HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY…I THINK
Randy was in good spirits that Friday evening. He happily sung along to the radio as he drove home from work and once he got out he began to whistle a happy tune. He opened the door to find his daughter watching TV and his son doing homework at the dining room table.
"Everything was okay today," spoke baby-sitter and next door neighbor Barbra Hearton.
"Good, good," Randy said absentmindedly. "Let's see… you watched the kids… three times this week?" he passed along some money to the older woman.
Barbra sighed but took the cash. "You know I don't do this to get paid Randy. But thank-you."
"Least my wife and I can do those few hours no one else is home."
Barbra nodded and gathered her purse. "Now, Shelley completed all of her homework so she is allowed to watch television. Stanley still has to complete his but he was hoping you could help him out. I started the crockpot for dinner like Sharon instructed so the pork should be ready by the time she gets home."
Randy nodded, a little distracted as he took off his coat. "Yeah, okay. Thanks again Barbra. We'll call you if we need you to watch these two again."
Barbra left a minute later. Seven-year-old Stan took this as an opportunity to ask his dad for help on his homework.
"Dad? I need help. We're stupposed to write all about one of the nine planets. We picked one from a hat Mrs. Fooder passed around and I chose Neptune. We're supposed to write down five facts and color a picture of the planet. Can we go online and"-
"Stan you will not believe my luck today!" Randy beamed, oblivious to the paper his son was holding up for him to see.
Stan sighed and set his homework down. "What Dad?"
"There was a big drawing going on at work this week. Whoever guessed the right number-or the closest to it- of gumballs in this big jar got a mystery prize. And guess who won?"
"What was the prize?"
"The number was 302, I won by guessing 303! I was one off! John R. would have been next to nab the prize, he guessed 298," Randy was explaining, still ignoring anything his son was saying. "Anyway, look at this!" he took out an envelope with fancy lettering on it. He opened it up to reveal a gift certificate. "I just won myself an all-inclusive paid trip to the brand-new Middle Park Health and Fitness Spa in Middle Park! Good timing too, I'm in dire need of some relaxation and pampering for once. What's with that face?" he gave his son a hard look.
Stan opened his mouth then frowned. "Oh, well, you just said 'good timing.' I thought you meant 'cause it's Mother's Day in two days so you were gonna give it to Mom."
Randy's eyes bulged and he took up his son in his arms to stare into his eyes. "What? It's Mother's Day this weekend?! Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Well there's commercials all on TV and a big sign at Target and other stores. Hard not to notice," Shelley spoke from her spot on the livening room floor.
Randy ran a hand in his hair and cursed, walking around the dining room now. "Damnit! I didn't get your mother anything yet! I- I have to go out! Get her something! C'mon kids, I'll take you too."
"I already got Mom something. I made it in school this week," Stan pointed out.
"And I went to Target after school yesterday with Krissa and bought Mom something with my allowance," Shelley explained.
Randy's eye twitched. "Fine. That's just fine! Way to show up your own father you two!"
"Why don't you just give Mom the gift satificate to the spa? I'm sure she'd like that," Stan pointed to the gift certificate sitting on the dining room table now.
"Are you insane? That's for me! I need a place to put up my feet after dealing with you two for the past seven years!"
Stan rubbed his chin, a look of confusion on his face. "Wait… but Shelley's eleven Dad. Don't you mean the past eleven years?"
Shelley had gotten up at this point and slapped her brother across the face. "Stupid turd! He said he's had to deal with the both of us so that means it's only been seven years since your stupid face has only been around for seven years!"
"All right you two, shut it. I need to think here…" Randy began pacing the floor again, trying to come up with an alternative to the spa trip. A fancy dinner? The movies? Was there a special gift that Sharon wanted that she had pointed out to him the last time they went to the mall or something?
"Mom really would like to go to that spa place," Stan said matter-of-factly as he gathered his homework to put back in his backpack.
"Just let me think!" Randy raged.
A half hour later the door opened and Sharon walked in looking exhausted. She quickly gave her kids a kiss as well as her husband before immediately going into the kitchen to begin serving up dinner.
"Shelley, set the table. You know that's your chore, why haven't you done so yet? Stanley, wash up for dinner."
"I'm not even dirty!"
"Your tongue is blue and your face is sticky when I went to kiss you a minute ago. Did you eat something sweet right before dinner?"
Stan pointed an accusing finger at his father. "Dad said I could have a Popsicle before dinner! It's not my fault!"
Sharon glared at her husband before she went about shredding up the pork shoulder that had been stewing in the pot for four hours. She ordered her son to wash up one last time as she passed along silverware for Shelley to place on the table. Randy could only look on at his wife the rest of the evening, saying very little to her. He watched as she made small talk at the table, reprimand Shelley after she found out she was watching MTV when she got home, scold Stanley after he said 'damnit' when he dropped his fork, and gathered everyone's dishes once dinner was over. She placed everything in the dishwasher before Stan began asking her to help him on his homework. Sharon promised she would look up some information on the planet Neptune for him on the computer over the weekend and Stan left, satisfied. Seconds later Shelley ran to her, demanding her to fix up her favorite jacket that had a hole in it. Sharon was able to sew some of the hold up before Stan came downstairs asking if he could go over to Kyle's because he 'just found something really cool in the basement and said I have to see it right now.' Sharon told him no and Stan went back upstairs, annoyed. Bedtime came and Sharon had to break up another fight between Shelley and Stan. Stan had apparently used up too much hot water when he took a bath that by the time Shelley went in to shower, the water ran lukewarm at best. She had hit Stan hard across the face, resulting in a bloody nose so Sharon had to instruct Stan to sit with a rag over his nose for the next twenty minutes. At nine o'clock, Sharon went to tuck Stan into bed and read him a story. Once both kids were in bed Sharon got ready herself before sitting up in bed to read a chapter in the book she had been reading. By eleven both she and Randy had turned off the lights.
