New Series
Serendipity
Fleeting glances into the lives of one Don Gummer and Meryl Streep.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these awesome people, although I ardently wish I did! I have only borrowed them to whet my own appetite and muse
Rating: K through M...I hope I could be more certain
A/N 1: So, these are generally just one shots. Oh, and this is un-beta-ed, so all mistakes are mine.
A/N 2: Reviews? They are like Dunkin’ Doughnuts. I love ‘em..umm, my muse loves them. Might I even add, I would love if you pretties told me what’s lacking- humour, romance, sex, dialogue? Temme. I have this habit of writing in passive voice, second person, so it might get mundane! Tell me if you would like more dialogues, I’ll try and deviate from my style...but do tell me!
Table for Four, Party of Two
It had started in the month of November of the year gone by with their eldest daughter and only son-in-law excusing themselves from family dinners. Sometimes Mamie would be there, but more often than not neither of them would turn up. The excuse would generally be left in the form of a bland voicemail: ‘Umm, hi mom..sorry, but I don’t think we can make it tonight..umm, Ben has this movie promotion thing which came up suddenly and I’ll probably tag along..sorry..promise we’ll make it up next time. Love you. Bieeee’. Most of the others were variants of this solitary message. The next time never did come!
It was true that Ben had been busy juggling his new found popularity after the success of his lead role in a big-budget film and private life. Mamie too had been busy with a new TV show in which she was playing the lead role. Coupled with TV and movies were their occasional Broadway sightings. Life had been hectic for the couple...and of all people Meryl understood this.
She should have known though... shouldn’t she have seen the signs?
Hint 1: Excusing yourselves from family dinners? Family dinners?
Inference: Shutting yourselves from family. You’re definitely hiding something from the family!
Hint 2: Voicemail? Bland voicemail?
Inference: Conveniently choosing times when nobody would be home? For Godsake there are mobile phones! And ‘bland voicemail’...Dear Lord..where is your passion? You’re what 30-something and just married.
Hint 3: Sudden movie promotions at odd hours of the night on Weekends
Inference: Lies. Blatant lies. Movie promotions are NEVER sudden!
Something was wrong. Grossly wrong.
It was only in January of the present year that Meryl began to saw the cracks in her eldest daughter’s marriage.
Episode 1
It was a wintry night somewhere in the middle of January.The date had not been recorded. Don and Meryl Gummer were waiting at The Lucerne for the only other married couple in their immediate family. A double date/truncated family dinner had been planned by the matriarch of the family. Ben and Mamie were together in New York after a span of some three weeks. She had been off to California shooting her daily while Ben was busy rehearsing for his new play. So, taking this golden opportunity Meryl had decided to meet up for dinner that night.
On the one hand while Mamie and Ben hadn’t had a free moment in their lives Meryl and Don seemed to have too much ample time. She wasn’t shooting a movie, promoting another nor doing a play. Only the occasional charity funds that both of them attended.
Now that all the kids were out of house they had enough time to go to the movies, watch plays and eat out every other night. That was what was apparent.
The greater bonus was hidden yet bright! They no longer had to take precautions before having sex in their own house- is the door locked? No, no the kitchen is too dangerous! Sorry honey, don’t come yet, I have to go stop the fight. I’ll finish the kiss after picking up Henry from practice. Damn, the walls aren’t sound-proofed; Louisa thinks Don is hitting me?!
These days they would do it everywhere- the pantry, the hot tub, the couch, the den, the study, the floor, the Jacuzzi (really?!). Thank God they weren’t in Connecticut- there they would also do it in that hammock near the lake and the beautiful gazebo in their sprawling lawn.
Generally they would never reach the bed. Trails of undergarments, shoes, belts, tuxedos and dresses littered the two floors.
Yesterday that had done it up against the fridge- she remembered the look in Don’s eyes- love and lust, she remembered his breath on her skin, the unhurried kisses, the feel on his skin against hers, her own irregular breathing, the interlinking of their tongues, his hands on her breasts squeezing them ever so lightly, his tongue swirling against her erect nipples, his strong forearms holding her up, hands travelling down each others’ bodies not missing a single detail, the wetness between her legs and when Don entered her thrusting into her at regular intervals she had felt ecstatic, both of them had come at the same time. She felt sated, but not complete. Then, with four little words which Don had uttered silently in her ears ‘I Love you forever’ she had felt complete. This is what people referred to as Paradise.
