WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND

WELCOME TO THE WEEKEND

Matt and Ivy

By Michael Martin

Matt slowly eased his car into the driveway and killed the engine. He smiled at the thought of the rest of the evening, glancing at the red Suzuki Swift resting peacefully on its 17 inch rims. “Boy she’s early today” he thought to himself as he gathered his belongings and walked the short graveled path to their front door. The Zen garden which he so loved he barely gave a glance to, hurrying as he was, it was a Friday, and sure it went all crazy just thirty minutes before he promised to do a hard stop, he was able to close it out. The work week is done, his Client happy, his Company quiet, and Matt on his driveway at six o’ clock sharp.

The television was off and the couch was immaculate in its black leather, new magazines and what looked like new books in a table beside the couch. There was no sign of activity during the day other than that. He took a couple of steps out into the hall and listened for noise near the stairs. Only a restful quiet greeted him. He didn’t notice a frown growing in his face, his jaw muscles clenching and a pout forming in his lips. Some weekend this is. He sauntered into the living room and was greeted with the same silence. “Kroatoan” was playing in his mind. He thought of turning around to change his clothes and felt the stronger pull of wanting to search the house first before doing so. Then a thought occurred to him. “What if - ?”

He slowly spun around, and killed the lights off as he passed them: dining room, hallway, stairs, and living room. He then went back and lit the light at the stairs again, noisily climbing up this time and opened all the lights in the master’s bedroom. Then he took his shoes off and hastily bounded down the stairs and out the front door. Catching his breath, he slowly traversed the left side of his house, his shoulder glued to the wall. There was a good five meters from the wall to the fence, but he took no chances. An evil grin was on his face, his eyes lit up with anticipation.

As he neared the edge, he slowly took a peek. Just as he thought, beside the pool and hunched behind the cabana, were Ivy, Carlitos and Isabel. The household helps and their driver were there too. They were exchanging glances and trying to keep the two toddlers from giving whatever they were planning away. Carlitos and Isabel were so excited that they literally looked like they were tensed springs as they crouched. He went down on his haunches, really worked up now. Crawling slowly to where they were, he was just not noticed in the middle of their anticipation. He finally reached them, and leaning over, he whispered: “Who are we waiting for?”

Carlitos answered: “Dada”

He asked again: “We are waiting for me?”

He was watching Carlitos intently and saw the boy mouth a “Yes” and then began to stiffen up. His smile was wide on his face as he watched his son slowly turn, awareness dawning in his wide eyes.

“Dada! You cheater! You were supposed to go through the door!” Carlitos screamed as he jumped his dad, simultaneous with the surprised exclamations of the household. He rolled on his back and embraced the boy, chest to chest as he laughed like a bear. Isabel squealed “Dada!” and leapt to his arms as well. Tears were in his eyes from laughing as the kids mussed him up. Then he heard a familiar voice in his ear, as lips grazed his cheek. “Welcome home Dada.” It was Ivy’s sultry voice welcoming him home, completing his universe and making life worth living.