Friday August 16 2019 Beach Party with the kids

Bobbie and Effie got the bedrooms organized for the grand kids. She would have Eddie in one room and the boys in one room and finally the Lara and Niko could have the smallest guest room. They had to clean that room out. It held Bins of yarn and stuff that Bobbie put by the elevator to store in the shipping container storage. She really wanted to go through the stuff before she did. She popped open each lid and photographed the contents and sent the images to the printer in her office to tape on each box.

“Well Bobbie, all the rooms are done and dusted. I’ll call Drey to come get the bins for you. I’ll see you later.”

Bobbie thanked her and went to look at the rooms. The girl’s room had two single beds and pretty lavender and pink bedspreads. The boy’s room was bigger and they had beds with wooden headboards and blue denim covers and a large desk along one wall if they wanted to use their laptops.

Bobbie got out her phone and texted Trixie. “Can you and Greg come over for a barbecue tonight? Eddie and the kids are coming.”

She got a text back. “Sure, what can I bring?”

“Nothing right now. I’ll let you know if I think of something, I’ll see you around 5:30.”

Bobbie sat in her theatre room with some music on, her cat on her lap and her phone, where she was making a list. She wanted to make a Greek salad, potato salad and she needed to buy hot dogs and hamburgers. Mark would be more than happy to supply the buns and maybe the potato salad so she moved Fossey to the blanket beside her and went down to the restaurant.

“Hi guys. Mark, I’m having Eddie and the kids and a few guests for a barbecue tonight. I was wondering if you have any buns I could have.”

“Sure, Bobbie I have a bunch of cut up pickles and tomato and onion and stuff that’s good for burgers too. We didn’t use it all at lunch. Also, I can give you some potato salad. And we have loads of buns too. I’ll get Gina and Sipho to take it upstairs for you.”

“Thanks Mark I have to pick up a few things so Effie can let them in the apartment.”

She thanked them again and went out to the car. Brendan Mackay was leaning against her car staring at his feet. “Hi Mac is there something I can do for you?”

Mac nodded. I just really need someone to talk to right now.

“OK Mac, lets go up for tea.” Bobbie texted Trixie. “Something’s come up, can you get some meat for the barbecue?”

“Sure thing, Bobbie, Greg will love that.”

Bobbie used her keycard to call the elevator.

“Wow this is a fancy elevator.”

They got out and went over to the kitchen and Bobbie put on the kettle. “So, what’s bothering you, Mac?”

“I’m think I’m in love with Jenny but I don’t want to ruin her chances for making up with Eddie. She’s not very happy right now and I almost can’t bear to see her so miserable. She’s staying with me until she finds her own place and I’m not sure I can trust myself around her. I want to be there for her and Eddie. I don’t want to make things worse.”

Bobbie poured some tea and grabbed her cookie tin and sat down. “I’m not sure what to tell you Mac. Do you send her to a motel, do you quit your job and move back to Cap city? That’s probably what it would take for you to really let them work things out.”

Mac was nodding miserably. “I know that’s what I should do…”

Bobbie put her hand on his and interrupted. “The thing is, I don’t think Eddie wants to be married, you were kind of an excuse. They probably wouldn’t be able to work things out, no matter what you do. Eddie and the kids are coming tonight, to stay the weekend and I hope they enjoy themselves and are happy. I think you and Jenny should try to find a little joy and be happy too.”

Mac looked at her with surprise. “Do you think that’s OK?”

“I don’t know if they will work it out. Will this separation cement their break or will they get back together? If they are meant to be together, they will find their way back. I don’t think you and Eddie will be friends yet but I think maybe someday, if only for the kids.”

“Thanks for the tea. Um, please don’t mention I was here to Jenny or Eddie.”

“Eddie and the kids will be here in less than an hour.”

“Goodbye and thanks again.”

Bobbie sat back with her tea and felt guilty for a minute; For not just telling Mac to leave town. Well, there’s no point in everyone being miserable.

The door opened and Sipho and Gino came in with bus pans of food in their arms.

“Hi guys, I ended up staying here, I should have come down for this myself.”

“Oh, that’s no problem, Bobbie. I hope you and your family have a lovely barbecue.”

Eddie and the kids arrived around 4. They decided to head straight down to the pool and Bobbie prepared a pitcher of ice water and some plastic glasses, went and got her swimsuit on, grabbed the tray and went down to the pool to meet them. The kids were all in the water, playing with Eddie and Johnny.

Bobbie went over to the edge of the pool. “Hi Johnny, is the beach all ready?”

Johnny gave one last splash at the kids and climbed out of the pool, grabbed his towel and turned to Bobbie. “I found a good spot, gathered some firewood and made a nice ring of rocks to contain the beach fire. We just have to get more chairs down there; I only have 2.”

“Thanks Johnny, I have a fancy bucket of marsh mallows, chocolate bars, graham crackers and gluten free baby rice rusks for making smores. We’ll take that and a cooler with drinks and some more chairs down after supper.”

We can load them in the back of the truck and I’ll run them down. I’m going to change out of my swim suit and meet you back at your place for supper.”

The rest of the gang was getting out of the pool and Trixie and Greg showed up. Trixie reached in her bag and got a box of ice cream sandwiches out. The kids rushed over to her and she handed Wally the box. “Share it my darlings. Come on Greg, lets’ get this meat upstairs.”

Bobbie followed them. “Hi guys, thanks so much for getting all the barbecue stuff.”

Trixie opened the apartment door and they went in. Greg put the bags on the island. “We have a dozen all beef burgers, a dozen hot dogs, 8 barbecue style bratwurst and a box of 10 chicken burgers.”

That sounds delicious Greg.

“I’ll take this meat all out to the barbecue and meet you out there. Trixie, grab me a beer, will ya?

They all enjoyed the barbecue. After they were done, they all helped to load Johnny’s truck. The boys were allowed to sit in the back and they all trooped down to the beach. The Boys danced around excitedly while Eddie, Greg and Johnny built up the fire and they all sat back watching the sunset over the water, while Johnny regaled them with songs and the wood burned down into coals for roasting marshmallows.

Eventually Eddie stood up. “Come on kids let get back up to Grammas’, we’re all sleepy and we have a big day tomorrow, going to the market and tubing down the river.”

“Trixie, do you want to go tubing tomorrow too? I want to try that.”

“Sure Greg, I haven’t tubed down the river since I was a kid.”

Bobbie and Johnny were left at the fire and Bobbie got up and got another log. “It’s so nice here. I love the sound of the waves.”

“I could stay here forever.”

“At least until the fire goes out. Remember when we were kids and sat out all night?”

“That was out last year of high school. It got so cold at dawn. We woke up and were freezing.”

“I’m not staying that long. I wanted to play you some new tunes I’ve been working on for the market show.”

“Cool, I might have to be overseeing the diggers tomorrow. You might be singing solo.”

“What time is it? Maybe I’ll call Jamie, He ignores texts.” “Hi Bro, sorry to call so late but I figured you’d still be up. How about meeting me in the morning with your violin and mandolin and join me for a little market singalong?”

“We’re still up Bobbie. I’d love to join you; I’ll see you tomorrow. Have one of one of Marks breakfast biscuits for me, will ya?”

“Great I’ll see you tomorrow, Jamie.”

“Jamie and I love performing together. I’d like to play my new things but Jamie doesn’t know them yet, I’ll make a little set list for us right now.”

“Gee maybe I can fit a couple songs in before the backhoe comes.”

“You just can’t help yourself Johnny.”

They laughed and Johnny put another log on. They sat listening to the waves and the crackle of the fire a while longer before they called it a night.