After the intensely satisfying act of love, when she had slumped against Don; beads of sweat lining her forehead, Don had carried her to the couch where she fell into a deep slumber, but not before thanking God for this man who was now caressing her short golden-brown locks.
As much as Meryl loved her kids she hated to admit that she was beyond glad that they were out of house. It had been an eternity since she hadn’t had kids bickering over a packet of chips. She had forgotten how quiet and peaceful the house could be. Yes, she did miss the physical touch-hugging and kissing them to the point that they got embarrassed, the phone calls couldn’t make up for that. So she met the kids occasionally and satisfied her heart’s desire. Like tonight.
So now, the almost old-but too much in love-teenagers at heart couple were sitting in the hotels’ restaurant sipping on Cabernet Sauvignon and awaiting their guests.
Their appointment, if you may call it so, was scheduled for 8 p.m...but it wasn’t before a good hour after that, that Ben and Mamie arrived. By that time the older couple had already downed a few glasses of wine and were engaged in worldly talk and intimate gestures.
‘Mom, Dad we’re really sorry, we got kinda stuck up..How long have you guys been waiting?’ Mamie announced bending down to hug her seated parents.
‘Ohh..we don’t remember sweetheart! We’re glad you could make it’ Meryl chimed in after kissing her daughter.
Ben seemed reserved tonight. A handshake with Don and a curt nod to Meryl opposed to his usual bear hugs.
Food was ordered and conversation was flowing smoothly. Well mostly. As the night wore on Meryl knew something was off. Mamie and Ben seemed to be involved in some sort of a cold war.
While managing to join in the conversation she ruminated at the present situation
Two sides of the table represented two different stories:
On one side quick glances and love filled looks, on the other eyes focused forward looking everywhere except on the sides.
On one side glinting eyes full of passion and mirth, on the other dull and morbid ones
On one side bodies touched, hands entwined; on the other the Great Wall of China lay between.
On one side mindless babbling, on the other-an uncanny yet comfortable silence.
She wouldn’t have known if she weren’t a mother or a wife for as long as eternity.
This wasn’t an ordinary fight, the ones she had with Don-now that was ordinary- angry looks, cutting words and uncomfortable silence.
Both seemed to have accepted something, silently- what, she didn’t know.
The night had ended leaving Meryl uncomfortably squeamish. Don seemed to be on cloud nine, apparently he hadn’t caught onto the discomfort or maybe he had had too much to drink. Or was it her, was she imagining things? For God sake didn’t her daughter have a love marriage?
She would talk to Mamie anyhow, like she always did. She had always prided herself in being able to make her kids trust her so that they generally ended up telling her the nitty gritty of their lives.
Of course she had spoken to Mamie. She had been brushed off with a whiff of her hand and a variant of that bland voicemail: we’re kinda busy MOM!
That was followed by, ‘Sweetheart, don’t you see, I just want to know if you’re fine because things can go wrong while you’re dreaming and then shatter into a million tiny pieces when you wake up! You’ll always be busy: you think Dad and I weren’t, but you must exercise your marriage or it’ll get stiff and rusted. Maybe you should have a baby!’
Wrong cue. That got a serious blasting: ‘Mom, really? Is that why you called up? You want a grand kid? Do you even care about me?...okay, here’s the thing...forget about a baby, atleast for now, and you’re right..things haven’t been too good, but I’ll try and work it out! Thanks you know.’
Meryl ardently hoped it wasn’t too late.
Episode 2
Although it was the middle of February the nights were still freezing. Meryl was standing in her kitchen all bundled up sipping on a steaming cup of coffee waiting for the Coq au vin to get cooked. It was already 7 p.m. and all her kids would be here in another hour. She had to take a bath, change and get the dessert ready. Also, she had to deal with a three year old child who was craving her constant attention-namely Don.
Presently the said child was taking a shower and had asked his beautiful wife to join him without hesitating. He had lured her with the promise of scented candles and bath salts. Well, who was she to resist that-bath salts+a sexy husband, so what if he was being a child, an attention seeking one at that!
Finishing up her coffee and turning off the stove she made her way to their second floor bedroom which had served as a haven after a hard day’s work. Opening the door, she was almost overwhelmed by the scent of primroses and jasmine combined with a muffled voice coming from within the candle lit bathroom.
He was singing in that grave baritone voice of his, again, what was he singing?
‘No other love, mama I’m flying....I can go, I can go anywhere....no other love, can take me there, oh yeah...mmhhm...yeah’
She remembered how Don had always loved the songs of P.S. I love you and although she had found it a bit morbid when he said that he would be the Gerry to her Holly, she had felt strangely safe.
