A Cup O’ Kindness
By Atonia
Part 5
For auld
lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
Time seemed to be flying by, the week was gone and New Year’s Eve had arrived. After some discussion it was decided to just stay home. Toni was doing well with her resolve to be strong, a moment here and there, but she was able to pull herself out of it and go onto something else. Having company in the house helped.
The weather had turned and the sun had been out for three days with temperatures in the 50’s melting much of the snow, it still could be found in the woods between the house and the James River, but at least the pool area was clear and already grading had begun in preparation for the new fencing that would be going in.
Jacky was delighted with his new playmates, Jack and Max kept him busy and out of trouble. More and more they communicated with him mentally, more or less teaching him how to use his ability. Other than a mother’s instinct, Toni did not have that ability and she could see frustration in Jacky sometimes when he was with her trying to convey something to her.
She had on occasion communicated with her seasons, but it was not something she could do at will, only if they opened up to her. She sat on the front steps wishing Terry would open up to her, she had received two phone calls from him but emails had not been established yet. He rarely ever opened up that channel with her, she tossed a pebble down the walk.
Connie came out and joined her, “Munchie says a light dinner tonight and snacky things for later.”
“Oh that’s because tomorrow she will cook a traditional New Year’s Day dinner with all the trimmings. She’s big on tradition, calls them the traditions of the house,” she winked.
“Black eyed peas, and greens…”
“Collards cooked southern style…guess I’d better load up on black eyed peas for luck. It seems I need it.”
Connie hugged her, “Ah you always come out on top, Toni for all the things you and Terry have been through it always works out.”
“At what cost, Connie? I’m tired of it…just want a normal life, but then we aren’t normal are we?”
“I’m not sure what normal is, Toni. I wouldn’t know it if I met it on the street.”
“I guess you were pretty normal until you got tied up with us?”
“Normal is different for everybody…I’d buried myself in Luberon afraid of life after a bad marriage.”
“You have a good one now.”
“Y-e-s I suppose so. I love him and Maxi.”
“What could make it better…have me disappear off the face of the earth?”
“Oh no, Toni what a thing to say.”
“I think if I were in your shoes…that’s what I would wish.” She reached over and laid her hand on Connie’s, “I can’t make it go away.”
“I knew how it was when I married him. He’s good to me, he loves me and gives me everything I need, Toni, I wouldn’t change him at all, he wouldn’t be the same person.”
“I thought I could change Terry, and he resisted and gave in and he wasn’t happy so I let him be who he is. He never said anything but I could see it; he came up with the compromise all on his own. I have to accept it…his being in Bolivia or wherever his work takes him…I don’t like it but that’s the way it is.”
“I imagine so called ‘normal’ people have to compromise and sacrifice too…just like us.”
“Did I ever tell you I like you?”
Connie smiled, “I’m sure you have, I like you too.”
“Was that the last of it?,” Max looked around in the entryway.
Jack did a recon of the living room, “I believe it was, Max…an awful lot of decorations.”
Max blew out a breath, “And a lot of stairs to climb to the attics. Well good…Christmas is officially over. How about a beer?”
“I could drink that,” Jack dusted his hands.
Max went back to the kitchen and stepped over the gate Toni had installed to keep Jacky in or out depending on who was looking after him, right now it was Munchie.
“You’re too young for beer,” Max answered him verbally and stepped back over the gate with two bottles.
“In here, its’ a designated smoking area per Terry,” Max opened Terry’s office.
Finding a pack of Terry’s smokes he lit one up. “He hasn’t communicated with me has he you?”
“No, nothing.”
“He told me he would, damn hard headed man.”
“I should imagine his mind is full of the forthcoming battle.” Jack walked over looking intently at the row of computers and communication equipment, “however with this lot you would think something would come through.”
“All he has to do is open up and say, hey I’m still here.” Max took a drag off the ciggie.
“You’ve been very worried about him haven’t you?”
“Haven’t you?”
