July 2015
10 years after our trip to Colorado spring, we meet again. Our 10 year reunion...
Part 1~Messa
“Aww shit!” Melissa cursed grabbing her finger. She looked down and saw it already swelling. She hurried out of the attic and to the kitchen. She grabbed an ice pack and placed it on her hand. “Jim where did you put my chest?” she called to her husband.
“What chest?” Jim called from the bedroom.
Melissa walked down the hallway. “My chest of DQ stuff. The one I got in Colorado. You said you put it in the attic.
Jim poked his head out of the closet. “What did you do to your hand?”
“I dropped a very large box on it.”
“You ok?”
“Yes I’ll be fine…the chest? You said you put it in the attic but I can’t find it anywhere.”
“Now why would I do that?” he asked.
“I was wondering the same thing. But that’s what you said.”
“All of your DQ things are in the guest room where they’ve always been.”
“You didn’t move it?”
“Of course not.” Jim said.
“And you let me look up there all this time for it?”
Jim pulled another suitcase out of the closte. “Didn’t know that’s what you were looking for.”
“Of course that’s what I was looking for!” Melissa said, exasperated.
“And you didn’t check the room first.”
“No.” Melissa admitted.
“It’s there.” Jim insisted. “You get whatever you need from there and I’ll get the other bags.”
“Yes. You get the bags, I’ll get the DQ stuff, the kids…Jim the kids!”
“Are at Andi’s.” Jim reminded.
“Right. The kids are at Andi’s. We’re picking them up, then going to Gina’s.”
“You gonna be ok?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be ok?”
“You’re nervous aren’t you?” Jim smiled.
“No. Why would I be nervous?”
“Cause that’s how you are.”
Melissa sat down on the bed and sighed before finally admitting she was nervous. “Jim I haven’t seen some of these people in years. What if they’ve changed, what if I’ve changed.”
“You have all changed. But that doesn’t mean you aren’t friends anymore. You talk with them all almost everyday. They can’t have changed too much that you wouldn’t already know about.”
“That’s true. But…”
“But you’re still worried.” He knew.
“Yes.”
“Tell me something. Tell me one reason you should be excited about each person and then tell me one reason you have to be nervous about seeing them.”
“All of them?”
“Yes.”
“Well Andi and Gina don’t really count. They live down the street.”
“Then don’t count them. What about the others.”
“Well I’m excited to see Ivy because I haven’t seen her since her wedding and I really want to see the pictures she has. But I’m nervous about her because …because…”
“Because…you aren’t nervous.”
“I guess not.”
“Solves that one. Who’s next?”
“Mandy.”
“Excited?”
“I haven’t seen her since our CS trip!” Melissa beamed.
Jim continued to prompt her. “Nervous?”
“I haven’t seen her since our CS trip.” Melissa said, not quite as enthusiastically.
“But you’ve talked to her.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re still friends?”
“Of course.”
“Then what have you to be nervous about?”
“I don’t know. I guess meeting her family. I’ve never even met her husband. And she has a little boy now.”
“It’ll be fine.”
This time, Melissa continued without her husband’s encouragement. “Well then there’s Hayley and Shieda. I guess same thing as Mandy for them Haven’t seen them since CS. Don’t know their families.”
“Isn’t there one more?”
“Shelly.”
“What about her?”
“I haven’t seen her since our wedding.”
“But her husband was there right?”
“Yes but they weren’t married yet.”
“She have kids?”
“A little girl.”
“Well I think you have nothing at all to worry about. These people are all your friends and you…we…are going to have a wonderful time.”
“You’re right. CS was perfect…and now we’re finally all going to be together again.”
We better hurry though. It’s a long drive to Colorado.”
“Now you know you are driving all of our things and Andi and Gina’s husbands. I’m driving Andi, Gina and the kids.”
“And they are waiting on us to pack the vans.”
“Alright I’m hurrying!” Melissa ran down the hall to gather her Dr. Quinn memorabilia. Lugging it to the car, she smiled. All together at last.
Part 2~ Andi
Andi’s head felt like it was going to explode. She had woken up that morning with a headache that was, at the time, enough to keep her head buried in her pillow, but compared to now, was a dull ache. All of the children under the age of ten were currently at her house making complete mayhem out of the already chaotic mess that was the baggage of Gina and family as well as her own, entertainment for the ride, and food for snacks and meals and such for this huge Dr. Quinn Fan-Family reunion in Colorado Springs.
Finally, she had had enough. She took her twins and her younger daughter outside, where, thankfully, Melissa’s three followed. Once she came back inside, she decided to get some Excedrin for her headache, but before she could go to her bathroom, she heard a knock on her front door. As she opened it, she saw Joshua, Katherine (Joshua’s sister), and Melanie (Joshua’s girlfriend) standing outside. Joshua was bringing his girlfriend on this trip to keep him company. When he saw Andi’s face, he said, “Woah. You don’t look too good. You feeling all right, Andi?”
“I’ll be fine now that I have a few minutes to get some Excedrin. Where’s your parents?”
“Dad got a package unexpectedly. They said to ask you if it would be all right if they meet everyone here.”
“Sure, why not? Melissa and Jim should be here soon.”
“You barely have anything loaded.”
“Well, that’s what happens when you have six children all under the age of ten running around your house for more than twenty-four hours.”
“Where’s Dave? I can help him start to load all of this…uh…stuff.”
He’s definitely seventeen, Andi thought as she said, “Nice choice of words, sir. He’s in the back room looking for something for Bryan to do on the way down. Actually, though, I’d like it even better if the three of you would just simply keep an eye on the younger generation. That way we know there’s someone out there with them. Mainly to keep them away from the pool area.”
“Sure,” Melanie said. Joshua, however, was hoping for more. “Come on,” she coaxed. “It’ll be fun.”
“Uh, huh,” Joshua commented. “You haven’t met these kids.” And with that, the three “older kids” were outside to make some sort of order of the current pirate game that was going on.
Dave then appeared out of nowhere, carrying some bag filled with toys for Bryan to keep himself occupied for the trip. He came over to Andi, holding out his hand, closed in a fist and palm down. Andi held her hand open, palm up, to receive whatever it was that she was going to get from him. He dropped two pills into her hand. Excedrin. “You are a God-send!” she said as she hugged her husband around his neck and placed a small kiss on his cheek. Her husband only smiled one of those “I know” smiles, then proceeded to take luggage out to their truck.
Once Andi had taken her pills, she began helping her husband clear out the living room. After a few trips out to the truck, Andi felt dizzy and collapsed onto the sofa, just as Dave walked through the door. “Andi?” he said as he knelt down at her feet. “You okay?”
“Yeah, I will be,” she answered. “Just got dizzy for a second.”
“Honey, you’re sweating an awful lot. You sure you feel okay?”
“I feel fine, Dave, now, please. We need to get this stuff loaded into the truck so that we can get out of here on time.”
“Aunt Andi,” came a small voice from the back door.
“Yes.” Andi turned around to see Melissa’s oldest son standing with his head stuck inside the door. “What is it, Honey?”
“Can we go in the pool? It’s really hot out here.”
“I know it’s hot, Sweetie, but your bathing suits are packed, aren’t they?”
“Yeah, but Bryan said I could use one of his, ‘cause he said he’s got lots of ‘em. Mike has hers on already since she’s traveling in it, and Michaela said that Mackenzie can borrow one of Colleen’s old ones since they don’t fit her anymore.”
“I see,” said Dave. “And who’s going to watch you? Your aunt and I have to pack the truck.”
“Joshua and Melanie and Katherine said they’d watch us if you guys said it was okay.”
Andi looked at her husband. “Give us a minute, okay?”
“Okay.” And the boy closed the door.
“What do you think?”
“Well, you said you wanted them to nap on the trip, right?”
“Right.”
“So then, why not let them swim to tire them out? It’ll also give us the chance to finish the packing—correction, it’ll give me time to finish the packing…”
“You’re not doing this alone, Dave. There’s far too much for you to do alone.”
“I am doing this alone, Andromeda, even if I have to tie you to the sofa. I don’t want to hear any arguments about it.”
“I just got dizzy, David. I’ll be fine in a minute.”
“So, can we go in the pool?” came the same small voice from before.
“Just a sec,” Andi yelled back to him.
Dave continued, “Gina just called, anyway. She said that the package that Les got is going to end up having to be dealt with right away and could be another hour or two. That gives us enough time to get everyone’s stuff loaded and ready. Gina and Les already have their stuff here from last night; Joshua is driving him and his girlfriend, so, undoubtedly, they have all of their stuff in his car; Melissa’s the one with the van for the lot of you; and there’s plenty of room for everyone’s junk as well as the husbands in the truck. Let them have a good time.”
“Yes, Chris. You may go in the pool.” There were sudden cheers outside of the back door. The children came inside, changed, and ran back outside, into the pool area.
“Hello!” came a call from the front door. Dave pivoted on his feet and stood up. Andi looked towards the door and saw Melissa and Jim standing there. “Where is everyone?” Melissa asked.
“In the pool,” Andi answered.
“Andi, we have to be at Gina’s in a half an hour. What are they doing in the pool?”
“There’s been a change in plans,” Dave answered. “Les got a package that needs to be dealt with right away. Gina said it could be an hour or two before he’s done with it, and they’re going to meet us here. So, we’re getting them tired so they sleep during the drive. But, hey, on the bright side of things, now that you guys are here, you can help me load the truck with all the junk since she…” he pointed to Andi “…just had a dizzy spell, compliments of the headache that was the product of the two-legged demons we have in the pool, and she doesn’t want me to do this alone. So, what’s say we start with the big stuff first and then worry about little?”
“And how is this the bright side of things? I mean, uh, sounds good!” Jim said brightly. “Melissa, hun. Why don’t you stay in here with Andi and do what you two do best?”
Catching the twinkle in his eye, Andi said, “And that would be?”
Dave caught on his meaning as well. “What every wife is good at: Supervising.”
“Ahh…okay! Let the men do it. I get it!”
Melissa sat down on the couch beside Andi. “So,” she said. “Were they that bad last night?”
“Who?” Andi asked as she sat back, momentarily closing her eyes.
“The children.”
“No, they were fine. Well, as fine as a bunch of children under ten can be before a big trip.”
“Uh huh.”
“No, seriously. They were fine. Excited about the trip and hard to get to bed, but eventually it worked. We got everything packed, I think, by about midnight.”
“Andi! It’s nine-o-clock in the morning now! How much sleep did you get?”
“I don’t know, a few hours.”
"Right. A few like how many?”
“I fell asleep around 1:30 or so, and was up by 6:30 or so because the children were awake.”
“So you’ll be okay for the trip?”
“Of course.” After a few minutes, Andi looked up at her grandmother’s clock that she inherited from her mother sitting on her piano. An hour and a half had gone by since the children had gotten into the pool. “Jeez, how time flies.”
“Huh?”
“It’s time to get the water demons out of the pool and dried off. Congrats, hunny, you’re helping me. After all, half of them are yours.”
Melissa laughed slightly. “This involves getting up and wet, doesn’t it?”
“Yep! Let’s go.”
Part 3~Ivy
“Welcome back!” Jordan exclaimed, hugging his wife as she came through the walkway into the Nashville airport.
“I’m so glad to be back! I missed you so much,” Ivy said as she kissed her husband once more.
“So how’s Holly and the new baby Tori?”
“Oh they are doing wonderful, Tori is just about the most adorable baby in the world! Of course I guess being her aunt I’m a bit biased. I just wish I could have stayed longer but I wouldn’t miss this trip to Colorado Springs for the world.”
“Oh that reminds me, I had new tires put on your car today and had the oil changed so we’re set to go.”
“I’m so excited! I haven’t seen Hayley and Caroline since our first CS trip in ’05. And it’s been 10 months since I’ve seen Andi and Messa and that was at our wedding so I didn’t get a whole lot of time to just sit and talk with them. I’m sure their kids, and Gina’s, have grown so much since the last time I saw them. I did get to meet up with Shelley and Mandy 6 months ago when the team was in Chicago but I’m still excited about seeing them again. And I’ll get to see Mandy’s little boy!” Ivy stopped to take a breath, “And here I am jabbering and we’ve got loads of stuff to do before we head out in the morning.”
“Well let’s go home and get busy packing then!”
***
Ivy sat on her bed looking through a very worn scrapbook. It held many memories and she never tired of looking at the pictures. She stared at the picture of her, Messa and Shelley from when they had met up in St. Louis the summer of 2003. That was an awesome few hours. She turned a few pages and stopped at the picture of Mandy, Messa, Andi and herself at the P-Ranch during the filming of the 3rd DQ movie in March ’06. They all looked so happy. Well, they had a darn good reason to be, they had waited 5 years for that movie!
“Honey, shouldn’t you be packing?” Jordan said as he entered their bedroom.
“Yes,” Ivy said coming back to the present. “I was going take along some pictures and well I guess a few of them sidetracked me.”
“You always love looking through that scrapbook,” he commented
Just then the phone rang and Jordan jumped up to answer it.
“Ivy it’s for you”
Ivy took the phone and walked into the next room so she could talk and search for her other suitcase at the same time.
“Great,” Ivy exclaimed sarcastically as she came back into the bedroom where Jordan was still packing. “They need me down at the office to take care of a few things before I leave. Plus the big company I’m doing a website for, wants it up by the end of the week So it looks like I’ll have to bring along my laptop and work on the trip.”
“I’m sorry, but I can drive most of the way and maybe you can get it done on the trip.”
“Hopefully. Well this may take a few hours, can you finish packing for me?”
“Sure, I’ll have us all packed by the time you get home.”
“Thanks you are the best,” Ivy smiled sweetly at her husband then kissed his check. She grabbed her purse and keys and headed toward the door
“Make sure to get my CS scrapbook and our wedding pictures,” she reminded Jordan.
“Ok and when you’re done at the office can you run by the store and pick up some food for our trip? I’m afraid that while you were in Missouri I didn’t do any grocery shopping.”
“Alright….office, grocery store, sleep, then off to Colorado Springs!” And with that Ivy was out the door.
***
It was 8:30pm by the time Ivy walked out of the grocery store. Just as she had finished putting the groceries into the trunk of her silver Eclipse, her cell phone rang. She glanced down at the screen and noticed that it was Andi.
“Hi,” she answered.
“Hey there! Are you excited?”
“Me? Excited? Why on earth would I be excited? I’m only leaving for CS tomorrow and getting to see all you guys.”
“Ok dumb question,” Andi replied dryly.
"What’s all that noise in the background?”
“6 children trying to decide on a movie to watch.”
“Ahh, so Aunt Andi is babysitting?” Ivy assumed as she got in her car and started the engine.
“Yup,” Andi sighed. “Messa needed to pack and get stuff together so I said the kids could stay the night.”
