The red 1957 Cadillac El Dorado sped up the on ramp to the Thruway at Harriman. The sun had broken free of the cloud deck that had brought last night's rain; the remaining puddles shimmering in the early December sunshine. Thomas Morrow sat behind the wheel. He'd owned this car since he'd driven it off the lot in August 1957. Aside from his family, Tom loved this car more than anything. Changing lanes to avoid a tractor trailer, Tom caught sight of the Ramapo Mountains in the distance; almost home.
Tom had been in Tuxedo since Friday night; spending part of the weekend with Mirasol, his mistress. Mirasol was a vivacious, yet down to earth thirty-five-year-old. The two had shared a daughter: Kristina. More often than not, Tom and Mirasol would end up having conversations regarding their child. Tom treats Kristina with the same amount of affection as Amy and Victoria. He wishes Victoria and Kristina would remain in contact; however, Anne would never allow it. The prior evening, Tom and Mirasol had taken Kristina out for an early birthday celebration. Kristina's birthday is December 3rd: that Monday. She'd gotten a new Barbie from her parents.
The Ramapo Mountains loomed closer now, passing underneath a guide sign for Route 17, Tom shifted to the left lane and let the Caddy open up. Passing into Rockland County, Tom was in the home stretch now. The mountains rose up on both sides of him, and the Thruway turned east. The suburbs loomed ahead of him. The Blauvelt exit was only four miles away; he just had to pass the Garden State Parkway Extension. The exit for Blauvelt was dead ahead, and Tom made his move. Leaving the Thruway, Tom turned onto Route 303. The sun climbed even higher. Turning left onto Orangeburg Road, the Cadillac quickly made its way into the driveway of the Morrow household.
Sitting on the front porch in her heavy, gray wool coat and tight cloche hat was Victoria. Seeing the red Cadillac pull up in the driveway made her smile as she got up. She began to happily jump up and down As Tom got out of the car, Victoria came running up to him; arms outstretched.
"Hello, pumpkin. Happy birthday."
"Thanks, daddy." Victoria said as she hugged her father. She smiled as she did so; sometimes Victoria found her father a lot warmer and approachable than her mother. This was one of those times. Tom looked at Victoria and then the house.
"I see that you're ready, but what about your mother and sister?" Tom inquired. Suddenly the front door opened and out came Amy and Anne. Anne didn't look too happy, perhaps Amy had given her some resistance this morning. They all walked over to the Country Squire and got in. Amy helped her sister with the seat belt and off they went. Turning left onto Orangeburg Road, they headed towards the Thruway. Forty-five minutes later, and they were on Route 94 heading towards the Jersey Line. They crossed into the Garden State shortly after eleven. Five minutes later, and they pulled into the Christmas Tree lot.
"Victoria, you get to pick out the Christmas Tree!"
"Awesome!"
"Amy, can you help her, please?" Tom asked.
Getting out of the car, the two girls ran to the entrance. Tom and Anne hurried to catch up
"They love doing this to us, don't they?" Anne asked Tom as they quickly walked to the lot entrance. All Tom could do was smile. His youngest child's birthday was today, and judging by the bright sunshine, a better day couldn't be had anywhere else.
The girls ran on further into the lot. Tom turned his attention to Anne.
"I hope you're happy." Tom began in a low tone.
"About what? Our thirteen year old daughter picking out the Christmas Tree?"
"There it is, Anne."
"Tom, if she weren't a damned idiot, we'd be doing something more fun and less simple."
"You have no faith in that child, Anne. Show some damned empathy, will you?"
"Who'll want to marry a retard, anyway?"
"You disgust me, Anne Vandeventer." Tom uttered. Anne was speechless for a second.
"I don't mean it like that."
"So what if they're not Vassar material! As long as our children are happy. That's what matters. These new educational opportunities ought to help them."
"They better." Anne glowered.
"Or what? Are you going to send them both to the looney bin?"
"Heavens, no!"
"After we're done here, Tom, are you going to run back to Mirasol and her little runt, Kristina?"
"No, Anne."
"I don't believe you, Tom."
Suddenly, Amy and Victoria's voices could be heard.
"Mom! Dad! We found one!"
"We'll finish this later, dearest." Tom hissed.
