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    Family Recipe
    Family Recipe
    Family Recipe
    Ebook156 pages2 hours

    Family Recipe

    By Carol Kehlmeier

    ()

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    About this ebook

    •1 cup Memme
    •2 siblings, equal portions
    •3 separate 1/4cup of various husband
    •3 assorted grandchildren
    •2 specially selected grandchildren
    •1 patient husband
    •2 unusual wives
    •1 ex-wife
    •Sprinkling of newly found sister
    Mix 1⁄2 cup Memme and 1 siblings together in 2 separate bowls. To 1 bowl add 1 unusual wife. Separate 2nd Memme mix into 3 bowls and add 1⁄4 cup of various husband to each. It gets complicated from this point so sit and have a glass of wine...
    Families are made of different ingredients. Oddities, Misunderstandings, Kindness, Problems, Love, Secrets. They meander, get stirred up, and develop flavors that somehow go together. Not every family is a soap opera of grand events, but they all have their own list of ingredients. This novel won’t transport you to a land of fantasy, it won’t bring the end of the world. What it does bring is an intimate look into the people that make up one family’s recipe.
    In “Family Recipe” Carol Kehlmeier does what she does best–creating and developing characters you will recognize, question and want to...well, send to their rooms. From womanizing Joel, the apple of his grandmother's eye to timid Annabelle whose kindness and no nonsense view of life captured the love of his half-brother Kirk, the members of this family intertwine. Each brings their own view and experiences and while often complete opposites, they somehow triumph over the secrets, innuendos and trials of their lives, individually and collectively as a family.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherWoolysWagon ePublishing
    Release dateNov 14, 2016
    ISBN9781370331574
    Family Recipe
    Author

    Carol Kehlmeier

    Carol Kehlmeier is an extremely talented creator of characters. Whether set in the 1950's or today her characters move you, resonate with you and sometimes exasperate you. Regardless, they always ring true and never contrived. A former newspaperwoman and columnist her freelance work, both fiction and non fiction, has appeared in magazines, web sites, ebooks, newspapers, and anthologies. Her work has also been recognized at writers’ gatherings. She writes from Westerville, Ohio. Strawberry Season Stick Figures Real Treasures I Wanted to Write a Song A Christmas Medley http://woolyswagon.com/CarolKehlmeier.html Please write to Carol Kehlmeier and let her know what you thought about her book. Thank You! CarolKehlmeier@woolyswagon.com

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      Book preview

      Family Recipe - Carol Kehlmeier

      Dedication

      To big and small, traditional and blended families everywhere.

      Chapter One

      Have you talked to Joel lately, Mom? Sandi looked up over her coffee cup.

      As a matter of fact, I have. Linda smiled.

      He has a new girlfriend, Sandi said in her whiny sing song voice.

      But he was so heartbroken over Pam. How’d he find another one so fast?

      You know how he is, Mom. He can’t get along without a woman, one woman after another. She groaned.

      Linda shrugged. I don’t understand that boy.

      Boy? Mom, he’s fifty!

      Fifty-one.

      Sandi clicked her tongue. One failed marriage and I can’t count how many women he’s had. She pushed her long straight auburn hair behind her ears. I just don’t understand him. She lifted her hands to examine her fingernails. He just uses women for sex.

      You don’t know that.

      Sandi stood. Sure I do. She reached for the coffee pot. That’s what he told Cliff.

      Linda’s eyebrows furrowed.

      Why don’t you talk to him about that?

      He’s a grown man. He makes his own choices.

      Sandi topped off her mother’s coffee, then her own. Mom, don’t you ever wonder about the baby girl?

      A queasy sensation surfaced from the pit of Linda’s stomach.

      I always liked Connie. Sandi replaced the coffee pot. She liked to grow flowers like Memme did. Too bad they weren’t married long enough for her to have a flower garden. Memme was anxious to help her, I remember.

      Actually, I liked all his girls. Linda’s voice turned raspy. I have to admit I liked Connie the best. She stared into her coffee. He said he’d be by later this week.

      With his new girl?

      He didn’t say. She shrugged.

      Did he say how old she is? Sandi tipped her head back and stared at the ceiling.

      I didn’t ask.

      If he’d stop chasing babies maybe he’d find a woman. How old was Pam? In her twenties?

      He likes younger women.

      That’s so he’ll feel younger. Sandi shook her head slowly. And it’s all about sex.

      Linda bit her lip, waiting for the queasiness to fade.

      Well, I’ll tell you now, sex isn’t enough. When the bills need paid and the car breaks down sex isn’t the answer. Sandi groaned. He‘s just self centered and doesn’t want to commit to a lasting relationship.

      He thought he had one with Connie. Linda looked up. I don’t think he ever got over her.

      Mom! That’s been over twenty-five years. She got over it. She remarried and had a horde of kids.

      I think he still loves her.

      Joel doesn’t love anybody except Joel. Sandi wrinkled up her nose, stood, and headed for the door.

      Linda followed.

      I’m going to stop by Memme’s sometime soon. She kissed her mother on the cheek.

      Me too, Linda called after her. Be careful. She waved as Sandi slid into her Honda and drove away.

      Linda stopped to look in the hall mirror and pat her well styled hair before returning to the kitchen. She poured another cup of coffee and thought about Joel, her first born. Sandi upset her the way she talked about him and her whininess was so irritating. So what if he liked younger women. He was handsome, charming, took them to nice places, and treated them well. If only the marriage to Connie would have worked out, everything would be different.

      The queasiness had all but disappeared.

