187.

The summer continued. July brought with it scorching hot temperatures and seasonal crowds, which, for Bethany, were quite large. With the people came new energy. The Tuckers took a walk each night, starting on the beach and returning via the bustling boardwalk and through the town, always stopping for an ice cream or a cookie along the way.

Everyone was all together for the Fourth, but the next day, everyone but Sarah, Brooke, and Sofia returned to the city. Sarah was going to squeak out another week working remotely, and Brooke happily put off having to deal with Aidan's presence in Brooklyn, even though Sonny did pout a bit. Ed and Olivia decided to keep their brood at the beach until the reunion in August. They enrolled Noah in a two-week long day camp, committed to a few more home improvement projects, and arranged for their mail to be forwarded to the house. The only snag was that Caroline was in Riverdale. She had her card club and her church meetings, but everyone, Noah in particular, missed her. Set in her ways, staying at the beach again for a couple of weeks was not initially an attractive offer, but Olivia took the phone from Ed in the middle of the conversation and calmly explained they didn't feel quite right far apart for so long and got her to agree to come for a week, which everyone knew would be stretched to a longer term. Early on the following Saturday, Ed hopped into the SUV with a tumbler of coffee and kissed Olivia goodbye. He'd be spending over eight hours in the car that day, but he refused to spend the night and make the return trip the next day.

He'd made good time and turned into his mother's driveway before noon. She was ready and sitting on the porch with her bags packed. She traveled lightly, carrying only a medium-sized suitcase and a large tote.

"No purse?" He asked, accustomed to seeing Olivia shoulder a bag every time she left the house.

"In here," Caroline held up the tote," A twofer."

Ed laughed and hoisted the suitcase into the back of the car. Caroline placed the second bag on the back seat floor and buckled herself in. "Ah, a road trip," she covered his hand when he gripped the gear shift. "Thank you dear."

"You're welcome, Ma. But thank Liv. She saw right through your stubbornness."

"Eddie," she replied, "You know I have routines."

"I know...I know…"

It was a short drive from Caroline's neighborhood to the highway. Ed navigated the leafy streets lined with two-story modest family homes and thought about how his parents must have thought they really made it when they relocated here from Hell's Kitchen. He felt a surge of extra warmth for his mother and all she and his father had sacrificed in order to make his life and the lives of his siblings comfortable.

"Routines," he murmured as he picked up speed. "I think Liv and I gave up on all the kids' routines in the past few weeks."

"Summer is not for routine," Caroline said, "Not for children. You never had a routine in the summer."

"Yeah I did. Baseball...stickball…"

"Self-imposed. The only thing I asked of you was to take out the trash and be home for dinner."

"That's right."

"So unless you're depriving your babies of sleep and food and drink, I think they'll survive." Caroline screwed up her face and scratched her spiky-hair head. "What's wrong with you? She asked.

"Nothin."

"Do not lie to your mother."

"Ma, nothing's wrong.

"I know how you get," Caroline wiggled a finger in the air, "You get antsy when there are no problems. So don't go and make them up just so you can sleep at night."

Ed chuckled. "I'm sleepin' just fine."

"I bet you are," Caroline winked at him, "How's my Olivia? She sounded so lovely on the phone. Rested. Happy. I've been praying for her every day of my life since I met her. God's work comes on his own time, yes it does."

"I like to think she's been happy for a long time."

"There's a difference between happiness and contentment. That's what I heard. She has reckoned with what needs reckoning and accepted what needs accepting and anything else that pops up she'll be able to handle because of those two realities. Perhaps she's even accepted you."

"What does that mean?"

"I gather it must have been hard for her to give up a piece of herself to be married. To be a mother. Because that happens, you know? A little part of women, sometimes a huge part if they have a God Awful husband, it gets lost, if they're lucky, we can call it transformed, in motherhood and wifehood. But maybe that was easy for Olivia, because she has passion. She had to convince herself it was okay to be passionate about something, someone, other than her work."

