*
The adults enjoyed the cooling October breeze after the Harding contingent left, sipping beverages of choice while waiting for Benny and the kids to return from the long hike. Nick assumed Benny would have a rider on his shoulders on the way back.
“I forgot to tell Benny to stop and get a treat at Mandos,” Nick said.
“Are you kidding? Sammy won’t budge after getting to Lover’s Point without turning right for Mandos. Benny walks him along to Mandos so many times, they store scraps for the big beggar,” Rachel said. “He knows better than to pull that crap on Momma.”
“Oh good… you’ve scared our dog into submission, Trashy… you must be very proud.”
“Shut-up, Scarface, before Momma puts a hurtin’ on you!”
“Are you really going to run for City Council against Clarice, Mom,” Quinn asked, trying at Nick’s raised brows at him to change the subject. It worked.
“You’re damn right I am. We’re going to the mattresses!” In a split second, Rachel did her entire ‘Trailer Trash Momma’ transformation to much amusement.
“Easy, Hon,” Nick urged. “You’ve had a couple of wines.”
“Oh no! Oh no you didn’t just call Momma a lush, Nicky Pooh!” Another split second passed as Rachel turned on Nick with fists up, but lost her balance.
Nick had her in a heartbeat, easing Rachel down on her chair again. “I’m designated caretaker today, Momma. You know that. Calm down. We have another month before the election.”
Nick kissed his soul-mate with momentary passion so as not to elicit the usual disparagement from their adult children. Rachel melted in his arms, briefly stroking his face. “You’re still hell-a-fast, Muerto.”
“I want your knees and hips all in good shape for the election, my love.”
“Oh shit!” Tina motioned with a head movement toward the beach’s stone steps. “It’s Phil and Clarice. Oh joy. Can anyone tell me why those two risk life and limb to trek down here to interrupt a great ‘Momma’ performance? Stay calm, girlfriend.”
“I’m good,” Rachel said, glancing over at Sonny’s worried expression. “Calm down, Cracker. I’m not going to beat your Mom senseless right in front of you.”
“Yeah, but I know you have your sidearm with you,” Sonny replied, only half joking. “I really don’t want you to shoot either one of them either.”
Rachel smirked, leaning over to pat Sonny’s hand. “I have to tone this down somehow with your folks. I just haven’t figured out how yet. It’s a process.”
Sonny sighed. “Tell me about it.”
Phil, potbellied now, with obvious hair implants, stared at Nick with abject fear of something you don’t understand that could kill you without a tremor of remorse. Nick smiled at him and waved.
“Hi Phil. Hi Clarice. What brings you here on an until now wonderful October afternoon?”
“Oh sure, Mr. Big-time Author!” Clarice had once again forgotten past interactions with the McCarty family. “How dare you even hint at running against me for City Council! You may have big time money from God knows where, but-”
Jean squeezed her Mom’s hand on the way out of her chair. “Calm down right now, Clarice! Phil knows better than to do this, even down here on a public beach. Choose your words carefully. I can tell from your red-faced features you don’t like my Mom running against you. Since you can’t stop her, and there’s no way in hell you’ll ever change her mind, why journey down here into the danger zone? Do you think you’re safe to say anything you like because it’s broad daylight and your son is here? Think again. Ask Sonny.”
Jean’s words chilled Clarice as Phil’s had failed to do. She darted a glance at Sonny. He was smiling in the usual way he had when no matter what she did or said, it would have no effect on him. “Oh sure… I see where his mind is… I-”
Jean darted forward to grip Clarice’s nose in an unbreakable grip. Sonny leaped to intercept Phil. “Stay out of this, Dad!”
Clarice knew instinctively she had crossed a line. Jean release her nose. She gasped dramatically for breath.
“I warned you! Ask Sonny. My Mom and Dad raised him. They love the shit out of him. No one knows what you two love besides power and money. Ask him if you dare. Otherwise, you both need to wave and go on about your day.”
“Sonny!” Clarice cast an award winning feature filled face of victimhood at her son.