“What time are ya’ll heading out tomorrow?”
“10 I think. But who knows. I haven’t even started packing and with having to keep up with the kids and pack their stuff as well, we might get a late start.” Andi already sounded exhausted.
“Well I’m just running some last minute errands and my wonderful husband is at home packing. We’re hoping to leave around 6 in the morning.”
“You’re meeting up with Shelley and her family Des Moines right?”
“Yep and we’ll stay the night there then head on to CS the next day. Oh this trip is going to be so great, getting to see everyone’s families and all. Who’d have ever imagined a tv show would have started such great friendships, and that we’d still be in touch more than 12 years later!”
“I know.”
“Well it sounds like the kids are about to tear your house apart so I’ll let you get back to them.”
“Actually I called you hoping to get a few minutes break, but you’re right they are about to tear the house apart. Well get lots of rest tonight and have a safe trip.”
“You too and I hope you get all your packing done. See you in less than 2 days!”
“Bye.”
Ivy was back home within 15 minutes and after eating a quick supper, her and Jordan went to bed. A long trip awaited them in the morning and they needed all the rest they could get.
Part 4~Shells
“Daniel, where did I put it?!” Shelley called over her shoulder as he dug through the endless pile of photos.
“Honey,” Daniel came walking into the room “It’s on the table, right where you left it.”
She blushed and rose from the floor. “Sometimes, I think I would lose my own head if it wasn’t attatched.” She laughed.
Daniel chuckled. “You sound like your mother.”
“I do not!” Shelley became defensive, but was kidding all the same.
Daniel embraced her and placed a kiss atop her forehead. “You’re just nervous.”
“I know.” She melted. “I can’t believe it’s been twelve years. It just seems like yesterday I was meeting Messa and Ivy at Union Station.. that was oh gosh.. when I was 17?! I can remember the endless convo’s we used to have Sheida, Andi, Gina, and Mandy.. we wrote 8th season stories together.”
“I still don’t understand this whole Dr Quinn obsession, but for some reason you guys were able to keep in touch.”
“Is Isabelle asleep?” Shelley changed the subject.
“Yeah, just got her down for a nap, although she didn’t want it!” He answered.
“Maybe I can get some final grading done before starting supper..” Shelley thought as she walked off towards the living room where her pile of papers were stacked next to the recliner. “Did you finish the sermon?”
“We’re leaving tomorrow remember? I won’t be home to preach a sermon this time.” Daniel reminded.
“Sorry.. habit.” Shelley answered as she took out her red pen and started skimming the first paper. The telephone began ringing.
“I’ll get it.” Daniel offered. He picked up the phone “Hello? Sure.. one minute… Shell.
“Alright,” She answered as he handed over the phone to her.
“SHELLS!” It was Ivy. Shelley could tell the excitement in her voice.
“Hi Ivy! What’s up?” Shelley asked.
“Double checking plans to meet up.” She answered.
“Iowa right? Des Moines. I haven’t been there myself so we could always use cell phones to figure out where we are.
“No, Des Monies is kind of big I think we should pick one spot right now.”
“Well, you pick a spot and call me for exact locations alright? If anything we are leaving early tomorrow but the cell phone will be on.”
“Alright, I will talk it over with Jordan. Talk to ya all later! Toodles!”
“Bye.”
***
“Everything in the van?” Shelley paced.
“Yes, for the hundredth time.. yes!” Daniel sighed
“Isabelle is buckled… Owen is buckled.. my papers… THE DVD’s!”
“Don’t worry I have the DQ DVDs along and the kids movies. Everything is good to go.” Daniel grabbed Shelley and pulled her to the car.
“I’m sorry.. I’m sorry.. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”
“Maybe cause ya haven’t seen some of these people for twelve years, maybe because you haven’t seen Messa or Ivy since the wedding… maybe because you think that you or they have changed. I can tell you right now, you’ve kept in contact all these years I think they know who you are. The only thing different about you is your occupation.”
Shelley smiled. “Thank you.”
“Your welcome.. but you know you really do sound like your mother when you worry.”
“Why does my mother always come up?! I do not!” Shelley laughed.. even though she really was sounding like her mother.
“Alright everyone in the car.” Daniel called.
The family all packed into the van and shut the doors. Seatbelts clicked and Shelley took a deep breath.
“Ready?” Daniel asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” She smiled and the car rolled out of their driveway in the outskirts of Watertown WI.
Part 5~Mandy
“I want you to keep monitoring her. It could be any day now,” Mandy told the two assistants who stood in front of her.
“Sure thing Mrs. Taylor,” one of them replied.
“Mandy are you ready to leave?” asked her husband Ethan walking up behind her. In his arms he carried their two month old son Brian and held by the hand three year old Michaela.
“I don’t want to leave. Melody is going to give birth any day,” Mandy replied referring to the dolphin swimming alongside the tank.
“But this is your reunion. You have been talking non-stop about this for months. Believe me you are going,” Ethan told her.
Mandy was quiet for a few moments and a smile crept across her face. “I know. And I haven’t seen the girls in so long. I got to show off my baby boy,” she replied taking the baby from her husband’s arms. “And they haven’t seen Mya in a few years either.”
“I just mention the words Dr. Quinn and your face lights up. Even when you’re asleep. I know you’re worried about Melody but she’s in great hands,” Ethan reminded her.
Mandy turned to face the tank where the dolphins were kept. She spotted Melody swimming near the back. Mandy has rescued Melody when she had been orphaned and raised her. And now that she was going to have her own calf soon Mandy hated to leave her side.
“Well the plane leaves in an hour we should really get going. I have all the luggage in the car,” Ethan told her.
“You’re so wonderful,” Mandy replied planting a kiss on his lips.
“Yuck,” expressed Mya.
“Michaela Jane you better get used to kissing. Because when your aunts see you there is going to be a lot more kissing,” Mandy told her. Mya smiled up at her mom also excited to be seeing everyone.
“We are leaving sunny, hot, Florida to travel to even sunnier, even hotter..” Ethan started.
“Even more beautiful Colorado,” Mandy finished his sentence. On the way out of the facility Mandy was still yelling out orders. “Beep me, page me, call me as soon as the calf is born,” she called over her shoulder.
“Don’t worry Mandy we will,” replied Vanessa one of the assistants. Mandy buckled up her daughter, while Ethan buckled up their son, and the family headed towards the airport only five minutes away.
“I can’t believe I am going to see Messa, Andi, Shelley, Ivy, Gina, and Caroline. I haven’t seen them in ages. I have to see Ivy’s wedding photos and I can’t wait to see the kids,” Mandy replied. She couldn’t contain her excitement.
Ethan smiled at his wife. It was one of the things he loved about her, her loyalty to her friends. For more than ten years she had kept in close contact with them no matter where they lived. She remembered fondly their long chats online and thought to the last reunion ten years prior.
“Mama when we gonna be there?” asked Mya ten minutes into the flight.
Mandy smiled and shook her head. “Sweetie remember the map I showed you? Remember I told you about how we were going to take a plane to Colorado. It takes five hours to get there. Now how many is five?” Mandy asked drilling her daughter. Mya looked down at her fingers for a few moments then held up all the fingers on her right hand. “Yes. Very good sweetie. Why don’t you lay your head on Mommy and close your eyes and take a nap. We’ll be there before you know it,” Mandy told her. Secretly she prayed for her to sleep through most of the flight.
Brian was fussy most of the flight, mainly because of his colic. Ethan spent most of the flight rocking him back and forth. Mandy took out a scrapbook she had brought along. It was from the last reunion and looking down at the faces of her friends she smiled to herself. She turned to stare out the window and hoped that would pass the time more quickly. Mya was up and asking for food in an hour. Mandy reached into the carry on bag she had brought along and took out a package of cookies. Brian was finally asleep on a pillow on the seat next to Ethan and Mandy sighed with relief that at least he was quiet.
Mya was easy to entertain. All it took was a book or a movie to keep her entertained. She had grown quite accustomed to watching Dr. Quinn just like her Mom and watched it at least once every day. Mandy took out some crayons and a coloring book for her to draw in and closed her eyes to rest.
Part 6~Hayley
Hayley huffed loudly as she tugged at the un-budging suitcases pilled high above her head in the wardrobe. Letting her hand fall back to her side she swiftly preceded across the cream coloured room to the large window, which looked out across the now lush green African savannah.
As she spied her target she hoisted the window into the air, and poked her head out. “Darling” she called out the window to her husband of eight years
Al lifted his head up from the bonnet of his car and looked around in wonder as to where the voice had come from.
“Darling, I’m up here!” Hayley announced amused at his confused look. His attention soon focused on her standing in the window of their room.
“Is everything alright?” he questioned
“Yes...well no, I can’t get the suitcases down. They are too high up and heavy for me to get to,” she said with pleading eyes and a ‘I’m to weak and girly’ look on her face.
“Okay I’m coming. Hold on” Al said wiping his hands on an old cloth, making his way to the house.
Hayley moved away from the window and back to the wardrobe, staring up at the suitcases. With a sharpened look in her eye she reached up again and tugged the bottom suitcase, releasing it slightly with some triumph, until she realised that a spider was now hurtling through the air towards her. Reacting quickly she ran screaming to the bed and jumped on it, without even a backward glance.
Al heard the ear-piercing scream from downstairs and quickly ran up the stairs taking two at a time, it sounded like she was being murdered, even though he knew in the back of his mind it was probably some innocent creepy crawly that had accidentally crossed her path.
Al stopped in the doorway of their room, staring at Hayley who was still standing on their bed jumping up and down ruffling her cloths.
“Daddy, what’s Mummy doing?” asked Ellen their six-year-old daughter, who was clutching the hand of James their three-year-old son.
“A SPIDER! Over there” Hayley announced from the bed, pointing to the corner of the room where a tiny spider sat.
Al picked up both the children and walked them towards the bed, and placed them next to their mother who was still shaking, before proceeding towards the culprit spider with caution.
“Its ok, its not poisonous” he said taking the tiny frightened creature in his hands and throwing it out the window, “Its about time you got over spiders, they really aren’t that bad” he said coming back to sit on the bed where Hayley and the two children were now seated.
“Its easy for you to say, they terrify me!” she said mock shaking “Evil bugs” she muttered under her breath, “And what are you two rascals doing out of bed? You are supposed to be getting a nap for our long journey!”
“You woke us Mummy, with all your screaming” Ellen pronounced proudly. Hayley couldn’t help smile at her daughter’s beaming face. She had white blonde hair, much lighter than hers had ever been and deep blue eyes like her father. And James who was sitting next to her had his father’s features, with very dark hair and the same amazing blue eyes; his skin was also much the same in the way it tanned so easily.
“I’m sorry sweetheart, you know how Mummy hates spiders!”
“Mummy silly” James added also beaming at his mother.
“Yes Mummy is! Now you two should really go and get some more rest”
“No, no, tell us about our trip” Ellen pleaded
“Well okay, but only for a short while…Well as you both know we are going to meet Mummy’s friends from America. The last time Mummy saw them was in 2005 when she went to Colorado Springs to meet them all for the first time. That’s where we are going this time”
“Colorado springs” Ellen repeated, “Were you and Daddy marry then?”
“Married darling. And no we weren’t” Hayley corrected
“You will all be able to meet everyone else’s children, many of the are around your age… When we first met Mummy was really scared, she was really nervous like she is now”
“But you talk to them all the time on the Internet!” Ellen exclaimed
“I know, but it’s not the same as seeing someone in real life”
“Will we be seeing grandma?”
“Yes we will darling on the way home, you will be able to go and stay in England as well for a week. And you can ride on Lady”
“Yey Lady!” Ellen squealed
Hayley looked over to the picture of Lady, which stood on her dressing table. She did miss her sometimes, and always looked forward to seeing her old pal again.
“Okay, that’s enough for now, back to bed with you both, whilst Mummy and Daddy pack our things” Hayley said shaking herself back to reality.
Ellen and James jumped off the bed followed by Hayley as she led them out of the room; whilst Al finished pulling down the suitcases, making sure there were no more bugs!
“Mummy are we going to climb the big mountain too?” Ellen asked as Hayley tucked her into bed.
“No honey, not this time, maybe when you are older!” Hayley kissed both children on the head before leaving the room quietly.
“I’m surprised they agreed to go back to bed,” Al said as Hayley re-entered the room
“Yes, I am too, I think the excitement is getting the better of them” Hayley replied followed by a huge yawn
“I think the excitement is getting the better of you too” Al acknowledged as he moved towards Hayley taking her in his arms and gently kissing her forehead.
“Yes I think it is…oh I’m sooooo excited, I can’t wait to see them all, we had such an amazing time last time, it’s hard to believe its all happening again!” Al smiled back at her before releasing her from his grip, “Come on, I think we should get this packing done, we only have a few hours left before we have to leave!”
“Yes I think your right”
And so they frantically began to pack for their adventure to Colorado Springs!
Part 7~Sheida
“Andrew, how is the work on the lodge coming?” Sheida asked her husband that morning at breakfast.
“It’s going great. We still have what….four days before your friends arrive….right?” her husband asked.
“Yes, but I just want everything to be perfect. I haven’t seen any of them in 10 years, since our first reunion in 2005. I want this to be a special time.”
“It will,” he assured her.
After breakfast was finished and the dishes were washed and put away, Sheida requested to take a look at the lodge. Andrew had agreed and helped Sheida put their twin boys Jake and Shawn in their stroller and he took their daughter Kay(aka Michaela) by the hand and they went to the outer edge of their land to check on the progress of their lodge.
“How’s it going Frank?” Andrew asked the guy head of construction.
“It’s going great. We’re on schedule and it should be done within one or two days,” he responded.
“No problems or anything?” Sheida asked apprehensively.
“None at all. Don’t worry Sheida. We won’t let you down.” Frank promised.
Sheida relaxed and gave him a slight smile to let him know how much she appreciated him putting her at ease.
“How about we take a look around inside?” Andrew suggested.
Sheida agreed and they toured the house. When the tour was done Sheida smiled and was sure her friends we’re going to love staying at it. When they decided to have a 10 year reunion Sheida was going to take care of all the arrangements for her friends to stay in Colorado Springs, but with the money that Andrew received from his parent’s death and from their business it had given Sheida the idea to build a lodge. Andrew was at first a little apprehensive with the notion of building a lodge because they never knew when they could use it again, and with 25 rooms it was starting to look more like a hotel than a lodge.
“Thank you,” Sheida kissed her husband.
“What for?”
“For putting the money you received from your parents and their business into building this lodge. Even though I knew you were against it in the beginning.”
“I just want you to be happy and if you are happy than so am I,” he kissed and hugged her again.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet my friends. You are gonna love them!”
