147.
Ed or Olivia always had stuck around at all of the birthday parties Noah attended so far in his life, but, when Olivia noticed other parents dropping off their kids and leaving the Painted Pot, she reluctantly followed suit. The mere concept of a party made her nervous since officials and experts were still urging virus-related caution, but when she saw the individual work stations and each child issued birthday-themed masks, she relaxed. The kids would spend most of the time painting whichever blank sculpture they chose, and, besides, the party roster very nearly mirrored Noah's first grade class. Olivia thanked the host family and, with Maggie in tow, left the building and walked toward Prospect Park. They were near Brooke's apartment, but she hadn't yet responded to Olivia's texts.
"Do you want to ride in the stroller?" Olivia asked Maggie.
"No! Magg walk!"
Olivia took Maggie's hand and smiled at how her pigtails bounced up and down with each step. She walked in a half-skip like Noah and pointed out the interesting things she saw along the way. Among them were a man with a long mohawk, a cat on a leash, and a harried-looking young woman rushing down the sidewalk clutching a cluster of balloons. When they reached the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, Maggie whirled around, looking upwards, and pointed. "Arch, Mama!"
Her usage of the proper vocabulary word impressed Olivia. "Yes, honey, it's an arch. Good! What else do you see?"
"Horse! Bird! Hat!"
The hat belonged to Lincoln. Olivia wondered what it was about the very small yet specific detail that attracted Maggie's eye.
"Daddy!" Maggie pointed again at one of the sculptures of uniformed men.
"Is Daddy up there?"
Maggie nodded vigorously. Seconds later, her attention was captured by a little boy riding a scooter and she asked for hers.
"Sorry, honey," Olivia said, "Mommy didn't bring the scooter. C'mon, let's go walk and find a playground. Want to swing?"
Swinging was apparently an acceptable Plan B. Maggie grinned, clapped her hands, and started to run in the direction of the park but stopped and held up her arms for Olivia to pick her up when she realized they were surrounded by a busy street.
"I gotcha, sweet girl," Olivia said, "We'll wait for the light to change. Watch it!"
"Light RED!"
"You are so smart, honey. Yes, it's red. When it's green we can cross. You tell me when it changes." Olivia pressed her cheek to Maggie's while they waited.
"GEEN, Mama!"
An elderly woman pushing a wire cart was standing next to them and smiled as she set out across the street. "Thank you," she said in a rickety voice to Maggie and then directed her next sentence at Olivia. "She sounds like she keeps you on your toes!"
"Oh she does!"
"That Gramma?" Maggie asked.
"No honey," Olivia said, thankful the woman was out of earshot. Despite her age she scurried off quickly, "Well, she was maybe someone's Grandma, but not yours. We can call our Grandma later."
"No, Mama!" Maggie frowned, "Swing!"
"Yes, yes," Olivia put Maggie down and held her hand, "We're going to swing."
…
Wyatt circled the deck of Cragen's sailboat several times at a slow pace so he could take in every single detail. Maggie and Noah were impressed at the spacious below deck living area, but Wyatt was more entranced by the ropes, blocks, and pulleys and curious as to how they worked together with the sails to generate speed. Cragen explained it all and offered to take everyone out for a ride, and, in Wyatt's case, a technical demonstration. Olivia politely objected, saying the Cragens were docked for a reason, but Eileen insisted.
"Okay," Olivia said, "But please don't feel like we need to be out for long."
During the ride, Wyatt did not leave Cragen's side. He learned terms and phrases like "jib" and "trim the mainsail" and Olivia was certain she would be purchasing sailing-related novels and nonfiction for him in the very near future. When they docked again, Ed had to practically drag Wyatt off the boat. Don and Eileen were going to rest a while before visiting the Tucker home later that evening. The s'mores offer had turned into a dinner invitation. Noah boasted that his Dad used the grill to prepare the best surf-and-turf which gave Ed a welcome boost after watching Wyatt bond with Cragen all afternoon.
Once at home, the kids changed into swimwear and joined everyone else on the beach while Ed and Olivia planned the night's menu and made a list for the market. They ping-ponged around the kitchen, opened and closed pantry and refrigerator doors and paused to jot down names of items.
"I think we're all set," Olivia said after she ducked into the secondary pantry to make sure they still had an ample stash of soda. "Want me to go with you?"
"Sure, if you don't mind waiting to get out there with everyone else."
Olivia both saw and heard the dejection in his body language and his voice. "Honey, you know Wyatt's curious about everything," she leaned against the countertop, gripping the ledges backwards, "He would've stayed on that boat all day and all night tonight if we let him."
