The Inn in Rhode Island, page 18
“I don’t know. Ask her, she’s the bookkeeper,” I said jokingly but meant it.
Kourtnee smiled. “Hmm, that was my first clue. She told me never to let her know how much cash we had. I’m kidding. Almost three-hundred thousand. Okay, two-hundred and seventy-one. To be exact.”
I was grinning from ear to ear.
“What does it take to run the place? Down to the penny,” Dan asked.
Dan was not only good at making money, he’s even better at saving it.
Kourtnee handed him a different spreadsheet. Dan read it several times. I watched as she twisted her mouth in anticipation of his findings.
“Can I have a piece of paper and a pencil? Please,” Dan said to her as he extended his hand.
I knew what Dan was doing. “I’m going to get a pot of tea. What can I get the two of you?” I stood up and put my hand on Dan’s back.
“Tea for me,” Kourtnee replied.
“Yeah,” Dan said, and I knew better than to interrupt him, but I also knew he would not drink the tea.
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, what?”
“Water. Get me a water, please.”
When I got back to Kourtnee’s office, Dan was still crunching the numbers. I put his glass on the desk and poured two cups of tea. Kourtnee and I each took a sip.
I almost choked when he shouted, “Hell, yeah! Okay, this is how we’re going to do it. Rent the cottage out as a bridal suite for five twenty-five per night. The five rooms on the second floor for four seventy-five and the twenty suites for three twenty-five. And the upstairs corporate rooms for five-fifty a night.”
“Dan?” Kourtnee was shaking her head. “One question. Where are we going to sleep?”
Dan handed the paper to her and glanced over at me. “Julie?”
“Kourtnee, Dan and I have sold our home and our property in New York. Dan owns the equipment we need to build—”
“Yeah, I got that, but where are we supposed to sleep. I have a baby.”
“Kourtnee, Julie and I would like to reward the staff with their own cottages.”
“Bigger than the one Frank built,” I chimed in. “What do you think?”
“Are you serious?” She got up. “You guys…”
“You’re important to us.” I hugged her. “You’re family.”
Kourtnee laughed.
Dan and I were both smiling at her. “What?” I asked.
“You have no idea how difficult it is to make love with an eleven-month-old baby in the same room.”
“I’m sorry about that. That’s my fault,” Dan said to her.
I looked at Dan, wondering why he thought it would be his fault. “Oh, because Jesse’s in Delilah’s room?” I said, looking at Kourtnee. “He can go back to sleeping on the sofa at the cottage.”
“No. Stop. He’s fine. Oh, my God, Kevin is going to be thrilled. Seriously. Every time Delilah wakes up and catches me on top, Kevin yells over to her mommy’s riding a horse.”
Dan and I both laughed.
“What…?” Kourtnee snapped her neck to the right.
I coughed. “I’m not saying a word. Okay, so I think we all agree, we need to schedule a meeting. Go ahead and place your order. Oh, wait. What about Erin?”
Dan reached for his glass. “What about her?”
“How many hours a day will she be working with you?” I asked.
“I need her two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon.”
I nodded. “Good, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“Kourtnee, can you hire someone to help Julie with all that she does?”
She chuckled. “Yeah, right? Actually, I was thinking of hiring two people for the dining room, and two more to take over all of the laundry, and one extra person just for cleaning.” She waved us off. “Don’t worry about wedding season, Michael has his own crew he likes to bring onboard.”
“One more question.” Dan pointed toward her. “How much of a bonus did everyone receive last time?” He shrugged his shoulders and scratched his head. “It was blank on the spreadsheet.”
Kourtnee opened another file on her computer screen. “Total of a hundred and ten thousand, Julie paid us a percentage of the wedding business. I have a copy of the checks.”
“No, no. I wanted to make sure I didn’t overlook anything. Julie, you’re going to be fine. Even with the new houses.”
“Wait! What are my responsibilities?” I said, wondering what I was supposed to do now that someone else would be making beds, cleaning, dusting and serving dinner to my guests.
“I got it! Innkeeper.” She took a sip of her tea. “At The Inn in Rhode Island. Are we done yet?”
