Not A Good Reason

by McCarthy, G. L.

  “Well, not really. I’m just used to Alex being that rock you mentioned. But she did have a little meltdown at the ranch. But it was understandable, and she has been through a lot these past five months. So I should lighten up and be more understanding.” Sam looked at TJ and smiled.

  “What are you two talking about?” Alex had a good idea.

  “You, of course.” TJ felt honesty was the best policy.

  “I see. Anything I need to know?” Alex was glad TJ had been honest.

  “No. But I think you should know that Dez is a loser and emotionally lifeless. That is, in my opinion.” TJ hoped that Alex would believe they had been talking about her past relationship with Dez and not her current mental state.

  “Ah, my selfish ex. Yes, I agree with your opinion, as I share it. But enough about her, I’ve wasted too many tears and need to get over it. Is all this to be washed?” Alex looked at a two foot high stack of clothes sitting on the tailgate.

  “No. Not all of it. I thought you could pick out what you wanted to wear and what to store.” Sam had been mindlessly putting all the clothes in one pile.

  Alex gave both women a smile and looked at a mixture of summer and winter clothes. It was obvious their minds were somewhere else. She quickly sorted the one pile into three new piles. Wash, store and give away. TJ asked if she could have a look at the give-a-way pile since she and Alex were almost the same size. TJ was an inch taller, but across the shoulders they were very close.

  “Be my guest. I’d love for you to have them.” Alex realized that she and TJ did dress similarly in the casual wear department.

  “Thanks. This dressy stuff is better than anything I have. Not that I go out that much, but you never know.” TJ wanted it all and hoped Alex wouldn’t mind.

  “Well we need to change that. I think we should all go out to the Ridgeway tonight and have a nice dinner. What do you say?” Alex wanted to do something fun, but hoped TJ wouldn’t mind going to the place she first met Cyn.

  Alex looked at Sam and TJ and all were in agreement. The remainder of the boxes were less knickknacks and more clothes. It was obvious this little chore wasn’t going to be done in a day. Consolidating the knickknacks freed up several boxes that Alex could use to store her summer things until it was time to rotate out her winter wear. TJ ate the muffins as both Sam and Alex were full from breakfast and wanted to have plenty of room for dinner. TJ requested a few laundry tips on how to wash her new wardrobe.

  “Girl, everything is warm water and tumble dry.” It’s all permanent press, I hate doing laundry. Thank goodness I get my blazer and pants dry cleaned. It makes my life so much easier, than having to iron that stuff.” Alex saw a teal top that would look great on TJ and bring out the color of her eyes.

  “Alex, you’re not giving that top away are you?” TJ thought it looked brand new.

  “Well if it fits you okay. I wore it one time and then washed it. After that it just didn’t hang on me right. I never thought it looked the same. But I’m bigger in the chest than you are, so I think it will work for you.” Alex never thought herself that busty, but compared to TJ she was.

  “Maybe Sam wants it?” TJ thought she should have first say.

  “Not me, I’m too big in the shoulders. It would never fit. We’ve tried on each others clothes before.” Sam thought it suited TJ and wasn’t really her style.

  “Gosh, thank you so much. I love it and will wear it tonight.” TJ was close to tears until she saw something moving out of the corner of her eye. “What the hell?”

  A cardboard box was moving towards them along the ground from behind the far side of the garage. It was moving towards them like it was being pushed across the gravel from behind, but no one was there.

  “What do you have, Oliver?” Alex couldn’t see him, but figured it had to be him.

  “Oliver, is that you?” Sam looked at Alex and TJ for conformation since she couldn’t see him either.

  “I don’t see anyone, just the box.” TJ wondered if her ability to see him was a one time deal.

  “It’s me. I’ve been carrying and then pushing this box for several miles. I guess I need to rest for a while and then maybe you’ll be able to see me.” Oliver was exhausted and this had never happened before.

  “What’s in the box?” Alex wondered where he got it.

  “It’s a present for you and Sam. I hope you like it.” Oliver was so tired he couldn’t lift the lid.

