The Henson Brothers: Two Complete Novels (68 page)

Eric shoved his hands in his pockets.

"No, don't explain the reason," Adriana said, sarcastic. "I forgot that I'm not as deep as the rest of you. My cares and concerns are frivolous, or had you forgotten? I wouldn't even be here if there hadn't been a sale. The only time I volunteer involves clothes and makeup to help women look beautiful for an interview. Not deep stuff like feeding them." She turned.

He grabbed her arm. "Stop it."

"I probably shouldn't even give her a Christmas gift. Just offer a donation."

"Are you finished?"

"What? You're not enjoying my little tantrum?"

"It was just a jacket."

Adriana yanked her arm away. "No, it wasn't. It was a symbol of how much I loved her and she didn't care."

* * *

"I didn't mean to make you mad," Nina said in the car.

Adriana stared at the traffic lights. "It doesn't matter. You did the right thing."

"But you're still mad."

"Only at myself."

"Are we still going to Aunt Cassie's for Thanksgiving?"

"Sure." But Nina would be the only one staying.

Eric picked them up around seven. He looked handsome in a black jacket, gray trousers, and navy dress shirt. His eyes were remote. She smiled and he relaxed.

"Everything sorted out?" he asked, studying her face.

Adriana kept her smile. "Yes."

"Good."

He complimented Nina on her rose dress and they headed out. Adriana was quiet on the drive. Nina and Eric were so busy guessing all the food they were going to eat that they didn't notice.

Drake met them at the door. Marcus followed, shouting, "Awety Anna, Uncow Ewic!" He abruptly stopped when he saw Nina. His stocking feet didn't. They slid on the slick wood floor and he fell backward, hitting his head. Everyone rushed to him, ready to offer comfort. Nina reached him first.

She saw ready tears swimming in his big amber eyes. He was trying to be brave. She quickly rubbed the back of his head. "Ow, that must hurt." She gave him a quick hug. "But you're all right, aren't you?"

His chin trembled but he said, "I'm aw-wight."

She took his hand. "My name is Nina. Do you want to show me your toys?"

He smiled, the tears forgotten. "Come on, Nina."

They went down the hall, leaving the surprised adults.

Drake spoke first. "That was an artfully diverted disaster. Nina should go into damage control."

Adriana nodded. Yes, Nina, her little diplomat.

Jackie walked past, holding Ericka. "Hi, guys."

"Hi," they greeted.

Clay, Cassie's half brother, followed her. "May I please have a go now?"

"No, I'm holding her." She disappeared into the living room.

Clay looked at Eric and Drake in disgust. Since he was six five with the body of a bouncer he managed the expression well. "You can't go round raising women like that. It's just not on. She's spoiled rotten," he said, his annoyance giving a hint of his Manchester accent. "You know you two have done the men of this world a great disservice."

Drake patted him on the back. "You'll get to hold Ericka after dinner."

"I doubt it," he mumbled and followed Jackie into the living room.

"Hmm, the house smells good," Adriana said. "Is Cassie in the kitchen?"

"Since morning," Drake replied, taking their coats.

She went into the kitchen where Cassie was chopping zucchini.

"Everything smells delicious," she said, taking a seat. "Good job."

"What lies has Drake been telling you? Most of the credit goes to him. I was with the kids."

"No matter who cooks it, I'm sure it will be good."

"You'll see. Just stay away from the chicken, it's hot."

She hesitated. "Actually, I'm not staying."

Cassie turned. "What do you mean you're not staying?"

"Shh! You don't have to shout."

"Answer my question or I'm going to scream instead."

"Cassie, don't make this a big deal."

She put the knife down and leaned on the table. "It is a big deal. Do you know how many people you'll be hurting by leaving? Not to mention offending your best friend."

Adriana shrugged, helpless. "I don't even know why I said yes. You know I haven't done traditional dinners since I left my parents' house. Last Thanksgiving I spent at the movies. The year before at a club in Atlantic City."

"Point?"

She gestured to the kitchen and the dining room. "This isn't me. Drake will carve the turkey."

