Page 51 of Take Two

“What?” I ask with a bit of an attitude.

“I didn’t say a thang.” I put a cartoon on and sit Johnny down next to Evan, saying a silent prayer that they don’t ask to watch Annie again. While Colt waits for his wife and our mother, I decide that we’ll still have a picnic, only indoors. Once they leave, I’ll set everything up.

A few minutes later, the women return, and Violet is in a pair of jeans and a white tee. She’s a few inches taller than Vickie, but the clothes fit her perfectly.

She winks at me, but her smile drops when she looks into the kitchen. I follow her line of vision and find my brother digging around in the bag she brought. I rush to him and pull it away.

“What are you doin’?” I ask, but I already know. He’s looking for alcohol. “I should punch you,” I whisper.

“I thought that was Vickie’s,” he lies. I point to the stitching that clearly says Violet.

“And since when do you go through Vickie’s bags?” I ask, knowing darn well that he doesn’t. “She’d cut your hands off.” He shrugs and moves away without offering another lie.

“I was going to make us mocktails at the park,” Violet says, loud enough for Colt to hear.

“We’re still havin’ a picnic. Just in the living room instead of outside. We’ll set up once everyone leaves.” Colt leans against the wall and watches us though he doesn’t try to be discreet. I guess I’d watch too. There have been times when I’ve been sober, but no longer than a few months at a time. Not long enough to have a woman in my life who didn’t have the same vice as me. Now that I’ve been sober for years, and I know there’s no conceivable way that I will ever drink again, having a woman in my life is a new dynamic. Once upon a time, alcoholwas the only woman I needed. All she did was take and never provided anything good in return. I’m finally at a point where Colt believes my sobriety is for good, but Violet is a curveball he doesn’t know how to deal with yet.

Once Mama’s ready, we say goodbye to the rest of my family, and I feel a sense of relief.

“I’m gonna go find the picnic blanket while you make our drinks.” I lean down and kiss her cheek.

“No!” Johnny yells from the living room.

Violet giggles, and I go find the blanket.

“Do you like them?” Violet asks the boys. She got them both cups with their initials on them. Evan nods and hugs her.

“No,” Johnny says while he hugs her legs and sticks the straw in his mouth. She made them mocktails too, and they’re happily drinking while she helps me clear the living room.

Once we do that and wash the dishes, the boys say they want to watch Annie. I groan, but I dim the lights and tell them they have to go to bed once the movie is over.

We all get on the couch, with the boys between us, and watch the movie. My eyes glaze over until she reaches behind the boys and rubs my shoulder. It feels so good, I close my eyes and tilt my head back.

Today was a long day. I went to a meeting, talked with my sponsor, worked out hard with my brother, and now all that has caught up to me. I also didn’t sleep enough the night before since me and Violet were up late.

I’m jolted awake when I hear giggles and feel someone poke me in the forehead. My eyes pop open and Johnny is staring at me grinning.

“Unco Tarley,” he says, poking me again. “Wake up.” I look around and spot Violet in the kitchen with Evan. I grab Johnny and lift him above my head.

“Time to go to s-l-e-e-p,” I say.

“No sleep!” Johnny yells.

Violet looks over and says, “He can spell?”

“He’s a spelling savant even though all he knows how to say is no.” I put him down and say, “J-u-m-p.” He starts to jump. Violet nods, clearly impressed. I lift him, put him under my arm like he’s a football. I go to the kitchen and do the same with Evan.

After helping them change into pajamas and brushing their teeth, it takes them less than ten minutes to fall asleep. Despite having their own room, Evan insists that Johnny share his room. Every night Johnny is put in his crib, and every morning, he’s found in Evan’s bed. That’s if they don’t both end up in their parents’ bed.

After, I find Violet standing in the living room. Her back is turned as she looks out the wall of windows overlooking Central Park, and when I wrap my arms around her and kiss her cheek, she turns and looks into my eyes.

“You’re coming home with me, right?” she asks.

“You think I’m gonna let you walk home in the dark by yourself? What kind of boyfriend do you take me for? Mama would kill me if I did that.”

She grins, and says, “But are you going to let me ride your dick?”

“Darlin’, you never have to ask. It’s yours whenever you want.” And I lean down and take her plump soft lips in a kiss.

---