“Eek,” I screamed. My cell phone was on vibrate. “Hello. No, it’s good. Oh, Lynnae, I’m so happy to hear that. You got it!” I raised my eyebrows. “I’m with Kourtnee and Dan. Yes. I will. See you in an hour.” I tapped on my phone. “Lynnae said the boys can go see their father.” I stood up. “She said, hi, by the way. We’re good?”
“Get going. I got this. Guys, thanks.”
I blew her a kiss.
Chapter 42
Dan and I headed over to the daycare to get the boys. When we reached the lobby, Teresa and Erin were discussing upcoming events. “Sorry for the interruption but we have fantastic news! Lynnae just called me. The doctor said Barry is well enough to see the boys. Dan and I are going over to the daycare to pick them up and take them to see their father.”
“Oh, Julie, that’s great. That means he’ll be coming home soon.” Teresa put her hands together, and I knew she was saying a quick prayer.
Erin picked up her notepad. “I’ll come with you, so Kyle isn’t upset, when you take the boys and not him.”
All of a sudden, I noticed all our Christmas decorations were still up. Normally, we take them down right after the New Year. “When I get back, let’s all work on taking the decorations down,” I said.
“Good idea, considering tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day.” Teresa held up a picture Kyle had made in daycare, celebrating the day.
“That’s adorable,” I said before asking Erin, “How has Lady been? Because if she’s any problem at all, we can take her down to the cottage with us.” I was hoping she would say that she thought Lady missed Dan and me.
We were in front of the day spa when Erin said, “Kyle’s not the only person to have fallen in love with your dog. I enjoy her company, especially when Kyle falls asleep at night. She’s very smart. Kyle gets a kick out of her when she gives me the correct paw. I like how she stands guard at the bathroom door. Lady is very well mannered. I can’t believe she doesn’t get up on the furniture. And it’s almost like she feels bad when she has to go outside. Geez, if you take her away, how will I know when to get up?”
Dan opened the door to the daycare. “No one is taking her away,” he said.
“I’m glad you enjoy her as much as we do,” I said, as I followed Erin inside.
The children were all napping. Amanda waived to us. First, I peeked in on Brin. Her lips were moving as if she was nursing. Delilah’s tushie was straight up in the air. The boys were in their own individual daybeds. Kyle was hugging his new therapy cat Amanda had bought him for Christmas. I whispered over to Erin. “I forgot about his cat.”
Erin whispered in my ear. “He loves when it purrs.”
I heard Dan ask Amanda to call us when they woke up. “We’ll buy them lunch on our way to the hospital.”
“You got it,” Amanda replied, smiling.
Before we left, I bent down and told Lady that Lynnae was coming home soon. I knew she understood, because she waggled her eyebrows. “I love you, baby girl.” I kissed her goodbye. I knew she was content when she rested her head on her paws.
Erin, Dan and I were on our way back to the inn when I suggested, “I think we should hire a security guard.”
Dan stopped walking. I turned toward him. “What?”
He held his hands out. “What about Jesse and me? Jesse used to be a bouncer. That’s not enough?”
“Dan, I think Julie’s saying this because I came face to face with one of Josh’s customers. It’s my fault, I’m sorry.”
I felt bad. “That’s not why I suggested it. I’m thinking about all the children.”
“When did this happen?” Dan shouted, hands out in front of him, palms up, staring at me.
“The other day, when I took Erin to see Rose. Dan, we have children on the property. In a few weeks, you, Jesse and Kevin will be off building one house after another and—”
“Once again, you’re right. I think it’s a great idea. But?”
“Please?”
“I said it’s a good idea. Especially if it means the children will all be safer.”
Chapter 43
By eleven-thirty, Dan and I had taken the ornaments off the tree in the library, put away our angel, and packed up Erin’s candle. Because of pure neglect, I had to toss out the paper whites. Dan asked if he should take down the garland on the mantle. “It still smells good.” He shrugged his shoulders before adding, “What do you think?”
“Nah, take it down. Before we blink Valentine’s Day will be here and no one will have the time to deal with it,” I said.
