Setting: Present Day.
Authors' Note: This story is a collaboration between Lysa and Deb Dahlin, an experiment in tag-team writing. We had fun writing it - hope you have fun reading it. Other parts will follow. Please send feedback to Kwhateverr2001@cs.com.
Disclaimer: These characters belong to DEK, except for Marina who belongs to Lysa and BJ who belongs to Deb.
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? - Part 1"
"You owe me one, Robert Donnell, and a big one at that!" Lindsay angrily informed her husband as they left the office that Monday evening.
"Why?" He pressed the elevator button.
"God, Bobby, you are so clueless sometimes! Because you invited your sister and Jimmy for dinner Saturday night. I thought we were going to see `A Beautiful Mind' on Saturday."
"We were?"
"Yes, you airhead! We talked about it last night."
"We did?" They got onto the elevator. "Sorry, Lindsay. I don't remember. OK, so we'll go to the movies on Sunday afternoon instead as a compromise." Annoyed silence as the elevator descended. "What's really on your mind, honey? Is it the movie or something else?"
"It's your sister."
"Marina? She likes you very much."
"I doubt it, and if she does, the feeling isn't mutual. She's so pushy sometimes. She thinks she has you at her beck and call and that really ticks me off."
"Lindsay, Marina's just needy sometimes. Losing our mother so early was really rough on her." The elevator doors opened, and they stepped into the lobby. Bobby took Lindsay's leathered glove hand in his. "Besides, the only one who has me at her beck and call is you."
"As it should be." Lindsay smiled and squeezed her husband's hand. For that night anyway, Bobby was hers alone.
Saturday afternoon
Bobby and Lindsay carried their oak kitchen table into the living room. While BJ looked on from the safety of his playpen, they separated the table. Bobby fetched the leaf from the hall closet and set it in. "OK, push!" he said, and they pushed. The leaf was solidly in place. "Should we use my mother's china? Marina might get a kick out of seeing it again."
Lindsay preferred using the Wedgwood china that they'd received as wedding gifts. However, on seeing the earnestness in Bobby's blue eyes, Lindsay replied, "Sure. I'll lay the cloth and our crystal glasses."
"I'll go get the china." Bobby left for the storage closet.
`I have a bad feeling about this evening,' Lindsay thought as she draped an ivory damask tablecloth. Her foreboding didn't just stem from the fact that she didn't like her sister-in-law, Marina Donnell.
Minutes later, Bobby carried the large blue Rubbermaid bin containing his mother's china to the kitchen. Lindsay followed. She watched as Bobby removed plate after plate with gentle reverence. "The china means a lot to you, doesn't it?" she asked.
He smiled slightly, remembering. "Yeah. Mom loved these dishes. They were her pride and joy. Some she got as wedding presents and later as anniversary presents from Dad, some she put on layaway or saved for, until she had the entire set. They're not expensive, but she loved them. To me, they're priceless."
Understanding, Lindsay rubbed Bobby's arm lovingly. "Of course they are, sweetheart. Take out all the serving pieces and four place settings. I'll wash and dry them by hand."
"Thanks, honey." Bobby stole a quick kiss then carefully removed additional pieces of his mother's china. The pattern was tiny pink flower borders on ivory china with a thin silver rim.
Bobby and Lindsay had invited Marina and Jimmy for cocktails at 6:30. Bobby placed racecars with BJ while Lindsay dressed; Lindsay fed BJ while Bobby dressed. Lindsay wore a bibbed apron to protect her Talbot's red sweater with tiny black dots over a white turtleneck and black slacks. BJ finger fed himself the cut-up half chicken breast and fresh cooked carrot slices that his father made for him. Lindsay fed him from a jar of warmed toddler mashed potatoes. "Hurry up and eat, sweetie," she said. "Your aunt will be here soon."
Wearing new L. L. Bean navy cords and a slate blue polo-necked sweater, Bobby left their bedroom. He stopped in the living room to turn on the gas fireplace and slightly dim the lights. He put a Sinatra CD on to play. While Frank sang, `The Summer Wind', Bobby entered the kitchen. "Lindsay, the table looks great. Thanks for getting the pink tulips for the center."
"Welcome. You know how I love tulips." She spooned the last of the mashed potatoes into BJ. "All done, BJ. Good boy." She wiped his face and hands. "Bobby, do you need help with dinner?"
"Nope. I made the salad, and the mini cheese and broccoli puffs I made and froze the other day. I just have to heat the cooked rice and the pasta. But, if you could bake the cheese puffs after Marina and Jimmy get here, that would be a help. Then I could get their drinks."
"I can do that."
