Dancing in Circles (Circles Trilogy) (16 page)

Jason trudged to the kitchen, grabbed a garbage bag and grumbling to himself dragged it to the awaiting mess. Robert decided to follow. He knocked on the doorframe. "I didn't get a job and yours sounded like the worst. Want some help?"

Jason shrugged. "Just because company's coming, I've got to clean this. It's so stupid." He kicked a pile of dirty clothes.

Robert looked at the posters of basketball and hockey heroes, cars and team pennants as he stepped over clothes, books, toys and games. "Why don't ya just shut the door?"

"Tried that once. Got grounded." Jason picked up a shirt and wondered whether it was clean or dirty.

Robert piled books back onto the shelf.

"Was your room always a mess?" Jason gave up trying to sort the laundry and started tossing everything into the clothes hamper.

"I never had my own room. Bunked with my brother or cousins. At Hawthorne, we had barracks."

"You lived at Hawthorne?" A pair of dirty shorts hung from Jason's fingertip.

"Yea, I did some pretty stupid things as a kid and had to pay." Robert motioned to the hamper. Jason continued with his basketball shot.

"What'd you do?"

"I went for a joy ride in a cop car. Sounds great, but it was stupid. Paid for it with my freedom."

"What's it like? Inside." Jason sat on the hamper lid, trying to close it.

Robert described life incarcerated in a juvenile detention centre. He explained his loss of freedom and his dispirited realisation of being trapped. They cleaned as he talked, and soon Jason's room was neat and tidy.

"Would you like to shoot some baskets?" Jason asked.

"Only if we take it easy. I've got to go to work tomorrow."

Jason grabbed the basketball and headed for the door.

***

Mrs. Anderson watched from the window for a few moments. She relaxed when she saw that Robert was being careful. "I think Jason likes having an older brother."

Julie laughed. "I'd rather not think of him as that. Isn't it against the law to date your brother?" She took the last two glasses out of the dishwasher.

"So things have graduated to dating?"

"I think so, Mom. It went pretty good last night." Hiding her smile, she placed the glasses on a shelf and closed the cupboard door.
I just won't mention all the not-so good things that happened.
"Guess what he did? After class, I said my legs hurt, so he gave them a rub down like a horse's. He said it was easy because I only have two legs and they aren't as big as a horse's."

Jason popped his head inside and shouted, "Aunt Karen and Uncle Tim are here."

Julie's aunt and uncle arrived with their three children. Robert stood back as everyone hugged and greeted each other. A second car pulled into the driveway, and an older couple exited.

"Grandma. Grandpa." Sheila and Ashley raced over to greet their grandparents.

Robert slipped away to his room. Even with the door shut, he could hear the chatter and laughing. He marvelled at the joy and love he'd witnessed and despaired at the sadness and loneliness he felt.

A part of him wanted to go downstairs and pretend to be part of the family, while another part needed to hide. Ashamed he'd never experienced such an event, he lay on the bed staring up at the ceiling, wondering if he'd ever belong to one.

After a soft rap on his door, Julie popped her head into his room. "Why are you hiding up here? Come on down and join us."

He shook his head.

"Why not?" She sat on the bed.

"I don't want to. I'm not real good with families."

Julie was quiet for a moment. "Mom said you might be scared about joining us."

Robert didn't answer. He wasn't about to admit it.

"Well, for the most part, it's pretty easy. Mom cooks up a great meal. The whole family comes over and they eat too much. But they do one thing and it's really dumb."

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Grandma and Grandpa have always requested that instead of anniversary gifts, we're supposed to say why we're happy, or why we love them or something like that. Sometimes I think getting them a gift would be easier." She waited. Robert was silent.

"They know nothing about your past. The kids could care less unless you happened to be Santa Claus. My grandparents are great, and they'll love you just 'cause you're a friend of mine." She smiled. "Besides, I want to show you off. I haven't had many boyfriends and none as good looking as you."

He laughed.