“I’m sure I will,” he smiled.
“Melissa’s husband Jim and Mandy’s husband Ethan, and Ivy’s husband Jordan and Andi’s husband Dave and Shelly’s husband Daniel, and Hayley’s husband Al, and Gina’s husband Les.”
“You have a lot of friends,” Andrew commented.
“We’re like a family,” Sheida added as she smiled.
“Well, you’ve got to get started on cleaning the place out before Maria comes to watch the kids. Maybe she can help you clean and the kids can play quietly while the both of you clean. The furniture arrives at one this afternoon. I’ve got to head to work. Love you,” he said, kissing her lips.
“Love you too.”
He took his children into his arms and gave each of them a kiss and went out the door.
Sheida and the three children watched as Andrew pulled his car out of the driveway and disappeared out of sight. Jake had become fussy at watching his daddy drive away, so Sheida picked him up and held him close to her. Jake was soon pacified and put back in the stroller. Then, the family headed for the main house, Sheida finally satisfied that her friends would indeed like to stay in the lodge.
Within minutes, the babysitter had shown up and the five of them, Sheida, Maria, Shawn, Jake and Kay, went to the lodge to clean up. While everyone was cleaning, no one noticed that Kay had escaped her mother’s eye and ventured outside. There, she found a small little pet with black fur and a black and white tail.
“Puppy?” Kay said curiously. Taking a few steps forward, the boy moved closer to the animal. “Puppy come.” Kay instructed.
The small creature would not obey, so Kay tried to catch him. After a few thwarted attempts, the gitlhad the animal in her arms. “Love puppy.” she said, rubbing her cheek on the soft fur.
Bringing this new pet inside, Kay walked right up to Maria and said, “Mari, loo’!”
“Oh, my God!” came Maria’s cry. “It’s a skunk!” With that said, Kay dropped her new friend, and the skunk ran into one of the rooms. However, everyone else was preoccupied with getting out of the lodge, that they didn’t see which room he went into to hide.
Part 8~Messa and Andi
Melissa scanned down her list of things to do. “The coolers?”
“In the back of your van.” Andi shouted from driveway where she was double-checking Melissa’s van.
“Toys?”
“In the middle seat, where Gina will be sitting.”
“Snacks?”
“Also by Gina.”
“Kids?”
“In the house.” Andi answered. “I’ll get them.
“The kid’s bags?” Melissa continued to question.
“I put them all in Andi’s truck.” Jim answered. “Our bags are there as well. And Les and Gina’s and Dave and Andi’s.” he quickly added, anticipating Melissa’s next question.
“Our DQ stuff?”
“Also in the truck.” Jim reassured.
“You fit it all?”
“With room to spare.” Jim assured her.
“Well maybe I should get…”
“Oh no, we have everything. Don’t you even think of getting one more thing out of that house.”
“But…”
“Melissa, we have everything. You’ve looked over that list at least thirty times. Now can we just get going?”
“Yes, I suppose you’re right. We should go. We have to make it to Rosario by tonight so we can get to Sheida’s tomorrow.”
“She really built an entire lodge for us to stay at?”
“Yep. Her husband was wonderful. Put most of his inheritance into the project.”
“Let’s hope we all fit.”
“Oh we will. There are 25 rooms.”
“Sounds more like a hotel.”
“Ahh! It’s going to be so much fun!” Melissa beamed.
Just then, the children came running out of the house, Andi followed quickly behind them. “Alright everyone line up by Aunt Messa’s van.” Andi called. All of Andi’s children scurried across the front yard to the driveway. They stood next to the van and waited further instruction. “You too.” Andi called to her nieces and nephew. Melissa’s children quickly obeyed. “Joshua, Melanie, Katherine, you can join them.”
“But Andi…” Joshua groaned.
“That’s ‘Aunt Andi’ to you, sir.” Andi said. “Now get over there.”
“Yes sir! Andi sir!...I mean ma'am.” Joshua said, taking his place at the van.
“Alright count off!”
“One.” Joshua said.
“Two.” Melanie followed.
“Three.” Katherine said.
“Aunt Andi what afta tree?” Chris asked.
“Four.” Andi answered.
“Four!” Chris beamed.
Next in line was Colleen who sat down in the grass and simply stared blankly at her mother. “Oh forget it!” Andi said. “I’ll count…Yep they’re all here.”
“Then let’s go!” Melissa shouted.
“Where’s mom and dad?” Katherine asked.
“You mean they aren’t here?” Andi asked.
“Nope.”
“Not a problem.” Melissa smiled. “I have an idea.” She looked over at Andi, who nodded her head in agreement. “All aboard!” Melissa cried.
Katherine, Michaela, Bryan, and Mike scrambled into the 15-passenger van Melissa had bought the year before. They took they “big kid” seats in the back seats. Andi helped Collen and Mackenzie into their car seats and Melissa helped Chris buckle up.
When the children were settled, Andi took her place in the passenger seat, and Melissa got in to drive. “You men follow us and just wait!” Melissa called out the window. “You too Joshua.”
Joshua, Melanie, Jim, and Dave all got into their assigned vehicles and followed Melissa two doors down to Gina’s house. “What are we doing this time?” Andi asked when they stopped.
“I don’t know, you choose.”
“I got one!” Andi smiled. “You’re favorite.”
“Perfect!” Melissa beamed. “Hey, Katherine, do me a favor.”
Katherine climbed over the seats to the front. “What Aunt Messa?”
“Lean on the horn until Aunt Andi and I are in the yard. I’ll wave when I want you to stop.”
“Ok.” Katherine agreed.
“Let’s go!” Andi said, the excitement almost more then she could stand. She and Melissa jumped out of the van and ran to Gina’s front yard, Katherine blowing the van horn the whole time. Gina came running out of the house, stopping on the porch when she saw the entourage waiting for her. Melissa gave a wave and the child went back to her seat in the back.
“What are you doing?!” Melissa yelled.
“That’s pretty clear.” Andi replied.
“You’re just leaving?”
“Nothing to stay for.”
Melissa faked sadness. “Without even saying goodbye?”
“Goodbye.” Andi said and turned to walk to the van.
“Why did you even come here?” Melissa cried.
“I told you.” Andi said nonchalantly.
“But what’s the real reason?”
“What do you care?”
“I care.” Melissa insisted.
“Well it sure didn’t look like it back there at that meetin.”
Melissa could barely contain her laughter. “I’m asking you a question.” She tried to say seriously.
“Why did I come?”
“Yes why?”
“Because.” Andi said.
“Because?”
Andi couldn’t hold it in any more! “Because I love you!” Melissa pretending to trip and landed right in Andi’s arms. “I love you too!” she cried. Andi proceeded to pick up her little sister and spin her around.”
Once their scene was finished, Gina came running to them. “Bravo! Bravo!”
“Andi and Melissa took their bows. “Thank you, thank you.” Andi said. “I’m sorry, we don’t do autographs.” Melissa added.
“You two make horrible actors.” Gina laughed.
“Aww you loved it.” Melissa said. “Don’t lie.”
Andi picked up the pace. “You ready to go?”
“Course we are!” Gina said.
“Let’s roll!” Melissa exclaimed.
Hours had gone by with the children being quiet. Then Mike started with, “I’m hungry.” And, as all children go, they were all suddenly hungry. Gina did her best to pacify them with their snacks, but it seemed as if nothing worked.
Melissa began looking for signs for a rest stop of some kind. Not having much luck, Andi decided that maybe some music would keep them somewhat quiet. “Gina?”
“Yes, dear?”
“At your feet is a blue backpack. In the front of it is a CD case. Could you hand it up to me?” Gina looked at her feet and saw the backpack. Going into the pocket specified by Andi, she pulled out the CD case and handed it to her sister. “Thank you.” Raising her voice ever so slightly so all of the children could hear her, she asked, “Okay, everyone. What are we listening to?”
Two voices immediately yelled out, “Tarzan!” and the rest of the van soon agreed with them. Then, one of the voices that yelled originally said quietly, “Mommy, can Michaela and me…”
“Michaela and whom?”
“Michaela and I show Aunt Gina what Aunt Adonai taught us the last time she was visiting?”
“Well, maybe if you ask Aunt Messa nicely, she’ll pull over to the side so that you two can switch some seats around.”
“Aunt Messa?”
“Yes?” Messa answered the small voice.
“Could you pull over so we can switch to show Aunt Gina some stuff that Aunt Adonai taught us?”
Melissa feined being hurt. “Aren’t I allowed to see it either? Since your mother forgot to tell me that Adonai had come to visit.”
Andi turned towards Melissa. “I’ll drive if you like.”
“I do. I’m starting to get tired of looking at the road.” Melissa pulled over to the side of the road and immediately, there was action in the back of the van. Gina opened the back door and took a step outside, followed closely by Mike, Michaela, and Bryan. The children in the car seats were thankfully sleeping.
Joshua and his girlfriend pulled up behind the van and the truck, bringing up the rear, pulled up behind Joshua and Melanie. Gina took this opportunity to walk over to her son and see if he was all right. Andi, being the mischievous sister, took her eight year old neice aside and asked her, “You think we can talk your mom into sitting in the back with one of the twins and have you ride up front with me?”
“I don’t know. Maybe. Why?”
“She wants to see what my sister taught the twins. Well, how can she see it if she’s in the front and they’re in the back?” Andi winked at her neice.
“What are they showing them?”
“The same thing they showed you last night.”
“Oh. Cool!”
The two of them made their way back to the vans and saw that some people had already begun climbing back into their cars. “Messa,” Andi called. Messa walked over to where Andi was standing. “You think you could ride in the back? Michaela really wants to show you what she learned, and with you sitting up front, you won’t see it.”
“Um, okay? But may I ask why?”
“Mike told me she’s getting tired of babysitting the ‘little kids’. She wants to sit up front with the driver, and seeing that you haven’t seen the new stuff, we figured, put you in the back with Michaela, Gina with Bryan, and then both of you can see first hand what Adonai taught them.”
Melissa thought about this for a second. “Makes sense, but only for a short while. I’m not too big on an eight year old sitting in the front of a van this big.”
Andi shrugged. “Works for me.” She walked around to the other side of the car and climbed in the driver’s seat. Melissa climbed into the back of the van with Michaela, and Gina into her seat beside Bryan. Once everyone was buckled in again, Andi asked Gina, “Could you go into the front of that backpack and pull out the four pens that look like drumsticks?” Gina pulled all four out. “They go to the twins.” Gina handed two to each of them.
Pulling away, Mike reached up to the consol and hit play on the CD player. She skipped ahead to number four, “Trashin’ the Camp,” and smiled slightly. Unknown to the other two sisters, so did Andi. “So, Mike, where do we go from here?”
Mike, looking down at the paper in front of her, said, “Um…that way, until you see a sign that says food.”
“Sounds good. Keep an eye out for it, okay?”
“Kay!”
The music continued to play, and the part that Andi and Mike had been waiting for had finally arrived—the twins’ favorite part; the percussion break. The twins began drumming on the seats in front of them. Then on the seats behind them, mimicking what their aunt had taught them. Then the triplets started, and they needed a new subject. They looked around and began drumming on the closest thing they could—their aunts.
They started at their aunts’ lower arm and used the proper sticking for the triplets working their way up their arms. Gina and Messa tried to ward them off, but to no avail. The twins were gentle, however, not really hurting them. For the cymbol crash at the end, the twins decided to use the seat for it instead of their aunts’ heads. Andi thought it was a smart move on their part. Then after that, the twins just continued to use the seat for their “drumset” and left it there.
The rest stop was a few miles down the road and they pulled over to eat. Before heading inside, Melissa and Gina stopped Andi to talk to her. “You knew they were going to do that, didn’t you?”
Andi only smiled and nodded. “Imagine my husband’s and my surprise when they wanted to show it to us at four-o’clock in the morning.”
Melissa smiled and began laughing. “That wasn’t fair, Andi.”
“Maybe not, but I didn’t sleep much last night due to some children of yours and mine, so, I figured turn-about’s fair play.”
Gina was also laughing. “Yeah, but what about me?”
“You? You’re just fun!” All three of the sisters were laughing as Mike came running up to her mother and aunts.
“Come on, guys! We’re hungry!” she complained and whined.
“You’re hungry?” Melissa whined back to her daughter. “Oh, no! Gotta feed the children.” Then she stopped her playful whining and said, “You kids cost too much.”
“We know, mom. But that’s what parents are for.”
Andi knew Melissa was going to say something back to her daughter, but she interceded with, “Why don’t we just feed them so that they sleep the rest of the way to Rosario?”
Messa gave her older middle sister a look. “You really think that feeding these children will make them sleep? Feeding them only makes them more wild.”
“They’ll sleep.” Andi insisted.
“Didn’t you watch Gremlins?!” Messa said. “You feed that cute little thing and it becomes a terror!”
“You saying we should not feed our hungry children?” Andi feigned shock.
Messa sighed. “No, I guess we should feed them. But they sure won’t sleep!”
“We’ll put in Yanni or something. Knocks my kids right out.”
The husbands were inside the door of the rest stop with the other children waiting for their wives. When Les saw his wife, he walked over to her and said, “I hear you became a drum set.” And all three of the sisters laughed again.
They ate, and left. Another four or five hours on the road and they were in Rosario, New Mexico for the night. They found a road-side hotel to stay in and the children ate and swam in the pool. By eight o’clock that night, all of the children were tucked in bed, sleeping, and dreaming of what fun things the next day would bring.
It was well into the morning by the time Messa fully woke up. Andi had volunteered to drive for the morning leg of their trip. Melissa had spent most of the night putting the finishing touches on the CS t-shirts she had made. And before that was even started, Mike and Michaela had insisted on the longest bedtime story ever. Somehow, Andi and Gina and the dads had gotten all the other children to bed so Melissa was left in charge of the story. What followed was the entire history of the DQ sisterhood. By the time the girls were in bed and the t-shirts finished, Messa was exhausted.
When she woke from her cat-nap, Messa about jumped out of her seat. “Ivy!” she cried.
“What about Ivy?” Andi asked, glancing momentarily at her sister.
“I never called her back! And you let me sleep!”
“Calm down hun.” Andi said. “Just try her again. There’s nothing this important.”
“Yea.” Gina joined. “It’s not like you won’t be seeing her later today.”
“It is important!” Messa said as she dialed the phone. “Crackers! Dead battery.”
“Here, use mine.” Gina offered.
Messa quickly dialed the new phone . She soon heard Ivy pick up on the other end. “Ivy!!” she exclaimed. “What’s up?”
“Messa?” Ivy questioned.
“That’s me.”
“You sounded like you, but it was Gina’s cell number. Way to confuse me.”
“Sorry, my battery died.”
“Oh I see.” Ivy said.
