Chapter 449: Patty XLVI—How Careless

The informal gathering lasted longer than a simple meeting of a few wives would naturally due to the news of Brandi’s new condition. That much amused Patrick, another pregnancy, another baby; these things always seemed to come in clusters, especially concerning the women. Really, he wasn’t sure how scientific a phenomenon it was, but one baby in the wives group often meant two or three more to come in the months after the first announcement. Brandi Blake made number two.

“Another one,” Patrick smiled and he leaned only a little into Jennifer Foote’s side, he looked at her face for any sign of jealousy at being suddenly not the only pregnant woman around to dote on. “How exciting yes?” Jennifer wrinkled her nose, sniffed and looked at him.

“Very,” she smiled, and Patrick saw the glow still on her cheeks, the happiness still in her eyes, “and now I won’t be alone, thank God.”

“Babies are always nice,” Patrick agreed.

Jennifer quickly raised her eyebrows and then left his side to give Brandi another hug and kiss. Patrick crossed his arms and yawned. Looking at his watch, he saw that the afternoon had disappeared into the evening, and he found Michele across the room, made eye contact and nodded. Michele squeezed Debbie’s hand, to tell her goodbye no doubt, and then she set about gathering the children and making more goodbyes. Patrick went to for the coats.

“…sure I can be over in an hour I think, I’m sorry the gathering got out of hand and everyone had kids here, why didn’t you come?”

Patrick stopped in the hallway. He could see Cecile standing with her cell phone, leaning with one hand on the wall, her long glossy hair loose over her back and shoulders, a classically stunning girl. Now Cecile, Patrick mused, was exactly the type of girl who could cut anew into the heart and brain, stunning one within the first instant of seeing her, making them aghast at how they could have ever forgotten she was pretty. And after just five seconds of her dry attitude, Patrick always forgot she was pretty.

“Well, yes… I know… Danny really I couldn’t call earlier, I couldn’t! I know, I’m sorry that… well…” she laughed and stood straight, fiddling with a lock of hair in her fingers. “Yeah I know… what do you mean maybe not? Danny its okay, I know they’ll let me go in an hour or so, its fine… not a good idea? What could be wrong? What?” She laughed again. “Danny you’re being vague… What? Danny you’re just being silly of course you look fine… Well I know I haven’t seen you but… No I Mr. Sakic hasn’t told me anything why?”

Patrick smiled, at that point Cecile looked up and saw him, and she hopped, but kept her ear on the phone. He wondered exactly how would she take to the new and improved blue haired Dan Hinote.

“Hello,” Patrick mouthed out waving to her.

She blinked rapidly, her cheeks reddened and she put one hand over her free ear and looked towards the floor, cradling the cell phone. “He WHAT?”

Patrick laughed quietly.

“Blue?? Dan Hinote you are kidding?” She looked up and her face so pale and her eyes so pretty, she mouthed out, “Blue?”

Patrick nodded and whispered, “Blue.”

She wrinkled her nose and opened her mouth as if to say “Oh my God” but she stopped at the “oh”. “Danny I…” and then a slow smile crept across her lips. “Danny no I’m not mad, no I don’t mind, blue is a nice color actually….” And then she began to laugh. “Alright, alright, I’ll be over in an hour, yes I promise! I promise!” She laughed, “Alright I have to go now, yes, yes, I love you too….” She laughed again, “Alright.” She hung up the phone and smiled to herself, an unforced, natural smile and for a moment, it gave Patrick pause, a breathless pause.

And then when she looked at him all of it disappeared and something hardened, but her cheeks reddened. “Hi?”

“Hi,” Patrick waved his fingers.

“Did you need something?” Cecile said looking at him almost from the corner of her eyes, lips tight, waiting for something. Of course she had every right to expect something, after all practically every moment he caught alone with her consisted of his declaration of undying worship and love, a girl could get used to that couldn’t she.

“Yes,” Patrick nodded.

“I’m in no mood to put up with,” Cecile began in a quite firm and professorial voice, “And I would thank you to…” he wondered if she practiced that too while they were away on the road trip, just for this occasion.

Patrick held up his hand. “I just need our coats, we’re leaving.”

Cecile blinked. “Oh.” She inhaled and held her breath, “Oh.”

Patrick nodded, Cecile grimaced and shrugged.

“You’re standing in front of the closet,” Patrick smiled kindly.

“OH!” Cecile exclaimed and she turned red all over as she stepped out of the way. “Sorry I just I didn’t know. I thought you were…”

“You thought I was…” Patrick prompted as he fished for the family’s coats, draping them one by one over his forearm. Cecile looked completely off guard and worried now, fumbling her phone between her hands.

“Oh nothing, heh,” she breathed.

When he’d grabbed the last coat, he looked at her, young face, cheeks still full and round with baby fat. “You’re such a child,” he stated and that cause the crimson to return to her complexion.

“I am not!” she gasped.

Patrick winked, “But I still love you.”

He heard her gasp loudly, angrily, frustrated but she didn’t follow him. Ah Patrick felt so content and he felt even more amused when he was met by Michele’s flashing blue eyes, handing his family their coats. “What are you smirking about?” she said.

“It’s a nice day no?”

Michele sighed, “Come on let’s go home.”

“So wonderful news about Brandi?” Patrick said later than night as he sat on the bed, Michele already tucked and comfortable with a book.

“Mmm and you wouldn’t know anything further about that would you?”

Patrick laughed. “Of course not, why would I?”

Michele shrugged one shoulder and put the book down, “Just making sure, you seem eager enough to spread your virility as of late, yes?”

Patrick flopped onto his back and looked up at his wife, soft soap scent, soft lotion scent, soft skin, soft clothing. He touched the side of her waist with one finger. “What’s on your mind, Mimi?”

“Nothing,” Michele replied and she picked the book back up.

“What are you reading?”

“Nothing interesting.”

Patrick blew out a breath of air, “You are mad at me?”

“Yes.”

Patrick rolled his eyes. “Michele I have never spoken to Brandi much less…”

“Oh I know,” Michele sighed, “I know that, I’m not stupid.”

Reaching out, he grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Jennifer’s baby is not mine.”

Looking down at him, Michele frowned. “You seem excited enough about it.”

“Um, Mom?”

Patrick sat bolt upright, Michele dropped her book and they saw Jonathan peeking into the room, knocking lightly on the door. Damn that boy for being such a pain! “Boy? What are you doing up, its bed time.” He looked as stern as he could.

Jonathan returned the look, and Patrick could only assume the worst. Jonathan looked back at Michele, “Mom I was wondering if I could stay up just a half hour longer, I promise I’m going to bed but we’re studying this thing on the Saints at school and I need to do a little more research online if it’s okay?”

“It’s bedtime,” Patrick repeated but Michele undermined him.

“A half hour,” she said, “I will check on you, just a half hour and then be in bed.”

“Thanks,” Jonathan left without looking back at them.

Michele breathed out. “What do you think he heard?” she whispered.

Patrick groaned. “No more than we deserve, careless…. Careless…”