"Randy… I have to ask you… is something wrong?"
"Huh? Why- why would you say that Sharon?" Randy turned to face her in bed.
"Oh, nothing. You've just been a little quiet tonight. I can't help but worry whenever someone in this house is quieter than usual."
Randy frowned but kissed her. "Just… just want to tell you that I love you babe."
Sharon smiled back and kissed him in return. "I love you too. Goodnight."
Randy sighed as he turned his back towards her; mind still racing and heart feeling kind of sour. At 7:30 A.M. on Sunday Randy snuck into his son's bedroom to wake him up. Stan rubbed his eyes and looked at his alarm.
"Why're waking me up? It's too early…"
"It's Mother's Day. Don't you want to get breakfast ready for Mom?"
Stan blinked. "Oh yeah. Hang on…" he grabbed a couple things from his closet before hurrying down the stairs. Shelley was already in the kitchen getting things out. "Don't start without me!" the boy cried.
"Don't you two start already," Randy warned. "Mom will want coffee so I'll get that ready. I was thinking we make her blueberry pancakes this year. From scratch. With bacon and eggs on the side. How does that sound?"
His kids nodded in agreement.
"I have the recipe here"- the father opened a cookbook to the page where blueberry pancakes were written.
Shelley looked it over before going to the fridge to get the milk and eggs.
"Don't do it all without me!" Stan glared before standing on a stool to read the recipe himself. He went off to the shelf where all the baking ingredients were and pulled down a few things but cried out when the big bag of flour slipped from his grip and fell onto the counter, flour spilling all over.
"You stupid turd!" Shelley growled.
"Kids quiet now! Your mom wants to sleep in this morning," Randy snapped. "Stanley get down. I know you want to help but you know you're not supposed to get things that are too high up. I'll get the mop but you need to help clean this up."
After the mess was clean Randy gave orders to his kids before he went to start the coffee maker. Shelley sighed before she looked into the cookbook.
"Turd, I need one and one fourth cup flour. Put it in this bowl"- she pointed to a glass bowl.
Stan looked at the measuring cups. "I don't know what that means."
"Stupid turd! Pour one cup in, then one fourth!" she did it for him before bopping him on the head.
"Oww! Daaadd!"
"Kids, work together! And quietly!"
"I shouldn't be pouring the stuff together if I don't know what it looks like."
Shelley sighed. "Fine, then you read it to me and I'll pour."
Stan frowned at the book. "One tablespoon baking powder. Um, one slash two tablespoon salt. Umm, one one slash four tablespoon sugar…"
Shelley went over to the book again. "Stupid idiot! Don't you know what fractions are?"
"No. Mom usually helps me when we cook and stuff and"-
Shelley pushed him off the stool to do everything herself. Stan began to whine about this of course. Randy rolled his eyes; he kept telling himself each new Mother's Day it would be easier for his kids to help out with Sharon's breakfast in bed. Surely at ages eleven and seven there wouldn't be much trouble but he was being proven wrong right now. Stan was still too small to reach things and couldn't read certain words and didn't know what the words meant in recipes. He was also too young to use the stove or coffee maker without assistance. And this was unfortunate simply because the older his son got the more he wanted to help out. Randy finally told Shelley to have her brother do the mixing and stirring of the pancake mix and to add in the blueberries.
"I'm done Dad," Stan said after he mixed.
"It's lumpy! And I can still see bits of the flour," Shelley pointed out.
"Stanley mix it up a little while more. Shelley, you can start on the eggs."
Stan was finished mixing and was about to carry the bowl in his hands over to his dad but Randy yelled for him to set it down; he did not want to risk the bowl crashing to the ground and breaking once the boy hopped from the stool. Randy took hold of the bowl and sprayed the skillet on the stove and turned it on.
"I want to put the pancake batter on it!" Stan insisted.
"You can barely reach the stove and it's too dangerous to do it on a stepstool," Randy told him.
Stan stomped his foot at the same things he always heard. "It's not fair. You and Shelley get to use the stove but I can't do anything!"
"That's not true. You can…" Randy looked around. "You can get out the syrup from the pantry. You can also get out the creamer from the fridge and when Mommy's coffee is ready you can mix it in. You can also make the serving tray look pretty."
The little boy scowled but got out the things he was asked to. He looked up at his dad.
"Will I be able to help on the stove next year?"
"Maybe. Sure, whatever. Shelley- put the eggs aside before they burn!" Randy said distracted.
Meanwhile Stan got out a few art supplies and cut out a piece of yellow construction paper and wrote on it- Happy Mother's Day Brekfist! With marker and drew in a few flowers.
"What a stupid idea," Shelley spoke when she saw. "And you spelled breakfast wrong!"
"Shelley, leave him alone," Randy scolded. "Stan come here if you want to mix the coffee."
Stan happily poured sugar and creamer into his mother's coffee and stirred. He wanted to taste to see if it was good but Randy didn't let him. He hurriedly placed the food on the plates and went to give the tray to Shelley. Stan was complaining how he didn't get to set it up his way but his voice was ignored.
At that same moment Sharon had her back turned, pretending to be asleep. Of course she had heard the chaos downstairs; she had for the past seven years. There used to be quiet Mother's Day mornings when it was just Shelley but once she had her second child, those memories were long gone. She could hear noises outside the door and shut her eyes. The door creaked open and Stan wasted no time jumping on the bed.
"Happy Mother's Day Mom!" he cried.
"She was still asleep!" Shelley snapped.
