Mothers Day
May 1974
The four year-old quietly opened the door to master bedroom for her father as he carried the breakfast tray to the bed where Cinnamon was still sleeping. Rollin and Jennifer, with Maria’s expert help, had been busy making a Mother’s Day breakfast for Cinnamon of Jennifer’s favorite Mickey Mouse pancakes. Rollin kneeled on the bed setting the tray beside her and gave his daughter a wink.
“Happy Mothers’ Day.” Jennifer called softly to her sleeping mother.
Cinnamon’s eyes blinked open to behold a sign that said in bold letters Happy Mother’s Day with three figures drawn beneath it.
“Good morning.” Cinnamon said opening her arms to her daughter, who bounded into bed with her. “It’s beautiful, Honey. Thank you.” Cinnamon said as Jennifer handed her the drawing as she climbed up to her. Cinnamon glanced over at Rollin as he steadied the tray. He gave her a smile and leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
“Mommy, Daddy and I made you breakfast.”
“You did.”
Jennifer nodded excitedly. “Maria helped too.”
“She did.”
Jennifer nodded again.
“It smells wonderful.”
Rollin handed her a glass of orange juice. “Here you are.”
Cinnamon smiled as she took the juice from his hand and their fingers grazed each other’s. Cinnamon thought back to just a few hours earlier when Rollin had awakened her with his own Mother’s Day treat for her.
Her eyes continued across the room to a vase of red roses that decorated the bedroom.
Jen moved over Cinnamon to the middle of the bed and Rollin placed the tray across Cinnamon.
“Let’s see what we have here. Some very pretty, expertly crafted Mickey Mouse pancakes and bacon. Looks delicious.”
“Go ahead Mom, Daddy and I ate downstairs.”
Cinnamon met Rollin’s eyes as he watched the two of them.
“Sure you won’t help me. I think you gave me Dad’s portion.”
Jennifer laughed. “Daddy said you might be hungry.”
Cinnamon raised her eyebrows at Rollin as she poured syrup on the pancakes. “He did.”
“And I told him that you needed a good breakfast because we were taking you to the park today.”
“You are?”
Jennifer nodded.
“Just what do you have in store for me, today?” Cinnamon asked, taking a small bite of her breakfast.
“We’re going to the park, the train museum, we’re gonna ride the carousal, we’re gonna have lunch, and maybe a movie.”
“My goodness, that sounds like a lot to do in one day.”
Rollin finally spoke up from where he sat watching their exchange. “Jen, I thought you were going to ask Mom what she’d like to do today.”
Jennifer looked at her father, then back at Cinnamon. “What would you like to do Mom?”
Cinnamon smiled at her daughter. “I would love to go to the park and ride the carousal with you. Maybe Maria would pack us a lunch and we could have a picnic.”
“Yea!” Jennifer exclaimed. “I’ll go ask Maria if she can fix us something.” She said, bouncing off the bed past Rollin.
Cinnamon chuckled as she hit the door, headed downstairs.
Rollin laughed with her as he watched their daughter go. He turned back to her. “Nicely done.” He said appreciatively.
Cinnamon smiled as he moved to stretch out beside her. “How’d we ever make a kid like that?” He mused.
Cinnamon looked over at him. “Just lucky, I guess.”
He touched his lips to hers. “Then I am the luckiest man in the world.”
Cinnamon smiled and touched his cheek, “I’m pretty lucky too.”
“Happy Mother’s Day, Sweetheart.”
He kissed her firmly and Jennifer threw open the door and ran inside. “She’ll make us a picnic.” She called as she jumped back on the bed, crawling up between them.
“Mom, you haven’t finished.”
“I know Honey. It’s just too much.”
“Can me and Dad help?”
Cinnamon smiled. “Sure.”
Cinnamon picked up her fork and offered a bite to Jennifer, who gobbled it up. Rollin reached for a piece of bacon.
“I thought you both ate.”
“We did.” He said, between bites.