“I prefer not to worry until I see the need. Saves wear and tear on my worry faculties. This wouldn’t have anything to do with the conversation and request he made of you would it?”
“It’s just that he never made such a request before, I would have stepped in whether he’d asked me to or not. I think he was worried about it, but of course he’d never say anything…not him.”
“I believe he has your future brother in law with him have you heard anything from that sector?”
“Brother-in-law, I’m not sure it’s gone that far.”
“Aubrey seems to think it has.”
“To answer you, yes he does but I’ve heard nothing except a tearful Penny calling Connie.”
“Dino, Mean Marine…the whole gang’s down there, must be some important woman.”
Jack smiled, “All women are important.”
Max scooted Terry’s chair over to the line of equipment and moved a mouse, “He’s got it all locked up tight,” he shook his head. “I remember what happened that time Toni came in here and saw that he’d been hit; I guess he didn’t want a repeat. What the hell is he doing?”
The foursome gathered in the den with the TV on, having a few drinks and snacks. Max brought the champagne from France and was ready to pop the cork when the countdown started.
5-4-3-2-1 HAPPY NEW YEAR! They shouted and Jack kissed Toni.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne.
Toni climbed in bed at 1:00 a little bubbly stil,l and pulled her laptop on the bed just to check and see.
“Happy New Year, LUV.” She smiled a little…that’s all he could say? Oh Terry…
She replied to his message hoping he would get it, “Happy New Year to you and I love you.”
Although she checked regularly she never got a reply.
Max and Connie were loading up to leave on January 2.
“Toni, if you need me for anything call, please call, I’m only a flight away. Max hugged her, a little reluctant to leave her.”
“Thanks, Max…I’ll be fine,” she kissed him.
Max shook hands with Jack and looking back at her once again he got in the car and drove away.
“And then there were two…” Jack said and slipped his arm around her.
Jack quietly observed her for the next week, she seemed to be doing fine and he noticed Munchie was doing her part finding things for Toni to do; he finally broached the subject.
“I’m thinking about going back to London and see if I may have a ship.”
“As much as I love your company…I know you can’t stay forever.” Toni smiled.
“Yes well, I think travel arrangements must be made. I can stay if you prefer.”
“Oh no, Jack; I don’t want to keep you from a ship.” She met his eyes over Jacky’s head.
“If you have any doubts, Pet…”
“Jack…”
He shrugged his shoulders,” Would you mind making my flight arrangements?”
“How did you get here?”
“Um there was a lady I met…”
“I don’t think I want to hear this,” she grinned and handed him Jacky who was trying to go to sleep in her arms. He snuggled up to Jack.
“Okay, I got you out of here on the next flight, tomorrow,” she made a face, “that’s too soon.”
Jack rocked a sleeping Jacky back and forth, “I think this little man is ready for his cot.”
Jack carried him up the stairs and placed him in his crib, Toni followed quietly behind him not wanting to wake Jacky.
Jack turned and saw her and moved her through the door into her room, “I’ve not touched you, Pet.”
“I know.”
“It didn’t seem right somehow though the desire is there.”
“Yes.”
“It still doesn’t seem right.”
“No.”
“What would you have me do?”
“Get on that plane as fast as you can.”
Jack smiled and pulled her to him and kissed her, “Ah, Toni, I love you.”
Toni smiled and caressed his cheek, “And I love you. Thank you, Jack, for being who you are.”
“A thankless job.”
“No…you’re my port in a storm.”
“You consider me a safe harbor?”
“Um…no let me rephrase that…” she grinned.
“You are a wise woman.” He patted her behind and turned and looked at her before he left her room.
Tom took him to the airport after hugs and kisses all around, he took one of his new bags with him and a few modern clothes.
“And then there was one,” Toni said quietly to herself watching them down the drive. She looked up at the sky, rain coming she thought and went back inside.
7:30 the next morning the doorbell rang and Toni answered it, “Dino…” she looked beyond him…he was alone. She looked into his face and slowly crumpled to the floor.
TBC