"We don't have a turkey. You're not leaving and that's final. I'll have Clay guard the door if necessary. It's just one night. You can break up with him tomorrow."

Adriana furrowed her brows. "I never said anything about breaking up."

"I thought since you'd like to hurt him by leaving, your relationship mustn't mean much."

She rested her forehead against her fist. "I don't mean to hurt anyone. It just happens."

"Then leave."

Eric entered the kitchen. "Who's leaving?"

"Adriana," Cassie said, returning to her chopped vegetables.

"Why?"

Cassie continued chopping, leaving the explanation to Adriana.

"Because I forgot to bring a gift," she said.

Drake walked in and grabbed some napkins. "Don't worry, you can bring a gift tomorrow wrapped in a five-page apology."

"Don't tease her," Eric said. "Can't you see she's upset?"

Drake shrugged. "It's not important."

"It's important to her."

Adriana stood. "Perhaps I should just—"

"You don't have to stand up for her," Drake said. "She knows us."

Eric frowned. "Don't start giving me orders."

"Hell, I knew you two dating would make things awkward."

"What do you mean by awkward?"

"It means—"

"All right, enough!" Cassie said. "Adriana, you want to give us a gift? Fold the napkins into pretty shapes. Eric, put the glasses on the table. And, Drake, check on Nina and Marcus. They are too quiet and it's making me nervous."

* * *

"Drake didn't mean anything," Eric said as they set the table. "If you really feel bad we can swing by—"

"I'm okay," Adriana said. "It's just... I'm uncomfortable."

"Why?"

"I'm not sure how to behave. At my house everything had a rule: how to hold utensils, how to sit, how to eat, how to approach a guest. I could never get it right."

"You know everyone eats differently. We're very casual."

"I've only had a sit-down dinner at Cassie's house twice, but her mother criticized her so much I stopped going."

"You're among friends now. We pretend to be civilized." He lowered his voice. "Remember I've seen you spear a shrimp and send broccoli flying."

She smiled.

"We don't always use the right utensils and sometimes even eat with our fingers, so don't be too judgmental."

His light tone made her feel more at ease. She remembered when she had hated his tone, feeling that he was looking down at her. She finished folding the napkins, then stared at him. "Eric, how did we end up here?"

He thought a moment. "First I picked you up in my Volvo, and then I took the—"

"You know what I mean. A year ago we hated each other."

He caught her eyes. "I never hated you. I thought you were flighty, a little vain—"

"I am vain," she said, ashamed. "I was going to leave."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to be missed. I wanted to punish you for yesterday. I thought my absence would hurt you and Nina."

He nodded. "It would." He was silent. "Why did you stay?"

"I'm trying to be a grown-up." She pulled out a chair and sat. "I can't make Nina into me any more than my mother could make me into her."

"Why would you want Nina to change?"

"So we would have more in common."

"Sometimes our differences make us more common."

"Is that supposed to make sense?"

He sat next to her. "When you told me about how you felt about the salon, saying that it was something you loved, something you couldn't imagine not doing, I understood the passion and thought about my plants. I understood you because we had the feelings in common."

"So I'll understand her more by letting her be herself?"

"Yes." He held her hand. "Have you ever noticed how often she wears the shirt you made for her Halloween costume?"

"No."

"You should take note. You've given her things of importance that you've never noticed because they hold a different meaning to you."

Adriana swallowed building tears. "So I'm a good mother? She knows I love her?"

"Yes."

She hugged him and went into the kitchen.

* * *

Eric approached Clay, who sat and watched TV. "I need to find out something about an artist named Keith Trenton."

Clay didn't look at him. "Description?"

"Looks like a bottom feeder, but then again I'm biased."

"One of Adriana's?" Clay asked, familiar with her choice of men.

Eric nodded.

"I'll see what I can find."

"What's the fee?"

"We're family." He turned to him and grinned. "I'll think of something."

When dinner was announced they all headed for the table, which was dressed for the festivities. There was an elaborate array of votive candles set on a mirrored tray, red goblets, silver-plated cutlery, and red-beaded silk place mats. The food was just as decorative: the vivid green of sautéed zucchini, the fluffy whiteness of mashed potatoes, the deep brown of jerk chicken.

