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Chapter 10
Of
Bowling: The Sport of the Broken Hearted
A chapter entitled
In Which Being the Heart of the House is NOT to Sparrow's Liking.
The injury count for the accident was minimal. Sparrow came out the worst with a broken ankle and a new appreciation for pain killers. Atticus had a cut forehead that he received courtesy of the steering wheel. It had required five stitches to close and the doctors had been worried that he may have cracked his skull. Nobody else had been. They remembered Atticus's childhood with his Mother's reflexes. It had often been remarked that his skin and bones were as strong as steel. Ginny had come out the best of them all by only being knocked out for a short time. Her doctor had wanted to keep her at the hospital for observation- just to be on the safe side. By 12:00 that night he was seriously contemplating transferring her to the psych ward. To say the least, the doctors and nurses were happy to see the Thomas's go a day later.
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A few days after her discharge Sparrow came to the conclusion that her husband of 19 odd years-no doubt from the strain of being surrounded by such woman in his life- had finally given up and gone crazy too. He had demanded that Sparrow stay in bed- completely ignoring the fact that Sparrow's doctor had cleared her for hobbling around on crutches. He served her breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed everyday. Something he was quite capable in doing as he had taken a week off work. He had even started sleeping on a cot in their room so that he would not bug his wife at night. At first Sparrow enjoyed this, but after the second day was starting to get a little tired of lying around watching the soaps. Thus, in typical Sparrow fashion she tried to escape. But despite some brilliant attempts and some not so brilliant, Charlie found her every time and hauled her back. Ninteen years of marriage, I'm sure, had something to do with his uncanny ability to screw Sparrow's every escape attempt. It was also this same 19 years of marriage that stopped Sparrow from killing him. To Sparrow it seemed her new catch phrase was, "But I'm fine!" To which Charlie would make no reply just carefully dump his wife back in bed and go make her some chicken soup. The hostage, oddly for her character, didn't argue passed "But I'm fine," about her treatment. She didn't even ask why he had targeted her and not the kids (whom he'd had become more protective of but didn't go as far as locking them in a room against their will). She already knew the real answer and she understood.
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Ginny cautiously peered around the corner of her parent's bedroom on the second floor of the Brewer Mansion. Her blue eyes locked with her mother's brown, curious ones. Crawling on the floor, the girl crawled into her mother's waiting arms. The two were silent for a full minute as Sparrow patiently waited for her daughter to start. This was the standard procedure if Ginny ever directly sought you out for anything.
"I think I made a mistake."
"Really?"
"Yes. Finn's not the devil, Tonya is." Sparrow found herself quickly stuffing a bit of pillow in her mouth to keep from giggling at her perfectly serious daughter. After the accident, Tonya had showed up at the hospital to see how Atticus was doing. Perhaps it was the pain medication or the realization that life does end at some point, but Addie had found the courage to ask out the girl as his scalp was being stitched. Well actually he asked if he could marry her, but then quickly reneged the question when Tonya had asked just how hard had he hit his head. She had said yes to the idea of dinner and then fled from the room to throw up somewhere. The rest of the week they had barely spent time apart. Any spare time had been taken by the Brewer's and the Thomas's fussing over the brother and sister. Something Ginny, who was use to having her brother to herself, did not like.
"Tonya was going to happen one day my dear."
"What d'yah mean?" Sparrow was silent for a moment.
"I can still remember the day Atticus met you for the first time," she began smiling to herself. "Your brother had been hoping for a brother badly. As far as he was concerned girls were on the same level as spinach, liver and the flu. I think his opinion may have had something to do with Finn liking to lock him in the basement when no one was looking and..... other things," Sparrow ended cringing a little. "Anyway, when he saw that you were a girl he burst into tears and ran from the hospital room. You could hear his screaming a floor away. It wasn't exactly the kind of first impression your father and I were hoping for to say the least. It was a rough couple of months, but Addie could not resist you. Later, it just became an added bonus that the second you opened your mouth you knew all the right ways to drive Finn absolutely crazy and were happy to do it."
"So?"
"So, girls are going to come and go. And you can bet all the money in the world they're all going to all know how old you are, what you look like, what your favorite color is, various adventures you have taken part in since you were born and many, many other things.
"Really?"
"Yep."
"That still doesn't give me Addie back."
