John took a sip of coffee while watching his wife working in the kitchen. She was wearing an apron and high heels and nothing else. He put down his cup appreciating the sight she presented him. The only problem was that there were traces of bruises still visible.
"It sure is strange how often Rose is visiting her friends in this neighborhood," John remarked conversationally.
Vicki said, "It's not so strange."
"She has also stopped pushing me to get a divorce from you," John said.
"That's good news, isn't it?"
"I just find it kind of odd that she suddenly dropped the subject," John said.
Vicki said, "Let's not look a gift horse in the mouth."
John said, "You've never explained how you got all of those bruises."
"Don't worry about it," Vicki said.
Since the day when Rose had unleashed her fury upon Vicki, the two of them had spent several afternoons talking with Reverend Billings. The discussions were not combative. His questions forced them to examine the situation from the perspective of the other. He asked Rose how she felt her mother should treat her after the violent confrontation. He asked Vicki to speculate about how much pain Rose must have felt to drive her to such violence. A significant amount of healing had occurred in a very short period of time.
"Rose did that to you, didn't she?"
"John, please don't ask that question," Vicki said.
"You're not going to answer it?" John asked.
Vicki slowly turn to face him. She took a deep breath and then said, "I have vowed to obey you in all matters large and small. I beg you, do not ask me to answer that question."
"Okay," John said. Her answer confirmed what he had suspected. He was going to have a long talk with Rose.
"Thank you."
Changing the subject, John said, "I should have left you more furniture."
Vicki walked over to the kitchen table. She said, "I don't think I'll be living here much longer."
"Why?" John asked.
"David has made peace with me. Rose and I have come to an understanding. I expect to deal with Lisa soon," Vicki said confidently.
John frowned.
Vicki asked, "What's the matter?"
John said, "If one were to measure anger on a scale of one to ten, David was about a two, I was about a five, and Rose was about a seven."
"What about Lisa?"
"I fear that Lisa is a ten. I don't know why, but that girl has a whole lot of anger inside her," John said.
Vicki said, "She's a middle child."
Reverend Billings had explained about how the middle child is often insecure about his or her position in a family. They often hide their insecurity behind a facade of anger. He suspected that Lisa was more insecure than truly angry, although there was some righteous anger in the mix.
"What's that mean?" John asked.
"The middle child is often insecure. The oldest child is special because he or she is the role model for the younger children. The youngest child remains the baby of the family and gets lots of attention because of it. The middle child is left without a special role," Vicki answered.
"Maybe," John said. "I'm not aware of having treated any of the children differently."
"It doesn't matter," Vicki said. "She's the middle child."
John said, "Lisa is faster, stronger, and angrier than Rose. Judging by the damage Rose did to you, I don't think you'd survive an attack by Lisa."
"I'll keep that in mind. Rose was almost too much for me to handle," Vicki said. She realized what she had said. "Damn."
"I knew it," John said. "I'm going to paddle her butt good. She's not going to be able to sit down for a week."
"Don't do that ... please."
"Why not?" John asked.
"She apologized. I apologized. We're working to establish a relationship. It's not easy. I beg you not to make it any harder than it is," Vicki answered. Her lower lip quivered.
"What she did was wrong," John said harshly.
"I don't know if I can take any more," Vicki said. "I just want to get my family back. I've got a fragile relationship with Rose and I don't think it would survive another blow."
"Against my better judgement, I'll let you deal with Rose," John said after considering it for a moment.
Relieved, Vicki said, "Thank you."
"Don't make me regret it," John said. He would have been a little sterner, but she had leaned forward with the result that her apron shifted.
"I won't," Vicki said. She followed his eyes to where they were fixed looking down her apron. Grinning, she asked, "Do you like my outfit?"
"Yes," John said. He wasn't sure if he liked the view from the front better than from the rear or vice versa. Both views were pretty spectacular.
"Does it give you any ideas?" Vicki asked.
"Oh yeah," John said while reaching out to release the apron ties.
"Lisa."
"What Dad?"
"I didn't know you were interested in Ballroom Dancing," John said.
"Huh?" Lisa asked puzzled by the assertion that she was interested Ballroom Dancing.
