What Family Means (8 page)

Present Day
Buffalo, New York
Debra

I
CHECKED ON THE EGGS
I was poaching for Violet and pulled out the coffee to make a pot. Will was still in the shower. He’d decided to work out before he left for the office, in the little gym he’d made for us two years ago.

I preferred the elliptical trainer and stationary bike, while Will usually put time in on the treadmill. Will was happiest running outside, but the weather was hopeless this morning. The three inches of snow that fell two days ago had turned into slush due to a warm front. The temperature was going to drop to below zero after nightfall, guaranteeing an icy mess.

The phone rang and I picked it up while I took the eggs off the stovetop.

Caller ID said it was Angie.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

“Mom, have you seen the news?”

“No, I’m making breakfast for your father and grandmother. Do you mean the weather report? I saw
that it predicts lower temperatures later. What’s the problem?”

“I’m at work already. There’s a storm front coming in from the plains, and an arctic current dipping south from Canada. The last time those conditions converged we had four feet of snow in twelve hours.”

I heard the stress in Angie’s voice as I looked through the kitchen window to the pale sunrise over the backyard. Dim shafts of light were just starting to appear in the woods.

“It’s not snowing yet.”

“No, but it will be by this afternoon. Make sure you and Daddy are stocked up on everything and tell him to work at home today.”

“Too late. He’s getting ready for a big conference call with Seattle and Toronto.”

“He needs to get home right after lunch, then. City hall’s going to shut down offices at noon.”

“You know your dad, honey. He’s got his four-wheel drive, and he does what he pleases.”

“Mom.”
She was thirty-five but in some ways still the high-strung adolescent.

“Okay, okay.” I shifted the phone to my other shoulder as I grabbed the salt and pepper shakers. “What about you? Are you going home early?”

“I’m hoping to stay over. This is a huge news event and the local stations are relying on us for the latest. I’m running home right now to get a few things. I was in such a hurry to leave this morning I forgot to pack an overnight bag.”

I heard the excitement, but also fatigue, in her voice.

“How are you feeling today, Angie?”

“Better. Kind of. It’s almost fourteen weeks, so I feel more like my old self.”

“Call me when you get home, or at least check in so I know you’re safe.”

“Okay, bye, Mom.”

“Bye.”

I was proud of myself. I didn’t remind Angie that she’d never be back to her “old self,” not really. Angie would figure it out soon enough. Motherhood was forever.

The back door slid open and Violet walked in. Despite her eighty-five years and her cane, she still walked with the certainty of a confident woman.

“Good morning, Violet.” I let the practiced chipper greeting flow off my tongue.

“Not going to be good for long if my arthritis is anything to judge by.”

“I’m sorry you’re hurting, Vi.”

“Yes, yes.” She waved her hands as if fending me off. “Before you ask, I started a double dose last night when the bones woke me up.”

Besides heart disease, Violet had arthritis. Most days she did fine with her maintenance medication plan, but every now and then she needed more to ease the aches. A major weather front was enough to trigger a painful few days.

Her congestive heart failure had been managed so far with a pacemaker, defibrillator and regular medical attention. But it was always in the back of my mind that one day we wouldn’t be able to stop its progression.

I poured Violet her special blend of coffee—half caffeinated, half decaf.

“Thanks.” Her crooked fingers wrapped around the steaming mug.

“You’re welcome.”

I took a private moment to appreciate the small exchange of pleasantries. It wasn’t always this comfortable between us.

As I slid out a kitchen chair for her, I noticed that her face looked a little more drawn than usual. Rather than ask about it, I made a mental note to keep an even closer eye on her.

“According to Angie there’s a big weather system headed over the lake today. Your bones are right.”

“She went through how many years of college to figure out what I already know?” Violet laughed and patted the table.

Violet’s white hair, what was left of it, wisped around her fine-boned face. Her skin, once almost as mocha as Will’s, had faded to a pale tan. But her eyes remained bright, alert and didn’t miss a trick. Not for the first time I hoped Will had inherited his mother’s genes instead of his father’s. I wanted him around for many years to come.

