Trixie flipped her curls back out of her eyes as she tried to stir the brownies again. The door bell rang, and she set the bowl down on the counter as the patter of small feet came from the living room.

“Auntie Honey and Auntie Di!” four year old Katie jumped up and down waiting for her mother to open the door. She clapped her hands in her exuberance and beamed with delight at the arrival of her Aunts and little cousin teddy.

“Hi Trix. Di said setting her three old son, Teddy, back on his feet.

“Hi yourself. Hi Teddy.” Trixie ruffled his hair as he and Katie moved back into the living room to watch a video.

Honey came through the door next. She was slightly out of breath and rested a hand on her burgeoning stomach.

Trixie patted Honey’s belly and asked, “How is my niece or nephew?”

“Just fine, Auntie Trixie. Hopefully ready to meet us all in a few more weeks.”

Trixie grinned. Honey was just as beautiful in pregnancy as she was otherwise.

“Tired of being pregnant?”

“I miss seeing my feet. I want to wear my clothes not the tents I have to. I want my husband to be able to wrap his arms around me again. And, I don’t want to be too tired for sex.” Honey stopped then, and covered her mouth with her hand realizing what she said.

Diana and Trixie laughed at her.

Trixie led them into the kitchen and put the brownies into the oven.

“Chocolate will cure your ills, Hon” Trixie promised.

Honey wearily sat in a chair as Di sat next to her.

“I love being pregnant, I really do. It has been wonderful. But it just feels like it is not ending! I have been a whale forever!”

Honey held out her fingers that were slightly puffy.

“Look at me. Honestly Trix, I don’t know how you did it. Not just once but twice.”

Trixie poured the three of them some iced tea and set the glasses in front of her sisters- in –law.

As if on cue, the cry of a baby sounded through the monitor on the counter. Di stood up and asked Trixie, “Can I go get him? I haven’t seen him in so long.”

Diana referred to Jamie. James Winthrop Frayne III, Trixie and Jim’s 11 month old son.

“Have at it! Diapers are in the usual place in the table.”

Diana walked quickly from the room while Trixie turned the monitor off.

Trixie poured the kids each a sippy cup with Apple juice and placed a few cookies on a plate for them. She told Honey she’d be right back and took the kids their snack.

The were lying on the floor in front of the television. She hid a smile as she listened to their conversation as she walked up to them.

“Wanna hear a joke?” Teddy asked his cousin.

“Yes I do.” Katie answered matter of factly.

“Knock-Knock.”

“Who’s there?”

“Orange.”

“Orange, who?”

“Orange you glad I came to play today?” He promptly rolled on the floor giggling madly.

Trixie almost laughed when Katie stood up, hands on hips.

“Teddy Belden- that is not really funny!”

Trixie set the cookies and juice on the table and told them to have their snack and watch the movie. The cookies had alleviated any arguments and they settled down to enjoy their video.

She returned to the kitchen to find Di had come down with Jamie.

Smoothing back his red hair she kissed his cheek and moved to get him his snack.

“He gets cuter every time I see him.” Honey said as Jamie laughed at his Aunts. He was a miniature Jim. Red hair, green eyes and he was going to be tall like daddy too. His body was already so long.

Trixie set his sliced banana and cup of milk on the high chair tray and reached for the baby.

Setting her son into the chair, she turned to Honey.

“So, now, Mrs. Belden, what is the problem?”

Honey sipped her tea and shifted in her seat.

“Well, there isn’t a problem exactly. I just feel- out of sorts I guess. I am tired and fat. Brian has been working a lot of hours at the hospital lately. We never have any time together now and I’m afraid when the baby is born we will have even less.”

Diana smiled at her in sympathy and patted her hand.

“Honey, everything you are feeling is normal.”

“But, I’m afraid that when my body gets to the point of being able to have sex again, I will be too tired from taking care of the baby.”

“Time together is rare when you are parents. But you have to make time.” Trixie added.

“Brian and I will probably be old and gray before we get another minute to ourselves.”

“That’s ok, sweetie, they make Viagra for that time!” Di tried to reassure her.

Trixie stifled a giggle.

“Very funny!” Honey said. But the corners of her mouth turned up too.