“Michael and I just cleaned up both dining rooms. Where do you want to put these?” Christine was standing in the doorway, holding up the new silver candlesticks.
The vitamins offered by the pharmacist for Christine’s postpartum depression seemed to be working. She appeared to be her old self. “Let’s store them in the big pantry,” I said. “We can use them on special occasions.”
“Valentine’s Day?” She asked, then rolled her eyes and said, “It must be lunchtime.”
I smiled as soon as I heard Brin crying. Amanda and the children dropped into the lobby. “The boys are back, let’s go,” I said as I motioned to Dan.
“Mommy!” Kyle shouted as he ran over to Erin. She picked him up, winked at me, and headed for the kitchen.
I gave Lady a hug and told her to go with Kyle. Dan picked Max up.
“What’s going on in here?” Jesse was back from visiting his new girlfriend. “Just in time for lunch. Something smells good.”
“Actually.” Dan put his hand on Sam’s head. “Aunt Julie and I were just about to take these guys to see their father.”
“Daddy?” Max inquired.
“We’re going to see my mom and dad?” Sam reached over and tugged on my hand. “Really?”
“I think so,” I said, smiling back at him.
“Are they on Block Island?” Sam asked.
“No–” I started to explain.
Jesse interrupted me by saying, “I’ll go. I’ll sit in the back with the boys.” Then he picked Sam up, but Sam fussed.
“I’m too big!” he shouted as he squirmed.
Jesse kissed him on his cheek. “Never!” Then he put him down.
“I’m going to grab some lunch, before the gang returns from skiing,” Teresa said to us as she checked her watch. “I’ll see you guys when you get back. Give Lynnae and Barry my love.”
Jesse shook his head. “What gang?”
“Guests.”
“Oh! Why didn’t she just say that?”
I reached past him and grabbed my coat. “Let’s go see Daddy!”
Dan put Max in his car seat, buckled him in and asked Sam, “Where do you think you’re going, Buddy?”
“In the back,” Sam replied as he sat in the third row.
Jesse turned to Sam. “Why don’t you want to sit next to me?”
I moved Jesse to the side. “I’ll sit with the boys. Sit in the front.” When I turned toward Sam, he already had his seatbelt on.
“I’m old enough,” he said, looking out the side window.
“Hmm, and how old is enough?” I asked.
Silence.
“Julie, he’s fine. Right Sam?”
“Thanks, Uncle Dan.”
I tapped Max on his foot. “We’re checking his birth records, when we get back.”
“Mine, too?” Max asked, because he had to do everything his big brother did.
“Yep. Are you excited about seeing your mother and father?”
Max’s eyes opened wide. Sam grumbled from the third row. Then we heard him say, “Mom and Dad aren’t on Block Island are they?”
“No, Sam. Sam, your father was in an accident,” Dan said to him.
“Was it bad?” Sam asked under his breath.
Dan drove onto the main road before answering him. “Sam, your father was in a minor car accident. But he’s okay.”
“Did he almost die?” Sam asked.
I turned to face Sam. “No, sweetheart. Daddy did not almost die. He just needed to stay in the hospital for a few days.”
“Sam.” Dan called back to him.
“Yeah, Uncle Dan.”
“You’re old enough to know the truth.”
“Me, too?” Max said, sounding confused.
Dan pulled the car to the side of the road. Opened his door and then opened my door. He leaned in and said, “Let me in.”
I got out of the car and Dan climbed into the back. “One of you can drive,” he insisted.
It was musical chairs. Jesse sat in the driver’s seat and I got out and sat in the passenger seat while Dan sat next to Max.
Jesse put the car in drive and drove to the hospital. I sat quietly and listened to Dan as he explained to the boys what had happened.
“I don’t want you to be upset with your mother. She loves you very much. It was better for her to stay with your father. He needed her.”
“You’re right. Uncle Dan, I understand. Max and I had you and Aunt Julie.”
“And Jesse,” Max added.
“That’s right, little buddy.” Jesse turned around and smiled at Sam. “I love you guys.”