"I'll grant ya that point," Ed replied. He thoughtfully tapped the steering wheel. "What is it you lost?"

"Adventure," Caroline answered, a little too quickly for Ed's liking. "I always liked an adventure when I was a girl...but those were short-lived. I've been an adult a long time, Eddie, so, that's why I don't mind being a little irresponsible every now and then."

"Well, you're the most responsible irresponsible person I know."

Caroline folded her hands in her lap and curled her lips into a childlike simper.

"How much did ya lose in AC?"

"I didn't lose anything," Caroline said in a calm, collected voice. "I won enough to pay for Maggie's first semester of college."

"Well, thank you."

"You're welcome."

"Why Maggie? Not Noah? Wyatt?"

Caroline shrugged, "I sense the other two are going to get scholarships."

"And not my daughter?"

"No, but that's fine," Caroline replied, "She's the most fun."

Ed laughed and shook his head. "We'll keep this part of the conversation between the two of us."

"Whatever you think is best, Eddie." Caroline reached back for the tote, curling her eighty-something body around the seat like she was someone much younger. "Mind if I smoke?"

"You're smoking again?"

"Every once in a while," Caroline said, "If my lungs can handle Covid, they can handle a Benson & Hedges every couple of weeks. Besides, people smoke on road trips."

"You sound like Sarah. Although, I'm not sure she's ever smoked. Unless you helped her learn?" Ed lovingly raised his eyebrows.

"I did no such thing." Caroline cracked the window and lit the long cigarette without actually getting permission. "You want one or not?"

"I do, but I'm not going to."

"Good boy."

"If Liv smells the smoke you're gonna have to come to my rescue."

Caroline jerked her head toward him and stared, jaw agape, "You know I have your back," she shot back playfully.

Laughing again, Ed nodded. His mother-in her habits, use of modern slang, and penchant for mischief-was likely a bigger handful than his teenagers ever were or ever would be.

…

Living in Delaware for a couple of months had its perks for many reasons. The kids could open the back door and play in the yard instead of Olivia and Ed having to pack the stroller, scooters, Noah's bike, and whatever else they needed for a trip to the park. The family could spread out inside the house and out and enjoy some space. Their home was situated in the middle of town, close to markets and shops, and there was plenty of space for bike and scooter riding when the urge hit. Traffic was light, and running errands that required a car were almost enjoyable. This was especially true for Noah who loved shopping trips but only occasionally entered a large-scale store. In the city, when those trips were necessary, Ed or Olivia usually went solo, but in Bethany they toted the kids along.

While Ed was away, Olivia and the kids set out in Brooke's Subaru for Target to stock up on essentials but also to buy the items on Noah's Day Camp list. She could have left the twins at home, but Olivia tried not to take advantage of the girls' child care services too often. Besides, she loved having the kids around. The trio always livened up the most mundane of situations.

Inside the store, Olivia cautioned the twins about not running off and staying close to her and the big red cart. "Bi'RED'CARRRR!" They both exclaimed. Wyatt perched himself on the front axle, gripped the plastic with his pudgy little hands, and implored Olivia to push.

"No, sweetie," Olivia said, "Too dangerous. You can ride inside or walk."

"Wanna ride!"

With Wyatt standing in the cart and Noah and Maggie skipping alongside, Olivia set off toward the paper products aisles, deciding to save the fun school-supply-esque purchases for later. Soon, Wyatt was crammed in among toilet paper, Kleenex, two boxes of Swiffer pads.

"Okay," Olivia said, looking at her list, "You need a lunch box which we don't have here. And a water bottle. So let's go there next."

"I getta lu'box?" Maggie asked.

Olivia could not bring herself to say no. "Sure. We can get you and Wyatt lunchboxes, too. Why not?"

"These babies should go to camp, too!" Noah said.

