I got up early the next morning to help Mom cook, as was tradition. For as long as I could remember, we made pies first—the day before and the morning of—then prepared the turkey and put it in the oven, worked on all of the dips for crackers and vegetables, and finished with the non-pie desserts. It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it. Throughout the day, extended family members would show up and help, women for the most part.
I left my old room and tiptoed down the hall, passing the door to Zeus’s. Thankfully, he hadn’t made any jokes about sleeping in the same bed last night. It was weird to have him sleeping down the hall in my parent’s house. So far they seemed to like him well enough, but they hadn’t really talked much.
We arrived in time for dinner the day before. There wasn’t a whole lot of conversation at the table. Mom was a good cook—people usually preferred stuffing their faces over talking.
I could tell from Dad’s face he wanted to give Zeus “the talk.” I wasn’t exactly sure what it entailed, but every boy who’d ever taken me out had received it. A lot of them never asked me out again. They usually came out of “the talk” looking a little sick. I didn’t know if Dad was threatening them or grossing them out with personal things about me, like potty training stories.
Mom, on the other hand, looked like she was about to burst from all the things she wanted to say. It wasn’t her style to interrupt dinner, though, so she’d remained silent. Cleaning up afterward had kept her from chatting as well, and even with our offer to help, she’d refused. He tried to help her anyway but got chased out with a soapy spatula. I already knew better.
I smiled at the feel of the shag carpet under my feet. I didn’t think I’d missed home at all, but now that I was here, I realized I had been homesick. Everything looked older because, frankly, the house was older. The avocado green carpet matched the brown wood paneling on the walls, but it felt warm and cozy. All the furniture was a matching floral orange and the kitchen had decorative plates hanging on the walls. I didn’t think much had changed since they bought it in the late seventies, but I still loved it.
The smell of fresh pies beckoned me to the kitchen. Early as it was, Mom had definitely already been up and working. I made my way through the living and dining rooms and past the open kitchen door. The tile felt cool on my feet, but the air was hot.
Mom had donned her apron again, over her jeans and special Thanksgiving sweater she wore every year. The sleeves were rolled up past her elbow, her arms covered in flour. She paused in her task of rolling out pie crust. Using her elbow, she tried to brush a light-brown strand of hair out of her face. She had pulled it back into a low ponytail, but it her work was making it come undone. I smiled as I stood just inside the door, listening to her hum as she worked.
Like Dad, she hadn’t wanted me to move. After my first visit to the Strip, I understood what they were afraid of. Zeus was right; they had only been trying to take care of me. Mom had given her permission for me to go first. I’d talked with her about it a little and she, in turn, helped Dad come around to the idea.
As I thought about Zeus’s uncle, and what a horrible man he seemed to be, gratitude for my loving parents filled my heart.
“Morning Mom,” I said, announcing my presence.
She jumped, dropping her rolling pin and spinning around. I laughed at the shocked look that was peeking out from under the flour on her face.
“Karly, you startled me! I’m not used to having people up and about yet, anymore.”
“Sorry,” I said, still laughing.
“What’s so funny?” She was so clueless sometimes.
“Mom, there’s flour all over your face.”
“Oh dear!” she laughed, bending over to see herself in the shiny, silver mixing bowl. She grabbed a relatively clean corner of her apron and wiped her face. “Is my makeup still good? I want to look nice for the handsome young man you brought home with you.” She winked at me and I blushed.
“You look fine, Mom. Promise.” I walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Do you mind if I have some cereal before I start helping?”
“That’s fine, sweetie. Clean bowls are in the dishwasher.” With that, she picked up her rolling pin and went back to work while I grabbed a clean bowl and spoon and poured myself some food.
As I leaned against the counter across the room from her and ate, there was nothing but the sound of the rolling pin. It was nice—almost therapeutic—watching her work. She had already finished several crusts and laid them in their pans so she would have room for the batch she was working on now.