She shook her head as she continued to feed Jennifer who was enjoying every bite.
“Hey, can I have some too.” Rollin asked.
Cinnamon cut him a bigger bite and served it to him as well.
He smiled as the fork came to his lips and Jennifer grabbed the last piece of bacon.
There was a soft knock at the door. “Come in.” Jennifer called out.
Maria slowly opened the door. “Good morning, Maria.” Cinnamon said as she stepped in the room.
“Good morning.” Maria said with a smile as she saw the threesome sharing breakfast. “Little one, you need to brush your teeth.”
Jennifer flopped on the bed, hanging her head upside down. “I know, but I had to help Mom finish breakfast.”
“Come along then.” Maria said. “We need to find you something to wear for your picnic.”
“Okay, Mom?”
Cinnamon nodded, “You run along with Maria. I need to get ready for my big day.”
Jennifer stood on the bed and jumped dramatically off toward the door.
“Oh Jennifer, do be careful.” Maria said coming forward to her.
She looked back at her parents and shook her head, and Maria pushed her through the door.
Rollin laughed at his daughter’s antics. “She’s going to be a comedienne.”
“What do you mean ‘going to be’?”
He plucked the tray from across her and set it on the foot of the bed. Cinnamon picked up Jen’s picture and laid it on her bedside table. He moved back beside her. “So, what else can I do to make Mother’s Day better for you.”
“It’s off to a pretty good start.”
He smiled, “Hmm, well let’s see maybe we can end the day like we started it.”
“I like that idea.”
He brought his face close to hers. “I’ll put it on the list.” He kissed her softly as she pulled him close. “Thank you.” She said as they parted.
He knew she meant for the morning, for breakfast and for Jennifer. “You’re welcome.”
An hour later they were packing the car with a picnic basket and blanket. Jennifer was excited to be going to ride the carousel. She’d been to the carousel once before and loved all the colorful horses. Cinnamon was looking forward to a relaxing day with her family and being doted on by the two of them. Rollin put the top down for the ride though the winding Hollywood Hills to Griffith Park. They stopped at the observatory to look out over the city. It was a beautiful Southern California day and you could almost see Catalina.
They arrived at the carousel and found it a bit crowded so Rollin suggested they have a walk to get ready for lunch Maria had packed. Jennifer ran ahead of them to the play area and Cinnamon took Rollin’s hand as they followed her.
“Happy?” He asked.
She nodded as she leaned against him as they walked.
They watched as Jennifer played on every piece of the playground equipment. She was a daredevil and several times Cinnamon called to her about being careful.
The crowd thinned at the carousel and Rollin purchased tickets for Jen and Cinnamon to ride.
“Daddy, aren’t you coming?” Jen asked.
“You ride with Mom. I’m gonna watch and take your picture.”
“Kay, Daddy.” Jennifer said looking up at him.
He handed Cinnamon the tickets and she and Jen moved to the turn of the century carousel with its brightly colored horses and calliope music. They selected horse side by side and Cinnamon helped Jennifer up on to the horse, then sidesaddled her own.
The carousel music began and they began moving. Rollin picked a spot where he could see them and get clear photographs of them. Jennifer was enjoying herself thoroughly as Cinnamon laughed at her daughter as she posed for Rollin pretending to ride the pony. Rollin watched them together, always amazed that he had helped create something so precious.
Jennifer jumped into her father’s arms as he waited for them. “That was terrific, Daddy!” She said using her father’s favorite word. “Can we go again?”
“In a little while.” He said holding her.
Cinnamon caught up with them. “I’m hungry.” She said to the twosome.
“Me too!” Jennifer announced.
“Let’s eat.” Rollin said, setting her to the ground.
Cinnamon took Jennifer’s hand. “We’ll go find a spot.”
“Okay.” He replied as he headed for the car and the provisions.
Cinnamon had seen a perfect spot for lunch. There was a large oak tree with plenty of shade just to the south of the playground.
