Chapter 8
Semester 1 final exams arrived quicker than the twins could believe. "I can't believe we have our first exam tomorrow," Curt sighed.
"We've been studying for weeks. Are you ready?" Lory asked. She was concerned about their math final. Curt struggled with the final chapter material. I heard Lory explain the quadratic equations concept multiple times. He struggled to understand how to break the exponent into the two multiplied equations or how it relayed to coordinates and line on a graph.
I decided to take pity on him and explained how I learned the concept. He was reluctant to accept my help, but laughed when I pulled packages of noodles from the pantry. After laying out each noodle type, I placed post-it notes above each group to explain its purpose. "This is how Grandma Plum explained the concept to me," I shared. Lory quickly caught on and showed him how each noodle relayed to coordinates and a line on a graph. We used orzo to depict specific coordinates. Spaghetti was used to show the line on the graph. I used fusilli to represent the numbers along the x and y axis.
Once we finished with the visual representation, he applied the information to the math problem he was trying to solve. He shouted, "It's about time!" when he arrived at the correct answer. "Why didn't we do this sooner?" He quickly understood the other concept as we patiently explained how and why it works. I loved seeing his eyes shine with his apparent happiness.
"I kept offering my help, but you insisted on having Lory assist. Until you were willing to accept my offer, there was nothing else I could do," I explained.
When he looked at Lory, she shrugged and mumbled something that sounded almost like, 'I told you to ask Mom.' She used the elastic on her wrist to pull back her hair. I smiled as she attempted to wrangle her wildly curly hair into a pony tail.
"I'm sorry Mom. Next time I promise not to be so stubborn," he said as his chin dropped into his chest. His motion reminded me of his father. I really miss Jeremy, but it was time for me to move on with my life. He wants me to move on with my life.
"It's alright Honey. I was just as stubborn." He seemed surprised. "Where do you think you inherited that trait?"
"From Daddy. I have never seen you act stubborn," he answered honestly. His blue eyes displayed his emotions. I could tell he wished his father was here with us today. There was really nothing I could do to erase the pain of not meeting his father.
"I got over my stubbornness when I moved to Florida," I explained. "With everything I had to handle, being stubborn only inhibited my goals. I learned to get over myself and accept help when needed. You'll get there someday Curt, but you need to be patient with yourself."
He didn't know how to respond, so he walked around the table to give me a tight hug. "If your Dad met you and Lory, he would love you as much as I do. Just know he's watching over our family. He's been keeping us safe." I hugged him close until I felt his arms finally relax. "Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes. Go study with Lory." I quickly shooed him from the kitchen as I continued to be lost in my thoughts.
Using the pasta from my demonstration, I made a chicken pasta stew Jeremy taught me how to make. I figured the saying 'waste not, want not' was applicable in this case. Why waste perfectly good pasta? Besides the boiling stew broth will kill any germs from our fingers.
"Dinner time!" I shouted seconds before I heard the thundering of feet. Both Lory and Curt laughed when the notices the variety of noodles.
"Are these the noodles from our lesson?" Curt asked amused.
"Obviously," snorted Lory. "You know how much Mom loves her pasta. There's no way she would let perfectly good pasta go to waste."
Laughter erupted before I could stop it. "That's exactly what I thought. Since we used orzo, I decided to make chicken pasta stew." I never mentioned I used their father's recipe. My children were silent as they each ate a second serving.
I was truly blessed to have such wonderful children. Jeremy would definitely be proud of them. A shuddered when the thought of Helen meeting them one day. If it happens, there would be hell to pay if she ever treated them in the same manner as she treated me.
Dad was supposed to join us for dinner, but he canceled at the last minute. I was upset at first, until he explained the reason for canceling. He had a date with a woman from the DMV office. I found it a bit strange for Dad to be dating, but I couldn't deny him the opportunity to find love. God knows he needs a little 'happy' after spending so many years with my vapid mother.
