[[[-RECOLLECTIONS-2-03.TXT-]]]
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Recollections 2
Written by: Kaadorix
M/F, F/F and a whole lot more
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Chapter 03: "Values"
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-*- Sunday, October 29, 2017 -*-
-*- Lake Quivira, Kansas -*-
Though it was late October, today was unseasonably warm at a
balmy 62 degrees Fahrenheit as Merissa and I left our lakefront
home and stepped onto the adjacent beach, but I knew it would not
be long before the thermometer dipped again. Winter, as they say,
is coming. Cold, freezing temperatures would be here soon enough,
bringing with them lacerating chills, arctic air and dense whirls
of snowfall that would ghost down all around us. Ultimately, the
sparkling Kansas landscape would be lined with white and silver.
This morning when I'd woken up with Alexa and Merissa in my
arms, their heads using my shoulders as their pillows, there
had been a moment - a perfect fleeting moment - when I was again
reminded that the three of us were together and enveloped in
love. It was not a dream. This was actually our life.
Merissa had hair that most women could only dream of; thick,
brown, and just the right hint of wave. She wore a long-sleeved
red hoodie and jeans today and, despite her casual attire, looked
as gorgeous and glamorous as a high end fashion model. Then again,
that was normal. Another way to describe Merissa was to simply
say that she was smoking hot, which meant that I was stealing
glances of her as we leisurely walked the edge of the beach. A
few of the retail stands were open and we stopped at each of them.
"Could you imagine me wearing this?" Merissa asked, picking up
a vintage Def Leppard t-shirt and holding it against her chest.
"I could," I said with confidence. "Merissa the Retro Rocker
Chick has definite Hollywood possibilities. I could write that
script easy. A sweet, demure, wholesome wife and mother in the
prime of her life abandons everything and everyone she has ever
known to go on the road and be the best groupie to ever group."
Merissa pointed at me. "I just made you a millionaire. You
can retire and take it easy now. You're welcome." She put the
t-shirt down and we walked on. "I'm hungry. I require food."
"I know the perfect spot." She _required_ food?
I escorted Merissa along the shoreline and eventually past the
Lake Quivira Country Club, where it seemed they were setting up
for a wedding later this afternoon or evening. Everything looked
cheery and festive. With such a beautiful day, Merissa and I saw
lots of families and children, rollerbladers, sun-seekers and even
a lounger reading a book underneath a tree. The sweet aroma of
cotton candy and corn dogs wafted our way as we stepped off of
the boardwalk and strolled over toward a parked food truck.
"You're not going to make me eat a panini, are you?" I laughed
in response as Merissa added, "Or whatever that sandwich was that
Lexi fixed for herself last night. I've never seen such a thing."
"Would you prefer a panini?" I was still grinning. "I will
scour this beach from end to end and find you a black bean hummus
panini sandwich just like Lexi's if it's the last thing I do."
"I was kidding," Merissa countered. "It's the weekend and the
weather is still nice. Let's eat beach food."
"Perfect, because Mike introduced me to this place - this food
truck - earlier in the year. That sweet, old lady in there sells
killer wraps and sandwiches. My favorite is the broccoli cheddar
soup grilled cheese. Messy as hell, and big and awesome."
She raised an eyebrow. "Broccoli cheddar soup grilled cheese?"
"It's food porn," I informed my wife. "Gratuitous food porn."
Merissa nodded thoughtfully. "Wow, Jeremy. You really know
how to sell a girl. Gratuitous food porn. Count me in, then."
I grinned and appreciated how Merissa was willing to step
outside her comfort zone and eat some of the things I enjoyed.
Unfortunately the same could not be said for Alexa, but that was
perfectly fine. She was a vegan and followed a strict diet.
Merissa picked up a cool handful of sand as we approached the
truck and let it trickle between her fingertips.
"You'd think you'd never seen sand before," I observed.
"No sand in Overland Park, where I grew up," Merissa confided,
"but if there was, it would come with a lot more grit. Like me.
This stuff," she added, picking up another heaping handful, "is
surprisingly soft, so pretty. Just like Lexi."
"And you too," I grinned. "Don't deny it."
I was a firm believer that the best sandwich was one that
required several extra napkins just to get it onto the plate, and
several more afterward to clear it from your tastebuds' memory. I
preached and strived to be healthy, but sometimes I broke down and
had to cheat. I was going to hate myself before, during and after
eating this huge, sloppy sandwich, but I was okay with that.
Merissa stunned me, however, when she ordered a grilled ham and
cheese sandwich topped with a fried egg and mayonnaise. So out
of character for her. But instead of something traditional such
as French toast, Merissa got it served between two freshly glazed
doughnuts. Impressive; the _doughnutwich_! Talk about gratuitous
food porn at its absolute apex...
"We're just another week or two before the temperature drops
for good and it becomes bone-chilling cold," Merissa said moments
later as we walked, eating our sandwiches and people-watching.