Rollin joined them shortly and they spread the blanket out and Cinnamon served up sandwiches and goodies from the picnic basket. Both Jennifer and Rollin were fast eaters. That was something Cinnamon was trying to teach Jennifer, how to slow down. She had succeeded in convincing her of the one-hour rule before swimming after you eat rule, but that didn’t slow her down at the table.
Jennifer saw some other children playing on the playground, “Mom. Can I go play?”
Cinnamon looked over the situation.
“Mommy?”
Rollin moved up on his elbow, knowing Cinnamon didn’t like Jen too far out of reach. “I’ll go with you Jen. I’ll push you on the swings.”
“Kay, Daddy.” He kissed Cinnamon’s cheek. “Be back in a bit.”
She nodded as she watched them move off together. Jennifer reached up to take his hand as they walked. It was a perfect mother’s day.
Cinnamon leaned back and she watched Jennifer and Rollin playing together. She thought he was more her playmate than her father at times. They were so much alike.
She watched as Jennifer climbed higher on the monkey bars shouting “Look Daddy, no hands!”
Rollin was watching, but he couldn’t do anything when she lost her footing and fell into the sand below the bars.
Jennifer came up crying as her father’s hands reached for her. Cinnamon was at her daughter’s side a moment later, gathering her in her arms.
“Ssshh, honey, you’ll be okay.” Cinnamon tried to comfort the scared, crying child.
“Mom…Mommy.” Came her broken cry.
Rollin knelt beside them. “Are you hurt, kiddo?”
“My arm hurts, Daddy.” She got out though her sobs.
Cinnamon pulled Jen into her lap so they could have a look at her arm. She had only fallen six feet into soft sand but she landed on her hands.
Rollin gently palpitated the arm and Jennifer hollered when he touched her wrist. “OW!”
She cried.
Rollin stopped and met Cinnamon’s eyes. “Broken?” She mouthed to him.
He shook his head. “I don’t think so, but it is swelling a bit.”
Jennifer began to calm down with Cinnamon gently rocking her.
A tall black gentleman came forward through the small crowd of onlookers. “I’m a doctor. Would you like me to have a look?”
Cinnamon looked up into his kind eyes. “Please.”
Rollin moved aside to let the doctor assess the Jennifer’s wrist. “Let’s see here little girl, did you fall from way up there?”
“I didn’t mean too.” She choked out.
“I’m sure you didn’t. You have to be careful on these things.”
Jennifer nodded as she watched the doctor’s hands. His touch was gentle and Jennifer didn’t complain.
“It looks like just a sprain. But to be safe you might want to get an x-ray.” He explained.
Rollin nodded as the doctor stood beside him. “Yeah, we’ll take her to the hospital.”
Rollin extended his hand, “Thank you doctor…”
“Phillips. Ernest Phillips.”
Cinnamon looked up at him with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He patted Jennifer on the head. “You be careful from now on.”
“Yes sir.” She answered shyly.
Rollin squatted down beside them again. “Well, kiddo, looks like you have gotten yourself a trip to the hospital.”
“It doesn’t hurt that much Daddy.” Jennifer said, being brave.
“We need to make sure Honey.” Cinnamon answered.
“Why don’t you take her to the car and I’ll get our stuff.” He said.
Cinnamon nodded as he helped her to stand while she still held Jennifer.
He got them started for the car then sprinted to the tree and quickly gathered their picnic items. He met them at the car, throwing the things in the backseat and helping Cinnamon into the front seat.
They arrived at the Cedar Sinai Hospital Emergency Room. Jennifer insisted that she was not a baby and she could walk. Rollin followed them both through the door. It was thankfully not busy on this Sunday afternoon. Cinnamon went to the desk and was given paperwork to fill out. Rollin located seats for them and sat with Jennifer in his lap.
Cinnamon quickly finished the forms and returned them to the nurse. Cinnamon sat beside Jennifer and brushed her hair from her face. “You okay?” She asked.
“Yeah, Mom, it really doesn’t hurt much.”