Sharon turned over and stretched. "It's fine, I'm awake." She gave her son a squeeze before Shelley placed the tray on the bed and went over for her hug. Sharon sat up and looked at the tray. "What did you guys make me?"
"Blueberry pancakes," Stan said. "I still hardly could do anything. I helped make your coffee though."
Sharon took a sip; it was a little sweet but not too bad. "Thank-you you two."
"Mom, Dad didn't let me do nothing on the stove. You let me use it before 'cause you were there watching. Remember when I made eggs that one time?" Stan complained.
"Stanley, Mommy doesn't want to hear any complaining right now," Randy spoke as he walked in. He kissed his wife and wished her a Happy Mother's Day. "Is everything okay?" he nodded to the food.
"Yes, everything is fine. Thank-you."
"Okay you two, let Mom eat in peace. I put your plates downstairs."
"Awww, I wanna eat up here with Mom!" Stan said.
"You eat with her every breakfast and dinner. You don't need to do so now. Now get out. Shelley, no bullying him around, got it?"
"They could have eaten in here," Sharon spoke.
"Nonsense, this is your day. I know all you want is peace and quiet today. The kids won't be bugging you at all, promise," Randy kissed her.
Sharon rolled her eyes. "If I wasn't being 'bugged' every day this day wouldn't even be happening."
Randy appeared not to have heard. "Trust me, you are going to be treated like royalty today Sharon. No kids hanging off your shirt at all."
Sharon sighed as he left; once again her words fell on deaf ears. Sure a quiet meal was always welcomed but she was too used to the noises her kids made to not want to eat with them. She however didn't eat too much of her breakfast, feeling a little nauseous that morning. She dumped the remainder of her overly sweet coffee and, wrapping a robe over herself, went downstairs.
"Oh my," she smiled when she saw the dining room table. Two balloons were tied to a chair and a vase of flowers sat in the middle of the table along with a few cards and gifts. Her children circled around as she opened everything. "Ohh, this is very nice," she said as she held up a purple knitted hat from Shelley.
"I spent my allowance on it," the girl pointed out.
"Ohh, would you look at this," Sharon smiled when she unwrapped her gift from Stan- a poem titled 'Why I Love My Mom' as well as a small pot made of clay that was painted red.
"Miss Fooder had us all write poems for our moms in class the other day. And we also made pots in art class. The art teacher said she put the pots in a giant oven to cook 'em. Maybe you can put your earrings in it," Stan explained, obviously proud of his handiwork.
"I think I just might. Thank-you sweetie."
"Now you gift from mwah," Randy smiled as he passed along a card. The slip for the Middle Park Health and Fitness Spa slipped out. Sharon picked it up, a little confused. "That's right my love- an all-inclusive paid day trip to the new spa in Middle Park!"
"Wow, really?" Sharon looked at the pretty paper.
"A full-days' worth of anything you want. Facials, mani/pedis, fitness center, spa treatments, swimming. It's all covered on this card."
"How exciting. I've heard so many great things about this place. This is so unexpected. Thank-you Randy."
Stan gave his dad a look that clearly said that he was proud his father had made the right decision to give her the spa trip.
"All-inclusive… hmm, it doesn't specify if it's a one-person free trip. I would like to take the kids there too if possible," Sharon trailed.
"What? No, this is your day," Randy frowned.
"But I heard they have a great kid's club. I'm sure the kids would like to swim and try the rock climb wall today too."
"Yeah, can we?" Stan looked at his dad.
"I already planned something with the kids today while you get pampered," Randy looked proud of this statement.
"Awww… what lame-ass thing did you pick?" Stan crossed his arms.
"Language Stanley!" Sharon snapped.
"Kids, we're going to have fun at North Bellow Park and then have a picnic lunch at Stark's Pond!"
"Aww, I don't like that park," Stan complained.
"And we can go to stupid Stark's Pond any day," Shelley added.
"Hey, we never go to that park, and I already made our lunches."
"We don't go to that park 'cause they never pick up the trash and it smells. And the big kids from the Jr. High school always go there and always push us little kids around," Stan explained.
Randy frowned. "Well they won't today- I'll be there."
"I don't want to go there," Stan crossed his arms.
"Me either," Shelley added.
"Really Randy, I don't mind taking the kids with me. Even if this pass is only good for one person it will still be cheaper to buy two children's passes for the day, so why not take them?" Sharon said.
Randy looked at the eager faces of his kids; he frowned.
"But why? It's Mother's Day. The only day you can really be free from kids."
"And how many times do I have to tell you that if it weren't for them I wouldn't even be celebrating this day?" Sharon repeated. "I know it's too expensive to go there exclusively so why not enjoy it, just for today? What do you say kids? Would you like to go?"
"Yeah!" both kids jumped.
"Then let's get ready. Get your bathing suits in case you get to go swimming. Don't look at me like that," Sharon told Randy after the kids raced upstairs. "The kids want to go with me."
"But today I could have done something with them. My day with them, your day with yourself. You're always bitching how I never do anything with the kids."
Sharon rolled her eyes. "Well I can only hope you find more time to do things with them soon. They want to come with me, we'll all have a good time. But I still thank you for such a thoughtful gift honey," Sharon kissed Randy before going upstairs. Fifteen minutes later the kids ran down with Sharon carrying a duffle bag behind them. They said goodbye to Randy and drove off.
"Do you really think everything is free with the satificate?" Stan asked on the way there.
"I'm sure of it. I'll make sure I know what's covered when we get there."
"What if the kid's club isn't?" Stan asked.
Sharon thought for a second. "Today is a special day so I'll pay for you two if it's not covered on the card."
"But it's your day, you don't need to do that," Shelley told her.
"I want us to have a good time. And I know it was nice of your father to take you out but what he was planning, I mean, well…"
"It sucked," Stan said simply.
