The Blended Family

Ginger folded her arms to fight off the chill, not from the fall breeze but from the baldheaded man she had known for forty years sitting at the other end of the park bench. Four decades; now she wondered whether she had ever known him.

Pfffffffffffffffffffft ripped from his lifted rear.

Their eyes met, and his snarky smirk feigned innocence. The gassy fog, akin to rotted cabbage, assailed Ginger's nostrils, and she gagged. Covering her mouth and nose to shield the onslaught of methane, she tamped the snicker welling up from her belly. His attempt at levity failed, and her newfound anger overcame the moment.

I will not be distracted by his childish antics. This is serious and not a time for comic relief, she thought.

Clarence rolled the wedding band with his thumb on his left ring finger. He had never grown accustomed to the precious metals presence. When nervous, he twirled the circular symbol of his commitment.

Ginger hasn't said a word since I told her my secret. Will she forgive me, or will I spend the last years of my life alone, he thought.

Tears welled in his eyes at the unanswered question.

What will I do without her if she leaves me to move in with her sister across town? Who else would put up with my antics? She pays the bills, does the laundry, and keeps my meds straight. Every meal is a demonstration of her love and care.

Clarence's chin slipped to his chest, and he looked away to conceal his fear as a slight whimper escaped his lips.

Ginger whipped her head to him as he turned away.

Is he crying? Clarence is shedding a tear? Ah, he's afraid I will leave him. I haven't seen him show this much emotion since he returned from serving the Army in Europe. It serves the old coot right. He should have shared his secret years ago before we tied the knot. I deserved to know. What else has he hidden from me?

Clarence's wrinkled and quivering hand covered his face.

I should have told her. Though it was before we met, she deserved to know. I don't think I can live without her. What will I do? What can I say or do to fix this? The silent treatment is killing me. I wish she'd communicate with me. Does she still love me?

Pfffffffffffffffffffft ripped from her lifted rear.

Dropping his hand, he waved away the stench of greasy bacon permeating the air and looked at her with contempt.

Ginger laughed.

Clarence laughed.

A seventy-year-old woman stopped in front of the park bench. Beside her stood a middle-aged woman with a familiar snarky smirk.

With a distinct French accent, the older woman said,

"Monsieur Clarence, it's been a long time since Paris, you have aged well. This is your daughter, Felicia," she said, "Is this your Madam Ginger?"

Clarence and Ginger stood together to embrace and brush the cheeks of their visitors, their newly discovered extended family.

"Papa. After so many years, I am pleased to meet you," said Felicia as the two French women parted for a teenage girl who stood behind them.

"This is your granddaughter, Clarice. Her father could not make the trip."

Breaking the uncomfortable silence, Clarence's former paramour sniffed the air, "Is that cabbage and bacon I smell? I'm starved for some good American food."

Ginger hand-signed to Clarence who was almost deaf,

"Turn your hearing aids up, you old fool, and introduce me."