A/N: Thanks for all your terrific reviews, everyone! They're great! Here's the next chapter...enjoy!
Interfamily Affairs and Games
By: CNJ
PG-13
10
A knock sounds at my door late Wednesday morning. It's Lucy and Eric. I invite them in and offer them coffee, which they accept.
"Your dad's not home, is he?" Eric asks, peering around.
"No…it's just me alone," I tell them as I set the coffee maker on and put out cups, cream and sugar.
"Sandy hasn't called you back?" Lucy asks.
"Nope," I tell her. "And I've left nice messages with her…I'm trying to let her know that I still love her and want to work this out for the sake of our boys."
"Yeah…I've let messages with her too," Lucy tells me. "Not a thing from her…I guess she doesn't get how important family is to you."
"No, she doesn't," I say. "She's been staying with Rose and I think Rose, along with Simon, is influencing her to break up my family."
"Haa, I knew Rose was involved someplace in here," Lucy scowls. "I never liked her…she was nothing but trouble."
I get up to pour the coffee and bring the steaming cups to the table.
"You know Simon had the gall to suggest that Ruthie get an abortion," I say.
"You mean, kill her baby?" Lucy's eyes widen in indignant shock.
"That's right…he told her she'd make a lousy mother and I'm a terrible father," I say.
"Yes…" Eric nods. "I heard your message. I was quite shocked…I thought of calling Simon to let him know that was out of line, but I know he wouldn't answer…he's not returning any calls from Annie, Lucy, or me…doesn't want to face reality or own up."
"That's Simon for you," I snort. "Dump on us, then hide."
"So do you know why Ruthie was calling Simon and Simon was answering her calls while ignoring the rest of ours?" Eric asks, sipping his coffee.
"I think Simon wants me to get blamed for Ruthie's mess," I say.
"Of all the conniving…" Lucy sputters, her face going red. "And he just took off on us in Buffalo…not a word to any of us! I came back to the Colonel's house after Simon found out about Mom's adulterous affair…I found him in his room crying in hysterics…before I came in with you, Mom, and Ruthie…he shoved Mom's letter at me…remember, Dad?"
"You didn't try to convince Simon to stay and work this out with us?" Eric asks.
"Sure, I did," Lucy finishes her coffee and refills her cup. "But does he listen to me? No, he just screamed about what liars you and Mom are…he carried on and on about how you and Mom had supposedly 'betrayed' all of us…it was as if he wanted me to join him in hating you and Mom…some of what he was screaming and crying about wasn't even making sense…that's when I heard Ruthie yelling at you and Mom…so I came in there."
"And that's when I decided to come over and try to settle Simon down," Eric directs this to me. "But Simon had left…not a word to anyone…not even a goodbye or even the courtesy of a note."
"I knew we should have taken the car and driven down the roads Simon must have started down and gotten him to come back," Lucy says.
"But Julie picked him up and drove him to the airport," Eric says. "It wouldn't have done any good."
"Well, then we should have gone to the airport before he got away from us," Lucy heaves. "Tracked him down face-to-face…but Mom insisted on paging first…she was in a tizzy already…I heard her…she started screaming at the airport person when they wouldn't do it."
"He was already on a flight," Eric sighs. "And he was too upset to listen to reason…he already sees us as this enemy…even if we'd found him in the airport, it wouldn't have done any good…there's just no reasoning or getting through to Simon when he gets like this…"
"And you didn't really know that Simon wasn't yours, Dad," Lucy adds. "So Simon really has no reason to blame you…it's Mom's fault….she was the one who lied to us."
"I knew about Annie's affair long ago…but not about Simon…she should have told me about Simon…I suspected, but didn't really look into it."
"That explains why Simon's so different from the rest of you," I say.
"Yeah…" Lucy nods. "No one in our family has those freckles and that weird pug nose he has…not to mention those overgrown eyebrows of his…and Mom's been crying and carrying on ever since…and she's even not speaking to you, Dad and it's not your fault…I don't know if I can ever forgive Ruthie or Simon for disrupting our family like this…"
"And while we're on disrupted families…let's think up a plan to save your family, Martin," Eric pats Lucy's hand.
For the next hour or so, we brainstorm ideas. Nothing really strong comes up for any of us, but Lucy and Eric are convinced that they can somehow get Sandy to come over while I'm there.
"I've got a better idea…why not you, Luce, invite Sandy to the promenade…but don't tell her I'll be there…and say you've heard about our breakup and you just want to offer her support," I suggest. "Try to convince her to bring the boys for good measure."
