Post by ☠ VooDoo ☠ on Feb 13, 2021 21:37:42 GMT -5
[The scene fades in and we find ourselves in VooDoo’s House, she was getting ready to bake the Strawberry Cheesecake filled cupcakes that she makes every year for Valentines Day. She thought she was going to get out of it this year, but the Twins insisted, when the Twins insisted something... it happened. They had just called her and informed her they were coming over and they were baking; Voo figured she would find Marie and see if she wanted to join in. She got up out of bed and padded over to the door and made her way to the living room, she stopped at the doorway and listened to Marie and Roger talk. Marie was coloring Roger a picture to take back home with him when he leaves, he’s sitting on the couch watching her.]
...and the twins and me are going to go ice skating tomorrow if the lake is safe. [She told him as she focused hard on staying in the lines.] Rose says that One and Two are gonna check the ice and make sure that it’s froze enough.
You like being here, don’t you?
Yes, daddy. I like the twins and Call. And Aunt Voo. Everyone’s nice to me. [She turned and looked at him.] I miss you though, Daddy.
I miss you, too, Peanut. [His voice cracked a little.]
I wish you didn’t have to leave.
[VooDoo silently groaned and then quietly eased herself right on back down the hallway to the kitchen and put the oven on preheat. Yeah, no. That wasn’t exactly the type of conversation she wanted to walk into. She loved Marie, she cared for Roger, but him living here, was just not possible. Not now, not after what happened... you know, happened. Although, why not, over the last six month’s she’s gotten used to being the butt of jokes, this would be no different. Nah, fuck that. Besides, her kids would think it was weird and never allow it.]
[It’s been an interesting couple of weeks, if Roger were in AA, he’d be working on his two week chip. Voo told the kids he was sick for the first 3 days with the flu; the twins were old enough and knew why he was sick; but Call and Marie weren’t, so the twins kept them at the Tower. My twins, they are just too damned grown for their own good. None of them needed to be around just in case Roger lost his mind, none of them needed to see him and what he was going to go through, again. Hell, she hadn’t really wanted to go through it again. But like a good friend, she did. When did she become Captain Save-A-Hoe? Oh, she knew… It was the day she first called Marie a Pup. She and Roger spent hours talking over coffee and weed. She kind of felt guilty, she should have really warned him about Ani a little harder, but she had seen Ani behave in a manner, she had never seen her behave and it had given her hope. Voo wondered a couple of times what would have happened if Roger hadn’t fallen for Ani’s “charms”, would he and Blair worked out their differences and gotten back together and gave Marie the family she deserved?]
[The front door burst open and the house filled with laughter, VooDoo cringed when she heard the back of the door hit the wall behind it and the laughter stopped. Collectively she heard both her daughters say “oh shit” followed by both giggling quietly and blaming the other for it. The competitiveness between the two gets crazy sometimes, this will make the third time that wall has had a hole punched into it with the door; she might have them just put in a steel plate.]
I heard that! [VooDoo yelled in their direction with a smile; which caused the girls to giggle some more. The girls were using colorful language these days and it’s not surprising considering the family they were born into; Voo didn’t mind the occasional “shit”, “damn”, or “hell”. But anything worse or names directed towards siblings frowned upon.]
What is it that you “claim” you heard? [Ciara said as she and Rose entered the kitchen, Marie was trailing behind them; both twins were smiling.]
Well, I heard a hole being put in a wall… again.
I heard bad words. [Marie said from where she slid up on one of the bar stools.]
Snitches get Stitches, Marie. [Rose told her.]
Not according to Madison Ivy. [Voo dryly said before smiling at her twins.] You know, we could use a swear jar around here.
Only if the “F-bomb” has a $50 fine. [Rose smiled, which caused her mom’s to falter some because everyone knows what Voo’s favorite word is.]
Mom would be able to fund a vacation for us. [Ciara added.]
Alright, smart asses, get the stuff out. [She could only shake her head and smile.]
At least we’re not dumb asses. [Rose slid in.]
She’s got a point there, Voo. [Roger chuckled as he joined them in the kitchen.] Hole’s not that bad in the wall, I’ll patch it before I leave.
Oh, don’t trouble yourself with it, Roger. I’ll have one of the guys from construction to swing by when they get a chance.
No trouble at all. It’ll keep me from thinking. [He gave a half smile.] I'm going to take a walk...
Sounds good. [Voo gave him a little smile. She knew that when he went on the walks, he was thinking. That’s what he needed right now, especially with his head not clouded with 100 proof.] Maybe we will have some cupcakes done when you get back?
[The scene slowly fades to black as she realizes that her help was going to tire out before they were done so she needed to get the most out of them while she could; she got Ciara on the cake batter, Rose on the cheesecake filling and Rose on the pans and liners, while she got started on the icing and started to micro manage the kitchen like a mother fucker. They would be baking forever. ]
[The scene fades back in hours later and all three of Voo’s kids are in the living room, Ciara was carrying a tray of cupcakes and Rose had a gallon of milk and a stack of red solo cups with chocolate and strawberry Nesquik bottles. Call was setting up Netflix to watch “A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting”. Marie walks in the living room dressed in her pjs and carrying the coloring book she’s been busy with all day and crayons; she looks back down the hallway.]
Come on, Daddy.
I’m coming, Peanut. [Roger’s voice echoes from down the hallway, he scooped up Marie at the door and tickled her as he made his way over to the couch and sat down, the whole time Marie was laughing and screaming for him to stop.]
MMMOOOMMM! [Voo’s triad yelled at the same time.]