Olivia mumbled, "Maybe next year," in a voice so soft she wasn't sure Noah heard and repeated the response a little louder to make sure he didn't feel ignored. The Day Camp did have slots for three-year-olds, but she pretended not to notice the offering on the webpage. Ed hadn't been paying close attention, and it probably hadn't occurred to him that the twins were old enough to enroll.

On the way from the lunch box and water bottle aisle to the other supplies, they skirted the clothing and shoe departments. Olivia moved slowly, allowing Noah and Maggie time to skip around and take a look at displays they passed. Wyatt was content to observe from his perch at the front of the cart. He surveyed the store with tiny nods of approval as if he were the King of Target.

"SPARKY SHOES!" Maggie veered into one of the shoe aisles where another little girl had been trying on a few versions of sequined shoes with soles that lit up and flashed after each step. She strained to reach one of the display shoes. It was slightly out of her reach, so Noah grabbed it for her. The sample was large enough for Maggie to put it on over her sandals. She skipped up and down the aisle, staring at her foot, giggling at the light show. When Olivia coaxed her to put the shoe back, Maggie stubbornly refused. "MY SHOES!"

"Honey, they're too big." Not to mention ugly, Olivia thought.

Meanwhile, Wyatt had spotted a pair with Thomas the Train emblazoned on the side and asked Noah if they, too, lit up. Noah discovered they did. "Hey!" He said brightly, "Since dese babies aren't gettin' camp, they should get da shoes. Please, Mommy, they really want them!"

As she often did, Olivia quickly gave in. She occasionally worried she and Ed were raising spoiled children by almost always giving them what they wanted, but then she thought of all the times they had said "no" and convinced herself they did so when it really mattered. "Okay," she said, "Can you find size nine?"

It took Noah a couple of minutes to locate the correct sizes. Olivia captured Maggie and yanked the sample shoe off her foot. Maggie squirmed and whined until Olivia told her she was getting the same shoes, only now it was a better deal because she was getting two and also, they would fit without sandals on.

"Bing 'em home?" Maggie asked. Her deep blue eyes were wide and extremely hopeful.

"Yes, we're bringing them home."

Maggie grinned.

"Do you want to carry the box?" Olivia asked.

"No, Wy, you hold!"

Wyatt nonchalantly glanced at the two boxes of shoes sitting at his feet, and impatiently tugged on the cart. "Lessgo! Go! Go!"

"Alright," Olivia said, "Let's get Noah's things and we'll go home and you can see how fast you can run in those shoes!"

"Lightning fast," Noah said, barely able to get out the last syllable before erupting into giggles at his own joke.

Olivia laughed. "Exactly. Good one, sweet boy."

Wyatt bent himself backwards so he was looking at Olivia upside down and told her they would have to show Ed and Caroline the shoes.

"We will honey," Olivia said, smiling wide as she pictured Ed's reaction, "Daddy and Grandma will probably want a pair."

With doubt etched all over his face, Noah looked up at his mother. Then, sensing the sarcasm and proud he understood the joke, he burst into laughter all over again.

….

Early Sunday afternoon Ed received an unexpected but very welcome call from Olivia. She was off duty for the weekend and had been intentional about mentioning the free time would be fully devoted to Noah, so, out of respect, Ed kept his distance. His excitement at seeing her name on the screen quickly turned to fear. Was Noah sick again? He knew the boy's history with asthma, but also knew he seemed to be outgrowing the ailment. All of the questions and worries subsided, though, when he picked up and Olivia asked a general "what are you up to?" To which Ed responded he was headed up to the Bronx to see his mother and invited Olivia and Noah along.

"Nice day," he said, sweetening the offer, "She's got some toys in the garage...the yard's in good shape..."

"We're in," Olivia said.

"I'll pick you up in twenty minutes?"

"We'll be ready."

Olivia and Noah had been to Caroline's home previously, but the visits were both during the winter months. Now that spring had arrived, the back deck was ready for guests, and, after fussing over Noah and fixing everyone's drinks, Caroline ushered them outside.