She paused long enough to glance over at a group of four people
in a drum circle, causing a loud ruckus. Not saying that was a
bad thing, mind you. Merissa smiled and turned back toward me.
She crinkled her nose. "Always a unique experience every time you
and I take our weekly stroll on Lake Quivira Beach, Jeremy."
"It is."
"Remember that one guy we saw back in August? What did Lexi
call him? The Sun Worshiper? He had orange, leather skin and
a complete indifference to the rest of humanity. We went by him
and Lexi wondered if he was asleep or actually dead. That dude
wasn't moving. He just wanted to lie back and bask in the sun's
rays, worshiping his giant yellow God the only way he knew how."
"I remember," I nodded. "He looked like the wild offspring of
Ernie from _Sesame Street_ and a crocodile. He definitely loved
the sun, and the sun loved him. No doubt."
"I have a strange fascination with The Treasure Seeker."
I offered a puzzled expression. "Hmmmmm?"
"The Treasure Seeker," she repeated. "You know, the people who
slowly wander the beach with a metal detector in their hands,
oblivious to the rest of the world, convinced that something lurks
beneath the sand other than, well, you know, more sand. They block
out all other sounds with giant earphones which relay the tiny
blips and bleeps from their metal detectors to their ears and, if
they're lucky, at the end of the day, they can sit back and proudly
clutch a couple of nickels or maybe even a whole quarter."
"You're so SAVAGE today!" I grinned. "What's gotten into you?
You're really fascinated with treasure seekers?"
Merissa smirked and shook her head. "Not really." She then
took a deep breath and mused, "I also remember the last time Lexi
and I went to the beach together to go swimming. Back in August.
You know, we spoke about The Sun Worshiper and The Treasure
Seeker, but Lexi has her own moniker too. The Queen."
I chuckled. "Lexi? The Queen? Do explain."
"Yes! Every beach has one. The bikini-clad Queen is the most
beautiful girl on the beach. She's the one the pack of wild dogs
otherwise known as men circle and sniff and fight over like dumb
animals just for the chance to ogle her. Sometimes Lexi, The
Queen, is accompanied by her court - namely me, you, the kids -
other times she rests alone, atop a regal beach towel. People
desperately try to pretend like they're not staring at her and she
pretends that they aren't looking, either. The Queen shoots down
the lame advances of every brave, shameless man who dare approach
her. She acts flattered and annoyed. The Queen rules the beach
and everyone else on it just revolves around her and her court."
"Most beautiful girl on the beach? I'd wager that Lexi would
tell me that YOU'RE The Queen, honey, not her."
Merissa rolled her shoulders in denial. "No way. Not me."
She vigorously shook her head. "But back to what I was saying.
It's going to get cold really, really soon, and I think we should
rent the pavilion at the yacht club and spend a half-day there
with the kids. You know, build a fire in the fire pit. That
would be really fun before winter settles in."
"I'd be down for a bonfire. Would Lexi?"
Merissa nodded with conviction. "She mentioned it last week,
which is why it was in my head. It's been too long. We could
bring space heaters for the kids, too. Have some chill music.
Maybe even invite some friends or family over, too."
"And my famous steaks on the hibachi grill."
"I remember you did steaks the last time we went out there as
a family," Merissa mused. "They were good."
"Those steaks were better than good, they were excellent," I
said in ultra-serious mode. "I even brought my own home-made
poblano sauce because I do not mess around whenever there is a
grill around. You're married to me, Merissa. You know this."
"Mike and Pamela were with us last time, too," she recalled.
"Everyone was happy and full of steak. Well... almost everyone.
Lexi was happy, but you fixed that vegetable medley for her on
the grill. No steak in her tummy. It's been over ten years now."
"I could never swear off meat like she has."
Merissa shrugged. "Me either." She took a healthy bite of her
_doughnutwich_, and I grinned as thick mayonnaise dribbled down
Merissa's cheek. I quickly handed her a napkin.
"Told you it was good and messy."
"You left out fabulous. How are people not lined up around the
boardwalk for this? The entire city?"
"You got me." I nodded at the kid on rollerblades as he passed
us. Whomever he was, he was a good kid. He had on a Kansas City
Chiefs' jersey! The Sun Worshipper, The Treasure Hunter and The
Queen? "Did I ever tell you how much of a turn-on your brain is?"
Merissa took a moment to finish chewing. "No, but that's good,
because with my face coated with doughnut glaze and mayonnaise like
this, my brain may be the only thing turning you on at the moment."
"Please," I said, glancing at her up and down. Including her
face, of course. "You've never been more attractive to me than
you are right now - eating and wearing beach vendor food at the
same time." I chuckled and added, "In fact, I'm so into you right
now that we should probably get away from all of this. Find our
own spot." The country club was tremendous fun, but the crowds,
the noise, and the spectacle usually ran its course quickly. I
craved one-on-one time with either of my two wives.