"Down peese!" BJ asked. Lindsay unclipped her son from his high chair. "I'm going to put BJ in his playpen so he doesn't break the china or crystal." She did. The little boy happily played with stuffed animals and plastic cars and toys.
Marina and Jimmy arrived, exactly at 6:30. Dressed in sharp contrast to her usual well tailored business suits, Marina sported loose, wide-leg Versace jeans with high-heeled black boots, and a white satin blouse under a long purple shawl-collared sweater with self-tie. She towered a good 5 inches over Jimmy.
"Good evening." Lindsay said with a smile as she opened the door. "Come in."
Marina handed Lindsay a bottle of champagne. "I hope you like Moet y Chandon."
"I love champagne. Thank you."
"And I made a surprise for dessert. Bobby will love it. Could I put it in the refrigerator?"
"Of course." They walked to the kitchen. "Chef Bobby is hard at work making our dinner." Lindsay put the covered plate in the fridge. "Bobby, our company's here."
Bobby turned from saut‚ing the chicken breast halves. "Hey! What can I get you to drink?"
"Beer for me!" Jimmy called.
Marina said, "I'd like Smirnoffs Ice."
"Easy enough. Lindsay?"
"Wine please. I'll put the puffs in the toaster oven."
"Thanks, honey," Bobby said as he pulled two beers and the Smirnoffs ice from the refrigerator.
Meanwhile, Jimmy lifted BJ from the playpen. "Hello there, godson. What a big guy you are, aren't you?" He gave the toddler a hug and kiss. "Can you say `hi, Jimmy'?"
"Hi, Jim!" BJ whacked Jimmy in the nose with his stuffed Piglet and giggled with delight.
Jimmy carried BJ to the kitchen. "BJ, have you met your Aunt Reenie yet? She's something special."
Marina turned to face Jimmy. "So this is my little nephew. Bobby, Lindsay, he's beautiful, just adorable." She smiled widely, falling in love with her dark-haired nephew. "Give BJ to me, Jimmy. I want to get better acquainted." She reached for the toddler. "Come to Aunt Reenie, precious."
The very moment that Marina held BJ in her arms, he let out a scream like a scalded cat. He cried and cried as if he were frightened.
Instantly, Lindsay came to his rescue. "Sorry, Marina. He's usually very outgoing. I'll calm him down." Lindsay carried BJ to the living room. She sat on the sofa and cuddled the crying baby to comfort him.
Marina smiled and shrugged. "So much for love at first sight. I even bought BJ a musical stuffed penguin when I was in Alaska."
Bobby said, "He'll get used to you, Reenie. Just be patient." He poured the chilled bottle of Smirnoff Ice into a cocktail glass and handed the glass to his sister. "Your Smirnoff's. And your beer, Jimmy."
"Thanks."
Sipping her drink, Marina was shaken at BJ's reaction to her. Kids usually adored her. She couldn't help thinking that it was lack of maternal influence. She was very anti-daycare raising kids.
Like Lindsay, Marina was not optimistic about the evening, but for different reasons. In fact, Marina felt put out. She hadn't wanted to come at all, but Bobby had been so insistent. She and Jimmy had planned on seeing "A Beautiful Mind" and those plans had been postponed. Not to mention the fact that she despised the way Lindsey treated Jimmy, the man she loved
Women hated her on sight, she was just that type. For that reason she had never really had a lot of girlfriends and had come to depend on her brother. If they would just get to know me...she often thought. She gritted her teeth at the thought of having to spend an evening with another shallow woman who had decided to hate her because of her looks, talent, and success. However, for her brother's sake, Marina promised herself that she would keep a civil tongue in her head and really give the evening the old college try.
The toaster oven timer dinged. Lindsay put a now quiet BJ in his playpen then plated the hot cheese puffs. "These are really delicious. Bobby and I ate the whole experimental first batch in one sitting." She offered Marina the plate.
"They do look good." Marina took one puff.
"I'll have a couple," Jimmy said, to no one's surprise. "Them are good. Nice and cheesy."
Marina glanced at Jimmy. He smiled at her encouragingly and she smiled back. They had had a long talk before coming over, and he understood how insecure she was feeling. She took a deep breath and tried to glue a smile on her face. She was a magician in the courtroom; this shouldn't be too much different.
She walked to the table, admiring the flowers. "Lindsay, the table looks beautiful," she said, reaching for something positive. She spied the china and she gently picked up a plate, gingerly fingering the tiny floral pattern. "Mama's china," she whispered. She felt an uncomfortable lump in her throat. That bitch! she thought. She's flaunting Mama's china in front of me! Just has to rub it in that it's hers and not mine. She blinked hot tears out of her eyes and chugged her drink. The only way through this evening was in an alcohol-induced stupor.