In that moment Meryl Streep realized that she would trade all her awards for that man, his love, trust and everything that he’d given her.
Stripping herself of her mound loads of clothing she made her way to the steaming hot bath tub awaiting her. When his eyes fell on her gloriously naked body he pulled her into the tub to share the heat of the scented water kneading her tense muscles making her forget all about dinners, chicken and desserts...desserts, yes desserts.. she had to get back to that, but maybe she would indulge in this for just a few more moments.
After a good 20 minutes, much to her husband’s chagrin they made their way to the bedroom in order to get changed. Being a family affair, neither of them dressed too elaborately.
While Meryl prepared the dessert-yes, apple pie, Don set the table. Family gatherings like this had become seldom and far placed. The whole family would be here tonight, the four children and of course Ben who had quickly gained cheerleaders within the family-including Meryl.
Soon all the children started making their appearances and by 8:30 p.m. the house sounded like a zoo. Meryl and Don loved this zoo. Incessant chatter, frivolous giggles, guitar chords, mellifluous voices, anecdotes, pranks and laughter.
The last to arrive were Mamie and Be..
‘Mames, my darling, goodness I’ve missed you..Ben..where’s Ben?’
‘Umm...he can’t make it Mom, he says sorry, he has this college reunion he has to go to..it happens like once in a year’
There she was lying again. Blatant lie. And was that a tear in her eye?
It was high time Meryl did something, she hated to see any of her children in pain, hell she would kill to see them happy.
Meryl noticed what a good actress Mamie had become, the Academy should watch this...it pained her to see how her daughter put on a facade and carried on smooth talk with everybody dismissing Ben as a case of ‘he’s real sorry’.
Meryl tried to enjoy every minute of this wonderful dinner but couldn’t keep her worry at bay. Dinner and desserts being done, the children had headed to the entertainment room.
She had decided to go talk to Mamie after she put the dishes in the dishwasher and cleared the table.
Don had noticed how his wife had gone from exuberant to bubbly to downright quiet. He had noticed how her brows had furrowed like it always did when she was in deep thought. He had noticed her tense demeanour which always happened on award nights-the world saw the actress-positively cheery and buoyant, Don saw the woman-on the edge and apprehensive to get back home.
Picking up the bowl of mixed vegetables he made his way to his wife who was bent over the sink and whispered
‘Mer, you okay? I mean I know you’re not and don’t tell me you are, coz I know you! So tell me babe...what’s wrong...did the kids say something to you?
Tilting her head so it rested on her husbands’ firm shoulder she said ‘It’s Mames! I think something is up between her and Ben. She doesn’t seem okay..I’ll..I’ll go talk to her’
‘Babe, I think you’re worrying unnecessarily..she seemed fine, besides let me tell you, who misses a college reunion? But if you feel something is up, go talk to your girl.’
‘Seems Don...she ‘seems’ fine! Will you..will you finish up the dishes..I’ll go check on her?’
He nodded at his wife, pecked her on her cheeks and asked her to go ahead.
As she had predicted, Mamie wasn’t in the entertainment room or her own room. So, there was only one other place she could be: Mom and Dad's room. Whenever any of the kids were upset they ended up in their room seeking solace from that unknown force that seemed to be present in their parents’ room.
Opening her bedroom door, she saw Mamie sitting on the love seat gazing at the night sky.
As she turned back to face her mother, the flood gates opened and she ran into her mother’s arms.
While Meryl soothed her daughter, Mamie opened up her heart to her mother, her best friend.
When they say a mother’s intuition is never wrong, they mean it.
Seeing her daughter this broken made Meryl want to take away all her pain and bestow her with the world’s happiness. What she gathered was that both of them had given up- ‘we’re two very different people’; ‘our priorities are poles apart’; ‘I think we’ve lost the spark-maybe it was never there!’; ‘everyday is a struggle’; ‘it seems like a convenient establishment-that’s all’
Although she knew right down to her bones that all had been lost she told her daughter otherwise- keep faith and work hard. Never give up. Don’t give yourself an out.
That night Mamie had slept off in her mother’s arms listening to her mother’s soothing voice.
Meryl knew somewhere that her advice wouldn’t work this time. She knew it in January and somehow she felt cheated. She felt that God had somehow cheated her because maybe if she knew it..no..she’d always known it..ever since those voicemails, maybe if she had realized and acted on it, tonight wouldn’t have happened.