[They heard Voo’s muffled “for fuck’s sake” causing the kids to giggle.] I’m coming!
Told ya, could finance a trip to Disney. [Ciara smirked as she began to pour her glass of milk.] Every month.
I’m here, I am here. [She walked in, she had taken a shower and was dressed in a pair of shorts and t-shirt that she felt was appropriate as much as she cussed while baking… it had “Sweary Mama: Like a regular mom, but cusses”… on it. She took a seat on the couch on the opposite end from Roger; Ciara was on the loveseat to the right of her, with Call laying across the back, Marie between her and Roger and Rose in the recliner on the other side of Roger.]
What are you doing, Marie? [Rose asked as she picked up one of the cupcakes and took a big bite.] Perfect as usual, Mom.
I had good helpers.
I am coloring Daddy a whole bunch of pictures so he can look at them when he leaves. I wished he didn’t have to, but I want him to have them.
[Ciara and Rose looked at each other and frowned a little; they’ve seen how Marie’s been with Roger around. And they weren’t stupid, they’ve seen Roger with Marie around, too. They both knew their mom could be a hard ass about things sometimes and this was one of those times with her tough love approach. That tough love shit didn't work all the time. She was punishing Roger for failing Marie and it was hurting Marie in the process. They were going to have to intervene.]
Mom, why doesn’t Roger just stay?
He can have our room.
[VooDoo nearly choked on the drink of milk she was in the middle of taking. She grabbed the napkin that Ciara offered her. Her children have betrayed her.] I… um…
It makes sense. [Rose continued; thinking in her logical way.] Marie and her dad will be together until they are ready to leave.
We can crash with Marie when we are over. [Ciara shrugged her shoulders.] Not like we live here anyway.
How about we not put your mom on the spot? [Roger came in with the save.] We have cupcakes to eat and a movie to watch.
And Valentine’s Day presents to get Mom. [Ciara said as she turned on her tablet, Rose got up from where she was sitting and went to sit with Ciara, Call peeked over her shoulder.]
Daddy, we’ve got to get something for Aunt Voo. Like we did with Blair and Ani. [Marie said as she turned and looked at Roger. As soon as the words slipped out of Marie’s mouth both VooDoo and Roger looked at her and then each other.]
Well, Peanut.. [Roger started; he looked over at Voo, who was unsuccessfully hiding a smirk; she was finding great humor in the awkwardness of it all.] I guess if you want to get Aunt Voo something for Valentine’s Day, you can.
Cmere, Peanut. [Ciara said as she scooted over and made room for her between her and Rose. Roger told Ciara to let him know the price tag and he’d settle up with her before he left.]
[But, Roger being here with Marie wasn’t just good for Marie, but it was good for him. He wasn’t drinking. She had checked the video at the family’s bar when he started going on walks, it would be the only place in the compound where he could get liquor and not once did he even walk by it. The longer he was away from the drink, the more he’d be able to keep it out of system and not need it anymore. Right? She really didn’t know, she was going to have to call the sponsor again. But it sounded good. Before she knew it, the movie was over.]
Okay, everyone, bedtime. [There was a collective “aw, mom” with a tiny sprinkle of “aw, aunt voo” mixed in.] I know, the wicked witch has spoken. Clean the mess before you go.
[The kids gathered up everything and gave their respective parent a kiss good night, VooDoo also getting one from Marie and then they disappeared down the hall. VooDoo finally looked over at Roger, who was scrolling through ‘Flix again looking for a movie to watch. She finally took a deep breath and sighed. So, much for my children would never allow this, she couldn’t believe she was about to actually say this..]
If we do this, there will be rules. [Roger stopped what he was doing and looked at her; he knew exactly what she was talking about.] First rule as always, no liquor.
Agree. [He nodded.] Shit’s done nothing but fuck me up.
[Voo nodded and thought truer words have never been spoken.] You get Marie back to the usual routine that you used to do with her; riding, walking, playing, talking, you know, give her some normalcy to your old life with her. Be the father she knew.
[Roger just nodded his head, he didn’t know how to reply to that one, other than that.]
You never enter my bedroom. Ever. Unless Marie is with you or in ther…
[Roger wasn’t hearing her words right then, he was too busy looking at the tattoo of the three pieces of Valentine’s Day candy she had on the inside of her thigh… and suddenly he remembered that night and how her thigh quivered as he kissed along it. He remembered the way her red hair fanned out on the white sheet as he knelt between her legs and pulled her down to him; and the giggle that slipped from her lips when he did so… ...and just like that he couldn’t remember any more, except waking up to her scent still on him when he went to take a shower.]
...I am sure there will be other rules to talk about. And rules that come up as needed. And this is only temporary until, you know… [She didn’t need to say until you’re good enough to do it on your own.]
I’ve got no problems with it if you don’t, Voo.
Roger, hun, family and friends call me Red, C, or Candice, choice is yours, I answer to all three. Voo is my stage name, not who I am. [She got up from where she sat and with the most serious face she could muster added.] You’ve been in my vagina… so, I consider a friend. [His face turned bright red and caused her to lightly chuckle.] See you tomorrow, Roger. We’ll talk more about a living arrangement.
Night, Vo-- [Roger caught himself.] Night, Red.
[The scene slowly faded to black as Roger watched Voo disappear down the hall in the direction of her bedroom; which was the only bedroom on the ground floor. He had never been so glad to have the blanket Marie used to cover up with, that had been draped over the back of the couch, bunched up on his lap... and he also hoped that some more of those memories came back.]