I laughed and served Violet’s and Will’s breakfast.

“You have a point there, Vi.”

A whiff of fine cologne caught my attention a split second before Will entered the kitchen.

“Mmm, that smells great, honey.” He gave me a peck on the cheek. Even after all these years he was still careful not to be too demonstrative around his mother.

“Morning, Mama.” Will bent to kiss his mother’s
cheek. I saw how her face lit up whenever he showed her affection.

I understood the bond. I had it with the twins.

But in a more easygoing manner, I liked to think. Never as controlling as Vi had been—and still tried to be.

“Angie called.”

“I’ll bet she did.” Will poured himself some orange juice. “I saw the news upstairs when I was getting dressed. It’s going to be a doozy of a storm.”

“Can’t you cancel your meeting?”

His answer was reflected in his face before he spoke.

“Are you kidding? These are the key players in the Niagara deal. After today we’ll be able to sign all the papers and break ground as soon as it thaws.”

Will was referring to his current project. The new Grand Niagara Center was going to be located on both the U.S. and Canadian sides of the border, with only the falls separating the buildings. They’d attract a legion of high-end stores and successful businesses and bring in substantial income for both cities. Will had even been featured in
Forbes
magazine for this particular project.

“What’s the earliest you’ll be done?” I worried about him on the roads but didn’t want to say so, not after last night’s conversation. Will thought I was too protective as it was.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be early enough. This storm isn’t supposed to get going until closer to midnight, and I’ll be home long before then. Don’t forget, the weather guessers aren’t always right.”

“Hey, your daughter’s a ‘weather guesser.’ Don’t let
her hear you say that!” I smiled at him. “Just make sure you’re home before it gets too bad, Will. Violet, once the winds pick up—”

“I know, I’ll bed down over here. But honestly, my cottage is fine. I’m warm there and it’s never lost power yet.”

“There’s always a first time, Vi.”

“Deb’s right, Mama. You come over here when the snow starts. Better yet, why don’t you stay at the house today?”

Will looked at his mother, to make sure he had her attention. “No long walks, Mama. Use the treadmill.”

“It’s too messy out there to walk anyhow.” Vi clasped her coffee mug, and I saw the emotions flow across her face. She’d become easier to read as she aged, as though the layers were disappearing one by one.

She wasn’t happy about having to stay at the house through the storm, but I knew she’d do it.

Vi hated to impose, but at this point she wasn’t an imposition at all. She enjoyed her television programs and had a love of reading that kept her occupied. She also loved to cook, and if it was up to Vi, both Will and I would weigh a third more than we already did.

Will finished his breakfast and stood, stretching his arms overhead.

“That was great, honey.”

“I could’ve made you canned stew and you’d love it. You’ll eat anything after a workout.”

“As long as you or Mama cooked it.”

I walked Will to the front door. He leaned in close and whispered to me.

“You’ll be okay with Mama here all day? Any chance you’ll need to go out for groceries?”

“We have plenty. You know she doesn’t bother me in the least.” Will and I had kept an emotional distance since last night, but we’d been together too long to allow anything to get in the way of being affectionate.

Disagreements would work themselves out. Why miss any loving in the meantime?

I wound my arms around his neck.

“I’d love it if we have to snuggle up tonight to keep warm,” I whispered.

Will lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me until I couldn’t help leaning into him.

“Count on it, Deb.”

I pressed my forehead to his chin. “Will, I’m sorry about everything.”

“I didn’t tell you so you could be sorry, Deb. I just want you to start enjoying
your
life.
Our
life.”

I hugged him tight. “I’ll miss you today.”

“I’ll miss you, too.”

He let me go and opened the door. He buttoned up his coat, then put on his gloves.

“See you later.”

I smiled as I put his hat on his head and gave him one last peck on the cheek.

“Bye.”

Will strode under the portico and into the garage. He hadn’t wanted the garage to open into the house. It was just one of many details he’d seen to when he’d drawn up the plans. We both liked the house being its own separate building.