"Stanley," Sharon looked back at him. "He means well. But you'll have fun today at the Spa and I know he'll find his own thing back home. Something that will involve beer…" she mumbled to herself.
After a thirty minute drive to Middle Park, they had arrived at an expansive three-story building. Stan and Shelley looked around with curiosity as they waited behind their mother by a desk up front.
"Hello, I received this gift card for an all-expenses paid day here and I was just wondering if that covered the Kid's Club," Sharon asked the woman.
The woman at the front looked over the gift certificate and smiled. "This is only good for one person coverage. However, we do have a special deal going on this weekend. As a gift for mothers, admission for children is half off."
"Oh really? How nice is that," Sharon smiled.
The other woman nodded. "For a full day's worth of activity, children 0-5 is $15 today while children 6-12 is $25. This includes the Gregory Meyers' Kid's Club as well as any activity around the complex. The only thing not included is any food at the Healthful Café."
Once Sharon got enough information of the place she paid for two children's passes and the three were able to proceed. In each direction Sharon looked there seemed to be something to do. Indoor tennis and a basketball court on the ground level, as well as the swimming pool. There was also a rock climbing wall down one way and different spa treatments off to another direction. Not to mention the different fitness classes. Yoga, Pilates, self-defense, dancing… where to begin?
"I want to go swimming," Stan told her a few minutes into the three standing in the middle of the room.
"Me too," Shelley said.
"That sounds like a plan. Let's go to the locker rooms to change okay?"
Once they did they headed out to the pool in its own enclosed area of the gym, a large rectangular-shaped area just off the locker rooms.
"Can I go in the deep end?" Stan pointed out once they went to the deck.
"No Stanley, you aren't an expert swimmer yet," Sharon said sternly.
"But I've had lessons for over two years now! I know how to swim!"
"You are not going in the deep end, understood? Now come over here. Now Stan, no pouting, not today."
Stan still wore a look of displeasure as he slowly made his way into the shallow end. He swam from one end of the shallow end to the other side a few times before sighing and looking around to see where his mother was. She was currently leaning on the side of the pool talking with another woman. He was sure he'd be able to sneak past no problem. He wasn't too great at swimming under the water yet so went to do some breast strokes over to the deep end. Smiling now that he had gotten past his mom without notice Stan went off to the end of the pool, climbing out, and got in line to go off the diving board. When it was his turn he looked down and his heart leapt to his throat- Shelley had spotted him.
"You're not allowed in the deep end stupid turd! Ohhh, you're in trouble now!"
"I know how to swim already, I've gone off a diving board all the time during swim lessons," Stan said in defense.
Shelley ignored this. Instead she cupped her hands over her lips and yelled, "Mom! Mooomm! Stan's on the diving board!"
Sharon sighed and turned around to see her son about to dive off. He looked guilty but at the same time gave her a look that clearly said he still had every intention to jump.
"Just be careful Stan," Sharon finally said.
Stan smiled and jumped into the pool. Shelley made her way over to her mother.
"That's not fair! You always let Stan get away with stuff!"
"That's not true. I punish your brother plenty."
"Then why did you say he can't go in the deep end if you let him anyway?" Shelley crossed her arms.
"I know your bother knows how to swim. There's a lifeguard anyway," Sharon nodded to the man sitting in his little post above the pool.
"Stan gets away with everything Mom," Shelley pointed out again.
"Shelley I am not having this discussion. Not now," Sharon glared at her daughter before turning to talk with the woman she was having a conversation with.
"You don't want to because you know it's true," Shelley muttered.
Sharon gave her another hard look and went back to her conversation. She hung around the side of the pool for another ten minutes before she suddenly felt slightly sick to her stomach. Not knowing whether or not she was going to vomit, Sharon pushed herself out of the pool and in her hurry, slipped on the wet concrete encasing the pool. She cursed as she fell on her left knee.
"Are you okay?" asked a passing man.
"I'm okay, just a scrape…" Sharon however did allow the man to pull her to her feet. She limped her way over to the table where the towels for herself and her kids were set up at, as well as their flip-flops. A minute later a gym employee walked over to ask her if she was okay. Sharon knew she was but still allowed the woman to look at her knee. As the woman cleaned her cut she suddenly heard cries for her that sounded awfully a lot like her son's. Sharon could already feel a headache coming along and the ill feeling in her stomach was still present. She rubbed her eyes and stayed like this for exactly seventeen seconds she counted, before she felt someone shake her shoulder.
"Mom! You're not listening! Shelley dunked my head under water!" Stan said forcefully.
"Because you splashed me you stupid turd!" Shelley bonked him on the head.
"Oww! Mooomm!"
Sharon sighed before getting to her feet. "We're leaving the pool now. Let's go."
"What? But Mom, I still want to"-
"Now you two. Get your towels, we are going back to the locker room right now."
Shelley glared at her brother as they went inside. "Good job you brat! We're leaving because of you!"
Stan glanced at his mother and noticed she had a bandage over her left knee.
"Hey Mom, what happened to your knee?"
"I slipped," Sharon said shortly. She passed along a change of clothes to her son. "Here Stanley. Go change in the men's locker room and do only that. I will meet you out in ten minutes, understood?"
Grumbling, Stan took his things and went to the next room over. His mother and sister came out of the locker room exactly ten minutes later. He immediately went to match his mom's quick pace.
"Can I go try the rock climbing wall?"
Sharon paid him no attention as she looked at map of the gym and spa in her hands. "I want to go for a massage right now. I'm going to drop you two off at the Kid's Club."
"Aww, but Mom, I want to do the rock climbing thing!"
"The Kid's Club probably has a bunch of lame little-kid shit," Shelley spoke.