"He doesn't ask about the jet skis or the pontoon," Ed mumbled.
"Ed! They're different. With the sailboat, everything's right there in the open. It's intriguing for anyone, especially a kid like Wyatt." Ed shrugged. Olivia pushed herself away from the counter and propelled herself toward him. "Hey, you, his Dad, are always going to be number one. He's the same way with you when you're working on projects. Remember last year? The flagstones? He was always out there with those huge gloves on, working with you, asking questions."
Ed finally cracked a smile. "Yeah," he said, "You're right."
Olivia gave him a quick kiss. "Thank you. Now, let's shop."
"Ah well," Ed grabbed her wrist before she got too far away, "The thing is though, I'll never be number one, and I'm okay with that."
"Right."
"Seriously," Ed held her close again, "Mommy's number one." He gave her another, longer and more passionate kiss. "In all our books. Always number one."
…..
G opened her apartment door to find Sarah standing there, holding up a phone charger. "Missing something?" She asked.
"No," G replied, "Why?"
"Really?" Sarah screwed up her face, "Livvie gave it to me to give to you. She thought you left it there the other night."
"Nope. I have mine. Thanks though."
"No problem," Sarah smiled, "What are you doing on this gorgeous Saturday?"
"I was staring outside debating whether or not I want to go out in the crowds or hibernate in here."
"When in doubt, go out," Sarah said. "Want to do something? Justin's working, so he can't play."
"What were you thinking?"
"Maybe go to the seaport? There are a couple shops down there I love."
G shifted from foot to foot and chewed the inside of her mouth.
"C'mon," Sarah said, "It'll be fun. I'll buy you luuunch!"
"That's okay," G said, smiling, "I mean, lunch is great but you don't have to buy."
An hour later, Sarah was leading G in and out of the stores on and around Fulton Street, many of which had only recently reopened. Signs reading Thank You For Your Patronage and We Love Our Customers were posted everywhere, and Sarah didn't think twice about purchasing items even she admitted were unlikely to be used. G pointed out she could give some as Christmas and birthday presents. It was an idea Sarah loved and also one that added at least thirty minutes, if not more, to the shopping portion of their afternoon. When Sarah finally suggested stopping for food, G was famished.
"How about oysters," Sarah said, peering at a pub across the street from where they were standing. "I've never been there but it has good reviews."
"Sure," G said, willing to go to any place that was serving food.
They sat down and ordered dirty martinis and a dozen oysters. Sarah mentioned that it reminded her of the Delaware coast and a little beachside bar she and her family always patronized. It looked a little shady and rickety, but the food was excellent and they had an expansive deck overlooking four beach volleyball courts. It was also near the inlet where boats entered and exited the bay.
"Great for people watching and boat watching," Sarah said. "But people watching's the best. Gawwd, the guys who play volleyball...I swear, the ugliest guy could be playing but they're at least fifty percent more attractive on the beach." G's laughter was polite, but it was enough to encourage Sarah to ramble on, "Whenever Justin plays it's always when we're all playing but I never get a chance to really sit back and admire him because he's, like, super competitive and all, 'make sure you call it, Sare' and shit like that. But, I think my favorite thing is when I catch Livvie checking out my Dad. It's so funny...she's like a teenager."
"If my parents ever checked each other out," G said dryly, "I don't think I want to know about it."
"Yeah, more than once I've been notified, mostly by Brooke, that I'm out of line. Actually, I think it's always been Brooke. She's such a romantic buzzkill." Sarah slurped an oyster and sighed approvingly, "Yum!"
"Your Dad and Olivia were dressed alike the other day," G said, tentatively hopping on Sarah's bandwagon, "He changed his tie to match her shirt."
"Gawwwd, seriously?" Olivia had conveniently left out that detail.
"It was so cute."
"He's a good guy," Sarah said, "Too bad my mother didn't realize it. Or, maybe she did and didn't care. I don't know. I'm relieved he found someone and that someone is Livvie. She's such a perfect person. All around. Inside and out. And...she doesn't even care if her husband hugs the babysitter!" G turned bright red and Sarah cracked up.
"Talking about me, were you?" G asked. She reminded herself that the Tuckers were fantastic people and her name must have come up in good faith. Maybe one of the twins even asked about her.
"I don't know how we got on the subject," Sarah said, "I think we were just talking about my Dad having to testify and how Livvie was so thankful you were free to watch the twinsies. And then of course I asked too many personal questions, and, there we are!"
"I'm glad I could do it-"
"-and not just 'cause Daddy hugged you!"