Lindsay said, "Bobby thought that you'd enjoy seeing the china again. I guess it was very special to your mother."
"It was, very special. Bobby, how did you get Mama's china?"
"Dad gave it to me when Lindsay and I got married. Why?"
"He did? Wow." Her disappointment was obvious.
"Why?" He put a lid on the pan of saut‚ing breasts and let them simmer in the fragrant lemon, garlic, and white wine sauce. He went to the living room, a beer in his hand.
"I'm just surprised that you have them. I assumed that I'd get them some day. Dishes are a daughter's prerogative."
"All I know is he wrapped the set up and gave it to me and Lindsay. Does that bother you, Marina?" Bobby asked, noting his sister's concern.
She decided to subjugate her feelings. "No. I'm just surprised to see them, that's all. I'd forgotten how pretty they are, the little pink flowers and the silver thin rim."
`I bet Marina thinks Bobby should just hand over the china to her because she's the girl,' Lindsay thought. `If he does, I'll break his arm. He has just as much right to the dishes as Marina does. Just smile and be nice. She's family, after all, no matter what my feelings are.' Lindsay forced a smile. "They're very pretty, aren't they?" she said.
"Yeah. Our mother used them on the holidays and special occasions, and of course, when Father Martin came to dinner. They bring back a lot of nice memories."
`So,' Lindsay thought. `Marina does have a heart. Maybe there's hope after all.'
Marina said, "It was nice of you to invite us over tonight."
"Our pleasure. Another cheese puff?"
Marina took another. "Thanks. They're so good. Bobby's really expanded his cooking repertoire since we all lived at home. He was good at the basics, but I never thought he graduate to puff pastry."
"He's a pretty amazing guy, and he's not afraid to try something new, whether it's a culinary dish or a legal tactic. I admire him for that."
"You don't have to explain Bobby to me, Lindsay." Marina said, more harshly than she'd intended.
Surprised at Marina's remark, Lindsay stared at her for a moment. "I beg your pardon?"
"Nothing. I was rude. I'm sorry."
"All right. I better see if Bobby needs help in the kitchen."
As Lindsay walked off, Jimmy went to Marina's side. "You OK?" he asked, putting a hand on her tiny waist.
"Fine. " she assured Jimmy. `No, I'm not fine,' she thought. `My nephew hates me, as does his mother, and my mother's china is here and not where it should be! Keep it together, Reenie.' She gave Jimmy a hug and put her head on his shoulder. "Can we go home now?" she asked in a whisper.
He chucked. "Soon," he promised. "You're awfully defensive. It's ok. It's your brother."
Lindsay put the plate of cheese puffs on the counter. Leaning in to Bobby, she said quietly, "This evening is off to a disastrous start. Your sister covets the dishes, our son hates her, and frankly, I think she resents me because I married you!"
"That's ridiculous, Lindsay."
"Wake up and smell the coffee, Bobby!"
He sighed, not wanting to get embroiled in a cat fight. Deep inside, Bobby wanted his wife and sister to get along, maybe even be friends. That possibility seemed unlikely, however. "Would you put the pasta on one end of the long platter and the rice on the other? The chicken and sauce are almost ready."
"Sure. Then I'll put the salad on the table."
"Thanks."
Lindsay dished up the rice and pasta. She carried the large glass salad bowl into the living room.
She was met with a loud scream and BJ bursting into tears. She looked and saw her sister-in-law holding BJ. Loudly, Lindsay said, "Marina, please just put him down! He's obviously uncomfortable with you holding him."
Against her will, Marina gently set BJ back in the playpen. He stopped crying at once. "I was only trying to make friends with him. After all, if I'm to be his godmother, BJ and I will have to be on positive terms."
"BJ already has a godmother, my friend Helen Gamble."
For a moment, Marina was nonplussed. For many years, she'd assumed that Bobby would name her as godmother to his first child. She felt almost betrayed by him.
"I should have told you, Reenie," Jimmy said. "I'm sorry."
Marina looked at Lindsay. "Is this true?"
Bobby carried the platter of their pasta, rice, and deliciously sauced chicken piccata. "Is what true?" he asked.
"Is Helen BJ's godmother?" Marina asked her brother.
"Yes. Why?" He put the platter on the table.
Marina forced a smile and a calmer demeanor. "No reason. Dinner smells wonderful, Bobby."
"Have a seat, everyone. Lindsay, would you get the rolls from the oven. I'll get the wine."
Lindsay and Bobby soon had the table spread with sumptuous food and wine. "Chicken piccata," Jimmy said, taking a half breast and some buttered and herbed curly pasta. "Looks and smells great, Bobby. My nonna - I mean grandmother -- used to make chicken piccata every year for Thanksgiving." He handed Lindsay the platter of food.