"We can walk up to the north side of the lake," Merissa
suggested. "Find a secluded place and relax for a bit."
"Yes," I said. "Absolutely yes."
After a romantic stroll beyond the beach and through a loosely
wooded area, Merissa and I found the perfect spot next to an
eastern cottonwood tree where we snuggled up, laughing, and
watched the ducks frolic and swim by. With me sitting against
the trunk of the tree, my legs stretched out, Merissa lay in the
crook of my arm. We enjoyed the warm rays of sunlight, our feet
propped up and resting in a bed of leaves and broken branches.
"I bet people who aren't from the area would never suspect that
there are really nice beaches - like this one - here in Kansas,"
Merissa speculated. "When we went to visit my family down in
Atlanta this past summer and spent that day in Hilton Head, in
South Carolina, those beaches have nothing on this one."
"You really mean that?"
"I do," she insisted. "I mean, I love this beach. It's right
outside our home and it's accessible 365 days a year for us. I've
only lived here for three-and-a-half years, but I already have so
many good memories of it. This beach... makes me feel romantic."
"Oh really?" I countered in a deep tone, slipping my hand
underneath Merissa's hoodie and the t-shirt she wore, and then
sliding my fingertips across her abdomen. Merissa had a reaction
to it; shifting about somewhat, but then seemed startled when she
looked up and noticed my dark eyes burning back at her.
"Should we fool around?" Merissa whispered. "On the beach?"
"I don't see anyone, do you?" I popped my head up and looked
around. It was all the encouragement Merissa needed.
"I only see you."
I instantly melted, my heart bursting with love. "Oh, baby."
Merissa smiled, and the corner of her eyes crinkled. She then
maneuvered about until she was straddling my hips and the two of
us were face-to-face. Without even thinking, I unbuttoned
Merissa's jeans and slipped a hand inside. Her face transitioned
immediately. "Oh Jeremy," she murmured, her eyes fluttering
closed, her skin flushing as her hips moved. "Oh, my."
It never failed to amaze me just how much I enjoyed bringing
Merissa (and Alexa for that matter) pleasure. I studied Merissa's
face and stroked her perimeter, getting closer, brushing across
her center but then pulling away. Several times over, in fact. I
listened to Merissa breathing, the only sound amongst us other than
the calm, peaceful waters of Lake Quivira just yards away. This
moment was a microcosm of our marriage - our relationship - as a
whole. Her eyes, a hickory as rich as the earth's soil and stained
with the color of hot chocolate, crashed into mine and in them I
saw the desire, the lust, the want looking right back at me. I
knew Merissa's body well enough to understand that I could give
her exactly what she needed in just a matter of moments. I slid
two fingers beneath the lacy band of Merissa's panties and then into
her, curling them, searching for the spot that would unglue her. I
found it and immediately set forth with a good, powerful rhythm.
"Don't stop," Merissa begged, her mouth now centimeters from
my ear as she struggled to breathe. Her arms trembled as she
latched them around my torso and held on tight. With a final
shiver, Merissa went still for a moment and her lips parted as she
rode out the release I had just given her in public, thank you
very much. Oh, Alexa was going to be jealous once she found out...
"You shock me every time at how quickly you can do that to me,"
Merissa whispered. "You know all the right buttons to push."
"I'm surprised you allowed me to do that out here in the open,"
I countered. "Lexi and I may finally be corrupting you."
"Corrupt away, baby," she chuckled. "Corrupt away..."
Then, with a tenderness that I had never experienced, Merissa
reached out and gently traced the lines of my face, outlining them
as if it was the most precious thing in the world to her. "I
could sit and snuggle like this forever, you know. Stare at you."
I stared back, understanding the sentiment entirely. The
feeling was definitely mutual. My heart soared as, yet again, I
thought that I was the luckiest man in the world. I planned on
spending the rest of my life showing Merissa, as well as Alexa,
just how appreciative I was of what they had done for me.
* * *
I could hear the crunch of dried pine cones underneath my tires
as I drove up the dirt trail that led toward my old family home in
Pleasant Grove. When the grand and majestic farm-house came into
view, a flood of positive memories rushed back from when I was
growing up. Playing catch out in the fields with Dad. Mom kicking
a soccer ball back and forth with me each morning before the
schoolbus arrived. Looking up to and idolizing my two older
brothers. Playing video games (_Atari 2600!_) with Hudson.
Riding bikes with Carl. And my sister, also older? Janae was a
rock star to me back in those days.
All precious memories from a time long, long ago.
I cut the engine to Dad's old truck, a 1999 _Ford F-150 XLT_
super cab, once I parked in front of the house. Dad had left me
the truck - his most prized material posession - in his will. It
was not my usual vehicle of choice (that would be the minivan), but
I enjoyed driving it around on the weekend whenever I was solo. I
was going to take care of Dad's truck and keep it running strong
for as long as I possibly could. He'd have done the same.