"Language Shelley!" Sharon snapped. "And the map here says it's for kids five through twelve so there should be something fun for the both of you."
"After, can I go to the"-
"We'll see Stanley!" Sharon bit back at him too. He shut his lip and looked slightly fearful. "This is my special day so if I want to drop you two off for a little while so I can get some 'me' time, I'm going to. Let's see, it's 11:45 now. I will meet you back at the kid's center by one, okay?" she led the two to a special corridor on the ground level where the kid's center was located. Grateful to be able to drop the two off for a little while, Sharon went to the second floor to get a massage. There were many styles to choose from, she wasn't quite sure which would be most beneficial for her. She decided to go in for a nice forty minute shiatzu massage. She happily laid face-down on the massage table while a kind older Japanese lady began to run her hands over her shoulders. Sharon was finally beginning to feel relaxed when suddenly, thirty minutes in, the woman that worked at the front desk at the massage center stepped into the room.
"Mrs. Marsh?" she called.
Sharon took her head out of the hole in the table. "What?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt you but there's a call for you from the Gregory Meyer's Kid's Club." The woman held up the phone.
Sighing heavily, Sharon draped her robe over herself and took the call.
"Sharon Marsh?" spoke a man's voice on the other line.
"Yes?" Sharon felt her stomach bubble yet again.
"There's been an incident at our center involving your daughter. If you could please come down here as soon as possible. Thank-you."
Rolling her eyes, hoping that whatever had happened wasn't serious, Sharon regretfully dressed back up and went downstairs. She walked into the office of the kid's center where a couple employees were as well as her daughter, who was sitting in a chair, anger all over her face.
"Shelley, what happened?" Sharon demanded.
One of the employees, Frank, stepped forward. "Mrs. Marsh, I was directing some of the older children in the kick-boxing class, which is where your daughter, Shelley, was stationed at, when an incident took place. Now I'm not quite sure what happened but I heard a scuffle and next thing I saw was your daughter pinning another girl to the floor and would not let her up. We were able to separate them but the other girl ran out of the class in tears. She's with her own mother in another room as we speak."
Sharon glared at her daughter. "Shelley, explain yourself this instant."
"Nothing happened Mom, god," Shelley rolled her eyes.
"Something did or I wouldn't have been taken away from the first massage I've had in three years to sort it out!" Sharon snapped.
"All that happened was this stupid girl got too close to me on purpose. I heard her and another girl talking about me behind my back so when one of them had the guts to get close, I made her pay," Shelley made a fist and punched her other hand with it.
"Whatever they were saying, it's no reason to hurt one of them for it."
Shelley glared more so, if possible. "They were making fun of my overbite Mom. I had to hit the one girl."
Sharon bit her lip as she stole a glance from the employees. "Shelley, you know that's going to be corrected soon. Most likely after your twelfth birthday."
"I'm not sorry I did it Mom. So stop wasting your breath."
Sharon was ready to call all of this off and told Shelley to find something else to do that wouldn't involve any fighting with other kids before she left. Sharon took out her pamphlet again, wondering where to go to next. She wanted to do something relaxing that wouldn't take up too much time for she planned to take herself and the kids to the gym's café for lunch after. She saw that on the second floor was a place for manicures and pedicures. Well, she had just done her nails not too long ago, but it had been awhile since she had a pedicure. She went off to freshen up her feet. Sharon relaxed, sipping an iced tea and chatted with the woman sitting next to her as she had her feet pampered. She chose a pretty shade of lavender for her toes and was finally feeling at ease when once again, an employee walked up to her with a phone.
"What now?" Sharon groaned before taking the phone. "Yes? Hello?"
"Mrs. Marsh? There has been another incident at the Gregory Meyers Kid's Club," spoke a female on the other end.
"How? I was just there!"
"I'm sorry Mrs. Marsh. This involves your son. If you would please come by as soon as possible it would be greatly appreciated."
"What happened?"
"I'm not sure the details but apparently your son has been taken ill at the tumble gym just now."
Sharon rubbed her eyes in frustration. "Ill how?"
"Mrs. Marsh, please"-
"If he just threw up I'm sure he's fine."
"Mrs. Marsh, it might be more than just"-
"I know my son. He throws up often. I'm sure he's fine. Please, I just want to relax right now," Sharon said heavily.
"I'm sorry Mrs. Marsh but it's gym policy," spoke the lady in a business-like way.
So very regretfully, Sharon decided to go downstairs. But not until the woman doing her nails had finished applying polish to the last few toes. Sharon quickly put on her flip-flops before going downstairs, hoping her freshly painted toes would dry quickly and not smudge during the trip. When Sharon arrived at the office of the kid's center she found Stan lying down on a bench inside the room with the same woman that she spoke to an hour ago.
"What happened?" Sharon asked, exasperated.
"I keep telling 'em I'm fine but they won't believe me!" Stan spoke, immediately sitting up when he saw his mother walk in.
"You son threw up inside the tumbling room Mrs. Marsh. We have to make sure that he isn't sick and could infect the other children," spoke the employee, Lauren.
"I was just doing something that made me nauseous. I was on this spinning wheel thing. This other kid spun me around really fast so I threw up. I'm fine though," Stan explained.
"Thought so. Okay, I'll see you in a half hour, okay Stanley?"
Sharon was about to exit the room when Lauren held her back.
"Mrs. Marsh, do you not understand the situation? Your child could be sick"-
"I understand a lot more than you do," Sharon pointed a finger at the lady. "My son gets queasy easily. Something that causes him to spin around a lot will make him throw up. It doesn't mean he's actually sick. Now please, let me enjoy some of my day today." Stan left with his mother, although walked down the hall to the left and joined in on a class where karate was being taught. Sharon went back to get her toes touched up on the second floor. By one she went back downstairs and met up with her kids and the three went to have lunch at the gym's café.