The timer on the oven dinged and Trixie stood up to retrieve the brownies. She set them on the rack to cool, and returned to her guests.

“Well, we are supposed to be planning an anniversary party for my parents. I guess we’d better get down to business.” Trixie said going to the counter to get the stack of paper and pens.

The girls got down to business and made out a guest list, and a menu.

“Ok, all of the Bob “Whites of course and their families. Kids, parents and brothers and sisters.” Di said writing down their growing list.

“What neighbors do you want to include?” Honey asked.

Trixie sighed, “All of them. I can’t see leaving anyone out.”

Di wrote furiously as they each called a name of a neighbor and friend.

“Now the menu.” Honey said.

They each took a moment to think about it. Trixie chewed her lip while she thought it over.

“Can we get away with the old stand-by Bob White dinners? Let’s grill hamburgers and frankfurters with potato salad, fresh vegetables and corn on the cob.”

“Or, you could make your infamous beef stroganoff, Trix.” Di added.

Trixie snorted, “Only if you make your fried rice and Mart does his mashed potatoes.” Referring to their trip to New York long ago.

“It all sounds good. Let’s wait to decide the menu; the guys need to have a hand in that.” Honey said.

They had already set the date for the next month. They moved on to invitations and decorations.

And, an hour later, they were interrupted by Katie and Teddy.

“Can we play music now?” Katie asked her mother.

“Go ahead; do you know where your player is?”

“It’s upstairs in my room. I’ll get it.” Katie rushed from the room while Teddy waited by his mother.

She returned, and she and Teddy moved back into the living room.

The preliminary party plans were completed. Jamie had finished with his banana and Trixie washed his hands.

“Be sure to run them by Mart and Brian to see if they have anything to add.” Trixie reminded them.

“And you run them by Jim too. He might have some ideas.” Di said.

Trixie was still wiping Jamie’s hands. She didn’t look up r acknowledge Di’s comment. That fact wasn’t lost on Honey or di, who exchanged glances.

“Trix?” Honey asked. “Is there a problem?”

Trixie sighed and looked up with a frown.

“I don’t know.”

Honey and Di waited, and Trixie sat back down in her chair.

“I don’t know why, but Jim hasn’t been himself lately. He’s been distracted for the last week or so. He won’t talk about it, but it is something weighing heavily on his mind. He is terribly short tempered with the kids as well as me. And that isn’t like Jim.” Trixie shrugged.

“Sweetie, he’ll either get over it or talk to you about it. You and Jim have always been able to talk about anything.”

“I thought so too, but he is keeping tight lipped about this and I don’t know why.”

Suddenly the music blared from the living room.

You drive me crazy, I just can’t sleep

I’m so excited, I’m in too deep

Crazy, but it feels alright

Baby thinking of you keeps me up all night

 

Three pairs of eyes met and they began to laugh so hard, they had tears streaming down their cheeks.

“Um, Trix, when did your taste in music turn to Britney Spears?” Honey asked.

Di laughed again. “I can answer that! It was when Cassie babysat for Katie and Jamie last month, wasn’t it?”

One of Di’s sisters, Cassie, had babysat for the kids one night when Jim took Trixie out to dinner. When they had returned Katie was hooked on Britney’s music and begged for her own CD.

“Cassie left her a CD the other day. She can only listen to it when Jim isn‘t home.” Trixie grinned.

“I wonder why!” Diana giggled. She took her makeup mirror out of her purse and checked her makeup for smudges from the tearful gales of laughter.

Now sobered once again, the girls drank their tea and Honey looked at the clock above the sink.

“Oh, I didn’t realize it was getting so late. I should be going, Brian will be home soon. He’ll worry if I’m not there. I never left a note since I thought I’d be back long before now!”

She stood and Diana moved to gather her son up. Trixie picked Jamie up from the high chair and followed.

They found the kids in the living room with Britney music still blaring. Katie and Teddy were jumping around and dancing.

The music was so loud they didn’t hear the door open and close.

Jim frowned at the noise. He called out to Trixie, but she couldn’t hear him over the kids laughing and the music.

Finally, after trying a second time he walked up to Katie’s radio and turned it off.

Katie jumped and turned to see why the music was turned off. Honey and Di said good bye to Jim and Trixie and the kids. They left the Frayne family alone.