“So anyway, I was thinking…you know that thing I talked to you about the other day?”
“Which other day?” Ivy asked.
“Umm I don’t know. One of those days.”
“Right. Be more specific.”
Messa gave up. Andi and Gina would find out soon enough. They might as well overhear her talking to Ivy about it. “Aww heck, so much for keeping it a secret.” She said into the phone. “I was talking about our surprise.”
“Ohh that!” Ivy said, suddenly remembering the conversation. “What about it?”
“Is it all ready?”
“It should be. Jane was going to overnight it to Sheida’s. It should be getting there today. Jane was going to call me when she put it in the mail, but she hasn’t yet.”
“Well get on the phone and call her!” Messa shouted. “It HAS to be there.”
“Hold on, let me call her on Jordan’s phone.”
“Alright.” Messa waited patiently for Ivy to come back on the line. “Messa?” she said a few minutes alter.
“Yep?”
“She said she sent it yesterday morning. It should be getting to Sheida’s any time this morning.”
“And Sheida knows not to open it?”
“I think she does.” Ivy said hesitantly.
“I’ll call just to make sure.”
“Ok. Let me know she got it ok?”
“Will do.” Messa laughed. “Haha Andi has pulled over the car and she and Gina are demanding I tell them about the surprise.”
“Oh I better let you go then.” Ivy said. “Hold them off if you can.”
“You know I’ll try.”
“See ya later today!”
“Can’t wait!”
“Toodles!”
When Messa hung up the phone, Andi and Gina were glaring at her. Behind the van, Dave and Joshua had also pulled over. Jim came up to the passenger window and knocked. “Everyone ok?” he asked when Melissa rolled down her window.
“My sisters want to kill me for not telling them about the surprise.”
“Ohhh.” Jim laughed. “Well ladies, I suggest you wait and find out with all the others, but I’m sure Melissa will tell you if you’re nice.”
“We’ll just be a few minutes.” Melissa smiled at her husband. “Then we’ll get back on the road. The next rest area is in 34 miles. We can stop there for lunch.”
“Sounds good. I’ll let Joshua know too.”
When her husband left, Messa turned back to her sisters. “Guys really, I think you should wait and be surprised.”
“You told Ivy.” Andi feigned jealousy.
“I needed her help.” Messa insisted.
“Mama, I’m sleepy.” Melissa heard Chris say from the back seat.
“Lay your head against a pillow and take a nap.” She suggested.
“I wants you ta holds me.” The little boy whimpered.
Melissa eyed her child lovingly. She couldn’t resist. “Alright sweetheart. Aunt Gina and I will switch places and we’ll but Bryan where you are so you can sit by me.”
When everyone was situated, Melissa lowered her son’s head to her lap. It was then that she felt his warm forehead. “Chris are you feeling alright?” Melissa asked worriedly.
“Sleepy mama.”
“Does your head hurt?”
“My ear.”
Melissa turned her attention to the boys ear and noticed the discolored drainage. She knew instantly what was wrong. “Ok, you go to sleep.” Melissa told her son. “Andi.” She said. “We need to stop as soon as possible. Preferably somewhere with a pharmacy. But most importantly, somewhere with an ice machine.”
“Is he alright?”
“I hope so.”
As it turned out, the next place to stop was the rest area 34 miles ahead. There was no pharmacy, but there was ice. Mike, Michaela and Bryan scrambled out of the van and over to the playground. Katherine helped Mackenzie and Colleen out and hurried over to control the youngsters.
Melissa carried Chris over to a picnic area and had Gina spread a blanket down on a bench. She lay him down and propped his head up with her knee. “Andi, get me some ice. And someone bring me the red bag under the front seat.” Everyone complied and within a few minutes, Melissa was tending to her sick child. She gave him a dose of his antibiotic and place an ice pack on his ear, to relieve the pain he must certainly would be experiencing.
When Dave pulled into the rest area, he noticed that the women and children had already found a picnic area. Most of the kids were running around chasing one another. Joshua, Melanie, and Katherine were trying to control them. Jim was the only father to notice that Andi and Gina were hovering over a picnic table, worry streaked across their faces. “Something’s wrong.” He told Dave and Les.
Jim hurried over to his wife and quickly noticed his son in her arms. “Melissa?” he asked worriedly. “What’s wrong?”
“He has an ear infection.” Melissa finally revealed.
“Is that all?” Andi said. “Here you had us thinking he’s dying.”
“He shouldn’t be sick.” Melissa said. “He’s already on antibiotics.”
“What are you saying?” Jim asked.
“I’m saying that the antibiotics aren’t working.” Melissa told them.
“What does that mean?” Gina asked.
“He needs something stronger.”
“But he’ll be ok?” Dave said naively.
“He should be, yes.” Melissa said. “But we need a pharmacy.”
“I’ll call the pediatrician and have her call the pharmacy near Sheida.” Jim offered. “Then we’ll get all the kids fed.” He added, speaking of the three fathers. “You just take care of him.” When the men had left, Andi and Gina sat down on the other side of the picnic bench, obviously concerned by their sister’s quiet. “Speaking of Sheida…you never called her.” Andi reminded.
“The package! Oh geez…give me a phone.” Messa said, not willing to leave Chris.
Andi dialed and handed the phone to Melissa. After three rings, Sheida picked up. “Sheida?” Messa asked.
“Messa!!”
“Yea, it’s me…got a question for ya.”
“Yea?”
“Did a package for me come to your house?”
“Not that I know of.”
“Ok, well something should be coming today…whatever you do, DO NOT open it.”
Sheida was confused, but agreed. “Umm alright.”
“And can you call me the minute it gets there?”
“Sure thing.”
“Oh one more thing!” Melissa said before hanging up. “Our pediatrician is calling in a prescription to your pharmacy. Can you pick it up before we get there?”
“Of course…is everyone ok?”
“Chris has an ear infection. He needs a stronger antibiotic.”
“Alrighty, I’ll pick it up.” Sheida approved. “When do you think you’ll be here?”
“Probably around six or seven. We’ll call you when we’re on the outskirts of the city.”
“Sounds good.”
“Why do I get the feeling you aren’t going to tell us what the surprise is?” Andi asked when Messa hung up the phone.
“Because I’m not.” Melissa acknowledged. “Besides, there are far more important things to worry about right now.”
***
Andi looked at her sister as though she had been struck. “I know there are more important things to worry about, Messa, but I’m not seeing a point in sitting here waiting for something to happen.” Andi looked up and saw her husband walking toward her. “Dave, would you get me the medical bag out of the back of the van?” Dave turned around and walked towards he van.
“I’m not saying we should sit here and wait for anything,” Melissa said back to Andi. “All I’m asking is we give him a few minutes out of the car. The motion, no doubt, makes the pain worse.”
Dave arrived with the black medical bag. Andi opened it and handed Melissa Children’s Benadryl and then pulled out some cotton balls. There was an ear solution in the bag as well from when Bryan had his ear infection a few months ago, and she pulled that out as well. “Let him take the benadryl. He’ll sleep that way. Then stick the cotton ball in his ear.”
“I’m not going to give him drugs he doesn’t need. He’s sleeping enough as it is.” However, Melissa did accept the cotton ball. She placed it gently into her son’s ear and turned back to her sister who was still offering the benadryl. “Benedryl is an antihistamine that will do nothing for him except drain his sinuses into his ear, thus creating more problems.”
“Fine, then. Don’t give him the benadryl. He’s asleep now as it is. Let’s get him back into the van and comfortable.” Messa was about to argue. “If it’s painful for him now, it’ll be painful for him after sitting here for fifteen minutes. Perhaps even more so. The rest of the children are becoming aggitated as it is because they’re hungry. There’s a hospital down the road here about a mile. Do you want to stop there and see if there’s a resident pharmacy available?”
“I only said a few minutes, Andi, there’s no reason to bite my head off. We had to stop to let the others have a break anyway. It’s not like this is an inconvience for anyone besides Chris, so stop acting like it is.” Melissa drew in a deep breath. “As for the hospital, why bother? He just had a dose of his antibiotic and can’t have anything else until this evening anyway.”
***
Joshua was running after Michaela in a game of tag when he saw his two uncles start walking over to their wives. He ran to intercept them. “Not a good idea, guys.”
“We’ve got to do something,” Dave said. “I mean, they’re going to take each other’s heads off.”
“No they’re not. Trust me, Andi knows what she’s doing.”
Gina took that opportunity to walk over. “I don’t know, Joshua, Andi looks like she’s trying to make Messa mad.”
“She is.”
“Joshua, now you’re not even making sense. Why would Andi want to make Messa mad?”
“To get her mind off of Chris.” Seeing the look of confusion on everyone’s face except Dave’s, he continued, “Okay. Andi has this thing she does with her students at the beginning of class. Every day we have an argument for ten minutes. Someone gives a problem, and Andi takes us outside, and we let her have it…and she argues back and it goes on for ten minutes. Then she says, ‘Do you feel better?’ and most of the time, it works.”
“Ohh…okay. So, by the end of ten minutes, it should be over?”
“Even less. Let her be.”
***
Andi and Melissa were still going at it until the argument had started to fizzle down. “I’m saying this, and it’s the end of what I’m saying. There are five other children here who, yes, need to eat, but in case you haven’t noticed, we’re at a rest stop. There’s nothing here but soda and candy. There’s nothing in either of the cars we can cook on the grill. We’ve got another hour or so before we hit a truck stop for some real food, and he can rest longer, and possibly more comfortably, while all of us are eating. You also have two other children who need your reassurance as much as you need Chris’s.”
Melissa looked at Andi with fire in her eyes. “Well, had we stopped for some lunch food this morning like I suggested, we would have food!” Realizing how harsh she was being, she toned it down a bit. “But that’s all over and done with, so we shouldn’t argue about that. Let’s just get out of here.” She looked over to where the husbands were standing. “Jim, will you take him for me. I’ll get the girls.”
Jim walked over to Melissa and picked his son up. As Melissa began walking away from Andi, Andi reached out and grabbed her arm—not to fight, simply to stop her. Melissa turned back to her sister, still a little aggitated. “Do you feel better?” At the dumbfounded look on her sister’s face, Andi simply smiled and began walking towards the van.
Oddly enough, Melissa did, in fact, feel better. “Andi,” she called as she jogged the short distance to her sister. “You meant to do that?”
Andi only shrugged with a twinkle in her eye. Then, she smiled an understanding smile at her sister. “I know how it feels to be worried that harshly, Messa. I almost lost Bryan when he was a little over a year old, remember? I would have loved to take it out on someone, but Dave was going through the same pain I was.”
“You could have taken it out on me, Andi.”
“But how fair would that have been?”
“How fair was this?”
Seeing another argument coming on, Andi said, “Look, we have a bunch of hungry kids. Let’s talk about how fair things are in the past when we don’t have a sick child and hungry children, okay? Perhaps once we’re in Colorado Springs, and Sheida, Ivy, Shells, and everyone else can watch us have an all out argument. After all, we have to keep up the tradition of being the ‘intertainment’.”
Melissa smiled as she turned around to corral her kids. Joshua walked up to Andi and said, “You did the ‘Do you feel better?’ argument, didn’t you?”
Andi turned to him and said, “Am I really getting that predictable?” Joshua smiled. “Why do you ask?”
“I stopped your husbands and sister from going over and breaking the two of you up.”
“I guess I am getting that predictable.” She gave a little laugh. Then, to change the subject, “We have another five hours before hitting Colorado Springs. How’s the driving working?”
“Okay, I guess. It’s long and monotonous, but, it’s a highway.”
“If it gets too tiring for you, please make sure you ask one of us to drive, okay? I had a hard enough time convincing your mother to let you drive in the first place. And one sick child is enough. Having another fall asleep at the wheel is out of the question.” Then, Andi smiled, “I don’t think I could do another argument. At least not with your mother.” Then almost as a whisper, “She’s dangerous. She throws things.”
Joshua laughed. “I promise, Aunt Andi.”
“Good. Now, where are the children?” She looked over toward the pasture and saw that Melissa was walking over with all of the younger generation.
***
Melissa couldn’t decide whether or not to be angry with Andi for the argument, or to be thankful for the release. “Let’s go, guys. Time to leave.”
A hand reached up into hers and pulled slightly. Melissa looked down to see Mike looking fearfully up at her. “You and Aunt Andi okay, Mommy?”
Melissa answered, “Of course we are, honey. We’re just worried about Chris.”
“You’s guys were really starting to yell.”
Trying to come up with a way to explain this, Melissa knelt down to her daughter’s level and said, “Do you remember watching Revolutions?” Mike nodded. “Of course you remember. Well, do you remember when Doctor Mike and Sully had a fight?”
Again, Mike nodded. “I was named after her.”
Melissa smiled. “Yes, you were. And do you remember what I told you when we watched it the first time? When you asked why they were yelling?”
“No.”
“I said that they were not fighting because they were angry with one another, but because they were hurting inside. Remember?”
“Uh huh.”
“And I said that instead of letting themselves be hurt or sad, they yelled.”
“Uh huh.”
“Well, Mommy’s kind of worried about Chris and Aunt Andi kind of let her yell at her so she wouldn’t have to be sad. Do you understand?”
“So, you and Aunt Andi don’t hate each other?”
“Of course we don’t!” Melissa took her daughter into her arms to reassure her.
“Good. Because I love Aunt Andi.”
“I do too, honey. But, will you do Mommy a favor?”
“What?”
“Will you tell her never to do that to me again?”
“Okay!” And with that, Mike ran towards the van. Melissa smiled and shook her head as she watched.
When she arrived at the van, Andi walked over to Melissa and said, “Jim wants to ride with you guys since Chris is sick. Les is going to drive for Joshua for a little while, probably until the next rest stop, so I’m going to ride with Dave, okay?”
Melissa smiled and nodded. Andi began walking towards the truck. “Hey, Andi?” Melissa called. Andi turned around. “Thanks.”
“What are sisters for if not to fight with?” Andi smiled and climbed into the truck with her husband. Within the next few minutes they were on the road again, heading towards the truck stop for food, and then again bound for Colorado Springs.
Part 10~Ivy and Shelly
The slowing down of the car immediately awoke Ivy. She glanced around to see two lanes of cars almost at standstill.
“Jordan, just honk the horn!” Ivy suggested rather harshly.
“It wouldn’t do any good. The car in front of me can’t move and the car in front of him can’t move,” Jordan calmly explained to his wife.
“Ahh, why now? We have to get stuck in a traffic jam now! Ok remind me why we are driving instead of flying.”
“You wanted to drive because that’s how you got to CS the first time and it was so great you wanted to do it again. Plus you wanted to meet up with Shells and drive part of the trip with her.
“Oh yeah,” Ivy replied.