After I finished, I rinsed my dishes and washed my hands. My apron, a perfect match to my mother’s, was folded in its customary place in one of the kitchen drawers. I slipped it over my head and tied it in the back.
“What do you want me to start working on?” It was best to let the master run things. I couldn’t even imagine a future where I was as good at running holiday affairs as she was.
“Why don’t you prepare the pumpkins you brought?” she suggested. “Put all the seeds in a bowl and then you can stick them in the oven—it’s already on. They should make really nice pies.”
Even though pumpkin pie was my favorite, I loathed making it completely from scratch. I obediently got a carving knife out of a drawer and began cutting the pumpkins in half.
“So, tell me more about Zeus,” she said, huffing over her exuberant rolling.
“What do you want to know?”
“How did you two meet?” She lifted her eyes and smiled at me, still rolling while she waited for my answer.
“Uh . . .” I didn’t know if she would appreciate the fact we met in a club. She was bound to find out the truth eventually, though.
“We met at a club in one of the resorts on the Strip.” Zeus could tell my dad about how we met. He was strong enough to fend for himself.
“A club? I thought you didn’t go to those things.” She looked concerned, but not angry. That was good.
“I don’t very often. My roommates took me out to see the city and all of the shows. It was fun, but we didn’t stay out long.”
“Why is that?”
“It wasn’t my scene,” I fibbed, dropping a spoonful of seeds into the bowl.
“But that’s where you met Zeus,” she continued.
“Yeah, we danced together for a little bit.”
“Was it your first date?” She was smiling again, having moved on to the next step in the pie process: laying the crust into the pan.
“No, we went out to dinner and a fancy art exhibit for our first date.” I grinned, remembering how my opinion of Zeus had altered that night.
“That’s nice,” she said, distracted as she trimmed the crust and began to crimp it. “Why didn’t you tell me about him during our phone calls?”
“I didn’t know if it was going anywhere. It seemed pointless to tell you about every date I went on,” I laughed.
Her face remained serious as she took a deep breath.
“Do you two sleep together?” she blurted out.
“Oh my gosh, Mom,” I groaned. “Really?”
“Yes, really! This is something I need to know!” She put the crust pie filling down and placed her hands on her hips.
“No it’s not, not really,” I argued. “But, to make you feel better, no. We don’t sleep together.”
She went back to work without saying anything. After a moment she turned to me again.
“Good for you. He’s a very attractive man, and you are a beautiful woman. Thank you for being strong.”
“You’re welcome,” I said sarcastically, mostly to myself.
“Morning ladies,” Dad said from behind us. “It smells marvelous in here!”
“It’s all Mom so far,” I said, turning to look at him. He was wearing his jeans and a football jersey. His folded sweater was hanging over one arm.
“Where’s your beau?” he asked. “I want to take him for a walk this morning.” Mom
shot a knowing glance my way, and I stifled a giggle.
“I think he’s still in his room, Daddy.”
“For Pete’s sake, John. At least let the boy eat before you scare him away,” Mom yelled after him as he left the room.
“Walking on an empty stomach is good for ya!” he called back.
I shook my head. They hadn’t changed one bit. It was like I’d been away for the weekend, not almost a whole semester.
I could hear my dad talking as I began the messy work of deseeding the first pumpkin. The stringy, seed goop worked its way up my arm as I struggled in vain to hear what he was saying, and I could only hear the mumble of Zeus’s answer. Mom’s laughter filled the room at the sight of me—seeds fell to the floor, and sticky sludge was on my cheek from where I wiped a strand of hair from my face. I loved her joyous face—I guess that is why I do this year after year. I smiled back at mom as the front door opened and then closed leaving the rest of the house quiet again.
“He’ll be fine,” Mom said reassuringly, and I suddenly wasn’t worried at all.
“I know he will be,” I said surprisingly confident. Zeus had the smooth talking skills of a politician. Dad would be completely on his side in no time at all.