After going to church as a family earlier and then my intimate
stroll on the beach with Merissa, she and I walked back home and
spent time with Alexa and the kids. But with the Chiefs not
playing today (they had a game on _Monday Night Football_ tomorrow
against the Denver Broncos), it felt like a strange Sunday as
there were no sporting events on television that interested me.
Well, not until much later tonight - game five of the World Series
between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers at 7:20pm.
Anyway, I decided to use all of this excess free time today to
run a couple of errands and make a pit stop at the lumber store.
Alexa and Merissa stayed home and hung out with the little ones,
as well as our newest family member, Lucy the kitten. And the
rest of the little zoo that resided in our home, too. Myself, I
had a woodworking project that was keeping me busy in the garage,
and needed new supplies for it. Hence, the lumber store. Mom
called me when I was out and about, though, and asked if I could
swing by the old family house in Pleasant Grove because she was
working on a project of her own and needed help.
Any opportunity I got to spend time with Mom, I seized it. We
had our falling out which lasted for two-and-a-half years (and was
greatly detailed in the original Recollections story), but since
Dad's passing back in April, things had changed. I had spoken to
Mom almost daily in the past several months. It took a long time,
but she had become finally accepting of the three-way marriage that
I had with Alexa and Merissa. The kids - Cooper, Madison, Asher -
certainly helped sway her opinion. Mom loved her grandchildren.
As I got out of the truck, I took a moment to glance around and
found myself appreciating the sounds and smells of the old farm and
how they intermingled with each other. It all created a familiar,
soothing satisfaction of sorts, and temporarily teleported me back
to my own childhood. Doing my daily chores; from cleaning to
feeding to even washing up milkers. Time may go on, but certain
things never change. I smiled at the fond memory.
My hand brushed along the tree that I used to climb up to my
bedroom on as I walked around to the back entrance of Mom's house.
There had been a serious fracture through our family in recent
years, but that was getting healed now. My childhood, though? I
was surrounded by love and support growing up, and as an adult
now, I knew that I would not trade my childhood years for anything.
"Hey, Mom!" I called out as I pushed the screen door open.
"In here!" came her voice from the dining room.
"Hmmmmm." I snatched a chocolate chip cookie that was on a
warming plate on my way through the kitchen. I popped it into my
mouth - delicious as usual - and found Mom sitting at the dining
room table with old photographs scattered in front of her.
"I see you started without me," I said as I finished chewing.
Mom stood and tossed her arms around me, squeezing extra tight.
I hugged her back and kissed the top of her head. At 76 years
young, Mom barely came up to my chest. I always found it funny
how Mom had given birth to such tall, overgrown sons in both
Hudson and yours truly (Carl was much more her height), yet she
easily kept us all in line while we grew up.
"Thank you for coming over today. I know you're busy with Lexi
and Merissa and the kids." When she finally let go, Mom swatted
at my arms. "And don't talk with your mouth full. Didn't your
father and I ever teach you any manners?"
A grin spread across my face. "All the time."
"Did you ever listen?" she deadpanned, eyeing me with a smirk.
Instead of answering, I sat down and began sifting through some
of the photographs. They were all over the dining room table.
There were pictures of holidays, sporting events, vacations and
candid shots of everyday life. My entire childhood, it seemed,
was laid out before my very eyes. As we the childhoods of Janae,
Hudson and Carl as well. I picked up a photograph of me swinging
a baseball bat in little league when I was 11. I smiled because
my beloved Royals won the World Series that year (1985).
Mom set her hands flat on the table and looked at me. "This is
what I was telling you about on the phone earlier. My project."
I noticed one photograph, inparticular, and tilted my head as I
picked it up and looked at it. Wow. It was from May 1992, a few
months after I'd turned 18. I had a flashy tuxedo on and a big
smile plastered across my face, but what caught my eye the most
about this picture was who was in it with me. Lindsay [Last Name],
my old flame from high school, my first-ever girlfriend. The
photograph was from the night I took Lindsay to the senior prom.
Double wow.
To me, Lindsay was Suzi before Suzi came into my life. Lindsay
was the first girl to ever truly break my heart. We had a good
thing going back in those days as impressionable young kids, but
Lindsay got involved with the wrong crowd after high school ended
and we eventually went our seperate ways. Not my decision, either.
It hurt.
A lot.
I did everything I could to hold our relationship together.
Lindsay got mixed up in a world of alcohol and heavy drugs,
which was just not my thing. Nor will it ever be. Especially
the drugs. She eventually got married years later, but was soon
divorced because her husband beat and abused her. It was pretty
bad. That was what I had heard, at least, as I have not seen or
spoken to Lindsay since 1999.
I hoped it stayed that way.
Of course, Suzi was my fiancee later in life. I caught her
cheating on me in 2004 and the engagement was quickly called off.