“Ivy just calm down, this should clear up soon and since we’re not moving you can get your laptop out and work on the website,” he suggested.
“Yea I guess you’re right. I really thought I’d grow out of the car sickness thing but I guess not. I really could accomplish a lot of work on this 2 day trip if it wasn’t for that.”
Jordan turned off the car since it was obvious they wouldn’t be going anywhere for awhile and Ivy pulled out her laptop and began to start it up. After working for several minutes she looked up at her husband.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“For what?” Jordan asked.
“For coming with me on this trip, I know you were needed at the youth retreat this weekend, and that you wanted to be there."
“I *wanted* to come with you on this trip. This trip and these people are important to you so they are just as important to me. Besides, the kids can do without me just this once,” He said with a grin.
“What did I ever do without you?” she asked, leaning in to kiss her husband. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Two hours later their car had barely moved.
“Ok what is going on here?” Ivy demanded of the world, giving up on her work and going back to her previous freaked out mood.
“I think there was an accident up ahead somewhere. It must have been a huge accident because it sure is taking a long time to clear up.”
“Yea I’d say so. Shells and I were timing it so we’d get to Des Moines around the same time. It was bad enough we slept in this morning and now with this, we’re going to be so late!”
“Ivy, honey, calm down. Pick up the cell and call her and fill her in on what’s going on.”
“Oh that’s right, we have cell phones,” Ivy said to herself. She started to dial Shelley’s number then realized she had absolutely no signal.
“This is great! Just great! We’re stuck in a major traffic jam out in the boonies with no cell phone signal!”
“I know, I know, but it’ll be alright. If Shells gets to Des Monies and hasn’t heard from us, she’ll figure something like this happened.” Jordan was always like this- calm, cool and collected. He had a way of helping Ivy calm down too.
Just then the cars began to move. Slow at first, but gradually speeding up.
“Thank God!” Ivy exclaimed with relief. “I’m starved! The next place we see, let’s stop and get some food. Ok?”
“Sounds great. And maybe you’ll get some signal and can call Shells.”
Twelve miles down the road they found a fast food restaurant and to Ivy’s eternal joy, cell phone signal.
***
"Iowa border up ahead." Daniel pointed out as he concentrated on driving.
Shelley looked back and saw that Isabelle and Owen were sleeping in the back, while DQ DVDs were softly playing in the background.
Her heart was racing, and knew that today she would meet up with Ivy and her family.
"Has she called yet?" Daniel asked.
Shelley sighed… "No."
"Is the phone on?" Was his next question
"Yes, and the battery is charged. Maybe she forgot the number." Shelley began to worry once again.
"Maybe we can wait a little while yet." Daniel knew his wife was getting nervous. "How are the papers coming along?"
Shelley smiled. "Well third grade is done, fourth grade is another story though."
"The life of a teacher, you have to love it." Daniel smiled.
"Rather the life of a Pastor's wife!" Shelley joked. "I'd rather just be a teacher than deal with half of the things I do as your wife!"
Daniel chuckled. "But you have to love me anyway."
"How is the gas situation?" Shelley asked.
"We are still good for another hour or so." Daniel glanced over at Shelley. He put a reassuring arm on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Everything will work out. You have to stop worrying so much."
"You should know by now that’s all I ever do." Shelley smiled. "It came with the package."
"I just hope our kids don't have that part of you in themselves." Daniel smirked.
"And what if they do?" She posed the question.
"Then I guess we will just have to keep them, and I will have to put up with THREE worry warts."
"Oh just get back to driving!" She tried to sound agitated but couldn’t stop the smile that spread over her face.
Shelley looked out the window. The scenery was much different from Wisconsin. There was more open land, less green, but definitely more field areas. It reminded her of her home. Just then the phone rang. Shelley jumped and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" She asked "Hi Ivy!"
***
Ivy got into the car shortly after ending her call with Shells. Jordan had already gotten them some food while she was on the phone.
“Ahh that smells so good!” All the worries from the morning were beginning to fade and the day was starting to look brighter, even though they were still running late. “I told Shells to go ahead and go to the hotel and that we’d meet them there whenever we arrived,” Ivy informed Jordan as she stuffed a few fries in her mouth.
“Alright, that works.”
Ivy was once again excited, “Well let’s hit the road! We’re burnin’ daylight!”
And they were back on the road.
Shortly after their lunch break Ivy received a call from Messa. She talked a bit, then grabbed Jordan’s phone and made another call.
“What was that all about?” Jordan inquired after Ivy had ended both calls.
“Oh Messa was just checking up on the surprise,” Ivy winked at Jordan.
“The surprise. I’m amazed she’s managed to keep it just between the two of you."
“Haha, well she had to hang up on me because Gina and Andi had pulled the car over. I’m not sure how much longer she can keep it a secret.” Ivy smiled to herself picturing her sisters pulling over the car and attacking Messa.
“You guys are something else,” Jordan stated, almost to himself.
“I guess we are.”
Jordan kept noticing Ivy glancing over that the speedometer and then at the clock.
“Is something wrong?” he questioned.
“Well, it’s just that we’re almost 3 hours behind schedule and you are driving so slow.”
“I’m not driving slow! I’m driving the speed limit,” Jordan said in defense.
“Well that’s all well and good when we have the time, but we’re kinda in a hurry. Can’t you just speed up a bit?”
“If you want to speed, you can drive.”
“Ok, good. I was about to suggest that anyway.”
Jordan pulled off at the next exit and they traded places.
***
The sound of a police siren echoed in Jordan and Ivy’s ears. Ivy looked in her rearview mirror and saw the blue lights of a State Trooper. She slowed the car and pulled over to the side of the highway.
Great, she thought. Just what I need now!
As if he was reading her thoughts, Jordan said, “Ivy, keep your cool.”
She rolled down her window as the trooper approached her car.
“Hello officer,” Ivy greeted the man. “Hello. Do you know how fast you were just going?” He questioned.
“Umm, I’m not exactly sure. Somewhere close to 90?”
“93 miles per hour, to be precise. The speed limit is 75,” the officer said, his facial expression unchanged.
Ivy grimaced. “Ahh well sorry about that.”
The man removed his sunglasses and looked Ivy in the eye. “What were you in such a hurry about?”
Ivy glanced over at Jordan, he was thoroughly embarrassed. Ivy doubted he’d ever been pulled over by a cop in his life. As she started to answer the officer, Jordan gave her a look that meant, don’t you even start with DQ.
Ivy ignored her husband and began to give her reason.
“Sir, have you ever heard of the show Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman?” Noting the look on his face she assumed that he hadn’t. Before he could answer she continued. “Well thanks to that show, I met my sisters. Over 12 years ago we started chatting online and now I’m on my way to our 10 year reunion in Colorado Springs. These people are some of the best people I’ve ever met and they mean the world to me. I’m stopping in Des Moines to meet up with one of them, before continuing on to CS. That accident back there held us up for about 2 1/2 hours so now we’re running rather late.”
Jordan almost groaned and sank lower in his seat.
The trooper had a surprised look on his face. He’d never heard an excuse like that one in all his life. Either this woman was a super fast and very creative thinker, or she was really telling the truth.
“Well I understand that that accident held up a lot of people. You are not the only ones that are now running late. That is a very interesting tale you have, but not a reason to be going as fast as you were. But I’m an understanding man and I’m going to let you off with a warning, if you promise to slow it down.”
“Oh I promise! And thank you!” Ivy was now smiling with relief.
“I’ll make sure she slows it down,” Jordan mumbled under his breath.
“Ok good.” He grinned slightly. “Go ahead and get back on your way to Des Moines.” He paused, and then added, “The truth is, Dr. Mike saved my life.”
Before anyone could say a word, he was back in his car.
“Did he just say what I thought he said?” Ivy asked with disbelief.
Jordan was still trying to get over the shock of Ivy’s tale, “Umm I think so.”
“Haha! What about that! I get out of a ticket because the guy watches DQ! The girls are never gonna believe this!”
“I’m not sure I believe it.”
“I do. Okay let’s do what the man said and get back on our way to Des Moines.”
It was 8:45 that night by the time Ivy’s eclipse pulled into the parking lot of the hotel in Des Moines.
Part 11~Mandy
Mandy looked out the window as the ground got closer and closer. They were finally landing, and not a moment to soon. Mya kept asking if they were there yet and Brian had started crying 5 minutes before. She was sure the people on the plane were glad they would be getting off soon. Ethan carried Shawn off and Mandy grabbed the two carry on bags they had brought along.
“Follow your father,” she told Mya. But Mya didn’t hear her. She was too busy still staring out the window. “Michaela!” Mandy shouted impatiently. She was holding up the people behind her who were starting to get grumpy. Upon hearing her full name, Mya turned around and followed behind her dad.
Once they were inside the airport they took the elevator downstairs to get their luggage. The first thing of theirs they spotted were the two car seats. Ethan pulled them off the conveyer belt. He put them down on the ground and saw two of their bags coming right up after it. He put the suitcases down next to the car seats and Mya playfully climbed on top of one and sat down on it. As luck would have it their last two bags and the double stroller didn’t come up until 10 minutes later when almost everyone else had already gotten their luggage. “About time,” Mandy said grabbing the stroller and suitcases.
They borrowed a dolly to bring the luggage out to the curb where their rental mini van would be waiting. “I’ll go and get it you stay here,” Ethan told Mandy disappearing into the small building across the street to get their key and car.
“Mama are we in Colorado?” Mya asked.
“Yes we are. We are in Denver. But we need to drive a little while longer to get to Colorado Springs. Maybe you can take another nap and your brother too,” Mandy told her.
“Mama I sleeped on the plane,” Mya said.
Mandy smiled at her daughter and looked down at her son in her arms. He was wide awake but at least he was quiet. A few minutes later Ethan pulled up in a green mini van. He got out and put the luggage into the back and put the car seats in. “You first Mya,” he told his daughter. She ran over to him and he lifted her into her car seat and buckled her up.
“And now for Brian,” Mandy said handing their son to him.
“You mean we have to take him with?” Ethan asked jokingly. Mandy playfully bopped him on the arm and climbed into the passenger seat. Ethan got the kids settled and got into the driver’s seat.
Mandy pulled out the directions the rental guy had given Ethan and started to read them to her husband. “You need to turn onto Sherman Street,” Mandy told him.
“Yes, dear but not for another two miles. So just sit back and relax and I’ll call you when I need the directions,” Ethan replied.
Mandy smiled and turned to look out the window. From here she could see the beautiful mountains. She remembered how much fun it had been to be at the top of them. Looking down on everything it made the world seem so tiny. She couldn’t wait to be at the top of Pike’s Peak once again. Fifteen minutes into the trip Brian fell asleep but Mya was wide awake and asking questions. “What’s that Mama?”
“That’s a farm.”
“What’s that white stuff on the big hills?”
“Those are mountains and the white stuff is snow”
“Does it snow all the time?”
“I’m not sure sweetie”
“Are we there yet?”
“Mya, why don’t you color for a little while. We’ll be there soon,” Mandy suggested to her handing her a coloring book and 5 crayons.
Michaela was a very intuitive girl and was always full of questions which she demanded answers to. She never seemed to tire of asking questions and she thought that her parents should know the answers to each and every one of them. Mandy loved her daughter and this trait could be annoying at times but it was just one thing that made Mya herself.
Ethan chuckled to himself. “Oh you think this is funny do you? Well the next time she starts spitting out questions it’s your turn to answer them,” Mandy told him. Ethan stopped laughing and focused on driving. Mandy knew this would get him to keep quiet.
Mya soon fell asleep, crayons still in her hand. Mandy reached back and took them out of her hands. Finally some peace and quiet for a change. Mandy decided to enjoy the silence because she knew there wouldn’t be much on the trip. Mandy dialed the facility back home. “Hello Dolphin Sanctuary how may I help you?” asked a voice.
“Vanessa it’s Mandy. We’ve arrived in Colorado. How’s Melody?” Mandy asked.
“She’s doing just fine. No change. We’ll keep you posted,” Vanessa told her. “Have fun on your trip,” she added.
“Thank you,” Mandy said hanging up. “Here’s the turn sweetheart,” Mandy told Ethan looking up at the street sign that read Sherman Street. “Thank you Miss Navigator,” Ethan replied turning left.
Hayley sat impatiently in the passenger seat of the rental car. Not only was she excited and nervous about seeing all her friends again, but she was also quite concerned about her husband’s driving abilities. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” she asked.
“Course I do.” AL responded, quickly switching lanes. “America isn’t that hard to figure out.”
“Just get us there in one piece.” Hayley pleaded, cringing.
Al swerved around a semi, “No problem.”
She kept her eyes off the road and her mind off crashing my looking at the tiny map she had gotten at the airport. “You know for someone who lives in Denver, that man sure didn’t know much about Colorado.” She complained, trying to read the sketchy directions she had received.
“Well Denver is different from Colorado Springs.” Al said. “Give him a break.”
“I just don’t see this road!” Hayley complained. “How can we take a road that doesn’t exist?”
Al glanced over at the map quickly. “Maybe we just haven’t gotten there yet.”
Hayley looked back down at the map. “I think we missed it. How hard can it be to find Sherwood street?! The man said it was only two miles. We’ve gone at least five!”
“Yes but we also turned around since we were going the wrong way.”
“True. Ok, maybe we just haven’t gotten there yet.” Just then, Hayley looked up and saw a green mini-van turning in front of them. She searched for a street sign and saw that it was Sherman Street. “Turn here!” she shouted.
Al eyed her suspiciously. “Hayley, this isn’t it. This is Sherman, not Sherwood.”
“Just turn!” Hayley insisted. “I have a feeling.”
Al silently obeyed, hoping his wife wasn’t about to get them lost. They followed the min-van for some time before Hayley noticed the sign in the back of the window. “Pull up closer.” She told Al. “I want to read that sign.”
Al had to get almost on the bumper of the van before Hayley said he was close enough. “AHH!!!” she cried! “Honk of you love DQ!! Honk Al! Honk!”
Al refused to take part in the insanity, so Hayley leaned across the seat and lay on the horn. Suddenly, a little face appeared next to the large poster board. “It’s Mya!” Hayley called. “Oh my god Al it’s Mandy!” She started jumping up and down in her seat excitedly. “Pull up beside them.” She instructed.
Al complied once again, and soon, Hayley was waving out her window at the driver of the mini-van.
“Isn’t that one of your friends?” Ethan asked Mandy when he saw Hayley next to them. Mandy looked over and saw her friend trying tog et her attention. She waved excitedly back when she realized who it was. “Hayley!!” she cried. “Ahhh!!!!
“I told you mama.” Mya said, climbing back over the seat. “Not everyone in the world loves DQ.”