Sam nodded his head. “Love you, too, Uncle Jesse.”
I glanced back at them and then over at Jesse. Sam appeared better, and Jesse was beaming.
“We’re here,” Jesse said as he put the Explorer in park.
“Remember, we’re in a hospital. So no loud noises,” I said before adding, “okay?”
Dan unbuckled Max. Then he helped Sam out of the backseat.
We stopped at the front desk and waited for our nametags. Five minutes later, Dan was standing in Barry’s doorway. I watched as both boys reached up and took hold of Dan’s hands. Lynnae was reading to Barry. When she looked up and saw the boys, she motioned to Barry.
Lynnae stood up, and Max ran into her arms.
Sam was still holding Dan’s hand. Dan told him to go see his father. When Sam didn’t let go of his hand, he picked Sam up and hugged him. “It’s okay. Oh, Sam…”
Sam buried his face on Dan’s shoulder. His long legs, dangling, hitting Dan in his shins.
Lynnae gently set Max down on the bed next to Barry, came over and took Sam from Dan’s embrace. “Oh, sweetheart.” She held Sam’s face in her hands. “Sam, your dad is right here.” Lynnae picked him up and set him down on the bed next to Max.
Sam collapsed onto his father’s chest. Barry hugged him. “I love you more than anything in the world.” He kissed the boys on top of their heads. “I’ve missed you, too,” he said.
Dan, Jesse, and I left the room. We went to the cafeteria and bought drinks for everyone. Lynnae said the doctor told her no more than thirty minutes. Dr. Plimpton wanted Barry to save his voice for a few more days. By the time we got back up to the room, Sam was telling Barry about his dream of becoming a news anchor. “I want to travel all over the world,” Sam said, his face serious.
Barry nodded. “That’s great, son.” His voice was still raspy. He reached out, and I took his hand. “Thank you,” he said with the biggest smile on his face.
I leaned over and kissed the side of his face. “We love you so much.”
Lynnae picked Max up and tapped Sam on the shoulder. “Dad needs his rest. Sam, I promise we’ll be home in a few days.”
In a voice we were all surprised to hear, stern and grown up, Sam said, “Mom, don’t worry about us. Max and I are fine. We’re even doing our schoolwork. Dad needs you more than we do. Aunt Julie, Uncle Dan.” Sam turned around and smiled at Jesse. “And Uncle Jesse are taking good care of us.”
“And Kyle. And Lady,” Max added, as our tears turned to laughter.
Lynnae kissed him on his cheek. “You better be good to Lady. She’s my sister.”
Max pulled back. “Huh?”
I kissed Lynnae and Barry goodbye. Dan and Jesse shook Barry’s hand and told him they would see him in a couple of days.
Sam reached for Max. “Come on, Max, Dad needs his rest. Mom, take care of our dad for us.”
Lynnae sniffled and waved goodbye, then mouthed. “Love you,” to all of us.
We stopped at Aunt Carrie’s Seafood Restaurant for lunch. When the server brought over a high wooden chair for Max, Max told her he was too big for highchairs. Jesse grabbed his hands and spun him around in a full circle. “That’s right, you tell her.” Then he sat him down on the chair next to his.
Our server set a menu down in front of each of us and asked if we wanted anything to drink.
We all ordered the homebrewed iced tea.
“No sugar in mine, please,” I said.
“Okay, I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
I tapped Max on the hand. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m hungry.” Sam picked up his menu and added, “Max usually gets chicken fingers.”
“They have chicken tenders.” I smiled at Max and asked, “Is that what you want?”
“Uh-huh. And honey. Please,” he said, rubbing his hands together.
“Okay, I’m having the chowder,” I said. “Who else would like a bowl of chowder?”
Max raised his hand. “Me.”
“Why don’t you let him taste yours first and if he likes it, then we’ll order him a cup,” Dan suggested. “Does that sound good, Max?”
“We both like chowder,” Sam told Dan. “Daddy makes it on fish night.”
Dan laughed. “Two cups of chowder it is.”
“How about coconut shrimp? I’m getting the shrimp and a bowl of chowder.” Jesse reached over and poked Sam in his side. “What do you think about that?”