She took a half breast and some lemon rice. "You're supposed to serve turkey on Thanksgiving. Didn't she know that?"
"Whatever. Nonna served piccata and a huge pan of lasagna and homemade Italian bread that could make you cry, it was so good."
Lindsay handed the platter to Marina. Starving, Marina dug into her dinner. She thought, `The sooner I eat, the sooner I can get out of here. This was a huge mistake.' She managed to say pleasantly, "This is fantastic, Bobby. You sure can cook." She gave Jimmy a strong look and squeezed his knee under the table. She hoped he would take the hint and make some small talk. She just couldn't think of anything to say.
Jimmy picked up on her look and asked Bobby, "So how's the Mason case coming?"
Bobby swallowed and dabbed his lip with a napkin. "I think it's going well. We go to trial Thursday."
"Bobby's going to get Herman Mason off. Mr. Lowe of the DA's office hasn't a hope in hell of winning."
"Thanks, Lindsay," Bobby said, sipping his wine. "Beck did a great job researching. That's half the battle won. Hey, Jimmy, one of my clients dropped off tickets to the Celtics-Knicks basketball game on Friday night. Since Lindsay hates basketball, want to go with me?"
"That would be good. I'd love to go. Thanks."
Marina continued to eat, barely listening to the chatter. Every once in awhile, she stole a glance at her sister-in-law. She thought, `Lindsay really is lovely, in a girl-next-door kind of way.' Marina knew that Lindsay was a great lawyer, but she also knew her brother well, too well. Lindsay still didn't strike her as Bobby's type. She almost giggled; like Jimmy struck Bobby as HER type?
"Something funny, Marina?" Lindsay asked, putting down her crystal wine glass.
Marina bit back the nasty reply that was on the tip of her tongue and smiled. "Actually, Jimmy and I were going to wait to tell you, but what the hell?"
Bobby glanced at the two of them and swallowed his bite of chicken piccata. "Tell us what?" he asked suspiciously.
"Well, Jimmy and I decided that we need to get away, so we're going to Hawaii next week! Cool, huh?"
Bobby put his fork down on his plate. "Hawaii? You're just going to up and go to Hawaii? Just like that?"
"Yup." she answered. "Just like that! Isn't it great?"
He gave her a measured look before he continued eating. "Sounds a bit irresponsible, doesn't it? You should have cleared this Hawaii thing with me first. You have a trial beginning next week. I hope you're not teaching Jimmy your bad habits."
Marina's voice remained level but it reflected her deep anger. With an black glare, Marina said, "Yes, that would be terrible, wouldn't it. My habits! My HABITS are what made me a millionaire before I was 30. My HABITS are what made me a very successful lawyer! My HABITS are why you asked me to join your firm!"
Lindsay turned to Bobby and asked, "You ASKED Marina to join the firm? I was under the impression that she needed some help and you were offering it because she was your sister!" Now Lindsey's voice had risen as well.
"What?!" Marina asked, slightly louder than she really needed to. "I have never been in any professional trouble! Ever!"
Jimmy stood up. "Why don't we just calmly talk about this? I'm sure that we can work it out," he said, trying to placate.
"You stay out of this!" Lindsay snapped.
"Hey!" shouted Marina, standing up. "I can handle you turning my nephew against me, I can handle not being a godmother, And I can even handle you having my mother's dishes, but I can not tolerate you speaking to Jimmy like that!" She turned her anger on Bobby. "What else did you get that was Mom's? I suppose all that's left for me is that damn doily she got married in!"
Bobby's head was spinning. `What had just happened?' he wondered. "You don't like her wedding dress either?" he asked her.
Lindsay said loudly, "I did NOT turn your nephew against you! Obviously he's just an excellent judge of character!"
"Oh, here we go," retorted Marina. "What was that supposed to mean?
Lindsay jumped to her feet. "It means that I've had it with your smug, superior attitude. It means that I'm sick of your constant bragging about all your legal conquests and how talented and famous you are and how you attended college and law school simultaneously while you were curing cancer and winning the Nobel Peace Prize! For God's sake, climb off your self-imposed pedestal and be a nice person like everyone else. Be a human being, not some cold, unfeeling legal machine. Then maybe BJ wouldn't scream every time you touch him!"
Marina went white, but an invisible cloak of cool poise fell about her shoulders. She squared her shoulders and prepared for battle, but Bobby interrupted her just as she was about to launch into Lindsay.
Bobby had stood up as well. "Lindsay! Marina! Sit down, now!" he commanded. Surprised at Bobby taking control of the situation, everyone took their chairs. Sternly, Bobby said, "Now, both of you listen up!"
