Remembrance
Chapter Seven
Over the years I noticed that my siblings and I have had certain set things we did with each of our parents. For instance: Mags and Mom love to shop, I sincerely believe that Maggie was a shopper from birth always primping, constantly in the bathroom through the years she was just that way. Surely she will be a model with her hazel eyes and barely a wave in her brown hair; that lucky girl. Okay I am a bit jealous. Then there is Gabe who has always been interested in whatever Dad did so they always worked on cars together. As I mentioned before he is a charmer as Mom said Dad used to be though she never expanded on the comment I figure some things are best left unsaid. Mom and Gabe on the other hand though never at odds outright didn't seem to have much in common besides their identical chocolate brown eyes but since he is a male it is to be expected. Mom and I have always gotten along sometimes to the point that while Dad was a way we would have heart to heart talks where I would learn more about their life before us. Once she told me that when there was a curse on our family that they wondered if having me was the best idea. I held my breath at the revelation; no child wants to think they were unwanted but she put my mind to rest by telling me that there was never a doubt between them that having me was a good idea. It was all a matter of wanting me safe and healthy that the matter was ever mentioned at all. I was relieved as you might imagine.
Now Dad and I still had our morning breakfast together every couple of months when he was in town. I would wake up early around six to make homemade hot cakes. When I as on the way to my seventeenth birthday I decided I needed that time with my Dad so I got up early for our tradition. As soon as the aroma was in the air Dad came down the stairs in his robe rubbing his eyes.
"I wondered who was cooking; I looked down and your Mom was still in my arms so I figured it was you, It was you," he sang to me a verse from the popular old song.
I laughed he always did the same thing.
"You knew it was me Daddy," I laughed as he got out the juice and milk to sit them on the table.
"Morning, Sweet Cakes," he greeted me with a kiss on the cheek after his first glass of milk before he headed to the coffee maker to get a fresh cup that was already made automatically. He couldn't live without the java despite Mom's encouraging him to seek a healthier beverage. I had a feeling that conversation had been going on for years.
"Looks like you made enough for the household today."
"I think I may have gotten a bit carried away but they can always warm them as they stagger in sometime this bright Saturday morning."
"Your Mom will appreciate it too."
I love the look he got on his face when he spoke of my mother there was a light in his eyes that didn't show up at any other time. I used to hope that James would feel that way about me; now that we are married I see it in his eyes too.
"So Daddy tell me what you really think about James?"
His smile faded as he chewed and thought for a minute; it made me so nervous I stopped eating.
"Daddy?"
Then he grinned.
"He seems like a responsible guy though a bit shy you would think after all the time he has spent with us he would have loosened up a bit."
"Some people just aren't as boisterous as the Winchesters, Daddy."
I started to eat again.
"Gabe says…."
I cut him off I knew what Gabe said though I knew it was rude but it was a tired old story, Gabe didn't think James was on the up and up.
"I'm sorry but I have known him three years and we plan to marry when I am eighteen I have yet to see what Gabe keeps telling me," I said with a pout.
"Me either."
I rolled my eyes at him in a respectful way of course.
"Seriously between you, Uncle Sam and Uncle Joshua, if James stays around long enough to marry me than that should be in his favor."
"Oh Sweet Cakes don't take things so seriously; though since you are marrying so young I am glad that you're mature."
"Daddy, can you promise that you and your brothers won't play any practical jokes at my wedding?"
He hesitated a bit too long.
"Daddy?"
"At the wedding I promise."
Dad laughed then winked at me, you had to love them they were playful, annoying, but oh so loveable. My family; I knew they weren't perfect; maybe perfectly dysfunctional but I always felt loved.
What I learned: With my family expect the unexpected. More about the hijinks at the reception of my wedding later on.
Mom called today to tell me that my unborn baby brother was healthy and doing great. She was on the other hand concerned for me because I wanted to do a home delivery which she had done with all three of us; but she strongly encouraged me against it though my doctor had left it up to James and I to decide. Maybe she is right I don't want to stress her out, so I will consider her suggestion.
Once I asked Dad why he married Mom; he grinned and smiled before he answered me simply:
"I love her."
"But Dad I mean… she isn't white like you," I stuttered.
"Sweet Cakes that has never been an issue with either your mom or me, we just fell in love because what we have is special to us. I can't explain it you must have an idea with you being in love and all."
I nodded and bit my lip.
"Was it hard at all being an interracial couple all those years ago?"
I felt like I might be pushing my luck but I wanted to know.
"People stared and pointed even called us names at times but your mother just ignored them and I eventually caught her attitude about it. It's just ignorance. Strangers are the worst since they judge by what they see not by who you are."
He shook his head, I assumed he was reliving some incident though now I wasn't that sure if bringing it up had been a good idea. He decided after watching me a few moments that he wanted to share an incident so I let him.
"While your Mom was pregnant with you and I wasn't hunting since we were anxiously awaiting your arrival we went grocery shopping and the entire time we shopped there was this white man following us. I don't mean by accident he just glared at us until your mom finally turned around to ask him if he needed something. Then he was embarrassed as he shook his head and walked out the store. People can be so weird; I mean why would he do that? He didn't know us; I personally wanted to knock him out but your mother being the wise woman she is took the shortest route to the solution."
Then his face lit up as Mom came in the kitchen door dressed for gardening in a long sleeve shirt and long shorts with gardening shoes on. He pulled her into his lap as she tried to keep him from getting her sweat on him.
"Dean, I'll get you sweaty like me; I need a shower," she protested though a bit weakly.
"You're fine; can I please have a kiss?"
She hesitated only a second before she gave into him; I cleared my throat but they ignored me.
I few moments later she left to go for her shower while Dad winked at me as he followed her.
"She may need help," he teased.
I could only shake my head; those two were always kissing or hugging if not arguing which as I have learned as a married woman lead to making up.
What I learned: Love is not a color and be grateful if you parents are still hot for one another after many years of marriage.
TBC