"Do you two know what you want?" Sharon asked as they looked over the menu above.
"I can't really see everything. Do they have any pizza?" Stan asked, standing on his toes.
Sharon scanned the menu. "Yes, they do. Is that what you want?"
"Yeah! Do they have toppings too? 'Cause I want bacon and chicken on it too."
"I think they only have cheese pizza Stan."
"Awww, fine," Stan crossed his arms.
"I want the broccoli and cheese soup with the toast," Shelley requested.
Sharon went to order everyone's lunch and passed along two cups along to her kids for drinks. Stan hurried over to the drink bar, excited to get himself some root beer. But they didn't have any. He frowned as he looked at the options: everything there was either labeled low sugar or zero sugar. He looked on as his mom poured herself some vitamin water for herself.
"Mom, they don't have any root beer," he pointed out.
"Hmm? Oh, well no surprise, this is a healthy food café after all. Look, they do have Sprite," Sharon smiled.
"It says it's zero sugar. It'll taste funny," Stan frowned.
"Well I don't know what to tell you Stan. Why don't you get a juice box from the cooler by the register?"
"That stuff is all healthy crap too," Stan glared.
"Stanley I will not put up with your foul mouth anymore, do you hear?" Sharon said softly but firmly. "Now pick something to drink. You need something to sip on when you eat."
"But Mom, I don't want"-
"Stanley if you complain again you will get water, nothing else. Now pick something and sit."
Angry all over but also feeling tears in his eyes, Stan got some iced tea. At least he could make it sweet by pouring in a few sugar packets in it. Five minutes later everyone's food arrived. Stan frowned as he looked at his round personal pizza. It looked a little off. He picked up a piece to look at the bottom. The pizza overall looked browner than normal pizzas he usually ate. Of course he pointed this flaw out to his mother.
"There isn't anything different with your pizza Stan, just eat and be quite, please," Sharon said, rubbing her eyes as she could feel a headache coming on.
"Why does it look funny though?"
"It's made of whole-wheat," Shelley explained as she ate her soup.
"Whole…wheat? What's that?"
"It's stuff they use to make food extra healthy. And also tastes gross too," Shelley smirked.
"Shelley!" Sharon snapped. "Stanley, don't listen to her, please just eat."
"No wonder if looks like crap, if it's made to be 'healthy…" Stan grumbled.
"Stanley that is it! You have mouthed off one time too many today! You will be grounded from the television all of this week!" Sharon pointed a finger in her son's face.
"What? Why?"
"I just told you. Now eat or be hungry, I don't care anymore," Sharon sighed into her whole-grain pasta bowl.
"But- but I'm hungry Mom. Can I get something else? Please?"
"Everything here is healthy anyway," Shelley told her little brother. "Low sugar. Low fat. Whole wheat. I doubt you'll find something you'd like anyway."
Stan sniffed as tears stung his eyes again. "Mom… please…?" he said softly.
Feeling extremely annoyed at this point, Sharon got up and moved to another table away from her kids. Her stomach acted up again and she couldn't finish her lunch. She drank deep from her vitamin water before getting up and going off to try and find at least one relaxing activity to do for the day. It was Mother's Day after all; she needed to do something to make this thoughtful gift from her husband worth something. She ignored her son's cries about, 'hey, what about us?' and went to see what the third floor offered. Several classes were being held, from yoga to Pilates to kick-boxing. Yoga sounded right up her ally at this point. She didn't do it too often but when she found the time to, she enjoyed doing the stretches and deep-breathing exercises yoga offered. Sharon placed her bag in a locker and joined in.
She was almost an hour into it, following the instructions being taught by an older but fit woman who led the rest of the class, which was compiled entirely of women. Deep breaths, in and out. Focus on your core… she had to let go of the stress she had experience today. Her kids pestering, her body feeling tired and sick off and on…
"Focus on my voice… nothing else matters right now," spoke the instructor in a soothing and soft tone. "Remember mommies, this is your day today. Time to relax. Forget about the kids. Your husbands. Work. Only think about your happy place. A stream. Meadow. The sounds of a gentle wave on the beach…"
Sharon could feel the warmth of the sun on her body as her mind went to her happy place- a beach back in her hometown as a young child in Santa Barbra. Suddenly, the sun seemed to be going in and out of the clouds. Sharon opened an eye to see the lights above in the studio go out and the room was in darkness.
"Well that's never happened before…" said the instructor as she got to her feet. She fiddled with the light switch before picking up the phone from the receiver.
"What happened?" asked one of the ladies there.
"I think we lost power. I'm not sure if it's just us or the entire building… let me see…" she poked her head out to see that the entire health spa and gym was dark, sans the light coming in from the windows.
"Attention guests," spoke a voice of a megaphone from the ground floor. "It appears that the Middle Park Health Spa and Gym has lost power. We are currently trying to find the cause and we will hopefully be able to resolve the issue shortly. Thank-you for your patience."
Sharon sat around with the other women in the class for the next thirty minutes. By this point she was feeling too annoyed to be able to enjoy her time here anymore. She gathered her bag and left the room, ignoring the instructor telling her to sit around a little while more since the power was sure to turn back on soon. Sharon headed back to the kid's center and grabbed her kids and walked out, again, ignoring the employees there telling her to wait until they got the power back on. The car ride home was quiet so far. Of course Stan could only go so long before asking what was wrong.
"Nothing Stanley. We are just going home now," Sharon said tiredly.
"Can we go back sometime? I'd still like to try the rock climbing wall."
Sharon didn't answer.
"Mom?"
"I don't know…." was all Sharon could muster.