Episode 3
Present Day
It’s a pleasant day in March. It has only been two weeks since she has come back from California.
Don had received news in the evening from his alma mater Indiana University that his sculpture would be installed in the college premises somewhere in May. So, now they were out celebrating his little success at Pier i Cafe overlooking the murky Hudson River. The night was chilly yet comfortable and as Meryl sat wrapped up in the arms of her only saviour she felt lucky to be alive. Life had been kind to them.
The table they were sitting at seated 4. She reflected how that was generally the case. They would be seated in tables for 4 and end up being a party of two. Sometimes when it was just them they would sit on opposite sides of the table so that they could look into each other’s eyes throughout the night and talk about their lives. The vacant chairs beside them were generally a home to everything redundant- which was everything except them-their phones, their bags, their jackets and their worries. When they were out on double dates, there had been many a time when they had been ditched by the other couple. Two weeks later, she would hear of their divorce. She then thought of that night in The Lucerne with Mamie and Ben, yes the table had seated 4 but it seemed to be a party of 2- her and Don. She feared if she would hear of a similar fate from Mamie.
She felt a strange pain in her chest at just the thought.
It was almost weird that it was only her and Don that made up a stable and constant party of 2 for a thousand years now. The 2 extra chairs had suited their wills but the other 2 were always reserved for them, for they would come back, again and again.
She looked up at Don who seemed to be in his own world, maybe, he too was thinking about the strange serendipity in their lives. As their eyes met, she almost felt too guilty of being so happy when her daughter was struggling through her marriage.
As if on cue, her phone rang. Rummaging for it in her bag abandoned on the other side of the table she saw that the caller id read Mamie.
‘Hello darling, how’s my little girl doing today?’
Silence. Then a staccato squeak. Then a quivering voice
‘Ben and I are done Ma. We’ve reached the point of aela iacta est. We have decided to separate after much consideration. I’m sorry that I couldn’t make this work inspite of all your advice. You see, we aren’t you and Dad-you’ll are meant to be. I’m sad, but I’ll live. We both understand that this was the only way. Can I come home Ma, please?’
Meryl’s heart broke for her brave daughter. Here she was celebrating her marriage when her daughter’s life was falling apart at the seams. What kind of a mo--
‘Oh sweetheart! It’s your home too darling, you’re welcome anytime. Darling are you sure about this? I mean, don’t you think you can somehow maybe d--’
‘No Ma, this time I know it. This is the right thing, for us-I mean I think we’re better off as friends, not partners. It’s just that it took us a marriage to understand that. I’ll be home tomorrow morning. And I’ll want good food!’ she tried to joke
Meryl smiled a sad smile ‘Oh yes, I’ll have that ready..-and baby, your Dad and I will always be there for you. You’ll make mistakes, but that’s how you learn..we’ll get through this. I promise.’
‘I know Ma. Life’s a bitch though! I love you. Goodnight.’
‘Yes Goodnight. Take care and your daddy and I love you.’ Meryl wondered when her daughter had become so mature. Inspite of all the sadness, she felt proud of being her mother, her daughter was brave and undaunted. Yes, she would get through life.
To say Don was shocked was an understatement. Mamie was a Papa’s girl and it killed Don to see her daughter so sad and broken. He would do everything possible to make this alright. He wondered what had gone wrong, whether Ben was to blame or Mamie..or was it just a case of two people who could never work it out?
Their celebrations had come to an abrupt end with this piece of life changing news. As they made their way back in the cab they fell into their own line of thought. His wife was sobbing against his chest and all he could do was to soothe her..no, he wouldn’t ask her to stop, because it seemed she was crying for both of them. He had to be strong.
Had they gone wrong somewhere in their upbringing? Had they not taught Mamie to not give up? Had they raised their expectations too high?
He would never know, all he knew was that he had to fix the pain and he would do it.
Mamie would dream a new, more beautiful dream and live it. This was only the beginning. Things go wrong but you cannot lose heart. Yes, they would start by starting. Again.
‘You and Mamie are going to Vancouver, I’ll get the tickets. She needs a change and she needs you. Take her away and tell her that life is beautiful’ he whispered into his wife’s ear
Meryl looked up into her husband’s face and only nodded an affirmative yes. They would always be a party of 2.
So, yes/no? More or please stahp! Bore someone else with your ramblings? I don't like it too much, tell me if you differ! Either way, lemme know!
