Chapter 0038: Dropped down
Kirsten poured over her books as Sandy snickered in the background. Ryan, making dinner with an only slightly reluctant Seth, smiled briefly at her when she looked their way, though the other teen gave her a long suffering look that she had to hide a laugh over as she returned to her books.
"So honey, any idea of what you want to study?" – Sandy questioned, looking away from the television.
"Ooh, no, I don't know! Cooking? Designing? Painting? Sculpting? Pottery?!"
"Why not all of them?" – Seth asked, rather flippantly.
"I hardly have the time to take so many classes! Besides, I don't think I would be able to focus on more than one, maybe two things at a time"
"Fair enough. I mean, my vote goes to painting, but that's just me"
"Why painting?"
"I don't know, seems like your thing" – Kirsten frowned at her art book.
"I'm not sure..."
"What was your major in college?" – Ryan suddenly asked.
"Business" – she replied absently – "And a minor in architecture, so... Nothing too useful for my life after the Newport Group, unfortunately"
"Oh, that's hardly true, hun!" – Sandy wailed – "It just means you now have the opportunity to spread your wings, maybe get your hands dirty! You would look awfully cute–"
"Hey! Virgin ears here!" – Seth protested, and Sandy snickered.
"Sorry, son, your parents are too in love for you, I understand, it's gotta be rough" – he deadpanned, making Ryan chuckle into the tomato sauce at Seth's louder complaints.
"Boys" – Kirsten chirped, and soon enough, both brunets were quiet.
For a moment.
"Oh~ My~ Love, my darling~" – Sandy sang under his breath.
"Dad–!" – Seth cried out as Kirsten couldn't keep her giggles inside anymore.
"Thank you for coming with me" – Kirsten told Ryan, who shrugged a little beside her.
"It's okay" – he answered softly.
"I was so busy thinking about my classes that I barely remembered it's Christmas! Or Chrismukkah, I suppose"
"Really not an issue"
"Do you think Sandy would like a new juicer?"
"Don't you already have one?"
"Yes. And a grill, and a toaster, and even a bagel slicer! Maybe a lifetime supply of bagels?" – that brought a smile to Ryan's serious countenance.
"He would be happy about that one"
"He would, wouldn't he? Hm... Maybe a new bag? Or a wallet... Although he loves this cheap, faux leather one he insists on carrying" – she hummed as she stared at several real leather products on display.
"Maybe a CD?"
"A CD?" – she questioned interestedly. The boy blinked, as if surprised at his own mumble.
"I... He likes music"
"Oh my God, yes. And musicals! Ooh, what do you think? Tickets to a musical!"
"Er, I guess he'd like that"
"We can all go! Well, I'm not sure Seth would like to come with, he's not interested in musicals, much to Sandy's disappointment, as I'm sure you can guess, but maybe we could get your friends to come along... We can make a whole day of it in Los Angeles! Have you– Have you ever been?" – she suddenly ended. Ryan gave her a tight smile.
"No, I haven't really been anywhere, really, just... Chino and Newport"
"Oh. Well, we should definitely go then! I would say we should go to New York and watch all the plays and musicals, but this one time we went cross country, Seth tried to jump ship and stay there" – they shared an amused grin.
"I'm sure Sandy would love to watch a musical" – Ryan commented with a hint of easiness.
"He would. Well, I still have the number of a lady who can get us prime seats, so I'll give her a call later. Now... Seth" – she sighed – "He is so difficult to shop for" – she moaned.
"I'm sure he'll like anything you get him"
"That's nice of you to say, but he's the same kid who told me I bought him the wrong comic book when he was eight. Trust me, if he doesn't like something, he'll tell you, and then guilt you into getting him another gift"
"Oh" – Ryan said, almost to himself.
"I wonder... I think he may like some art supplies..." – she smirked – "He thinks Sandy and I don't know about the small supply store he keeps in his bedroom"
"He does have a lot of stuff" – he conceded.
"I'm sure he could use some more, though. Oh, by the way, I was thinking of getting something for Anna, Lindsay and Luke, will you help me?" – Ryan blinked.
"Sure?"
"I know Anna is a sweet girl and she's not one for material things, so I have no idea whatsoever to get her. Lindsay is much easier, I know she loves classical music so I think I'm going to get her a bunch of CDs. Do you think she'll like that?"
"Yeah, I'm sure she will"
"And Luke..." – she paused – "That boy–" she shook her head fondly.
"You can also give him a lifetime supply of literally any junk food and he'll love you forever" – Ryan retorted dryly.
"He does like his junk food. Oh hey, is that Lindsay?"