"Well this is a fabulous surprise," Caroline gushed from her creaky rocking chair. Its frame was rickety and partially rusted, but the cushion looked brand new. "Noah, you're getting so big! You need to tell Eddie and your Mommy to bring you to see Grandma more!"

Noah smiled and shyly buried his head in Olivia's knees. Seconds later he started giggling and pointed at Ed. "Eddie," he said as if the nickname were the funniest thing in the world.

"Yes, that's my Eddie," Caroline said with a twinkle in her eye. "Eddie, why don't you get him the blocks?"

"Oh, yeah, I forgot about those." Ed went inside and returned with a bucket full of hand carved wooden blocks that looked like they'd been in the family for decades. Noah immediately dumped out the contents and got to work.

"So," Caroline said, "How are things?"

Ed snickered sarcastically and blood rushed to his face. The past month had been hell, both personally and professionally, and he was seething at how forgiving his entire family, his mother in particular, had been toward Eugene and the church in general.

"They're getting back to normal," Olivia said, interrupting Ed's thoughts and also bringing him back to a calmer mindset. "And today," she looked around the yard, at the blooming Magnolia trees and Lilac bushes, "Things are really good."

Caroline reacted to Olivia's response with clear approbation. She saw how Olivia was able to soothe the easily agitated Ed Tucker with grace and without emasculation. "Well hopefully I can convince you to stay for dinner?"

"We'd love to."

"Eddie?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Well, let me go get the roast in." Caroline let the door slam behind her.

The kitchen window was open and she whistled a tune as she worked. Ed lowered his voice and told Olivia not to worry-the food wouldn't take that long to cook and they would be out of there in a couple hours, tops.

Olivia frowned and replied, "Are you in a hurry? I'm not."

"Oh, uh, no," Ed stammered, "I just, uh, didn't want you to feel trapped."

"I don't feel trapped," Olivia said, "I feel...charmed. I like your Mom a lot. And I like it here. It reminds me that there are simple pleasures in life and I really should take advantage of more of them. For my sake, for Noah's, and, I think," Olivia bit her lip, "For us." She leaned across the small wicker side table for a kiss.

Ed slowly dragged his eyelids open after the kiss and grinned. "So, you want to come here next Sunday?"

He was joking, but Olivia's response was as serious as could be.

"Yes I do," she replied.

Ed's heart pounded against his ribcage. "Well, ya know," he said, trying to sound cute, "It's not the most romantic date spot in the world."

Olivia squeezed his hand and took a contemplative glance around the yard. "I respectfully disagree, Captain. I think there's a lot of potential for romance here."

…..

The shoes were the talk of the porch.

While Noah organized his Day Camp supplies, Maggie and Wyatt slipped on the velcro shoes and thundered around the porch, down the stairs, around the yard, and back again. The challenge was that the lights flickered upon movement, so it was difficult for the twins to see the lights in action until they figured out they could watch each other. Once they realized this, they alternated screaming "FASSER MAGG!" and "FASSER WY!" and they never seemed to run out of breath.

Sofia gravitated toward Olivia until she was within arm's length and Olivia scooped her up and into her lap. "Wyatt and Maggie are a little wild, aren't they, honey?" She cooed to the toddler who was not all that much younger than her "uncle" and "aunt." The lack of a bond between Sofia and the twins troubled Olivia more than she let on. Ed insisted it was no big deal, that Sofia simply was not accustomed to being around a lot of people, let alone the crazy people called Maggie and Wyatt. Brooke and Sonny never said anything about the iciness between their daughter and the Tucker kids; it almost seemed like Brooke preferred Sofia to keep her distance.

Olivia called the twins over. They came running and skidded to a stop in front of her. "See da lights, Mama?" Wyatt asked. Filled with joy, he grinned and jumped up and down, and Olivia wanted to smother him with kisses.

"They are so cool!" She cooed. "But, you know, I think, how about we start getting ready for Grandma to come? She's going to be here in a little while. Can you and Maggs and Sof draw a picture for her and we'll put it in her room?"

