A Little Love Will Do ~ Part 2

          "What in the name of Wall Street is going on!?"

          "Mr. Dodgers." Valente recovered their surprise with an ever-persevering smile, but released Amanda's hand. Ken lifted Sabina out of her dip and she smoothed her hair and clothes, while Sheila stood awkwardly beside them. 
           "You home early, Mr. Dodgers; that is good." Valente straightened his appearance as well, his smile remaining. Some of its authenticity had disappeared though.

           "Daddy." Amanda ran forward gleefully, hugging their dad's waist. "We're having a party..."

          "I can see that." Dad glanced irritably about the kitchen. "I could hear it too, all the way out to the garage. I imagine the neighbors could hear it as well."

          His curtness repelled Amanda like a snake. Ken prayed for the good mood- his good mood- to stay in the room. It had been going better for him and his sisters then it had been for weeks.

          "Ice cream is on the menu for dessert, Mr. Dodgers," Sabina gestured hopefully to the counter. "If you please join us..."

          "This being my house, Sabina," Dad placed his briefcase on the island to emphasize the fact. "I doubt I need your permission to do one or the other."

          And timber! Ken groaned. Sheila stiffened, but Ken squeezed her shoulder before she could say anything. Sabina's face remained respectful as Valente came to stand beside her. "If you need nothing else, Mr. Dodgers, we be leaving."

          Amanda's face crumbled. "No!"

          "Good." Dad nodded. "I'll expect you back Monday morning."

          "Daddy." Amanda tugged on his belt. "Sabina's taking me to my violin lesson tomorrow..."

          "You take those with friends," Dad told her stalely. "One of their mothers can drive you."

          "But..."

          "Miss Amanda," Valente commanded her attention with ease. "You listen to your father, yes?"

          Dad's jaw clenched at Amanda's nod. Ken could see he didn't like the unintentional overrule, but he didn't say anything. As the CEO of a public relations firm, Dad was supposed to have the right words for any situation. But then, charm and wit hadn't exactly been dripping off of him lately.

          "Good night, then." Sabina spoke to Dad, but she turned and gazed at Ken, Amanda, and Shelia in turn, a loving glow in her eyes. Why couldn't that glow stay where it was needed? Where it was wanted?

         "You all have great weekend." Valente added as he and his wife moved past Amanda and Dad.

         "You too." Sheila called, giving a wave. Ken did the same. There were a couple moments of awkward silence; it wasn't until they heard the back door close that Dad cleared his throat. "Girls... have you had your baths?"

         "Seriously?" Sheila's eyes hardened. "Dad it's Friday, and it's not even eight..."

         "Bath time." Dad stated. "Go up and help your sister, Sheila."

         "She's seven, Dad."

         "Sheila," Dad drew out his breath in exasperation. "Just do as I say."

         Ken nudged Sheila forward. "Go on up, Sheila. We'll have ice cream afterwards."

         Sheila continued to glare at Dad as she grabbed Amanda's hand and left the kitchen. That left Ken with their dad. Ken took a deep breath. He didn't want to do this tonight, but it seemed like one of those divine opportunities that Sabina was always so keen on.

         "You shouldn't talk to her like that."

         Dad sighed. "Understand son, that Sheila needs a firm hand..."

         "I'm not talking about... well, I don't really agree with how you talked to Sheila either. But..." Ken huffed. "I was talking about Sabina."

         "Excuse me?" Dad's eyebrows lifted, showing his first true emotion of the evening.

         "All she did was invite you to the party." Ken shrugged. "To join in the fun. And she and Valente were watching us like you asked."

         "I could see that." Dad pocketed his right hand; his lecture pose. "And I could see you were all having a good time. That's mainly the problem, Ken. Valente and Sabina are wonderful people and they're been great looking after you and your sisters. That has been more of a help then I can express, but don't forget they are our cook and groundskeeper."

         Now it was Ken's eyebrows that lifted. "So?"

         "So," Dad inspected the ice cream toppings for a moment. "Our family has been privileged, Ken, in a higher society then most. With this society comes certain standards of behavior... and socialization. I thought you knew that."

         Ken was going swimmy-headed, unable to believe what he was hearing! Sure, he knew what society he'd been growing up in. One with high-nosed bankers and politicians who were obsessed with the things they owned, never taking the time to notice the people they had. Honestly, he acted like one of them at times. But Ken had always thought that his parents were above that. Mom definitely had been, reminding him and the girls about 'please' and 'thank you', about the importance of a person's smile and heart. And Dad... well, he didn't really know how Dad was nowadays. He had become little more then a workaholic since Mom had died in April. 
         Had it just been April? 

         "All I need to know." Ken told his dad, his tone evening out. "Is that Valente and Sabina are decent people, who have been decent to us. "

         Dad rubbed at his eyes. "I'm not saying that they're not good people, Ken..."

         "Then what are you saying, Dad?"

         "Things have been tough since..." Dad's throat jumped, but he didn't need to finish the sentence. Tough was an understatement. Amanda still asked why it was that Mom couldn't come back. Sheila had gone back and forth from acting out to being sullen and silent. Ken... he just focused on school, soccer, anything that stole his attention from Mom's absence at home. With Sabina and Valente though, their lives had moved up to manageable over the summer.

         "Regardless of what they're done," Dad was saying. "You shouldn't feel obligated to..."

         "What!" Ken about exploded. "Are you whacked! We haven't felt obligated about anything and neither have Valente or Sabina. It's not in their job description, but they've done it anyway."

         Dad stared at him blankly. "Done what?"

         "They've been around!" Ken felt the strain of the word in the veins of his neck. "They've been caring and coping with us while you've holed yourself up in your stupid office! Valente is always breathing down my neck about curfew. Sabina helps us with our homework, keeps us busy with chores or errands and both of them make sure that we have a ride wherever we go."

         "Son, that's all good and well..."

         "Better yet, they're making us laugh again." Ken almost smiled. "Valente's got Amanda laughing and Shelia's at least smiling. After the funeral, neither of them were stepping outside the house and I didn't even want to come home! But you didn't even take one second to notice, did you?"

         "Don't you put that on me." Dad pointed harshly at him. "You have no idea how hard this had been."

         "And it's your job to help us through it, right?" Ken countered. "As our last living parent? But I guess there are just too many meetings to squeeze us in."

         "We're done talking!" Dad cut his hand through the air. "And Sabina and Valente are done working for us."

         "No!" Ken gasped. 
         Dad shook his head. "All they're doing is causing more tension."

         "They're facing the problems you're choosing to ignore." Ken defended even while fear choked him. If they lost Valente and Sabina, they'd fall apart for sure. He couldn't let that happen to Sheila or Amanda! 
          Why couldn't he admit that he couldn't lost them either? Ken deliberately pushed past Dad and headed into the living room, making for the stairs.

         "Ken!" Dad called after him. "Kenneth! You don't talk to me like that and just..." He stopped short. "What are these?"

         He had seen the coffee table. Ken paused at the stairs. "Presents. From Valente and Sabina."

         "Presents for what?"

         Ken didn't look back as he climbed the stairs. "It's my birthday, Dad."

THE END

Are you showing your love to the right people today? Not just on Valentine's Day or their birthday or Christmas, but on those hectic days where they might need a reminder of how special they are. It doesn't take a present, a fancy dinner or any bells and whistles. An extra glance or kiss or hug will do just fine.

Spread the love! Today, tomorrow, and every day after!