INSTALLMENT 27
Falmont House:
The glistening smell of breakfast greets Lenore Falmont as she descends
down the staircase. She is amazed at the beautiful display of breakfast as
she sits down in her usual chair. Days like this make her glad to be a
mother even though her children think of her as anything but a mother.
Pushing those thoughts to the back of her head, she pours herself a glass
of orange juice and looks around for her family. As she’s thinking this, her
husband George comes into the dining room and sits down across from her.
Things between the two of them are still tense. She hopes he’ll be civil to
her on her day.
“Good morning dear, did you sleep well?” Lenore asks as George just
nods at her while reading the newspaper. “So what do you have planned
today?”
“I have a conference call later today, but right now, I’m reading the
newspaper and having a nice breakfast. What are you planning on doing
today?” George asks while Lenore looks at him like he’s joking. “Did I say
something funny?”
“Do you happen to know what day it is?” Lenore asks feeling insulted
that her husband doesn’t bow down to her.
“Let me think. It isn’t your birthday nor is it our anniversary so I’m going
to guess today is Mother’s Day.” George answers without emotion.
“Thank gosh you have some recall. I want to know what you guys are
going to be doing for me today. It’s a holiday for us mom’s everywhere.”
Lenore replies with a grin on her face.
“You are going to have to ask our children that because that’s their day
to honor you. I have a mother and I do need to give her a call after
breakfast so thank you for reminding me.” George replies while returning
to his newspaper.
“I’m going to pretend that you’re just saying this because you’re upset
with me.” Lenore states while George doesn’t look up. “It’ll ensure that I
will forgive you for treating me this way on Mother’s Day.”
George nods while she looks around wondering where their children are
at. Just then Henry races down the stairs and plops down on his chair. As
he hurriedly starts to grab for pancakes, Lenore waits for him to acknowledge
her.
“Hey mom, can you pass the orange juice?” Henry asks as he pours
syrup all over his pancakes. He happily starts to pour orange juice into his
glass while smiling at his mother. “So what are you up to today mother?”
“I was hoping that you would shed some light on that for me. By the
way, where are your brother and sister anyway? They did sleep here last
night, right?” Lenore asks looking around. She’s thinking to herself how
weird things are going on her day.
“I think they’re still getting ready or something. I guess they had a pretty
rough night last night.” Henry remarks while Lenore is marveling at how
inconsiderate her children are being to her. “I’m sure they will be down
later today, but in answer to your question, I’m not sure what your plans
are today.”
“Interesting, maybe your brother and sister will know what my plans are
going to be.” Lenore answers. Just as she says this both Jonathan and
Elizabeth make their way downstairs. She quickly gets up and runs toward
them hugging them.
“Good morning mother, how are you this morning?” Jonathan asks as
he makes his way past his mother toward the table. “I had the hardest
time sleeping last night, did you sleep well?”
“Yes, I did sleep well. I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t sleep well. So I
was trying to ask your father and brother about what your plans were for
me and they don’t seem to know. Do you guys know by chance?” Lenore
asks
“I’ve learned over the years to never anticipate what your plans are
mother.” Elizabeth answers. “Besides, I would think only you would know
what you are going to be doing today. Don’t tell me you want us to
control your every move.”
Lenore is beside herself when hearing all this. She’s thinking to herself
how she entered this parallel universe where her children weren’t aware it
was Mother’s Day! At least she got a call from Christina wishing her a
Mother’s Day today so she knows she isn’t going crazy.
“Have I just entered the twilight zone?” Lenore wonders out loud which
causes her family to stare at her. “I mean today is Mother’s Day and you
guys could care less. Have I been that bad of a mother that you could
treat me like this?”
As Lenore vents, she notices gifts being put in front of her at the table.
She didn’t know quite what to make of this as she reaches for the first gift
and shakes it to make sure it’s real.
“Am I missing something?”
“HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!!!” Everyone at the table shouts as they each
hug her. She just sits there with confusion written all over her.
“Did I miss something? I could have sworn you guys said Happy Mother’s
Day and yet you were treating me like it was just any ordinary day?”
“Mom we had to play this little joke on you. You know our family never
does anything normal so why start on mother’s day?” Henry states while
Lenore nods in agreement.
“The important thing is I’m not going crazy and my family really does
love me. So let’s get these gifts opened and the praising of your mother
in full swing!” Lenore states while everyone shouts in agreement.
Richardson House:
“Hey, Gil, did you get mom’s favorite chocolate’s?” Nina Richardson asks
Gillian, as she cracks an egg over the frying pan.
“Yes, I got her two boxes of Dark mint chocolate Frango’s today. I even
bought her an Anne Klein watch as well.” Gillian answers as she takes out
the box to show Nina and Stephen. “I know I was suppose to only get the
chocolate’s but I saw the watch and thought of mom.”
“Gil, it’s beautiful, who knew you had such great taste.” Nina jokingly
remarks while Gillian gives her a dirty look. “You know I’m joking with you,
you have great taste.”
“Yes, you do Gillian; I can’t wait to see mom’s face when she sees what
we’ve gotten her.” Stephen remarks as he finishes buttering the toast and
pouring a cup of coffee into her cup. “So which one of us should wake her
up?”