"That's a great idea," Lucy coos. "I'm sure they miss you by now and want to see their father again…it'll be a sure way to convince Sandy what a grave injustice she'll do to you and the boys by separating the boys from you and forcing them to grow up without a father."
"It's too bad Simon doesn't see all you did for him," I say as Lucy and Eric get ready to leave. "You'd think he'd be grateful to you, Eric for being his father in all the ways that counted."
"Thanks, Martin…" Eric pats my hand. "I really did need to hear that…Annie's hardly been supportive of me these last few days…"
"Yeah," Lucy adds. "All's Mom has done is mope around crying, feeling sorry for herself, snapping at everyone, and blaming everyone else."
We finalize plans for the promenade for later on in the week before Lucy and Eric depart. I smile as I make myself more coffee and head downstairs. I grab a bag of Doritos and turn on the TV on some silly reality show. But I think over things, especially with Lucy and Eric.
If anyone can get Sandy back, it's Lucy…like I'd realized by Halloween, Lucy is a doer, not some passive slug. Unlike Ruthie, who waited around for me to do all the work, Lucy pulls her share. She's not very bright, but she makes do with what she has.
Also, unlike Ruthie and Annie, and especially unlike Simon, Lucy is not above turning to others; she lets her father help her with her kids and her ministry. I have to admire her for that.
I come over to the Camden house before noon the next day. I am pleased that it's Lucy who greets me and gives me a hug as she ushers me into the house.
"I actually had one of the church organists call Sandy and invite her out to the promenade," Lucy tells me. "She won't know it's you and me coming…she thinks it's just a neighbor being friendly and supportive."
"Great work," I beam at her.
I hear footsteps on the stairs. Ruthie. She stops midway, stares at me coldly. I glare back.
"Ruthie, get back upstairs!" Lucy shouts. "You had your chance with Martin and you blew it!"
"Still lying his head off," Ruthie complains. "And of course you're covering for him, Lucy!"
"If you'd stop thinking about YOURSELF so much, you could go in and see if Mom needs anything else…offer her some support…" Lucy snaps at her.
"She won't talk to me…" Ruthie laments. "Ever since I told Simon about her, she's been shunning me…everyone's been shunning me…Martin…don't just throw away our relationship because of one little misunderstanding…it's Simon and Mom's faults, not mine…" a tear trickles down Ruthie's face.
"It's YOURS also!" Lucy yells at her. "YOU were the one who went snooping in Mom's things and spilled it to Simon…and you were the one who got yourself pregnant…"
"I didn't get pregnant by myself!" Ruthie screams back, more tears streaming down her face. She sniffles. "Martin, you know it's you…you can't just turn your back on me and leave me like this…"
"Well, Ruthie, what do you expect when you try to mess around with others' lives?" I tell her.
Now I have a hard time imagining that I ever wanted to marry her. She messes up, tries to mess up others' lives, then goes blaming others when it all comes back to her.
"You messed…" Ruthie starts, but I don't want to hear her blame.
"What goes around comes around, Ruthie," I tell her. "Let's go, Luce."
"Yeah…and Ruthie, be of some use around the house for a change," Lucy throws back at her as we leave.
We arrive at the promenade at around one, about a half hour after time Sandy's been told to come. Lucy and I quickly get coffee from next door, then sit at a remote table after we spot her. She's alone. I was hoping the boys would be with her, but they don't seem to be.
"I just hope Mrs. Barnes got the time right…and doesn't answer her phone, so Sandy thinks it's just a no-show…she gets up to leave…so we pretend we're surprised to see her…I invite her to sit and we act friendly…Martin, you have to really show her you want things to work…even if you have to apologize to get her to think you're the 'repentant' husband."
I nod. I am pleased to see her look at her watch impatiently. As Lucy and I sip our coffee, we try not to talk too much or too loudly. We don't want Sandy seeing or hearing our voices just yet.
We all wait for almost an hour. Finally, Sandy, after attempting to call her "friend" a few times, starts to leave. We pretend to be engrossed in our coffee. Just as Sandy grabs her bag, I look up.
Feigning surprise, I call, "Sandy…hi!"
She looks around a minute, wondering where my voice is coming from. She looks vaguely alarmed and at first, I'm afraid she'll just flee.
"Oh, wow, I didn't know Sandy was here," Lucy says loudly in fake surprise. "Maybe we should say hi to her, see how she's holding up…"
We stand slowly and smiling, make our way over. Sandy at least stays put, but watches us approach warily.