Once Will left for work, my next task was to get Violet busy with something so I could work on my textile exhibit. And to try to keep my mind off Will’s accusations last night.

July 1973
Buffalo, New York

D
EBRA SLAPPED
at a mosquito on her forearm. The mugginess of the summer night pressed against her.

“You’re not eating your burger.” Will usually devoured two of the sirloin burgers at their favorite local hangout. One of the few places they could go without being given second glances. It was a quaint mom-and-pop place in the heart of downtown Buffalo.

It had been a long, hot day as she worked in the tiny restaurant kitchen at Buddy’s grill. Her thoughts of Will and her anticipation of seeing him after her shift were all that had kept her going.

Will wouldn’t meet her eyes and his shoulders were hunched. Not typical for him.

“I have to tell you something.”

Debra stopped sipping her vanilla-orange milkshake and sat up straighter. Normally she was the one who needed loosening up. She tended to take their relationship, and the fact that they were from such different backgrounds, far too seriously for Will. Even if they’d
been of the same race, the disparity in their economic status was more than enough to make a long-term relationship impossible. At least in the eyes of their parents.

“What is it?” Shivers went down her spine and they weren’t from the ice cream.

“My parents aren’t going to take it well, Debra. The wedding.”

“Will, we haven’t even picked a date yet. They’ll get used—”

“No, no, they won’t.”

“You mean your mother won’t.”

Will sighed and played absently with a French fry.

“She needs time.” His voice was gravelly and low, deeper than its ordinary baritone.

Debra stared at Will’s face, his handsome features drawn into a big frown.

“This isn’t fair to you, Will,” she began. “Have you ever thought about that? This is your time to spread your wings and see where your talent and education will take you. Instead you’re being forced to fight your parents over who you’re going to marry.”

“You’re right, but they’ve given me everything I have. I owe them.”

For once she was grateful she’d gotten through college on scholarships and hard work alone. She didn’t feel she owed anyone—other than herself. She’d do her best, but it would be on her own terms.

“You don’t owe them your happiness, Will.”

Will didn’t say anything.

Realization hit Debra as painfully as if he’d punched her in the gut.

“You’re having second thoughts.” Her words came out in a whisper.

Will’s mouth tightened into a firm line. He expelled a long breath, then took Debra’s hands in his.

His eyes shone with the love she knew he felt for her, but also with regret. Sorrow.

“I’ve never second-guessed us, our love, my love for you. But our timing isn’t good, Debra. You still have to finish a year of school, and my dad’s business hasn’t been doing so well. He’s more tired these days, and he needs me to help him.”

Will stroked her cheek.

“I’m not saying we can’t get married. I do think we should slow it down, worry about a wedding later on.”

“We weren’t talking any earlier than next summer, Will, after I graduate.”

Almost a year away.

It felt eons away, and now Will wanted to add more time?

“Let’s just focus on now and getting you graduated next year.”

Debra’s tears plopped onto Will’s hands and the table between them.

She pulled back but Will wouldn’t allow her to let go of his hands.

“Deb, I love you. That hasn’t changed.”

“Clean it up, people.” A ruddy-faced diner a few tables over didn’t look at them but the comment couldn’t have come from anywhere else. There were only the three of them in this corner of the outdoor eating area. Will and Debra hadn’t done anything untoward or even
slightly offensive. If they’d been a white couple the man wouldn’t have made his comment. This type of subtle racism was the hardest for both of them, but especially Will.

Will scowled, and Debra moved her hands down to his forearms.

“Forget it, Will.”

“I’m tired of forgetting things.” She saw the anger in his eyes, and it wasn’t solely at the ignorant man and his bigotry.

Will might be tired of forgetting things but he seemed willing to forget their chance at happiness.

Fatigue overwhelmed her. She’d had a long day at the restaurant and a wedding to cater tomorrow. She looked at Will. His expression had grown stony.

“Can we go?” she asked.

“Sure.”

Will drove her home in silence. Debra kissed him chastely on the cheek and slid out of the front seat of his Thunderbird, a gift from his parents.

“I love you, Will.”

