Simon stayed silent at her complaints and excuses while staring ahead at the road. He made a turn and contemplated on how the gifts of her personality were at times a curse. He finally answered with a heavy sigh, “Do what you need to, Cherish. Just remember to take care of yourself too.” Leaving the choice in her hands, he knew she was almost certain to be up for seven the next morning. He gripped the steering wheel at the thought, “I’ll take care of the babies tonight. You get your rest.” He said.
Cherish looked at him and knew he was guilting her, a trait he and his mother were famous for. She’d seen it in full force one day with Margaret versus her husband, but this, she’d never experienced it for herself before. She leaned her head back and rolled it in his direction as they turned onto the same road she’d come to know as home, “I can’t make you do that. I’ll help with the babies and at least feed Jr. Then, I’ll take a shower and think about what I’m going to do about work.” She muttered.
She had saved up almost two-thousand dollars that she’d earned. With her own money she bought a Wal-Mart cell phone with cheap service and paid Simon’s water bill. Of course, it was twenty dollars a month, but she contributed, and felt proud of that feat.
Simon glanced at her, “I don’t think you’ll have to do that tonight.” He said.
As they pulled into the driveway, his parents’ car was parked, and the living room lights were on. She glanced in the backseat and saw that the babies weren’t there telling her that Margaret and Simon Sr. had dropped in to spoil the little loves of their life; as always. Cherish pressed a hand to her cheek and smiled, “Your parents are so great. I want to be like them one day.” She said. “They’ve been married thirty years, have a perfect son, and they’re so different from my upbringing.” She added. Sighing, she rolled her shoulders and smiled at him, “They’re something I want to strive for one day. I just have to find a man who would take in a single mom.” She stated to herself.
Simon smiled. She probably loved and appreciated them just as he did. Perhaps at times he took those wonderful people for granted. He looked at her from the side with a playful smirk, “Perfect son, huh?” he asked. Sometimes he wondered if she heard herself. On top of the blatant compliment, she had just described a man like him who would take her in and accept a single mom. He wanted the same kind of relationship one day and, fleetingly, he felt his stomach flit. But, it was best to keep his mouth shut. He figured that if she ever had an interest in him, she would realize it on her own.
Cherish shrugged and stuck her tongue out at him, “Shut up. You know what I mean.” She replied with a laugh. Opening the door, she got out, “With my luck in men, I’m better off without.” She said waiting for him.
They walked together to the side door, “Yeah, maybe you are.” He taunted.
“Oh ha-ha. The problem is, I don’t think you’d let another Todd walk into my life. So, like it or not, I’ll forever be single if my next boyfriend has to live up to the Gabot standards.” She teased right.
Simon paused and unlocked the door with a smug smile, “I’m happy to see that you’ve caught on.” He stated. “Oh, and mom has a plate ready for you.” He added on quickly.
As he opened the door, Cherish stepped through and in an instant was met with Margaret loading the dishwasher, “Oh! There you both are! Sweetheart you look exhausted! Go and sit on the sofa and Simon will heat up your plate.” She said.
Cherish was caught off guard for a moment as she unloaded her pockets in a small dish on the kitchen counter, “You cooked? You didn’t have to do that.” She said with a weary smile.
Margaret ran her hand along the chilled plate and rinsed off whatever debris stuck onto its surface, “Cherish, darling. You’re working yourself to death. Yes, I cooked, and yes you need to sit down and eat. Grandpa is giving the kids a bath. You sit back with nothing to worry about. I’ve even recorded our show!” She said.
Cherish glanced over at Simon and waited for him to stick up for her. Rolling her eyes when he didn’t, she smiled a bit to herself and nodded, “Just…let me take my sneakers off first.” She replied.
Climbing the stairs, she could hear Simon Sr. talk to the babies as though they were adults and asked Jasmine why she looked at him such a way. Cherish snickered to herself before she disappeared into the bedroom and undressed herself to relax.
Tonight, she was home free to relax.
Margaret hissed to her son, “Simon. Simon come here.” As he leaned in, she continued, “Listen, your father and I were thinking…okay I was thinking, he agreed. With holidays coming up, this is going to be the babies’ first everything. It’s so hot and humid here. We want to make this holiday special for you, Cherish, and the kids. It’s our first holiday without Emily and I know this was an idea of hers. What if we rented a cabin during Christmas in Colorado? Or somewhere it snows. Oh Simon, can you picture it? The babies playing in and eating the snow? Don’t forget the pictures! Oh, they’d be to die for on Hanukah!” She exclaimed.
A warm feeling spread over his shoulders as he nodded in agreement. Not only was