  “Why do I have a feeling I already know what it is.” Alex walked towards the box and peeked inside.

  Alex looked in to find a small white cat with four tiny kittens, two black and two white. All still had their eyes closed and were nursing on the calmest cat Alex had ever seen. Alex waved her friends over to see this amazing sight.

  “How did you get her to stay there while you brought this box home” Alex couldn’t image any cat putting up with that.

  “I told her I was taking her home to meet the greatest owners she could ever have. I guess she believed what I told her.” Oliver was very proud of his gift.

  “Where did you find her?” Alex reached in to pet the momma, who started to purr with delight.

  “Up the road in an old lean-to I was exploring. It looks like it’s been a long time since anyone used it.” Oliver had done a lot of exploring of the surrounding area.

  “It’s probably that old feed shed near the road up past our place.” TJ had never seen it used in her life time.

  Alex looked at Sam and wanted her to respond to this new gift, without having to be asked if she liked it.

  “Oliver, how did you know Alex liked cats?” Sam knew he couldn’t have heard them talking earlier about cat stuff and then appear with this furry present.

  “I already knew Alex liked cats. I saw all the stuff in the boxes.” Oliver didn’t need to open them to see what was inside. But then thought he should explain. “I didn’t open the boxes; I can just see what’s inside.”

  “Really, can you look for a cedar box? I can’t remember which box I put it in. I never unpacked it when I moved in with Dez.” Alex really hoped he could find it. It was one of the reasons she started this chore in the first place.

  “Sure, give me a few minutes and I’ll tell you where it is. I remember a wooden box.” Oliver went into the storage loft, although he was still invisible to everyone.

  “Wow, five homeless cats. It looks like fate delivered you your own little rescues.” Sam smiled as she watched Alex pick up each kitten and kiss it on the stomach.

  “They smell so good. Momma’s doing a great job of keeping them clean. So does that statement mean we can keep them all?” Alex would in a nano second, but wanted to make sure Sam was onboard for this new responsibility.

  “Of course. Plus how could I be a bad guy and say no. Look at you two.” Sam knew Alex liked cats, but TJ was right next to Alex nuzzling the little fur balls.

  “My Dad’s allergic, or I would’ve had a cat long ago.” TJ thought that now she could get a cat since she had a place of her own. “When they get bigger could I have a couple?”

  “If it’s okay with Oliver. They’re really his to give away.” Alex knew five running around would eventually be a lot to feed and care for.

  “Sure TJ, if Alex is okay. I found the box you were talking about. It’s in the bottom box next to the far garage wall in the second row. Oliver was still invisible but his voice was coming through loud and clear.

  “I’ll get it. You stay here and kiss baby kitties.” Sam loved seeing Alex this way.

  “Thank you both. So TJ do you want boys or girls or one of each?” Alex loved the girl kitties.

  “I’ve never really thought about sex. I guess I’m all about personality and which ones are going to be lovers and not vagabonds.” TJ smiled at Alex and knew that was going to be tough to tell.

  “Well, they can’t be more than a few days old now. So by the time their eyes open we’ll be able to tell a little bit about them. That is, what sex they are. Then a fe
w weeks later is when they are the most fun, little balls of fur running around and playing with each other. By eight weeks they will all be old enough to get fixed and then we can decide who moves in with you.” Alex really hoped she could let two of them go, but TJ would be a good mom. Of that she was sure.

  “Is this the right box?” Sam held out a red cedar box as she wiped cobwebs from her face.

  “That’s it. Thank you.” Alex teared up as the box had been given to her by her grandfather.

  “That looks really old. Who gave it to you?” TJ saw the tears and knew it was special.

  “My Grandfather. It belonged to my Grandmother. It was her hope chest, small I know but still meant a lot.” Alex opened the well preserved cedar box and pulled out the contents.

  It consisted of old pictures of Alex’s grand-parents and parents, a few letters and some jewelry.

  “These are my grandparents and parents.” Alex handed the pictures to Sam. “Oliver did you name the momma cat?”