"I plan on it." Anne sneered.
The Country Squire pulled into the parking lot of the State Line Diner. The aluminum siding gleaned in the sun. Victoria knew what she wanted to eat before she even set foot in the building. Hurrying inside, the family found their way to the counter. The diner was relatively quiet, save for the sounds coming from the back and the jukebox playing a pop-rock song by ABBA member Frida; her vocals standing out amongst the ominous guitar.
"I know there's something going on."
They ordered their food. Tom, wishing to speak to his wife took a booth hear the window. She joined him there.
"What is it you're afraid of, Anne?" Tom began in a low tone.
"I'm afraid Victoria will miss out on life." Anne replied, the fear present in her voice.
"Your life is not hers, Anne. She will have numerous opportunities."
"Then why did she have to be like this, Tom?"
"All in the draw of the cards, my dear.."
"Instead of going down into the city, we come here to eat grilled cheese."
"Well, it is Victoria's birthday, and you know that we do this every year. That will never change."
"The results of Victoria and Amy's evaluations came back."
"What did the reports say?"
There was silence.
"Anne?"
Tom glanced over at the counter. He could see Amy and Victoria enjoying themselves. The way they seemed to be joking with one another, he smiled. He thought he had heard Amy tell Victoria that she loved her.
"Look at them over there, Anne, and tell me that both of them will do fine." He said as he carefully pointed a finger at the kids. He could see Amy put her arms around Victoria and hug her.
"We can discuss their evaluations, later." Tom said. Anne nodded. It was time to head back to Blauvelt.
Tom and Amy had just put up the Christmas Tree. All ten feet of it stood proudly in the corner of the living room. Anne and Victoria arrived just in time, carrying boxes of ornaments. Setting the last box down, Anne spoke up.
"Victoria, before we decorate the tree, you should open your birthday presents." Anne reminded.
Victoria had forgotten all about her birthday gifts. Sitting next to the boxes of ornaments was a group of four presents; each wrapped and decorated in pink paper and bows. Pink was one of Victoria's favorite colors. She sat down and smiled from ear to ear. Tom, standing next to Victoria, spoke in the manner of a game show host.
"Amy, show her what she's won!"
"Victoria, you've won" Amy began as she handed Victoria her first present. Quickly unwrapping the gift, her eyes grew large.
"A brand-new pair of Keds! This pair of purple and plaid shoes will surely impress your new friends, and dazzle your new teachers! From mom and dad." Amy handed Victoria her next gift. Victoria unwrapped it.
"Victoria, this black and white checkered pencil tote is stylish and perfect to take to class; it even holds your favorite candy! From yours truly!" Victoria looked at Amy and grinned. Anne handed Victoria her next gift.
"Inside this small box is a heart locket! Contained within this locket is a picture of your older sister. Part of a matching set."
The final gift was a simple envelope with a bow on it. Tom handed it to Victoria; she hurriedly opened it.
"Inside the envelope is a plane ticket aboard West Air Flight 2913 with service from White Plains to Hyannis, Massachusetts via New Bedford.
Both of them looked at their parents
"We're going by plane?!" They asked, in unison. Tom nodded.
Both of them had never flown before, and it suddenly made them nervous. Victoria got up from the floor and walked over toward the tree.
"Amy, we have work to do. Let's decorate!" She said as her sister grabbed boxes of ornaments.
Tom motioned for Anne to meet him in the foyer.
"I'm going out to the garage."
"I'll join you, Tom. We have to talk."
"I understand."
"Prying ears are just in the other room."
"Doubly understood."
Walking out into the light of the rising full moon, Tom and Anne remained side by side.
"When did the results come back?" Tom whispered.
"Wednesday. I haven't had the time to share them with you." She uttered.
They walked closer to the garage. Tom opened it. Anne followed him inside. Tom got in, followed by Anne.
"I remember when you bought this car in December 1957; shortly before Helen was born. She was such a girly girl."
"Until she became a dyke and joined the Massachusetts State Police." Tom chided. Anne recoiled; the pain coming back to her.
"Do you want to go for a ride up to Haverstraw, much like we used to go up to Purdys or even Brewster?" Anne suggested; her eyes smiling.
