Hello wonderful readers! It's been very humbling to see how many new readers have followed and favorite-ed, this story! Not to mention those who share it with others and even "pimp me out" to their on-line groups! ;)
This is a chapter I would NEVER have imagined I would write, but the concept came about all because of one comment from one very wonderful and loyal reader. I hope you enjoy!
Lots of love to you all!
Kelly :)
How It Happened
Chapter 37
Grace
As I'm making dinner, I find myself thinking, again, about this whole issue. It's been several weeks, but it still makes me cringe. I'm not ready for this… We're moving out west next year, thanks to me and my big mouth! Carrick wanted to take on the job of planning our 'Michigan Memories' vacation, as he's named it. We've taken small trips over the summer every year, so he just needs to make reservations and figure out exactly what we're doing when. So that means I get to take on the job of contacting realtors and starting the house hunt. That way, I get to see what locations and prices we're dealing with, with plenty of time to make the best decision for our family. As it turns out, leaving me with this chore, according to my husband, means I can't complain when it's all done. Well played, Counselor.
However, I have made contact with an office here and they've gotten me in contact with someone out west. We still haven't decided exactly where we're going; Washington or Oregon. Part of me wants to go to Washington since both my parents and Dennis will be there, but then Peter would be alone in Oregon. Maybe we could move near him and Theresa; the kids could get to see each other more often. Anyway, it's all been started now and we'll be receiving information on several houses soon. Trying to find a home with this kind of distance is a challenge, not to mention the three hour time difference. I think Carry and I may have to take a trip ourselves, once we've narrowed things down a bit. I can't imagine buying a house and making a move like this without actually seeing the place ourselves.
"Hey, Sweet Pumpkin." My husband's arms reach around me from behind and he takes the wooden spoon out of my hands, as he kisses that spot behind my ear. He even starts to stir the marinara sauce. I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Oh no, he only uses that voice for one reason. I know, because it's the same one I use on him when my schedule changes and it interrupts something we've had planned for a while.
"What happened?" I respond slowly. I know I'm about to hear something I'm not going to like. "Sweet Pumpkin only comes out on very specific occasions, Carrick. I'm not even sure I like it, since it's always followed by bad news." He continues to stir without saying anything, but his breathing is definitely atypical. "And since you never like to help in the kitchen, and you're still stirring, I know something's up. So go on. Spill the beans."
His deep sigh is not reassuring. "Well, there's good news and bad news." He hands me back the spoon and leans against the counter next to me with his hands in his pockets. His shoulders are slightly slumped so whatever it is, it's weighing on his mind pretty heavily. "I just got assigned a new case." So? This isn't Sweet Pumpkin worthy information. "It's a pretty big one." He's had those before too. "I'm going to have to work some pretty long hours on this one and probably have some late nights the next few weeks." Again, this isn't new. I mean it's not what I'd prefer, but certainly not the first time it's happened.
"And…?" I ask cautiously. There has to be more to this. He looks kind of embarrassed to tell me. "What makes this different from any other case?"
"Well, it's a fairly significant one. Actually, it's the largest one I've ever taken on. I mean, even if the other side decides to settle and stay out of court, between my billable hours and my percentage of the expected settlement, I could possibly be bringing home…" I hear the spoon hit the floor before I even realize I've dropped it. Is he serious?! "Gracie? You OK? Do you need to sit down, Baby?"
I feel him walking me to the table. I vaguely notice my thoughts about taking the sauce off the stove. "How…? What is this one about? Who's the client?"
"You know I can't discuss details with you, Grace. Just… let's not start counting chickens quite yet. But really, no matter how this comes out, it's going to be a lot of time, which equates to significant money. So that's the good news; this case has a pretty big payout. Now, to discuss the bad news…"
He tells me how the estimated time frame for this will be the rest of May, all of June and August, and most likely, into the fall. He has been assured three weeks in July to take the family trip. I've seen that list of what he wants to do. That's going to be one hectic three weeks! Not any kind of relaxation involved! "And that means, I won't have the time to plan the trip either, so..." His sheepish expression finishes his thoughts.
"…I have to do that, too? Am I right?" He's quick to tell me I can hold off on the house hunt for a while, since we're waiting for information from the realtor anyway, and we have enough time to relax a little on that front for now. However…" Oh, hell. What else is he going to tell me? "… We may have an issue with our usual vacation spots up north, since we have to shove everything into three specific weeks. I mean, we usually do several smaller trips and have more options on dates." I let out my own deep sigh.
"I guess I better get on that then, huh?" I give him a small smile. I suppose if he's going to be bringing home anywhere near what he just told me, I can make a few phone calls. His relieved expression warms me and I can't help but lean in and give him a soft kiss. I love that smile.
"Well, I would completely understand if you wanted to wait until after you've finished dinner, Baby." I finished? Oh come on! I know he is trying to be funny, but it's not working. I guess I must look especially serious as he quickly gets up and heads to the refrigerator. "How about I start on the salad?"
