Alex: Yes.
Phil:Just so that while you’re with Bethany, you won’t feel tempted?
Alex: No! That’s not what I said!
Phil: Well that’s what it sounds like. At the rate you’re going, I don’t think the two of you deserve each other at all.
PART 4
CHAPTER 39
Welcome home Mum and Dad! (Fáilte go h-Eirinn!)
Glad you arrived home safely and in one piece!
Can’t wait to hear all the stories of your adventures and see all the photographs.
See you at the weekend,
Love,
Rosie and Katie
DEAR STEPHANIE AND PIERRE!
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE ARRIVAL OF YOUR NEW BABY GIRL!
WE CAN’T WAIT TO MEET LITTLE SOPHIA, IN THE MEANTIME HERE ARE A FEW LITTLE OUTFITS TO KEEP HER AS TRENDY AS HER MOTHER!
LOTS OF LOVE,
ROSIE AND KATIE
HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY JOSH,
LOTS OF LOVE,
ROSIE AND KATIE
Hi Katie,
Thanks for your card and present that you gave me fro my brithday. I guess my dad told you guys about Bethinny being pregnint. That means I’m gonna have a brother or sister. I think I’m the only person around here who thinks it’s cool.
She is four months gone they say. Gone where, I don’t know. I only saw her yesterday. My mom just laughed when my dad told her but then she can’t have thought it was too funny cos she was cursing too. She was saying she bets your mom is real happy about it. But she’s wrong cos your mom’s not happy with Dad is she?
Dad is sad because he said all the grils in his life are mad at him. Your mom is, my mom is, and Bethinny is too. The other night he told me that he should have told your mom sooner and he should have done something about it. I don’t know what he was talking about. I hope he starts acting normal again.
Bethinny is mad at him cos he won’t marry her. I heard them fighting about it. Bethinny was crying and saying that Dad didn’t love her and he was saying that he did but that he needed to take things slower. She said how much slower could they take things seeing as it was fifteen years since they started going out? Dad said that he would mind her and the baby but he said it was too soon to get married. She said she wanted them to buy a house near her parents and Dad said she only wanted to do that so she could lunch with all the other ladies. He said he supposed she wanted a summer house in Nantucket as well and she said of course she didn’t. She preferred Martha’s Vineyard. I’ve never met Martha and I don’t know how she would feel about us just moving onto her vineyard all of a sudden. And I hate grapes.
Dad said that they needed to get to know more about each other before they got married. Bethinny said he knew everything there was to know about her, that they had known each other since they were sixteen and that she was still the same person and that she was pregnint with his baby and if he didn’t marry her, her dad would be really angry and would fire him.
I think dad should marry her. I want a brother, and Dad really, really likes his job. I’ll fill you and Toby in on more stuff as soon as I know. Because I’m only here at weekends I miss all the good stuff.
Thank your mom fro my pressent,
Form,
Josh
DR. WILLIAMS REWARDED
* * *
Reginald Williams, M.D., was presented with an award last night at the National Health Awards in Boston. He was nominated through a highly selective process that recognizes those who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences and public health.
This award is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of medicine and health. He was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife, Miranda, his daughter, Bethany, and her newly announced fiancé Dr. Alex Stewart, cardio-surgeon at St. Jude’s Hospital in Boston.
See page four of the Health Supplement for Wayne Gillespie’s report.
* * *
You have received an instant message from: ROSIE
Rosie: You wanted me to learn about this in the newspapers first?
Alex: I’m sorry Rosie.
Rosie: You’re sorry? You get engaged and you let me read about it in a newspaper? What the hell has happened to you these days?
Alex: Rosie, all I can say is sorry.
Rosie: I don’t understand the way your mind works Alex, you don’t even love her.
Alex: I do.
Rosie: Well that’s convincing.
Alex: I shouldn’t have to convince anyone.
Rosie: Only yourself. Alex, you told me you didn’t love her. In fact a few months back you were planning on breaking up with her. Gee, I wonder what happened to make you change your mind all of a sudden.
Alex: You no what happened. There’s a baby involved now.
Rosie: That’s bullshit. The Alex I know wouldn’t marry a woman he doesn’t know for the sake of the baby. That’s the worst thing you could do to the poor child, raise it in an environment where the parents don’t even love each other. What’s the point of that? You’re not with Sally and things with Josh work out fine. It may not be the most desired position to be in, everyone wants to play happy families but it doesn’t always work out that way. This is ridiculous.
Alex: I’m a weekend dad to Josh; I don’t want a repeat of that. It’s not right.
Rosie: Marrying someone you don’t love is not right.
Alex: I’m extremely fond of Bethany; we have a great relationship and get on well.
Rosie: Well I’m glad you and your future wife “get on well.” If you don’t think this through properly, Bethany will be another Sally. Another failed marriage is not what you want.
Alex: This marriage won’t fail.
Rosie: No you’ll just be miserable for the rest of your life and that’s great just as long as the tongues of disapproving people can’t gossip about you.
Alex: Why should I take advice from you Rosie? What on earth have you done in your life that makes you such an expert on telling me how to live mine? You lived with a man that cheated on you for years and you kept taking him back time and time again. What do you no about marriage?
