Just Visiting

Jeffrey Everett // 45 // father // husband

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

“Are you?” Tara asked, feeling slightly grateful for the change in subject, “And why is that?”

“I guess maybe it’s just being alone. I don’t see the point in decorating for myself.”

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

“Honestly, she probably doesn’t think either of us did,” she agreed, feeling a slight pain in her chest once again.

“I’m feeling very Grinchy this Christmas.” Jeff admitted, trying to change the subject.

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

Tara sighed, knowing that she had just hit a sore spot yet again with him. “You still raised her.”

Jeff gave her a look. “I’m sure she doesn’t think I did.”

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

“Comes with the territory of having a boy,” she smiled softly. “Have you thought about what you’re going to get Nina?”

“You know, I haven’t really found the perfect gift for the daughter you find out isn’t yours.”

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

“Oh yeah, how could I forget,” she grimaced, “I still get haunted by those smells sometimes.”

Jeff winced, shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

“That’s right,” she laughed, recalling the memory, “I think we only found out when we found the pieces hiding in his laundry basket.”

“Along with all those socks you had to throw away.” Jeff laughed.

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

“I remember,” she laughed, recalling their hasty shopping, “Remember that one year we got Brad that portable CD player even though we got him one the year before?”

Jeff laughed. “But then it ended up working out because he hadn’t wanted to tell us that he’d broken the other one.”

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

“Unfortunately, no. I thought finding it might be easier than this, but I was obviously wrong. Might have to order it online.”

“You and I always use to run out last minute and grab a shit gift from the airport.” He mused.

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

“I had hoped so,” she replied, offering him a gentle smile, “I just wasn’t sure. But I’m glad we are. You managed to find that book yet for Nina?”

Jeff nodded, returning her smile. “No, I haven’t been able to find it yet.  Are you having any luck?”

[jeffrey-everett]

tara-everxtt​:

Tara laughed lightly under her breath as she was pulled in for a hug. “I thought I might have been.” Their last interaction hadn’t been as pleasant as she had might have hoped and she was sure that the last thing he would have wanted was to see her.

“I thought we were okay...” Jeff admitted, looking at her.  He knew the last time they’d seen each other in person it had been kind of terrible but their text had gone okay. 

[tara-everxtt]

@secretsummerstarters​

Tara had a lot of extra free time on her hands now that she had put in her retirement paperwork so she figured she would go shopping for Christmas gifts. She wasn’t sure what she was going to get yet for anyone, but browsing didn’t hurt. She was looking in one of the shop windows when she spotted someone coming out of the corner of her eye. “Am I in your way?” she asked, getting ready to step out of the way for them.

[jeffrey-everett]

Jeffrey gave her a look when she asked if she was in his way.  “Even if you were, I would never say that to you.” He offered, giving her a small smile as he moved to pull her into a hug.

[jeffrey-everett]

ruth--rosenberg​:

“I’ll have a gin and tonic.”

Jeffrey nodded, ordering their drinks. “So on a scale of one to ten how much do you not want to talk about being a twin?”

[jeffrey-everett]

ruth--rosenberg​:

“Nice little dig there about me being old.“I obviously didn’t mean it like that.” Ruth laughed.

“Sure you didn’t.” Jeff chuckled softly. “What are you drinking?”

[jeffrey-everett]

text || Tara

Tara: That she did. I think that would be a wonderful gift idea.

Tara: Think you could find the one she used to love?

Jeff: Hopefully. But I don't know if she would even remember that.

[jeffrey-everett]

text || Tara

Tara: Wouldn't dream of it

Tara: Have you thought about what you're going to get them?

Jeff: I was thinking maybe a book. I know Nina liked being read to.

[jeffrey-everett]

text || Tara

Tara: Ha, not really

Tara: Makes me think of the evil stepmother from Cinderella

Jeff: Just don't make them scrub your floors and I think you'll be okay.

[jeffrey-everett]

text || Tara

Tara: I'm not so sure about that, although your thinking so does make me feel a bit better about being both a grandmother and in my forties.

Jeff: I mean, does step grandmother make it better?