Jingle Jangle

          Kat must have fallen asleep because she was startled by the same Ahem, from scrawny kid.  She stared at him for a minute contemplating telling him to get the hell out of her room.  But it wasn’t her room, well not any more.  It was one of the many rentals that she had briefly called home over the years.  She hung family pictures up with removable hooks verses nails.  She got use to painting over walls with primer for the first few moves but, learned quickly it was just easier to leave the walls blank.  For such a well-paid Doctor, the family never had a forever home.  She had lived in lavish, luxury apartments in Austin, cozy town homes in San Francisco, beach front homes in Florida, a mountain retreat in Colorado.  You name it the good Doctor has probably rented it.  But, none of them where a place she knew her grandchildren would see.  She longed for that for her children one day.  Her hope of a forever home seemed so distant now and honestly she had all but given up.

          Scrawny must have gotten tired of waiting for her to respond, “We are ready to move upstairs now.”

“Yeah, go for it. Thank you.”  She sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes checking her rolex for the time.

“SHIT!” She flew from the bed.

“Ill be back I have to get my kids from school!” She shouted down the hall.

“Uhm, ma’am we really aren’t supposed to be here alone!” Scrawny yelled back.

“Well you’re welcome to go get them for me. But I have to go.  It’s right up the road I’ll be right back!”  She didn’t even bother shutting the door.

            Kat wasn’t supposed to be there alone either.  Robert was supposed to have pick the kids up today so she could handle the movers.  A text from him this morning informed her that he was going to be late.  His late was happening more and more frequently.  It didnt matter much to Kat though she was always busy with the kids or her design work.  She had finally just finished her degree three years ago.  She was amazing at what she did.  So amazing most of her work was done on the computer.  It was the universes cruel joke.  She got to design homes for people while dreaming of her own.  She helped pick out cabinet colors and drapery bringing life to homes.  While her walls sat bare and lifeless.

At least you finished your damn degree.

          That had been an argument for years.  They would go back and forth about who gave up more for whom.  Kat knew that she was the heavy weight champ of that, but Robert would argue till he was blue in the face.  When Kat had finished her degree she attempted to juggle the kids and work, that was manageable.  But, the constant moving made it hard to hold on to anything she really enjoyed.  Finally, she was approached after putting in her notice at this last employer to work from home.  They liked her style and her work ethic. “It would be a waste to let your talent go.”

Her income wasn’t near as much as Roberts as a transplant surgeon.  But, she could make it on her own if it ever came down to it.  She had considered it over the past few years.  Her and her husband had become a working unit, more roommate than couple.  One fight about a year ago left Kat in tears.  It was after she had tried to sleep with him.

“It’s not you Kat! It’s me. It just won’t work.” Robert had pleaded.

“Are you just not attracted to me anymore? I bet it works for that Gisele bitch at work.” She had spit while covering herself with her robe.  She remembers how dirty she had felt in that moment.  Robert was never one to argue back.  He had simply ignored her put on his house slippers and went down and slept in his study.

            That argument still leaves Kat with unresolved emotions.  He had not denied it. Perhaps, even if it were true it was better left unknown.  She was happy for the most part with her life.  Her children are happy and unaware of any kind of dysfunction.  Her and Robert were great at putting on smiles for pictures, co-workers, parent-teacher conferences.  From the outside they were picture perfect.  There was a time that the photos on the cork board were genuine smiles. 

           Through all the forced smiles, nights alone and accusations made on Kat’s side mostly.  She had decided that this was her life.  She had married a Doctor, like her mother.  She would be damned if she made the same mistakes as her.  That divorce put her through hell and back.  So, she stays.

           Even though she could do it alone. Even though she was a walking example that children turn out seemingly okay after a divorce.  She stays.  After all, she did fall in love with the man years ago.  She was clinging to the hope that one day they would make it back there.  To that couple they were on that beach, sunburnt and salty, unable to resist each other.

           The car door opened Ray threw in her back pack as she always did and scooted all the way across the seat to sit behind Kat, Jude followed slamming the door harder than needed.

“Hi GUYS!!” Kat turned and smiled at her kids.

“Hi.” Ray said short.

“Hi mommy.” Jude said through crossed arms.