"My mother thinks you're gorgeous. My mother!"

"Your mom's sexy."

Julie gave him a soft punch on the arm. "Oh, and what am I – chicken feed?" A knock on the door interrupted them.

"Come on in, Mrs. Anderson."

"So, are you coming down?" She stood next to the bed.

He sat up and leaned on the headboard. "No. Like I told Julie, I'm not so good with the family bit."

"Which part? I watched you and Jason. You'd make a great big brother."

"Yea, but I'd make a lousy son. It's not much fun being around the man who sent me to prison." He picked at the bed's comforter. "I've spent a lot of time fantasizing what I'd do to the bast…. Now it turns out the man who helped me is the same man who put me away. I'm having trouble dealing with this."

"I told you he wasn't an ogre," said Julie.

"From my side, he is." He glanced between Julie and her mother. "He saw a tough punk and sentenced me on that."

"I know my husband," said Mrs. Anderson. "I don't know Judge Anderson. But I can imagine he'd be tough. Bill is a kind and loving, if a little over-protective, father and husband. If given the chance, maybe his attitude will change."

"Why should he? Here's this ex-con, gang member from Shore making a move on his daughter. He probably figures I just want to fuc…sleep with her."

"I don't think fathers ever trust the boys their daughters date. Give him a chance. One of you two has to make the first move. Wouldn't it be better if it was you?"

Robert didn't reply.

Mrs. Anderson rested her hands on her hips. "Okay, enough of the nice mother routine. You, downstairs now or jail will seem like a picnic."

Robert's face brightened as he doubled over in laughter. "Gawd, if the gang ever heard ya." He rubbed his face. "You've got to be the only person – on the planet – that has the guts to talk to me like that."

Julie's mother slapped at his foot. "Downstairs in two minutes. And don't make me come back up here." She walked out of the room.

"She's so cool."

"Idea," said Julie. "You sit close to me, and I'll protect you from my scary relatives." She gave him a peck on the end of his nose, hopped off the bed and helped him stand. Robert's grip tightened on Julie's hand as they entered the living room. "Everyone, this is Robert. Robert, this is everyone."

"What did the other fellow look like?" asked her grandfather.

"What other fellow?"

"From the fading bruise on your cheek and the cut on your lip, what did the other fellow you fought with look like?"

Robert touched his cheek. "Actually, I lost this one." He paused then jerked his thumb towards Julie. "But I got the girl."

With a half-smile on his face, Julie's grandpa said, "Good choice."

Robert didn't participate in any of the conversations. They were the family kind that started with "remember when" and then lead to a story that involved someone doing something embarrassing. Julie blushed, hid her face and denied that it had ever happened.

Mrs. Anderson repeatedly went to the kitchen to check on the meal. When she announced that it was ready, a flurry of activity erupted as people rushed to the table. Robert savoured the smell all afternoon, and his stomach had rumbled and grumbled for hours.

A white linen tablecloth covered the table. Silverware, napkins, the best dishes, and a flower centrepiece decorated the top. There was so much food on the table, Robert thought they must have been feeding the whole neighbourhood. Fresh-made bread, warm and delicious smelling, was next to numerous bowls of vegetables and mashed potatoes. Mr. Anderson stood at the head of the table and carved the roast. Everyone praised Mrs. Anderson for such a wonderful job. Soon plates were full, and the family was busy eating as much as their stomachs would allow.

To Robert, every mouthful was a pleasurable sensation. He'd never tasted food this good before. When the meal was over, everyone sat around the table with that over-stuffed, sleepy feeling one gets when they've enjoyed too much good food.

Julie's grandmother tapped her spoon against her wine glass. The crystal rang. "As you know, this is our fifty-fourth wedding anniversary. Fifty-four wonderful years, full of good and not-so-good times. But what keeps a marriage together is love, and that turns a marriage into a family. Now I know you children think this tradition is foolish, but it's to make you aware of your happiness. And a happy family is more important than an expensive gift. Ashley."