"I'm really happy you picked me to be your partner," John said.
"My partner?" Lisa asked wondering if she had wandered into the twilight zone.
"I wish you had asked me before you signed us up for lessons," John said.
"What lessons?"
John held out a sheet of paper and said, "I just got this confirmation in the mail. You've got one just like it. We're enrolled in a Ballroom Dancing for Beginners class. According to the paperwork, you signed us up for it."
"Really?" Lisa asked. She grabbed the paper from her father.
"Yes."
Lisa read the sheet of paper. There in black and white was her name with her father's name as her dance partner for Ballroom Dancing lessons. The class was held every Tuesday night from seven to nine. The tuition for the whole six week course had been paid. The reservation had been in her name.
"I didn't sign up for this," Lisa said waving the piece of paper around.
"Oh well, I'll just call them and cancel," John said lightly.
Lisa asked, "Did you mean it when you said that you were happy to be my dance partner?"
"Sure," John said.
"Maybe it would be fun," Lisa said.
"Do you want to do it?" John asked.
"Sure," Lisa answered.
–
Confused, Lisa went over to her father and asked, "Dad. Did you get this for me?"
"What is it?" John asked.
"It is a year-long membership to a spa," Lisa said holding up an envelope filled with papers.
"I didn't get it for you, but it sure sounds like something you'd enjoy," John said.
Frowning, Lisa pulled out a page. She said, "According to this, I've got two massages and a visit to the hairdresser each month. I've got my choice between a manicure and pedicure or a facial once a month. It is all prepaid."
"I'd go with a pedicure if I were you. I've always wanted to get a pedicure. Can you see me with my toenails painted a bright pink?" John said in a teasing voice.
"Oh Dad!"
Lisa answered the door. There was a strange woman, a very well dressed strange woman, looking at her. "Hello?"
"Hello, Lisa," the woman replied after glancing down at a photograph.
Lisa stared at the woman wondering how she knew her name. She had never seen that woman before. She leaned over and examined the photograph the woman was holding. It was a picture of her.
She asked, "Am I supposed to know you?"
"I don't think so," the woman answered.
"What do you want?" Lisa asked suspiciously.
"I am Claire Montgomery. I'm your personal shopping assistant."
"My what?" Lisa asked.
"I am your personal shopping assistant. It is my job to provide advice and suggestions when you are shopping," Claire answered.
"Shopping for what?"
"Clothes."
"Really?" Lisa asked. "I didn't know there were people like you."
"I understand you'll be starting a new school soon."
"Yes."
Claire explained, "One of our shopping goals should be to pick out clothes that will help you integrate into a new school. You'll want to look sexy enough to attract attention from all the boys you'll meet and nice enough not to alienate all of the girls."
"Sure ... I think ... That should good."
"Good. If I'm going to help you, then we need to get to know each other."
"How do we do that?" Lisa asked.
"I've arranged to us to have tea at the Japanese Tea Garden," Claire said.
"Tea?"
"The Japanese Tea ceremony is a very ancient art form," Claire said.
"I knew that," Lisa said.
"I find the atmosphere there is nice and relaxing. It will give us a chance to discuss your fashion preferences. I need to get a feel for your style so that I can best help you in selecting an appropriate collection of clothes," Claire said.
"My style?" Lisa asked.
She didn't have a style. She bought clothes off the rack. More often than not, she was more concerned with the label than with how she looked in them.
"Yes. We'll determine what is your style while drinking tea at the Japanese Tea Garden."
"When are we supposed to do this?" Lisa asked.
"We should leave now," Claire said.
"Dad!"
"Dad?"
"Oh hey, Lisa. That's a nice outfit," John said.
"Thanks. Claire helped me pick it out," Lisa said.
John asked, "Did you get your hair styled?"
"Yes, I went to the spa earlier today. David took me on his motorcycle," Lisa said.
"I like it. It really highlights your face," John said.
"Thanks," Lisa said.
"Did you get a manicure?" John asked.
"Yes."
"Let me see your nails."
Lisa held out her hands so that he could see her nails.
"That's a pretty color nail polish."
