Twenty
165
170
175
180
185
190
195
200
205
210
Eddie was quietly making his way over the top of the two chatting women. He wanted to see if the spiders could reach the people below. Tanya was contemplating Sam’ s offer. Sam asked if she had been through the first haunted house. Tanya nodded and said she also knew three of the four performers.“ So we will go meet the scary people before they get scary. I know I won’ t be able to get my husband to go through this. I’ ve only been to one of these things before,” Sam said.“ We could get Eddie to take us through,” Tanya offered.“ Through where?” Eddie asked from directly overhead, eliciting screams from both women. Sam grabbed the only thing close. Tanya’ s arm.“ That’ s not funny Eddie!” both women yelled at the same time, causing them to start laughing.“ Is he like this all the time?” Sam asked.“ Most of the time,” Tanya said, patting Sam’ s hand. Sam released the grip with a look that said“ Sorry.”“ How long have you two been married?”“ Seventeen long years,” Tanya said loudly.“ I would have killed him,” Sam said sympathetically.“ I have considered that, but my children need me to stay out of prison,” Tanya was warming up quickly to Sam, having found common ground on which to stand. Sam was easy to talk to. Tanya pictured a rich bitch and was mistaken. Sam did not want to like Tanya but they had something in common, Eddie. And as irritating as he could be she still found herself being attracted to him.
When Eddie brought up the subject of dinner because he had skipped lunch, trying to get this perfect for the viewing, Tanya told him they were on their own. The kids had found friends with which they intended to dine. Nicole was going out with Rich and Justin was eating pizza with Ryan and playing video games. Sam insisted on taking them out for Mexican food, as her way of saying thanks for being brought into the circle of those who knew about the“ Fear Factory”. Eddie secured the steel doors and they discussed briefly, before piling into each of their vehicles, the plans for the outside of the building. Sam hated the idea of painting over the perfect shade of yellow. Eddie gave her his vision of the front of the building. The Center at Golden Estates ceased to exist as Sam saw the whole picture. The restaurant was busy as the three car procession entered the parking lot. Sam gave her name to the hostess and led them to the bar to wait for a table. She ordered three of their biggest and best margaritas and made a toast to“ scary business” as the glasses clinked over the small round table. They finished the first round of drinks when their table was ready.
Tanya and Sam talked about the children and work and seemed to hit it off fairly well. Eddie was happy Sam paid more attention to Tanya and asked if the invitation to her New Years party had arrived.“ The kids are abandoning us this year. Nicole is staying with Stephie and Justin is going to Big Bend National Park with Ryan’ s family,” Tanya said, searching Eddie’ s face for a sign as to whether he wanted to go out for a change.“ Whatever you want to do is fine with me, but one of us has to be the designated driver,” Eddie said.“ I’ m sending a limo. No one drives drunk.” Sam said, and caught Tanya’ s glance at“ It takes a lot more than two drinks to get me drunk. I appreciate your concern the second round of margaritas on the table. Mother,” Sam laughed and took Tanya’ s hand.“ I am very sorry. We have just met and I got comfortable talking with you. I did not mean that the way it sounded. I have three older sisters who still treat me like the baby of the family. I get defensive. I really appreciate your concern,” Sam said. Tanya read the sincerity in the bright green eyes that held her gaze. It is difficult for me not to care about the people who step into my life. Apology accepted only because I know I get over protective. I am a mother and I would love to come to your party.” Tanya smiled, squeezed Sam’ s hand and looked at Eddie.“ Sounds cool to me,” he said. The moment of awkwardness passed as Sam told them about her plans for the New Years Eve celebration. After enjoying dinner and the rest of the evening, they parted as friends.
The television in the family room blared as Justin and Ryan killed attacking aliens.“ Turn it down a little,” Tanya said nicely.“ Sorry,” both of them said.