"Sharon, Rusty, so good to see you!" Nicole said in her bubbly tone when she answered the door. Both Sharon and Rusty quickly found themselves enveloped in a hug, even surprising Sharon. When Nicole stepped back after giving them each a hug, she grinned at them, and Sharon returned the smile. Rusty glanced from Sharon to Nicole and held back from rolling his eyes. The two ladies were thrilled to see each other, and he could see the sparkle in their eyes. He tried to break their eye contact with a nod.
"Where do you want this big gift Sharon insisted on carrying?" Rusty said with a slight smirk. "I brought a gift too, just a lot smaller," he said, holding up a small bag. Sharon, proud of Rusty's comment and still in her giddy mood, patted Rusty's arm, "It was very nice of you to bring a gift, Rusty. Nicole," she said turning back to her, "it's been too long." Sharon sighed and gave a small shake of her head, "It's great to see you."
"Come in; please," she gestured, ushering the two inside quickly. "Everyone will be so glad to see you. Spencer is so excited to have his friends over from the neighborhood. Dean is at the grill. Dad is outside playing with all the kids," she said grinning at Sharon. "Sometimes, I think he's a kid himself. Now, Mom isn't here," Nicole said pausing by her kitchen. "She and Tom are on vacation in Mexico," she said with a slight sigh. "Honestly, it's probably for the best. She wanted to have our own private party with just she and Tom, along with Dean, the kids, and myself when they get back. So," she said, letting out her breath, "a few of the neighbors are in the yard with Dean, Dad, and the kids."
"Okay," Sharon said with a quick nod. She glanced at Rusty, "You ready for seven-year-old boys?"
"Only if I can give him this gift first," Rusty grinned. He glanced at Nicole, "I mean, if you want me to wait, it's fine, but I got him a Nerf gun."
"Oh," Nicole's eyes widened, and she smiled, "he's been wanting another. He has a couple, but little boys-it's like you can't have enough of those. Sure, Rusty," she said patting his arm, "be my guest."
Rusty nodded to them and disappeared, leaving Sharon there with Nicole. Nicole looked at Sharon and smiled; they even had similar taste in clothing. Nicole was in khaki shorts and a flowing sleeveless shirt, her hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. Sharon had on white capri pants with a flowing navy top. "Can I get you anything to drink, Sharon? Bottle of wine?" Nicole laughed as she waved her hand. "Sorry, a group of neighborhood kids can be a handful."
"Nicole," Sharon smiled, touching her arm in a reassuring way, "I'm just fine. I'm sure you have things outside to drink?"
"I do," Nicole smiled warmly. "Thank you again for coming. I haven't seen you in some time. I told Dad he needs to bring you around more."
"Hmm, Sharon hummed as she gave Nicole a small smile, "life is busy."
Nicole looked to her with a quizzical look, "That's what he always says, I mean, when I suggest he bring you."
Sharon patted Nicole's arm, "I'll head outside and see what the birthday boy is doing. Hopefully, he and his friends haven't completely exhausted your father."
"Sounds good, Sharon. I'll be right out," Nicole said. Sharon and Nicole parted ways. Sharon smiled as she walked through the home, a home she'd visited several times. She looked around at all the pictures and paused by the door to look at a picture on the end table. It was one with Andy and the boys, the boys piled on Andy there on the living room floor. She remembered that, Andy's last birthday when Nicole had invited them over for cake, and the boys had tackled Andy. The three were laughing in the picture. She smiled at it, running her hand over it before she looked outside and stepped to the door. Nicole watched Sharon do this from where she was working in the kitchen and just nodded to herself; something was off.
Sharon walked outside and quickly surveyed the scene, noting it was pretty much as Nicole had described. Dean was at the grill talking to one of the neighbors. Several other neighbors were sitting around the picnic table, all talking. She looked over to the swing set area where Rusty now was the center of attention, giving Spencer his gift. The kids were all waiting to see what it was, and she had to laugh, or really hold her laugh, as she noticed Andy taking a breather with his arm against the swing set. As she was looking his way, he caught her eye. The two threw a casual wave at the same time, and in the middle of that, Spencer started jumping up and down, catching everyone's attention at his excitement. Sharon continued to watch Spencer, but then, she looked around again and saw a table of refreshments. She walked over to pour herself a glass of iced tea and then took a seat on one of the lounge chairs. She often sat in these chairs when she was there for a visit; they were comfortable and gave her a good view of the yard.
Nicole joined her several minutes later, plopping down on the chair next to her, also something that often happened during these get-togethers. She nodded to the yard where the kids were now running circles around Andy. Two of the dads had joined in as well, and the kids were having a great time. Nicole nodded to all of them, "I don't remember Dad like this," she shook her head. "I didn't get that kind of a dad when I was little. I often wonder might have been different, but I'm glad he's the grandpa the kids deserve now."
"Hmmm, your dad has come a long way. You have too, I mean with him. He loves your kids," Sharon told her.
Nicole nodded, "I know, and I'm so glad. "You've been a good friend to him, maybe more than you know," Nicole said with a small smile as she glanced at Sharon. "My relationship with him has greatly improved over the last three years or so, and I don't think it's coincidence you've been working closely with him that long."
"Hey," they both heard and looked up to find a hot and tired Andy standing there, almost fending off kids as he did. "The vultures are chasing me."
Nicole jumped up, "Dad, take a rest, please. Last thing we need is you having some episode or something at a kid birthday party. I'm sure you would like a chance to talk to Sharon." Sharon glanced to Andy and gave him a small smile, one which Andy returned. Nicole grasped Andy's arm as she walked around him, gesturing to the chair. She leaned up and kissed his cheek, "I'll get you something to drink."
"Thanks, Nic," he nodded, and as Nicole stepped away, Andy dropped into the chair. Sharon shifted more, pulling her legs up sideways to sit. Nicole glanced toward them as she got an iced tea for her dad. She tried to hear what they were saying, and she frowned, noting they weren't saying much of anything, just both sitting there, looking toward the yard instead of each other. She tried to get Rusty's attention, but he was busy with the kids. Nicole walked back over toward them, the iced tea in hand.
"Here you go, Dad," she said, and as she said that, Andy snapped his head up. Sharon started to laugh, and Nicole looked to her with a confused look.
"Andy, you were snoring," Sharon said between laughs. Nicole looked again between them and back to Sharon. Sharon gestured to Andy, "Nicole, he dropped into that chair, and he fell asleep that quickly. Andy, you are the only person I know who can fall asleep that quickly."
"I didn't fall asleep," Andy said defending himself.
"You did," Sharon said with a chuckle as she cleared her throat. Andy accepted the iced tea, and she looked at them again. Sharon rolled her eyes at Nicole, "Apparently, I'm bad company."
"I'm going to check on dinner," Nicole said. "You two okay?"
"Fine," Andy waved. "We work a few feet from each other every single day. I think we can handle sitting next to each other here."
"Andy," Sharon sighed and shook her head.
"I'll leave you two," Nicole nodded and frowned to herself as she walked away. She finally caught Rusty's eye, and he gave her a look. She shrugged, nodding back toward them, and when she had a second, she casually turned to check on them. Her dad had his arms folded across his chest, something he did when he often fell asleep. Sharon looked quiet too, looking to the yard at the kids running around. They weren't talking; they weren't even looking at each other. Yes, something was definitely up with the two of them.