I finished my work, placing the clean, cut pieces face down on a cookie sheet and slipping them in the hot oven along with a couple of mom’s pies. She’d already moved on to making stuffing while I started cleaning up my mess, but had left a clean mixing bowl for me to finish my pies.
A couple years back she upgraded to double ovens in the kitchen. It was the only thing I could remember her purposely changing. It made holidays like today easier. While pies baked in one, the turkey would cook in another.
My first task done and waiting for the second step of actually making the pies, I moved on to the next tradition. While Mom made stuffing, I pulled the bagged organs out of the bird and got it completely ready to go. We worked in comfortable silence. I enjoyed the peaceful feeling of it all.
By the time the turkey and pumpkin pies were finished and in the oven, the first family members walked through the door. I was hoping it was Zeus and Dad, but they were still out somewhere, talking about who knows what.
“Good to see you Karly!” my Aunt Violet said as she walked into the kitchen, placing her contribution of crackers and dip on the table. “You too, Mary!” Mom stopped working to hug her sister, welcoming and thanking her for coming over.
“What do you need help with?” Aunt Violet started rolling her sleeves up, prepared to dive right into the work. I chuckled as I caught sight of her shirt with a turkey holding a sign that read, “Eat more chicken!” Her pilgrim hat earrings swung back and forth, peeking out from her half‑pulled‑up, black hair as she walked over to the counter. We really got into the festivities around here.
“Actually, we’re running a little bit ahead of schedule,” Mom laughed. “I was thinking we could take a break and watch the rest of the parade on the television. I love seeing Santa come at the very end!”
Mom was way into Christmas. I was grown-up, yet she still left baking soda and glitter footprints in front of the fireplace, claiming Saint Nick had left them. I briefly entertained a vision of Zeus here, opening presents and sipping hot chocolate while listening to festive music. By the time I was done fantasizing, I’d decided to invite him for Christmas too.
“By the way,” Violet said as we headed for the living room, closing the kitchen door behind us, “I saw John out walking on our way here. Who was that young man with him?” Her voice sounded innocent enough, but the gleam in her eyes told me she found him very attractive.
“Hey guys,” her husband, Jeremy, said as he entered the house, herding their small children and preventing us from answering. There were several years between Mom and Violet. Jeremy and she had a hard time getting pregnant during their first years of marriage, but that had all changed eventually, and now they had three beautiful boys who were some of the most skilled destroyers I’d ever seen. They could turn the house upside down in two minutes flat and refuse to help clean anything. Usually, it took several hours to put right all the messes they made. It was getting better as they got older and learned to listen to their parents.
Uncle Jeremy was wearing jeans and a jersey, as were his boys. Their black hair looked like it hadn’t been combed yet. I could tell from the names on their shirts they were cheering for a different team than Dad’s. That should make for an interesting football game.
“Go play outside!” He waved them all to the backyard and sat down on the love seat, pulling Violet down next to him.
“How are they?” I asked, in reference to the boys, settling onto the couch with mom.
“Josh has started second grade,” Violet said proudly. “He’s doing very well. Henry is in first grade and wants to join the youth soccer league. Zack started school this year and got the same teacher the other boys had. She said she feels like she keeps getting the same boy year after year, they all look so alike!” She shared a laugh with her husband, ignoring the yelling coming from the backyard. “They’re a bit of a handful,” she admitted. “But we love them. Our family wouldn’t be complete without them!”
While her sister had been talking, Mom turned the television on and found the parade. Soon we were all making comments on the giant balloons, marching bands, and musical acts.
The door opened and Dad and Zeus walked in, laughing. The knot I didn’t know had formed in my stomach loosened. I smiled widely.
“Good morning!” I said cheerfully, ignoring Aunt Violet’s questioning face.
“To you as well!” Zeus beamed, walking over to me and giving me a quick peck on the lips. Violet’s eyes almost bugged out of her head.
“Are you hungry, boy?” Dad said, clapping a hand onto his shoulder.
“Famished actually,” Zeus laughed. “I usually don’t go so long without eating after I exercise.”