"He'll come back eventually. Now how about we read a bit of your Uncles new book? Hum? We really need to get you caught up on your romance novels and lay off a little on all that Shakespeare your father has been hoisting on you. It's shameful how little you know. How are you going to be able to realize that the Sheik that mysteriously collapses on your doorstep from a sniper's bullet is your soul mate if you don't keep of with your Harlequin?" Ginny eyed the door and wondered if she could make it. Escape was impossible. Sparrow seemed to have noticed where her daughter's eyes had wondered and had tightened her hold. "Now this one is about a Prince that's a doctor and he gets stranded on a deserted island inhabited by scantily clad woman who want to eat him, except for one who thinks he's kind a cute....
Yes, Sparrow was bored and on pain medication- always a lethal combination.
Sunday: 4 Days after accident, 3rd day in confinement
Elizabeth watched her oddly nervous and exhausted son carefully load up a tray of chicken soup and begin to head upstairs to his hostage held wife.
"Charlie!" He turned around quickly and faced his Mother.
"What?"
"Let me take that for you."
"No. It's all right, I've got-" Elizabeth simply ignored him and took the tray. She found Sparrow lying on the floor throwing a ball into the air. She didn't recognize it from anywhere.
"Where did you get that?" The girl in question lifted her head to the sound of her Mother-in-laws voice and got a ball in the face for her effort.
"Ow. The cat."
"You really must be bored."
"Oh look Chicken Soup," Sparrow said unenthusiastically and with a particularly pained look on her face.
"Well it's good for you at least," Elizabeth set the tray down on the floor beside her daughter-in-law and then sat down herself.
"Yes, I suppose all the peeing I'm doing is cleaning the old system out."
"Thanks Sparrow."
"Yah, that's not a pretty image."
"For allowing him to be crazy."
"Oh." Sparrow began to chuckle deep from within her gut. "I suppose its only right I return the favor."
"You know when he lost Jen," The easy going mood suddenly vanished, "it hit him real hard." Both women cringed at Elizabeth's poor choice of words. "He found himself with a one year old and no idea what he was supposed to do now. Those were some real tuff first years for him, for us all really." Elizabeth trailed off and didn't continue, but Sparrow got what she was trying to say anyway. "He was 22 years old. Wasn't even out of school yet." The silence was deafening. Then Elizabeth seemed to shake herself out of her trance and smiled at Sparrow. "But we survived and I don't think I've ever been more proud." Sparrow returned the smile. "Though I don't think any of us wants to go through something like that again. "I'm glad you and the kids are all right."
"So am I. Now how about some chicken soup?"
"Nice try, but no thanks."
"Oh well. It was worth a try." Elizabeth patted Sparrow's knee and headed for the door. The girl was left alone with Finn's cat, Striker. "Here, kitty, kitty. You're supposed to like chicken right?
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For the fifth time Sparrow was watching Titanic. But this time around- just to make it interesting- she turned down the volume on the movie and turned up Snoopy vrs The Red Baron as sung by some old veteran's band.
Oh Dear, oh my Titanic has rammed into an iceberg and it's all our young lovers fault!
After the turn of the Century
In the clear blue skies over Germany
Came a roar and a thunder man had never heard
Like the screaming sound of a big war bird!
The Mother, heartbroken, smiles down at her children as she tucks them in for the last time. As she straightens the cover, she tells a magical story.
10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or more
that bloody Red Baron was rolling up the score
80 men died trying to end that spree
of the Bloody Red Baron of Germany
Rose and Jack run through the sinking hallways of the doomed ship. They almost make it to safety, but oh no the gate is locked. But then...
In the Nick of time a hero arose
A funny looking dog with a big black nose
He flew into the sky to seek revenge
But the Baron shot him down.
In a fit of rage Cal again tries to destroy the love between his ex-finance and her boy-man sensitive artist by shooting at them, thus forcing them back into the heart of the sinking ship. He does not hit them.
Curses Foiled again!
Now Snoopy had swore he'd get that man
So he asked the great Pumpkin for a new battle plan
He challenged the German to a real dog fight
As the baron was laughing, he got him in his sight
The band, instead of leaving, keeps on playing as the water gets higher
Do do do ado a do ow, a doo a do ow oh oh
Propeller man smacks into propeller
That bloody red baron was in a fixHe tired everything, but he'd run out of tricks
In desperation they fire off fireworks to try and attract the attention of others in passing ships.
Snoopy fired once and then he fired twice
And soon that bloody red Baron went spinning out of sight
The first class woman watch in horror as the boat sinks farther and farther into the depths of the black ocean.
Well 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or more
That bloody red Baron was rolling up the score.....
"That a song works even better then I thought it would," said Sparrow speaking out loud to no one.