“What’s the matter guys?” Kat was looking through the rearview at her clearly upset children.  She already knew what was wrong.  They didn’t want to move.

          Jude was the first to let her know what was on his mind, “I hate moving.” He kicked the chair. Ray just looked out the window.  Tears welling up in her eyes.

“Ya baby, me too. But Daddies job is important.  There’s people in New York that need his special talent of saving lives.”

“Daddies a SUPERHERO!” Jude threw his arms up and acted like he was blasting off from the seat.

“Yep, Daddy is a superhero.”  She sighed and the car was silent for the rest of the four-minute drive. 

          Pulling into the house Roberts Range Rover sat in the drive.  This of course irritated the shit out of Kat.  He could have gotten the kids after all.  Kat was convinced sometimes he did shit like this just to see her mad.  The kids were already rushing from the car.

“Hey guys! Play outside and stay out of the movers way!”

          Taking a deep breath she shut the door and climbed the steps behind them.  She found Robert in the kitchen with the kids and the movers.  Five pizza boxes laid open and the smell of mozzarella and basil filled the air.  He had fed the movers each time they moved.  Jude was sitting on the counter pizza sauce all over his face.  Ray was standing, picking all the toppings of and eating them.  She would do the same with the cheese before eating the crust.  Kat cleared her throat which made Robert turn in response.

 “There she is the Queen of the castle!” He smiled and grabbed a bottle of her favorite champagne, Moet from the counter.  He filled a styrofoam cup handing it to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek.

“Moving day is hardly worth a bottle of champagne.” She said sourly but something.  But something in his step put a smile on her face.  He seemed lighter today.  Maybe he was just trying to make up for having to move again.

“Well then, it’s a good day for a drink regardless.” He smirked.

          He wasn't wrong.

          She could tell he wasn’t going to leave her side until she took a sip.  Was he trying to poison her?  What else could explain the goofy look on his face.  She tipped the white cup to her mouth and felt something hit her lip.  Roberts face lite up with her obvious reaction to something solid being in her bubbly.  Looking down into the cup was a key it was bronze and shining up at her from the bottom.  She reached in and pulled it out. 

“What does this go to?” She was so confused.

            Robert walked to his leather briefcase and grabbed out a book sized pack of paper.  His stride was big walking back to here.  It was like he couldn’t wait to cross the room to show her what it entailed.  He looked like Jude on Fridays when he would bring home his art from class for the week.  Kat would put it on the fridge till the next Fridays masterpiece would take it’s place. 

“What are you up too Doctor Robert?” she teased.

“Oh, I don’t know babe. Just my normal shenanigans.”  He handed her the documents and grabbed her by the waist putting his chin on her shoulder so he could watch her read.

It’s a sales contract, a home sales contract.

“You bought a house!” Her voice shook with pure excitement. 

“Yo-you bought a house! We have a house, like its ours?!” She emphasized the ours part.

She was facing him at this point and his excitement seemed to parallel hers.

This can’t be real.

“WE bought a house and it’s ours. I know you’re tired of moving. I know the location isn’t ideal for you but, I talked to the board and got a permanent spot wi-’’ It was all she could do but kiss him.  For a moment she thought she could even taste the salt and tequila on his lips from years ago.

“How did you do this without me knowing Robert?” she laughed breathless.

“It was a lot of late nights and a ton of help from your realtor friend Becca.  I hope you aren’t mad that you didn’t pick it.” His forehead lines showed genuine concern.

        She didn’t care that she had never seen the place. They had been together long enough and rented enough places together that she was positive she would like it regardless.  It was perhaps the grandest gesture he had made in years. 

Mad? At myself maybe for thinking you were cheating on me. Or that you just no longer liked me. Now all those hours and constant excuses over the past few weeks make sense.

“Mad? How could I be mad about this?! I. am. ESTATIC!”  Turning to the kids, her eyes huge she says, “Guess what babes.  Daddy bought us a house. This is our last move!”

“YAY!” Jude shouted and jumped down from the counter to run over and give Robert a hug.  Ray sat, unamused.

Kat slide the key on her key chain and shook them at Jude.

“Let’s go look up this house on mommy’s computer!” She kissed Robert on the cheek and took off up the stairs behind Jude.