“Wasn’t that music a little loud?” Jim asked, looking from his wife to his daughter.

Trixie’s eyes narrowed on his face. He looked tired and a little stressed. Must have been a bad day. But then I wouldn’t know. He isn’t talking to me.

“Yeah it probably was.” Trixie agreed. “How was your day?”

Jim looked at her long and hard before finally answering with a curt “Fine.”

Trixie ran her fingers through Katie’s hair and suggested she go outside to play.

“Can I get my huly hoop out of the garage?” Katie asked.

“Hula hoop.” Trixie automatically corrected. “Yes you may. Stay on the patio.”

Katie trotted from the house, leaving Jamie alone with her parents.

Jamie had no interest in the adults. He crawled over to the pile of blocks and promptly started to play with them.

Jim went upstairs to change out of his work clothes. Trixie stopped long enough to scoop up Jamie and a few of the blocks and she followed him.

Making sure to secure the safety gate at the top of the stairs, she took Jamie with her into their bedroom. Jim was yanking a t-shirt and jeans from the dresser, and turned to look at her when she entered.

Trixie heard his sigh. And the look on his face was anything but inviting.

“Jim, did something happen today?” Trixie frowned with concern.

“Trixie, I already told you it was fine. I really don’t want to keep going through this. I have a lot on my mind.” Jim pulled his polo shirt over his head and tossed it into the hamper in the bathroom, stopping long enough to kick off his shoes.

Ever so persistent, she moved closer and watched him strip off his Dockers and put the faded blue jeans on. He sat on the edge of the bed to put his tennis shoes on and she stood over him.

“Was there something else?” he asked impatiently.

“When you’re ready to talk about whatever is bothering you, let me know.”

Jim shook his head and stood abruptly.

“How long do I have until dinner?”

“I haven’t started it yet. Visiting with Honey and Di took longer than I expected.

“Great! I have some papers to correct; I’ll be in the study.” And Jim stalked from the room, never looking back at Trixie or down at Jamie.

Jamie watched his father go, chewing absently on a block. Then he looked back at his mother and she swore he quirked an eyebrow.

In spite of the confusion she felt over Jim, she giggled.

“Yeah Jamie, me too! Come on big guy, let’s check on your sister and get dinner started.” Trixie and Jamie had reached the bottom of the steps when she heard her husband let out a roar. She took a deep breath and wondered what was wrong now.

Trixie rushed to the doorway of the study to see Jim standing with a stack of school papers, trying to pull them apart but they were stuck.

“What is it?”

“You tell me. Was Katie in here today? You know I don’t allow her at my desk.”

Trixie was losing patience with his tone.

“Yes, I know that. She came in here with me this morning when I came to get her some paper to draw on. What is the problem?”

“This is the problem!” he echoed her, holding up his papers. Between a few of the papers, were little globs of a blue something holding them together.

“What is that?” she asked.

“Unless I miss my guess, it’s ABC gum. More specifically, Katie’s ABC gum and she put it on these papers and now they are stuck together!”

Trixie bit her lip

“I’m sorry Jim, I didn’t see her with that. Moms called when we were in here and I was distracted for just a few minutes. I’ll talk to her about this.”

Trixie turned to go get her daughter. She found her playing with her hula hoop on the patio.

“Katie? I need to talk to you.” Trixie set the baby down on the patio. He still clutched his blocks and crawled a foot away to talk to the birds that were chirping in the trees.

Katie obediently came to her mother’s side.

“Yes, Mommy?” she asked pushing her blonde curls from her face.

“Did you have gum when we wee in Daddy’s study this morning?”

Trixie watched Katie as she thought about that.

“Yes I did, it got stuck on my fingers. I’m sorry Mommy; I was playing with it again.” Katie looked down at her shoes.

Trixie bit back a grin.

“What did you do with it then?”

“You and Daddy always tell me to put my gum in paper before throwing it away. And that’s what I did, oh, but, you came back from the phone and I forgotted to throw it away.”

“Katie, you put the gum in Daddy’s important papers for school. He is very upset about that.”

Katie hung her head in shame.

“I’m sorry Mommy.”