I've been on the phone for about an hour already trying to make this vacation list a reality. I'm thinking we may have to skip out on a couple of our regular summer activities as finding openings for these specific weeks is becoming a challenge. If there's a campsite available, the boat rentals are already full. If there's a boat available, the nearest available campsite is fifty miles away… I decide to start looking at what's around the available campgrounds. It's a challenge, as I don't have easy access to anything outside of the three-one-three are code. Maybe I can call triple A and get some ideas from them. Or maybe some places around here will have information about other places in the state.
As I'm reaching for the phone book, the boys come into the kitchen looking for a snack. I carry the thick, heavy book to the table and drop it with a loud bang. "Elliot, you know what is and is not acceptable for a snack right now. Put those back. We're not having chips right now." I'm answered with a low groan, but compliance as he takes an orange from the refrigerator and heads back down to the game room. Christian, however, is actually no longer interested in a snack. He's standing by the table staring at the phone book. Is this really new to him? I guess I don't use it that often. But it's the phone book… What could possibly be that interesting to an almost five year old boy? "Darling, don't you want to have a snack and go play with your brother?"
I suppose not, since all I get is a blank stare. "Well, I'm making some phone calls, so I need you to be quiet while I do, OK?" Did I just say that to him, of all people? I open the massive book to the yellow pages and look up fishing boat rentals. Christian moves a little closer to see what's on the page. I'm sure his reaction to this thing is far more interesting than the book itself, but you wouldn't know it looking at his expression. "Darling? Do you want to see?" I try holding the book so he can see better, but this thing is awkward and heavy. For whatever reason, he is absolutely enthralled. I explain about the book; its purpose, how it's arranged, why it's so big… He starts to turn back to the white pages, I guess to see how they're different. "No Sweetheart, I need it open to this page back here." As I dial the number, a strange thought crosses my mind. Hmmm. I wonder….
After a couple calls to various places, I do have some leads on places up north, and even a few along Lake Michigan. As I've made calls, I've been verbalizing exactly what I'm doing; who I'm calling, why I'm calling them, which digits I'm dialing, and then, I hold a conversation with whomever answers. I'm hoping Christian will see that this book leads to verbal communication.
The only real problem I'm having is Christian's little hands trying to turn the pages before I'm ready. He seems to favor the white pages. Maybe it's the simplistic black ink on white paper, or the structured columns. Maybe they are more predictable or comforting? Maybe the yellow pages have too many shapes and colors to make sense to him? And have I ever put this much thought into the phone book? I lean back in my chair and have to laugh at the ridiculousness of this whole thing!
Then suddenly, I'm feeling my son climb up onto my lap! I quickly remember Carrick telling me about him doing this one other time, but he's never done this with me. I'm so shocked… and thrilled beyond words! I somehow manage to keep control as I slowly move my arms back around him so I can turn the pages. I feel him tighten and his arms go up to block me. "Christian… I need to turn the page Darling." All I get is adamant head shaking. "I need to find the page for…" More head shaking. "OK. I'll give you a few minutes with the book." I drop my arms and just revel in this moment… A moment I wasn't sure I'd ever get to experience.
After a few moments, I slowly raise my hands to touch his caress his head, but he tightens again. His hands go up to warn me off once more, so I slowly drop them back to my sides. Another moment passes and I try leaning in the kiss the back of his head, but he tightens once more and his worried groan tells me it's too much. I'm struggling with the joy of his being right where he is, but not being able to touch him; not even use my own hands because they'd be around him… No. Time for a little 'tough love.' Well, maybe 'slightly uneasy' love.
"Christian, Darling…. Mommy needs to finish her calls. You can stay on my lap but I need to use the phone, Sweetheart." I'm thinking I'll get to wrap my arm around him to grab it, but he has a different idea apparently. Without a sound, without taking his eyes off the page, he picks the phone up off the table and hands it back to me. Not what I was hoping for. "Well, thank you, Christian. But I need to use the book as well. How about…"
I'm cut off by a squeal and he's trying to pick it up off the table. He slides off my lap and is now trying to make it to the family room, I think. I'm actually chasing my son to get back the phone book! "Christian… you need to hand me back the book. Mommy needs to look up… No. Come back here. Give me that!" He's trying to carry the heavy, floppy book in his arms which is giving him a bit of a struggle, thankfully. I think it's the only reason I catch up to him. He has no intention of letting go and I even have to use two hands to get it out of his arms. Oh and here comes the screaming tantrum. "Darling… Christian…"
He can't hear me over the noise he's making, but I head back into the kitchen to finish what I need to get done today. And he's right behind me pulling on my blouse. After putting it back on the table, I remember we have about four more phone books from previous years still up in the cabinet. I really don't think he'll mind if it's outdated a bit. He's now sitting on the floor kicking his feet and it seems, unaware what I'm doing. I grab another book for him and put it on the table as well. When I walk over to him, he's still quite angry and doesn't want to take my hand. "Well, I guess you just don't want your own phone book then. I suppose I'll just put this one back."