"Paint?" Maggie asked.

"No, let's use the markers and pastels and crayons," Olivia said, "We don't have time for the paint to dry." This seemed to make sense to the twins, so Olivia ducked inside to get the large drawing pads and their large plastic tub of art supplies. "Find the G," she said, referring to the letter-shaped stencils, "Or the C for Caroline."

Maggie and Wyatt easily fished out each letter.

"Good job!" Olivia put Sofia on her feet and moved the trio to the middle of the porch where they would have ample space.

"Livvie," Sarah said after Olivia had sat back down on the love seat, "Maggie and Wyatt know their letters? Are they supposed to know their letters?"

"I started teaching Noah early," she said. "I suppose we'll find out how we've done when they start preschool in the fall."

Brooke noticed Olivia's face fall. "Liv, it'll be okay," she said.

Olivia smiled. "I just cannot believe they're three."

"But you have to admit they are a perfect three!" Sarah said. "But, yeah, gawwwd, remember when they were babies and Wyatt was so fat, even when he was in the NICU he was fat, and ugggghhh, they were the best babies. They never cried."

"They were so good," Olivia agreed.

Brooke nodded. "I remember babysitting and waiting for someone to wake up and scream, but, nope." Perhaps to deflect attention from her own child who had been cranky as an infant, she added, "So, Sare, when are you and Justin going to have one of these baby things?"

"I don't think I'm ready," Sarah said.

Olivia caught a hitch in her voice and a slight twitch in her facial muscles. Had she been in an interrogation room, she would have posed a follow-up question. Olivia's heart sank and ached. It was tough to see Sarah so flustered and to also be the only one to realize the question unsettled her so much.

"Plenty of time," Olivia said breezily. "Look at me!"

"Livvie, you know what really pisses me off about you?" Sarah was grinning, never able to keep a straight face. "You do not age. I bet, if the three of us went out, people would think we're sisters."

"Well, let's try it," Olivia said.

"Omigod...girls night?"

"Yes," she said, confident Ed would forgive her later for being saddled with four kids. "Let's do it. While Caroline's here. The whole crew."

….

Maggie rolled her neck and stretched her arms. She went to the gym on a regular basis, but nothing compared to running with Wyatt in the mornings. Her twin brother was addicted to fitness, endlessly fascinated by the control he had over his body, and experimented with different diets and workout regimens. The family acknowledged his smoothie fasts and vegan weeks, but did not always faithfully participate.

"Brother," Maggie said, "You've tried to kill me."

"It was only a Five K. Three miles and change."

"ON THE SAND!"

"Coffee?"

"God, yes, please, Jesus. And...water maybe? Or don't you do that?"

"Coconut water in the fridge out there," Wyatt said. "That's the best. Good for rehydration. And add the collagen powder."

"The what?" Maggie groaned. Wyatt was already inside, so she didn't get a response. She grabbed the coconut water, downed almost an entire bottle, and nearly choked when she saw a person suddenly appear from behind the sea grass. "Oh, shit, Sof, Jesus."

"Sorry," Sofia murmured.

She started to continue inside but Maggie stopped her. "Early morning walk?"

For Sofia, all of the features that most people found attractive about Maggie were intimidating. Her huge blue eyes were a deep blue, almost navy, it was a color Sofia had never seen in anyone else's eyes, and they were always intense. Even if Maggie was asking what Sofia wanted on a pizza, the urgency was always there. Maggie and Wyatt were clearly Ed's and Olivia's children, but their features more heavily favored Olivia. However, unlike Wyatt, when she was angry or annoyed, Maggie transformed. Her jaw set. Her stare became icy and unrelenting. Sofia always found herself trying to avoid Maggie. No matter what, she was...a lot.

"Yeah," Sofia said, "Funny...I live close to the water and never walk but here it's a routine from the second I wake up. What are you doing?"

"Wyatt just tried to end my life."

