Margaret wiggled her eyebrows while Cherish took a nice, long sip from her drink and turned her back towards them. Scooting closer, she leaned her head towards Cherish and spoke, "Because! We are all adults here. Grown women and family. We should be open and honest with each other!"
Miriam shook her head slightly before she cleared her throat. She wasn’t nearly as interested in the possible sex life of Simon and Cherish as Margaret was, "Do family usually air out their unmentionables in the open? Other than you." Margaret's lips formed into a thin line as she threw her head in Cherish's direction. Miriam once again shook her head, "I'm not doing that." She mouthed.
Silently groaning, Margaret threw on a casual smile and wrapped an arm over Miriam's shoulder, "Of course they do! Cherish!" She exclaimed. Looking over her shoulder, Cherish jumped a bit and turned her body. Margaret looked at her as though she were the prey, "When's the last time you've played gymnasties?" She asked.
Miriam's mouth practically fell open, "Is that what we’re calling it now?!" She asked in exclamation.
Margaret waved a hand at Miriam while she kept eye contact with Cherish, “I'm talking to Cherish now. Well..."
Cherish swallowed what was in her mouth and rested the mug down, "The night before Jasmine was born." She answered.
Margaret placed a hand to her chest, "That long? Oh, sweetheart! It sounds to me that you need a warm up!" She exclaimed. Keeping up with her act, she turned to Miriam with an over stretched smile, "Now see? That's not so hard go ahead and answer." She pushed.
Before Miriam was pushed into a topic she wanted to avoid, the sound of car doors shutting caught their attention. The men had set out to get in some extra ski time, Simon to practice for Cherish, six hours ago. Halfway through Miriam texted for them to buy last minute decorations. So, the men had spent the last three hours in the only place that was open; Wal-Mart.
Chaos. Complete chaos.
The moment Jack opened the door, the women knew exactly the ordeal they had gone through. Simon was the most miserable out of the three. He already hated Wal-Mart and now the sentiment was solidified; that place was his mortal enemy.
Cherish placed a hand over her mouth to hide the smile the crept along her cheeks. She knew that look on his face and it tickled her all the same.
Miriam blinked as Jack handed her one bag, "What happened?!" She asked with an air of drama.
Jack grunted at his wife and slanted his eyes, “A mess. That’s what happened.”
Cherish bent over at Jack's answer, waved a hand in her face, and hurried into the kitchen. She needed to find something to take her attention off their faces. Miriam opened the bag and peered inside, "You got silver tinsel? Is this all they had?" She asked placing a hand to a cheek and turning her attention at the tree, "This will not do." She whispered shaking her head.
Although in better shape than the other two, Simon Sr. seemed incredibly bored as opposed to the annoyed anger steaming off his son and Jack, “Where are my babies?” he asked. Taking off his coat and boots, he rolled on the floor with the kids. This man needed stimulation and fun after the ordeal he’d gone through.
The babies lit up upon seeing their grandfather. Jasmine babbled while she hit a block against the opposite fist. Reaching over, Jr. took the block from her and chewed on it. This only caused the little girl to babble and stare at him in return; alike to an argument.
Margaret, seeing her husband, smiled before she sat down on the couch in front of him, "It looks like you need to have some fun, baby." She expressed with her chin against her palms.
Simon Sr. smirked as he ran his hand over Jr.’s thick, dark hair, “I could use some help from you.” He flirted in return. Sitting up, he picked Jasmine off the floor. The moment she left his sight, Jr. broke out into a fit of fussing, crying, and kicking. Immediately, he placed her back down and his wails died down to stifled sniffles. Looking to his wife, Simon Sr. pointed, “What the hell is wrong with the boy?” he questioned.
Margaret shook her head at her husband's amateur mistake, "You should know how much he loves his sister and Cherish." She laughed.
Jack watched his wife as she approached the tree before trailing after her, “I’m not going back there. The tree looks fine.” He grumbled.
Miriam sighed as she leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek, "Thank you for going out. I'll find a way to incorporate this in next year." She compromised squeezing his forearm.
Jack calmed down once she disarmed him. She had a way about her that made sure they both always got what they wanted. He kissed the side of her head in appreciation, but gave a stubborn answer, “Good, because I’m not going back.” He reiterated.
Simon followed Cherish into the kitchen. His gaze cut into her as though she were the embodiment of Wal-Mart itself. In some ways, to him, she was. Even though her short tenure at the establishment tarnished her view, she still loved to shop there. What didn’t help her cause was the fact that he could tell she fought and struggled to hold back laughing in his face, “I blame you. I don’t know why, but I do.”
Cherish slammed the refrigerator door shut and stared at him with wide eyes. Trying to stretch her face so she wouldn't laugh, she blinked at him in faux innocence, "Why...me? Whatever do you mean? I didn't do anything. You stepped foot in the store. I wasn't there to bribe
