saw she was outside as usual sitting on the back porch drinking wine and listening to Janis, crying.
“Hey, sweetie are you okay?” asked Jeannie.
“I’m sorry you had to hear our heated discussion,” she said, pouring more wine into her glass.
“It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. The fights sounds like they’re getting worse.”
“You’re right. It’s getting worse and I don’t know how much more I can take. You look around and see this beautiful house that should be full of love and happiness. It’s becoming a house of horrors. I need to make tough decisions soon. I just don’t want to give up yet, Jeannie. Maybe I should just accept he’s in love with someone else and cope with it the best I can.”
“I’m going to move out so it’ll help,” said Jeannie, sipping wine.
“Shut up, Jeannie. This has been going on for years. You being here has made the tension a little better. I’m going to go see my mom for a while in California. I haven’t seen her and I miss her. Maybe stay out for a couple weeks.”
“Getting away might do you good, and I can try to find my own place once you are gone.”
“I don’t want you to leave. You could stay here forever if it was up to me.”
“I know, but I need to get out of the basement soon. The memories are too hard to face.”
“You know you could move into the guest house. It would give me something to do with my time and excuse to fix it up. Where’s Michael?” Marsha stood up to go to the kitchen for more wine.
“He’s asleep. He had football practice today, and he’s worn out.”
“Is he doing better?” Marsha stood up and went to the kitchen for another glass. She poured Jeannie a glass and they continued to talk.
“Much better. The psychologist is helping a lot. He’s a tough kid like his dad. Did you notice how much he’s looking like me?”
“I did.” Marsha poured the last of the wine into her glass and ran inside. She strolled out again smiling and waving another bottle of wine at Jeannie.
Chapter 16
The summer was hot and sticky. Marsha lived in the pool, and was officially retired from her craft business. Jeannie was working her two jobs again. The restaurant agreed to let her work weekends and it would help pay for the medical bills once again piling up. They were very understanding when she was out with Lydia and promised to give her the job back again if she needed. Michael was getting back into the swing of life. His little league football team was undefeated and he even had a so called girlfriend.
The plan to move out was put on hold a little longer. Marsha needed Jeannie and John was on the road again quite a bit. The days were long and hot, the nights even longer as Jeannie tried to get on with her life without Vince and Lydia. She spent a lot of time visiting them in the cemetery and made sure their gravesites looked impeccable.
She and Carmen spoke on the phone at least once in week. She came out, and they met for lunch a couple of times. Jeannie secretly wished Kane would have come along, as well. She did enjoy his company and liked to hear his stories. Taking it upon herself to make the next move, Jeannie decided to invite them over for a cookout.
“Please not now, I’m on the phone,” whispered Jeannie, as she started to call Kane.
Michael was asking fifty questions and needed them answered right at the moment as they were getting ready to go shopping.
“But, Mom!” he whined.
“Hold on, will you please?” she whispered, with her finger to her lips.
“Hi Kane, it’s Jeannie Franklin. How are you guys?” she caught herself smiling in the phone. Michael rolled his eyes and stomped upstairs.
“I called to invite you and Carmen over for dinner tomorrow night.”
“Jeannie, I’m so glad to hear from you. How are you doing?” He asked.
“I’m doing well.”
“Good to hear. How’s Michael holding up?”
“Michael is doing well. We’re getting ready for football practice in a few minutes.”
“Glad to hear that. Carmen is at school. She’s back in college and should be home for the weekend. In fact she is due home any minute. We are trying to make the seven o clock movie. Some horror film she says we need to see,” he laughed.
“I would love for you two to come over here tomorrow. I want you both