Kourtnee smiled. “Hmm, that was my first clue. She told me never to let her know how much cash we had. I’m kidding. Almost three-hundred thousand. Okay, two-hundred and seventy-one. To be exact.”
I was grinning from ear to ear.
“What does it take to run the place? Down to the penny,” Dan asked.
Dan was not only good at making money, he’s even better at saving it.
Kourtnee handed him a different spreadsheet. Dan read it several times. I watched as she twisted her mouth in anticipation of his findings.
“Can I have a piece of paper and a pencil? Please,” Dan said to her as he extended his hand.
I knew what Dan was doing. “I’m going to get a pot of tea. What can I get the two of you?” I stood up and put my hand on Dan’s back.
“Tea for me,” Kourtnee replied.
“Yeah,” Dan said, and I knew better than to interrupt him, but I also knew he would not drink the tea.
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, what?”
“Water. Get me a water, please.”
When I got back to Kourtnee’s office, Dan was still crunching the numbers. I put his glass on the desk and poured two cups of tea. Kourtnee and I each took a sip.
I almost choked when he shouted, “Hell, yeah! Okay, this is how we’re going to do it. Rent the cottage out as a bridal suite for five twenty-five per night. The five rooms on the second floor for four seventy-five and the twenty suites for three twenty-five. And the upstairs corporate rooms for five-fifty a night.”
“Dan?” Kourtnee was shaking her head. “One question. Where are we going to sleep?”
Dan handed the paper to her and glanced over at me. “Julie?”
“Kourtnee, Dan and I have sold our home and our property in New York. Dan owns the equipment we need to build—”
“Yeah, I got that, but where are we supposed to sleep. I have a baby.”
“Kourtnee, Julie and I would like to reward the staff with their own cottages.”
“Bigger than the one Frank built,” I chimed in. “What do you think?”
“Are you serious?” She got up. “You guys…”
“You’re important to us.” I hugged her. “You’re family.”
Kourtnee laughed.
Dan and I were both smiling at her. “What?” I asked.
“You have no idea how difficult it is to make love with an eleven-month-old baby in the same room.”
“I’m sorry about that. That’s my fault,” Dan said to her.
I looked at Dan, wondering why he thought it would be his fault. “Oh, because Jesse’s in Delilah’s room?” I said, looking at Kourtnee. “He can go back to sleeping on the sofa at the cottage.”
“No. Stop. He’s fine. Oh, my God, Kevin is going to be thrilled. Seriously. Every time Delilah wakes up and catches me on top, Kevin yells over to her mommy’s riding a horse.”
Dan and I both laughed.
“What…?” Kourtnee snapped her neck to the right.
I coughed. “I’m not saying a word. Okay, so I think we all agree, we need to schedule a meeting. Go ahead and place your order. Oh, wait. What about Erin?”
Dan reached for his glass. “What about her?”
“How many hours a day will she be working with you?” I asked.
“I need her two hours in the morning and two in the afternoon.”
I nodded. “Good, that’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“Kourtnee, can you hire someone to help Julie with all that she does?”
She chuckled. “Yeah, right? Actually, I was thinking of hiring two people for the dining room, and two more to take over all of the laundry, and one extra person just for cleaning.” She waved us off. “Don’t worry about wedding season, Michael has his own crew he likes to bring onboard.”
“One more question.” Dan pointed toward her. “How much of a bonus did everyone receive last time?” He shrugged his shoulders and scratched his head. “It was blank on the spreadsheet.”
Kourtnee opened another file on her computer screen. “Total of a hundred and ten thousand, Julie paid us a percentage of the wedding business. I have a copy of the checks.”
“No, no. I wanted to make sure I didn’t overlook anything. Julie, you’re going to be fine. Even with the new houses.”
“Wait! What are my responsibilities?” I said, wondering what I was supposed to do now that someone else would be making beds, cleaning, dusting and serving dinner to my guests.
“I got it! Innkeeper.” She took a sip of her tea. “At The Inn in Rhode Island. Are we done yet?”