  “No, I thought you’d want to.” Oliver was just starting to appear to Alex.

  “Well I’m going to leave that honor to you. So think hard.” Alex pulled a topaz ring out of the box and put it on her finger. “This was my grandmother’s, another November baby. Father and Grandfather were also born in November.”

  “So these are your father’s parents?” Sam assumed since Alex never really talked about her mothers side of the family.

  “Yes. I don’t have any pictures of my mother’s side. Can’t say I ever wanted any. Not people I’d like to remember.” Alex looked at Sam and hoped she wouldn’t ask any more questions about them.

  “Beautiful ring, Topaz right?” TJ had looked it up since November was Alex birth month too.

  “Yes. And this silver locket was hers as well. It has their pictures inside.” Alex would have liked to have had her father’s signet ring, but it wasn’t recovered after the accident that took his life. At least that is what her mother told her.

  “Alex I have a name. I would have called her Alex or Sam, but then that would be confusing. So I’d like us to call her Eva.” Oliver had a childhood friend called Eva.

  “Eva it is. I like that name. It sounds old and respectable.” Alex smiled at Oliver, which let him know that she could see him again. “I wish I had a picture of you Oliver. Do you remember anyone ever taking your picture when you were in the Army?”

  “Not that I can remember, but then I don’t really remember all that much back then.” Oliver was to worried someone was going to find out he wasn’t really in the Army and send him home.

  “That’s a side project we need to invest some time in. Now let’s get these babies out of this cold weather.” Alex would need to pick up cat food and a litter box when they were in town. “We’ll need to turn one of these boxes into a temporary litter box for Eva. There is plenty of old newspaper to shred until I get to the store.”

  “Where are you going to put them?” Sam thought they might stay in the garage or workroom.

  “The Guestroom with Anna, Ramon and Oliver to watch over them. Where else?” Alex wouldn’t think of leaving them outside.

  “Of course. Sorry I should have known better.” Sam had never considered the three of them.

  “Duh, Sam. What were you thinking?” TJ smiled at Sam because she hadn’t thought of that either.

  “Ha, Ha very funny. If Oliver can bring this box all the way back to us, he can certainly look after a momma cat and let us know if there is a problem.” Alex stuck her tongue out at both women to let them know she knew they were joking.

  Eva and brood were safely left to themselves with a small bowl of milk to tide Momma Kitty over until Alex went shopping.

  “Are you going to tell Dez you have a litter of kittens?” TJ knew Dez would drive over to check them out.

  “No – not for a while. I know how to care for them. I’ll let her get involved when it comes time to spay and neuter. She can do the job and it won’t cost me. It’s the least she can do.” Alex smiled at TJ and figured she’d be over her anger with the good doctor by then.

  “I figured you need some time to forgive her.” TJ smiled, but knew she never wanted Alex to be mad with her.

  “Forgive and forget, I hope. Six weeks should just about do it.” Alex was smiling, but serious too.

  “All right, if we leave early to pick up the needed supplies for the cats, then we can drive on to the Ridgeway Inn. So TJ needs to be back here when?” Sam was feeling a little jealous over the cat bonding Alex and TJ were sharing.

  “TJ can hang with us and slip into that teal top. She’ll be good to go. I still have a couple of hours of laundry to do and you two can watch TV while I do it.” Alex liked having another cat lover around and appreciated TJ thinking of them when she stopped and bought coffee. She hoped this sudden attitude was temporary, since she had already felt that Sam really did want to spend the day in front of the TV.

  “I didn’t plan on spending the day with you two. I just stopped by to bring you a treat from town.” TJ felt like a third wheel, at the moment, with Sam and the little sister with Alex.

  “And it is greatly appreciated. So if you’d be so kind as to take those two piles out back to the washer, I’d be ever so grateful.” Alex wanted a few minutes alone with Sam to find out what was up.

  “Why are you trying to get rid of TJ?” Alex whispered to Sam along with a look that meant she wanted a serious answer.