“I accept your apology but Dad is the one who needs to hear it, ok?”

Katie nodded and turned to look for her father. Jim came outside just then. His keys jangled in his hand.

“I’m going to get out of here for awhile, Trix.”

“What do you mean? We haven’t had dinner yet.”

“I can’t wait for it. I have to get out of here. I just need some time alone. Please understand.” Jim turned and walked away from Trixie and the kids.

“How do I understand when you won’t tell me what is wrong?” Trixie shouted after him.

Jim ignored her and kept walking. A minute later she heard his car door slam and the engine roar to life. He sped down the driveway and turned out towards Sleepyside.

Trixie frowned; looking to the spot she’d last seen his car.

A tiny voice next to her shook her from her reverie.

“I’m sorry I made Daddy leave.”

Trixie crouched down to Katie’s level and gently took her into her arms.

“You didn’t make Daddy leave, baby. He just needs some time to think today.”

Katie looked up at Trixie with her sad blue eyes.

“Are you sure?”

Trixie silently beat Jim up. Whatever he’s going through has to be serious. And whatever it is, he needs to tell me soon!

Trixie gazed into her heartbroken daughter’s eyes.

“Sweetie can you help me with dinner tonight? I am running so late that I really need you to help me.”

Katie brightened at the prospect of helping her mother.

Trixie put up a good front, and gaily made dinner with her children. Dinner was ready and there was no Jim.

Dinner was eaten without Jim. The leftovers were stored in the refrigerator without Jim. Dishes were done without Jim.

Trixie’s anger had subsided to be replaced by her concern for her husband. Whatever this is, is really bothering him.

Katie was coloring at the table when she finished with the dishes, while Jamie crawled on the floor at Trixie’s feet.

“Come on, let’s go take a bath.” Trixie said to the kids.

Jamie babbled and giggled in his fashion and Katie closed her coloring book and jumped down from her chair. She took her mother’s hand and they went upstairs to get a bath.

Many bubbles and much splashing later, the kids were squeaky clean once more.

Trixie dressed the kids in their summer pajamas, and she tidied the bathroom up before taking them back downstairs. Jim still wasn’t back yet but she tried not to be concerned.

It was nearing Jamie’s bed time and they sat together on the sofa to read. Katie picked Peter Rabbit, much to Trixie’s chagrin.

Trixie pasted a smile on her face and began to read. The ringing phone interrupted her.

Trixie set Jamie down on the floor to answer it.

“Hello?”

“Trixie? It’s Terry King. I just got back into the country. I had my first vacation in years. The wife was nagging, so I finally broke down and took her to Italy.”

Trixie’s mind was running. Terry King. Jim’s financial guru/ stock broker.

“I found Jim’s multiple messages. It sounded important and I thought I’d better return the calls immediately. Is he available?”

Jim called him? It sounded important?

“Actually no he isn’t here at the moment and I’m not sure when to expect him.”

“Ok, just let him know I called and I am working on his problem and I’ll have an answer for him sometime tomorrow morning.”

His problem is money? Why didn’t he tell me that?

She told Ted that she would pass the message along and they ended their phone call.

Trixie turned back to the kids, rubbing her forehead in confusion.

 

Two and half hours earlier…

 

Jim sped down the driveway. He didn’t have a destination in mind. He just didn’t want to talk about it and Trixie wouldn’t let it drop for much longer. She was telling him they needed to talk about it already.

Jim didn’t mean to take out his worries on his family. But he was so distracted trying to find a solution to his problem.

It didn’t help that his financial advisor wasn’t calling him back.

The meeting with his accountant over a week ago had left him stunned.

“You’re saying I am running out of money? How is that possible? My inheritance was invested wisely. It has made me even more money.”

“Yes Jim, but, your money is tied up. You need to liquidate in order to put more money into the school. This last year put a strain on your budget for the school. You took in twice as many kids this year. Expenses went up dramatically. You needed to add more staff; there was the addition of a larger dorm area. Then the every day bills went up with more kids being added. It takes a lot of money to feed teenage boys.”

Jim sat in silence absorbing this bit of news.

“So how much are we looking at?”

“That depends on how long you are going to continue to keep this pace and how much growth you expect for the next couple of years. But Jim, really, I’m sure your father would be more than happy to help you out.”