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A sick Finn sprawled across the bottom of her parent's bed reading a book on superstitions. Her mother was sprawled out at the top reading a travel brochure for Egypt.
"The Sparrow," Finn read out loud, "is often considered to represent bad luck. If a Sparrow should fly into a house in Kent it must be killed immediately or it is believed the bad luck of the Sparrow will befall the household." Sparrow let the brochure fall into her lap.
"Well, I think we can strike Kent off the list."
"Maybe." Mother shot daughter a particular look.
"What about Egypt? With my apparent bad luck we might get locked in a tomb or better yet accidentally curse ourselves."
"As fun as that sounds Mom, I was thinking about Austria."
"No. No."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm not sure if the Austrian's have long memories or not."
"Don't tell me you got kicked out of that country too?"
"................. What about Hawaii? We could learn to surf."
"I could learn to surf, you'd get to stay on the beach and watch."
"Fair enough."
"What about Japan?"
"They're not really big on tourists, but maybe." Mother and daughter were discussing what they were going to do for Finn's 18th birthday. The 18th Birthday present from Sparrow was a one last crazy experience between mother and daughter before said daughter went off to school and forgot about her family. With Mac's 18th they had decided on a plane theme. Borrowing a private jet from one of her wealthier relatives, Sparrow had taken Mac to Europe, China and Australia. They had sky-dived, shopped till they dropped, saw all the sights, got drunk and had almost been arrested. It had been an amazing time. Money had not been an issue. Sparrow made a lot, had inherited a lot and never really used it.
"What about Vegas?"
"You're too young."
"You took Mac when she was 9."
"That was different. I was marrying her father."
"What about Italy?"
"I have it! Alaska!"
"What exactly is in Alaska anyway?"
"I don't know, but we'd find out wouldn't we?"
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Sparrow knew she had to get out. She couldn't take this anymore. But before she could get anywhere a short stocky man wearing a crumbled suit and a comb over walked into the room.
"Hey, Sparrow!"
"Crane! What are you doing here? Does Mom know about this?"
"She's the one who sent me! Hey your ankles broke! How'd that happen?"
"Car accident and Mom sent you?"
"WHAT?!"
"It was minor. I came out the worst."
"Oh. Thank God."
"Mom sent you?"
"Yah. I don't know why though. Normally it's Raven she sends out on her little errands. When did this happen?" asked Crane nodding his head at his sister's ankle. Sparrow ignored the question.
"Why did Mom send you?"
"Who knows? Its Mom, no one is-"
"Above her control, I know," finished Sparrow. "But Crane, I've been disowned."
"Again? When?" It should be mentioned at this point that Crane very rarely is aware about what is going on around him, but for some reason still managed to be one of the top lawyers in New York.
"A couple of weeks ago."
"Really. I must have missed the memo. But if you've been disowned and the accident is minor then why am I here?"
"I don't know Crane. I don't know."
"Oh well, it's not my job to understand what goes through Mom's head. Thank God. How about going to get some ice cream? I want to hear all about little Finn and Atticus."
"What about Ginny?"
"Who's Ginny?" Sparrow decided to just let that one go.
"I'm not allowed to leave my room."
"What? Have you been bad?"
"No. But Charlie wants to keep me were he can find me."
"Ho Ho, still acting the newlyweds are you?"
"I wish."
"What's this? Trouble in paradise? Do tell."
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Sparrow was done. She had just spent that last week holed up in her room and if she didn't get out now, well the next room she'd get stuck in would have padded walls.
The bird girl took her opportunity late Saturday afternoon when in a rare moment no one was in her bedroom. Charlie was making more soup, Finn was picking up Mac, Ginny was in her room, Addie had gone off with Tonya and the senior Brewer's were taking naps in the bedroom down the hall.
Sparrow had no idea were she was going or how she was going to do it; she just began hobbling. Charlie was in the kitchen, that was a given. Quickly she hobbled to the stairs. Problem- can't get down them very quickly. Banister? Nope, only end up killing herself. Hopping down while holding onto Banister? What if she missed? Pain. All right, maybe looking at the stairs closer will give her an idea.
Thud!
Loud.
"Sparrow?"
Crap.
Footsteps of Charlie heading up the stairs. Quickly, need an idea! Eureka!
Sparrow scooted on her butt and pushed off, just like she was six. Unfortunately it was a bit harder with only a one leg. Ow, I can't believe I use to do this as a kid! Quickly like a mix between an army man and a snake, she slides across tiled floor. Using the crutches, she hoists herself up and out the door without making any sound.
