Denial by Jackie Kennedy Page B

pent-up energy and run amok. Josh gave chase, of course, and I got so distracted that instead of asking how much it was for a shampoo and blow-dry, I asked how much it was for a shampoo and a blow job.”
    Celeste grinned.
    “ A blow job! ” Amy turned beet-red. “I asked my hairdresser how much for a blow job.”
    “Wasn’t on special that day I take it?”
    “Blow jobs aren’t a service they offer apparently.”
      Celeste laughed. “Okay, point taken. Note to self, Amy would rather hit her head until unconscious than have any more kids.”
    “You’ve got it.” Amy looked toward the house. “You sure your folks said they wouldn’t be long at store when you spoke to them? They haven’t decided to run out on us since the last time they had the kids?”
    “Nope, from what I’ve heard Mom’s over insisting Ryan eat his vegetables.”
    “He puked you know.”
    Celeste smiled. “I know.” She tried not to laugh. “He puked in a restaurant, right in her lap.”
    Amy nodded. “He had the cheek to insist he told her carrots made him sick.”
    “They’re here,” Celeste said as her parents’ car pulled into the drive. “If you want them to hang around, don’t ask for a blow job anytime soon.”
    Amy smiled. “It’s a deal, but only if we both make an effort to check the oven for teddy bears, next time your dad volunteers to make brownies.”
    “Who was it?”
    “Chris. He thought the teddy would help his Papa with the cooking.”
    Celeste grinned. “Insurance job?”
    Amy nodded.
    “You gotta deal.”
    Getting out the car, Camille called out to them.
    Amy smiled. “You get the boys, I’ll get my in-laws.”
    Once they unloaded the Jeep and settled in the house, Fraser had gifts for the boys.
    “I’ve brought some kites back for the boys,” he said, showing Amy kites from large to small.
    “They look great,” Amy replied, pleased and grateful that Josh’s parents were such a thoughtful couple. Wherever they went, they always returned with wonderful gifts for their grandsons.
    “Kite flying was a childhood hobby of mine,” Fraser said, unraveling the string from a small kite. “I know these days kids are into everything hi-tech, but nothing can beat feeling the wind at your back and flying a kite high. What do you say boys, wanna go fly a kite?”
    As Ryan and Christopher whooped with excitement, Fraser encouraged everyone onto the beach.
    The afternoon was fun and passed quickly. Amy didn’t quite master kite flying, but enjoyed it anyway. Eventually, they decided to quit when the boys began squabbling, and the pups more than once brought them all crashing down.
    Back at the house, Amy was preparing the boys for a nap when Celeste mentioned to Camille she was going for a swim. Camille looked at Amy . “Why do you not go too?” she asked. “I will put the boys to bed.”
    Amy looked at Camille. “I thought you were cooking?” She raised her eyebrows teasingly. “Don’t tell me Fraser is cooking now?”
    Camille laughed. “Yes,” she replied. “We have now agreed on a barbecue, and Fraser can’t go wrong flipping a burger.”
    “I’m not so sure, Mom,” Celeste teased.
    “Go…now…both of you,” Camille said, smiling.
    Amy shrugged her shoulders and turning to Celeste asked, “Is that okay?”
    Celeste nodded.
    “Can we try the kites again?” Amy asked enthusiastically. “Let’s take the big kite. I’d like to give it another go.”
    Celeste smiled, and picked up the kite that Amy had difficulty with earlier. Together they strolled onto the beach.
    Removing her shorts, Celeste challenged. “First to swim to the buoy can forget eating Dad’s burgers and have takeout.”
    “You’re on,” Amy replied. Stripping off furiously, she raced after Celeste .
    After their swim, which Celeste won by a mile, she flew the kite demonstrating to Amy how easy it was.
    For the last two weeks, Celeste had worn her hair in a ponytail. Today was the first time she had worn it down.