----------------
Authors' Note: This story is a collaboration between Lysa and Deb Dahlin, an experiment in tag-team writing. We had fun writing it - hope you have fun reading it. Other parts will follow. Please send feedback to Kwhateverr2001@cs.com.
Disclaimer: These characters belong to DEK, except for Marina who belongs to Lysa and BJ who belongs to Deb.
"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? - Part 1"
"You owe me one, Robert Donnell, and a big one at that!" Lindsay angrily informed her husband as they left the office that Monday evening.
"Why?" He pressed the elevator button.
"God, Bobby, you are so clueless sometimes! Because you invited your sister and Jimmy for dinner Saturday night. I thought we were going to see `A Beautiful Mind' on Saturday."
"We were?"
"Yes, you airhead! We talked about it last night."
"We did?" They got onto the elevator. "Sorry, Lindsay. I don't remember. OK, so we'll go to the movies on Sunday afternoon instead as a compromise." Annoyed silence as the elevator descended. "What's really on your mind, honey? Is it the movie or something else?"
"It's your sister."
"Marina? She likes you very much."
"I doubt it, and if she does, the feeling isn't mutual. She's so pushy sometimes. She thinks she has you at her beck and call and that really ticks me off."
"Lindsay, Marina's just needy sometimes. Losing our mother so early was really rough on her." The elevator doors opened, and they stepped into the lobby. Bobby took Lindsay's leathered glove hand in his. "Besides, the only one who has me at her beck and call is you."
"As it should be." Lindsay smiled and squeezed her husband's hand. For that night anyway, Bobby was hers alone.
Saturday afternoon
Bobby and Lindsay carried their oak kitchen table into the living room. While BJ looked on from the safety of his playpen, they separated the table. Bobby fetched the leaf from the hall closet and set it in. "OK, push!" he said, and they pushed. The leaf was solidly in place. "Should we use my mother's china? Marina might get a kick out of seeing it again."
Lindsay preferred using the Wedgwood china that they'd received as wedding gifts. However, on seeing the earnestness in Bobby's blue eyes, Lindsay replied, "Sure. I'll lay the cloth and our crystal glasses."
"I'll go get the china." Bobby left for the storage closet.
`I have a bad feeling about this evening,' Lindsay thought as she draped an ivory damask tablecloth. Her foreboding didn't just stem from the fact that she didn't like her sister-in-law, Marina Donnell.
Minutes later, Bobby carried the large blue Rubbermaid bin containing his mother's china to the kitchen. Lindsay followed. She watched as Bobby removed plate after plate with gentle reverence. "The china means a lot to you, doesn't it?" she asked.
He smiled slightly, remembering. "Yeah. Mom loved these dishes. They were her pride and joy. Some she got as wedding presents and later as anniversary presents from Dad, some she put on layaway or saved for, until she had the entire set. They're not expensive, but she loved them. To me, they're priceless."
Understanding, Lindsay rubbed Bobby's arm lovingly. "Of course they are, sweetheart. Take out all the serving pieces and four place settings. I'll wash and dry them by hand."
"Thanks, honey." Bobby stole a quick kiss then carefully removed additional pieces of his mother's china. The pattern was tiny pink flower borders on ivory china with a thin silver rim.
Bobby and Lindsay had invited Marina and Jimmy for cocktails at 6:30. Bobby placed racecars with BJ while Lindsay dressed; Lindsay fed BJ while Bobby dressed. Lindsay wore a bibbed apron to protect her Talbot's red sweater with tiny black dots over a white turtleneck and black slacks. BJ finger fed himself the cut-up half chicken breast and fresh cooked carrot slices that his father made for him. Lindsay fed him from a jar of warmed toddler mashed potatoes. "Hurry up and eat, sweetie," she said. "Your aunt will be here soon."
Wearing new L. L. Bean navy cords and a slate blue polo-necked sweater, Bobby left their bedroom. He stopped in the living room to turn on the gas fireplace and slightly dim the lights. He put a Sinatra CD on to play. While Frank sang, `The Summer Wind', Bobby entered the kitchen. "Lindsay, the table looks great. Thanks for getting the pink tulips for the center."
"Welcome. You know how I love tulips." She spooned the last of the mashed potatoes into BJ. "All done, BJ. Good boy." She wiped his face and hands. "Bobby, do you need help with dinner?"
"Nope. I made the salad, and the mini cheese and broccoli puffs I made and froze the other day. I just have to heat the cooked rice and the pasta. But, if you could bake the cheese puffs after Marina and Jimmy get here, that would be a help. Then I could get their drinks."
"I can do that."