G rolled her eyes. "Right, well, I'm glad I could help out. It must have been really stressful for him."
"You know about it?"
"Sure, I've followed it in the news."
"Daddy hasn't said anything to us other than what's been in the news, or I'd love to give you some insider information."
"I'm just glad that Wald guy's in prison now. Even if he may get out one day. Delayed justice is still justice…" G trailed off, took a sip of her martini, and pretended to be interested in something on the television monitor. Her eyes were glassy, but whatever was on her mind was shoved aside when a booming voice shouted Sarah's name.
"Omigod, omigod, omigod! Lloyd!" Sarah jumped off the barstool and hugged the owner of the voice-a slightly pudgy man, probably her age, with floppy blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore khaki shorts, a Mets hoodie, and brand new Nikes that were so white and unblemished G had a hard time believing he'd walked more than a block in them since making the purchase.
"G, this is Lloyd Parkhurst Watson the," Sarah twisted her lips, "Is it fourth or fifth? I can never remember."
"Fourth," he answered and extended his hand to G, "Nice to meet you, uh," he looked to Sarah for help.
"G," Sarah said.
"Well that's easy to remember," Lloyd replied.
"I may have to have your name repeated a couple of times," G joked.
"It is a very important-sounding name for absolutely no reason."
"Well, you're just going to have to make it important," Sarah slapped him on the elbow, "What are you doing here? I thought you were, well, come to think of it, you got off all the socials a while ago. I can't stalk you!"
"I was in Florida for a while-"
"-where?"
"Tampa. Then Miami. Then I tried Chicago and also Milwaukee but hated it. Then Detroit. And I gradually made my way back here last year."
"Well, Jesus, you're really letting it rip on the frequent flyer miles."
"Yeah. I have two suitcases and sold everything that wouldn't fit before each move. When I moved into my apartment the super was impressed."
"Where are you living?"
"East thirties."
"Shut up. I'm by Union Square. A couple stops apart. Wow."
"Oh, wow, cool. We'll have to hang out," Lloyd said, "Well, I should probably get back to my buddies-a little informal bachelor thing going on."
"We will definitely leave you alone," Sarah waved her phone, "But, hey, give me your number."
Lloyd rattled off the digits. Great seeing you, Sare. And nice to meet you, G, you, uh, have a great rest of the day." He ambled back to his group. For a bachelor party, they were quiet. So quiet, G and Sarah hadn't noticed them at all.
"Gawwwd, I love him," Sarah said, "Not in, like, we dated, but he went to my high school. Transferred as a senior, so it was kind of hard, but he was in my first two classes and is hil-ar-i-ous."
"He sure has lived in a lot of places."
"What he said isn't even the half of it. His Dad worked for the government, like, big time classified shit. Maybe he works there now, too, hence the no Facebook or anything. I remember, uh, I think he was born in Oregon. Maybe Texas? No, Dave and Aidan are there, I don't know. Anyway, another drink? More food?"
"Both. Yes." The oysters were delicious but not very substantial. G picked up a menu.
"You know, I could set you up with Lloyd if you want. Want me to ask if he has a girlfriend? I didn't see a ring."
"No...that's okay."
"I'll ask anyway. But I doubt it."
"Why do you doubt it?"
"He said I and not we," Sarah replied matter-of-factly.
"Oh, yeah, right. Well, if you end up having him over, I could always stop by."
Sarah nudged G with her elbow, "Atta girl," she said. "We might have to make that happen in the near future."
….
After Aidan was born, Angela suddenly had no problem with Sarah and Brooke taking the train to Manhattan. In Ed's eyes they were old enough, after all, they'd ridden the subway and buses by themselves since Brooke was twelve, but Angela balked when Ed brought up the longer commute. Not only did she object, she used the suggestion as a weapon and muttered he could give up his weekends if he needed to do so. Even though Ed's reasoning made sense (Brooke and Sarah could go directly from school to the train instead of having to wait for him), Angela stood firm. That was, until her son arrived. Ed wasn't sure if it was because Angela was overwhelmed or not paying attention, but one cold winter day Sarah and Brooke left the house for the bus stop carrying their duffel bags and casually said they would see Angela Sunday night. She looked up, raised her eyebrows, and told them to have a nice weekend.
Ed found them at Grand Central, and, as he saw his travel weary yet travel savvy middle schooler and high schooler walking toward him he was overcome with emotion. What was it? Pride? Sorrow? Pity? To strangers, they were clearly young teenagers, but there was a hitch in their gaits or maybe it was something in their faces that made Brooke and Sarah seem much older. The trio group-hugged and headed outside where Ed hailed a cab.