"Of course I would, Anne Vandeventer." He said as they kissed.
Backing the Cadillac out of the garage, Tom began to formulate a plan. Ten minutes later, they were at the Thruway.
"I have a better idea, Anne." He began. Anne shifted in her seat as they raced down the on ramp.
"Do you think the exhibit is open?" Tom asked.
"I don't see why it wouldn't be." Anne replied.
Ahead was the Tappan Zee Bridge; that vital link connecting Rockland and Westchester, in a way stitching the Morrow's homeland by a literal thread.
"I think we should also drive by the old house."
"Good idea. We better not tell Victoria."
"I can already hear that high nasal whine of hers."
"Moooommmy!" Anne interjected, cringing in the process. Tom laughed.
"We both forget how whiny Amy can get, too."
"Her whine grates on my nerves. The problem with Amy is that she'll use her whine as a weapon. I heard it yesterday when she asked if she'd have to start eighth grade all over again."
"We haven't been to the exhibit since just before Victoria turned twelve." Anne sighed.
"I think that now is a perfect time to go; especially as Victoria is about to undertake a new journey." Tom calmly replied.
Exiting Interstate 287 into downtown White Plains, Tom headed for the south side of the city. There, on the right-hand side of the street, lay their target: The Church of Our Creator. Originally, the building was a Catholic Church, but it was bought by two local families in the area. Hurrying along to the entrance, Tom and Anne opened the door and slid inside out of the cold, moonlit night.
In front of them was a large display of stained-glass that told a local legend. The story begins with the introduction of a young man known as "The Knave" and a young woman, " The Maiden." These individuals, while never romantically inclined, would talk to one another every single day. He saw her as an equal, when her family wouldn't. This made the maiden happy. One day, the two had a disagreement and they parted ways. He fell into a deep depression, but vowed that one day he'd see her again. She, too, had also fallen into a deep depression; her family confined her to her rooms. The family prayed and begged for their daughter's happiness to return; then one day it happened. She walked out of her rooms and greeted him on the front lawn. The family's happiness had returned.
"I figured we'd come here to tell ourselves this story and compare it to our little maidens." Tom began.
"One of them I feel is headed for trouble." Anne replied somberly, something rising in her throat.
"It's okay to be afraid for them, Anne. But it's also okay to be happy for them, as well. Something I feel that's missing from the house."
"It's going to be difficult Anne, but Amy and Victoria need to grow. Besides, how bad could it be for either of them?"
"I'll tell you about their results on the way home. Many surprises in store."
The Cadillac stopped at the corner of Larchmont and Hideaway Roads. Sitting in the moonlight was their original home. Tom still owned the house, but due to their older daughter Genevieve's stalking, the family had to move across the Hudson. Anne loved the Dutch Colonial Revival house; memories of raising their three oldest children came flooding back to her. By the time Amy and Victoria had arrived, Anne was queen of the house. Their new home, while large enough to handle the challenges presented by Amy and Victoria didn't feel the same to her. Suddenly, a humorous memory came back to Anne.
"Remember when Amy fell over the stack of lawn chairs while she was carrying a cup of juice?"
"She didn't spill a drop of it. She was so enthralled by the upright glass, she didn't have time to cry, either."
"I remember her yelling 'That's Neat!' after it happened." Anne smiled.
"I want Amy to have this house when it's time. With all that she's had to deal with; handling Victoria and all."
Anne was silent. She didn't want to think about that at the moment; what mattered to her now was that her two youngest were happy.
They sat there for a few moments more. Tom could tell something was further nagging at Anne.
"I think we should head back; Victoria will kill us if we don't have cake with her." She whispered sadly.
"Although it is slightly past her bedtime. If she's still up when we get back, we will have our cake with her. We owe her that much." Anne continued.
Tom eased the Cadillac onto the Hutchinson River Parkway and headed north. Finally, they'd get to the meat and potatoes of the discussion.
"As I mentioned, both of their evaluations came back." Anne began
"And?"
"Victoria's a dead ringer for Autism. How? She doesn't wander and bang her head against the walls. Although, this flinging herself on the floor has got to stop. Here's the kicker. Amy exhibits very mild symptoms. I can see it when she shuts down in the car." Anne continued.