Fleeting glances into the lives of one Don Gummer and Meryl Streep.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these awesome people, although I ardently wish I did! I have only borrowed them to whet my own appetite and muse
Rating: K through M...I hope I could be more certain
A/N 1: So, these are generally just one shots. Oh, and this is un-beta-ed, so all mistakes are mine.
A/N 2: Reviews? They are like Dunkin’ Doughnuts. I love ‘em..umm, my muse loves them. Might I even add, I would love if you pretties told me what’s lacking- humour, romance, sex, dialogue? Temme. I have this habit of writing in passive voice, second person, so it might get mundane! Tell me if you would like more dialogues, I’ll try and deviate from my style...but do tell me!
Table for Four, Party of Two
It had started in the month of November of the year gone by with their eldest daughter and only son-in-law excusing themselves from family dinners. Sometimes Mamie would be there, but more often than not neither of them would turn up. The excuse would generally be left in the form of a bland voicemail: ‘Umm, hi mom..sorry, but I don’t think we can make it tonight..umm, Ben has this movie promotion thing which came up suddenly and I’ll probably tag along..sorry..promise we’ll make it up next time. Love you. Bieeee’. Most of the others were variants of this solitary message. The next time never did come!
It was true that Ben had been busy juggling his new found popularity after the success of his lead role in a big-budget film and private life. Mamie too had been busy with a new TV show in which she was playing the lead role. Coupled with TV and movies were their occasional Broadway sightings. Life had been hectic for the couple...and of all people Meryl understood this.
She should have known though... shouldn’t she have seen the signs?
Hint 1: Excusing yourselves from family dinners? Family dinners?
Inference: Shutting yourselves from family. You’re definitely hiding something from the family!
Hint 2: Voicemail? Bland voicemail?
Inference: Conveniently choosing times when nobody would be home? For Godsake there are mobile phones! And ‘bland voicemail’...Dear Lord..where is your passion? You’re what 30-something and just married.
Hint 3: Sudden movie promotions at odd hours of the night on Weekends
Inference: Lies. Blatant lies. Movie promotions are NEVER sudden!
Something was wrong. Grossly wrong.
It was only in January of the present year that Meryl began to saw the cracks in her eldest daughter’s marriage.
Episode 1
It was a wintry night somewhere in the middle of January.The date had not been recorded. Don and Meryl Gummer were waiting at The Lucerne for the only other married couple in their immediate family. A double date/truncated family dinner had been planned by the matriarch of the family. Ben and Mamie were together in New York after a span of some three weeks. She had been off to California shooting her daily while Ben was busy rehearsing for his new play. So, taking this golden opportunity Meryl had decided to meet up for dinner that night.
On the one hand while Mamie and Ben hadn’t had a free moment in their lives Meryl and Don seemed to have too much ample time. She wasn’t shooting a movie, promoting another nor doing a play. Only the occasional charity funds that both of them attended.
Now that all the kids were out of house they had enough time to go to the movies, watch plays and eat out every other night. That was what was apparent.
The greater bonus was hidden yet bright! They no longer had to take precautions before having sex in their own house- is the door locked? No, no the kitchen is too dangerous! Sorry honey, don’t come yet, I have to go stop the fight. I’ll finish the kiss after picking up Henry from practice. Damn, the walls aren’t sound-proofed; Louisa thinks Don is hitting me?!
These days they would do it everywhere- the pantry, the hot tub, the couch, the den, the study, the floor, the Jacuzzi (really?!). Thank God they weren’t in Connecticut- there they would also do it in that hammock near the lake and the beautiful gazebo in their sprawling lawn.
Generally they would never reach the bed. Trails of undergarments, shoes, belts, tuxedos and dresses littered the two floors.
Yesterday that had done it up against the fridge- she remembered the look in Don’s eyes- love and lust, she remembered his breath on her skin, the unhurried kisses, the feel on his skin against hers, her own irregular breathing, the interlinking of their tongues, his hands on her breasts squeezing them ever so lightly, his tongue swirling against her erect nipples, his strong forearms holding her up, hands travelling down each others’ bodies not missing a single detail, the wetness between her legs and when Don entered her thrusting into her at regular intervals she had felt ecstatic, both of them had come at the same time. She felt sated, but not complete. Then, with four little words which Don had uttered silently in her ears ‘I Love you forever’ she had felt complete. This is what people referred to as Paradise.
