No Sensible People Chapter Eleven (part 3)

Previous

I got home around 8 p.m. and Frank was barely getting back with Jennie. "We went to an art exhibit," Frank explained.

"Some of it was kinda weird," Jennie told me.

"Art can be like that sometimes. Did you have fun?"

"She loved it," Frank said, and Jennie nodded. I felt overcome with one-upmanship, but I was fairly confident my news would even the score.

"How would you like to go bowling next Saturday?" I asked.

"Like in gym?" she asked.

"Sort of," I told her, only in a real bowling alley.

"I don't know," she said.

"Well, I suppose you don't have to go. But Susie told me Denny really wanted to come back up next Saturday and take you and your friends bowling...."

Jennie shrieked.

"Jesus!" Frank said. "I can't compete here, can I?"

"Don't worry, Frank," I told him. "I'm staying out of it. My only assignment is to see that Jennie patches things up with Amber and Skye. It's the day after your art party, so Jennie can stay at Susie's Friday night. We can have most of the next day to ourselves. It'll be good for everyone."

Jennie was quiet.

"What's the matter?" I asked her.

"Amber and Skye are mad at me," she said.

"You'll have to fix that, then. They're your friends, Jennie. So you had a crabby week. Lord knows I've had enough crabby weeks, and my friends still talk to me. Once they see you in a good mood they'll be right back with
you as if nothing happened."

Jennie still didn't look sure. Frank told her she could think about how she was going to handle it while she was getting ready for her bath. She gave us both a hug and went off to find her pajamas.

"You handled that well," Frank told me.

"Was that a compliment?" I asked.

"It was an observation," he told me. "We'll see how the rest of the plan plays out."

I let it go. I figured a lukewarm shoulder was better than a cold one, and it was best not to mess with progress, regardless of how slow. He remained distant, working in the studio into all hours of the night, and that night, he didn't head to bed until nearly 2 a.m. I woke up four times wondering what he was up to, but I stayed still. We had an agreement, and I needed to keep my end of it, at least for the time being.

Jennie was much better when I picked her up from school that afternoon. Amber and Skye were excited about meeting this "Taffy" they had heard so much about, and she talked to Susie that night and arranged everything. The plan was for Frank and me to drop Jennie off at Susie's on the way to our party. Denny would get there by 11:00 the next morning, he would hang out at Susie's for about an hour by himself, while Susie and Jennie made
the rounds to pick up Amber and Skye before meeting back at Susie's where Denny would borrow Susie's car to go to the bowling alley. After they were all done, Denny would drop the girls off at Susie's, pick up his truck and head home. Susie would run everyone home from there.

It felt strange not being involved in the plan, but I got the feeling both Susie and Frank were appreciative of the fact that I hadn't. But I felt guilty and alone knowing he was in town for a whole day, and not being able to say
hello. I decided I would at least mail him a card, if Frank were able to act normal, the card could be from both of us-from all of us, including Jennie.

Unfortunately, the situation called for a minor scheme, but I didn't want Denny to think I had walked out on him all over again. So I sent him a letter.

Dear Denny,

Thank you for coming back out here so soon and taking Jennie and her friends out, as I'm sure you realize it meant the world to her. I am sorry I could not express my gratitude in person, but you know the way that Frank
feels, and as his wife I do have to respect that. I do feel terrible for the things he said to you and the way he treated you. I hope you realize that he is not a bad person, only insecure, and he would never do anything to hurt
Jennie or me physically. He is as non-violent as they come.

We are both trying to stay calm and not argue as much, especially in front of Jennie. But you know me, and the way I have a knack for letting my tongue get me in trouble. I do miss talking to you, knowing how you are,
and I hope we get a chance to talk a bit while Frank is visiting in Colorado.

In the meantime, please know I am doing my very best to take care of Jennie and to raise her as close to the way Molly would want as my conscience will allow. Please do not hate me for taking Frank's side that day outside my house. It was the only choice I had. Merry Christmas.

Love,
Lucy

I sealed the letter and mailed it at the post office without mentioning it to a soul, not even Jennie. I only hoped I wouldn't offend him, and that he'd have the good sense to keep the letter to himself.

Next Section

No Sensible People on Amazon

My Lulu Store