When the plane touched down in Los Angeles, David and Brie Draiman couldn’t have been more relieved. They were finally on the last leg of their final journey back to the states. The next time they were on a plane, one of them would more than likely be escorting the other back to be buried. They walked off of the plane and searched for their son.
Marc was standing back behind Josh as they waited. When Josh spotted his grandparents, he was sure to let his father know. “Dad, I see shiny baldness.” He nodded his head in that same that he saw his grandparents coming from.
Marc chuckled. “That must be Grampa David, huh?”
“He’s the only shiny bald guy I know.”
“Well, why don’t you go see if there’s any way you can assist him and your grandmother, Joshua?”
Josh took off as Marc pulled his keys from his pocket. It wasn’t often that his parents stayed with him there in LA and when they did he wanted to make sure that they were comfortable. As little as he got to see his parents anymore, it was a privilege to have them staying in his home. He usually only saw them a couple times a year unless there was a graduation coming up. That Marc was aware of, it would be a couple of years before there were any more graduations and the next ones to graduate would be his older brothers’ children. James’s daughters, Jeremiah’s son, Malachai’s triplets and Jacob’s twins would be the next to receive their diplomas. He wasn’t sure if Jordan’s daughter would be in that group or not- though he was nearly positive that his parents wouldn’t live to see that happen either way. He just wanted to enjoy the little bit of time he had left with them.
Though he never really was one to express his feelings to anyone but his wife, he’d given his parents his unspoken permission to pass a long time before. Everyone dies. Why mourn them? Celebrate their lives and their achievements rather than cry over them.
He watched as his son come out of the crowd with his parents behind. He knew that the train of thought he was on needed to be derailed because he was getting just a touch misty eyed. Just because he had accepted it and had given them permission at least ten years before, he still didn’t want them to see him weak. He wasn’t ready by any means for his parents to leave the Earth. Not until the movie was done- though he knew it could happen at any time. He shoved the thought aside. Stop it, Marc Christopher. You’re being ridiculous. They go when God calls them home. That’s the final word on it. Stop tormenting yourself like Jake does. Enjoy what little time you may have left. He had to be stern. If he didn’t he would drag himself into a depression that would be nearly impossible to come out of.
When he saw his mother’s smiling face, it wasn’t hard to forget the progression of thought that he had going before they approached. He smile in return and hugged his tiny little mother. “Hi Mama. How are you feeling this afternoon?”
“I’ve been better, that’s for sure. My back is screaming at me from that flight. I’m certainly not going to miss the jet lag either”, his mother said.
“And yet you smile, Mom? What are you so happy about?”
“I’m actually kind of excited to see that Mercedes and Connie make us for dinner tonight. Your wife is a magnificent cook.”
“That she is.” He looked at his father. “You look a little grouchy, Dad. Is everything ok?”
“Yes, Christopher. I’m just tired. You know how I get. Insomnia is still to this day kicking my ass.”
He hugged his father and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Dad. Maybe there’s something Mercedes can concoct to help you sleep tonight?”
His father shook his head. “No son. I’ll be fine. Why don’t we get the hell out of this airport so that your mother and I can get settled in the guest room and recover from the first two legs of this trip?”
“You could always stay out here until the wedding”, Marc laughed as he took his mother’s bag from her so that he could carry it. She handed it over to him without argument. “Mom, Jake mentioned a doctor’s appointment when you two went home after the New Year. What happened?”
“Poor circulation in my hands because of my age. Between that, the arthritis, and the carpal tunnel I’ll use the use of my hand all together by the time I’m 90.”
He chuckled. “That’s funny. Not that you’re going to lose your hands, the 90 comment. That was funny in a morbid sort of way.”
“You were always the more morose of your siblings”, his father pointed out.
“And I’m afraid I’ve passed on the morbidity to Pilar”, he laughed. “That child thinks of the most morose things in the world. I wish that would have skipped her.”
“What about you, Joshua?” Brie asked her grandson.
“I’m not dark and morose like Connie, but I have my moments when I’m twisted and just a touch psychotic. But, then again, I’m a Draiman. We all have those moments. Wouldn’t you agree, Grampa?”
His grandfather chuckled. “You’ve got me there, grandson. I know I’ve had my moments.”
“I’ve had mine as well”, his grandmother agreed. “There were times when your father was young that I would call Grampa about ready to start pulling my hair out because your aunts and uncles were being cantankerous. There were even days when Grampa would come home from the studio or from the road and I’d be sitting on the couch just laughing for no reason. It wasn’t that anything was funny. If I didn’t laugh I was going to end up crying. And the laugh itself wasn’t one of humor either.”