He finally stops the loud noise and is down to softer groans, as he watches me walk back to the table. I make a point of showing him his own phone book, and it takes only a split second for him to understand. He hurries over to the table, climbs up on the seat and opens the white pages to somewhere in the M's. It breaks my heart a little when he doesn't climb back up on my lap. But I can do what I need to do, and he's happy being right here with me, even if I'm not the object of his attention right now. Although, this seems like it could be an interesting learning opportunity.
I decide to forgo my vacation calls, and teach my almost-five year old how this book works. "Christian, I can see you really like this book, don't you?" I get a silent nod, but he doesn't even look up. "There's something special in that phone book, Darling. May I show you?" Now he looks at me and it's evident he's interested but not sure I'm being honest. I did just take the other one away from him… "I promise, you can keep this one as long as you'd like, but there really is something… It's in the T's." I reach over carefully and point to the guide words. "See? You're in the M's. We need to turn quite a few pages… O's… R, S, T! Alright, now, we just need to get to the T-R's…" I turn a few more pages carefully. Christian is watching me like a hawk. But I find the page I'm looking for pretty quickly. "And then we look down this column…" I'm, sliding my finger down the list of names, and that gets his attention. "See? Here we are; Trevelyan-Grey. And this is our phone number. These are the numbers people dial to talk to me or Daddy on the phone."
He points to the phone sitting on the table. "Well, no. If we dial that number it won't work because we're at that number… That's a bit too complicated to explain. But, we can look here…" I point again to the book, but at the Trevelyan, Theodore listed right above our name. "Would you like to talk to Grandma and Grandpa? We can call them!" This gets an excited expression, with an air of skepticism. "So, we dial a 3-3-2…" As I point to each digit in the book, I press the button on the phone. I let him do the last two himself, then press speaker phone. "Hear that? It's ringing!"
"Hello."
"Hi Dad. Is Mom home? Can we put her on too?"
"Hello Grace. No, your mother is at another golf outing meeting. It's just me. How are you? "
"I'm fine. Christian's here with me and we're learning about the phone and the phone book today." I tell him a little about our adventure. Christian's expression has gone from skeptical to shocked excitement! "He can hear you. You're on speaker." It's so adorable to see his eyes so wide and bright, and his mouth is gaping. I'm getting an expression I believe is saying 'Mother! This is magic!'
My father starts talking to Christian; asking if he's been a good boy, if he got to play outside, what he had for lunch, where Elliot was… For every question, Christian responds with either head nods or shakes, some grunts and quite a bit of pointing, but he isn't taking his eyes off the phone. I let my father in on Christian's responses, and he's such a great sport about this very one sided phone call.
"Christian, we need to say good-bye to Grandpa now. I need to start dinner, Darling. Can you say good-bye?" For a split second I wonder if he'll actually do it… Will he actually speak? Will he actually say the words 'good-bye?' No such luck today. "Dad, he's waving at the phone."
"Bye-Bye Christian. It was nice to talk to you. You can call us anytime, OK?" Christian nods again and I hang up the phone.
For the rest of the afternoon and evening, Christian wanted his phone book no matter what we were doing. I carried it for him down to the game room. Elliot told me later that the two of them used it as part of their toy car track. He tried bringing it to the table and got quite upset when Carrick told him no. At least until I took his booster seat off the chair and let him sit on the phone book instead.
Carrick had to head back to the office after dinner but told the boys they could each choose one book for him to read before he left. Elliot chose If You Give A Mouse A Cookie. Christian wanted the phone book. I was trying to hide my laughter when Carrick was bargaining with him over this idea. It ended with Carrick reading a portion from the A's section of the yellow pages; for attorneys-at-law, and Elliot getting up to leave because "this is sooooooo boring!"
I had to do baths, tooth-brushing, and tucking-in alone since Carrick was back at work. I got Christian ready first, since I could just tuck him in with the phone book and know he'd be set for a while. It was nice to have some alone time with Elliot too. He's telling me he's getting too big for me to help his with his bath, but I'm not convinced. I know how he is when left to his own devices. Besides, I know that all too soon, he will be too big and that will just break my heart, so I'm taking every chance I can, while I can.
It is well after ten when Carrick finally makes it home. As he slides into bed I ask if he checked on the boys. "Yes, I did. They're fine. Elliot's lower half is now back up on the bed where it should be. Christian is sound asleep and the phone book is not on the bed anymore. What is that about anyway? I 'gotta say, that's one for the books."
I can feel him laughing but assure him it's just a new thing that will pass. "And when he showed an interest, I thought maybe it would help him talk. We'll see. He'll probably forget all about it tomorrow." Carrick's arm reaches over me and he pulls me in close.
"One can only hope, Baby. But if he's still that consumed by it in the morning, take some pictures, please. When he's older he'll deny it ever happened. This one's too unbelievable not to have proof." Then we both break out in a giggling fit.