"Down peese!" BJ asked. Lindsay unclipped her son from his high chair. "I'm going to put BJ in his playpen so he doesn't break the china or crystal." She did. The little boy happily played with stuffed animals and plastic cars and toys.
Marina and Jimmy arrived, exactly at 6:30. Dressed in sharp contrast to her usual well tailored business suits, Marina sported loose, wide-leg Versace jeans with high-heeled black boots, and a white satin blouse under a long purple shawl-collared sweater with self-tie. She towered a good 5 inches over Jimmy.
"Good evening." Lindsay said with a smile as she opened the door. "Come in."
Marina handed Lindsay a bottle of champagne. "I hope you like Moet y Chandon."
"I love champagne. Thank you."
"And I made a surprise for dessert. Bobby will love it. Could I put it in the refrigerator?"
"Of course." They walked to the kitchen. "Chef Bobby is hard at work making our dinner." Lindsay put the covered plate in the fridge. "Bobby, our company's here."
Bobby turned from saut‚ing the chicken breast halves. "Hey! What can I get you to drink?"
"Beer for me!" Jimmy called.
Marina said, "I'd like Smirnoffs Ice."
"Easy enough. Lindsay?"
"Wine please. I'll put the puffs in the toaster oven."
"Thanks, honey," Bobby said as he pulled two beers and the Smirnoffs ice from the refrigerator.
Meanwhile, Jimmy lifted BJ from the playpen. "Hello there, godson. What a big guy you are, aren't you?" He gave the toddler a hug and kiss. "Can you say `hi, Jimmy'?"
"Hi, Jim!" BJ whacked Jimmy in the nose with his stuffed Piglet and giggled with delight.
Jimmy carried BJ to the kitchen. "BJ, have you met your Aunt Reenie yet? She's something special."
Marina turned to face Jimmy. "So this is my little nephew. Bobby, Lindsay, he's beautiful, just adorable." She smiled widely, falling in love with her dark-haired nephew. "Give BJ to me, Jimmy. I want to get better acquainted." She reached for the toddler. "Come to Aunt Reenie, precious."
The very moment that Marina held BJ in her arms, he let out a scream like a scalded cat. He cried and cried as if he were frightened.
Instantly, Lindsay came to his rescue. "Sorry, Marina. He's usually very outgoing. I'll calm him down." Lindsay carried BJ to the living room. She sat on the sofa and cuddled the crying baby to comfort him.
Marina smiled and shrugged. "So much for love at first sight. I even bought BJ a musical stuffed penguin when I was in Alaska."
Bobby said, "He'll get used to you, Reenie. Just be patient." He poured the chilled bottle of Smirnoff Ice into a cocktail glass and handed the glass to his sister. "Your Smirnoff's. And your beer, Jimmy."
"Thanks."
Sipping her drink, Marina was shaken at BJ's reaction to her. Kids usually adored her. She couldn't help thinking that it was lack of maternal influence. She was very anti-daycare raising kids.
Like Lindsay, Marina was not optimistic about the evening, but for different reasons. In fact, Marina felt put out. She hadn't wanted to come at all, but Bobby had been so insistent. She and Jimmy had planned on seeing "A Beautiful Mind" and those plans had been postponed. Not to mention the fact that she despised the way Lindsey treated Jimmy, the man she loved
Women hated her on sight, she was just that type. For that reason she had never really had a lot of girlfriends and had come to depend on her brother. If they would just get to know me...she often thought. She gritted her teeth at the thought of having to spend an evening with another shallow woman who had decided to hate her because of her looks, talent, and success. However, for her brother's sake, Marina promised herself that she would keep a civil tongue in her head and really give the evening the old college try.
The toaster oven timer dinged. Lindsay put a now quiet BJ in his playpen then plated the hot cheese puffs. "These are really delicious. Bobby and I ate the whole experimental first batch in one sitting." She offered Marina the plate.
"They do look good." Marina took one puff.
"I'll have a couple," Jimmy said, to no one's surprise. "Them are good. Nice and cheesy."
Marina glanced at Jimmy. He smiled at her encouragingly and she smiled back. They had had a long talk before coming over, and he understood how insecure she was feeling. She took a deep breath and tried to glue a smile on her face. She was a magician in the courtroom; this shouldn't be too much different.
She walked to the table, admiring the flowers. "Lindsay, the table looks beautiful," she said, reaching for something positive. She spied the china and she gently picked up a plate, gingerly fingering the tiny floral pattern. "Mama's china," she whispered. She felt an uncomfortable lump in her throat. That bitch! she thought. She's flaunting Mama's china in front of me! Just has to rub it in that it's hers and not mine. She blinked hot tears out of her eyes and chugged her drink. The only way through this evening was in an alcohol-induced stupor.