Jim stiffened.

“I pay for everything for that school on my own. I am not in the habit of asking my father for hand outs.”

“Well, whatever you want to do. You need a huge chunk of change. You could always cut back on the number of students you house. That would cut back on expenditures. Less kids, less expenses, less staff to pay.”

Jim shook his head.

“These kids need to be here. I am not turning them out because of money. I will figure something out.”

But he didn’t have any idea where to start other than Terry King, his financial advisor. He needed to find out from him what could be liquefied and shuffled so that the school had more money on hand.

Jim found himself at the bluffs overlooking the Hudson. He parked and continued his weary thoughts.

Jim’s frustration grew as the week wore on and Terry didn’t return any of his calls. He was beginning to regret not going with a larger firm. He could have spoken to another member if he had. He needed to find a solution and time was running out.

Trixie knew something was wrong almost immediately. Jim knew he was being very short tempered with her and the kids and he felt bad.

He had never acted like this towards his children or wife and while he wasn’t comfortable with it, he couldn’t seem to help himself.

He had been surprised a few times that Trixie hadn’t hauled off and boxed his ears. He saw in her eyes that she had wanted to. He almost wished she had.

His wife had shown incredible patience with him the last week. Even though she was concerned and confused by his behavior.

Jim had always stood on his own two feet. Aside from his basic expenses of food, clothing and shelter, he hadn‘t wanted to rely on the Wheeler’s for anything. They had already done so much by adopting him.

His family would have been able to pay for a full tuition for him to college, but he had worked hard and received a full scholarship

He had relied on Matt Wheeler for his business savvy and he had invested his inheritance wisely. It had made him a very rich man in his own right.

Which is why this caught him by surprise now. He and Trixie didn’t live a lavish lifestyle. They had married and built their home. While large enough to accommodate their hoped for family, they had added only a few amenities. A built in dishwasher, extra bathrooms and central air. They lived simply even though they had enough money to travel the globe. They took vacations once, maybe twice a year. Trixie had opened the detective agency with Honey as they had planned and had worked up until Katie was born. Then she had returned part time until Jamie had come along. Now with Honey pregnant also, they had left the agency in Hallie’s hands.

Jim had carefully laid out a budget for the school and his home life. But the accountant was right. He had doubled up on a lot of the expenses this last year. He did receive some grants for the over all running of the school, but most of the money came from his personal accounts.

He was in no way broke. They still had plenty of money. But it was tied up. It wasn’t in a place that he could just take it from easily. He needed Terry King.

It was a blow to his ego too. He had always been the support for the school and his family. Trixie didn’t have to work but he respected her dream to open the agency.

Yes, it would have been too easy to call his father and ask for a loan to get the school through this crisis. His pride wouldn’t allow it.

But he was well aware his pride was also hurting the people he loved the most. Now remembering the quiver of Katie’s lower lip made his stomach clutch.

How could I have done that to her?

He was suddenly thankful that Jamie was too young to understand his behavior.

I’ve only messed up one of my children. And my wife.

Trixie had a temper of her own but she had never turned it on him when he had been the biggest ass of all. Jim knew she’d been tempted to and he loved her all the more for her understanding. Although he didn’t feel his behavior deserved any.

Jim groaned out loud and looked at the clock on the dash. He had left he house 2 hours ago. He turned the key and started the car. Putting it into gear, he started toward home.

Jim drove up his driveway, stopping about halfway down to pick some wild flowers for his wife. He decided to walk the rest of the way to the house, leaving his car in the driveway. Maybe he would have a great epiphany along the way and come up with the best way to apologize to Trixie.

Patch his old friend, lay on the porch sleeping. Sensing his master, he raised his head and thumped his tail once.

Jim absently patted him on the head and walked toward the door. He paused and took a breath. The flowers were clutched in his hand.

I should have made the effort to buy some for her. He thought fleetingly.

He heard his daughter’s muted giggle, and he peeked into the living room through the window.

Trixie was walking back into the room. Jamie was standing by the couch hanging on tightly. Katie was coaxing him to walk to her.

Up until that moment, Jamie had only walked along the furniture. He wasn’t brave enough to let go yet.

