A Life More Complete(19)
I enter Gia’s house through the mudroom. The room is scattered with dirty Crocs, shovels, buckets and old raincoats. Gia’s house is the one place I feel the most comfortable. It has a wonderful homey feel. The house, built in 1906, has seen its fair share of families’ come and go, but I firmly believe that Gia and David were the reason the house was built. It radiates love, kindness, empathy and respect. Pictures of the kids grace the walls and tables in every room adding to its feeling of warmth. It’s picture perfect, made for TV movie adorable.
I can’t contain my excitement as I scramble through the door to the house from the mudroom. As I open the door I’m attacked by two of Gia’s kids. Nico is five and Gianna is two. They are clones of Gia; dark hair and eyes, olive skin, tiny and skinny with full lips and perfect noses. I was there for the birth of every one of Gia’s kids and each time I prayed that one would look like David. And after Gianna was born she vowed this was the last one. David was just out of luck, but when she called to say she was pregnant again I knew this one would belong to him. She planned to name him Gino, just like her grandfather. She stuck firm to her Italian heritage even though David was born and raised in Ireland. Yet when baby number three was born and he was the spitting image of David she couldn’t do it. David named him Liam and not only did he look like him, he was David in every way. Easy going and calm was the best way to describe the two of them.
I grab them both swinging them into my arms, kissing and hugging them with force. Smiles are plastered across our faces as they giggle and squeeze me with their little arms.
“Oh my God! I’ve missed you so much!” I can’t stop hugging them. Everything about them is infectious and I don’t want to let go. “Where’s Mommy?”
“Right here.” Gia appears in the doorway to the kitchen with Liam on her hip. She never ages. At twenty-eight years old she could still pass for eighteen. Her hair is in a ponytail and she has cut-offs and a white tank on. She’s a tiny little thing standing at five foot three, skinny and tanned and without a stitch of makeup. “It’s only been six months since I last saw you and I still want to cry like it’s been 20 years.”
“I know!” I rush to her and hug her close. “I miss you more each time I leave.”
“Don’t leave this time,” she giggles. “You can plow fields with David and babysit the kids.” I pull Liam from her arms and he comes willingly. A huge grin spreading across his face and I coo and giggle at him. I kiss his chubby cheeks and tickle his belly.
“Oh you have no idea how wonderful that offer sounds right now.” She has no idea that I’d give anything for her life. I’d love the normalcy of a husband and three kids and job that allows me to feel I’m accomplishing something of value.
“Rough week?” she questions.
“Something like that.” I change the subject quickly. Turning to Nico and Gianna, “So tell me what are we going to do today? I’ve been in the car way too long and I need to have some fun!”
“Guess what, Aunt Krissy?” Nico says.
“What?” I answer with a more enthusiasm than necessary, but it makes their eyes light up.
Before Nico can answer, Gianna blurts out, “We got a poo!” I glance at Gia raising my eyebrows and she smiles.
“We’re still working on that /l/ sound.”
“It’s not a poo, Gigi!” Nico shouts at her, his hands on his hips. It’s a poo-l!” He accentuates the ending sound and she eyes him suspiciously.
I help the kids into their suits and slather them in sunscreen. There’s a heat wave and a drought and everything else that comes with summers in the Midwest. I borrow a suit from Gia and follow the kids to the beautiful in ground pool that sits behind the house. And in rare Gia form, it’s fenced and gated, locked and covered, keyed access only. She’s the kind of mom who thinks of everything. She is amazing.
I snap on the kids coast guard approved life vests and off they go. Nico jumping in straightaway and Gianna easing in cautiously. I follow them in while Gia sits at the side and dangles her feet in the water. I take Liam from her and strip him down to his diaper. He splashes in my arms while the other two jump and play happily behind us. Her life is the goddamn American dream.
“Anything new?” I ask even though I talk to her at least once a week.
“No, not really. Go back to work in a week.” She makes a sick face and rolls her eyes. Gia’s an elementary school social worker. Even though she likes to believe she hates her job, she doesn’t. “I’m ready though. I need to get some structure back in this house. It’s been a zoo for the last six months. With me being off on maternity leave and all, things have gotten a bit out of control.”