Cross Roads & Building Blocks
Chapter 54
Driving home, I was shocked by Ranger. We have another dog! Since the day he showed up in Reading after being discharged from the hospital, he has never said much about Garner. "You named a dog after me" was about it. I think he has been quietly impressed actually how protective she is of me and Sophia. Even him when she guarded us from the surprise 'attack' of our nature neighbors. I understand his need to keep us safe from any bad forces, and being quite honest, I like the way he is going about it, not securing us behind high fences in a compound. Aspen seems to be in the same mold as Garner and if Ranger wouldnt have offered to take him, I would have.
Julie and our new dog were checking out the house after we got back. Sophia's crib was moved across the hall so Julie could have the room to herself. Garner right with them after they nosed around the yard chasing each other. Pizza was for dinner and Ranger helped me set out the plates and drinks. Tonight was a new experience. I spoke with Dr. Harper's office. She seemed to be hungrier so Sophia was going to try rice cereal tonight sitting in her new high chair with pink flowers Baby Daddy and I chose and drinking from a sippy cup. I wasn't sure what to expect, but was willing to go with the flow. And, I did prepare laying a plastic tablecloth under her highchair in case this didnt go well.
My Peanut was all excited to be sitting at the table between Daddy and me seeing things in a different perspective. I tied a bib with puppy dogs around her neck. Eeeh! seeing the pretty pink bowl and matching cup with flowers sitting on the table in front of her out of her reach. The spoon she liked because it made noise on the tray.
Ranger was sitting at the table I think just as excited as Sophia.
"I like your house, Steph," Julie said between bites of her cheese pizza.
"It was explained to me, this house is over 150 years old. It was the original parsonage for the minister of the stone church in the square," I rattled on what I knew of the house.
She wrinkled her nose, "Dad lives in something old? Mom says he has always the newest stuff, especially in cars."
Ranger had to chuckle, "I have a few vehicles."
The brought on a 'Burg' eye roll, "He probably has a fleet at every office," I thought.
"Babe, I keep a few to get around in Miami and Boston. But, to answer you, Julie, the buildings Rangeman owns were all remodeled and that is how the decorator did them. The house I owned in Miami just happened to be new. It was easier so nothing major needed repaired. The house Stephanie and I bought is over 200 years old."
"Wow! Mom sure doesn't know you now."
Maybe we should have purchased a newer house with fewer quirks realizing the problems an old house may have.
"I like modern, but this house fits us as we are now. Stephanie is very happy living in this restored area here." Him and that damned ESP.
"But, Ranger, I want our house to be what both of us want." I didn't want us living somewhere just for me.
He was playing with my fingers and kissed a small fist of Sophia's, "I checked out what was available in the middle between Trenton and Reading."
"And I thought you were doing paperwork."
He chuckled, "No, not all the time. I saw some more modern houses, but I want my Little Babe to grow up in a house that has roots, permanence. The house in Morganville seemed to encompass that. I think it will be quiet. Sophia can run and swing amongst the trees," Ranger told me as he left the dining room and came back handing Julie the pictures of our house. He dropped a kiss on top of her head and one on our daughter's. "It seemed the perfect place for our cross roads to call home," warm lips were melting with mine in a very gentle kiss.
Murmuring against a perfect Cuban mouth, "You are a softie."
"Only for all my Babes," feeling his upturned lips.
"Bang!" "Plllllfffffff!"
Sophie found her pink baby spoon could make a lot of noise if it was whapped on the tray. I lifted the lid on the bowl and stirred the warm rice cereal, my Peanut intently watching and trying to peek in the bowl.
"You ready to try this?" taking the pink baby spoon and collecting some white goo. I held it up to her smiling mouth and let her little tongue taste just the tip of the utensil. Ranger and I watched for a reaction. Her cheeks puffed out as she was deciphering the new texture in her mouth and then saw her swallow. She looked at her daddy, then me giving us a big smile.
"Want some more?"
My answer was her open mouth. Momma bird was feeding her baby bird. I didn't move fast enough. "Eeeeh!" Both Garner and Aspen were eating in the kitchen and came running checking out the noise.
Sophia ate a couple of small bites. It was time for the sippy cup. Ranger was sitting there smiling proudly at Miss Sophie's newest accomplishment.
"Just a little drink," tilting the cup so the lip was in her mouth. I saw her do a little gulp. "Is that good?" showing my baby where her hands go on the cup handles and lifting it to her lips again.
