Father’s Day
Summer 1976
Rollin and Jennifer set out early on Saturday for a sail
around
From time to time during the day, he actually let himself
forget about Cinnamon’s romantic weekend in
Obviously Cinnamon needed more and he supposed he could understand that on some level. What he didn’t understand why it was not with him. Everyone but their closest friends assumed it was Rollin who shied away from marriage, while it had always been Cinnamon’s decision not to make their arrangement formal. He had certainly proposed to her on several occasions over the years, only to be turned down again and again. He had to admit it hurt his pride. He sincerely felt it was their destiny to be together, but he was content to continue as they had for several years, unmarried but devoted to each other and their daughter. Or at least he had thought so until she began seeing Ted.
Was that really what she wanted? A doctor, two kids and weekend trips to medical conferences? To Rollin, it all seemed too conventional for Cinnamon, but maybe that’s where he had gone wrong. He very much wanted for the three of them to be a conventional family, but she had always rejected it but maybe it was just him she was rejecting. The thought of that hurt more than his pride…
Rollin and Jen arrived at the Collier’s about six Saturday night. Rollin could see Barney and his three children out in the back yard with Willy Armitage, Paula’s younger sister, Camille, and a man Rollin did not recognize.
Paula Collier was in her kitchen readying food for the cook-out. Rollin stuck his head in the front door and called out, “Hey, where’s the party?”
Paula yelled back from the kitchen, “I guess it’s here now! Come on in!”
Paula greeted Jennifer in the foyer and sent her directly out the back door with the rest of the children. She turned to Rollin with a kiss and pulled him through the house towards her kitchen, “Happy Father’s Day and Happy Birthday! How’s your weekend going?”
“Great! Jen loved sailing, I could hardly get her off the boat. It has been a pretty good birthday so far.”
“That’s good Rollin…” Paula knew the last few months apart had been hard on both Rollin and Cinnamon. “I’m glad you and Jen are spending time together.”
“Yeah…she’s a great kid, if I do say so myself.”
Paula laughed and handed him a beer out of the fridge.
“Who’s the little guy out back?”
“That would be Byron, Camille’s latest boyfriend. He’s actually the best one she’s had in a while. He works at the ACLU, and he’s not short, you men are just damn tall!”
With that they both laughed then Rollin got serious. He knew Paula and Cinnamon were close friends and thought she would be the best source of information on what was on Cinnamon’s mind with regard to their relationship and hers with Ted.
“So,” he started, taking a long drink of his beer, “I got to meet Ted on Friday….”
“You did? How was that?”
“Could have been worse…..Paula, what’s she doing with him?”
Paula sighed and put down the knife she was using to ice Rollin’s birthday cake. She had spoken to Cinnamon about this very subject only a week ago but wasn’t sure how much information to share with Rollin. Both were close friends of the Colliers and she only wanted to see both of them happy. It was just a shame that it didn’t seem like it was destined for them to be happy together.
“Rollin…she’s not trying to hurt you, she’s just trying to have a life. It’s very hard on her, raising Jen and you being away so much. She’s young, beautiful, intelligent….she needs to be something other than Jennifer’s mother.”
“So, is this guy what she wants? Just doesn’t seem like her type.”
“Why, because he’s not you?” Paula smiled, understanding how Rollin must feel seeing Cinnamon with someone else. “Rollin, he’s a very nice guy…”
Rollin took another long drink from his beer before responding dejectedly, “Yeah, so am I.”
Paula reached across the counter top and took a hold of Rollin’s hand. “Yes,
darlin’ you are, nobody’s saying that you’re not,
especially not Cinnamon.”
“So why him and not me? You know I’ve asked her to marry me enough times. Is it the money? He’s some rich doctor with a Jag…”
Paula interrupted, “You know it’s not that, Cinnamon can take care of herself. He’s very….” She paused, looking for the right words, “he’s very solid.”
“And I’m not.” He responded sharply, then softened, “Paula, does she still love me? ‘Cause I love her and I’m miserable like this.”
“I think you’d have to ask her that yourself. I think you two would both be a little better off if you weren’t so stubborn.” And with that she walked around the counter and hugged him.
The embrace was quickly interrupted when Barney walked through the back door with a plate of hot dogs.
“Damn Rollin, is nobody off limits to you?” Barney teased with reference to Rollin’s penchant for women. “And in my own house even!”
“Sorry Barn, I couldn’t resist.” Rollin beamed as he released Paula.
Rollin returned to Cinnamon’s house late Sunday evening with an exhausted Jennifer in his arms. Cinnamon met them at the door with a smile and walked with Rollin upstairs to put her to bed.
With Jennifer tucked in safely, Cinnamon turned to him as they reached the bottom stair. “Would you like a drink?” She asked.
“Sure.” He said with a smile.
He followed her to the living room as she moved to the bar to fix them each a drink. She joined him on the sofa, handing him a drink as she sat beside him. “Happy Birthday.” She said touching her glass to his.
“Thank you.” He said acknowledging her toast.
“Did Jen enjoy sailing?”
“She loved it. I could hardly get her off the boat.” He beamed, remembering their day.
“I knew she would.” She said returning his smile.
“We had a good time.” He pronounced relaxing into the sofa.
“You two always do.”
“And you?” He was almost afraid to ask. “How was your weekend?”
She looked at her glass. “Fine.” She said. She couldn’t tell him that Ted had proposed.
“Not a rousing review.” He observed, delighted by her lack of enthusiasm.
“It was a very pleasant weekend.” She said. “But Ted doesn’t understand everything about my life.”
“Like?”
“Like me needing to be away the rest of the summer with Jim.”
“Jim? Not Ted?”
“Jim.” She confirmed.
“Where to?”
“Lots of places.” She said, sipping her drink.
“For how long?”
“Till September.” She said.
“September?” He said, surprised at the length of
the trip.
She nodded. “It’s important.” She said earnestly.
“It always is.” He smiled.
“I was hoping you would stay with Jen.”
He looked at her sincerely. “You know I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
She gave him an appreciative look. “Thank you.”
He met her eyes, seeing her excitement there.
“What are you going to tell Jen about your trip?”
“The truth.” She said. “Well…almost.” She continued, correcting herself.
He smiled, he could see her enthusiasm and he knew she was happy to be back in the game. “It’s good to see you happy.” He said.
She smiled. “I’m getting there.”
He hoped she wasn’t referring to Ted. He set his glass aside. “I’d better get going.” He said rising from the sofa.
Her glass quickly joined his as she followed him. “You don’t have to go.” She said as he began to walk away.
He was surprised when she stopped him. “You said you’d stay while I’m away.”
“Yeah.” He said. “When are you leaving?” He inquired.
“Wednesday.”
“Wednesday!” He exclaimed.
She nodded.
He chuckled. “You’re certainly not wasting any time, are you?”
She laughed lightly, shaking her head. “Please stay.” She reached for his hand.
He grasped her hand in his. It was a simple gesture, but he wanted it to mean more. They had maintained a distance since April. They spoke regularly but only about Jennifer and her activities. “Cinnamon?” He asked, unsure.
She met his eyes. “Please Rollin.” She said. “The guest room is made up.”
His earlier delight was quickly replaced with disappointment. He released a tired sigh. “Sure… I’ll get my bag from the car.”
He opened the trunk of the car and took out his bag. He looked longingly back at the house. God he wanted her back. It was torture for him to not be with her. But how could he get her back when he was up against the rich playboy doctor. But he knew he was the one who had started them on the path they were on. Now she was leaving for an extended time, how could he win her back?
THE END
Betsy Nicholas
Elena Vorska
April 2002