"Why do you have this picture of me and Lindsay out?" I asked
Mom. My emotions now were not positive at all, reminiscing about
a long-lost girlfriend from my younger days. Lindsay really hurt
me, and I did not like to be reminded of her. Or Suzi, for that
matter. I really would have preferred to have not seen that
picture. Plus, I had Alexa and Merissa now. They were PLENTY more
than what I needed. I was not one of those people who liked to
daydream and think about righting wrongs from the past. My
memories were precious, but I refused to dwell on _what ifs_.
"That's the night you went to your senior prom," Mom defended
herself. "You looked so handsome that night."
"You know what I went through with Lindsay," was my rebuttal.
"But that's your prom picture!"
I turned and walked over to the window, my lips pursed in total
disapproval. "I don't need to be reminded of Lindsay, Mom. Ever."
"I'm sorry." Mom let out a long, deep-winded sigh. I then
heard a chair scrape the tiled floor and she joined me at the
window. "I know thinking about your past loves really upsets you,
Jer, but I honestly felt you would not have this type of reaction
to seeing that picture. I have hundreds of pictures out from when
you and the kids were growing up, as you see." She paused for a
moment, but then added, "I won't include it in the collage."
"Thank you," I simply said. Mom was going to choose about 100
or so pictures of us kids throughout the years and have all of
them made into a fancy, professional collage that would be framed
and proudly hang on her living room wall. The pictures, when it
was all said and done, would be in various shapes and sizes.
"I know that you're totally focused on Lexi and Merissa now,"
she told me. "You have such a beautiful family with them; Cooper,
little Madi, and Asher. I'm happy for you, Jer. I know that for
a fact, your father is happy right now for you, too. In Heaven."
My mouth twitched with remorse - for Dad, mind you - then I
returned to the table and decided to change the subject. "How
far along are you? What can I do to help?"
"I've been scanning these pictures for the past two hours, but
have so many more to go." She pointed toward a printer/scanner
that was sitting atop the dining room table. "I'm so glad that
you could come over and help. You can help me organize and scan.
This is taking a lot longer than I originally thought it would."
I sat down and began to sort the photographs according to her
system. Mom actually did most of the scanning herself. I soon
came across another picture with me in it that brought a genuine
smile to my face. It was not from my childhood, either. Rather
it was May 8, 2011 - the night Alexa and I were married (I was 37
at the time, and Alexa 19). It was a unique photograph, too, as I
was hanging upside-down along a wooden fence (again in a tuxedo)
and Alexa was sitting on the grass just before me, in her bridal
gown, leaning over and kissing me. With a smile on her face, too.
"I'd really appreciate it, Jer, if you would get me some more
pictures of when you and Lexi married Merissa, and especially when
Madi was born, when she was a baby. Cooper around that time too,
when he was one, two years old." Indeed, those events were during
the black hole - the dark times - when I did not talk with Mom and
Dad because they did not approve of my unique marriage. That was
from Christmas 2014 until Dad's funeral in April 2017.
"I can do that," I told her. "I can also get you some video
of Lexi and mine's dual wedding with Merissa, too. No problem."
"Do you want to know, Jer, what ultimately sold me on your
marriage - as different as it is - with Merissa? The fact that
you and Lexi both married her? What changed my mind?" Without
waiting for a response, Mom began fishing through pictures.
"What's that?" I inquired, curious.
"Here." She picked one up and turned it toward me. It looked
to be from the Fourth of July celebration and grill-out we hosted
for our family and friends earlier this year back in Lake Quivira.
Merissa was cradling Asher in her arms and I was staring at them
with an expression full of love and admiration.
"When I saw this picture, I knew that you were in love with
Merissa and she made you happy. It was the same way you looked
at Lexi when you first met her seven years ago. Your father and
I used to talk; we were so happy, you were so much in love with
Lexi. You still look at Lexi that way to this day. I never saw
you look at another lady that way, ever, until I noticed it in
this photograph. Not Lindsay, not Trish, not even Suzi. I've
only seen you look this way at Lexi and now Merissa. Like your
heart is so full for her - for them - it's overflowing."
"And then there's this one," Mom added, picking up yet another
photograph. "Same day, just later on. See? You're talking with
Hudson, your brother, but Merissa is right there too, on the side.
Looking on. And LOOK at the smile on her face. She has her eyes
trained on you. That smile tells a thousand words." Mom sighed
and sat back in her chair. "This picture tells a MILLION words.
That's when it dawned on me that yes, you and Merissa belong
together. If Lexi is accepting of it - and she obviously is -
then so am I. It's not my place to pass judgment."
If Mom thought the expressions in those photographs were pure
and genuine, full of devotion, then perhaps she should watch Alexa
and Merissa from time to time. Talk about the way two people who
are in love look at each other! Alexa and Merissa's eyes were
always so full of reverence when together, of attraction, true
friendship, and of undying feelings for each other. Their eyes
twinkled. Their eyes smiled. Even if no words were exchanged
between them, it was apparent that there was an invisible thread
connecting Alexa and Merissa as one.
"That's really nice of you to say, Mom," I offered up, smiling.