"Oh…"

Maggie nudged Sofia. "I'm joking! Of course! Ha ha? We went for a run, and, I am not a runner. He's getting coffee. If you want some, let him know."

"Okay."

"Are you going to go to mini golf today?"

Sofia's shoulders fell. "I have to get this paper done for my class."

"It's only gonna take an hour. C'mon. Just us kids. We're ditching the parents. We need you for even teams."

Maggie was not going to take no for an answer, so Sofia agreed. "I'm in," she said, "So I better get some work done."

"If you need proofreading, ask Wyatt!"

At first, Sofia thought Maggie was being crass and mean by not offering her own proofreading services, but Sofia quickly realized Wyatt was a much better choice. After all, he was the Ivy Leaguer in the family. "I will," she mumbled, "Uh, well, see ya later."

"See ya! Golf at two! You'll be on my team."

Sofia forced a smile. Great, she thought, a paper due at noon and mini golf to follow. There should not be such pressure at the beach. "Sounds like a winning team," Sofia said weakly.

Maggie ignored her lack of confidence and grinned, "Yes it does!" She said. "Don't spend all your energy typing."

"I won't."

…..

Brooke authoritatively closed her laptop and put the machine on the lower tier of the coffee table. "Don't let me leave that out here all night," she said to Sarah and Olivia.

"Rightie-o!" Sarah said.

"I think we're ready," Brooke said of the family reunion. The guest list was complete and food had been ordered for the main party. With the help of the other two, Brooke put the finishing touches on the small books each family would receive with the daily itineraries and other pertinent information and sent it to the printer. "All that's left is the waiting!"

"How many total people?"

"Sixty seven, without us."

"Wow," Olivia murmured. The number was astounding. Although she knew a lot of people, her circle of family and friends had always been thin. "I can't wait to see Noah's reaction to everyone."

"I'm picturing him studying photos of people and trying to remember all the names," Brooke said.

"That sounds about right," Olivia replied.

Olivia fiddled with her phone, tossed it from hand to hand, and rolled it over and over in her palms. She was trying not to make herself crazy, but Ed had not answered her last call or text and it was futile to try Caroline's phone since she rarely used it. Sarah had the location tracker enabled, but Olivia was embarrassed to ask her to check. So, she breathed a sigh of relief when Sarah announced she was starving.

"Where are they?" She whined, apparently ready to renege on the promise to postpone dinner until their arrival.

"Look at the Grandma spy software," Brooke said.

"Duh," Sarah murmured. After a few taps she grinned, "Oh! They're right around the corner! I'm gonna get Gramma's cocktail Livvie? You okay?"

"Yes," Olivia sighed with relief. She didn't have to explain further because she heard the sound of the tires on the driveway gravel and jumped up, "I'll go help unload. Make me one too?"

"Sure!"

Olivia cut through the house to the front yard. She greeted Caroline with a hug then moved on to Ed. There was an urgency in her kiss hello, and Ed raised his eyebrows. "Why weren't you answering the phone?" She asked.

"You called?"

"Yes. A few times."

"Maybe something off with the bluetooth?"

"Did you pair your phone?" Ed immediately screwed up his face, and Olivia got her answer. She patted his chest. "Let me take a look and show you how."

Remembering the cigarettes Caroline had puffed during the drive, Ed steered Olivia back toward the house. "That can wait," he said, "I don't wanna see the inside of the car for at least twenty-four hours."

"Then, the shack for dinner?" Olivia asked, grinning.

"Saturday," he said, "They have music tonight. Want to dance with me, Mrs. Tucker?"

"Yes I do," she kissed his cheek and looped her arm through his. "I missed you today."

He leaned his head into hers and they went inside. From the porch they could hear the kids chatting up Caroline. Realizing they had a couple of extra minutes alone, Ed stopped and planted a firm smooch on Olivia's lips.

Afterward, he grinned and pressed his forehead to hers. "I missed you, too."

….

#Tuckson