A rather flat, "hi" is all she says. She's halfway standing.
"How are the boys?" Lucy asks, sitting down. "Are they all right with the recent upheaval in their lives?"
"They're all right," Sandy says, her voice toneless.
"Sandy…can we talk a minute?" I ask. "I'm sorry about the other day…I'm not going to pressure you into coming back right away or anything…but I do hope we can fix things…Lucy's been trying to reach you…I want to work this out…work it out for the boys' sakes."
"I know Lucy has," Sandy says. "She's left me a dozen messages…and I really don't want to rehash things, Lucy."
"I'm not trying to get you to 'rehash' anything, Sandy," Lucy tells her. "Look, there's been a lot going on with my own family…Mom lied to Dad and me about something that happened with Simon a long time ago…so I know how bad family strife feels…I can be there for you, Sandy. I can help both you and Martin through this rough patch…"
"Trust me on this one, San, Lucy and Eric have helped lots of couples get through rough patches over the years," I say.
"This is more than just a temporary 'rough patch,' Martin," Sandy's eyes well up with tears. "I'm sorry, Lucy, but I don't think you can help…you or Eric."
Oh, drat, I didn't count on her to start crying right here in public in front of people.
"I could if you and Martin would let me," Lucy says soothingly. "Think of the boys…you really want them to grow up in a broken home…not knowing their own father?"
Sandy's tears slide down her face. "I think our home is already broken…Martin, I'm sorry, but the boys have already lost their dad…especially that night you screamed at Aaron…"
"Ohhh…" I stop myself from saying crap and heave a gusty sigh. She's still on that.
"We can fix things," Lucy says.
"For a while," Sandy wipes her eyes. "But what about the next rough patch…and the next? It's happened before, Martin…then you say you're sorry and all…and it happens again…and what about Ruthie…she's having a baby by you…what are you going to do about that?"
My head snaps back.
"How do you know about Ruthie…?" Lucy gasps.
"Simon…" I snarl. "Ruthie's lying and trying to make me look bad, so of course she told Simon, who then told you, right Sandy? You know, Eric's not really Simon's dad, right? Simon found out this weekend and is trying to get back at the rest of us, including his own family."
"That explains why Simon doesn't look like any of the Camdens…but, never mind how I know about Ruthie and your baby…lots of people know…Simon…your dad…" Sandy says. "I can't live with that, Martin…I'm sorry, but I can't live with you anymore…the boys can't either…"
"But Sandy, Ruthie's baby isn't mine," I protest. Sandy shakes her head and gets up to leave. "Ruthie's lying…Ruthie's been out with other guys and got pregnant with one of them…"
"Can you prove you're not the father?" Sandy snaps. "What's there to stop her from having a paternity test done?"
That stops me cold and I feel my eyes widen. I hadn't thought about that. Apparently, neither has Lucy because she kind of gasps and her eyes bulge.
Sandy gets up and leaves. Lucy kind of hisses under her breath. "That…!"
With a snarl, she picks up what's left of her coffee and throws it in Sandy's direction. The mug misses by a long shot, shatters to the pavement right behind a young couple near us.
"AAAAY!" the guy turns around and glares at us. A bit of coffee has splatted on his t-shirt.
"It wasn't…" I start, but the guy lifts up his huge pie and hurls it at me.
It splatters on my chest and all over my shirt and drips down me in a disgusting mess. Lucy lets out a little indignant shriek and glares at the guy.
"AAAAY, YOU PUNK!" I start toward the ugly toad, who has a disgusting tattoo on his arm, but Lucy grabs my shirt.
"Martin…let's not start a scene after…" she whispers. "Last thing we need is Glen Oak talking about you even more…"
I nod, then we start home.
"Martin…while we're alone…can you level here, so we have facts straight and no one can pull any surprises on us…did you by chance, really have intimate relations with Ruthie…c'mon, I won't blame you or anything…we're in this together and I'll stick by you no matter what…"
I take a deep breath. "The truth…I did…once…get…intimate with Ruthie…so it's a very remote possibility the baby could be mine…"
"Ooooh…" Lucy sighs. "Then maybe we should take that test and we could figure out where to go from there…if Ruthie's baby is yours, do you want the baby? Would you want to help take care it…support it? That would mean you'd have a tie with Ruthie for life…Sandy would know…you'd have three kids to support…"
"I guess I wouldn't be happy about it, but yes, I'll take care of Ruthie's baby…if it really is mine…I guess I should have learned from Sandy," I say, making my voice repentant. "I should have known Ruthie was not much better than Sandy."