Mandy laughed at her daughter. She hadn’t thought that the person behind them had been honking at her sign. She’d almost forgotten it was even there. “Oh but they should!” Mandy said. “Ethan, pull over.”
“We’re almost there.” Ethan complained. “Can’t you wait?”
“No! Pull over!”
Ethan pulled the car to the side of the road and Al did the same. Mandy and Hayley jumped out of their cars and ran to each other. “Aaaahhhh!” they both cried jumping up and down.
“Ladies,” Ethan said. “There are a whole slew of your friends waiting on us. Can’t we wait for the screaming until then?”
Mandy stopped and looked at her husband, then at Hayley. “I can’t believe we ran into you on the road!”
“I know!” Hayley said. “The man at the airport told us Sherwood street. Good think I had a feeling to follow you. Sherwood! Can you believe it? We’d never have made it.”
“Well you can follow us from here.” Mandy suggested. “We have directions straight from Sheida. I doubt we’ll get lost.”
“Let’s hope not.” Hayley said. “Alright boys, we’re ready.”
The girls climbed back in their cars and headed down the road to Sheida’s. When they pulled up, they noticed two other cars already on the property. Both husbands drove up behind the cars and the wives got out and went to their children. Mandy let Mya out and she immediately ran over to Ellen and James. Mandy took her son out of the car seat and carried him over to Hayley and the other kids. After quick introductions, Mandy laughed. “I wonder how long it will take them to figure out we’re here.”
As if on cue, Ivy, Shelly, and Sheida came running out the front door of the large cabin. Another round of excited screams erupted from the group. “I can’t believe we’re all here again!!” Shelly said when the group had calmed slightly.
“We’re not all here yet.” Sheida disagreed. “Messa, Andi, and Gina are still driving.”
Shelly sighed. “Well yes, but you all knew what I meant! When are those Arizona girls getting here anyway?”
“Messa said around six or seven.” Sheida told them. “That means we have a good two hours before they get here.”
“Hmm what to do, what to do…” Ivy pondered, mostly to herself.
“Well we could unpack.” Hayley suggested.
“We already did that.” Ivy said. “We can wait for y’all if you want to.”
“Yea.” Shells agreed. “We can let the kids run around out here for awhile.”
“Well unpacking is one idea.” Mandy said, a better solution to the extra time forming in her head. “Or we can let the men do that.”
“What are you gettin at?” Ivy asked. Shells, Sheida, Mandy, and Hayley burst out laughing. “There's nothin' you can't say to me.” Ivy managed to say.
“Let me guess.” Jordan said, coming up behind his wife. “We’re quoting Dr. Quinn again.”
“Well I wasn’t trying to,” Ivy insisted. “It just happened.”
“Ok well what was that idea?” Shells asked.
“Well if the men go upstairs and unpack, then we can stay out here with the kids.” Mandy began.
“That doesn’t sound like much fun.” Sheida said. “I’ve been with them all day!”
“Let me finish.” Mandy hushed. “The kids can play and we can set up the teepees. You brought them right Shells?”
“Of course I did!” Shelly said. “They’re still in the car.”
“You brought teepees without telling me!” Ivy said.
“We all have our secrets.” Shelly laughed.
Ivy caught her husband’s eye and winked. “Yes I guess we do. But I think mine’s better the teepees.” She teased. Her comment did not go unnoticed, but it was ignored. The others all headed to Shelly’s car to get the teepees out.
“I’ll show the men the rooms.” Sheida said. “Wait for me!”
With the children running around in the tall grass behind the cabin, Ivy, Shelly, Mandy, Hayley, and Sheida set out to put together the teepees. Shells placed the fabric on the ground and began sorting out the long poles. “Hmm.” She thought. “Maybe we should wait until the Arizona trio gets here.”
“Are you kidding!?” Ivy said. “You tease us with teepees, then expects us to wait two hours?”
“You’re the one who was teasing!” Shells replied. “A better surprise then teepees? Tell us what it is!”
“I can’t.” Ivy said. “Besides, it’s really Messa’s surprise.”
“Is that what that package is?” Sheida asked, suddenly making the connection.
“The surprise is here?!” Hayley said excitedly. “Let’s open it up.”
“Oh no you don’t.” Ivy said. “No one is touching that box unless it’s Messa.”
“I did promise not to open it.” Sheida said.
“Well I didn’t!” Hayley said.
“Me either.” Shells piped in.
Mandy played the neutral peacemaker. “It won’t be a surprise if we open it.”
“But it’s so tempting!” Hayley complained.
“She’ll be here soon enough.” Ivy said. “Then you’ll find out.”
“Ok, ok, let’s surprise her then!” Shells said. “Now we just have to figure out how to do these…” Shelly picked up a few of the poles and tried to arrange them like the picture in the directions. “Anyone have any clue how to do this?” she asked after three failed attempts.
“Well it can’t be that difficult.” Ivy said. She walked over to Shelly and took the three poles she had been working with. She took some of the buckskin rope and tied the poles together. Then she stood them up and spread out the bases. Before long, the poles were standing upright. “There.” She said proudly.
“Looks good. Shelly said. “Except you forgot one thing.”
“What’s that?” Ivy asked.
“How are we supposed to put the fabric on now?”
Ivy looked up at the poles then down at the large pieces of fabric that were lying at their feet. “Umm we were supposed to attach that before we set these up weren’t we.”
“I think so.” Shelly agreed.
“Ok,” Mandy said. “Not a big deal. Now that we know how to set up the poles, we just put the cloth on first, and then set um upright. We can handle this.”
Now having a system to the madness, the girls set about getting the teepees put together. It took two of them to get each one, but before long, all eight teepees were up. The arranged them in a half circle and then dug out a large whole for the fire. They placed rocks around the hole and set up the small sit-upons for the children in place of the second half of the circle. The girls all stepped back to admire their work.
It wasn’t until all eight were up that everyone noticed the specific details on each teepee. Mandy had helped plan, so she of course knew. But Ivy, Sheida, and Hayley had originally thought they were plain teepees. When they saw there personal details, they were amazed. “Oh my!” Ivy said. “You got em designed?”
“Personally designed.” Mandy pointed out. “Shells did it.”
“They have our names on them.” Hayley noticed.
“Oh they are so cool!” Sheida said.
Everyone took a few minutes to admire the details. Gina’s Cheyenne name, Dances With Thunder, was painted above the door flap of the first teepee. Down the back was a giant bolt of lightening. To the sides were figures of people dancing around the fire that the lightening had caused. The other teepees followed the pattern of the Cheyenne name painted across the front. Andi, also known as Walks in Faith was next in line, being the next oldest. Her teepee was simple, furnished only with a large cross that shone with brilliant light.
Messa’s could only be described as crazy. A fitting description to go with her name: Crazy Horse. On the back of hers was a lone horse, painted brown with a white streak down it’s front. It was after all, her dream horse. The rest of the teepee was covered with purple swirls, pink polka dots, and she also had people, meant to look like people represented on Native American petroglyphs. Only hers were not dancing like Gina’s. Instead, they looked as if they were laughing beyond control and their hair was done up in a madness of curls that stood up straight.
Shelly had come up with her own design as well. To go with her name, Sings with Spirits she had drawn a musical staff that was made to look like swirls of wind and added tiny flying spirits all around. Hayley, or Runs With Horses, had a simple design of wild horses running through the open plains. Mandy’s was decorated with wild wind swirls, which matched her name, Whistling Winds. Ivy also known as Dream Chaser was covered in clouds with a large Dream Catcher in the center. And Sheida, or Spirit Seeker, had a simple apparition floating on the back.
Andi drove the van down the small dirt road and parked it behind Mandy’s rental. She was followed closely by her husband in the truck and Joshua in his car. Somewhere along the way, she and Messa had calmed down and returned to their original vehicles.
Messa was the first one out of the van. She placed Chris over her shoulder and went to take him to bed. Andrew met her at the door. “Hey there,” he said. “I’ve been instructed to take Les, Jim and Dave and force them to unpack. You Andi, and Gina are supposed to head out back with the kids.”
“I need to lie Chris down first.” Melissa said. “And if you can convince those three to unpack, then more power to ya.”
“Oh they’ll listen.” Andrew said. “Jordan, Daniel, Al, and Ethan, all unpacked for their wives. Plus I really don’t think they’ll want to be out back when I tell them what’s going on back there.”
Andrew opened the door and began leading Messa upstairs to the bedroom where her kids would be staying. “Oh?” she questioned. “And what exactly is going on?”
“I can’t tell you.” Andrew laughed. “It’s a surprise.”
Reaching the bedroom, Melissa placed her son down on one of the beds. “He’ll probably sleep for awhile.” She told Andrew. “Just have Jim keep an eye on him.”
“Sure thing.” He agreed. “You better get out there before they all come after you.”
Melissa laughed and headed back outside. Joshua, Melanie, and Katherine had already taken the younger children out back. Ivy suddenly came running around the side of the house. “They are here!” she cried.
The others soon came running behind her. Andi, Gina, and Messa ran to them and another screaming fit occurred. After a round of “Ahhs” and “hellos” and numerous hugs, all the women started talking a mile a minute. “Now we’re all together again.” Shelly said.
“Who would have thought that after all this time the DQ sorority would still be going strong?” Messa mused, scanning over the group. My how things had changed in ten years.
“We are like a sorority aren’t we?” Mandy said.
“Hey I’ve been saying that since 2003.” Andi laughed.
Everyone remained silent for a moment, thinking about their close-knit sisterhood. “Well,” Sheida said, interrupting the silence, “I believe the Arizona Trio have a surprise waiting for them.”
“Arizona Trio?” Messa wondered.
“That’s what we call you three now.” Ivy explained, “It works now that you are all in AZ.”
“And what happens when Messa and I move back to Colorado?” Andi asked.
“Then you will become the CS Trio with Sheida.” Shelly assumed.
“Yea and I will be all alone.” Gina sighed.
“Hey we can’t stay in Arizona forever.” Messa said. “I was born for Colorado.”
“Plus it’s too hot.” Andi agreed. “I need snow!”
“Ok, ok,” Gina said. “Move away and have your snow.”
“We will!” Messa confirmed excitedly. “But we have to finish our book first. You have a good six months with us there.”
“Right.” Andi said. “Now what’s this about a surprise?”
Shelly led the group to the back of the house. Andi, Messa, and Gina tried to take in the sight before them. Arranged in a half circle were the eight custom decorated teepees. They took a few minutes to appreciate the personal details of each one. “Oh my god guys! These are great!!” Messa said. “You made them?”
“Actually Shells did.” Mandy replied. “I came up with the idea and she made it happen.”
“She surprised the rest of us.” Ivy explained.
“We just couldn’t wait for you to set them up.” Mandy apologized.
“Oh it was more fun to be surprised anyway.” Gina said.
“Speaking of surprises,” Hayley interrupted. “I hear Messa has one for all of us.”
Messa looked to Ivy. “It’s here?” Ivy nodded. “Oh good! I was so worried it wouldn’t make it.” As she stood there, she could feel all eyes upon her. With a smile, she turned around and skipped a step, then wandered toward the house. “I think we’ve had enough surprises for today. I’ll save mine for another night.”
“Messa!!!” Andi yelled. “You’ve been tormenting us for long enough! Either you tell us, or we’re going to find that package and open it ourselves.”
“Didn’t I suggest that hours ago?” Hayley asked.
“You did.” Mandy said. “And I agree. I don’t want to wait.”
Messa knew she could only hold them off for so long, but she wasn’t quite ready to revel the news yet. “Trust me guys, just a few days. It will be worth the wait.”
“If you say so.” Gina said. “But you better tell us soon or we’ll all die!”
Ivy walked over to Messa. “You know, we can’t hold them off forever.” She whispered.
“I know.” Messa said back. “But it’s more fun to keep them waiting.” The sisters laughed and then turned back to the group. “It’s pizza’s around the camp fire tonight!” Messa said. “Who’s ordering?!”
“Already done.” Sheida said. “They should be here in 20 minutes.”
“Woo!” Messa yelled. Everyone laughed. Together again indeed.
The sky was dark and clear. It was something that Andi always loved about this place: The mountains in the foreground of the blanket of stars. One thing she never could figure out was why she didn’t move here sooner. The weather was perfect—hot, but perfect. She lay in the grass, staring up at the sky, wondering about everything. Again, why she didn’t move out here sooner; what had stopped her from being an author in the first place; why she didn’t follow her heart earlier in her life. Everything that she could think of, she just stared at the stars and asked, and the answer was always the same—silence and patience.
She smiled as she thought back to the days before she had met her family. She had no one; no one she could count on. Then she met Mandy, Melissa, Ivy, Gina, Shells, and everyone else on this trip. She had gone from being extremely shy around them to a sister. How she did that, she had yet to figure out, but she wouldn’t change it for anything.
“Hey!” a voice sounded. “Yoo-hoo. Earth to Andi. Come in, Andi!” Andi felt a slight kick to her leg.
She smiled at the voice of her older sister. “I’m sorry,” she replied monotone. “But Andi can’t come to the phone right now. If you leave your name and number, she should get back to you within the next year or so.” She looked up and saw all three of her sisters standing in front of her. Andi sat up and the three of them sat down.
“Where were you?” Ivy asked. “We were talking to you for a good while!”
Andi smiled. “Twelve years ago.”
Melissa’s eyes widened. “Twelve years ago? Why on Earth would you want to go back there?!”
“Do any of you realize how far we’ve all come since then? We started out just being friends and somehow ended up sisters. We were spread across the country from each other, and now we’re hardly more than a day’s drive away. It just amazes me.”
“Amazes you in a good way, or in a bad way?” Gina asked.
“Gina,” Andi said as she smiled. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that. Of course in a good way! I mean, twelve years ago, you had Melissa and me both starting out in school as English majors; Gina being the ever present older sister—well, when she could be there; Ivy was working and in school at home. A Tale of Two Sister was beginning its planning stages. And then to see where we are now, it’s almost like a massive dream, only we aren’t waking up from it—which makes it very cool.”
“You remember ALF?” Melissa said.
Ivy was the one who answered with, “I remember getting it completed by the time we came here the first time for Messa’s birthda—”
“It wasn’t for my birthday!”
Andi looked Melissa straight in the eye. “It was so for your birthday, dear sister, and you know it!”
“All right, you two,” Gina said. “Enough of the fighting. I don’t want to have to separate you two.”
“As if you could!” Ivy said. “The two of them have been inseparable since before they moved to Colorado Springs to begin with!”
“I know. And we’ve been paying the price for that ever since.” Gina smiled wryly at the two sisters who have considered themselves twins.
Andi smiled right back at her. “You love it, and you know it, so don’t complain.” Melissa was the first to crack, closely followed by Ivy, Gina, and Andi. Once all four sisters were laughing, no one could stop them.
