Monday, February 17, 2025

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. 

Saturday, February 15, 2025

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.

Thursday, February 13, 2025

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.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

I want to know what it feels like



 Oh, it was a little early, Chili first thought when she learned the news on her bathroom sink. But as she squinted into the reality of the pink and white stick, well, she was late, very late.

First she jumped for joy because she was told what felt a long time ago that she didn't have many eggs left. Now she felt a little selfish....but 

Maybe it was a good time to go back to bed and turn on a meditation CD in her old stereo. She'd need some time to explain this to Axton.

But it was too late, he came up from behind her with a hug. "What's this?"

She heard him laugh, and she laughed too. "Um, I had a feeling about this."

His warm lips kissed the side of her neck. Chili felt happiness, but somehow she still felt sad.

"You're not mad about this?"

"Well, some things in nature just can't be stopped," he said. "We'll just roll with it, won't we? We always do."

She nodded, and she turned to hug him. She did need his hug.

"You have a doctor, already, don't you?"

"Well, yeah." Although, that was just her PCM. She'd gone to the women's clinic before, but now that she had insurance that would mean going to the medical center.

"Make an appointment, right now." He sounded as if she'd regret it if she didn't. He went to brush his teeth and shower. She would wait after coffee.

"Decaff for you," he reminded her as he turned on the shower. Chili smiled. She'd been drinking decaf for months now, along with protein and vegetables. She went to get dressed for work.




Oliver wasn't sure if it was an early Valentine's gift or just his dad's way of wanting him to get on with things with Gabby.

"No, you two take your time," he said. "We'll have Carrie and we can go to the zoo and the Children's Museum. She'll want to go shopping, and you know how Betty likes to play Barbies. We'll have fun."

His suggestion was for them to have some time together. "Maybe stay at Gabby's."

"Really?" 

Of course, that sounded too easy. "Give it a try. Maybe it's too soon." He shrugged. Of course, he knew his dad he could make do anywhere, and he had, but now he was married to Brick's grandmother Betty (who adopted Oliver when he was a teen) and it was their home that Oliver loved. "But at least try to make a home for Carrie."

So with that, a good portion of the time was spent on Gabby's extra bedroom. Most of it was thrifted, but he'd found the memory foam topper so it turned into a pink princess bedroom rather quickly. Gabby noticed the doll house at Good Will. It was beat up, but a steal. Oliver repainted it pink for Carrie's Barbies.

He thought about what his dad said, "Getting to know Gabby." Oliver was feeling better about that. At least, they'd visited her family and it felt important. It was a start. Something in his heart knew Gabby wanted to be Carrie's step-mom and maybe they would be the family they always wanted.