  “I’m not going to lie. I’m jealous. Seeing you two gushing over those kittens made me realize that there are some things I just can’t relate to with you.” Sam gave a half hearted smile.

  “You’re jealous over kittens? Wow, I never would have guessed in a million years. I’m in love with you and yes I love kittens, there is no comparison. As for TJ, I don’t see her as my lover. I love her like a sister and that’s all, so can you please relax and let this go.” Alex hoped she would.

  Sam slowly relaxed over the next few hours and the threesome finished the tasks at hand. TJ wanted to respect their space, but at the same time enjoyed spending time with them. Therefore, she waited for Alex to let her know what was up. Which Alex did by giving TJ a wink which let her know all was well and she was welcome to stay. To make herself seem useful but not underfoot TJ drew up a plan for where the gas line would be installed for the new grill along with a list of needed parts to complete the project.

  The conversation before their dinner was served was surprising to Alex as TJ truly seemed okay with being at the Ridgeway again. TJ recalled her first impression of meeting Alex and Cyn and what a great time she had. She did have to admit that she had been attracted to Alex at first, only because getting Cyn to speak was like pulling teeth. Alex was more self confident and easier to talk to. But then Cyn opened up a bit and they got along well enough.

  “So let me ask this question. If Alex hadn’t met me, would you have made a move on her?” Sam was smiling, and already knew the answer.

  “You bet. So you better watch yourself. Because frankly, fifteen years isn’t that big a difference in age these days.” TJ was smiling, but felt if Sam kept screwing up she may in time have a chance with Alex.

  “I love this friendly banter, but I also hope you two will listen to yourselves.” Alex didn’t want these two friends becoming estranged. They needed each other’s friendship, even if they didn’t realize it at the moment.

  “I just want to state the obvious in case Sam isn’t aware of how good she has it. I’m not saying your perfect or anything.” TJ remembered Sam’s questions about how Alex had been acting lately.

  “Gee thanks, I love you too.” Alex wondered where this going.

  “I mean we all have our little quirks, but yours are unique. You know, attracting crazy people.” TJ was going for a laugh.

  “Ah yes, my magnetic personality for attracting the crazies. But that’s not my only quirk – is it?” Alex smiled at TJ as she rested her chin on her palm.

  “No, but then we all have them
. None of us are quirk free. It comes with being an individual.” TJ looked at both women and Sam seemed to be preoccupied. “What do you think Sam?”

  “What? Oh I was just thinking about work. I sort of thought I’d get a call from the Sheriff asking me how it’s going by now.” Sam hoped he at least talked to Cap about her progress.

  “I’m sure he has complete faith in your abilities.” Alex gave Sam a quick look and thought her not paying attention to the conversation was another new change in her. Or was Alex just becoming aware of Sam’s quirks?

  “Sorry TJ you were saying.” Sam knew that look and smiled back at Alex.

  “We were talking about peoples quirks. And yours would be what?” TJ was having a little fun at her friend’s expense.

  “Quirks? I don’t understand.” Sam felt she had missed more of the conversation than she thought.

  “The word has several meanings. Some might say that we met because of a quirk of fate.” Alex knew it had other meanings that might upset Sam because of recent events.

  “Oh, I guess that’s true.” Sam knew she had missed something else, but was glad Alex was trying to get off the previous topic.

  TJ smiled back at Alex and was happy to see their dinner arrive.

  The only sound that was made for the remainder of the meal was compliments to the Chef in the form of yummy sounds and sighs of satisfaction.

  On the ride home, Alex tried to keep the conversation light and about different subjects. Sam’s distracted behavior was starting to get on her nerves and at one point she’d wished they’d left her at home to stew about why the Sheriff hadn’t called her to check and see how it was going. TJ jumped into her truck after saying goodbye to both women and would text Alex when she got home to see what was going on.

  It was Sunday night and they both had work the next day. Alex didn’t know whether to let this annoyance slide and question Sam if it came up again or just nip it in the bud now.

  “I’m screwing up again, aren’t I?” Sam could tell by Alex’s demeanor that something was up.