“Eek,” I screamed. My cell phone was on vibrate. “Hello. No, it’s good. Oh, Lynnae, I’m so happy to hear that. You got it!” I raised my eyebrows. “I’m with Kourtnee and Dan. Yes. I will. See you in an hour.” I tapped on my phone. “Lynnae said the boys can go see their father.” I stood up. “She said, hi, by the way. We’re good?”
“Get going. I got this. Guys, thanks.”
I blew her a kiss.
Chapter 42
Dan and I headed over to the daycare to get the boys. When we reached the lobby, Teresa and Erin were discussing upcoming events. “Sorry for the interruption but we have fantastic news! Lynnae just called me. The doctor said Barry is well enough to see the boys. Dan and I are going over to the daycare to pick them up and take them to see their father.”
“Oh, Julie, that’s great. That means he’ll be coming home soon.” Teresa put her hands together, and I knew she was saying a quick prayer.
Erin picked up her notepad. “I’ll come with you, so Kyle isn’t upset, when you take the boys and not him.”
All of a sudden, I noticed all our Christmas decorations were still up. Normally, we take them down right after the New Year. “When I get back, let’s all work on taking the decorations down,” I said.
“Good idea, considering tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day.” Teresa held up a picture Kyle had made in daycare, celebrating the day.
“That’s adorable,” I said before asking Erin, “How has Lady been? Because if she’s any problem at all, we can take her down to the cottage with us.” I was hoping she would say that she thought Lady missed Dan and me.
We were in front of the day spa when Erin said, “Kyle’s not the only person to have fallen in love with your dog. I enjoy her company, especially when Kyle falls asleep at night. She’s very smart. Kyle gets a kick out of her when she gives me the correct paw. I like how she stands guard at the bathroom door. Lady is very well mannered. I can’t believe she doesn’t get up on the furniture. And it’s almost like she feels bad when she has to go outside. Geez, if you take her away, how will I know when to get up?”
Dan opened the door to the daycare. “No one is taking her away,” he said.
“I’m glad you enjoy her as much as we do,” I said, as I followed Erin inside.
The children were all napping. Amanda waived to us. First, I peeked in on Brin. Her lips were moving as if she was nursing. Delilah’s tushie was straight up in the air. The boys were in their own individual daybeds. Kyle was hugging his new therapy cat Amanda had bought him for Christmas. I whispered over to Erin. “I forgot about his cat.”
Erin whispered in my ear. “He loves when it purrs.”
I heard Dan ask Amanda to call us when they woke up. “We’ll buy them lunch on our way to the hospital.”
“You got it,” Amanda replied, smiling.
Before we left, I bent down and told Lady that Lynnae was coming home soon. I knew she understood, because she waggled her eyebrows. “I love you, baby girl.” I kissed her goodbye. I knew she was content when she rested her head on her paws.
Erin, Dan and I were on our way back to the inn when I suggested, “I think we should hire a security guard.”
Dan stopped walking. I turned toward him. “What?”
He held his hands out. “What about Jesse and me? Jesse used to be a bouncer. That’s not enough?”
“Dan, I think Julie’s saying this because I came face to face with one of Josh’s customers. It’s my fault, I’m sorry.”
I felt bad. “That’s not why I suggested it. I’m thinking about all the children.”
“When did this happen?” Dan shouted, hands out in front of him, palms up, staring at me.
“The other day, when I took Erin to see Rose. Dan, we have children on the property. In a few weeks, you, Jesse and Kevin will be off building one house after another and—”
“Once again, you’re right. I think it’s a great idea. But?”
“Please?”
“I said it’s a good idea. Especially if it means the children will all be safer.”
Chapter 43
By eleven-thirty, Dan and I had taken the ornaments off the tree in the library, put away our angel, and packed up Erin’s candle. Because of pure neglect, I had to toss out the paper whites. Dan asked if he should take down the garland on the mantle. “It still smells good.” He shrugged his shoulders before adding, “What do you think?”
“Nah, take it down. Before we blink Valentine’s Day will be here and no one will have the time to deal with it,” I said.