"What do you mean, Anne?" He asked.
"For the past two weeks, whenever I've taken Amy down to the pier we start talking about school; she just shuts down. Full stop. Tears, thrashing. I had to put her in the back seat to preserve her dignity." Anne replied. Tom knew that Amy had been getting bullied, but he didn't know how bad the situation truly was.
"Who's bullying her?" He asked.
"The Chase kid. She's no prize. That kid will dead by the time she's 25. Her mother, Susan, has to put up with that, but also her husband who's sitting up in Attica for selling Heroin."
Tom didn't care to hear too much about Courtney and her ills.
"Plymouth Rock is ideal for educating those like Amy. I've put her under the assumption that it's because the school loves her photography. I sent some of her photos; they loved them, and they've shown interest in Amy herself."
"You know, I find Amy's artwork rather fascinating. I saw a picture that she drew of Victoria this afternoon. She looks as though she's been done up in a Medieval style. Victoria told me that Amy calls the picture 'Saint Victoria.' Personally, I like it. Perhaps she views us like her protectors."
Tom exited the Hutch and headed west on Interstate 287. Overhead, the moon began to take on a milky haze; a halo forming.
"I do hope Victoria finds more friends while she's away. She'd do so well with her own little friends group. Maybe she'll get so involved, she won't need to come home." Anne said.
"You don't want to see Victoria over the summer?" Tom inquired. Anne blanched.
"I didn't mean it like that. I just hope that she's happy. It pains me to see Victoria with a frown."
"She really does light up whatever room she walks into. That's the biggest thing I love about her." Tom stated.
I love many things about Victoria; her smile included. With me, it's as if she knows that I've been feeling depressed. She'll walk into the front room, sit down next to me, then she'll throw her arms around me and give me a hug that I feel down to the very bottom of my heart."
They both fell silent as the Cadillac crossed the Hudson on the Tappan Zee. Up ahead, a truck had broken down in the right lane.
"Bad place to break down." Tom commented as they drove by.
They reentered Rockland County and exited the Thruway at Nyack.
"Let's get home and have some of Victoria's cake. We owe it to her." Anne said.
"Did we tell them that we were going out? Amy will be mad at us." Tom replied.
Tom pulled the Cadillac into the driveway. The house was dark, save for a light on in Victoria's room. Getting out of the car, Anne walked up to the house. Tom parked the car in the garage and headed inside. Opening the door, Tom could hear something rather distressing.
"Why didn't you tell us you were going out!? Victoria and I waited for you to come back!" Amy uttered in a choked up kind of way.
"Amy, we forgot to tell you that we had to run out somewhere. Can't you let us say we're sorry?"
"No, mom because all you do is twist it around to suit you!" Amy screamed.
"Stop this tantrum at once, Amy!" Anne said; an edge to her voice. Tom stood there, watching his wife try to handle the situation.
"You could've told us!" Amy screamed.
"Amy, it was a mistake. We're sorry for not telling you ahead of time." Tom pleaded.
"This isn't fair! You always want me to take care of Victoria, but you don't really appreciate either of us!" By now, Amy was hopping mad, tears streaming down her face without abandon. Anne swiftly and silently moved to a position next to the girl, grabbing her arm.
"Get upstairs at once! You're making a scene." Anne hissed as she directed Amy up the stairs. Amy kicking and screaming. Anne firing off comments
"You could've been in bed by now, Amy, instead I practically have to drag you upstairs. Stop being stubborn, stop acting childish. Stop before I give you a swat on your ass.
Right then and there, Tom knew deep within him the drive to get Amy and Victoria out of the house was key. Moments later, Anne returned. An eerie silence fell over the house.
"Sorry, Tom. She was fussy because she was tired. I could hear it in her voice. Sometimes I have to move her along so that she doesn't dawdle." Anne muttered. Tom got the cake out of the freezer.
"They left us decent sized pieces. I do feel bad that we didn't tell them."
"Tom, if you stopped 'feeling bad' for the little ones, you'd be a better father."
Tom held back a snort. He viewed himself as a good father, no matter what Anne said. Her behavior today had made up his mind where he'd sleep tonight. Gathering his coat and hat, he assisted in the final clean up of the birthday cake.