Rosie: I know enough not to go racing up the aisle with someone else I barely know or love. I know enough to not allow my life choices to be influenced by my desire for money and power and prestige. I know enough not to marry a man so a bunch of rich people will smile at me and tell me how great I am. I wouldn’t marry a man to get my picture in the paper, my name on an award trophy, or for some dumb promotion at work.
Alex: Oh Rosie, you make me laugh. You have no idea what you’re talking about. You’ve obviously been spending too much time in your flat doing nothing but concocting conspiracy theories.
Rosie: Oh of course, because that’s all I do. Sit around my council flat doing nothing, being the poor uneducated single mother that I am while you and your Harvard pals sit in your gentlemen’s clubs smoking cigars and patting each other on the backs. We may live in very different worlds, Alex Stewart, but I know you and I’m sick of seeing who you’ve turned into.
So what would good old Reginald Williams have done if he had learned that his daughter was pregnant and that the fool who was responsible wouldn’t marry her? Oh the shame that would bring on the family, how the people would talk. He would just have to let you go from the hospital, have a few words with his fellow colleagues on the hospital board, and bye, bye Alex.
But at least now, she’s got the ring on her finger and you’ve got the job promotion and we can all live happily ever after.
Alex: Not everybody walks away, Rosie. They might in your life, but not in mine.
Rosie: Alex, for Christ sake! Not marrying Bethany isn’t “walking away.” As long as you’re there for the child then you’re not walking away. You don’t have to marry her!
Alex: Look I’m fed up with all this Rosie, with you constantly checking up on me, me having to explain everything to you. You’re not my wife or my mother so give it a rest
. Who says I have to run all my life decisions by you anyway? I’m tired of you nagging at me and moaning at me about people I see and places I go. I can make decisions on my own you no. I’m a grown man.
Rosie: Then for once in your life ACT LIKE ONE!
Alex: Who are you to insult me and lecture me when you haven’t done a thing right in your life yourself? Just do me a favor and don’t bother getting in touch until you have something decent to say.
Rosie: Fine! Well then, I think you’ll find you’ll be waiting a long, long time.
Rosie has logged off
Alex: No change there then.
Phil:What are you doing?
Alex: You no what I’m doing.
Phil:Why are you marrying her?
Alex: Her name is Bethany.
Phil:Why are you marrying Bethany?
Alex: Because I love her.
Phil: Really? Because last time you stepped into the virtual confessional box, you told me you were planning on ending your relationship. Why do you feel you have to do this? Is her dad putting pressure on you?
Alex: No, no, no. There’s no pressure. I want to do this.
Phil:Why?
Alex: Why the hell not? Why did you marry Margaret?
Phil: I married Margaret because I love every inch of the woman with all my heart and plan to be with her for the rest of my life, through sickness and in health, till death do us part. She is my best friend, we have five beautiful children and as much as they drive me up the walls, I couldn’t live a day without them. I don’t sense you have this with Bethany.
Alex: Not all relationships are like yours and Margaret’s.
Phil: No they’re not but the intention should be there at the beginning. Was there the silence thing with Bethany?
Alex: Oh shut up about the silence Phil.
Phil: You’re the one who’s obsessed with it. So, come on, was there the silence thing?
Alex: No.
Phil:Then you shouldn’t marry her.
Alex: OK I won’t just because you say so.
Phil:What does Rosie say about it?
Alex: Nothing. She’s not talking to me.
Phil:How do you feel about that?
Alex: At this stage, I’m so mad at her, I don’t care what she thinks. I’m moving on from her. Bethany and this new baby are my future. Can I leave the confessional box now?
Phil: Yeah. Say five Hail Marys and an Our Father, and God rest your messed-up little soul.
You have an instant message from: KATIE
Katie: You look very interested in learning about the female reproduction system.
Toby:I’m not. I’d rather figure it out for myself the proper way.
Katie: Oh funny but you’ll be old and gray before anyone lets you get your hands on them. And then it’ll probably be a man.
Toby: My best friend is a comedienne. You had a salad roll for lunch didn’t you?
Katie:How do you no?
Toby: KNOW not NO. Because I can see the lettuce hanging out of your braces. So what do you want?
Katie: Well not that you deserve to be asked, I’m going to the orthodontist again later if you wanna come. You can ask him a million questions about everything he’s doing as always and annoy the hell out of him. It’s so funny the way that vein in his forehead pulsates when he sees you.
Toby: Yeah I know. Sorry I can’t go. Monica is coming around to my house to watch the football.
Katie: Monica, Monica, Monica. I’m sick of hearing about stupid Monica Doyle. She’s no more interested in football than the man on the moon.
Toby: Neil Armstrong could very well be a fan of football. She said she’s a fan of Manchester United.
Katie:Yeah right. So why aren’t I invited to your house?
Toby:Because you have to go to the dentist.
Katie:Yes, but you didn’t no that until a second ago.
Toby: OK then would you like to watch football, the sport that you absolutely hate with a passion with the two teams you hate even more, in my house today?
Katie:I can’t. I’m busy.
Toby:You see? Now don’t say I never ask you out anywhere.
