Weeds in the Garden of Love (7 page)

“
Sounds good,” Craig said. “I have just one question.”

“
What is it?”

“
Would you hire me?”

“
Aww, sweetheart,” she said. “This is for both of us.”

Craig smiled, but he knew the agency would, for all intents and purposes, belong to her. Nevertheless, he would be content to work at the agency and support Chrissie completely. This was the role he felt destined to play in her life. He didn’t mind.

Craig Andrews was raised right. His parents taught him marriage was a partnership for life. From their example, Craig learned a relationship could survive anything if two people truly love each other. He told his college buddies: “When you’re married—you’re married, no matter what; sickness, health, richer or poorer and all that stuff.” Those weren’t simply words to Craig. He genuinely believed it.

Chrissie was pregnant with Robbie when the deal to purchase that small real estate firm was finalized. She renamed the company Towercrest Realty. Chrissie wanted to launch her business with a new name. Craig did everything possible to help her. He obtained his real estate license and worked long hours at Towercrest.

It seemed perfectly natural for Craig to take an active role in Chrissie’s pregnancy. He attended prenatal classes with her in the evening and read every book about labor and delivery that she read. They did everything together: practiced abdominal breathing, wallpapered the nursery and toured the hospital maternity ward. Craig could hardly wait to be her birth coach during delivery. He could hardly wait to be a dad.

Robbie’s birth was not easy for Chrissie. She hadn’t anticipated the physical toll of thirty hours of labor. At first, she maintained control with abdominal breathing. As the hours passed, she experienced increasing difficulty as the contractions became stronger and closer together. Transition was so intense it almost defeated her. Craig and the case room nurse worked in unison to reassure and comfort her. Chrissie’s stubborn determination prevailed. In the end, it was all worthwhile when Chrissie held her beautiful newborn son in her arms.

Craig proved to be a great birth coach. He gave her ice chips, wet facecloths and rubbed her lower back until his hands cramped. Chrissie would sing his praises for years to come. Craig didn’t care about the accolades. He was a proud father. He had a son.

Now, with a baby at home they decided it was time to buy a house. Chrissie found exactly what they looking for in a new development called Botsford Downs. The brochure was titled: “Botsford Downs – A Family Place” and it was. The community appeared to be an ideal place to raise a family. The developer’s plan was marvelous having included plenty of schools, sports grounds, parks and a recreation center.

They moved in when Robbie was barely one. The house they chose was modest, but they up-graded the carpeting, fixtures and appliances. All the basic two-storeys in the
development looked the same
.
They hoped upgrading would make theirs different. Their house did stand out. It was the only white stucco two-storey with custom black shutters and upgraded windows. The cedar shake roof and black asphalt driveway looked terrific. They did all the landscaping with the help of a plan designed by a professional. His ideas were unique and exactly what Chrissie wanted. Craig and Chrissie spent hours working on their yard. Robbie watched from his playpen as they leveled the topsoil for the lawn and planted shrubs, trees and hedges.

One Saturday, a flatbed truck delivered the sod. Even with the help of their neighbors, it took all afternoon to lay it. To thank everyone, Craig and Chrissie hosted a cookout on their driveway. The liquor and beer flowed freely. Several impromptu runs to the liquor store were made during the course of the evening. The event turned into a street party. It continued well into the wee small hours of the morning.

Well—for some it did.

CHAPTER SEVEN

POINT X

Craig and Chrissie both worked hard to make Towercrest Realty a success. Even after Robbie was born, Chrissie continued to be the driving force behind the business. Craig quickly learned the real estate business and became an accomplished salesperson. When they weren’t at Towercrest they spent their spare time on the finishing touches that make a house feel like a home.

One evening, Craig had finished the supper dishes and was in his favorite easy chair reading the newspaper. Chrissie had put Robbie to bed and was busy crocheting. She glanced over at Craig.
I can’t hold it in any longer. He’s going to be so excited.
Chrissie decided to tease him a little.
“Sweetheart, do you think we could build an office in the basement?”

