Recollection

Everyone who had gone upstairs finally came down and the adults resumed catching up with Jesse. Not to leave anyone out of the loop, Vivienne insisted that everyone place themselves on the family tree and state where they were when Jesse had left for Europe and what they were currently doing.

Todd offered to go first.

"Well," he said, standing by the fireplace, "I was in middle school, captain of the baseball team and gunning to be class president."

"We all know how that turned out," his oldest brother said.

Everyone but Jesse laughed and Todd shook his head. "You guys are ruining my story!" He turned to Jesse. "I lost the CP elections to a girl who ended up being my girlfriend years later in high school and the two of us were homecoming king and queen in time."

"Perfect high school sweethearts," his mother smiled.

Jesse glanced at his aunt, a near exact replica of Vivienne. She had the same eyes, bone structure, hair colour and even the same voice. Then he asked Todd, "Well, what happened to the all-American couple?"

Todd shook his head again without bitterness. "How did this tale become about Christy?"

"I'm sorry," Jesse cut in, "if you don't-"

"No, it's okay, Jesse- they always do this. Christy went to Princeton and studied journalism. When she came back she just couldn't sit still. She lives out of a suitcase, travelling the world, covering big political and economic issues." Pause. "And I am happily single, running a fishing and hunting tours business."

He winked at Pearl who knew- having found out in an unexpected counselling session- he was still smarting from the break up with Christy. Every now and then Todd would take big clients out on dangerous trips to take his mind off her with little consideration for the risk to himself.

Todd's eldest brother, Barrett, went next. He was a high ranking fire-fighter, currently wearing an eye patch after his vision was temporarily impaired in a rescue mission. All those years ago Barrett had been a sophomore at Princeton, heading the rowing team to the epic victory against a certain Ivy League rival. His wife went next.

She had been a sophomore in high school in Pasadena, budding cheerleader and photographer. Now she ran a multimedia business with her siblings.

After Genevieve's twin sons and their wives had gone, Sam was next in line and he started by throwing his arm over his face. "When Dad and Jess left for Europe, hmm… At first I was crying into my football helmet and then I was going to…"

Jesse knew this person's story well enough so he turned to look at Pearl. She was listening with an amused expression on her pretty face.

He leaned over and whispered, "Are you having fun?"

She seemed a little surprised that he asked but she answered in low voice. "The massive fireplace makes it worthwhile."

He smiled.

"I was surprised to see you here," he admitted, keeping one ear on Sam's long rendition of his current occupation. "Sam never said anything."

Pearl chuckled. "I'm like the family dog. A familiar, lovable but forgettable feature," she shrugged. "He's used to me being around."

"Hey, I said it earlier- good looking family are welcomed with open arms." Pause. "Just don't let him take you for granted."

Before she got a chance to respond, Sam's wife called out to them. "Hey, you two! Stop whispering over there and listen… it's my turn."

Not missing a beat, Jesse smiled charmingly. "Sorry, Dana, I'm all ears."

Sam knew Dana's life around the time Jesse had been taken to Europe was a bit dark but she told nothing of the bullying she endured. She simply said, "I was living the miserable preadolescent existence of an outsider when Jesse and David went to Europe."

Jesse was aware that Dana was a couple years older than his brother, but that didn't bother anyone. She loved Sam and he made Dana very happy. He often wondered the extent of the sadness her past held. She had adjusted well, but the pain was clearly still there.

"Our mysterious family member," intoned Genevieve with a grin.

Dana smiled back. "And now," she said tilting her head, "I am an interior decorator." She smiled at Pearl. "It was my idea to put the sofa back there."

"Well, thank you for that," Pearl giggled. She put her now empty cup on a side table and stretched her legs out.

Jesse could see her pretty pink nail polish through the sheer material of her stockings. He didn't indulge himself by imagining the pleasure of stripping her of that sensual barrier. He pushed the thought away because he really was trying to keep it decent and Genevieve Teab-Gunhill was next to speak.

Jesse remembered having a long talk with her about his parent's divorce before leaving. It had made him realise how strong family could be- he had missed her very much over the years. Luckily, she and her husband- who had been much older than her- had made trips over to Europe and he had seen them occasionally. He loved his Aunt Genny and hoped whoever he eventually married would be as loyal and committed as she had been to her husband. He had recently passed on at the age of eighty-four.

"On the very day Jesse and David took off- I remember this very clearly- I was shopping for an anniversary symbol for Hal and I." Her smile was sad and everyone stayed quiet.

They realised that it must still be very painful for her to talk of her husband Hal Gunhill.

"I found an ornament that I thought would do well but I was so upset that I dropped it. It was a few days before my 22nd anniversary with my husband and my sister's marriage was falling apart. And their two kids were suffering!" she gave a self-deprecating laugh. "And I started crying in the shop."

Several members of the family crooned sympathetically.

Sam reached over and patted his aunt's hand.

"Yes," she continued, "that was a family low." Pause. "But we overcame that. As young as the boys were then, look at them now, Viv. I'm sure David- God rest his soul- would be so proud. I know I am! At the current moment I am a widowed socialite and sun-bather," she finished cheerfully.

That made everybody laugh, but Todd went and sat on the arm of the sofa next to his mother and put his arm around her. This brought tears to her eyes, but she simply smiled up at her tall, handsome son.

Jesse had no need to explain where he had been or what he'd been doing because they all knew. He turned to look at the lady sitting next to him, interested in everything she had to say. Hell, he was mildly interested in her even when she didn't have anything to say.