"I'll be sure to tell Merissa what you said about her, if that's
okay. I imagine YOU took these photographs that day?"
"Yes, I did. And yes, of course, please tell Merissa. She is
such a nice, sweet girl. I'm sorry we ever doubted you, Jer. I
am sorry we put you and your two wives through all that turmoil."
I grimaced, but quickly lightened up. I was in too good of a
mood to allow myself to be pulled down. "Don't worry about it."
Mom sniffed her nose and used the cuff of her sweater to dry
her eyes, which had quickly become full of tears. "Your father
went to his grave with all that resentment and confusion inside of
him over you bringing Merissa into your marriage with Lexi. I'm so
sorry, J-Jer. I regret the way we sh-shut you out for so long. We
should have trusted you, been more receptive to the... idea. You're
OUR son!" A cry ripped from Mom's throat as she added shakily, "But
I know... I know your father is looking down on you every day...
from Heaven, and he now understands that you, Lexi and Merissa all
belong together. He understands it, and he is so... happy. I know
he is. All William ever wanted was for you to be happy..."
"Dad does know, Mom," I assured her, already having brought her
into my arms for a bear hug. "Trust me, he knows." I smiled and
continued, "Dad and I have had a few discussions since he passed
away. Trust me, I have forgiven him, and everything is good."
* * *
The following day - Monday - I was dragging by the time my
medical practice saw its final patient leave the building at
5:25pm. That World Series game last evening? Game five between
the Astros and Dodgers? It was the craziest, most epic baseball
game I had ever witnessed in my entire life, and there was no way
I could go to bed until it was over. I mean, that game had
everything imaginable in it. The Astros ultimately won 13-12 in
10 innings, but the contest lasted for well over five hours, not
ending until 12:40am CST. It seemed to just go on and on and ON,
but was entertainment at its finest. Thus, I barely got any sleep
because I had to wake up so early in order to get ready for work.
The Astros were up three games to two in the best-of-seven
series, and game six was not until tomorrow night in Los Angeles.
It fell on Halloween, though, so I would be preoccupied elsewhere.
I would be passing out candy while Alexa and Merissa took Cooper
and Madison trick-or-treating around the perimeter of the lake.
I spent Monday helping patients with stuffy noses, flus, aches,
pains, cholesterol issues, respiratory conditions and diabetic
disorders. A construction worker came in and needed immediate
stitches. When it was finally time to go home, I bid farewell to
my staff as they left - both receptionists, my office manager,
medical assistant, technician, phlebotomist, nurse and physician's
assistant - then locked everything up and hopped into the minivan.
"Dad called me a little while ago," Alexa said once I contacted
her on my smartphone, which was before I even hit the road, "and
was curious whether or not you would like to go to the Chiefs'
game tonight with him. A buddy of his from his bowling league
gave him two tickets. I told him that I'd let him know once you
got off of work and I had a chance to speak with you."
Alexa's father - Bob - had a pair of tickets for the football
game at Arrowhead Stadium later tonight and was inviting me to
tag along with him? The original plan was for Alexa, Merissa, the
kids and I to go to Bob's house and watch the game there. Bob and
I watching Chiefs' football together was a weekly tradition during
the fall and winter months that dated back seven years. Of course,
my two wives would spend more time visiting with Alexa's mother
(Angela) instead of watching the game, but that was to be expected.
As was Cooper and Madison falling asleep rather early, most likely
in the bedroom that Alexa had when she was growing up herself.
"Don't worry about us, babe," Alexa assured me after a little
back-and-forth. "Dad wants to pick you up here at the house. He
will drop Mom off and she can hang out with me, Rissa and the kids.
We'll probably order Chinese food and just chill out all night."
"You're cool with me going to the game tonight?" I clarified.
"I just spent nearly 11 hours at the office and barely caught a
glimpse of you and Merissa, the kids, because I got to bed so late
last night and was pressed for time this morning. I probably
won't get back until midnight with the traffic there will be."
"You need to go," Alexa flat-out told me. "Dad wants you to go
with him. Don't disappoint him. And on top of that, I know that
you WANT to go. You love your baseball, you love your football.
We'll be fine, Jeremy. Trust me. You deserve to go and have a
little fun. Unwind and let loose for a while, okay?"
"I just hope the Chiefs win for you and Bob!" came Merissa's
voice from somewhere in the background. Of course, Merissa was
keeping tabs on the telephone discussion because wherever Alexa
was, she was either there with her or usually not too far behind.
"Tell Bob I'll go then. And also tell him thank you."
"You sound tired, baby," Alexa then said, her voice turning
sympathetic as I turned into traffic and began the commute home
from work. Alexa was such a sweetheart and had a compassionate
side for others that was simply unrivaled. "Another hard day?
Oh, Monday. Hmmmmm... I'll be sure to give you a neck and shoulder
massage, baby, before you and Dad leave for the stadium tonight."
