Chapter Six: Solstice

The family was dropped off at their new house on December 21st, the shortest day of the year. It was new construction, like much of the surrounding suburb. There were no mature trees or white picket fences to be seen. What it lacked in character, it made up for in size and simplicity. Upstairs, four bedrooms, one ensuite bathroom, an additional full bath, and laundry room. Downstairs, there was the typical kitchen, family room, formal living room, dining room, and a powder room. In addition, there was a downstairs suite with bedroom, sitting area, full bath, and separate entrance. The backyard was small, low maintenance, and had a hot tub right outside Cassie's suite. Two enormous air conditioning units sat along the side of the house, next to the large plastic garbage and recycling bins.

There were three cars in the garage: a yellow 1978 Volvo station wagon, a grey 1982 Datsun pickup, and a blue 1967 Mustang hardtop. Tony claimed the truck, but the women fought over the two cars. "Jess is a Volvo kind of girl," Mona claimed, "and Cassie is a Mustang kind of woman."

"Ladies, we are no longer referring to ourselves in the third person," Tony reminded them. "Cassie, you take the Volvo, since you're going to be running around with the kids more often. Jess just has her commute to work."

"She's going to burn out the clutch on that beautiful car!" Mona whined.

"Mom, I can drive stick perfectly well. Right, Bobby?" Angela looked to Tony for backup.

"How would he know?" Mona sniped.

"If you have any problems, we'll go out and practice until you're smooth as butter." He had his doubts, but it didn't really matter. All three cars had manual transmissions.

A moving van appeared not long after the Walsh-Moretti family arrived. Three men set up the hodgepodge of furniture in the appropriate rooms. One upstairs bedroom was left empty, its purpose not yet determined. After she finished ogling the movers, Mona retreated to arrange her suite. Meanwhile, Angela helped the kids make their beds. A large box full of clothes for the entire family had been sent, some new and some worn. The new items would serve as their Christmas presents. It was a grim plan, and she hoped to shop for a few real gifts in the short time remaining before the holiday.

Tony unwrapped new cooking gear, utensils, and a dining set, and ran the dishwasher. When Angela came downstairs, he was writing a shopping list. She came up behind him and hugged him around the waist. "What's my favorite husband up to?" she asked. He threw an arm over her shoulder and turned in her embrace, so they were face to face.

"Shopping list," he said, kissing her. Having a moment of privacy, they kept up the joyful little smooches. "Do you like the house, Jess?" he asked.

"I like that it's ours, Bobby." Tony was completely enamored with the way she said the name, not just the sound of her voice, but the kissable pout of her lips when she pronounced it.

"Me too. I love having all this space for our family."

"I need some help with the laundry, honey. Do you think you could come upstairs?"

"Sure, baby."

Angela had decided that with the laundry room upstairs, it made more sense for Jess to be the primary laundress, rather than Cassie. Tony helped her separate the light and dark colors, shared the importance of washing towels on a different cycle than more delicate fabrics, and explained all the washing machine settings. He noted that nothing required dry cleaning, a change from Angela and Mona's usual wardrobes.

After the wash cycle started, they remained in the laundry room. He pushed her against the machine with his hips and threaded his fingers into her silky hair. She pressed her mouth to his and submitted to his exploratory tongue. When he abandoned her lips and started nibbling her neck, she asked, "Why are we sneaking around?"

"We're not. It's just that some things are meant to be done in private," Tony answered, sensibly.

"We have our own bedroom. So why are we making out in the laundry room?" Angela asked.

"Because I was turned on by my gorgeous wife's adorable incompetence." In truth, he was still uncomfortable making out on—or in—their bed.

"Have you always been? Like when we were getting ready for Thanksgiving?" The question encroached on their previous life, but Angela was careful to keep it vague.

"It's nice to be asked for help, Jess. It makes me feel like I have something you value."

"Oh, Bobby, you have a lot that I value. But it is sexy when you teach me things."

"It's sexy?" Tony repeated. "You're sexy." It wasn't clever, but his brain was working with a diminished blood supply. He dove in for another kiss. When they came up for air, they heard Sam calling up the stairs, "Mom, Dad? Where are you guys? The neighbors brought a casserole."

"Let's go meet the neighbors, baby. Tony patted Angela's rear end as she went through the door.

"We'll be down in a minute, darling," Angela called to Sam while Tony calmed himself.

Danny and Linda, their closest neighbors, had brought enchilada pie. " We figured you wouldn't be set up to cook and wouldn't want another night of takeout after traveling. Where are you all from, anyway?" Linda inquired.

"Ohio, born and raised," Tony responded. He had an arm around Angela's waist and an arm around Jonathan's shoulder. Having already met their visitors, Sam hung back with Mona.

"You don't sound like you're from Ohio," Linda laughed.

"My parents grew up in Brooklyn. I picked up their accent."

"Ah, that makes sense," she allowed. Tony tried not to look too relieved. Jonathan peeled himself away and joined Sam and Mona.

"What brings you to Phoenix, Bobby?" Danny asked.

"Work. I'll be a supervisor at the Restoration Supply distribution center after New Year's."

"What a coincidence! I'm actually in sales strategy for Home Hardware. Competitors!" Danny laughed. "Do you work, Jess?"

Angela suppressed her indignation. "I got a job in administration for Mesa Public Schools."

"How nice! I do accounts payable for Mesa Country Club," Linda said. "We can get you day passes if you're interested."

"Yes!" Angela piped up. She was eager to do something that felt like her old life.

"That's so generous of you," Tony said. "We would love to."

"Do you two have any kids?" Angela asked.

"Natalie is fourteen and Patrick is seventeen," Danny said.

"They want nothing to do with us," Linda joked.

"Well, Jen is thirteen. Maybe she and Natalie should get together," Angela suggested.

"Sounds good. Hey, you must be exhausted. We'll leave you be. Here's my card. The house number is on the back," Danny said, handing over a glossy VP Sales Strategy business card with his headshot in the corner. Tony flipped it over to see the seven digits written on the back.

"Thanks again for the casserole!" Tony called.

"It was nice to meet you!" Angela yelled. The two closed the door and gave each other a triumphant look. Mona began a slow clap.

"You passed muster," she said.

After the enchilada pie had been eaten, everyone except Mona changed into their PJs and sprawled out on the giant sectional in the family room. "There's a dive bar two miles from here. I'm going to check out the local talent," she said, taking the keys to the Mustang.

Sam excused herself and went to bed around 9pm. "G'night Mom. Dad," she said, hugging them in turn.

"Night, Jen."

"Sleep well, sweetie."

Jonathan had passed out on Angela's lap earlier, but Sam's departure woke him. "Can I sleep with you guys?" he asked.

"Of course you can, Chris," Tony said, picking the boy up.

Once they were in bed, Angela and Tony gazed at each other with their son sleeping peacefully between them. "Day one of the rest of our lives, Bobby."

"There's nobody I'd rather take this adventure with, Jess," Tony responded, leaning over to kiss his wife good night.