getting together and hanging out.”

  “I promise, Tommy! And let me know next time you guys play. We would love to come watch you.”

  “Well, how about next weekend…you coming? You can come with Olivia and Dad.”

  “I’ll be there. David, too, if he’s in town.” Ellen gives me a hug and thanks me for a great time. “So, I’ll talk to you soon! Thanks again. Enjoyed our talk!”

  “Me, too! Lunch soon?”

  “Definitely!”

  I sense that Emily shouldn’t drive into the city t
onight. Tommy asks her, “Why don’t you just spend the night here?”

  “Well, I don’t have a toothbrush or anything. I should probably just drive home. I’ll be okay.”

  Tommy pipes up, “No chance, Emily. We have toothbrushes and I’m sure Olivia has something for you to sleep in. We have four extra bedrooms. Come on, we’re staying here too. It’ll be fun!”

  Emily looks to me for approval and I nod in agreement with Tommy.

  “Well, okay—if you’re sure you don’t mind if I hang out?”

  “Absolutely not, Emily! I feel better knowing that you’re not on the road driving home. It’s a mom thing. Besides, Reba, the housekeeper, has new toothbrushes in every bathroom. And I have jammies for you!”

  Emily, I think, is content to spend the night here. Yeah! I bring out some young-looking jammies for Emily and tell her and the guys good-night.

  “So, are y’all okay if I poop out and go to bed?”

  “Y’all take your ass up and go to bed. We’ve got this under control,” Todd says. He winks and I can tell that Emily is in good hands.

  I head up to bed and leave the guys and Emily to do whatever it is kids do. They all seem to be having a great time. I call Ash.

  “Hey, hon! How was your night?”

  “Oh, Ash, it was incredible. Ellen just left, and the guys and Emily are spending the night. I wish you were here.”

  “God! I wish I were, too. A full house tonight? I may get things wrapped up in two or three days, so I may see you sooner than later!”

  I tell him about our night…not about the talk I had with Ellen, but that Tommy and Emily seem to get getting along well.

  “Well, that’s good! Maybe Tommy can date her and have a little fun for a change!”

  “I hope so. They all seem to have had a good time. I’m thinking that tomorrow I will make some chicken and dumplings, and that everyone will stay here all day.”

  “Olivia, you never cease to amaze me.”

  We talk for another hour or so. I tell Ash that Emily brought over some mistletoe, and that Brady hung it in the entryway.