A Different Kind of Forever - By Dee Ernst Page 0,4
And besides,” she added, as a final stroke, “I can help Victoria take care of the house. She’s sick because of the pregnancy and needs me.”
Kevin pursed his lips in a silent whistle and met Diane’s eye. Diane had to cough.
“Really? You’re going to help Victoria? Does that mean you’ll be cleaning and doing the cooking for all of you?”
Emily squirmed again, looking thunderous. Diane didn’t let her off the hook.
“How are you going to take care of a house and work? You’re always complaining I do a lousy job of both, that dinner is never ready, that you have to do your own laundry, and numerous other transgressions. Do you think you’ll do a better job?”
Kevin stood up and turned away, running his hand through his hair.
“Well, Mom, I could help,” Megan offered. “I do stuff around here. I’d do the same chores down there, if Em wanted. I could, you know, set the table and stuff.”
Emily stood up and stormed around the room. “You’re only saying no to be mean to me, because you never got to spend the summer anywhere cool, you were always moping around dumb Ohio, helping your father, so you just don’t want me to have the greatest summer ever to prove some stupid point, right?”
“I didn’t say no,” Diane said calmly, stopping Emily in her tracks. “I just asked you a question. If you do get a job, and save one thousand dollars, which is what we had talked about before, I see no reason for you not to go. The fact that you’re going to be doing so much for Victoria is just an added bonus. I had no idea you were so concerned about her welfare.”
Emily opened her mouth, realized the trap too late, and shut it again. Clearly torn between feeling grateful at being allowed to go, and being angry at herself for being put in the position of helpmate, she did the smart thing.
“Thanks, Mom.”
“Sure. Now, Meg, do you want to go as well? It’s up to you.”
Megan grinned. “I want to go. It will be so cool, going to the beach every day. Will I have to get a job, too?”
Diane shook her head. “Not unless you want extra pocket money. I’m sure you could baby-sit somewhere down there, right, Kev?”
Kevin nodded, once again amazed at the way Diane danced through the minefield that was their middle daughter. Often, Emily would reduce Diane to tears, but Diane had been prepared for this one, and played it just right.
“Okay, let’s go.” Kevin shouted, clapping his hands together. “Move out the troops.” The girls scampered out as they had done when they were babies, when any trip with their Daddy was an adventure. Kevin kissed Diane on the cheek, and followed the girls out.
The next day, the car wash was cancelled out by a day-long spring downpour, so Diane called Marianne and met her for dinner. Afterwards, they went to the movies, then stopped in to a local pub for a drink. Diane was feeling tired and sipped club soda, while Marianne knocked back a straight scotch and lamented the current state of American cinema. Suddenly, she leaned toward Diane and whispered.
“That man at the bar has been staring at you since we got here. Should we invite him over?”
Diane looked at her friend in surprise. “How do you know he’s not staring at you? You’re taller, thinner, and a lot more gorgeous than I am.”
Marianne raised her eyebrows in exasperation. “Diane, I’m a lesbian, remember?”
“True,” Diane admitted. “But you’re not wearing your ‘Bug Off Creep, I’m A Dyke’ sweatshirt.”
“That man is white. Why would he be staring at me?”
“Because he’s not a racist?”
Marianne sighed. “You are such a Pollyanna, Diane. At times, it’s endearing, but it tends to wear thin. I sometimes wonder how we remain friends.”
“Well for my part, you happen to be very politically correct. So many minorities rolled into one. I don’t have to feel guilty about having so many straight WASP’s for friends with you on the roster. I think you like me because when we’re together you can feel superior without having to be too condescending.”
Marianne lifted her eyebrows and made a polite noise. “You may very well be right. Now, about that nice man-“
“No. Forget it.”
“Why, are you dating anyone?”
Diane shook her head. “Nope. Not this week. How about you? What happened to the travel agent?”