Lindsay said, "Bobby thought that you'd enjoy seeing the china again. I guess it was very special to your mother."
"It was, very special. Bobby, how did you get Mama's china?"
"Dad gave it to me when Lindsay and I got married. Why?"
"He did? Wow." Her disappointment was obvious.
"Why?" He put a lid on the pan of saut‚ing breasts and let them simmer in the fragrant lemon, garlic, and white wine sauce. He went to the living room, a beer in his hand.
"I'm just surprised that you have them. I assumed that I'd get them some day. Dishes are a daughter's prerogative."
"All I know is he wrapped the set up and gave it to me and Lindsay. Does that bother you, Marina?" Bobby asked, noting his sister's concern.
She decided to subjugate her feelings. "No. I'm just surprised to see them, that's all. I'd forgotten how pretty they are, the little pink flowers and the silver thin rim."
`I bet Marina thinks Bobby should just hand over the china to her because she's the girl,' Lindsay thought. `If he does, I'll break his arm. He has just as much right to the dishes as Marina does. Just smile and be nice. She's family, after all, no matter what my feelings are.' Lindsay forced a smile. "They're very pretty, aren't they?" she said.
"Yeah. Our mother used them on the holidays and special occasions, and of course, when Father Martin came to dinner. They bring back a lot of nice memories."
`So,' Lindsay thought. `Marina does have a heart. Maybe there's hope after all.'
Marina said, "It was nice of you to invite us over tonight."
"Our pleasure. Another cheese puff?"
Marina took another. "Thanks. They're so good. Bobby's really expanded his cooking repertoire since we all lived at home. He was good at the basics, but I never thought he graduate to puff pastry."
"He's a pretty amazing guy, and he's not afraid to try something new, whether it's a culinary dish or a legal tactic. I admire him for that."
"You don't have to explain Bobby to me, Lindsay." Marina said, more harshly than she'd intended.
Surprised at Marina's remark, Lindsay stared at her for a moment. "I beg your pardon?"
"Nothing. I was rude. I'm sorry."
"All right. I better see if Bobby needs help in the kitchen."
As Lindsay walked off, Jimmy went to Marina's side. "You OK?" he asked, putting a hand on her tiny waist.
"Fine. " she assured Jimmy. `No, I'm not fine,' she thought. `My nephew hates me, as does his mother, and my mother's china is here and not where it should be! Keep it together, Reenie.' She gave Jimmy a hug and put her head on his shoulder. "Can we go home now?" she asked in a whisper.
He chucked. "Soon," he promised. "You're awfully defensive. It's ok. It's your brother."
Lindsay put the plate of cheese puffs on the counter. Leaning in to Bobby, she said quietly, "This evening is off to a disastrous start. Your sister covets the dishes, our son hates her, and frankly, I think she resents me because I married you!"
"That's ridiculous, Lindsay."
"Wake up and smell the coffee, Bobby!"
He sighed, not wanting to get embroiled in a cat fight. Deep inside, Bobby wanted his wife and sister to get along, maybe even be friends. That possibility seemed unlikely, however. "Would you put the pasta on one end of the long platter and the rice on the other? The chicken and sauce are almost ready."
"Sure. Then I'll put the salad on the table."
"Thanks."
Lindsay dished up the rice and pasta. She carried the large glass salad bowl into the living room.
She was met with a loud scream and BJ bursting into tears. She looked and saw her sister-in-law holding BJ. Loudly, Lindsay said, "Marina, please just put him down! He's obviously uncomfortable with you holding him."
Against her will, Marina gently set BJ back in the playpen. He stopped crying at once. "I was only trying to make friends with him. After all, if I'm to be his godmother, BJ and I will have to be on positive terms."
"BJ already has a godmother, my friend Helen Gamble."
For a moment, Marina was nonplussed. For many years, she'd assumed that Bobby would name her as godmother to his first child. She felt almost betrayed by him.
"I should have told you, Reenie," Jimmy said. "I'm sorry."
Marina looked at Lindsay. "Is this true?"
Bobby carried the platter of their pasta, rice, and deliciously sauced chicken piccata. "Is what true?" he asked.
"Is Helen BJ's godmother?" Marina asked her brother.
"Yes. Why?" He put the platter on the table.
Marina forced a smile and a calmer demeanor. "No reason. Dinner smells wonderful, Bobby."
"Have a seat, everyone. Lindsay, would you get the rolls from the oven. I'll get the wine."
Lindsay and Bobby soon had the table spread with sumptuous food and wine. "Chicken piccata," Jimmy said, taking a half breast and some buttered and herbed curly pasta. "Looks and smells great, Bobby. My nonna - I mean grandmother -- used to make chicken piccata every year for Thanksgiving." He handed Lindsay the platter of food.