I closed my eyes for a split-second and moaned inwardly,
relishing in the thought of what was to come and how extremely
fortunate I was. What did I exactly do to deserve this life again?
Although she was employed as a fitness instructor at a health club,
Alexa actually went to college with an eye on physical therapy and
had a career waiting in it whenever she decided to pursue it.
Long story short, Alexa knew how to give an AWESOME massage.
"I'll whip up a big pitcher of blackberry iced tea and have
it waiting for Jeremy when he gets home," I again heard Merissa
say somewhere in the background. "I'll just be glad when Jeremy
goes on vacation in a few weeks and gets a chance to relax. He
and I can spend the whole week together, play with the kids."
"You hear that, baby?" Alexa spoke to me, her voice incredibly
sweet and tender. Oh, I loved Alexa so much! Merissa too. "We
won't see you for long, but Rissa and I are gonna take care of you
tonight. A massage from me and your favorite flavor of iced tea
from her. Nice and fresh!" She paused. "You better dress warm,
too. It's supposed to drop down to 40 degrees by the time the
game is over. It's gonna feel even colder in that stadium."
When I stepped through the front door of our home 20 minutes
later, I smiled as _Roomba_ zoomed over and bopped into my foot,
then ventured elsewhere. Alexa had bought the fully automated,
robotic vacuum as a birthday gift for Merissa last week. She was
in love with the thing because it all but eliminated a major chore
for her. The same could not be said for Izzy, a Yorkshire Terrier,
and one of our two family dogs in the house. Izzy seemed to think
that _Roomba_ was the devil incarnate. Whenever it was in use,
she followed the machine around and constantly barked and yelped.
Like now.
Even before I closed the front door after making my way inside,
Cooper rumbled up the steps from the family room and launched
himself into my arms for a joyful, spirited hug. Madison followed
and actually stumbled over the top step, but she did not allow
that to detour her. Soon I was hugging both toddlers at the same
time. Alexa and Merissa then appeared with warm, welcoming smiles,
each carrying their special baby with them (five-month-old Asher
was in Merissa's arms, and Lucy (the kitten) was in Alexa's palm).
After a long and stressful day at work, it was always nice to
come home and feel as if the red carpet had been rolled out for
me. My family never failed to assure me that I was, indeed, home.
Hugs from the kids, smiles and kind words from my two wives, the
house pets doing their thing. Teddy, a Teacup Maltese, was hopping
at my feet. Lucy was becoming more and more acclimated to our home
and its strange noises. She was fitting in perfectly. It was the
sum of little moments like this that added up into something big
and helped make my life so fulfilling, so happy.
So lucky.
Alexa whisked the leather trench coat from my shoulders without
even asking and Merissa disappeared for a moment, but then returned
with a glass of blackberry iced tea for me. It tasted delicious.
I received sweet, loving kisses from both ladies and was told Bob
and Angela would be here in about 15 minutes.
"Sit down, baby," Alexa instructed me, "so I can give you your
neck and shoulder massage before Dad shows up. Your arms and back
look really tense, too. I'll get them as well."
"You are way too good to me," I said as Alexa began kneading my
shoulders with both hands. A massage from Alexa always helped me
settle down and relax. There was nothing erotic or sexual about
this one. Not with Cooper in my lap and telling me about his wild
adventures at preschool today. Rather, Alexa bonded with me on a
deeper level. She already knew where I was the most sensitive,
what calmed me, what revved me up. Alexa worked her way down each
arm, squeezing the muscles and manipulating the discomfort away.
Merissa reached out and gently grasped my hand as I all but
surrendered to Alexa and her touch at the dining room table. "Lexi
gave me a massage earlier too, Jeremy, once she got home from
work." Merissa's smile was golden. "Feels good, doesn't it?"
"Feels divine," I corrected her.
I chose to keep my suit and tie on from the office, along with
the overflowing trench coat, when Bob stopped by and we left for
downtown on the Missouri side of Kansas City. Traffic on US
Interstate 70 was absolutely terrible, but we got to our seats in
the stadium at 7:20pm local time, just 10 minutes before kickoff.
The Chiefs were in control for most of the game and won 29-19
in the end. Bob and I, as could be expected, had a blast seated
near the 40 yard line, perhaps 15 rows up in the stands. I did
let loose, as Alexa wanted, and splurged a little - enjoying two
slices of sausage and pepperoni pizza, a fully loaded bratwurst
and two huge cups of _Coca-Cola_. Oh, and a giant pretzel.
I would most assuredly pay for it in the morning.
I could not ask for anything more or be happier with the
relationship that I had with Alexa's parents. They were truly
wonderful people. Even though I was older than both of them (Bob
by six months, and Angela by one), they had supported Alexa and I
being together from the very first day I met them in June 2010.
Back then, not many people saw a future for Alexa and I, and chose
not to support us. But Bob and Angela did. Merissa did. My
sister, Janae, did. I was 36 at the time and Alexa was only 18.