"Figured we'd drop your stuff, eat, and maybe go bowling? How's that sound?" Ed hoped it sounded great to them because he'd already reserved a lane.
"Awesome!" Sarah said.
Brooke agreed, but was less enthusiastic.
"Sure, Brooke?" Ed asked. "We can do something else. You alright?"
"Yes, bowling's good, I...ugh-"
"-She probably was wanting some peace and quiet," Sarah said, "Aidan never stops crying. Seriously. It's all night long. Dad, can I get sleeping pills?"
"No," Ed replied sternly. "Brooke, if you'd rather hang out at home, that's fine."
Sarah grumbled and crossed her arms.
"Let's go," Brooke said. "I'm just...annoyed is all. Sarah's right. He never stops crying. And all these people come over to see him and act like we're these important big sisters and all I want to do is tell those people they can have him!"
"Omigod. She's right."
"Maybe he's colicky," Ed replied, "He'll grow out of it soon."
"Dad?" Sarah asked. "Are you gonna get married and have another baby?"
"I doubt it."
"Well, you can maybe get married, if we like her, but no babies. I'm SICK of them!"
"I will not get married without your approval."
"Thank you." The news broadcast playing on the cab's monitor switched to commercials and the first one advertised diapers. Sarah lunged forward and turned off the screen. "Gawwwd," she huffed. "I hate babies."
…..
The party hadn't concluded when Olivia and Maggie returned, so they waited with the other parents while the employees gave the kids their creations which had been dried, wrapped in bubble sheets, and placed in small handle bags. Olivia had her eyes trained on Noah, she loved watching him interact with other kids, so she jumped when someone touched her shoulder and said her name. She turned and saw the face of Mia's mother, a woman she had not seen since Kindergarten graduation last year. Olivia scrounged around in her memory for her name but before she settled on "Mrs. Bianchi," the woman introduced herself as Lila.
"It's good to see you," Olivia said, "I was wondering if Mia would be here."
"We were late," Lila said, "Story of our lives, especially now."
Olivia narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brow unsure of what Lila meant.
Lila assessed the immediate area and decided there was enough privacy in this corner of the room for her to reveal the next piece of information. "We lost our nanny," she said.
"Lost as in…"
"She died last month," Lila's eyes fell, "It was Covid. We temporarily let her go when Mia came to stay with me at the stables. There was no reason to keep her on...she got another job, at a warehouse I think, and that's probably where she contracted it. We all tested negative, so, it had to be there."
"I am so sorry," Olivia said.
"We haven't told Mia yet. I don't know how."
Olivia's eyes shot wide open. It had been weeks since life returned to semi-normal. How had they been explaining the nanny's absence to Mia? "If you're asking for advice," she said, "It's usually best to be as truthful as possible. Kids understand more than we give them credit for a lot of the time, and they're also much more resilient than we are in some cases." The party was over now, and Noah and Mia were walking over, giggling, with their heads close together as if they were sharing a juicy secret.
"I worry it will destroy her."
"She'll be sad, yes," Olivia said, "But she'll recover. There's a lot of joy in your little girl."
Maggie ran over to Noah. He crouched and hugged her, lifting her in the process. She burst into shrieking laughter and wrapped her arms around his head. When he put Maggie down, Mia swung her around a few times and ended with Mia's jet black ponytail smacking Maggie in the face.
"Careful, Mi," Lila said.
"I'm bein' careful," Mia replied in the tone of a girl who had heard the reprimand more than once in her life. "Hi Livia! We made pottery!"
"Which one did you choose?" Olivia asked, amused at how Mia greeted her as if they had seen one another the day before instead of months ago.
"A cup with an octopus!" Mia started to dig into her bag, but Lila stopped her, saying they would never get it repacked the same way and risked breaking the mug. "I used ten colors," Mia said with a shrug.
"Ten! Wow! I bet it's beautiful. Noah, what did you choose?"
"A bowl," he said, "I made it look like a checkerboard! But with blue and green! I can use it for cereal!"
"I can't wait to see it," Olivia replied, "But Lila's right. We'll wait until we get home to unwrap it. Lila, we're busy this afternoon, but maybe next weekend...we'd love to have Mia over."
"I'll check our calendar," she said, "But I think that'll work."
"We'll see you soon," Olivia caught Lila's eye and poignantly added, "If you need to call me before then, you have my number, right?"
"Yes," Lila nodded gratefully, "I have it. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Call anytime."
….
#Tuckson