Samuel was expecting to cook dinner when he walked into his home from work. However, the aroma that met him at the door indicated Cynthia had at the very least started dinner. Or it could be Samantha. She had been spending a lot of time in the kitchen with him learning to prepare family favorites.
Smiling as he closed the door behind him, he remembered it was a meal Cynthia was trying to prepare for another man that brought them together fourteen years ago. That cooking lesson evolved into three beautiful children and fourteen years of wedded bliss. The aroma of tomato sauce, garlic, and cheese caused his stomach to growl. The caseload at Thompson Protection Services had increased recently. To get home for dinner, Samuel worked through lunch, then changed shifts with Magna Rivera, his second in command. Cynthia indicated they needed a family council about Samantha.
“Daddy,” his son Franklin, Frankie for short, called out. “You came home early.”
“I did.” He reached down to pick up the ten-year-old. “What did you get into today?” He noted his son would soon be too tall to put him on his lap as he took a seat on the sofa to listen.
“Just school stuff,” Franklin huffed. “It’s boring, Dad, and the teacher won’t let me explore.”
“What is it that you want to explore?” Samuel asked, tickled by the frown on his son’s face.
“In science module she wouldn’t let me dissect the frog.”
“They had a live frog in class?”
“No, on the computer, Dad. But wouldn’t that be cool if we did. I could find a way to help the frog get whatever is in his throat out.”
That took Samuel off guard. “Why do you think something was in the frog’s throat?”
“He keeps making that sound like you and Mommy made when you were in the laundry room.”
“In the laundry….” Samuel was confused until he remembered making love to his wife on the washing machine during a spin cycle. “Cynthia,” he called out.
“Can you get me a frog so I can experiment with it?” Franklin asked, pulling his attention back.
“No, but you can ask Aunt Amber to let you hang out in her lab. You can watch her dissect a frog.”
“Really?” The boy got up from his lap excited. “I’m going to call her right now.”
Samuel stood as Cynthia walked into the family room. “Hello, beautiful.” Samuel pulled her into his arms as if he hadn’t seen her in years.
“Hmm,” she moaned from the lingering kiss. “What was all of that for?”
“Your son just reminded me of our session in the laundry room a few weeks back. He said you sounded like a frog.”
She laughed. “He was probably talking about you and all that groaning you did.” She kissed his neck.
Samuel’s lips were trailing down her cheek, across her shoulder to their intended of her breast….
“Are you two at it again?”
Samuel looked up to see Samantha in the doorway to the kitchen.
“That’s how you got Francesca and Franklin, remember that.”
“It’s how we got you too, remember that,” Samuel replied as he reluctantly released his wife then pivoted towards the kitchen. “Speaking of which, where is Franny?”
“Daddy, don’t call her Franny. It is not sophisticated at all. Call her Francesca or Fran, but not Franny.”
“Okay, Fran.” Samuel picked up his daughter, kissed her cheek then put her back on her feet. “It smells good in here.” He walked over to two-year-old, Francesca, then picked her up from the high chair.
“Family favorite, spaghetti, garlic bread and salad for dinner.” Cynthia walked back to the stove. “Everything is just about ready, so go wash up for dinner. And tell Franklin to do the same.”
“Is there a reason why we are all going by our full names, these days?” Samuel asked while placing Francesca back in her seat.
“It’s proper, Daddy,” Samantha replied. “You gave us these names for a reason. We should use them.”
“Right…” Samuel glanced over at Cynthia, who simply shrugged. He had a feeling she did not understand the reason either.
Samuel washed his hands in the half bath located between the family room and the kitchen. Walking out he caught Franklin coming down the back staircase. Picking him up, he carried him into the kitchen like a football and sat him in a chair at the table. The boy was giggling frantically when the others took their seats.
They all bowed their heads as Samuel said grace. Before amen had completed, Samantha jumped right in.
“The pre-teen semifinals are in July, Mother,” Samantha stated. “We have to make a decision now. I have to rehearse for the pageant and practice my talent.”
“Speaking of talent, what is it you plan on doing?” Frankie asked. “Social media posting? It’s about the only real thing you know how to do.”
“Stop teasing your sister,” Cynthia chastised her son as she passed the spaghetti casserole to Samuel. “Your sister has plenty of talents. She can sing or act or dance.”
“That’s what I can do.” Samantha smiled. “Act. I do it with you and Daddy all the time.”
“We know,” Samuel chuckled.
“Samuel.” Cynthia frowned.
“We do.” He shrugged. “We choose which untruth we let you get away with.”
“Daddy, I don’t tell you untruths. I may not give you the full story but I never lie to you.”
“But you do to me?” Cynthia raised an eyebrow
“That’s only because you’re easy, Mom,” Samantha replied.
Cynthia gasped. “Samantha Brianna.”
“You kinda are, Mom,” Frankie added. “I don’t lie to you, but I do know how to get my way with you.”
“Oh, you do?”
“Yes,” Frankie giggled.
“I do too.” Samuel smiled down the table at her.
“Can we please get back to me,” Samantha whined. “This is important, Dad. I have to know if I can participate in the upcoming pageant.”