“Yeah,” Dad said, talking to the whole room. “I thought I’d have to wake this guy up to go for a walk with me. He was doing pushups when I opened the door!” He laughed again, obvious admiration in his eyes.
I’d been sure Zeus could win him over, but I didn’t know how he’d do it. Somehow he had, and I intended to finally find out what “the talk” really was.
“Let’s get some food in ya,” Dad said, pushing him towards the kitchen.
Zeus grinned and grabbed my hand, squeezing it gently before allowing my father to lead him away.
“Again,” Violet said as soon as they were out of earshot. “Who is that?”
“It’s Karly’s boyfriend, Zeus,” Mom said appreciatively.
“Marry him.”
Jeremy groaned at Violet’s statement. “Vi, let her be.” He shook his head and focused his attention back on the television.
“I’m serious,” she continued. “He’s gorgeous. I’d marry him myself if I wasn’t already spoken for.”
Mom and I stifled giggles as Jeremy jumped to his feet.
“What is that supposed to mean?” He threw his hands in the air and walked into the kitchen without waiting for an answer.
“What are we talking about?” Mom’s other sister, Ashley, asked as she walked through the front door. Her red, curly hair bounced as she turned and closed the door. Her clothes, like her hair, didn’t match the rest of the women—she had donned a jersey as well.
“Karly’s fiancée,” Violet said.
“You’re engaged!” Aunt Ashley squealed.
“No!” I laughed, raising my hands in a plea for mercy.
“She should be, he’s beautiful,” Violet said as Ashley took Jeremy’s place.
“Ooooh, I want to see,” Ashley said.
“Girls, calm down!” Mom laughed as she shushed them. I mouthed a silent thank you to her.
“Somebody talking about me?” Zeus’s head poked through the kitchen door, curiosity on his face. “My ears were itching.” I heard my aunts sigh softly as he rel
eased one of his devastating smiles.
“Nope, we’re just watching the parade,” I said, trying not to giggle.
“Alright then.” He smiled at me for a second longer and then retreated back through the door.
“Holy cannoli,” Ashley whispered softly.
“Wait till you get a look at the rest of him,” Violet murmured, flexing her arms like a strong man.
This was one of the things I loved best about my aunts—their inability to not say what they were thinking. Mom had never been outspoken, not unless she had to be. But her sisters . . . they were on a whole separate level.
I blushed furiously at their comments, wondering if Zeus had heard them saying we should get married. Part of me thought it wouldn’t be so bad if he had.
A few question filled minutes later, Zeus came through the door again.
“Mind if I crash the party, ladies?” he asked.
My aunts gushed their approval while Mom simply invited him to take a seat. He settled down on the couch next to me, putting an arm around my shoulders and kissing me quickly on the forehead.
“You look nice today,” he said and I laughed.
My old, torn up jeans and paint splattered high school shirt were anything but nice. My hair, which I hadn’t even really combed, was in a messy ponytail. I surveyed his designer jeans and tight black t-shirt.
“You’re the good looking one in this relationship,” I laughed. “It’s a miracle I’m not still covered in pumpkin!”
“You’re wrong,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “You’re beautiful.”
There was a sigh from my aunts’ vicinity. I blushed as he smiled and kissed my forehead again, not seeming to notice anything other than me.
“Well, we should get back into the kitchen, now that the parade is over. And we can finally put up our Christmas decorations since it’s officially the season!” Mom beamed as she left the room. Supposedly, Christmas didn’t really start until Santa finished the parade.
“Do you mind if I hang out with the guys?” Zeus asked as we stood up. “They said something about a game on TV.”
“Sure, that’s fine, they watch it every year.” I smiled and kissed him quickly on the lips—blushing the whole time—before he left the room. There was something different about having my family watch us kiss. It felt weird.
Once we were back in the kitchen with the door closed, Violet sighed deeply. “Yup. You need to marry him.”
Chapter Eighteen
Zeus (The God Chronicles #1) Page 18