Someone walked up to the four of them and stopped beside Andi. “Hey, Sera?” came a serious male voice. Andi looked up into the eyes of the only man alive who still called her by her given nickname—and even then, it was never a good thing.
“Yeah?” she answered her husband, suddenly serious. Gina, Ivy, and Melissa must have noticed the use of her given nickname as well, for they had stopped laughing also.
“Could I steal you from your sisters for a few minutes?”
Nope, Andi thought. Definitely not a good thing. Andi looked back at the other three, getting their silent permission to leave their little pow-wow. Andi walked over to a dark corner with her husband. “What’s the matter? You never call me Sera when I’m with them.”
“Taryn’s on the phone. I think you should talk to her. I’m going to go pack.”
“Pack?!” Andi exclaimed as she took her husband’s cell phone. “Pack to go where?! Are the children all right?!” Andi’s pulse quickened as she anticipated Dave’s answer.
He just calmly walked away and said, “Talk to Taryn.”
Andi put the phone to her ear. “Taryn, Honey? You okay?”
A tiny voice replied, “No.”
Andi nearly died. “What’s wrong, Sweetie?”
“Mommy forgot us.” Three words never sounded as frightening as those three did at that moment. Her step-daughter’s voice was laced with tears, as though she had been crying, and was on the verge of another episode. Thankfully, she had gone over to a wall of Sheida’s B and B because she had sunk down to the gravel walkway.
“What do you mean Mommy forgot you?” Andi’s anger was growing, and she knew she had her mother’s temper. However, unlike her mother, she knew how to control it. At the moment, she was finding it hard to control, but she struggled to keep her voice even as she asked, “Where did Mommy forget you?”
Taryn’s timid voice answered, “The airport.”
“The airport?!” Andi could hear Taryn start to cry, and her heart broke.
“Mommy came here to pick up her friend, and…and…”
“Let me talk to her!” an angry young boy’s voice demanded. “Hello? Andi?"
“Yes, Brad. I’m here. What on earth happened? Where’s your sister?!”
“She’s on the lady’s lap. Here’s what happened. Our mommy brought us here to pick up her boyfriend of the week. When she saw him, she went off with him somewhere. We’ve been stuck here all day!
“Is that so?” Andi’s worry was growing. She never really liked Darlene, the children’s mother. Especially when she did things like this. How do you leave an eight and a ten year old at an airport alone? How do you forget your own kids?! Andi had to calm herself down.
“Yeah, and a nice lady is letting us use her cell phone to call you.” He was silent a moment. A nice lady? “Oh, hang on. She wants to talk to you.”
“Hello?” came an older sounding voice.
“Hello,” Andi answered politely. “Who is this?”
“I’m Kara. I’m an English student at the University of Montana.”
“I see. I’m sorry if I seem a bit skeptical, but I’d like to know how it is you came by my children.”
“I was walking to my dock. My flight leaves tomorrow morning around ten, and I was going to hang here for the night. I was going to offer to you to watch the two of them until I had to leave tomorrow, if that was all right with you.”
“Again with the skepticism. I’m sorry. I should probably be thankful that you’ve found them, and not some fly-by-night nut case, and I am, believe me.”
“It’s all right, ma’am…”
“Why don’t you call me Andi? Everyone else does.” She paused a moment. “My husband should be there sometime between six and seven. I don’t know what flight he’s going for, but I’m sure he wants to get there as soon as possible. He’s packing now.”
“That’ll be fine. We can camp out at docking bay 14C, and he can find us there.”
“That’ll be fine. Thank you.” Andi could hear someone crying. “Is that Taryn?”
“Yeah. She said to me that she misses her real mommy and wants to go home.”
Andi smiled as her heart swelled. Their real mommy, huh? “Well, their father’s packing, like I said. Is Brad still there?”
“Of course. Hold on.”
There was a brief silence. A boy said, “Yeah, Andi?”
“I want you to stay with Kara for a while, all right? At least until Daddy gets there tomorrow morning.”
“Does that mean he’s coming for us?” There was a tone of absolute joy behind that question that Andi found to be quite amusing.
“Yes, sweetheart. Daddy’s coming for you.”
“You, too?”
“I’ll try. It depends on whether or not your aunts let me leave. If I don’t, I’ll see you tomorrow night, all right?”
“All right.” He was silent a moment more. “Andi?”
“Hmm?”
“We’re hungry.”
Andi’s mind set was snapped back to protective mother mode. “You haven’t eaten?!”
“No. Mommy left us here with no money stuff, and I didn’t take anything from Kara because I remembered what you said about taking food and candy from strangers.”
Andi smiled. “I’m glad you remembered that, honey. I’m proud of you.”
“Andi? Kara said that if she wants her to feed us, she will. She said she has enough money to do it. Is that okay? We really are hungry, Andi.”
“Brad, that’s fine. Go ahead and get something to eat. I don’t want you to leave your sister; you understand me? Stay with her at all costs.”
“All right, Andi. I will.”
“Good. I’m counting on you to do that.” He assured her once more. “Let me talk to her for a while, all right?”
“Sure.” There was another brief silence as Brad was passing the phone over to his sister.
“Andi?” A teary cry came across the line.
Tears began to form in Andi’s eyes as she leaned her head against the building. “Taryn, honey, I want you to listen to me. Everything’s going to be all right. Your daddy’s coming to get you.”
“Can you come, too?”
“I don’t know if I can, sweetie. But I’ll try, that much I can promise. Like I told Brad, if I don’t come, I’ll see you two tomorrow night, but Daddy’s for sure coming tomorrow morning. Probably before you two even know it.”
“I’m scared.”
Andi could hear Kara try to calm her with the “It’s going to be all right” line. “Honey, listen to Kara. Stay with her and your brother, okay? They’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”
“I love you, Andi.”
“I love you, too, Taryn. Please, just do that. You’ll be home tomorrow.”
“Andi?”
“What?”
“I hate my mommy.”
Andi, despite her current mood, smiled slightly. “Don’t hate her, honey. It uses up too much energy.”
“But I don’t want her to be my mommy anymore. I want you to be my mommy.”
“Well, I kind of already am, sweetie…”
“Can I call you mommy, then? I mean, you love us. She just says she does.”
Andi’s heart swelled. “Of course you can call me Mommy, Taryn. Nothing would make me happier, but right now, I need to go and find your daddy, all right? I need to talk to him before he leaves.”
“Okay. I love you, Mommy.”
Andi liked how that sounded. “I love you, too, Sweetheart. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Once Andi disconnected the line, she sat against the lodge for a few minutes to calm her nerves. Once she had control of herself, she stood up and went in search of her husband.
“Hey, Andi!” Melissa’s voice came as she passed by her sisters. “Everything okay?”
“Not at the moment. Give me five minutes.” Andi went into the building and found her husband. “I’m going with you.”
“Honey, no.” Dave said to her. “Someone’s got to stay here with the younger ones.”
“I know between Gina, Messa, and Ivy, the younger three will be fine.”
“Sera, this is your trip. You should be here. Besides, you’re going to Denver tomorrow to see your sister. If I’m not there, she’ll get over it. If you and I both don’t show up, you know there’s going to be a problem.” He could tell Andi still wasn’t convinced. “Stay here and go to Denver with your sisters and friends. We’ll be back before you know it.”
Andi still wanted to go, but Dave had a point. Her sister wouldn’t exactly have a fit if she didn’t show up, but she’d be upset. “Bring the two of them back here. Don’t take them to Arizona. They can at least enjoy the rest of the summer with their family.”
“Tell you what. If I can get an early enough flight, I’ll bring them to Denver. How’s that?”
“I don’t like this one bit, Dave. I want to go with you.”
“I know you do, Honey, but trust me. This is better. You’ll see all of us tomorrow.” He pulled his wife close to him and kissed her on the lips, the sweetness of her arousing his every sense the same way it had when they’d first met. “My flight leaves in a few hours. You need to get back to your sisters before they send out the S.W.A.T. team looking for you.” He smiled at her. “I love you.”
Andi smiled back. “I know. I love you, too. Be careful, all right?”
“You worry too much.”
“With our family and you, I have plenty to worry about.” She hugged him and left to find her sisters. Fortunately for her, they hadn’t moved.
“What’s going on, Andi?” Gina asked, barely giving her sister time to sit down.
“Dave has to go to Montana.” At everyone’s questioning glances, she proceeded to tell them everything that had just transpired.
***
The next day, the sun was up as well as the humidity. This was one thing about Colorado that Andi definitely didn’t miss. After everything the night before, Andi didn’t really sleep a wink, and man, was she tired. Melissa was the one who noticed her pale complexion and lethargic attitude. “You didn’t sleep last night, did you?” she asked.
Andi smiled a tired smile. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yes. It didn’t take me long, and if Gina sees you like this, she’s going to freak, and you know it.”
“I know, but you try staying up all night because you’re worried about what was going on with your children.”
“I did, Andi. I was up with Chris almost all night, but I swear, I still don’t look like I had fought world war three by myself. You haven’t slept well in a few days. What else is going on?”
“What makes you think something’s going on?”
“Andi, we’re the twins, remember? There isn’t much we can get past each other.”
“I’ll be fine. I’m just tired. You’re driving to Denver, so I’ll sleep on the way there, and I’ll be fine.”
Melissa, knowing her sister like she did, was no where close to being convinced. “You’re sure?”
“Positive. Now, quit worrying about me. I’ll be fine.”
Everyone climbed into each of their respective vehicles. As Gina was passing by Melissa with Ivy, she stopped them. “Keep an eye on Andi,” she told them.
Gina’s interest became peaked. “Why?”
“She hasn’t been sleeping right again. I think her mother’s been in too much contact with her or something because I haven’t seen her like this since we first moved to Colorado Springs.”
After they agreed, they climbed into the back of the van and the caravan of Dr. Quinn family cars left the compound, bound for Denver.
After a long while—a long nap, thankfully, for Andi—they arrived at the stadium where the Blue Knight Drum Corp was practicing. Andi’s eyes snapped open when she heard the age-old exercise/warm up, “Double beater” (originally designed by Steven Roman, Adonai’s instructor from years ago). “Oh, my God.” Andi sat forward. “Stop the van!”
Melissa pulled into a parking space, and Andi practically jumped out of the car. Her adrenaline was rushing. That exercise was taught to her by her sister years ago before she had actually become a writer.
Mandy, Sheida, and Hayley walked over to the fifteen passenger van with their kids and husbands. Bryan and Michaela ran over to their mother. “Mommy! I know that song!”
Andi smiled. “I know you do, honey! Aunt Adonai’s in there with the drumline.
“Really?!” the two of them squealed simultaneously. “Are we going in there?”
“Yes, sweetheart. But only for a little while. Aunt Adonai has to work. We’ll do dinner with her later.”
Shelley walked up to Andi. “I’m in heaven!”
Andi looked over at her friend as they walked towards the entrance. “You do look almost nostalgic.”
“I miss this.”
“Why’d you stop?”
“I got married, had children, and gained a career.”
“Ahh, I can see where that would become a problem.”
“Yeah.” The two of them laughed as the entire entourage followed them into the stadium.
Adonai was standing on the front hash of the fifty yard line facing the drumline, the line in a perfect straight line. “Again!” she yelled so the entire line could hear her.
Andi’s twins were already up against the fence yelling to their aunt. Adonai turned around and motioned for the two of them to join her on the fifty. “Stop, stop, stop! Guys, this is not a hard thing to play.” The twins had arrived at their aunt. She looked down at them. “You two, tell them what I told you to ask them.”
The twins counted to three silently and in very loud, six-year-old voices, yelled, “What does this look like? High school?”
“No, Ma’am. No Sir!” the line shouted back at them forcefully, scaring them into their aunt’s legs.
Adonai laughed at the frightened expressions on her niece and nephew’s faces. Then she turned to the line. “Dismissed!”
The line broke formation and filed off of the field with the rest of the brass. One of the drummers came up to Adonai and said, “So the hard corps instructor has a soft spot, huh?”
Adonai turned to the drummer. “I do. And if you tell anyone, I’ll have you running laps with your drum on the front and a bass drum on your back for a week.”
“The line saw it, Adonai. You can’t hide from us forever.”
“Will you just go to dinner?” Adonai knelt down to her niece and nephew. “Now, what are the two of you doing here? Where’s your mom?”
“She’s over there with everyone else,” Bryan answered. “You’re coming to dinner with us!”
“Oh, I am, am I?”
“Uh, huh,” Michaela answered. “And you have to call me Michaela, because now there’s a whole bunch of us.”
“Oh, it’s that ‘everyone else’ that you’re with. How about I call you DG?”
“What’s that mean?”
“Drummer Girl.” They started walking over to the group of people. Andi was standing up against the fence, flanked on either side by Melissa and Gina. “Hello.”
Andi smiled. “Hello. Nice exercise. Wherever did you get it?”
“From a short, bald man some time ago.”
“Ha-ha. Have you talked to him lately?”
“Who? Roman?” When Andi nodded, Adonai continued, “Oh, yeah. His, uh, ‘Little drummers’ are coming to the age of Songs of Hope. He's driving them nuts because they want to meet the author, and he knows you.”
“Hey, all he has to do is pick up the phone and call.”
“Yeah.” Adonai looked to everyone standing there. Many of the kids had gone to talk to instrumentalists about instruments and what type of drums they play. The Blue Knights seemed to be getting a kick out of the extra attention. The instructors were as well. Naturally, you have to have that one kid that runs around. Adonai smiled as she realized it was her youngest niece, Colleen, that was doing the running, being chased by her Aunt Ivy.
Two little kids came running up to the four women. One of them was Mike, the other was Bryan. “Mommy?” Mike said.
Melissa looked down at her daughter. “What?”
“There’re motorcycles in the parking lot!”
Oh, no, Melissa thought. “Yes, there are. What about them?”
“Can we go look at them?”
“Whose are they?”
Adonai looked at Melissa. “They’re mine and my husband’s.”
Bryan looked at Mike. “Told you. My aunt’s so cool!” Then he turned to Adonai. “Can we sit on them?”
Adonai looked him square in the eye. “Not unless you ask me properly.”
Bryan gave a disturbed growl. “Oh, okay. May we sit on them?”
Mike looked hopefully at Adonai, purposefully missing her mother’s worried glance.
Fortunately, Adonai didn’t. Nor did she miss her sister’s shake of her head. “Maybe later, guys. Not right now.”
“Oh, please? We’ll be careful.”
“Hey, Mike?” Andi said when Mike began begging.
“Yeah, Aunt Andi?” Mike turned to look at her aunt.