After the intensely satisfying act of love, when she had slumped against Don; beads of sweat lining her forehead, Don had carried her to the couch where she fell into a deep slumber, but not before thanking God for this man who was now caressing her short golden-brown locks.
As much as Meryl loved her kids she hated to admit that she was beyond glad that they were out of house. It had been an eternity since she hadn’t had kids bickering over a packet of chips. She had forgotten how quiet and peaceful the house could be. Yes, she did miss the physical touch-hugging and kissing them to the point that they got embarrassed, the phone calls couldn’t make up for that. So she met the kids occasionally and satisfied her heart’s desire. Like tonight.
So now, the almost old-but too much in love-teenagers at heart couple were sitting in the hotels’ restaurant sipping on Cabernet Sauvignon and awaiting their guests.
Their appointment, if you may call it so, was scheduled for 8 p.m...but it wasn’t before a good hour after that, that Ben and Mamie arrived. By that time the older couple had already downed a few glasses of wine and were engaged in worldly talk and intimate gestures.
‘Mom, Dad we’re really sorry, we got kinda stuck up..How long have you guys been waiting?’ Mamie announced bending down to hug her seated parents.
‘Ohh..we don’t remember sweetheart! We’re glad you could make it’ Meryl chimed in after kissing her daughter.
Ben seemed reserved tonight. A handshake with Don and a curt nod to Meryl opposed to his usual bear hugs.
Food was ordered and conversation was flowing smoothly. Well mostly. As the night wore on Meryl knew something was off. Mamie and Ben seemed to be involved in some sort of a cold war.
While managing to join in the conversation she ruminated at the present situation
Two sides of the table represented two different stories:
On one side quick glances and love filled looks, on the other eyes focused forward looking everywhere except on the sides.
On one side glinting eyes full of passion and mirth, on the other dull and morbid ones
On one side bodies touched, hands entwined; on the other the Great Wall of China lay between.
On one side mindless babbling, on the other-an uncanny yet comfortable silence.
She wouldn’t have known if she weren’t a mother or a wife for as long as eternity.
This wasn’t an ordinary fight, the ones she had with Don-now that was ordinary- angry looks, cutting words and uncomfortable silence.
Both seemed to have accepted something, silently- what, she didn’t know.
The night had ended leaving Meryl uncomfortably squeamish. Don seemed to be on cloud nine, apparently he hadn’t caught onto the discomfort or maybe he had had too much to drink. Or was it her, was she imagining things? For God sake didn’t her daughter have a love marriage?
She would talk to Mamie anyhow, like she always did. She had always prided herself in being able to make her kids trust her so that they generally ended up telling her the nitty gritty of their lives.
Of course she had spoken to Mamie. She had been brushed off with a whiff of her hand and a variant of that bland voicemail: we’re kinda busy MOM!
That was followed by, ‘Sweetheart, don’t you see, I just want to know if you’re fine because things can go wrong while you’re dreaming and then shatter into a million tiny pieces when you wake up! You’ll always be busy: you think Dad and I weren’t, but you must exercise your marriage or it’ll get stiff and rusted. Maybe you should have a baby!’
Wrong cue. That got a serious blasting: ‘Mom, really? Is that why you called up? You want a grand kid? Do you even care about me?...okay, here’s the thing...forget about a baby, atleast for now, and you’re right..things haven’t been too good, but I’ll try and work it out! Thanks you know.’
Meryl ardently hoped it wasn’t too late.
Episode 2
Although it was the middle of February the nights were still freezing. Meryl was standing in her kitchen all bundled up sipping on a steaming cup of coffee waiting for the Coq au vin to get cooked. It was already 7 p.m. and all her kids would be here in another hour. She had to take a bath, change and get the dessert ready. Also, she had to deal with a three year old child who was craving her constant attention-namely Don.
Presently the said child was taking a shower and had asked his beautiful wife to join him without hesitating. He had lured her with the promise of scented candles and bath salts. Well, who was she to resist that-bath salts+a sexy husband, so what if he was being a child, an attention seeking one at that!
Finishing up her coffee and turning off the stove she made her way to their second floor bedroom which had served as a haven after a hard day’s work. Opening the door, she was almost overwhelmed by the scent of primroses and jasmine combined with a muffled voice coming from within the candle lit bathroom.
He was singing in that grave baritone voice of his, again, what was he singing?
‘No other love, mama I’m flying....I can go, I can go anywhere....no other love, can take me there, oh yeah...mmhhm...yeah’
She remembered how Don had always loved the songs of P.S. I love you and although she had found it a bit morbid when he said that he would be the Gerry to her Holly, she had felt strangely safe.