She took a half breast and some lemon rice. "You're supposed to serve turkey on Thanksgiving. Didn't she know that?"
"Whatever. Nonna served piccata and a huge pan of lasagna and homemade Italian bread that could make you cry, it was so good."
Lindsay handed the platter to Marina. Starving, Marina dug into her dinner. She thought, `The sooner I eat, the sooner I can get out of here. This was a huge mistake.' She managed to say pleasantly, "This is fantastic, Bobby. You sure can cook." She gave Jimmy a strong look and squeezed his knee under the table. She hoped he would take the hint and make some small talk. She just couldn't think of anything to say.
Jimmy picked up on her look and asked Bobby, "So how's the Mason case coming?"
Bobby swallowed and dabbed his lip with a napkin. "I think it's going well. We go to trial Thursday."
"Bobby's going to get Herman Mason off. Mr. Lowe of the DA's office hasn't a hope in hell of winning."
"Thanks, Lindsay," Bobby said, sipping his wine. "Beck did a great job researching. That's half the battle won. Hey, Jimmy, one of my clients dropped off tickets to the Celtics-Knicks basketball game on Friday night. Since Lindsay hates basketball, want to go with me?"
"That would be good. I'd love to go. Thanks."
Marina continued to eat, barely listening to the chatter. Every once in awhile, she stole a glance at her sister-in-law. She thought, `Lindsay really is lovely, in a girl-next-door kind of way.' Marina knew that Lindsay was a great lawyer, but she also knew her brother well, too well. Lindsay still didn't strike her as Bobby's type. She almost giggled; like Jimmy struck Bobby as HER type?
"Something funny, Marina?" Lindsay asked, putting down her crystal wine glass.
Marina bit back the nasty reply that was on the tip of her tongue and smiled. "Actually, Jimmy and I were going to wait to tell you, but what the hell?"
Bobby glanced at the two of them and swallowed his bite of chicken piccata. "Tell us what?" he asked suspiciously.
"Well, Jimmy and I decided that we need to get away, so we're going to Hawaii next week! Cool, huh?"
Bobby put his fork down on his plate. "Hawaii? You're just going to up and go to Hawaii? Just like that?"
"Yup." she answered. "Just like that! Isn't it great?"
He gave her a measured look before he continued eating. "Sounds a bit irresponsible, doesn't it? You should have cleared this Hawaii thing with me first. You have a trial beginning next week. I hope you're not teaching Jimmy your bad habits."
Marina's voice remained level but it reflected her deep anger. With an black glare, Marina said, "Yes, that would be terrible, wouldn't it. My habits! My HABITS are what made me a millionaire before I was 30. My HABITS are what made me a very successful lawyer! My HABITS are why you asked me to join your firm!"
Lindsay turned to Bobby and asked, "You ASKED Marina to join the firm? I was under the impression that she needed some help and you were offering it because she was your sister!" Now Lindsey's voice had risen as well.
"What?!" Marina asked, slightly louder than she really needed to. "I have never been in any professional trouble! Ever!"
Jimmy stood up. "Why don't we just calmly talk about this? I'm sure that we can work it out," he said, trying to placate.
"You stay out of this!" Lindsay snapped.
"Hey!" shouted Marina, standing up. "I can handle you turning my nephew against me, I can handle not being a godmother, And I can even handle you having my mother's dishes, but I can not tolerate you speaking to Jimmy like that!" She turned her anger on Bobby. "What else did you get that was Mom's? I suppose all that's left for me is that damn doily she got married in!"
Bobby's head was spinning. `What had just happened?' he wondered. "You don't like her wedding dress either?" he asked her.
Lindsay said loudly, "I did NOT turn your nephew against you! Obviously he's just an excellent judge of character!"
"Oh, here we go," retorted Marina. "What was that supposed to mean?
Lindsay jumped to her feet. "It means that I've had it with your smug, superior attitude. It means that I'm sick of your constant bragging about all your legal conquests and how talented and famous you are and how you attended college and law school simultaneously while you were curing cancer and winning the Nobel Peace Prize! For God's sake, climb off your self-imposed pedestal and be a nice person like everyone else. Be a human being, not some cold, unfeeling legal machine. Then maybe BJ wouldn't scream every time you touch him!"
Marina went white, but an invisible cloak of cool poise fell about her shoulders. She squared her shoulders and prepared for battle, but Bobby interrupted her just as she was about to launch into Lindsay.
Bobby had stood up as well. "Lindsay! Marina! Sit down, now!" he commanded. Surprised at Bobby taking control of the situation, everyone took their chairs. Sternly, Bobby said, "Now, both of you listen up!"
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