“Michael and I just cleaned up both dining rooms. Where do you want to put these?” Christine was standing in the doorway, holding up the new silver candlesticks.
The vitamins offered by the pharmacist for Christine’s postpartum depression seemed to be working. She appeared to be her old self. “Let’s store them in the big pantry,” I said. “We can use them on special occasions.”
“Valentine’s Day?” She asked, then rolled her eyes and said, “It must be lunchtime.”
I smiled as soon as I heard Brin crying. Amanda and the children dropped into the lobby. “The boys are back, let’s go,” I said as I motioned to Dan.
“Mommy!” Kyle shouted as he ran over to Erin. She picked him up, winked at me, and headed for the kitchen.
I gave Lady a hug and told her to go with Kyle. Dan picked Max up.
“What’s going on in here?” Jesse was back from visiting his new girlfriend. “Just in time for lunch. Something smells good.”
“Actually.” Dan put his hand on Sam’s head. “Aunt Julie and I were just about to take these guys to see their father.”
“Daddy?” Max inquired.
“We’re going to see my mom and dad?” Sam reached over and tugged on my hand. “Really?”
“I think so,” I said, smiling back at him.
“Are they on Block Island?” Sam asked.
“No–” I started to explain.
Jesse interrupted me by saying, “I’ll go. I’ll sit in the back with the boys.” Then he picked Sam up, but Sam fussed.
“I’m too big!” he shouted as he squirmed.
Jesse kissed him on his cheek. “Never!” Then he put him down.
“I’m going to grab some lunch, before the gang returns from skiing,” Teresa said to us as she checked her watch. “I’ll see you guys when you get back. Give Lynnae and Barry my love.”
Jesse shook his head. “What gang?”
“Guests.”
“Oh! Why didn’t she just say that?”
I reached past him and grabbed my coat. “Let’s go see Daddy!”
Dan put Max in his car seat, buckled him in and asked Sam, “Where do you think you’re going, Buddy?”
“In the back,” Sam replied as he sat in the third row.
Jesse turned to Sam. “Why don’t you want to sit next to me?”
I moved Jesse to the side. “I’ll sit with the boys. Sit in the front.” When I turned toward Sam, he already had his seatbelt on.
“I’m old enough,” he said, looking out the side window.
“Hmm, and how old is enough?” I asked.
Silence.
“Julie, he’s fine. Right Sam?”
“Thanks, Uncle Dan.”
I tapped Max on his foot. “We’re checking his birth records, when we get back.”
“Mine, too?” Max asked, because he had to do everything his big brother did.
“Yep. Are you excited about seeing your mother and father?”
Max’s eyes opened wide. Sam grumbled from the third row. Then we heard him say, “Mom and Dad aren’t on Block Island are they?”
“No, Sam. Sam, your father was in an accident,” Dan said to him.
“Was it bad?” Sam asked under his breath.
Dan drove onto the main road before answering him. “Sam, your father was in a minor car accident. But he’s okay.”
“Did he almost die?” Sam asked.
I turned to face Sam. “No, sweetheart. Daddy did not almost die. He just needed to stay in the hospital for a few days.”
“Sam.” Dan called back to him.
“Yeah, Uncle Dan.”
“You’re old enough to know the truth.”
“Me, too?” Max said, sounding confused.
Dan pulled the car to the side of the road. Opened his door and then opened my door. He leaned in and said, “Let me in.”
I got out of the car and Dan climbed into the back. “One of you can drive,” he insisted.
It was musical chairs. Jesse sat in the driver’s seat and I got out and sat in the passenger seat while Dan sat next to Max.
Jesse put the car in drive and drove to the hospital. I sat quietly and listened to Dan as he explained to the boys what had happened.
“I don’t want you to be upset with your mother. She loves you very much. It was better for her to stay with your father. He needed her.”
“You’re right. Uncle Dan, I understand. Max and I had you and Aunt Julie.”
“And Jesse,” Max added.
“That’s right, little buddy.” Jesse turned around and smiled at Sam. “I love you guys.”
Sam nodded his head. “Love you, too, Uncle Jesse.”