She didn’t wait for his reply. She had to get out of the car, through the kitchen, past her mother and to the privacy of her own room.

But her mother, Linda, proved to be a nonissue, as she wasn’t home from Wednesday-night bingo yet.

Debra got herself a tall glass of water and took it up to her room. Once she lay flat on her bed, a numbing exhaustion overcame her. The ache in her chest welled up and she let the sobs come out.

If she and Will couldn’t get past basic problems like
their parents’ disapproval, how were they going to get through life together? How would they make it over the long haul? Debra hoped and believed that each year would open up more minds, and interracial relationships would become more accepted. But it wasn’t going to be easy. They still had to get through today.

And today they wanted to settle in Buffalo, near both of their families. She didn’t think it could ever happen. Not now.

Buffalo wasn’t Paris.

W
ILL POUNDED
on the steering wheel. He loved this car but hated what it stood for. Another bribe, another insidious tie to his parents’ power and control.

He drove slowly and carefully through Debra’s neighborhood and over to his own. He kept going past his parents’ home. He couldn’t go in yet. He still had to think.

He hadn’t told Debra the half of it. His mother’s hysterics, his father’s glowering. He suspected his father had less of a problem with him loving a white woman than upsetting his mother.

Oh, his mother.

Violet had been raised by a strict woman who’d preached the gospel of elitism to her from childhood. Her social and financial status was irrefutable and she’d never be happy with any of her children marrying “below” it.

Violet had never liked Debra, ever since they were kids. She didn’t like Debra’s upbringing. Even with the promise of an Ivy League degree, Debra simply wasn’t good enough for her Will.

Violet had never given up on Will marrying Sarah.

It hadn’t helped that Sarah kept herself in the picture, acting as though Will was just going through a phase he’d get over at any moment. That he’d come to his senses, marry her, and all would be well.

He needed to talk to his parents again, more sternly this time. But first he had to talk to Sarah and make it perfectly clear that they had no future together. Period.

“W
ILL
?” S
ARAH’S FATHER
stood in the doorway. Will peered around his stout frame and into the parlor. Sarah sat on the couch with her mother, watching TV.

“Will!” Sarah had heard her father’s voice and jumped up behind him. “Daddy, let him in.”

“Actually, I just need to talk to you for a minute, Sarah. Can you come out here?”

If Sarah’s dad could have leveled Will with his stare he would have.

“I’ll be in here, Sarah.” He gave Will another withering look before he allowed Sarah past him onto the porch.

Once Will had Sarah in front of him, he got right to the point. He had no doubt Sarah’s entire family was listening through the screen windows, but he didn’t care. The heat and his frustration made privacy less important than setting the record straight.

“Sarah.”

“Will, this is a surprise.” She smiled at him, pouting just a little. He might have surprised her, but Sarah was never without an attempt to hook him.

“Look, Sarah, it’s clear to me that my mother’s been
leading you on about my feelings toward you. I have to let you know that while I enjoyed our few dates several years ago, I have no intention of pursuing this. You deserve the truth. You should start looking for someone else.”

Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “That white girl’s got you by the nose, doesn’t she, Will?” Her pretty face was twisted with ugly bigotry.

“Debra is my future wife. And I’m in love with her. Of my own free will.”

He kept his gaze steady. Sarah had to understand that his mother was out of line. But he wasn’t going to be disrespectful to Violet if he didn’t have to. Sarah was an adult; she knew the deal.

“What happens when it doesn’t work out, Will? When the taboo of loving someone you shouldn’t wears off and she leaves you? And how fair are you being to your future children, Will? Have you really thought about this? Do you want some spotted—”

“That’s enough, Sarah. I didn’t come here to ask your opinion or your permission. I’m just telling you to back off. There’s not going to be a ‘you and me.’ Ever.”

“Will, I’m sorry. I got carried away. You know it’s only because I care.”

“If you care, Sarah, you’ll stop talking to my mother and leave me be.”

“Fine.”

“Thanks again for your time.”

“Goodbye, Will.” Sarah sniffed, but Will didn’t stay around to see her go back into the house. He had one more confrontation tonight.