“It was maniacal”, Marc said with a laugh. “There were times when we would all come home from school and go hide in our rooms because Gramma there was about to snap and none of us wanted to be there when it happened.”
“What would you do when you got like that, Gramma?”
“Call Grampa and tell him what was going on. He would call after he got off stage- unless he was overseas that is, then he would call when his insomnia would get ahold of him- and he’d put an end to the children acting like fools. And if he had to come home from a tour or something like that it was all over. Heads rolled.”
“I believe it. I’ve heard stories.”
“Believe me son”, Marc said to his oldest child, “stories can never convey what actually happened accurately. One of Grampa’s epic ass chewings is only something that you can really appreciate first hand.”
---------------
When they walked into the house they were greeted by Mercedes and Connie as Josh took their things up to the guest room. “Gramma, Grampa”, Connie said as she hugged them, “how long are you staying with us?”
“Only until tomorrow, Connie”, David told his granddaughter.
“Why not just stay until the wedding?” Mercedes asked.
“The only reason we’re even here this early is because James asked us to come back to watch the Super Bowl.”
“Oh yeah”, Marc said with a grin. “The Bears are in the big game this year. JJ and I have a little friendly wager on that game. He’s of the impression that the Jaguars are going to kick Bear ass that day.”
“So the two of you decided to put a little money on it?” Brie asked with a laugh.
“I am the only son the man has, Mom.”
“Remember Mama Brie, I told you that my mother died when I was born and my dad never really had time to date because he was always working on a movie in some way?” Mercedes said.
Brie nodded. “I remember you telling me that. I just find it hard to believe that Marc- my sarcastic, morose little Marky- is gambling with his father in law on a silly football game.”
“Mom, it’s not a silly football game”, Marc said. “It’s the Super Bowl and the Chicago Bears. I’ve got to get my money from my father in law for talking shit all season.”
Brie shook her head. “I don’t understand it; never have and never will. The entire thing is confusing to me. Football, the Super Bowl- I don’t get it.”
“Then why do you consistently watch it with us?”
“Because it’s something that your Dad and I do together. We watch the game with you kids and your kids. That’s just what we do.”
“It’s always been something that Mom and I do together. It’s been like that since long before you and Jessykah were born. It will be like that until the day one of us goes”, David added.
Marc chuckled. “Can we not talk about that? Yes, I’m all for the two of you have your freedom and passing on, but I really don’t’ want to think about it. I just want you two to enjoy the time you’re here. I think JJ is going to bring the story boards over for the movie later tonight or tomorrow morning at breakfast.”
“That will be easy to see, but why does JJ have the storyboards?” David asked as he moved the conversation to the living room so that he and his wife could both sit down. His knees were telling him he was an evil bastard for standing for so long and he was sure that Brie’s back was screaming at her as well.”
Marc followed as Mercedes went back into the kitchen. “You haven’t seen my office lately, have you?”
“It’s trashed isn’t it?” his mother said, slowly lowering herself to the love seat as her lower back protested.
Marc noticed and offered his mother his arm. “Mom, please be careful.”
“I am. That’s why I’m taking it slowly.” Once she was seated, she looked over her shoulder. “Mercedes, dear, when will dinner be done?”
“Soon Mama Brie. I’m actually just waiting on the cheese on the enchiladas to melt. Everything else is pretty much ready.” She looked at Marc. “Angelito, would you get the niños and have them set the table?”
“No problema, amor”, Marc said and went to the stairs of his Los Angeles mansion. “Josué, Pilar- come set the table for dinner.”
“Ok, I’m confused”, Brie said. “Is Josh’s legal name Joshua or Josué?”
“His name on his birth certificate is Joshua. JJ took to calling him Josué when he was a baby”, Marc answered as he sat down in the arm chair by the love seat his parents were sitting on. “Does that clear it up?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
---------------
After dinner, Marc was sure to call Jake. It had slipped his mind until they had set down for dinner and Marc had a rule about phones at the dinner table. He wouldn’t even take a call unless it was an emergency.
When Jake answered, he sounded relieved. “What took you so long? Was there a delay in Mom and Dad’s flight?”
Marc had to roll his eyes. Jake was such a worrywart. “No. They landed early as a matter of fact. It simply slipped my mind. I’m not perfect, Jacob, no matter how much I might want to be. Neither are you though you’re the closest thing to it we have in our family.” The last was pure sarcasm. Marc was a master of it. He had made use of it when even his brothers and sisters couldn’t. The only one that might have come close was James.
“It slipped your mind to call your older brother to let him know that your 80 year old parents were in the country and safe with you.”
“Jake, I am human after all. Le preocupa demasiado.”
“You know I hate it when you speak to me in Spanish, though I’m sure I know what that meant.”