"Yeah, those two are a lot alike," Lucy grunts. "Ruthie is so conniving…not to mention spoiled. I think Dad will help also…he knows you're a nice guy…you just made a few mistakes…but together we can deal with those mistakes…you're good at doing the right thing…I know you'll do the right thing no matter what with Ruthie…"
"Thanks, Lucy," I say.
We pull into the driveway and kiss. More and more, I find myself drawn to her. I suspect she's drawn to me also. I don't know how long we sit there, holding each other. It just feels so comfortable. Lucy's beautiful.
"I didn't have any luck with Sandy either," Eric tells us later on that night in his study. It's Lucy, Eric and I seated together. "I'm sorry, Martin about all this."
I nod. "I know," I sigh. "Lucy and I tried for the sake of the boys…my own dad hasn't been much help…Eric…do you think you can find a good lawyer for me if Sandy does push through with a divorce…one that'll help me gain custody of the boys and a fair divorce settlement?"
"I'll see what I can do, son," Eric pats my hand. "I'm not sure how soon I can get one…but I'll do my best to see that it's before any court dates are set."
"Thanks," I say.
Lucy and I go out for coffee several more times before Friday. Annie's slowly coming out of her room, although she still bursts into tears every so often.
Ruthie avoids us by staying upstairs most of the time. She comes to the table for dinner, but gives Lucy and me dark looks. Lucy gives her nasty looks back and I just ignore Ruthie.
Lucy and I wind up making dinner most nights since Annie's still not in much of a condition to cook meals or do much around the house. She does thank me profusely for my help.
On Thursday, Lucy and I are getting dinner together once again. Eric joins us and he helps with the salad. The three of us laugh and talk quite a bit. I love the bond Lucy and Eric have. Anyone with eyes can see that they are a true father-daughter pair.
As we carry things into the dining room, Savannah watches from the door. She eyes me warily, but I ignore her. The next time I re-enter the dining room, Annie has come and is standing dolefully in the doorway.
"Hi…" I tell her, coming over. "I'm so sorry about all that's been going on with Simon…"
Annie nods, then starts to cry and clings to me, uhhhh-uhhh-ing in my ear. I stroke her. Savannah watches this solemnly.
"And I'm sure Eric will come around…" I whisper.
"Yeah…but whad abouuud Zzzimon…?" Annie weeps. "Eric…dried to gall him…they even daalked…but Zimon didden wanna gome oud dis weegend…"
"Grandma, how come you never told Uncle Simon about who his real daddy was?" Savannah asks. "He was real upset…he's crying too…and even Uncle Matt cried when he found out…"
"Savannah, go help your mother and grandpa," I order, not wanting her to start poking into Annie and Simon's mess. Savannah stares at us a minute, then slowly goes to the kitchen.
"So…wow…Mom decided to show up for dinner," Sam quips when we sit down a few minutes later. "And look who's back like an annoying boomerang…Martin again."
"Yes, I'm back," I snap. "I'm a friend of the family, whether you like it or not."
"Right…some 'friend,'" Ruthie mumbles, giving me a dirty look as she helps herself to mashed potatoes. Once again, it's easier to ignore Ruthie for now and just concentrate on Lucy, Eric, and Annie.
"Ruthie, that's enough," Eric tells her sternly.
"Right, it's always 'enough' when I say anything, but it's never enough when Lucy or Martin open their big mouths or when Mom carries on with her little martyr parade or with Simon's drama, but no one ever wants to hear anything from me…"
"Ruthie…" Eric snarls, glaring at her. "If you can't be pleasant and keep quiet about certain topics, you will go upstairs and stay in your room until your conduct improves…"
"Okay, fine!" Ruthie yells. "I guess I should shut up about Martin and his lies…you all know he's the real father and he's lying…"
"Ruthie…just zzzdop…" Annie wails, tears coming down her face again. She jumps up and runs upstairs, crying again.
"Ruthie, go up to your room and stay there," Eric tells her coldly. "And without any slamming or your other antics."
Ruthie does, but not before glaring at all of us. The twins snicker, obviously enjoying this. Savannah, Kaylee, and Rick start crying.
"Did you really knock up Ruthie?" David smirks as Eric and Lucy try to quiet the kids. Savannah runs upstairs, still sobbing.
"None of your business," I snipe at him.