Marcus raced in front of Adriana and climbed onto a chair next to Nina. It was clear it was not his placement. Aside from the table setting, his eyes could barely be seen above the table.

"Honey, you know that's not your seat," Cassie said.

He settled in his seat. "I wanna sit with Nina."

"That's nice, but perhaps she wants to sit next to her mom. You didn't ask if she'd mind."

"No. She likes me."

Cassie sent Drake an eloquent "he's your son" look. He shrugged, then winked.

"It's all right, I'll move next to him," Nina said. She sat next to his booster seat and all was well.

"So how's business?" Clay asked Adriana as everyone began to eat.

"It's fine," she said vaguely, not wishing to elaborate.

"Must be an interesting field."

"It has its moments."

"Did you read about the lingerie designer who created matching bra and knickers out of human hair?"

Cassie laughed. "You're joking."

"What are knickers?" Nina asked.

"Panties."

"Eww!"

"I agree," Jackie said, scrunching her face. "Eww."

"They're being sold at two thousand pounds a set," Clay continued.

Eric pushed up his glasses. "The scary thing is that someone will buy them."

"No, what's scarier is that someone would wear them," Drake said.

Clay laughed. "I hear you, mate. Imagine chatting up a woman and finding that."

The men shivered. Cassie tapped her glass.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, and I use the term loosely, please remember that there are children present."

"So I guess I won't mention about the—"

"Clay," she warned. "If you don't behave, I'll tell Mom you want to visit her for Christmas."

He returned to his meal properly scolded. "The chicken is great."

"You can thank Nina," Drake said.

She looked up, surprised. "Me?"

"Yes, I used your chives for the jerk marinade. It gave it that extra-special flavor."

"Let's give her a round of applause," Clay said.

Everyone clapped, Marcus the loudest. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he liked to clap. Nina smiled, both embarrassed and pleased.

After the main course, Adriana excused herself. As she returned to the table, she walked past the kitchen and saw Cassie stacking the dishwasher. She ducked behind the corner when Drake entered. He said something in a low voice and Cassie flicked him with water. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. Adriana sighed at the tender moment.

Drake was a very affectionate husband without being distasteful. He would tuck a strand of hair behind Cassie's ear, touch her cheek, or whisper words meant only for her, demonstrating small gestures of devotion. They looked at each other with such love it made everyone around them feel good.

She and Eric probably made everyone feel nervous. He would glance at her, but there was nothing in his look, no hidden desire, no secret message in his gaze. He barely touched her when others were around. If her leg brushed his, it might as well be a piece of board. He was a kind and thoughtful lover when they were alone, but that didn't stop her from wishing he were a little more like Drake when it came to affection.

"Is the coast clear?" a male voice whispered behind her.

She spun around and slapped Eric in the chest. "You shouldn't sneak up on people."

"Why not? It's fun." He peered around the corner. "What are you looking at?" He saw Cassie and Drake preparing the dessert: mixed fruit with ice cream. Drake fed Cassie a melon ball. "He loves her very much."

"I know. It's nice."

Eric adjusted his glasses. "Making some comparisons?"

Adriana nodded.

His eyes grew wary. "I see."

She thought about how he had planned the food and table settings. How Nina's herbs were used. And he did it to please her. He might not be physically affectionate, but his tenderness was clear. She kissed him on the cheek. "I like you better." She grabbed his hand. "Come on. Dessert looks good."

After dessert they all sat in the living room. Nina and Marcus played with blocks, Jackie coddled Ericka. Clay scowled at her.

"So, Adriana, do you think we can convince you to come next year?" Drake asked, sitting next to Cassie on the couch.

She sat on the floor next to Eric's legs. "Certainly. I'll probably become a nuisance."

"Or we could go to your place," Jackie said.

"I'm not the greatest cook."

"Don't worry, Eric can help you."

Silence fell, dropping so suddenly even the children sensed something was wrong.

Would they be together next year? "Yes," Adriana said finally, to fill the air.

Cassie spoke up. "More dessert, anyone, or something to drink?"