In that moment Meryl Streep realized that she would trade all her awards for that man, his love, trust and everything that he’d given her.
Stripping herself of her mound loads of clothing she made her way to the steaming hot bath tub awaiting her. When his eyes fell on her gloriously naked body he pulled her into the tub to share the heat of the scented water kneading her tense muscles making her forget all about dinners, chicken and desserts...desserts, yes desserts.. she had to get back to that, but maybe she would indulge in this for just a few more moments.
After a good 20 minutes, much to her husband’s chagrin they made their way to the bedroom in order to get changed. Being a family affair, neither of them dressed too elaborately.
While Meryl prepared the dessert-yes, apple pie, Don set the table. Family gatherings like this had become seldom and far placed. The whole family would be here tonight, the four children and of course Ben who had quickly gained cheerleaders within the family-including Meryl.
Soon all the children started making their appearances and by 8:30 p.m. the house sounded like a zoo. Meryl and Don loved this zoo. Incessant chatter, frivolous giggles, guitar chords, mellifluous voices, anecdotes, pranks and laughter.
The last to arrive were Mamie and Be..
‘Mames, my darling, goodness I’ve missed you..Ben..where’s Ben?’
‘Umm...he can’t make it Mom, he says sorry, he has this college reunion he has to go to..it happens like once in a year’
There she was lying again. Blatant lie. And was that a tear in her eye?
It was high time Meryl did something, she hated to see any of her children in pain, hell she would kill to see them happy.
Meryl noticed what a good actress Mamie had become, the Academy should watch this...it pained her to see how her daughter put on a facade and carried on smooth talk with everybody dismissing Ben as a case of ‘he’s real sorry’.
Meryl tried to enjoy every minute of this wonderful dinner but couldn’t keep her worry at bay. Dinner and desserts being done, the children had headed to the entertainment room.
She had decided to go talk to Mamie after she put the dishes in the dishwasher and cleared the table.
Don had noticed how his wife had gone from exuberant to bubbly to downright quiet. He had noticed how her brows had furrowed like it always did when she was in deep thought. He had noticed her tense demeanour which always happened on award nights-the world saw the actress-positively cheery and buoyant, Don saw the woman-on the edge and apprehensive to get back home.
Picking up the bowl of mixed vegetables he made his way to his wife who was bent over the sink and whispered
‘Mer, you okay? I mean I know you’re not and don’t tell me you are, coz I know you! So tell me babe...what’s wrong...did the kids say something to you?
Tilting her head so it rested on her husbands’ firm shoulder she said ‘It’s Mames! I think something is up between her and Ben. She doesn’t seem okay..I’ll..I’ll go talk to her’
‘Babe, I think you’re worrying unnecessarily..she seemed fine, besides let me tell you, who misses a college reunion? But if you feel something is up, go talk to your girl.’
‘Seems Don...she ‘seems’ fine! Will you..will you finish up the dishes..I’ll go check on her?’
He nodded at his wife, pecked her on her cheeks and asked her to go ahead.
As she had predicted, Mamie wasn’t in the entertainment room or her own room. So, there was only one other place she could be: Mom and Dad's room. Whenever any of the kids were upset they ended up in their room seeking solace from that unknown force that seemed to be present in their parents’ room.
Opening her bedroom door, she saw Mamie sitting on the love seat gazing at the night sky.
As she turned back to face her mother, the flood gates opened and she ran into her mother’s arms.
While Meryl soothed her daughter, Mamie opened up her heart to her mother, her best friend.
When they say a mother’s intuition is never wrong, they mean it.
Seeing her daughter this broken made Meryl want to take away all her pain and bestow her with the world’s happiness. What she gathered was that both of them had given up- ‘we’re two very different people’; ‘our priorities are poles apart’; ‘I think we’ve lost the spark-maybe it was never there!’; ‘everyday is a struggle’; ‘it seems like a convenient establishment-that’s all’
Although she knew right down to her bones that all had been lost she told her daughter otherwise- keep faith and work hard. Never give up. Don’t give yourself an out.
That night Mamie had slept off in her mother’s arms listening to her mother’s soothing voice.
Meryl knew somewhere that her advice wouldn’t work this time. She knew it in January and somehow she felt cheated. She felt that God had somehow cheated her because maybe if she knew it..no..she’d always known it..ever since those voicemails, maybe if she had realized and acted on it, tonight wouldn’t have happened.