At the end of their first year in high school, my children were offered the opportunity to write the advance placement tests. They were already in an enriched program, but they were told the AP classes would teach them skills to adapt to university level work. If they could handle the school work, they could be in the AP classes while completing extra work for the enriched program. To me, it sounded like too much unnecessary homework. I discussed the options with my children and let them decide how to proceed. After all, it's their education at stake.
They decided they would continue to take the same classes throughout high school. I wasn't surprised when they agreed to take AP classes with the enriched program level of homework. Lory and Curt easily spent 5 hours each night completing the required homework for the following day. I was afraid they would burn themselves out.
As usual, my children proved they could easily handle the amount of school work assigned. They continued to complete part of their homework in my office at work. When they had questions in their social studies course, they immediately asked Uncle Marcus. He received an undergraduate diploma in social studies. His office only contained his law diploma. I had no idea how they discovered his undergraduate degree.
"He told us," Curt stated as though it should have been obvious. "We had to work in the break room when you had your meeting last semester. I was wondering why society never gave criminals the opportunity to turn their lives around. If they could rehabilitate the criminals during their incarceration, there would be less criminals loose on the street. He said some criminals don't view that as an option. They feel as though they will always be viewed as scum regardless of their rehabilitation. I just couldn't understand how society could label these people and never give them another chance. Uncle Marc said there are some criminals who couldn't be rehabilitated. They either resist change, or have been set in their ways for many years. Most of them were raised by single mothers and were part of gangs. I'm glad you're my mom."
"I'm glad to be your mom. If you ever met my mother Helen, you would understand exactly why society behaves in that horrible manner. Some people are too opinionated to offer anyone a chance to prove they've changed," I offered as an explanation. Lory was listening attentively to our conversation. She obviously agreed with Curt's assessment.
"I don't ever want to meet her," he bit out. "She sounds like a very mean woman. I remember you telling us she was kind of like the wicked step-mother in Snow White." I laughed. It was a very accurate description of Helen Mazur-Plum.
"I completely forgot about that," I admitted. "She doesn't impact my life anymore. I've forgiven her already, but I really don't need her in my life. The Burg changed her. Papa said she was a very kind, loving and generous woman before they moved to the Burg."
"So the Burg is like all those narrow minded people who don't accept the possibility of a criminal being rehabilitated?" he asked aghast. I had to be extremely proud of Curtis. He completely grasped the concept I was attempting to portray.
"Exactly. When did you become so wise Curt?"
"I can't pinpoint the exact moment," he joked. "Papa says Lory and I are just like you at our age. He said you were extremely intelligent too." I messed his blond hair before returning to my desk. We still had an hour before it was time to go home for the night.
"I'm not sure you should believe him," I joked. To be honest, I didn't think too much about my childhood, let alone make comparisons to my children's experiences and behaviours. The less time I spent lost in the memories of my horrendous childhood, the better. I vowed a long time ago to be a different type of mother to my children. Being the mother I wish I had was proving to be in my children's best interest. I could swear I heard Jeremy whisper, 'You're an amazing mother' in my ear.
It was time to go home and I had difficulty locating my children. I searched each of the partner's offices. Nobody could be found. 'Teo, have you seen Lory and Curt?' If anyone knew where my children were hiding, it would be Mateo. He's always aware of their location.
'Check the gym. Lory said something about needing to release some tension.' Oh boy. I wonder what set her off this time. She's been doing extremely well managing her anger. Between André's punching bag and Marcus' meditation, she hasn't regressed once.
As I entered the gym, I saw André sitting on the bench with a crying Lory in his arms. "What's wrong Sweetheart?" I asked as I kneeled in front of them. Her hair was plastered against her face, more than sweat dampened her curly locks.
"I don't really know, Mom. Uncle André was showing me how to kick the bag with my foot, but my stomach started to hurt. It won't stop hurting," she cried. I noticed a look of panic on André's face. Lifting Lory's face, I took in her pallor. Pain dulled her beautiful blue eyes. Only one thing could cause such a dramatic change.
