126 - What Do You Want From Me

The gloomy clouds that dusted the New York City skyline darkened the little boy’s bedroom in which the children were scattered about. Romeo and Jake were prone on the floor playing their electronic games, while Stephanie and Jesse took up residences on each of the room’s beds, playing with their phones.

 

They had just finished talking with their father like they usually did every day when he was on the road, only this time the conversation was more than the usual. How are you doing? I miss you. This one had more of everything is great, by the way I’m getting married. Not that that was a big surprise. They all knew their father and Ariana loved each other and one day would get married, but for it to be happening on the spur of the moment was a bit of a shock.

 

Not taking her face off her screen, Stephanie spoke. “So, what do you all really think about daddy getting married?”

 

“It’s not fair. He will have cake tonight and we won’t.” Romeo chimed.

 

“You realize this is more series than cake, you turd?” Huffed Jake.

 

“Shut your pie hole!” was Romeo’s response as he kicked his brother and moved to the bed his sister was sitting on. 

 

“Rom, put that down for a second and look at me.” The little boy did what his sister asked. Eyes the color of chocolate kisses looked up from under his shaggy blonde hair. “Daddy marrying Ari means she is now his wife and our stepmother.”

 

“So, he has two wives, and we have two mommies?”

 

“Not exactly. Daddy and Mommy got a divorce. Do you remember them talking to us about that?”

 

“Yeah, but what does it mean again?”

 

“It means that they aren’t married anymore.”

 

“So, Mommy isn’t our mommy anymore?”

 

“NO!” Jake shouted. “Mommy will always be our mom. It means that daddy and Mommy won’t live together anymore. Daddy and Ariana will. She is his wife now.”

 

Shooting his brother an evil eye, Romeo continued, “SOOO, we have two mommies?”

 

“Something like that.” Jesse joined his siblings on the bed. “Mommy will always be our one and only Mom. Ari will be our bonus mom.”

 

“Stop saying that.”

 

“What’s your problem? I thought you like her, now.” Stephanie asked.

 

“I don’t - I mean, I do, it’s just…” changing his position, so he was now sitting up and facing them Jake placed his device on the floor. “I like Ariana. It’s just that I feel guilty about it.”

 

Out of the mouths of babes comes the real reason behind the boy’s moodiness and standoffishness towards his father’s new love. He didn’t want to hurt or disrespect his mother.

 

“Why? Because she’s nicer to Dad than Mom is or has been for a long time?” Steph asked her brother.

 

“Yes.”

 

“Why is that you think?” Jesse asked.

 

“Heck, if I know.” Stephanie crossed her legs to make room for Jake on the bed. “I had a long talk about Ari with Dad when we were with them. Did you know they’ve known each other for a long time?”

 

“Do you think that is why Mom is the way she is? Think she knew about it?”

 

“She didn’t. I asked Dad flat out, and he said no.”

 

“Did you ask him why then?” Jesse questioned.

 

“Yup, and he told me I need to ask Mom about it.”

 

Dorothea stood by the door and listened as her children talked and could not believe what she was hearing. Married? The ink on the papers were barely dried. And he was getting married again. And having a baby! The nerve of him! And what could be so urgent that he was doing it now… today. 

 

Taking a deep breath, she straightened the hem of her sweater over her hips, then gently knocked, notifying her children someone was about to push open the already cracked door. Four sets of eyes looked up as their mother entered the room. Each with their own expression of bewilderment, not knowing how much she had heard of their conversation.

 

Dorothea laid a soft touch upon Romeo’s shoulder and tilted her head towards the door at Jake. 

 

“Boys, will you give me a minute? I need to talk with Steph and Jesse about something.” She wasn’t asking. Knowing this, both boys quickly grabbed their toys and headed out the door before she changed her mind and asked them to stay.

 

Making room for his mother on the bed, Jesse moved and sat beside his sister. Not knowing if this was his way of showing an unified front, Dorothea tucked her leg under her and took a seat.

 

“So, your father’s getting married?” Shocked, the two looked at each other and back at their mother. “I heard you talking.”

 

“How much?” Stephanie asked, sitting up straight.

 

“Enough to know that my kids have questions for me.” Dorothea’s reply was for her daughter. “Ask away.”

 

With Pandora’s box open, Stephanie wasn’t about to waste time worrying about how Jesse felt. She had questions and wanted answers. Unlike her father and his willingness to be open and honest when she asked, her mother was not always willing. There may not be another opportunity like this. She chose not to pussyfoot around the subject and went straight for the jugular.

 

“Have you ever cheated on Daddy?”

 

Stunned by her daughter’s boldness, she simply refused to answer such a question. “I don’t see what that has to do with his impending marriage.”

 

“I’ll take that as a yes.” the young girl brushed a wisp of blonde hair from her eyes. “Does he even know, or is your disapproving anger at him and now Ari just your guilt showing?”

 

“I am still the parent here. What goes on between your father and I is just that.” Her voice was calm but stern as she answered.

 

Annoyed with her mother's lack of response again, Stephanie looked out the window at the evening’s skyline. “Whatever.” she said snidely. “If you can’t be honest with us, then don’t expect us to be. Don’t ask me what’s going on in Dad’s life. I won’t answer. I will not be your spy.” Turning her head, she looked back at her mother. “Daddy is happier than I’ve seen him in months, heck years and if it’s Ariana’s doing, than kudos to her.”

 

“Stephanie Rose Bongiovi, I don’t know what’s gotten into you lately, but you will not talk to me like that! Do you understand me? Just because your father sees fit to tell you every little last detail doesn’t make it right. Your father and I — well, it’s complicated and you’re too young to understand.”

 

“For your information, Dad doesn’t tell me everything. But he tries to answer my questions as best as he can. That’s more than you ever have. How ‘bout you look at it from our…” Jesse looked at his sister questioningly, “c’mon you wanna know too.” she waved him off, “From where I stand and what I know already, your holier than thou attitude towards Daddy makes you look like a bitch and that could only mean one of two things. One - you are resenting yourself for letting it happen in the first place or two, you’re not as squeaky clean as you’d like everyone to think you are and the guilt from that is eating at you.”

 

“That’s enough! I’ve had enough of your snide little comments. You think you know it all, well you don’t and until you walked a mile in my shoes, you have no right to judge.”

 

“Oh, please Mom.” Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Your life is not bad. Whatever you and Dad worked out between the two of you must have worked. Look at us, we all turned out fine. All I’m trying to figure out is why in the last however many years it’s been, has you turning into the mother of all bitches when it comes to daddy. And all I can come up with is guilt or resentment.”

 

Stephanie stood, straightening the pillows. She picked up the few little stuff animals from the floor and placed them in the spot she was just sitting in and walked to the door.

 

“It was a simple question, Mom. One in which you avoided again. But whatever, that’s okay.” pausing, she rested a hand on the door frame and turned to face her mother, who was still sitting on the bed. “Another thing, please don’t do anything to ruin things for Daddy. He’s happy. Ari is good to him… for him and I like her… a lot!