Julie's youngest sister said she was thankful for dessert. With fascination and increasing tension, Robert listened to each member of the family. Some expressed their love for their children or for their spouse, while others expressed their joy of life. Next, it was Julie's turn. "This year I've a great deal to be happy about. I've got great parents, they love me and I love them. I have my friends and my dancing. And now I have a new friend, Robert." She leaned closer. "Your turn."

Robert scratched his neck. "I guess I should say thanks for this meal. It was the best I have ever eaten."

Mrs. Anderson bowed her head to his compliment.

"I'm happy that Mr. and Mrs. Anderson let me stay here because it gives me a chance to get to know ya."

Julie felt her cheeks turn red.

"And…uh…I guess that's the end of this soul-searchin' cra…stuff."

Mrs. Anderson asked, "Who's going to help with the dishes?"

"I will," volunteered Robert. "This was great."

Everyone worked at clearing the table, washing, drying and putting the dishes away. Then the adults collapsed in the living room, while the younger children raced down to the family room.

Julie sat in the last available seat, the big chair by the fireplace. Robert settled by her feet. She rested her hand on the arm of chair. It itched to play with a strand of his hair. She sighed and wished everyone would vanish so she could be with Robert.

As she pretended to listen to the conversation, she imagined Robert's face nearing hers, feeling his warm breath as his lips touched hers. In her mind, she watched his fingers undo the buttons on her blouse. She felt her pulse quicken as a grin formed on his mouth when he removed her top.

She blinked and stared at Robert.

"Time for bed."

She blinked again.

He pointed to the room. "Everyone just left. You were off in lala land."

"Um…good night." She scurried to her room.

Robert scratched his head and followed her upstairs.

***

Monday was a holiday. At 11:30, Mr. Anderson called Jason from his room to assist in making brunch. The tantalizing smell of frying bacon and the sensual smell of hot coffee soon transported the family to the kitchen.

Just as everyone sat at the table, Robert entered the house. "Where were you?" Julie passed the plate of eggs to Ashley. "I thought you were still asleep."

"At work." He pulled up a chair next to Julie and grabbed a slice of toast.

"But it's a holiday?" Sheila passed him the peanut butter.

"The horses don't know that. Besides, I've been off for a week, and Carl deserves a break." He poured himself a cup of coffee. "It's a nice day. Anyone wanna come to the Estate and go horseback riding?"

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson begged off, but the two youngest jumped up and down cheering. Julie hesitated until Robert challenged her. "Hey, I did the family thing. You can do horses."

Sheila and Ashley ran over and hugged their sister. Robert looked at Jason who shrugged. All three girls ran upstairs to change.

With everyone seat belted in the estate's largest pickup, Robert left the quiet city suburbs for the serenity of the countryside. The estate's main gates majestically opened revealing the tree lined drive, regal looking with the tall maples in their fall colours. The red leaves gleamed in the sunlight. At the fork in the road, Robert turned to the left, where the chauffeur turned to the right on Julie's previous visit.

Sheila pointed to a herd of horses grazing in a field. They laughed as a few frisky colts raced around the corral under the watchful gaze of their mothers. Robert parked the truck next to a large red and white stable. The Murran Estate seal was emblazoned on the wall over the doors as it was on the side of the pickup. Robert opened his door and exited. Julie opened her door and three other Andersons tumbled out.

The Anderson's city noses wrinkled at the horsey smell in the air.

Robert pointed at the barn. "This is where I work. I help look after the horses. Wanna meet one?"

Ashley's wide eyes sent an enthusiastic yes to Robert. He led them to a white-fenced corral. Placing Ashley and Sheila on the fence, he hopped over it and whistled. A fat, dark brown horse raised its head and looked towards him. He held out his hand. The horse whinnied and trotted over. She snuggled her nose into his cupped hand. "Sugar cube." He explained as he rubbed her neck. "This is Fast as Lightning."