“
Sure.” Craig peered out from behind his newspaper. “But we already have one, upstairs in the spare bedroom.”

Chrissie tried not to smile. “That’s going to be Heather’s room.”

“
Who’s Heather?”

“
Your daughter. She’ll be here sometime this spring.”

Craig jumped out of his chair, pulled Chrissie off the couch and gave her a kiss and a huge hug. He leaned back and looked into those beautiful brown eyes. “How long have you known?”

“
I was pretty sure I was pregnant so I snuck over to see Dr. Wilstead today. She confirmed it. Of course, I don’t know if it’s a Heather or a Hedley, but I know we both want a baby girl.”

“
I don’t care what it is, as long as it’s healthy! This is amazing! I love you so much!”

A few weeks later, Craig was in the baby’s room finishing a custom shelf unit in the closet. He heard Chrissie come in the front door and called her to come upstairs to see the finished product. Chrissie was beaming. She was always beautiful but even more so when she was pregnant. She glowed, the life inside her lit up her face. She applauded Craig’s handiwork and decided they should paint the room a pale yellow. “I think both Hedley and Heather would approve.” Chrissie giggled. Craig had never seen her happier.

Towercrest Realty had become one of the top real estate firms in the city with a reputation as an honest, hardworking company. Sales were booming, and the agency was growing in every sense of the word. They doubled their office space with a newly completed addition to the main floor. It was redecorated, and all twenty realtors had new desks and the latest telephones. They had excellent administrative and support staff. Some of the employees had been with Craig and Chrissie since the beginning and were like family.

Chrissie’s pregnancy went off without a hitch, as did her labor and delivery. She was having strong contractions when Joe and Olivia arrived to take Robbie to their place. Craig wasted no time whisking Chrissie off to the hospital. She gave birth to a baby girl within two hours of their arrival. Heather was pink, healthy and perfect. Craig held her when she was only a few minutes old. He delighted in her sweet face, her rosebud lips and her tiny hands and feet. She was the most beautiful baby he had ever seen. It was love at first sight.

Chrissie went back to work almost immediately. They hired Rita Angara as a housekeeper and nanny. Rita was from the Philippines, single and in her twenties. She moved in and quickly became a trusted member of their household. She absolutely loved both the children.

Rita soon faced a dilemma. She had learned a family secret. She wasn’t sure what to do. If she told, she could be fired—remaining silent might have tragic consequences. She had met some fellow Filipino nannies in the park, and they had become friends. She discussed her predicament with them. They all agreed she had no choice. She had to tell. Rita prayed for the courage. She was fond of Craig and believed he was a kind and loving man. Rita put her trust in him and finally told him what she had witnessed.

“
Mr. Craig. I have something I need to tell you, but I don’t want to get Mrs. Chrissie in trouble.”

“
What is it, Rita?”

“
Please, Mr. Craig, understand, I only tell you this because I am worried about the children.”

Craig was determined to get to the bottom of this. “What about the children? What is it?”

“
It’s about their safety. I’m afraid something bad will happen to them.”

Craig had a sick feeling in his stomach. His parental instincts had kicked in. If his children were in danger, he had to protect them. “The children’s safety? What about their safety?”

“
Please don’t tell Mrs. about this,” Rita said.

“
I promise, Rita. Chrissie will never know you told me.”

“
Well  Mr. Craig. I know if you say you promise not to tell Mrs., I know you won’t. I have seen Mrs. have some drinks in the morning—sometimes, and then she drives Robbie in the car.”

“
Do you mean alcohol, Rita?”

“
Yes, Mr. Craig.”

Chrissie normally drives Robbie to playschool, Craig thought. I can’t believe she would drink and drive, especially with him in the car. “Are you sure, Rita?”