Most people thought that she was just a temporary _fling_ for me.
But at that stage of my life, I didn't do flings anymore.
Bob had settled into his most recent job as a preconstruction
manager and architect for a design-build firm based in Kansas City.
Angela worked as a sales representative for an advertising agency.
Times were good for them now, but it sure wasn't always that way.
They had Alexa at 16 and 17, respectively, and later married
once graduating from high school. They moved into a small house,
a much-needed free gift passed down from Bob's grandparents, in a
rundown section of Overland Park when Alexa was three years old
(Merissa and her family were living just a mere three houses down
the street). Bob and Angela still lived there today, but had
often talked in recent years of buying a new home in a much nicer
and safer area. Alexa had even asked them (no, begged) to consider
Lake Quivira itself. Finally with good, stable jobs now, Bob and
Angela had built up some savings and could afford to think bigger.
"We were younger parents and none of our friends had kids,"
Angela once told me. "When Lexi was young, she'd learn a new
song to sing and perform it for us. She was always a little drama
queen. Still is! Even to this day."
"I love my parents to pieces," Alexa said to me during one of our
initial dates seven years ago. "Dad is my hero. Mom had me when
she was just 17, and I feel as if she and I grew up together. They
saved my life when I got anorexia at 15 by forcing me to go to the
hospital. I was kicking and screaming. I did NOT want to go. Dad
would not back down and give in to me, though. Neither would Mom.
Without them, I would not be alive today."
"Mom and Dad hardly had any money when I was little," Alexa
conveyed another time. "I remember Dad having to work three jobs
at once just to keep us afloat. There were times when Mom and Dad
went without food for days, but they always made sure I had plenty
of food, clothing and other essentials that any little girl needs.
Toys, books, games. I had an old computer. I had Matt, my cat.
I did not understand it until I got older, but they sacrificed SO
MUCH for me. Just so I was happy. When I think about what Mom
and Dad gave up for me for all those years, my love for them
deepens. And I become really, really emotional - like I am now."
Personally, Bob was more than a father-in-law to me. He was
like a... well, I have to stop short of saying _dad_ because I am
older than him, and my actual father is no longer with us. Bob
was a good friend - a great friend - and someone who meant a lot to
me. I looked up to Bob and even tried to emulate him in many ways.
I was happy to drop everything to play a round of golf with him if
he asked, or go to the Chiefs' game on a blustery Monday night. I
was appreciative of the way he'd raised Alexa and helped mold her
into the person she is today. Sweet, selfless, loving... gracious.
Perfect.
I strived daily to be the same type of father for Cooper,
Madison and Asher that Bob was for Alexa.
Alexa was still Angela's baby, though. Her little girl. Angela
gave her blessing to Alexa when she moved in with me in 2011 at
age 19 and we got married just two months later. Angela was never
the overprotective or controlling type. She allowed her daughter
to be free and make her own decisions in life. But Alexa was still
Angela's baby, and she doted over all three of her grandchildren
like there was no tomorrow (yes, Madison and Asher were Angela's
grandchildren even though Merissa was their biological mother).
Angela baked goodies and brought gifts to Alexa every week. To
her, no one on Earth had a better, smarter, more talented or more
attractive daughter than she did. Alexa was IT. On top of that,
Angela was not afraid to gush about that _fact_ to EVERYONE.
Perhaps that comes from having only one child, and almost losing
Alexa when she fell ill in 2007. It is the only regret that Alexa
has about her childhood. She did not mind living in an old house, a
bad section of town. She did not care that other kids at school
had shinier and more expensive toys. Alexa simply wanted a brother
or a sister, but there was no way that Bob and Angela could afford
to give her one. Over time, Alexa finally understood that.
Merissa, of course, became her surrogate sister (and eventually
many other wonderful things) once they met at age four. Despite
that, Alexa had forever wished for an actual brother or sister of
her very own. Alas, it was never going to happen for her.
When Alexa and I had an in-depth discussion on the topic one
evening back in the spring of 2013, in just our second year of
marriage, I had an alternative for her. A proposition? An idea.
"I know how much you've always wanted a brother or a sister, honey.
That, unfortunately, is not in the cards." I pressed my lips to
hers for a kiss. "But you're my wife now and I love you, and I
want to have babies with you. You just tell me how many you want,
and when you want to start. We will make it happen together."
My words brought Alexa's legs around my middle and fresh tears
to her eyes. She had been quite emotional in sharing her feelings
with me that evening. For the first time in my life, seeing tears
fall down a woman's face did not render me befuddled. It did not
break my heart and make me want to right what was wrong. Those
tears simply confirmed that it was time to take the next, most
logical step in our relationship, our marriage... together.
With a tender kiss, I carried Alexa up to bed.
Although we will never know for certain, but Alexa and I like
to believe that was the night we conceived Cooper...
<<<- End of Chapter 03 ->>>
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"Recollections 2"
(c) 2017 Kaadorix
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