But Jim watched, glued to the spot. Jamie took a tentative step toward his sister. Trixie had stood still, not wanting to jinx Jamie’s first steps.

Jamie giggled and stepped again in his bare little feet. His red Elmo pajamas were shorts so his chubby legs were visible. Another step and Jamie wobbled.

Katie held out her hand and he took it and they both sat down on the floor laughing.

Jim grinned, his heart near to bursting with the love he felt for this family of his.

He decided then and there to never let anything bother him so much as to cause him to lose sight of the blessings of his family.

He looked back through the window in time to see Trixie engulf their children in a great bear hug. The trio was laughing and smiling as she planted kisses all over their faces.

Jim opened the door and stepped over the threshold, shutting it softly behind him.

Trixie turned at the click of the door.

She stood there silently, watching and waiting.

“Hi.” Jim said, quietly.

“Hi.” She returned in the same quiet manner.

Remembering the flowers still clutched in his hand he held them out to her.

“I picked these for you.”

Trixie’s eyes flared with something, he just wasn’t sure what. Jim looked down at Katie hiding her face behind her mother’s leg. His stomach dropped when he realized that Katie had never reacted that way to him before.

Jim crouched down to her level.

“Hi Katie. I’m very sorry I was so grumpy with you earlier. I won’t do it again. Daddy loves you very much. Do you think you can forgive me?”

Katie looked up at him with her blue eyes and he felt himself fall in love all over again with the miniature replica of his wife.

“We all have bad days, Daddy. I love you too.” Katie moved into his arms and he hugged her to him, as she kissed his cheek. He stood up straight again and brought her with him.

Jamie was still in Trixie’s arms, and Jim reached for him. Trixie surrendered the baby to his father and Jamie gurgled happily.

“Hey big guy. I love you too.” Jim kissed each of his children’s heads.

“Jim?” Trixie interjected. “Could you put the kids to bed?”

Jim looked at her and nodded. Obviously the kids had an easier time forgiving me.

Trixie kissed them and promised to be up in a bit to tuck them in.

She watched Jim walk away. She wasn’t sure how to bring up the conversation they obviously needed to have. Whatever happened while he was gone, he is in a better mood.

Trixie went into the kitchen and removed the dead flowers from the vase on the table. She absently ran the water and refilled the vase and set the new flowers back onto the table. With a sigh, she went upstairs.

Trixie heard Jim and Katie talking softly in her room. So she tiptoed into Jamie’s room. He was lying in his crib, cuddled into his stuffed Elmo. He grinned when her face appeared over the edge of the railing to kiss him.

With a final ruffle of his red hair, she whispered, “Good night, baby. Sweet dreams.”

Leaving his night light on, she double checked the monitor was on, and then shut the door behind her.

She entered Katie’s yellow room, and found her in her bed already. Jim sat on the edge of her bed. Looking up, he kissed Katie and whispered ‘Good night.’ Then Jim left the room.

Trixie sat down in the space that Jim had vacated. She pulled the light weight blanket up over Katie.

“Good night, little girl. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mommy.” Katie kissed her mother’s cheek and rolled onto her side. Her lids were already drooping by the time Trixie pulled the door shut.

Trixie found Jim waiting outside their daughter’s bedroom door. She looked up at him and when Jim’s mouth opened to speak, she cut him off.

“We need to talk.” Trixie spun around and walked down the stairs, leaving Jim no choice but to follow.

She didn’t say a word until they were outside on the porch. On the way out, she took the baby monitor so she could hear Jamie, and she closed the door of the house. Jim felt that didn’t bode well for him.

“Jim, are you over whatever was bothering you?” Her brow rose challengingly.

“Um, I think so. Trix,”

“No, let me talk. You have been a terrible grump around here for a week now. You have been short with me and the kids and today was the last straw for me.”

Jim’s eyes widened and his freckles stood out on his pale face.

“Trixie.”

“Jim, Terry King called today while you were gone. He told me enough for me to figure out some of what is wrong with you. But the part of this that doesn’t sit well with me is the fact that you didn’t tell me. Why, Jim? Why keep a secret from me? You were obviously bothered by this problem. Why couldn’t you share it with me?”

Jim stared onto her blue eyes and he saw the tears pool before she blinked them back.