Samuel glanced at Cynthia who was expectantly looking in his direction. He knew her position on this topic. Pageants were the sure-fire way to raise questions about a girls’ looks and body image that could impact their daughter’s self-esteem. Samuel shook that thought away. He could not imagine Samantha ever having issues with self-esteem. She was like her mother in that sense. However, he did know that pageants were what caused the rift between Cynthia and her mother at a very young age. He found it interesting that this would be the one thing Samantha had suddenly become passionate about. “I read the information you gave me.” He nodded. “There are some positive benefits to participating. However, I really want to hear you tell me why you want to be in a pageant, Samantha.”
“Daddy, it incorporates everything I love. Shopping for clothes, modeling those clothes, being on stage in front of people. We all know I can work a runway.” She smiled. “But it’s also because I like to shine, Daddy. There is a good way and a bad way to be in the spotlight. This is a positive pathway. And who knows, I might end up on the big screen like Uncle Blake.”
“Sweetheart, with everything that has happened in the last few months, I’m not so sure you being in the spotlight will not make you a target. You see how being in the spotlight impacts Blake’s life,” Cynthia stated. “You are still so young. Pageants take dedication and a lot of time from your friends. Do you really want that life?”
“Mom, we are a target because our last name is Lassiter. That is just a reality in our lives. As for Uncle Blake, his is the first face I see on social media every day. Do I want that kind of publicity? Heck yes.”
Samuel looked at Cynthia. He could see the concern in her eyes. “You know the other side of that is disappointment, jealousy, lies and scandal. Are you ready to deal with that too?”
“Disappointments are something I don’t have to worry about. I know that you and Mom are going to be there to help me through them. As for lies and scandals, our family has dealt with them too. We are a strong unit and that is what I, or anyone my age needs today no matter what we decide to do. As for jealousy?” She shrugged. “I’ve been dealing with that all my life, thanks to Mom.”
“Me? What did I do to bring jealousy into your life?” Cynthia sat up straight.
“Are you kidding? Do you look at yourself in the mirror every morning? All my male friends think you are the hottest mom in the school and so do their fathers. I look just like you, only better because I have Daddy’s coloring.”
“Wow, you really do have a big head.” Frankie shook his head.
“She’s right.” Samuel smiled at his wife. “You are the hottest mom in the school.”
Cynthia melted right in front of his eyes. It was good to know he still had that impact on his wife.
“Knock-knock, coming in,” Phire’s voice sounded along with a knock at the side door. “Oh good, just in time for dinner.” She closed the door behind her.
“Come on in and pull up a chair,” Samuel offered. “There is plenty to go around.”
Phire kissed Francesca. “Hi, Franny.” She played with her niece’s hand.
“We can’t call her Franny anymore, Aunt Phire,” Frankie stated. “Samantha said we have to call her Francesca or Fran.”
“Oh…really? Why?” Phire asked as she dropped her backpack to the floor.
“I don’t really know,” Frankie answered.
“It’s more sophisticated.” Samantha replied. “We should call you Aunt Sapphire from now on.”
“I prefer Phire, if that is okay with you.”
“It’s not your name. Grandmother Sally and Grandfather Joe selected that name for you for a reason.”
“What was the reason?” Phire asked.
“I don’t know. You have to ask them,” Samantha replied.
“I think as we grow older, individuals should have the choice on how they are addressed. If you wish to be called Samantha, then okay. We can honor that request. If Frankie wants to be called Franklin, he can tell us and we will honor his request. You don’t want me to tell everyone to call you Tattletale Sam do you?”
“No.”
“Well, why do you think it’s okay to tell Frankie or Francesca what they should be called?”
“Because I’m their big sister and it is my responsibility to look out for them,” Samantha replied.
“That is a fact and it’s good to know you take that responsibility seriously. Family before all else…right.” Phire held her fist out for a pound.
Samantha bumped her fist with Phire. “Right.”
“I like being called Frankie.”
Samuel smiled at his son, then palmed the back of his head. “Stay that way. Don’t grow up too fast.”
“Okay,” Frankie replied.
“Mommy’s boy.” Samantha rolled her eyes.
“Mommy’s boy?” Cynthia took offense. “That was his father who spoke.” She shook her head and turned to Phire. “I get blamed for everything around here. Do you have the signed contracts with you?”
“Yes.” Phire reached into her bag. “Make sure all the signatures are in the right place. We are weeks away from the wedding and I don’t want any hiccups.”
“I’ll take this into the office.” Cynthia stood. “I want plates cleaned before you get up from the table.”
“Mom, I need an answer about the pageants,” Samantha huffed.
Samuel looked up at his wife, gave a slight nod and smiled. He wanted Cynthia to be the one to give the okay. He watched as she hesitated, struggling with her response. His heart went out to her. Flashes of her mother had to be penetrating her mind.
“Okay, but there will be….”
Before she could finish the sentence, Samuel smiled at the shriek his daughter let out as she ran into her mother’s arms. His eyes met Cynthia’s and he knew she would need a special session of his lovemaking tonight.
“Are you ready for all of this?” Samuel glanced at Phire.
“I’m not ready for this part, but I’m definitely ready for that look you sent her way.” Phire smiled.