      ***

      Joel opened his wallet and counted the bills, enough to take Abby to dinner. He returned his wallet to the inside pocket of his sport jacket, smoothed out his lapels and stepped in front of the mirror. He didn’t look his age. His hair was still blond with no signs of grey. The face cream he applied twice daily had succeeded in preventing many age lines. He stood sideways and looked at his slim build. Under those stylish clothes was muscle. He had made up his mind he would not become a pudgy old man. He smiled in the mirror knowing he had not become bald and potbellied. All those trips to the gym were worth it. His body was still in great shape.

      The telephone rang interrupting his self admiration. Hello, he said in his soft, low voice.

      Joel, this is Abby.

      Yes, honey, I’m just leaving to pick you up.

      Well, don’t. I can’t go with you. Sorry.

      Why? What happened? Are you sick?

      Well, no. Remember I told you about Alex?

      Joel swallowed hard. Yes, your old boyfriend.

      Well, he’s back, so I can’t go with you. Sorry. There was a soft click.

      Joel stood staring into the receiver before he replaced it softly. He proceeded to the kitchen and took a wine bottle from the rack. I’ll go visit Mom, he said.

      ***

      Joel! I didn’t expect you! Glad you stopped by. And I see you brought a bottle of wine. Is it the good stuff? Linda kissed his cheek.

      Mom! Would I ever bring anything but the good stuff? He grinned.

      It’s Saturday night, I figured you’d have a hot date. She took two wine glasses from the cupboard.

      Well, maybe later.

      Linda handed him the cork screw.

      How’s things? He asked as he popped out the cork.

      She sat opposite him at the kitchen table. Fine. Sandi was by earlier.

      What tragedy did she have to whine about today?

      She seemed okay.

      I just feel sorry for poor old Cliff. He poured the wine. He’s stuck with her.

      He seems happy. Linda raised her glass.

      Yea, he said, sighing cynically. There was a soft clink as they touched their glasses together.

      I hear you have a new girlfriend.

      Now where’d you hear that?

      Linda shrugged.

      What about you, Mom? A new beau?

      Joel, you know I’m finished with men.

      He looked at his mother. She was still very attractive. She kept her hair honey colored and always wore makeup. She managed to keep her slim figure and hadn’t grown plump like many older women.

      Mom, you could still get a man. He sipped his wine.

      That last one you introduced me to was a bit much.

      He was an ex football player, Mom. And he liked you.

      He was much too young for me. And all he talked about was football. She sipped her wine. I’m done with men.

      You’ve said that before.

      I mean it this time.

      You’ve said that before too.

      Now, tell me about your new girl. Linda settled back in the chair.

      There’s no new girl, Mom. He stood and went to the window and looked at the well-manicured lawn. You have someone to cut the grass?

      You know the condo guys do that.  Why are you changing the subject?

      He turned to face his mother. There’s no new girl, he said through a forced smile.

      Okay. How’s your job? Can we talk about that? Selling any houses?

      Yes. Things are going well. Thanks.

      I hope you’re putting money back for retirement.

      Mother!  His voice grew louder.

      Well, don’t get angry, you never was one to save money. You’re like your father. By the way, have you heard from him?

      He returned to his chair. He called last week. He’s fine. Loves California.

      I’m glad he’s happy, she said sarcastically. She held her glass up and moved it in a circular motion to observe the wine spin. She chuckled. Your father always bought that cheap stuff.

      He’s a jerk.

      She looked up into her son’s face. You look like him. And your mannerisms are like his.

      Mom! That’s a terrible thing to say.

      You were born that way. You can’t help it. That’s just the way it is.

      He poured more wine. He’s on his fifth wife and I think she’s about to leave him. He groaned. He’s a jerk. He paused. By the way he said you are the only woman he really ever loved. He chuckled. For whatever that’s worth.

      He probably says that to all his wives. Tom and I were just too young when we married.

      You were pregnant.

      Well, that too. Linda recalled the anger of her father when he learned seventeen year old Linda was pregnant. He hadn’t liked Tom from the first time he saw him and didn’t want Linda to date him, but she continued to see him. After they married Tom found a job on a labor crew and her father allowed the young couple to live with them until Joel was born.

      Well, what’s new in your life? Joel asked.

      Linda raised her eyebrows and shrugged. I’m thinking of a part time job.

      Ye gad, Mom, why? He raised his eyebrows.

      Something to do and I could always use an extra dollar or two.

      You’ve had some whacky ideas before, but this one takes the prize.

      I was in that little card shop the other day and they had a help wanted sign in the window. I put in an application. She shrugged.

      So, you’re going to be a Hallmark girl? He grinned and sipped his wine. Will you pass out those little round gold stickers for envelopes? He laughed.

      Linda glared at him angrily.

      He cleared his throat and changed the subject. Tell me about weird Sandi. Still problems at work?

      She really didn’t talk about it.

      Knowing she’s just a half sister makes it easier for me to take. She’s nuts. He ran his finger around the rim of his glass.

      Joel!

      Well, she is.

      She’s different. Linda frowned at Joel.

      Well, was she born that way? He gritted his teeth. I wish she’d cut that long hair of hers. She looks like a witch. He grinned. All she needs is a broom.

      Why are you so critical of her? Cliff seems happy enough and she’s kept this same job for years.

      I’m not critical of her. It’s the truth. He sipped his wine. Thank God she never had kids. They’d be as nutty as she is.

      Linda swallowed hard. It would be nice to have a child in the family.

       Heard from Kirk? He glanced at his mother’s wrinkled hands. They seemed to be the only telltale of her age.

      Not for awhile, but you know how busy he is on his job. He travels all over.

      Yea, he loves that because he’s not home much with that wife of his. Why’d he ever marry her?

      "There’s

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