Katie:How long have you known that I’m going to the dentist?
Toby:All of five minutes.
Katie:How long ago did you invite Monica Doyle to your house?
Toby:Last week.
Katie:My point exactly!
You have an instant message from: KATIE
Katie:Mum, I hate men.
Rosie: Congratulations dear welcome to the club. Your membership is in the post. I’m so proud of this moment I wish I had a camera.
Katie:Please Mum I’m serious.
Rosie: And so am I. So what has Toby done this time?
Katie: He’s invited Monica Doyle to his house to watch the football match and he didn’t invite me. Well he did, but only after he new I was busy.
Rosie: Oh dear, he’s caught the bug already. Is this moany Monica we’re talking about? The little girl who cried all day at your tenth birthday party until her parents came to collect her because her false nail fell off?
Katie:Yes.
Rosie: Oh dear. I hate that child.
Katie: She’s not a child anymore Mum. She’s 14, got the biggest chest in the school, dyes her hair blond, leaves the top buttons of her polo shirt open in PE and leans down so the boys can see down her top. She even flirts with Mr. Simpson and pretends not to understand what he’s talking about in computer class so he’ll come up behind her and lean over her to show her what to do.
She hates talking about anything other than shopping so I don’t no why she’s going to even bother watching football. Well actually I do no why.
Rosie: Sounds like she’s got a case of the Slutty Bethinitis to me.
Katie:What? What do I do about Monica?
Rosie: Oh that’s simple. Assassinate her.
Katie:Please Mum for once in your life be serious.
Rosie: I am an incredibly serious woman. The only way to deal with this is to silence her. Because if not, she’ll only end up coming back to haunt you when you’re 32 years old. Death is the only thing for it.
Katie:Thanks, but I’m open to any other suggestions you may have.
Rosie: You said he invited you?
Katie:Yes but only because he new I couldn’t go.
Rosie: My dear sweet innocent daughter, an invitation is an invitation. It would be rude to turn him down. I suggest you turn up on his doorstep this evening, I’ll give you the money for the bus to his house.
Katie: But Mum I can’t go! I’ve got an appointment with the orthodontist. My brace broke again. Moany Monica hit me in the face with the basketball.
Rosie: Well the dentist can wait. I’ll make another appointment for you. This is a very important football match you know, I wouldn’t want you to miss it just because of a silly little thing like getting your teeth fixed.
Katie:Thanks Mum!
Rosie: Now get off the computer before Mr. Simpson catches you and reports me to Ms. Big Nose Smelly Breath Casey and gets me fired.
Katie:You wish Mum. I don’t no how you work with her every day.
Rosie: Actually, I’m surprised to admit it myself but she’s not so bad. In fact she’s not bad at all. As far as bosses go she’s been really, really pleasant. Her name is Julie. Can you believe it? She actually has a first name. And all this time I had convinced myself it was Big Nose Smelly Breath. And it’s a nice, normal name too; I would have thought it was something more like Vladimir or Adolf.
Katie: Ha, ha me too. But is it not really awkward working with someone who used to give out to you every day?
Rosie: Things are a little awkward between us. It kind of feels like she’s an ex-boyfriend of mine and we’re meeting after years of separation. Every day conversation becomes a little longer, a little friendlier, a little less about work and a little more about life. We’ve spent so many years arguing with each other it
feels odd to agree on things. It’s almost like we’re afraid of being tricked if one of us agrees with the other. But each day we talk more and more and earlier today I was surprised to hear her tell me that you are quite the intellect when you’re not being distracted by that boyfriend of yours.
Katie:He’s so not my boyfriend Mum. Just shows how much she nos.
Rosie: I know, I know. Alex and I had a hard time convincing her of the same thing when we were growing up. Do you know that she thought Alex was your dad?
Katie:Did she?
Rosie: Anyway I told her that Brian was your father and she couldn’t stop laughing . . . Actually perhaps this isn’t a story to tell you.
Katie:Oh so she’s your “friend” now?
Rosie: No, not exactly my bosom buddy friend, you know what I mean. She’s a work colleague that I get along with.
Katie:Wait till Alex hears you saying that, he’ll drop dead with the shock.
Rosie: I’ll let you tell him.
Katie:Oh I forgot you two still aren’t talking.
Rosie: Yes well, it’s a long story honey.
Katie: People who say it’s a long story mean it’s a stupid short one that they’re too embarrassed and couldn’t be bothered to tell. Why don’t you talk to him?
Rosie: Because I don’t care about what he does anymore. What he does with his life is his own mistake and I have nothing to do with it now. Anyway he doesn’t want to hear about what I have to say.
Katie:Our neighbor Rupert says, “Mistakes are the portals of discovery.”
Rosie: Rupert doesn’t say that. James Joyce did.
Katie:James who? Do I no him?
Rosie: He’s dead.
Katie:Oh sorry, did you no him well?
Rosie: What on earth are they teaching you at school?
Katie: At the moment it’s sex education. It’s boring as hell.
Rosie: I would have to agree with you on that one. Anyway back to Alex, he has just changed as a person, love. He’s not the man I used to know. He’s different.