"Oh Sweetheart, I think I know what's happening. We should go home right away to have this conversation in private," I said as I stood up and offered my hand. She nodded and tightly grabbed my hand. I was waiting for this day to happen. Jasmine and I went shopping last weekend for supplies. We both noticed minute changes in her body. Her hair became curlier, her complexion slightly oily, not to mention the telltale sign of developing breast buds. She was already wearing the training bras I purchased for her during our shopping trip. I knew she didn't like wearing them, but it was important for her to get comfortable wearing the restrictive, yet necessary contraptions.
We found Curtis in the next room meditating with Marcus. "Sorry to interrupt your quiet time Curt, but we need to go home."
"Okay." He quickly unfolded his legs to stand. I was happy my children never questioned when I said it was time to leave. They were very respectful and cooperated. Once he saw the expression on his sister's face, he said, "I'll pack our bags Lory."
"Thanks Curt," she whimpered. Her face paled further.
"I'll grab your purse Mom. Did you need anything else?" he asked.
"Just my purse. I'll meet you at the car." He nodded as I decided to lead Lory to the washroom.
I checked to ensure we were alone before asking, "Has it started yet?" We talked about puberty before. She asked me a ton of questions after reading her books. Regardless of everything you read, nothing could really prepare you for your first monthly visitor.
Her eyes went wide. "Is that why I hurt here?" she asked as she rubbed her lower abdomen.
"Yes, Sweetheart. That's why you're hurting there. Do you remember Jasmine's instructions?" I asked, pointing to the basket of hygiene products on the counter.
"I think so. Will you help if I need it?" She seemed to be very nervous.
"Of course." I passed her 3 packages and directed her into the stall. "Use one even if it hasn't started yet. It should be starting soon." She raised her eyebrow when she saw how many pads I gave her. I simply nodded to say she needed that many for the first time.
"Okay. Thanks Mom." I waited for her to finish her business. She blushed when she exited the stall. I watched her wash and dry her hands. As she reached for the door handle, she reached back, grabbing my hand to hold. "It took 3 tries to get it right," she whispered.
"I know. That's why I gave you extra," I whispered back.
Hand in hand, we silently walked towards the main entrance to the office. Curt was sitting patiently in the waiting area. "Ready?" he asked. I nodded as we made our way to the car.
I cooked dinner with my children assistance. We decided to cook macaroni and cheese. Lory wanted comfort food tonight. After dinner, Curt surprised us by grabbing a pint of Ben & Jerry's Half Baked and a spoon. He silently handed them to Lory before grabbing her empty dinner plate.
As she ate the ice cream, I heard him enter the bathroom to start a bubble bath. He banged around, setting various items around the bathroom. I wondered what he was doing, until he shut off the water and returned to the kitchen.
"Come on Lory," he said as he held out his hand. "I drew a hot bath with your favourite Japanese Cherry Blossom bubble bath. There's candles on the counter ready for you to light. Your robe is hanging on the back of the door. Music is quietly playing through the speaker. Did I miss anything?"
"Curtis," she cried as she pulled him into a hug. "You are the best." I was floored.
My Curtis was exactly like his father. I thought, 'Jeremy, you would be very proud of our son. He's taking excellent care of his sister, just like you took care of me.' I never gave any thought to how he learned how to take care of girls with cramps.
Memories of Jeremy completing the same tasks ran through my mind. He was very gentle and loving when I experienced my first monthly cycle after a few weeks of dating. I have never felt more loved than I did at that moment.
I waited for Lory to situate herself in the washroom before talking to Curtis. "How did you know what to do?"
"It's what you do when your visitor arrives. I heard you telling Aunt Celia and Aunt Jasmine how Daddy took care of you when you had bad cramps. We learned in health class that some girls get really bad cramps and other girls have none. I saw Lory crying and rubbing her stomach on the way home. If a hot bubble bath, candles and music helped you, I assumed they would help Lory too."
"You are such an amazing boy. Don't ever change," I said as I pulled him into an embrace.
"Just don't let my friends know. They'll think I'm a sissy," he joked.
"Your secret is safe with me," I promised.
Every time Lory experienced cramps, Curtis took care of her. She appreciated his help. I know her cycle hadn't regulated yet, but he seemed to know exactly when she needed some pampering.