Beth joined us when we’d almost finished. She went right to Amie and wrapped the red-head in her arms. “Forgive me? I really didn’t mean to spy. Really.”
Amie turned and kissed her softly. “I know. I was just so surprised and vulnerable just then. I’m sorry I blew up.”
Debbie came into the kitchen catching the end of the scene. “Clean it up in public girls; we have little ones running about.” Almost as if summoned, our two ankle-biters burst into the kitchen, heading straight for the refrigerator, and pulling out a drink to share. I couldn’t help think it was going to be hard splitting them up in the next couple of weeks when Karen moved out for good.
I leaned over and took Amie’s hand. “Is it Ok if I share some of your story with Deb?” I asked softly.
Amie looked stunned, like a deer caught in the headlights. Then she finally nodded, “I guess it’s Ok.” She seemed confused. “Buy why?”
“I think some of it might come out, and we don’t keep things from each other. She’s had it pretty difficult too; I think she’ll understand better than any of us.” I was trying to keep it quiet, but Debbie was only standing about 8 feet away at the sink, seemingly busy.
“Ok, I trust you.”
Beth was scavenging food off of both of our plates. “Careful with that. You can trust him with your secrets, but never trust him in the sack. He’s bad.”
“Oh, look who’s talking,” I reminded her. “Whatever happened to that sweet innocent girl I knew just a couple of months back?”
“You should know, Corrupter!”
Beth stole my plate from in front of me, as I got up and went to Debbie. She was just finishing putting a few items into the dishwasher, her kitchen nearly immaculate, except for the food plates still available for our stragglers, who I expected to see any moment.
“Still going shopping?” I asked her, following her out into the new living room, which she’d already managed to put back in order.
“We’ve got tons to do if we’re really going to open soon,” she reminded me. “Are you still planning on helping Karen move some of her stuff out?”
“I figure it’s the least I could do.”
“Have a fun morning?” she teased.
“Pretty off the wall actually,” I answered. We sat down on the couch, relaxing a bit, our eyes on the young ones in the next room over, enthralled by the Saturday morning cartoons. I took a deep breath, and opened up to her about Amie’s carnal confession and the accidental ‘spying’ that blew things up.
Debbie’s such a softy. Telling Amie’s tale brought tears to her eyes, and she grilled me on some details. “That’s so sad. I never would have thought it of her. She seems so cheerful and happy, and so wild and willing. Who’d have thought?”
“No mom, and her dad a knight in shining armor, always there to rescue her. I can see how she might have confused thoughts about her father.”
“I’m kind of hoping that Robin can take the edge off of Ron. That’s why I sent her in there this morning.”
“Good call. She seems willing enough.”
“Oh yeah. And then some,” Debbie laughed.
Speak of the devil. Robin came strolling out of our bedroom, almost dressed. She had her shorts back on, and another t-shirt, this one kind of cute. It showed a clown face on her shirt, holding his hands apart. Underneath it was the caption. “Must be this long to ride.” Of course the suggested length bordered on the ridiculous.
She plopped down beside me, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “Now that’s a nice way to start the morning. You left too early, handsome.”
I swatted her thigh. “You’re in a good mood. Nice shirt.”
“This old thing? I’m saving the good ones to embarrass you in public.”
“Where are the other two?” I asked.
“Upstairs packing some stuff to go. You sure you want to help them, and not join me and the little ones? Splash City, bikini, underwater frottage?” Robin asked.
“Duty calls,” I sighed. “I’m sure you and the kids will do just fine.”
I left the two ladies chatting about their errands and afternoon plans. I headed for the stairs not really looking forward to helping with the moving.
It turned out it wasn’t going to be all that difficult. Karen was leaving most of her furniture behind, but she still had lots of boxes and suitcases of things to go. I was directed to fill one box with shoes, and another with the winter clothes in the back of the closet, nearly emptying it. By the time we had most of her stuff together, we had the house to ourselves. The day care trio had already headed off on their shopping spree, Robin and the little ones had taken off for an afternoon of splashing, and water-slides. Ron had slipped out undetected at some point.
It only took about twenty minutes to load her stuff into Jim’s jeep and her car. I took her TV and a couple of boxes in my 924, barely able to even squeeze that little bit in. I hate to admit it, but I was thinking about trading the toy in for something more useful. Sometimes I hated growing up. The feeling passed, and I thought it’d be better to get rid of the piece of crap car Debbie drove around in, and replace it with a family van. I’m sure she’d appreciate it, and I could cling to my first big purchase a little longer, even if a truck would have been a lot more sensible.