"Oooh, that means he did," Sam jeers and the twins laugh again and hi-five as if this is a great show. "I hope Sandy dumps you over this…but then again, this isn't the first girl you knock up, then dump…at least Simon used that comdome thing when he did it."
I debate picking up the pot roast and dumping it all over the boys. But Eric sternly orders the twins upstairs.
They go, still giggling and looking back at me. Kaylee won't stop crying, so Lucy carries her along with Rick upstairs.
Once Lucy comes back down, it's just the three of us. We keep eating, determined not to let the other ruin our time together. We talk about mundane things. Eric and I touch hands at one point.
I think he has a good idea now that Ruthie and I have slept together, but like Lucy, does not condemn or criticize me. I think it's because he, like Lucy, remembers what I went through with Sandy and neither one of them want to put me through that again.
"Eric…Lucy…" I decide to take a proactive stance. "I've grown up quite a bit since Sandy…I can take that paternity test Sandy's pushing for…I just did it that once with Ruthie, but I know even one time…accidents happen…I'll take responsibility for Ruthie's baby if it does turn out to be mine by chance…"
"That's commendable of you, Martin," Eric smiles. "But even if you and Sandy divorce…you'll still have to be there for her boys also…support them and be part of their lives."
"That's why I think he should get custody, Dad," Lucy says. "Martin and the boys can stay here with us…that way Martin's raising his own son's and also helping raise Ruthie's kid…and all of them have their father…"
"Thanks…" I tell both of them.
These two have done more for me in this past month than anyone else has done for me in my lifetime put together.
I'm spending very little time at my dad's house this week. I only come there late Thursday night to pack a few things.
I sleep there, but come back to the Camden house by noon on Friday. I feel the Camden house is more home than any other place I've ever lived in.
Annie's finally come out of her room more and isn't crying as much as she was earlier.
"Glad you seem to be feeling better," I tell her as Lucy and I enter the kitchen.
"Some…" Annie sighs. "Eric's finally talking to me again, even though things are rather stilted between us. I think Simon is coming for Thanksgiving…so is Mary, so that helps…if only I could get Matt and Sarah…but ever since Matt and Eric had that awful argument, Matt won't have anything to do with Eric."
"What was that fight about anyway?" I ask, helping Annie with lettuce.
"It was partially over Simon's birth dad…Simon was still crying when he called Matt and told him everything…Matt sided with Simon against Eric and me…Matt and Sarah were upset when they came over…Matt basically called me a liar and Eric a 'collaborator in deceit'…can you believe that?" Annie sighs.
"Wheeeshhhh…Matt has some nerve," I say.
"Eric didn't help matters by yelling back at Matt and telling him how disrespectful he'd been and how he'd kept our grandchildren away unfairly…" Annie continues. "And can you believe it, Matt excuses it by accusing us of being bad grandparents and he didn't want his kids growing up with our 'twisted games'…they screamed at each other until Matt and Sarah stormed out…so now Matt's refusing to speak to either of us…"
"Wow…Matt sounds like he's another one with issues," I say.
The kitchen phone rings. As Annie picks up, I see the name Glass, R. flash on the caller ID and idly wonder if we know anyone by the name of Glass.
"Richard…what's going on?" Annie asks. "What…why are you crying? If you've called to tell me…I've gotten it from all sides this week with Matt, Ruthie, Simon, and Eric…oh…oh, nooo!"
Annie's crying again. "Oh, when did this happen? Oh, Lord! How did…? Is Sarah…Rosina…?"
Annie nods, then gets out, "Yezzz…I'll d-dell them…wait…Rozzzna…dold Zzimon already? Yezzz, I'll dell Eriggg…" she hangs up with a thud and leans on the counter, sobbing.
"Annie…what's happened?" I ask, wondering if some new drama is unfolding.
Maybe Matt and Sarah are splitting up or something. I gather that this Richard Glass is a friend or something of Matt and Sarah.
"Annie…" I put a hand on her shoulder. She straightens a bit and blinks as if she's just realized that I am there.
"It's Matt…" Annie weeps. "He's…dead! That was Sarah's vvvather…Matt was stabbed…my zzzzon…dead!"
Ooooh. I wasn't expecting this. I hold Annie for a long minute. Matt…dead. I was never close to Matt and often found him rather snooty the few times I did meet him.
But I do feel bad for Annie…she's dealing with two big things in her life…three counting Ruthie's nonsense. I just wonder if all this will drive Annie over the edge.