I glanced back at them and then over at Jesse. Sam appeared better, and Jesse was beaming.
“We’re here,” Jesse said as he put the Explorer in park.
“Remember, we’re in a hospital. So no loud noises,” I said before adding, “okay?”
Dan unbuckled Max. Then he helped Sam out of the backseat.
We stopped at the front desk and waited for our nametags. Five minutes later, Dan was standing in Barry’s doorway. I watched as both boys reached up and took hold of Dan’s hands. Lynnae was reading to Barry. When she looked up and saw the boys, she motioned to Barry.
Lynnae stood up, and Max ran into her arms.
Sam was still holding Dan’s hand. Dan told him to go see his father. When Sam didn’t let go of his hand, he picked Sam up and hugged him. “It’s okay. Oh, Sam…”
Sam buried his face on Dan’s shoulder. His long legs, dangling, hitting Dan in his shins.
Lynnae gently set Max down on the bed next to Barry, came over and took Sam from Dan’s embrace. “Oh, sweetheart.” She held Sam’s face in her hands. “Sam, your dad is right here.” Lynnae picked him up and set him down on the bed next to Max.
Sam collapsed onto his father’s chest. Barry hugged him. “I love you more than anything in the world.” He kissed the boys on top of their heads. “I’ve missed you, too,” he said.
Dan, Jesse, and I left the room. We went to the cafeteria and bought drinks for everyone. Lynnae said the doctor told her no more than thirty minutes. Dr. Plimpton wanted Barry to save his voice for a few more days. By the time we got back up to the room, Sam was telling Barry about his dream of becoming a news anchor. “I want to travel all over the world,” Sam said, his face serious.
Barry nodded. “That’s great, son.” His voice was still raspy. He reached out, and I took his hand. “Thank you,” he said with the biggest smile on his face.
I leaned over and kissed the side of his face. “We love you so much.”
Lynnae picked Max up and tapped Sam on the shoulder. “Dad needs his rest. Sam, I promise we’ll be home in a few days.”
In a voice we were all surprised to hear, stern and grown up, Sam said, “Mom, don’t worry about us. Max and I are fine. We’re even doing our schoolwork. Dad needs you more than we do. Aunt Julie, Uncle Dan.” Sam turned around and smiled at Jesse. “And Uncle Jesse are taking good care of us.”
“And Kyle. And Lady,” Max added, as our tears turned to laughter.
Lynnae kissed him on his cheek. “You better be good to Lady. She’s my sister.”
Max pulled back. “Huh?”
I kissed Lynnae and Barry goodbye. Dan and Jesse shook Barry’s hand and told him they would see him in a couple of days.
Sam reached for Max. “Come on, Max, Dad needs his rest. Mom, take care of our dad for us.”
Lynnae sniffled and waved goodbye, then mouthed. “Love you,” to all of us.
We stopped at Aunt Carrie’s Seafood Restaurant for lunch. When the server brought over a high wooden chair for Max, Max told her he was too big for highchairs. Jesse grabbed his hands and spun him around in a full circle. “That’s right, you tell her.” Then he sat him down on the chair next to his.
Our server set a menu down in front of each of us and asked if we wanted anything to drink.
We all ordered the homebrewed iced tea.
“No sugar in mine, please,” I said.
“Okay, I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
I tapped Max on the hand. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m hungry.” Sam picked up his menu and added, “Max usually gets chicken fingers.”
“They have chicken tenders.” I smiled at Max and asked, “Is that what you want?”
“Uh-huh. And honey. Please,” he said, rubbing his hands together.
“Okay, I’m having the chowder,” I said. “Who else would like a bowl of chowder?”
Max raised his hand. “Me.”
“Why don’t you let him taste yours first and if he likes it, then we’ll order him a cup,” Dan suggested. “Does that sound good, Max?”
“We both like chowder,” Sam told Dan. “Daddy makes it on fish night.”
Dan laughed. “Two cups of chowder it is.”
“How about coconut shrimp? I’m getting the shrimp and a bowl of chowder.” Jesse reached over and poked Sam in his side. “What do you think about that?”