“Well we’re here, so let’s let the doctor have a look.”
Cinnamon was never one to take chances, especially when it came to Jennifer. Rollin hugged her. “It won’t take long.”
Cinnamon looked over at the desk and the nurse waved to her to come back to the examination room. Rollin followed her eyes and pulled Jen into his arms. “Daddy. I can walk.”
“Okay.” He said letting her feet touch the floor.
Cinnamon and Rollin walked on either side of her as they followed the nurse to an exam room.
The nurse took down all the appropriate information about Jennifer’s fall and left them to wait. Rollin paced the small room as Cinnamon stood beside Jen who sat on the exam table.
A few minutes later the doctor appeared and examined Jen’s wrist. A quick x-ray proved him correct, it was only a sprain. He wrapped her wrist with an ace bandage and sent Jen home with her parents. He explained that they should see her pediatrician should it still be bothering her in a few days.
They thanked the doctor and took Jen home.
Maria was distressed when she saw Jen’s wrapped wrist. “Little one, what happened?”
“I fell off the monkey bars, Maria.”
“Are you alright?” She asked, kneeling beside her.
“It really doesn’t hurt that much.” She whispered.
Maria smiled at the child. “Good.”
Rollin stood with Cinnamon in the kitchen. “Honey, do you want to go upstairs?”
“No.”
“Are you sure, Sweetheart?”
Jen nodded and turned to Rollin. “Daddy, we didn’t finish Mommy’s day.”
Rollin smiled. “What else were we going to do?”
She moved closer to him and he kneeled down and she whispered. “Dinner.”
Rollin smiled. “Oh that’s right. Maria?”
Maria smiled. “Everything is ready.”
Cinnamon looked the co-conspirators. “What is ready?”
Jen smiled up at her mother. “We made a special dinner for you.”
Cinnamon smiled. “And just when did you do that?”
Jen looked up at her Mom. “We had a little help from Maria.”
Cinnamon chuckled. “I bet.”
“Actually it was Jennifer’s idea.” Maria added.
“Oh?” She said looking at Jen.
“I wanted us have a special dinner for you. We can all dress up.”
Cinnamon smiled. “Just how formal is this?”
“I want to wear my special dress.”
“Ok.” She said looking at Rollin.
“Come along little one. Let’s go get you ready for dinner.”
Jen took Maria’s hand and left Cinnamon and Rollin.
Cinnamon leaned against Rollin. “You had something to do with this.”
Rollin smiled and pulled her against him. “No. It was all Jen’s doing.”
An hour and half later, they were dressed and sat down to a four-course dinner that Maria had lovingly prepared. All the courses were Cinnamon’s favorites. As Maria served coffee, Jennifer yawned.
“Tired, Sweetheart?” Cinnamon asked.
“No.”
Rollin smiled at their daughter. “We’re had a pretty big day, kiddo, you should be.”
“Did you have fun today Mommy?”
“Sweetie, I have had a wonderful Mother’s Day, thanks to you.” She said setting down her coffee cup.
Jennifer smiled brightly.
“How is your arm feeling?” Cinnamon asked.
“It only hurts a little.”
“Do you want an aspirin?”
She shook her head. “No ma’am.” She said as she yawned again.
“Come on kiddo. Let’s get you to bed.” Rollin said.
He rounded the table.
“No Daddy.” Jen said.
He squatted beside her chair. “Sweetheart, it’s been a long day.”
“But I want to stay up.”
Cinnamon looked at Jen. “It’s late Jen.”
Jen looked at the table.
“We could all read some more of Winnie the Pooh. Would you like that?” Rollin offered.
Jen’s eyes lit up. “Yeah!”
Cinnamon agreed knowing that Jen wouldn’t last long and she followed as Rollin carried Jen upstairs.
Jen quickly changed for bed, brushed her teeth and slid beneath the covers. He let Cinnamon began reading and took his turn when he saw Jen’s eyes getting heavy. Cinnamon brushed Jen’s hair back from her face.