In between cereal and sips, Sophia was smiling and kicking her tiny feet so proud of herself. She took the cereal Ranger offered and after another few bites, turned her head. I think she was done. She took another sip holding onto her cup with me guiding it. Her face was wiped and she was happily banging her cup. Loudly! "Aaaah baa eeeeh!"
Sophia was being extremely earsplitting and I've never seen it before, Ranger actually crossed his eyes.
"Little Babe, proud of you. I used to be able to hear! telling her in a few decibels higher than normal.
The backdoor opened and Aspen was up barking in a very deep "Woof". In pops Grandma and her gang stopping when they saw both Aspen and Garner.
"That's Grandma, Aspen. She lives here most of the time," walking him over to them. "Ranger rescued him."
Grandma petted him as he sniffed all of them, "We got a pair. Ain't that a pip?"
"Julie, this is my Grandma Mazur, Elsie, Bessie, Charlie, Spud, and Pete. This is Carlos' daughter from Florida."
They were making a fuss between Julie and Aspen. Garner inched her way in for some attention, too. Sophia kept on banging on her high chair. It was slight chaos.
"You're coming to the poetry party tomorrow ain't ya?" Grandma reminded me, but how could I forget. I just neglected to tell Ranger. "Were having a big surprise so you have to come. It's a dream come true."
Julie was questioning me with her eyes and I was avoiding the dark ones boring into me.
"Grandma is in a poetry group and has two poems in their book," I said to Julie. By chance, Grandma just had her booklet with her and showed the pages with her works.
"Cool. Ive never met anyone who actually wrote anything before. Mom reads these mystery books written by a woman named Janet. They sort of reminded me of you and Dad because there's bounty hunters in it. She went to a book signing in Miami. Whats the surprise?"
Grandma was looking around like there were spies lurking in the corners, "It's a secret," she whispered so everyone could hear. "Someone famous is passing through and stopping. She called and wanted to meet us. That's why we're having an impromptu get together. I just finished my next epic."
"I can't take it," Bessie spoke up, "Oprahs coming! She's on one of her road trips and passing by Reading!"
Grandma was jumping up and down, "I'm going to be in her book club! My dream came true. She's like my fairy godmother."
Ranger was looking pained. Sophia was smacking her spoon now celebrating the coming of the Queen of Talk.
"I hope you didn't write about my men again," Ranger tried to look menacing but I think the reality of the situation was weighing in and just apprehensive where Grandma was concerned.
Waving her chicken arms, "Don't worry, I portrayed you in a very positive way. I'm a professional now."
"That's comforting," raising his eyebrow and folding his arms over his chest.
Grandma pulled something else out of her purse, "What are these?"
She handed me the brochures I picked up on Crystal Cave and the near-by steam engine train ride.
I think I knew where this was leading, "Ranger and I are taking Julie and Sophia to see some sights on Saturday before she leaves on Sunday."
Six seniors were gazing ay us with puppy dog eyes, "We invited?"
"A field trip. How cool is that?" Julie piped up.
I caught the biggest eye roll from Ranger. I think we were stuck and I couldn't disappoint Grandma. "Not everyone is going to fit in the car. We need something bigger."
Spud suggested, "The church van."
"Can't," Bessie vetoed that idea, "some of the teen-agers are going on a camping retreat."
They looked pitiful. I felt like I was abandoning my old children, "I'll need to rent something bigger that seats," counting, "ten."
"Yeah!" the senior boppers cheered with Julie.
"Don't worry, Dad," Grandma patted Ranger on the back, "we wont lose you."
He was hiding his face behind his hands rubbing in defeat, "Thanks, you had me worried there."
"We're heading up to Frog's for Topo Gigio's birthday. It's tacos for a quarter and samples of Mexican hot tamale microbrew. Want to join us? That spicy stuff is right up your alley."
"No."
Ranger was spicy enough for me. I must have said that out loud. I got a sexy eyebrow.
"I'll be home later," Grandma waved and they were off to Happy Hour.
Ranger and Julie loaded the plates in the dishwasher while I changed Sophia. I think the occasion called for some ice cream. So, it was me pushing our baby banging her rings on her stroller, Ranger had Aspen on his leash and Julie had Garner.
"I love you. I don't know what's going on with them or what will happen on Saturday but maybe I can help. Would you like me to kill someone for you?"
Dark chocolate staring at me, "Babe, I don't even think that will help spending a day in charge of the senior boppers. I may need something stronger like a lot of alcohol."
"Dad, it's an adventure," Julie smiled big at her father.
"Julie," shaking his head, "everyday is an adventure with Grandma."
I had to agree.