“I was thinking we should serve mom breakfast in bed.” Nina suggests.
Gillian and Stephen nod their agreement. “I mean we haven’t done that
since we were kids. I think she’ll love it, we just have to wait for dad to
come back with her favorite paper and then we’re set.”
“I think this is going to be the best Mother’s day ever.” Gillian remarks
while both Stephen and Nina nod in agreement. “I mean what could wrong?”
“If she finds out you’re starting Monday at Falmont Enterprises.” Nina
jokingly exclaims while Gillian and Stephen stare at her.
“How did you know about that? Stephen, did you tell her after promising
not to tell anyone?” Gillian asks while he shakes his head.
“You honestly thought you could hide it from your little sister? Come on,
I’m not going studying to be a journalist for nothing. Your secret is safe
with me and besides dad told me.”
“What did I tell you dear?” Chase asks from the doorway with newspaper
in hand. “I’m sorry honey, but I was so proud of you that I had to tell
someone.”
“That’s ok dad. So is everyone ready to surprise mom with a breakfast
in bed?” Gillian asks while everyone nods in agreement and heads upstairs
to wake Lillian up.
“No, need to wake me everyone.” Lillian states from the top of the stairs.
“I’ll actually come down there and join you guys in the living room. This is
my day and Lifetime is calling my name so march on to the living room
everyone!” Lillian gleefully orders as she comes down the stairs to
celebrate her day with her family.
Mitchell House:
Melinda Mitchell walks into their kitchen as the smell of freshly brewed
coffee greets her senses. As she pours herself a cup of coffee, she hears
someone entering the kitchen. She is surprised to see Katie holding out an
envelope for her.
“Good morning Katie, how are you doing?” Melinda asks as she takes
the envelope from Katie’s hand. “What’s this?”
“It’s something both Wally and I picked up for you yesterday.” Katie
answers while she waits for her sister to read the card. “I also wanted to
apologize for the way that I’ve been acting for the last month or so toward
you.”
“Honey, you were just angry and you were expressing how you felt. I
can’t stay mad at my favorite little sister but why the card?” Melinda asks
as she finishes reading the card.
“Wally and I were talking and we decided that for the last eight years, you
have been more of a parent to us then a sibling. We figured we would
give you something today to let you know how much we care.” Katie
answers while Melinda looks at the card and starts to cry. “What’s wrong
Melinda?”
“I’m just happy to hear that both of you guys think of me as more then
just a big sister. Where is your brother anyway?” Melinda asks
“Right here, I’m glad that you liked the card we both picked out.” Wally
answers as he makes his way into the kitchen. “I’m also glad you and Katie
are actually speaking to one another. These past few weeks have been
very hard, especially since Mother’s Day was coming. I wanted you guys
to get along because we’ve lost a lot over the years.”
“You are correct when you say that Wally. I woke up thinking about
mom and how she used to light up whenever we presented her with a gift
for Mother’s Day.” Melinda remarks with a tear in her eye.
“I can’t count how many macaroni necklaces I made for her throughout
grade school but she would always wear it all day. It seemed like anything
we gave her, she would display it proudly just because it came from us.”
Katie remembers. “I miss her because she died when I was only twelve
years old. I used to think how lucky you were to have mom around when
you were growing up.”
“You don’t know lucky I am and how sorry I am that you didn’t get more
time with here. She was wonderful, for the most part, when I was growing
up. It was funny how dad would act like such a nervous wreck whenever I
went on a date. She would basically calm him down without even trying.”
“At least, mom didn’t choose to leave us unlike dad.” Wally states with
bitterness in his voice. “I mean, he just took off on us without any
explanation. All he said was that he couldn’t handle raising two twelve
year olds. You raised both of us and have acted more like a parent then
he ever did.”
“Wally, I know you’re still angry with dad. There are some days I would
love to find him and show him how well we’ve done without him. I look at
all three of us and thank god we have each other.” Melinda remarks while
looking at Katie. “I know I ride you harder then Wally but I want you to
know that I’m very proud of you, both of you to be exact.”
“Even though I lost the scholarship and haven’t found a summer job like I
had hoped?” Katie asks while Melinda just laughs.
“Listen, I know it’s hard right now with the economy to find a job, let
alone a summer job. I actually wanted to save this piece of news for a
different time, but I got you a job working at Oleary’s for the summer.”
Melinda notices Katie’s face falling. “Don’t worry, it isn’t a bad place to
work especially if you work weekends. I know you have your heart set on
this modeling casting call but it’s good to have something to fall back.”
Katie stares hard at Wally while asking, “How did you know about the
modeling thing?”
“Your brother didn’t tell me, I just happened to get a call verifying your
appointment. I don’t want either of you to not go for what you want in life.
I admit that I put aside my plans for you and I don’t regret it. I know I
don’t always show it but I’m proud of you guys.” Melinda states while
hugging both her siblings. “Now, enough with the mushy stuff, what’s for
breakfast?”
All three laugh as they head for the cupboards to start making waffles.