“Trixie, you’re right. I know I messed up. I’m sorry. I have been a jerk to you and the kids. There isn’t an answer to your question. Other than I was just stupid.”

“You aren’t stupid. You are a pain in the butt at times, but never stupid.” Trixie said plopping down into the porch swing wearily.

Jim looked down at her and smiled in spite of the tension.

He gingerly sat down next to her in the swing. He started the swing swaying with a push of his foot. They sat in silence for a moment.

“Jim. My parents are celebrating their 35^th wedding anniversary next month.”

“I know.” He answered not sure where she was headed.

Trixie sighed, “I can honestly say, I can’t remember a time when they didn’t have great communication. They talk about everything. I’m sure they had their share of problems, but they always seemed to be able to talk to each other. And that is what I want for us. We used to have that. I thought so anyway. I think of you as more than just my husband. You’re my best friend, my partner. I felt that I could talk to you about anything.” She finished quietly.

Trixie looked down at her hands in her lap.

Jim sighed and reached for her hand. He twined their fingers and pulled their hands over to rest on his leg.

“Trixie, I want that too. I feel that way about you too. I am sorry I was such a jerk. I wanted to fix the problem before you were even aware of it.”

“Tell me about it now.”

Jim ran his fingers through his hair with his free hand and he sat back a little while the story poured out. Trixie listened without saying a word until he finished.

“You could have told me. I could have helped you figure out a solution. I can go back to work full time if we need me to.”

“No Trixie, that isn’t an option. We both want you to stay home with the kids. And it won’t have to come to that anyway. We have money, it is just tied up. I have decided to ask my father to make an investment.”

“Jim, you took a lot of pride on being able to build the school with your money alone. Are you sure you want to do that?”

“Look what my pride did to me! Trix, I will ask him to invest and it isn’t like getting a hand out so much.”

Trixie’s blue eyes bore into Jim’s green ones.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I took the time to think about it today while I was gone.”

Jamie cried out once over the monitor and Trixie said she’d be back, she wanted to check on him.

Jim sat in silence waiting for her to return. The evening sounds were the only noise to be heard. There was something peaceful about the quiet chirping of the birds and the squirrels.

Trixie came back out a minute later, juggling a bottle of wine, the corkscrew, and two glasses in her hands.

Handing the bottle to Jim for him to open she sat back down and waited.

“Jamie ok?” he asked.

“Yes, he was still asleep. He must have been dreaming.”

“Are we celebrating me coming to my senses?” Jim asked with a lopsided grin.

“If that’s what you’d like. I was in the mood for wine.” Trixie laughed.

“I saw Jamie take his first steps tonight. I couldn’t believe it when he finally did it.”

Jim pulled the cork from the bottle and poured them each a glass. He pushed the cork back into the bottle, and set it next to them on the floor of the porch.

Jim’s arm lay along the back of the swing, and they sat there and enjoyed their wine.

“So, now what? You’ll talk to your father tomorrow?”

“I’m going to try. I haven’t actually spoken with him or a few days and I’m not even sure if he’s home. And I’ll give Terry King a call too.”

Jim silently marveled that that was true as he said it. He’d been so caught up with his problem he’d lost sight of everyone else. That he’d also included his wife and children in that group was very disturbing to him.

He lightly traced circles on Trixie’s shoulder, lost in his thoughts.

“I love this porch.” Jim said, breaking the silence.

Trixie turned to look at him in the dimming light.

“I am glad we put it on too. This swing has been handy.” Trixie smiled.

Jim returned the smile remembering the times they sat here just like this. Of course, those times they were here for the pleasure of it. \and that usually led to others pleasures.

“I learned something today. It is something I was aware of but lost sight of in my angst this week.”

Trixie sipped her wine and set it down on the floor before looking at Jim again.

“What’s that?”

“That no matter what bothers me; all I have to do is come home. You and the kids are what is really important and everything else is trivial. The view from this front porch looking into our home is the best in the whole world.”

“I love you, Jim.” Trixie kissed his lips and laid her head on his shoulder. Jim ran his fingers through her hair as she cuddled closer to him.

They sat there in the swing, on their front porch for a long time after secure once again in each other.

Original Universe