Jessica scrunched up her face to cry but stopped and looked at Gini reclining in her chair, covered with a blanket. Jessica looked for a long moment and then reached over and picked up two different rings. Once again jabbering, she tried to put one of the fat rings in her mouth. Jason reached over and took the rings from her again.
Tamra, Jason’s mother, sat down on the floor next to him. “Jase, don’t take her toys.” She took all the rings and put them next to Jessica and put one of Jason’s toy trucks in his lap. He immediately started crying, reaching for the ring. “No, baby boy. Play with your truck. Vroom, vroom.”
Jessica sat quietly, watching her talk. Jason continued to cry.
Jessica looked up at Gini, then she picked up a ring and held it out for him to take. He did… and the two played in harmony the rest of the day.
As the years passed, the two families got together every Christmas Eve at the Young house, and the two children became good friends. Any time Jason was at his grandparents’, the children played together.
Now the house was fully furnished, and a big, beautifully decorated tree stood tall next to the staircase that slightly curved into the great room. And a few new guests were attending—Kensy, and Pastor Daniel, who had been romantically involved with Alyssa for a couple of years.
The dinner was early afternoon, followed by church and then caroling through the town center.
“Jason!” Jessica shouted, running to him as he walked up the sidewalk. She hugged him and then took his hand back to the house.
The afternoon was as good as it gets with lots of talk and laughter.
“Rob… ber! Snow,” Gini said with glee.
The large flakes were just starting to fall after the feast had been eaten and the kitchen cleaned up. It had become a tradition that for the first snowfall of the season, the girls would go outside and let the flakes fall on their faces and in their mouths. Robert loved the joy in Gini’s and Jessica’s faces out in the backyard. He always made hot chocolate to enjoy when they came in out of the cold.
This day everyone went outside except Robert and John.
“Great bunch of people,” John said as the two men watched the kids running around the backyard, Daniel and Alyssa longingly looking into each other’s eyes, Noah hugging his wife as she shivered, and Debbie, Kensy, Gini, and Vicky each with an arm around the back of another, swaying, with their heads back and mouths open.
“The best ever. How’d we get so lucky?” Robert asked.
“Truly blessed.”
Kensy was often at the Youngs’. Robert didn’t know why Debbie had never brought Micky into the main house, because Kensy was always with the family. Maybe it was because they all knew Kensy. And it wasn’t only Kensy; several of the church ladies visited often. He was glad Debbie had a life of her own, not only devoting her time to Gini. But he knew whoever Debbie was involved with had to understand that Gini came first. He was grateful for her dedication, but Gini didn’t require as much care as she used to—she was determined to be independent. Both Debbie and Robert stepped back and let Gini do as much as she could by herself. And Jessica had always been attentive toward her mom. The bond between them was like none other he had ever seen.
It was spring, the trees were blooming, and the flowers had buds. This was Debbie’s favorite time of year. She was hosting the women’s tennis group for their annual start-of-season dinner.
“Hey, thanks, Deb, for the great party,” Kensy said. She kissed Debbie on the cheek.
“It’s been fun.” Debbie reached over and took hold of Kensy’s hand.
“Come to the square tomorrow; we’ll do lunch, bring Gini.”
“Okay, we will.”
“Love you.”
Love you? Debbie thought after Kensy had left. She never kissed her on the cheek before or said those words. Debbie smiled. Friends love friends and kiss them on the cheek.
Robert and Gini went to the club for dinner and then stayed in the master suite while the visitors were there. Jessica played contently up in the game room.
After Gini fell asleep, Robert walked into the kitchen and helped Debbie finish cleaning up. He grabbed a towel and started drying the hand-washed dishes.
“Robert, you don’t have to help.”
“I know. Did you have a good meeting?”
“Yes, it was great. I don’t know why it took me so long to get involved in the church and country club. I guess I didn’t want to take time away from Gini. She doesn’t need me much now.”
“Deb, she still can’t live without our help.”
“I guess. I love my baby. I’m glad she is so happy and doing well. Hahaha, someone told me people think you and me are married, and Gini is my daughter.”
“Really, married? How would anyone get that impression? Then I’d have two wives.”
“And two kids.”
They both laughed.
“Probably think that because we’re close in age and out together a lot, both helping Gini and Jessie.”
“I think a lot of you, Deb. Not as a wife but a good friend, maybe even a sister.”
“I feel the same. Funny how we were thrown together in a crazy life. I always admired you and enjoyed working with you at the hospital, but I never thought we’d live together.” She turned and looked at him. “You’re a man, and I hated men.”
“I am a man. I think you had some terrible experiences with men, and it turned you against all of us.”
“Just one, my dad. He was a real jerk.”
“I’m glad you realize us guys aren’t all bad.”
“I know