Episode 3
Present Day
It’s a pleasant day in March. It has only been two weeks since she has come back from California.
Don had received news in the evening from his alma mater Indiana University that his sculpture would be installed in the college premises somewhere in May. So, now they were out celebrating his little success at Pier i Cafe overlooking the murky Hudson River. The night was chilly yet comfortable and as Meryl sat wrapped up in the arms of her only saviour she felt lucky to be alive. Life had been kind to them.
The table they were sitting at seated 4. She reflected how that was generally the case. They would be seated in tables for 4 and end up being a party of two. Sometimes when it was just them they would sit on opposite sides of the table so that they could look into each other’s eyes throughout the night and talk about their lives. The vacant chairs beside them were generally a home to everything redundant- which was everything except them-their phones, their bags, their jackets and their worries. When they were out on double dates, there had been many a time when they had been ditched by the other couple. Two weeks later, she would hear of their divorce. She then thought of that night in The Lucerne with Mamie and Ben, yes the table had seated 4 but it seemed to be a party of 2- her and Don. She feared if she would hear of a similar fate from Mamie.
She felt a strange pain in her chest at just the thought.
It was almost weird that it was only her and Don that made up a stable and constant party of 2 for a thousand years now. The 2 extra chairs had suited their wills but the other 2 were always reserved for them, for they would come back, again and again.
She looked up at Don who seemed to be in his own world, maybe, he too was thinking about the strange serendipity in their lives. As their eyes met, she almost felt too guilty of being so happy when her daughter was struggling through her marriage.
As if on cue, her phone rang. Rummaging for it in her bag abandoned on the other side of the table she saw that the caller id read Mamie.
‘Hello darling, how’s my little girl doing today?’
Silence. Then a staccato squeak. Then a quivering voice
‘Ben and I are done Ma. We’ve reached the point of aela iacta est. We have decided to separate after much consideration. I’m sorry that I couldn’t make this work inspite of all your advice. You see, we aren’t you and Dad-you’ll are meant to be. I’m sad, but I’ll live. We both understand that this was the only way. Can I come home Ma, please?’
Meryl’s heart broke for her brave daughter. Here she was celebrating her marriage when her daughter’s life was falling apart at the seams. What kind of a mo--
‘Oh sweetheart! It’s your home too darling, you’re welcome anytime. Darling are you sure about this? I mean, don’t you think you can somehow maybe d--’
‘No Ma, this time I know it. This is the right thing, for us-I mean I think we’re better off as friends, not partners. It’s just that it took us a marriage to understand that. I’ll be home tomorrow morning. And I’ll want good food!’ she tried to joke
Meryl smiled a sad smile ‘Oh yes, I’ll have that ready..-and baby, your Dad and I will always be there for you. You’ll make mistakes, but that’s how you learn..we’ll get through this. I promise.’
‘I know Ma. Life’s a bitch though! I love you. Goodnight.’
‘Yes Goodnight. Take care and your daddy and I love you.’ Meryl wondered when her daughter had become so mature. Inspite of all the sadness, she felt proud of being her mother, her daughter was brave and undaunted. Yes, she would get through life.
To say Don was shocked was an understatement. Mamie was a Papa’s girl and it killed Don to see her daughter so sad and broken. He would do everything possible to make this alright. He wondered what had gone wrong, whether Ben was to blame or Mamie..or was it just a case of two people who could never work it out?
Their celebrations had come to an abrupt end with this piece of life changing news. As they made their way back in the cab they fell into their own line of thought. His wife was sobbing against his chest and all he could do was to soothe her..no, he wouldn’t ask her to stop, because it seemed she was crying for both of them. He had to be strong.
Had they gone wrong somewhere in their upbringing? Had they not taught Mamie to not give up? Had they raised their expectations too high?
He would never know, all he knew was that he had to fix the pain and he would do it.
Mamie would dream a new, more beautiful dream and live it. This was only the beginning. Things go wrong but you cannot lose heart. Yes, they would start by starting. Again.
‘You and Mamie are going to Vancouver, I’ll get the tickets. She needs a change and she needs you. Take her away and tell her that life is beautiful’ he whispered into his wife’s ear
Meryl looked up into her husband’s face and only nodded an affirmative yes. They would always be a party of 2.
So, yes/no? More or please stahp! Bore someone else with your ramblings? I don't like it too much, tell me if you differ! Either way, lemme know!