The rest of the ride was quiet again. Sharon got off the freeway that led into South Park. She was driving along when suddenly she felt the car shake and a distant pop. A second later the check engine light came on. Groaning that the day couldn't get much worse, Sharon pulled off to the side of the road. She got out and discovered the front left tire was deflating. She must have run over something sharp in the road.
"Damnit! Damnit damnit!" she cursed and kicked at her car before pinching the bridge of her nose.
Randy awoke, startled, by the sound of the phone going off. He had been spending the best part of the day parked in front of the TV drinking. It had been a nice day so far, no wife nagging him, no kids bugging him. It had been a while since such a day was available. He thought Sharon was crazy for taking the kids with her to the health spa but was very glad she had done so. He got up from his spot on the couch and went to answer the phone. He frowned as he listened in.
"Okay, hold up Sharon. So do you need a ride back home? Okay, okay, I understand. Okay, I'll come get you guys. See you soon." Randy went to put on a pair of pants and a shirt before getting into the car and driving off to the mechanic's. When he got there he spotted his wife and family sitting inside. "What happened?" he asked.
"I popped a tire driving home. Some asshole probably threw a glass bottle out the window and I drove over it. I called Triple A," Sharon growled.
"That sucks. Have they replaced the tire yet?"
"Do you think so? This is the only mechanic in town; of course it's going to take forever."
Randy nodded, knowingly. "Well I'm here now. Want to get back home?"
"Yes, this place is boring," Stan spoke up, getting off his seat.
Sharon nodded as well and the family got into the other car and drove off home. As soon as they got home the kids hurried up the stairs to their room.
"Not too long you guys! We're still going out for dinner!" Randy looked over at Sharon as she began cleaning around the mess in the living room. "Sh-Sharon, c'mon, you don't have to do that, it's your special day…"
"Is that what you call it?" Sharon said heavily.
"Why are you back so early from the health spa anyway? Didn't you like it?"
Sharon sighed as she straightened out the couch cushions. "The place itself was very nice. There was just a few incidents that could have made it a lot better."
"I'm sorry honey."
"I have a bit of a headache. I'm going to lie down for a little while…"
"Okay… I'll come get you by six for dinner. All right?"
Sharon nodded and grabbed an Advil from the medicine cabinet, took it, and went to their bedroom. 6 o'clock arrived and Randy went to wake her up so she could get ready. Sharon dressed slowly, not feeling very hungry at the moment. She didn't know exactly why she was feeling so crummy throughout today but she hoped it would go away very soon.
"Where are we going?" Stan asked as the family gathered downstairs.
"The Olive Garden," Randy answered as he fastened a tie to his neck.
"Sweet. But do we hafta get so dressy? I never wear these shoes except for church," Stan frowned, looking down at the nice brown dress shoes on his feet.
"I want us all to look as presentable as possible tonight. We are celebrating Mom and Mom will want us all in nice outfits and to be on our best behavior. Understand?"
"Can I please wear my hat? Mom lets me where it wherever I go anyway," Stan complained.
"No hats. No whining, nothing," Randy gave his son a hard look.
Sharon came down the stairs a few minutes later. She tried to plaster a smile on her face when she saw her family and together the four of them went into the car and drove off.
"Can I get a soda since they didn't have any at the gym place?" Stan asked when they got sat.
"Yeah, whatever," Sharon waved off.
"Do I have to still order off the stupid kid menu? I'm going to be twelve in less than two weeks!" Shelley crossed her arms as she was passed along a paper menu that boasted a few games and a pack of crayons.
"Yes you do, I am not allowing you to order a twenty dollar item on the menu," Sharon snapped.
"Can I get a regular sized drink? Please?" Stan asked.
"No Stanley! You are seven, you are getting a kid-sized cup, you hear?" Sharon turned to her son now.
"Sharon, are you feeling okay?" Randy rubbed her shoulder, a look of mild concern on his face.
"Yes, fine…"
However as the minutes ticked by Sharon was feeling increasingly pestered, as well as sick. Shelley was going on how she wanted to get back home to watch some TV show she was missing and she would be 'pissed off' if the DVR didn't capture it, Stan was racing a tiny motorcycle toy off the table and had already wiped his greasy fingers from the garlic bread on his brand-new dress pants. Randy had taken in almost all the wine from his glass already. Hopefully the dinner wouldn't last for too much longer. Thankfully things were quiet when the food arrived- but only for a few minutes. By then the nonstop banter from everyone finally put her over the edge. Stan had cried out in excitement after he took a bite from his ravioli.
"I lost my tooth! Finally! Look everyone! I finally lost that one tooth!" Stan smiled as he held out the tiny tooth in his hand.
"Nobody cares," Shelley rolled her eyes.
"It's been bugging me for forever. Now it finally came out."
"You've been bugging me for forever you stupid turd," Shelley pointed a finger at her little brother.
"Kids, not now," Randy sighed.
"I need to put it under my pillow tonight for the Tooth Fairy," Stan told himself as he pocketed the tooth.
"The tooth fairy isn't real you idiot," Shelley interjected.
"Yes she is. She even leaves a note for me! And a quarter," Stan frowned.
Shelley only laughed.
"The Tooth Fairy is real, right Dad?" Stan turned to their father.
Randy looked up from his salmon. "Huh? Oh uhh, yeah, sure."
"See?" Stan then proceeded to repeatedly stick his tongue between the gap on his top left where the loose tooth had popped out from.
"Gross! Cut it out turd!" Shelley slammed a fist on the table.
"Stanley stop messing around and eat! Shelley, stop complaining and eat! Both of you are pissing me off," Randy yelled at them both.
"Everyone just stop it!" Sharon spoke over her husband. Suddenly she felt intense cramps and hurriedly got up from the table and ran to the bathroom.