"I like it," Lisa said.
"Are you ready to go to our first Ballroom Dancing Lesson?" John asked.
"Yes," Lisa said.
"Great. I'm going to be dancing with the prettiest girl there," John said.
"Dad?"
"Yes, Lisa."
"I've figured out that Mother is doing this to me," Lisa said.
"What is she doing to you?" John asked sounding concerned.
"You know ... all this."
"All what?"
"The spa ... the shopping ... the dance lessons," Lisa said.
"That evil woman!" John said.
"Ya ... right," Lisa said.
John asked, "What should we do about it?"
"I don't know," Lisa said.
"Maybe you should take everything back," John said.
"Well ... I don't know."
"Why?"
Lisa fidgeted in place for a second. "I like the clothes Claire picked out. I mean ... I really look good in them. I've got to admit that massage was heavenly. I really liked being pampered."
"In that case..."
Lisa said, "I'm kind of looking forward to the dance lessons."
"Me too," John said.
"So what do I do?"
"About what?" John asked.
"You know ... Mother."
John said, "Oh, I guess you could write her a thank you letter."
"I hate her," Lisa said.
"Then I guess you could send her a nasty letter," John said.
"What should I say?"
"That's up to you," John said.
"You're no help," Lisa said.
"Are you ready to go dancing?" John asked.
"Yes."
"Let's go. I'd hate to be late for our first lesson."
"Rose."
"What Lisa?"
"I've got three tickets to a fashion show."
"Where did you get them?"
"They showed up in the mail."
"Cool. When is it?"
"The Friday of Labor Day Weekend," Lisa answered.
"That's right before school starts."
"There are three tickets."
"I'll go if you're looking for someone to go with you."
Lisa asked, "Who can I ask to be the third?"
"Dad?" Rose asked.
"Are you kidding?" Lisa asked. "Can you picture Mr. Blue Jeans and Tee Shirts at a fashion show?"
"Not really," Rose said. "How about David?"
"He would either slobber all over his shirt at the models or die of embarrassment by the outfits."
"That's true."
"So who can I ask?"
"You don't have to use the third ticket," Rose said.
"That's true."
"Uh, Rose?"
"What?"
"I was thinking about that third ticket."
"Hey, that's a nice outfit," Rose said.
"Thanks. I went shopping again yesterday. Claire helped me pick it out," Lisa said taking a moment to preen.
"She did a good job," Rose said.
"Anyway, I was thinking about that third ticket," Lisa said.
"I thought you weren't going to use it," Rose said.
"I'd really hate to waste it. Can you think of anyone who would like to go with us?"
"How about Claire?" Rose asked brightly.
Lisa said, "I found out she was the one who sent them to me."
"That's too bad," Rose said.
"Can you think of anyone?"
Rose looked up at the ceiling for a minute. Shaking her head, "Not really. At least, not anyone you would want to take."
"Who wouldn't I want to take?"
"Mom."
"I'd rather die than take her."
"Dad?"
"What can I do for you, Lisa?"
Lisa said, "Could you make a call for me?"
"Can't you make it yourself?" John asked.
"Never mind," Lisa said.
"Nice outfit."
"Thanks, Claire helped me pick it out," Lisa said.
"It really makes you look soft and feminine," John said.
"Claire said it made me look kind of vulnerable but not easy."
"I better get out the guns so that I'm prepared to chase off the boys after they see you in that."
"Oh Dad!"
"Rose."
"I'm not calling her. They're your tickets."
"Damn."
"If you're going to call her, you better do it soon. The show is in a few days."
"Mother?"
"Hello, Lisa."
"I've got some tickets to the Labor Day Fashion Show."
"Lucky you. I know women who would kill for tickets to that show."
"Would you go with us? Rose and me."
"I would love to," Vicki said with a smile.
"Okay."
"How about I get a limousine to drive us there?" Vicki asked while glancing over at the confirmation for the limousine reservation for Friday night.
"Wow. That would be cool."
"I'll make the arrangements," Vicki said.
"Thanks, bye."
Lisa hung up the phone too quickly for Vicki to say good bye. Vicki smiled while hanging up the phone. "Gotcha."