Rollin’s hushed tones slowly faded as he watched Jen sink deeper into sleep. He marked the place in the book and closed it. He kissed Jen’s forehead as he rose from beside her. Cinnamon did the same and together they left her to sleep.
In the master suite, Cinnamon stood on the balcony, watching the steam rising from the pool. Rollin wrapped his arms about her from behind. “It was a good day.” He asked, kissing her ear.
“Yes.” She answered leaning back against him.
“She scared me Rollin, falling like that.”
“She’s fine, Honey. She’s tough too, just like her mother.”
“I’m not as tough as I used to be.”
He turned her to him. “Since when?”
She smiled, but didn’t answer him
“Come on, let’s go for a swim.” He asked.
“Hmm. I thought I still had something to look forward to.”
He grinned. “You do.” He kissed her softly and his hands moved down her arms, causing her to shiver.
Her eyes met his. “Come on, I’ll get you a robe.”
They made their way quietly to the pool. Rollin turned off the pool lights and met Cinnamon by the edge of the pool. She pulled her robe from her shoulders and laid it aside. She moved her nude body down into the warm water. Rollin couldn’t help but smile as he watched her. His robe joined hers and he followed her in.
She let the water surround her head as he moved toward her. “This was a good idea.” She said.
His hands moved to her hips. “Yes it was.”
She smiled as her hands went to his shoulders. “Thank you for today.”
“It was all your daughter’s doing.”
“The first part wasn’t.” She said with a sultry smile.
He smiled, “I contribute where I can.”
She pulled him to her and kissed him. “And you do it well.”
Their kiss quickly became more passionate as he held her.
She parted from him and looked up at the stars overhead. “A beautiful night.” She said bringing her legs up and floating onto her back.
He watched as her breasts appeared above the water line. One hand went underneath her, supporting her in the water.
“You look good enough to eat.”
Her eyes met his. “Oh?”
He kissed her gently. “I’ll sink.” She said.
“I’ve got you.” He moved his hand down her leg, barely touching her.
She closed her eyes and relaxed.
He kissed her shoulder and trailed kissed down her arm. His fingers teased her breast and moved slowly down her torso.
She arched toward his hand.
“Darling.”
“Hmm.” He answered focusing on his task as his hand found her and she sighed as his fingers stimulated her.
She turned her face to him and he kissed her.
He increased the pressure of his hand against her. She broke off the kiss. “Oh…” She called.
He kissed her again as she convulsed. She broke away for air. “Rollin.”
She began to sink and reached for him. He pulled her into his arms and toward the edge of the pool.
He kissed her as she wrapped her arms about his neck.
He smoothed her hair back. “How come we haven’t done this before?”
“No heat before.”
He nodded as his back rested against the edge of the shallow end of the pool. His lips grazed her neck and his hands went to her bottom pulling her slowly upwards.
She wrapped her legs about his knees as he supported them both against the pool. She held onto his shoulders. He eased her down guiding himself into her as he tried to steady them both. She clung to him as they connected. “Just how do you propose we do this?” She asked.
“Slowly.”
She kissed him firmly and his hips moved against hers.
“My turn.” She said as she began to move on him. It was an achingly slow pace for Rollin, as he was trying to keep them together and balanced.
His lips found her breasts as her head went back and she steadied herself with the edge of the pool.
“Cin.” He called.
Her motion increased as the water lapped around them.
His hands squeezed her backside as he pressed into her. “Oh Honey…” He called as he came.
Cinnamon was with him. She pulled his head against her chest as her motion wound down.
He opened his eyes and met her lips tenderly.
Her eyes met his. “All things considered, I think I prefer land.”
He smiled and kissed her again as she disengaged herself from him. He pulled her close.
She took his hand to lead him to the stairs of the pool.
“There’s always the pool table.” He said as they donned their robes.
She turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “Reading my mind again?”
He grinned and slipped his arm about her waist. “Could be.”
THE END
Elena Vorska
January 2002