Sharon stayed in the ladies' room for the next twenty minutes, crying for a good part of it. She thankfully always carried around a tampon just in case but still… there was a lot of blood. At least now she could rest, knowing this was the cause of her sour mood all day. But it didn't make the realization any easier. Suddenly she heard knocking on the stall she was in.
"Mom?" called a voice.
"Sh-Shelley?" Sharon sniffed.
"Yeah. Umm, you've been in here a while. Dad wanted someone to check on you. Are you…okay?"
"Y-yes honey. Thank-you."
"Sure?"
"Yes. Can you tell Daddy to pack up our dinner in to-go boxes? And to pay? I'll meet everyone outside in fifteen minutes."
Sharon cleaned herself up as best she could before meeting up with her family outside, as promised.
"Sharon, what's wrong?" Randy looked truly concerned now.
"I'll explain later. Let's just go home now, please."
Once home Sharon took a shower before going about her night as normally as possible. She listened as Shelley talked about the TV show she had DVR'd and after tucking Stan into bed, promised him that the Tooth Fairy would indeed be making a visit tonight. Only when the kids were asleep and Sharon slipped a note and quarter under her son's pillow did she feel it was time to confess something to her husband.
"Randy… I need to tell you what happened in the bathroom at The Olive Garden…"
Randy raised a brow but nodded as he took off his pants.
"Randy… I- I miscarried."
Randy's eyes went wide. "You miscarried? What the hell Sharon? What the hell are you trying to tell me?"
Sharon nodded as she took a hold of his hands. "I missed my period last month. I- I actually took a pregnancy test to confirm things a few weeks ago. It- it said it was positive…"
"Sharon…"
"But it obviously didn't hold. I'm sorry, I wanted to tell you but I was afraid to. I didn't want to worry you unless well, it progressed."
Randy shook his head about, very confused, "But Sharon, how could you- I mean how did it- you're 42 Sharon! Too old to"-
"I know Randy, I'm surprised too. But there is always that chance as long as I'm still ovulating and you're still producing"-
"I thought we were done having kids though. We both said after Stanley"-
Sharon had tears in her eyes as she nodded. "I know, after Stanley we said we were done. And we are. I honestly can't imagine having another. Shelley would be furious. Plus I don't think Stan would be too thrilled about it either."
Randy took hold of both her arms now. "What are we going to do then? Do you want me to go and get a"-
"No, no," Sharon shook her head. "If you don't want to I'm not going to force it. But it is still unfortunate that possibility is still there. I love the two we have; any more would ruin the flow."
Randy nodded, still holding onto her arms. "One girl, one boy. We said it even before Stan was born."
Sharon dabbed at an eye as she tried to get herself ready for bed. "I'll have to see Dr. Garbell as soon as possible. I know what happened but I still think it's best she knows. Maybe she can tell me something I might not know or offer some form of birth control."
Randy looked bothered as he watched his wife brush her teeth and return a couple minutes later. He sighed heavily.
"Sharon…honey… I think I have something to tell you too."
"What's that?"
Randy ran a hand through his hair. "Your Mother's Day gift from me… the free trip to the health spa… Sharon, I won it." Sharon gave him a confused look. "You know that grand prize thing at work that was going on this week? Well that was the prize- a free trip to the new Middle Park Health and Fitness Spa. I won it. And I was going to use it for myself…I didn't get you anything for Mother's Day. The-the kids told me I should give you the gift certificate instead. And looks as if you had a horrible time there. Sharon, I'm so sorry…"
Sharon opened her mouth, looking to argue, but then stopped. She rubbed her eyes. "I'm not surprised. But I don't think I'm that mad Randy."
Randy's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"True, you could have put more effort into it. I mean if our own seven-year-old son can outdo you in that department… but I'm not surprised. It's a day to celebrate mothers. I'm your wife. I don't expect something too extravagant. That's what our anniversary is for."
Randy frowned. "Well if I had known that all this time then I wouldn't have even bothered."
Sharon pulled back the covers on their bed and got under them. Randy turned off the lights and did the same.
"It wasn't the worst Mother's Day. It was still a thoughtful gesture."
"Nothing went right today apparently! Surely it was the worst," Randy pointed out.
Sharon thought for a few seconds. "Something chaotic seems to happen every Mother's Day. At least in the past seven years. Things were nice when it was just Shelley. Things were quiet."
Randy kissed her. "Well I promise to make it up to you. And I will make sure next year is better. I might even drop the kids off at my mother's or something."
Sharon gave him a knowing expression. "Did you even call your own mother today Randy?"
Randy bit his lip before crossing his arms. "Damnit. No."
Sharon yawned before turning on her side. "I'm sure she understands. Thanks anyway dear."
Randy stared up in the ceiling, feeling the same horrible feeling in his gut that he did two nights ago. He would have to call his mother first thing tomorrow. He 'humfed' as he also turned on his side, hoping his family would put more effort into Father's Day in a month than he did with his wife today. He still did need a day to put up his feet and relax, regardless of what anyone said.
Another story where I had a scene written for it years ago but it never went anywhere. Finally I was able to complete it. Also, it has come to my attention that I make Sharon out to be 'a perfect mother'. I'm not trying to. I know she has her moments of absurdity in the show. But she is still what is considered the most 'normal' of the mothers on the show. Another note, I know that Stan spends the majority of his time with his friends or dad. The stories in this series are about the home-life of the Marsh family. To see moments of 'normalcy' that might not be seen elsewhere. Matt and Trey are the ones who can write a story about Stan being the captain of an anti-whaling ship, I can't. Sorry, had to get this off my chest. Please do still leave reviews. I have a new chapter-story in the works. Stay tuned.
Lots of love: Rose, May 13, 2019