“There’s a few things about Adonai you should know. One, if you beg, the answer’s no. Two, she knows that your mother doesn’t like you on those things, and frankly, so do you. Three, Adonai’s not going to go against your mother. If your mom says it’s all right, then it’s all right. But since you didn’t ask your mom first, it’s no. Four, they’re her bikes. What she says is law when it comes to those things.”
“But…”
Melissa knelt down to her daughter. “No buts. Adonai said no, and Andi’s right. You know I don’t want you near things like that, much less on them. They’re nice to look at, but that’s all. I don’t want you on them. Understand me?”
Mike looked down at the ground. “Yes.”
“Good. Now go play. And I meant what I said. Stay away from the bikes.”
“I will, mom!” Mike ran to catch up with her slew of cousins.
Andi was talking with her sister again. “So when do the knights do dinner? As in what time?”
“Well, rehearsal is ending with dinner tonight, so it’s going to be quitting time for me.”
“That really answered my question, there, dear. Thanks.”
“Around five or so. Where were you planning on eating?”
“I don’t know.” Andi looked around at the other mothers that had gathered around. It was the father’s turn to watch the rowdy bunch. “What sounds good to you?”
“I saw a Perkins on the way in,” said Hayley.
“Denny’s is right down the street,” Mandy said, joining the group.
Adonai brightened at that. “Denny’s sounds good. Let’s do Denny’s.”
“Okay,” Andi said. “Denny’s at say, six? Gives you a chance to go home after practice.”
“Sounds good.”
“See you then.” Andi and the rest of the entire group then left to do whatever sightseeing.
They hadn’t gotten quite out of Adonai’s eyeshot when they were passing by the motorcycles and Les came up to Andi. “This is all your fault.”
Andi stood in stunned silence. “Excuse me? What’s all my fault?”
“This sudden interest of my son’s in motorcycles.”
Gina gaped at her husband. “Les, what are you talking about?”
“Joshua was just over by the motorcycles, looking at them like he wanted to ride one.”
Melissa tried to reason with him. “So was my daughter, but it doesn’t mean she’s going to.”
“Your daughter isn’t old enough to drive one of those things.”
He had her there—she wasn’t. “So,” Andi argued, “how is his liking my sister’s bike my fault again?”
“You’re the one who introduced him to them to begin with.”
“Really? And all of the magazines he has; the watching Motocross…”
“All started because you…” and at this point, Les pointed a finger directly at Andi, nearly touching her. “…just had to show it all to him.”
“What are you talking about?! Joshua was the first one to show everything to me like it was some new sport. I just explained that it was a sport when I was younger, too!”
“Oh, really? And where did he get the magazines from, then?”
“I don’t know! The library maybe? Heaven forbid your son walk into one!”
Les had never looked so angry at anyone before. “I want you to stay away from my family. You’ve influenced my wife; you’ve influenced my son; and I will not have you doing any more damage.” He took a step towards Andi. Gina had never seen anyone recoil from fear like Andi did at that moment.
From out of no where, Adonai appeared in front of him, a fire in her eye that Andi hadn’t seen in years. “Back off.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m her sister. More accurately, I’m the second half of her soul. I’m also the thing that’s going to make sure that you don’t touch her.”
“I’m not going to hit her.”
“You’re absolutely right. You’re not. You’re also not going to advance on her again. She’s had enough of people that are your age who have advanced and scared her throughout her entire life. I’m not letting her relive what she had to at home growing up because I was the one who got your son into bikes; I was the one who gave him those magazines; and I was the one who taught him about Motocross. If you’re going to advance on anyone, you’re going to advance on me—not Andi. Now, if I were you, I’d back up a step.”
Andi’s voice cut in. “Let it go, Adonai. It’s okay.”
“No, Andi, it’s not. I’m not backing down until he backs up.” When Les finally had enough of the staring contest between him and Adonai, he backed up. Adonai then backed down. “I wouldn’t do that again.”
“Who’s scared you like that, Andi?”
Andi only glared at him, tears forming in her eyes. “Maybe if you’d listened to your wife how many years ago when she’d met us, you’d know.” Andi began walking towards the cars, being followed unknowingly by Sheida.
“Hey,” Sheida said as she caught up to Andi. “You okay?”
“Yes, and no. I’ll be all right in a little bit. Just let me stop shaking, and I’ll be okay.”
“No, really. Are you okay?”
“Of course I’m okay, Sheida. I just had a man old enough to be my father—actually he’s a little younger than my father, but he’s close—advance on me like my father used to do when I was younger and ‘had to be controlled.’ I’m just perfect. Absolutely perfect. I haven’t been able to sleep much in the past week; I was just practically threatened by a man who thinks he has to be like my father. Yeah, I’d say my life’s looking real good right about now.”
Sheida was, at first, taken aback by Andi’s sudden attitude change, but she did keep in mind that it was the shock after the fear that was coming out. She tried to just be there for Andi, but Andi had gotten quiet all of a sudden, like a wall had been built around her.
“Sheida?” came a familiar voice. Sheida looked over and saw Melissa. “Let me talk to her a second.” Sheida walked away silently, and Melissa went to stand in front of Andi.
“I’m sorry,” Andi said in tears.
“What for? You didn’t do anything. If anything, Les should be the one apologizing.”
“I meant for the whole crying and shaking thing.”
Melissa smiled as she took her sister into a hug. “Memories seldom fade quickly,” she quoted from one of Andi’s stories.
“And rarely do they ever leave quietly,” Andi finished. “I shouldn’t be this afraid after being away from home for how many years. I should be over this by now!”
“Andi, don’t do this to yourself. You’ll probably have this fear in you forever. It’s facing it that you’re having a hard time doing, and when you’re ready, I’ll be there for you all the way, you know that.”
“I do. Thanks.” Once Andi had calmed down and reassured her children, everyone climbed back into their cars and left so that Adonai could get back to work on some extra percussion stuff and they could get some sightseeing done. Les had apologized to Andi, claiming that he never wanted to scare her that badly, but Andi basically took it in stride. No one ever wants to scare anyone that badly, and frankly, Andi was tired of listening to people say things like that. She forgave him and everything, but one thing she never understood about people in general is: If you don’t want to scare someone that badly, then why do you do it? It was just one of those life questions that Andi pondered over when she was younger and she never could find an answer.
Andi was sitting in the back seat with her twins and youngest child keeping them company. After Les had started yelling at her, they all didn’t want to leave her side, so instead of going through the crying bit, Andi just sat in the back. Colleen was napping and the twins were about to join her. Andi pulled out her cell phone to check her voicemail and see if her husband had called.
He had, thankfully. The children were waiting at the gate when he got of the plane. They were all right, and he’s expecting to be on the eight o’clock plane into Denver. Well, it’s later than she’d like, but not too bad. There were messages each from Taryn and Brad that made her smile. And one more message from her doctor.
“Hi, Serenity. This is Doctor Miller’s office calling. Your test results are in.” Andi’s eyes lit up at what the results revealed. So that’s why I’m not sleeping, she thought.
Melissa looked back at her sister to check on her and saw absolute delight on her face. “What’s that look for?”
“Shush a second. I’ll let you know in due time.”
“Oh, ok.” They pulled off the road somewhere to feed the children, and the phone call was soon forgotten. Well, for now anyway.
>br>***
That evening, after dinner and everything, Andi asked Melissa to drop her off at the airport so that she could meet up with her husband. While they were driving in, she saw their truck in the parking lot, so either they were still here, or the plane hadn’t come in yet. Judging by the time, the plane hadn’t come in. “You sure you’re going to be all right, Andi?” Gina asked, the ever-present worrier of the group.
“Gina, I’ll be fine. I’m not sixteen waiting for a boyfriend on a plane; I’m thirty-two waiting for my husband and children. My three shouldn’t be a problem to get to sleep; they’ve had a long day. See you back in camp.” And with that, Andi began closing the door.
Melissa, however, called to her, “What about that phone call? What was that about?”
Andi just smiled as she said, “Bye, Messa.” Andi walked inside and asked where the plane was that had her husband and children on it. Once she had directions, she went and waited. She glanced down at her watch. Seven forty-five. She had fifteen minutes until he showed up, and she could quit worrying about her other two.
Fifteen minutes had gone by, and the plane had landed, but he wasn’t on the plane. She glanced down at her cell phone. No messages. Where was he? She sat back down and tried to think of what might have happened. She knew they had to have been safe because she would’ve been called if he wasn’t. So she waited.
Two hours had gone by when another plane finally landed. She stood up and watched the passengers getting off. She saw her husband and his two children walking towards the door.
“Mom!” Brad called as they entered and he took off for her.
“Mommy!” his sister echoed as she raced after her brother.
“Hey, guys!” Andi said as she knelt down to encompass both of the children at once. Then she looked up and saw Dave standing there. She stood up and was lightly kissed by him. “What happened? I was expecting you two hours ago!”
“Our mother wouldn’t let us go,” Brad supplied.
“She wouldn’t?”
“No,” Taryn said as the family began walking towards the baggage claim. “She said that she was supposed to get us for the summer and that was that.”
“Yeah,” Brad said. “And dad was like, ‘You get them for the summer. That means you have to take care of them for the summer.’ So while him and our mother were fighting, her bed-buddy…”
“Her what?!” Andi was surprised to hear this ten-year-old talking like this.
“Sorry, mom. Boyfriend. Anyway, he was getting our stuff together and taking it outside. He said something about us not being worth the fighting and that dad should just take us.”
Taryn suddenly stopped and pulled on Andi’s hand. “Yeah, and you know what she said?”
Andi turned to her and knelt down in front of her. “What did your mother say?”
“She said, ‘Who wants a bunch of dirty, smelly kids anyway?’”
Andi saw tears brimming in the child’s eyes. She smiled as she took Taryn into her arms. “I want a bunch of dirty, smelly kids. That’s who wants you.”
“’kay.”
“That’s what I told her,” Brad commented.
“Really? I’m glad you told her that, because, you’re right.” Andi smiled at Brad.
“He did,” said Dave. “Twice.” He walked over to Taryn and picked her up. “I also told you that you had nothing to worry about in that department, remember?” When Taryn nodded, Dave continued, “Now, let’s go get our bags and we’ll stop at McDonald’s on our way back to Colorado Springs.” Cheers rang out from the two children.
“McDonald’s?” Andi asked him, a wry smile on her face. “You’re going to give them McDonald’s at ten o’clock at night? They’ll be up half the night!”
“They’ll sleep, Andi. Trust me. When I talked to Kara this morning, she told me they’d hardly slept last night, worried she’d take off.”
Andi’s heart went out to the children. “Did you pay her back for feeding them last night?”
“I tried to.”
“She didn’t take the payment?”
“Nope. But we arranged something.”
Andi became suspicious at his tone. She held onto the children as he claimed their luggage. When he returned to his wife and children, Andi hit him with, “What kind of arrangement?”
“Her sister’s fourteen, and reading your books. We worked out an autographed copy to her. I think she’s reading the one before Never Say Goodbye. I told her what I’ll do is have you autograph a copy of Never Say Goodbye and send it to her sister.”
Andi smiled. “I think I can do that.”
“So,” Dave said. “Anything interesting happen while I was gone?”
Andi let out a small laugh. “That’s a discussion best saved for later. Let’s get these two fed and to Colorado Springs. I know everyone there’s probably worried about us by now.”
“Honey?”
“Yeah?”
“Let me see your cell a sec?”
Andi handed him her cell phone as they started walking. “What’s wrong?”
He held it up so he could see it better. “Ok, that explains it.”
“What explains what?”
“I tried to call your cell to let you know about being late, and I couldn’t get through. You have no cell in this building.”
“Oh. Oh, well.”
“Mommy!” a small voice complained. “Let’s go! We’re hungry!”
“All right, all right. We’re going!” and with that, the family of four left the airport to find the nearest McDonald’s and eat.
***
By the time the four of them got back to Colorado Springs, it was nearly Midnight. The children had fallen asleep in the back of the truck, and Dave was talking to Andi. “How well did you sleep last night?”
“I didn’t. I napped on our way to Denver.”
“Honey, that’s the eighth night in a row!”
“I know, but at least there’s an explanation for it this time.” At her husband’s questioning glance, Andi explained, “I got a call from Doctor Miller. He said my test results had come in.”
“And?” Andi told him the rest of the voicemail message. “You’re joking!”
“Nope. Not joking.”
“Have you told your sisters yet?”
“Nope.”
“Are you going to?”
“Oh, sure. But when we get to the campsite—if they’re even still awake.”
Dave was watching the dirt road ahead of him. “Well, if the three of them standing by the van is any indication, I’d say they are.”
“Oh, my word. Gina looks about ready to pounce.”
Dave pulled the truck into an empty space as the three sisters approached. Once Andi had gotten out of the car, Gina, Melissa, and Ivy were waiting. “Where were you?!” Gina asked.
“On our way down from Denver,” Andi answered. “Why?”
“His plane was supposed to come in at eight, Andi! It’s midnight, and it’s not a four hour drive from Denver!”
“His plane was late, Gina. Calm down!”
“Why didn’t you call us?”
“One, because I would’ve had to leave the airport to do so. I had no signal where I was. Two, like I said, I’m not sixteen, I’m thirty-two, and I’m not going to be treated like I’m a teenager. Three, I didn’t think I had to ask permission to spend some time with my husband and children. Now, if the three of you don’t mind, I’m going to put the two of them to bed with their brother and sisters, and then you can continue with the ‘lecture of a lifetime’ I’m sure I’m going to get! Excuse me.” Andi turned around and reached into the back of her truck to unbuckle a tired Taryn and take her into her arms. She went into the lodge and put the two of them to bed.
When she came back out, all three of her sisters were sitting where they had been the night before. Andi joined them. “Okay, now let me have it.”
“We’re not going to let you have it, Andi,” Melissa said to her. “We were just worried about you, that’s all. Gina just has a problem with keeping her mouth shut sometimes. You know that.”
“Yeah, I do. But I could’ve called. Sorry about that.” All three of them smiled. “Okay, I’m going to bed. I’ll see the three of you in the morning.”
However, Melissa wasn’t letting Andi off of the hook that easily. “You have yet to tell us about that phone call!”
“Oh, that thing,” Andi practically blew it off. “That was nothing. Just my test results.”
Melissa about jumped out of her skin. “When did you go for tests?!”
“Yeah!” Gina exclaimed.
“What?” Ivy, poor kid, had no idea what was going on. “Why wasn’t I told?”
Andi gaped at her. “You, my dear, were a little preoccupied!” She turned back to everyone else. “Okay, you guys really want to know?”
Melissa nearly jumped across the short distance between her and her sister. “Talk, Andi!”
“I’m pregnant.”
Continued
ALF Facts a page I set up with all the facts about all of us...to make this easier to write.