Success!
Way too easy!
"Sparrow?"
"Bah!"
Quickly Sparrow dives into the bushes as door opens. Sees husband start walking down the street towards downtown calling her name in a panic.
FREEDOM! SWEET FREEDOM! Now where too? Restaurant. Ice cream stand. Steak house! KFC? NEVER!
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Mac found Sparrow right where she thought she would-eating an extra minty chocolate chip ice cream cone at the ice cream stand by the park. She was surrounded by a bunch of kids chopping down on their own cones bought (Mac had no doubt) by Sparrow. She had often done the same thing when the two of them use to come here. Mac turned off the rental car and made her way over to her stepmother.
"Why am I not surprised Sparrow?" The nearly 50 year old woman turned around and looked sheepishly at her 28 year old stepdaughter like a child whose hand had just been caught in the cookie jar.
"Man you're so busted," stated a nine-year-old. His entire face was covered in cookies and cream ice cream.
"If I buy you an ice cream cone too, will you forget you saw me?" asked Sparrow hopefully. Having no intention of saying yes, Mac opened her mouth to say so, but Sparrow's smiling face and desperately pleading eyes caused her to cave.
"As long as its two scoops."
"Excellent! Conner, my ice cream man gives this girl a scoop of butterscotch and strawberry please! Put it on my tab. That's still your favorite right?"
"Yes."
"Did you know that I am the only customer here that has a tab? I give so much business they say I'm family."
"That's not really surprising."
"Here you go Miss."
"Thank you." Mac took the cone and sat down beside her stepmother. "So, how'd you do it?"
"I walked out the door- well hobbled," answered Sparrow as she took a very satisfying lick of her ice cream.
"Really?" Mac stopped mid-bite in disbelief. "Dad didn't catch you?"
"I don't think he was expecting something so obvious from me." They sat silently for a few minutes. Just like with Ginny, Sparrow waited for Mac to break the silence.
"True. Listen lets go for a walk." Sparrow looked at her Mac in disbelief. "Or how about I take you out for pie instead?"
Guess what one Sparrow chose.
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"Now," began Sparrow taking a huge bite out of her delicious blueberry pie, "what's on your mind?"
"Is there something on my mind?" Mac took a much smaller bite of her pie.
"You're fidgeting and you're silent. That means you want to talk about something highly uncomfortable. So you might as well spit it out and get it over with."
"I'm pregnant."
"WHAT?" cried out Sparrow spitting out her pie into Mac's face.
"I suppose I deserved that."
"You're what?"
"I'm kidding."
"That's not funny!"
"Maybe not."
"Spit it out Mac."
"I think you just did," Mac speculated using her napkin to wipe the half-chewed pie off her face.
"What is it?"
Silence.
"Mac?
"I always kept you separate. You were always Sparrow." The two women looked at each other across the small table. Mac looked nervous and confused: Sparrow looked thoughtful.
"I picked up pretty quit," Sparrow took a bite of her pie, "that as far as you were concerned you had a mother and didn't want nor need a new one."
"You were okay with that?"
"Sure, if that was what you wanted."
"I'm not sure that's true."
"You didn't want that?"
"No, that you weren't my mother." Sparrow looked at her stepdaughter intently. "Somewhere along the line you took on that role without me even noticing." Mac stated this with little emotion; it was more in a tone of something that was matter of fact. "The honest truth Sparrow is I don't remember my Mom and I don't ever remember losing her. I just remember she wasn't there. Something was missing. And then you came and over time it didn't seem like that anymore. You were my Dad's wife, you went shopping with me and I complained to you about boys- things like that. We interacted like Mother and daughter. But somehow in my mind, I never actually acknowledged you as Mother. And I have just realized how unfair that was to you." Sparrow stared at Mac in a stunned silence. "And when I heard that you had been in a car accident just like Mom, I felt that missing feeling again only it was sharply painful. So, I am not ever actually going to call you Mom, but let's face it, you kind of were since I was 9. I just wanted you to know that." Mac looked up from the plate she had been staring throughout her confession. Sparrow was holding her fork loaded down with pie half way to her mouth and looking at Mac with tear filled eyes.
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At three in the morning the light was still on in Ginny Thomas's room. It had been on since one, unbeknownst to anyone else in the house.
She was sitting on the floor hunched over a piece of canvas. In her hand was a charcoal pencil. That same pencil had created the masterpiece in front of her; a detailed sketch of a short man with laughing eyes that reminded Ginny of Atticus.
End of chapter..... I'm not sure about this chapter.
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