“¿Por qué me importa? No es como se puede hacer nada al respecto.”
“What the hell did you just say?”
“For me to know and you not to find out, big brother. I’m just calling to let you know that Mom and Dad are here, they’ve eaten, they’re safe and they’re comfortable. They’ve taken over my television but that’s ok. There’s not usually anything interesting on this time of night. They’ll be there in the morning the day after tomorrow. Make sure that Malachai is panicking when he picks them up. You know what Dad wants.”
“Oh I know. Dad made his wishes very clear. Any suggestions, master prankster?”
“Call him at like, 2 in the morning and just freak out on him. ‘Dude, what the hell are you still doing asleep?! Mom and Dad will be here in 30 minutes. You’re going to be late and you know that Mom and Dad hate it when we’re late. And don’t forget you have to play that shitty ass cover for them. Mom and Dad have been pissed about that since you and James told them about it. You had better hope they like it because if they don’t… boy, are you in for it’.”
Jake laughed. “I might just have to do that. I’ll leave Mom and Dad alone for the time being. Let them relax a little and recover from their flight. How are they?”
“Mom’s moving a bit stiffly because of her back and Dad’s limping a little on his left side. They’re bothering him pretty bad I think. They both took pain medication after dinner.”
“What did you guys have out there?”
“Enchiladas al la ‘Cedes with a Chef salad. The adults that chose to had a nice dark Sangria with dinner. Everyone else either drank water or non- caffeinated soda. I believe Mom requested Diet Sprite.”
Jake chuckled. “Fabulous. Did Dad drink?”
“No. He had Diet Sprite along with Mom. They took pain medication after dinner. They’re currently sitting on my couch watching TV with my kids and my wife and waiting on me to get off of the phone with you. No hay más, Jacob. There is no more.”
“Thanks for the translation, Marc. You spend too much time around Mercedes and JJ.”
“I am married to Mercedes and JJ is her father. It only makes sense that I spend a lot of time around them.” He then spoke in Hebrew, telling his older brother that he had, in essence, lost his marbles if he thought that anything was going to change.
“At least I know you can still speak Hebrew, Marc.”
“I’ll never forget it. I might get a little rusty, but that’s it. My kids have been learning it as well. They’re both very blessed to be so multicultural. I just wish that we could have learned Celtic so that I could teach it to Connie and Josh.”
“That’s pretty cool kids, man. They’ve grown up with three different languages being spoken around them as I’m sure that you speak Hebrew to them every now and then. They also know English and Spanish. They’re very lucky kids.”
“I think all of the kids are lucky- from mine all the way up to yours and Malachai’s. Hell, we were lucky to have such wonderfully loving and just flat fucking awesome parents.”
“Amen to that, little brother. Amen to that.”
---------------
A peaceful end to a beautiful day. David and Brie couldn’t have been more relaxed than they were as they laid down for bed that night. “I might accidentally sleep the whole night”, David chuckled as he and Brie got comfortable in the strange bed.
“You think? Are you relaxed enough to tell you mind the shut off for a few hours?” she asked with a laugh.
“It’s possible. I’m not going to guarantee anything though. You know me.”
“Yeah. Genius knows no rest, my love. Even when said genius is soon to be 85 and has arthritis in his knees and hands.”
“I wish it weren’t true, but it is. I’m gonna be 85 and our oldest granddaughter is not only going to be married soon, but she’s going to have a baby in less than 3 months. We’re going to be great- grandparents. I have to admit, it’s a little bit frightening.”
“That we’re going to be great- grandparents soon?”
“Yeah. It’s just a little frightening.”
“I remember when Mandy and Malachai told us that she was pregnant with Miranda and Isaiah. You woke me up in the middle of the night once the realization finally hit you that we were going to be grandparents.”
“I remember that too. I was so excited about it when we woke up. We got the kids off to school and you went about appointments as I took a look at the guest house that Jeremiah now calls his and called the guys.”
“Then we went to lunch and started buying for the baby, not knowing that it was twins.”
“Ah, memories. I almost miss those days. Almost.”
“Why almost?”
“Well, we were younger and could do a hell of a lot more than we can now. Granted with age comes wisdom, but I miss being able to go diving whenever I wanted and all that wonderful stuff.”
“I miss that too, baby. All we can do now is be grateful for our health as it is now and our enormous family.”
“Enormous is right. And it’s just getting bigger. Isaiah is engaged now too, from that Malachai tells me. Her name is Chelsea.”
“Nice. Hopefully we’ll get to meet her.”
“Hope so.” He yawned. “Can we go to sleep now? I’m actually very tired. Nice and relaxed. Conversation isn’t going to last much longer the way I’m headed.”
“Then why don’t we shut off the lights and stop freaking talking.”
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