Rita was nervous and her voice was quivering. “Absolutely sure, Mr. Craig. She puts vodka into her orange juice. I see her do that, many times. She keeps it in the kitchen cupboard. I’m only afraid she will crash with Robbie in the car. I do not wish to get Mrs. into trouble.”

“
It’s okay. You did the right thing.”

Rita was relieved Craig understood. She thanked him and went to her room.

Craig remembered Olivia’s words: “If drinking is causing a problem in your life, you may have a drinking problem.”
May
have a problem
?
T
here is no “may” here. If Chrissie is
drinking in the morning, she definitely has a problem.
Craig considered calling Olivia but changed his mind.
It would upset her,
and I have no real proof.
I’ll handle this myself.

* * *

Chrissie was aware she was drinking more than normal. She attributed it to stress at work. She vowed to cut back once this busy season was over
.
Chrissie had never been able to cut back before but told herself this time would be different. It wouldn’t.

It is never different until the alcoholic admits they have a problem. That’s why admitting you are powerless over alcohol is the first step of the A.A. program. It’s also the biggest step towards recovery.

Most of us, at some point in our life, meet a drinker like Chrissie; able to drink you under the table and still drive you home. She began experimenting with alcohol at age thirteen when she swiped bourbon from her father’s liquor cabinet. From the first swig, she had a higher tolerance for alcohol than her girlfriends. They would be either passed out or throwing up, while she was looking for more to drink. In college, she loved to party but rarely, if ever, got drunk. She was always among the last to leave.

In the early years of their marriage, Craig and Chrissie drank socially. Like most of her fellow expectant girlfriends, Chrissie drank during her pregnancies. She enjoyed her evening cocktail after work, and wine with meals was a must. When the kids were older, Craig and Chrissie’s drinking slowly escalated. Social drinking was the norm for everyone in their circle of friends whether they gathered for neighborhood barbeques, BYOB pool parties or pizza after their kids’ soccer games.

Chrissie’s consumption had always surpassed Craig’s. He was well aware he could not keep up to her. By the time Craig was ready to leave a party, Chrissie was only getting started. They would argue, and Craig would leave. Everyone knew Craig would eventually leave without her. It was normal. Chrissie would tell her friends: “Why should I leave? He’s the one who wants to go. I don’t have to. Besides, I’m having fun.”

The next day, she and Craig would usually have a big blowout about her drinking. Most of their fights were. It was futile. Chrissie didn’t care what he thought. In fact, she was too far along the slippery slide to alcoholism to care what anyone thought.

* * *

Craig turned the house upside down searching for Chrissie’s secret stash of liquor. He looked in every hiding place imaginable. He even checked inside the light fixture in the kitchen ceiling. He secretly marked the bottles in both their bar and the kitchen cupboard. If she were sneaking drinks, he’d know right away. Craig figured he would catch her and then confront her. Hopefully, she’d see the light and stop.

The next morning, Craig kept an eye on Chrissie. Rita kept her eye on both of them, as she gave the children their breakfast. She hoped they wouldn’t fight in front of her and the children. She had grown up in an alcoholic home and knew the warning signs.

Chrissie grabbed a small bottle of orange juice from the refrigerator, took Robbie by the hand and headed to the garage. Craig had already searched the garage and had found no liquor. He was confused.
Rita said Chrissie was drinking first thing in the morning. So far, she hasn’t had one that I’ve seen.

Chrissie knew Craig and Rita were watching her. She believed her drinking was her business and no one else’s.
They are both acting strange this morning
, she thought, as she backed out of the garage.
W
atching me like a pair of hawks
.
Luckily, I always have a back-up plan.

Chrissie also had a back-up plan for her back-up plan. She would never be far away from a drink—when she needed one.
All it takes is a little forward thinking.
She looked in the rearview mirror at Robbie in the backseat.
L
ike the collection of miniatures hidden in my lingerie drawer. Sure came in handy this morning
.
I’d better find a couple more hiding spots—just in case.