Birds of a feather, we should stick together

 Oh, if only it could be just a snow day. Boone was certain Maddie would have stayed in bed if she could, but she insisted on going out in the cold with him to shovel snow at the bakery. But first, they had to shovel the car out of the snow bank.

It was expected to happen, although, mother nature kept putting it off in the midwest with snowstorms. Still, when they watched the news they knew it wasn't as bad here as in some places back East. Of course, Boone felt he should have been doing so much more for the bakery.

Then Rafe showed up to help with the shoveling. Maddie kept at it until she thought her fingers were frozen. Thankfully, Ruby came to the rescue and asked her upstairs while the guys kept going with the shoveling. 

It was a desolate time. So quiet on the street. 

"Good thing everyone stayed home today," Rafe said he didn't have classes and the schools had shut down.

Boone nodded. He wanted to get this done and hoped it didn't snow again, later.

"Ruby has some stew on," Rafe then said. "I actually made it, she just turned it on."

Rafe stopped for a moment as Boone kept going.

"You made it?" Boone finally looked around at him in his heavy parka.

"Yeah, I actually do all the cooking," he shrugged.

"That's hard to believe," Boone couldn't help but laugh. Only he shivered in the cold. The wind was starting to get up and the chills were taking a nose dive.

"I think we've done enough."

"You think?"

"Come on, we need to go inside."

So they put the shovels away and headed up to Rafe's, stomping as much snow as they could off their boots. The girls surprised them with food waiting and plenty of hot coffee. It was good to be friends again, especially in times like these.

Ruby seemed happy to see Maddie. Maybe February had brought too much cabin fever. Boone knew they needed more times like this. Nobody was on their phones. He knew something was missing, but he wouldn't mention it.

Tell me anything you want, any old lie will do

 

"I don't know why you have to be this way?" Junie was beginning to think nothing satisfied Amy.

They spent Friday night together with their boys Darry and Eli at the Valentines Dance in the Youth Center. It was a sweet night (although, bitter cold outside) of lots of pizza and disco tunes with breaks of foozeball. They'd stayed there til midnight. However, it upset Amy when she spotted Rose, the most beautiful girl there (according to Amy).

"What way?" Amy snapped.

"You, all worried that Eli is going to run away with Rose," Junie said. They were back at the library on a snowy day while Darry shelved books and Eli was shoveling snow in the neighborhood. She guessed he owned his own snow plow by now because he was efficient that way.

"Rose?" Amy swelled a frown as if Junie said the worst word in the world. She went back to looking at graphic novels while Junie picked up some young adult horror.

Junie sighed. "You need to relax. Everything is going fine with you and Eli. He got you a rose and a necklace for Valentine's Day." Junnie hadn't asked for much from Darry but asked if she could wear his St. Christopher's necklace for the weekend. He always wore it so she was going to give it back. Besides, she liked wearing his sweater even if it smelled of cheap musk, it was Darry's.

Amy went on as sullen as ever. 

"Maybe you should ask Eli if you can wear his band jacket," Junie smiled at the idea.

"And smell his BO," Amy scowled. "No thank you."

"See, there you go again," Junie nodded. "What if Rose didn't mind? What if she fell  in love with his scent?"

"You are so weird," Amy told her.

"Am I?" Junie laughed softly. Oh, all she knew was that she and Darry had chemistry, and it was much deeper than how he looked or how she looked. They just enjoyed each other's company and Junie wanted to savor every moment, but she knew Amy wouldn't understand. Maybe she never would with Eli, but she knew Eli would always be there for Amy. 

I've had enough

 Izzy wondered how long Lily might stay. It was unexpected, but Izzy had the time. She warmed up the leftover eggbake and got the coffee on. All the while Lily was unloading her big event with Brick's grandmother.

"Do you know her?" Lily said rather bitter.

"No, I..we..um, no." Izzy thought the less she said the better. She served up the breakfast and Lily talked more and ate most of the eggbake just to tell Izzy she thought it was too salty.

Naturally, Lily didn't ask about Izzy's Valentine's day. Izzy was sporting an engagement t ring, but of course, Lily hadn't noticed. 

"Guess what," Izzy said with enthusiasm. She could at least tell her this much.

"What?" Lily gave her a soured look that she didn't have time for Izzy's side story.

"Mercer went out with a girl,"

"I'm sure he did it out of pity," Lily didn't look surprised.

"They are good friends with all the plays they do together," Izzy smiled as if she liked the idea of Mercer seeing someone.

Lily shrugged and sipped her coffee. She pushed away the plate when she was finished. Izzy meant to ask her how her Valentines Day went with Brick, but what was the point. She already knew too much information of what was going on with Lily and Brick, who was practically living with her now, even if he had a dorm free room and a meal card at the University.

"Look, maybe his grandmother is concerned," Izzy said. "Maybe she'd worried you'll change your mind about him, like that guy you were planning to marry. I'm sure there was a lot of money involved with that, not your money..but maybe his money or your mother's money." Izzy sighed. 

"What are you talking about?" Lily snapped.

"Just think about, where are things really going with you and Brick? I mean, he was the best boyfriend Harley ever had, and they weren't ..well, you know, no where nearly as sexual as you and Brick are."

"What?" She snarled. "What are you trying to say?"

"Just don't treat him like he's fast food," she shrugged. "Ever thought about Boone? Wasn't that fleeting, too?"

Of course, Lily didn't have a comeback. She was ready to leave. Izzy suspected their friendship had left the building too.

Running for space, losing the race

 "Oh My God," Lily was surprised that Brick's grandmother found the both of them still in bed at Lily's place.

"Well, I heard you two were together," she smiled with a basket of Valenine goodies, and other treats.

"Who told you that?" Lily wanted to know as she tugged at her sweatshirt. She wasn't sure if she should take the basket or hug herself so Brick's grandmother wouldn't notice she wasn't wearing a bra.

It was cold. So cold with a chance of snow. Of course, G.B (Grand Betty for short) was a true Nebraska woman, and nothing stopped her from driving, not even icy roads. Lily knew she didn't stand a chance to be like that. Here she was tip-toing in her winter socks and wearing Brick's jogging shorts because she didn't have a chance to find her own clothes. She knew they shouldn't have answered that door. On top of that, Brick sneaked off to the bathroom, and left her alone with her grandmother's best friend.

"Oh, you know, I have my connections," she told her while Lily put on the electric kettle for a pour over coffee. Of course, Lily suggested she could make if French. She did have a French press but she'd never used it.

"It was Oliver, wasn't it?" Lily knew Brick talked way too much to Oliver.

"No, it was Carrie."

"Carrie?" Lily squinted. She didn't even know who that was.

"Oliver, has a daughter, you know."

Lily didn't know about Oliver being a single Dad. 

"You know, your Grandmother and I often wondered if you two would ever get back together," Betty smiled as if they were both pleased.

"I see." Lily nodded, wishing Brick would hurry up, but he was taking his time in the shower. 

Lily made the pour over for Betty very carefully, pouring the hot water in circles over the grounds. She even stirred it with a fork hoping the flavor seeped through. Usually, it did. She finally let the brew sit on top of the cup to be filled with coffee. She got out the milk, as if she was certain G.B. was going to stay for ahile.

"But this time, just be a little careful. You know, you two don't have to rush to have a baby, but if you do, then you know we both love the idea of being great-grandmothers, and we'll give you all the help we can. I just want Brick to finish college."

Lily looked at her wide-eyed. It hadn't donned on her that all this fun they were having might come to an end. At least, not just yet.