The worst of the move was over. The house in Texas sold quickly, they had packed everything and brought it to Florida with them. Helena then sent the children to Melissa’s for a week and sorted through absolutely everything: furniture, clothing, knickknacks, toys, and kitchenware. By Friday she had the garage packed full of unneeded items. She priced them, advertised them in the paper and assigned John and Alan the job of selling everything by Saturday evening. Then she, Melissa and her parents split up the children and headed out for more fun activities. Her father took all three boys off to do ‘man stuff’ of some sort. Melissa had already planned to play golf and invited Tori to come with her, so Helena and her mother were left watching tiny Susie. Helena enjoyed playing with the toddler, regretting that her own children were now past the stage of being delighted by a box full of blocks, or willing to sit in your lap for a mid-morning bottle and drowse through Sesame Street.
Alan arrived early and brought an ice chest full of beer. Helena retreated quickly as the first buyers showed up. She didn’t want to see who bought her stuff. She was still quite attached to some of the furniture, but she no longer needed two houses full.
The two men spent the morning alternately selling everything from baby shoes to spatulas, and drinking beer and swapping stories. Alan had already suggested that they simply call some charity to come pick everything and head for the golf course, but they hadn’t run out of beer yet, so they were in no hurry.
It was nearly noon when Melissa’s little red Miata pulled up in front of the house. Tori bounced out of the passenger side with a brown paper bag. Melissa pulled up her sunglasses and stepped gracefully from the driver’s side.
“We brought you lunch!” Tori shouted, dashing to her father and climbing into his lap.
Melissa settled on Alan’s lap. “I thought you might ought to have something besides beer to sustain you.”
“What did you bring?”
“Just some sub sandwiches. Dad’s promised the kids Chinese for supper, so we’ll all meet and go out together around six.”
Alan put his arms around Melissa and teased, “Gonna wear a bra for him?”
“Maybe,” she laughed. “Depends on what outfit I decide to wear.”
“Grampa said we could use chopsticks!” Tori said. “He said it’s even okay if we spill stuff.” She was looking around at the piles of items for sale in the garage and driveway. “Daddy, is that my Baby Wetsy doll? Why is she out here?”
John sighed. He had hoped to avoid just this kind of question. Tori had so much stuff that she couldn’t possibly keep track of all of it. If some of it disappeared, she would probably never know the difference.
“Remember, Mommy said she was going to clean out the house so we had some more room.”
Tori was about to protest when Melissa said, “Tori, since some of the toys and things are yours, maybe your daddy would be willing to use some of the money he’s making to get you your own set of golf clubs.”
John glared at his sister-in-law. Buying Tori more stuff hadn’t been in his plans at all. He was trying to get rid of things. But Tori brightened right up. “Just like Geoff’s clubs?”
“Geoff has a set of clubs?” John asked.
“Well yeah. He’s too little to use either of ours,” Alan said, pulling his sandwich out of the bag.
“Tori seemed to really enjoy playing this morning.”
“Really?” John asked his daughter. At five she was much too artless to fake enjoyment of anything. If Tori hated playing golf, she would have no trouble letting her aunt know about it.
“Uh huh, we played just like you do. Aunt Mel says I’m good at hitting the ball.”
“She has terrific natural form. We had a good time.”
“Daddy, you told Mommy you left all your golf buddies back in Texas. Can I be your golf buddy now?” Tori asked earnestly.
John looked at the wide-eyed little girl with her mother’s features and dark silky hair pulled back into a pony tail. He had been telling Helena that he would be spending more time with the family instead of his golf buddies here in Florida. . He had been wondering what he might find to do with Tori that both of them would enjoy. What could be better than spending a morning out on the links with his daughter?
“Sure, sweetheart, you’ll be my best golf buddy ever.”
The sunny smile he received was the best reward he could ever imagine. She hugged him tight.
Melissa stood. “Come on, Tor. Let’s head for home and let your dad and uncle sell all this stuff so they can buy your clubs.”
“I need to get my dress to wear tonight,” Tori explained, tugging Melissa toward the house. “I want to wear the red satin dress that looks Chinese, and my red shoes.”
“Okay, kiddo, let’s go get them.” Melissa winked at the two men and allowed Tori to lead the way.
Maureen J. Long
November, 2001