Sure enough, it was. She was accompanying her mother, Renee Wheeler, Kirsten believed, and they were both holding a couple of shopping bags each.
"Do you want to go over and say 'hello'?" – Kirsten offered, and Ryan hesitated then shrugged.
"I wouldn't want to intrude" – he answered slowly.
"I'm sure Lindsay wouldn't mind" – she tried again.
"No, I don't think–" – he closed his mouth with a click when the girl in question spotted them and opened a wide, honest and happy smile and waved animatedly. Her mother looked confused for a moment before she noticed who her daughter was greeting. Kirsten put a gentle, hopefully encouraging hand on Ryan's shoulder and with a sharp nod at her, they started moving along to the red heads.
"Ryan!" – Lindsay eagerly exclaimed, moving over to him almost unconsciously. It made Kirsten think back to how she was when she had first started dating Sandy, and it made her feel warm that her brother had someone who felt so strongly for him, because if anyone deserved it, it was him, and Lindsay really was a lovely girl. The teens quickly started talking and laughing, ignoring the adults after the boy quickly but politely greeted Renee. Kirsten and Renee looked at one another awkwardly for a few seconds.
"Hi. Renee, right?" – Kirsten greeted, offering a hand that was easily and firmly taken and shaken.
"That's right. And it's Kristen?"
"Kirsten"
"I'm sorry"
"Don't even mention it" – they shot their kids a brief look – "Christmas shopping?"
"Yes, I'm afraid I'm a bit of a workaholic and haven't managed to bring Lindsay sooner" – she rolled her eyes amusedly – "She almost dragged me out the door this morning"
"You're telling me! Although I had to drag Ryan, actually"
"Haven't had much luck?" – she glanced at Kirsten's rather empty hands, apart from her purse.
"Not yet, but we haven't been looking long"
"I know what you mean, we've been going around in circles all over this mall, I can barely feel my feet anymore"
"Mom!" – Lindsay cried, flushing as she clearly tried not to look at Kirsten.
"What? It's true" – Renee teased.
"I– No it's not!" – her pretty face turned redder when a chuckle escaped Ryan, though when she snapped her head at him, he was perfectly serious.
"You know what? Why don't we get together? Or are you finished?" – Kirsten questioned. Mother and daughter traded quick looks and had a whole wordless conversation.
"We wouldn't want to intrude" – Lindsay demurred, and Kirsten nearly giggled at the way Ryan shifted in place.
"You won't" – Kirsten assured the girl, who visibly blossomed in glee. Renee smiled in thanks at Kirsten and after a few moments of awkwardness, the group started moving along, the teens in the front, Lindsay enthusiastic and chatty, and Ryan indulgent and patient. Kirsten and Renee silently stayed several steps behind them.
"He's good with her" – the red head commented softly.
"She's good with him" – the blonde had to reply as Lindsay so casually made the boy laugh.
"I've been meaning to introduce myself, but, like I said. Workaholic and all" – Renee stated, and Kirsten could see in the truth in her tense shoulders.
"I fully understand, I've recently quit my job, but before that, I was on the same long hours boat"
"It's just– I mean" – she looked at the teens before turning back to Kirsten – "Your family opened your house up to my daughter, and you've been so kind to her–"
"Oh, but Lindsay is such a sweet girl! We all love her, really" – Renee smiled.
"Well, she's my kid, so I can't refute that at all, but, I just– She's always been shy, she's never had a lot of friends, and now she has a bunch of them, although I think it's pretty obvious which one she likes the most" – they didn't even bother looking ahead, with Lindsay pointing at something across the way and Ryan nodded along – "And... We don't really do Holidays much, I don't have much in the way of family, and Lindsay's dad's not really in the picture, and although I... I, er, I understand Thanksgiving was a little... Rocky" – she winced but Kirsten only looked on encouragingly – "But Lindsay was so excited about having a real Thanksgiving"
"At home we have a kind of open door policy, and, well, yes, Thanksgiving was a mess, and I'm so sorry we exposed Lindsay to that, it was– It was not pleasant in the least–"
"No, no–"
"However" – Kirsten continued on, knowing that Renee was too polite to blame her in the least for Lindsay having to witness the Nichol family horror show – "I'm glad she liked it, as much as she could possibly have enjoyed herself"
"She said the food was delicious" – Renee offered generously.
"Yeah, if there's one thing you can count on is that my dad will always have good food in the house, whatever the circumstances" – Kirsten frowned minutely then opened a grin – "If I can be a little bit forward..."
"Go on ahead" – Renee allowed.
"What are you two doing for the Holidays? I'm not sure if Ryan got around to inviting Lindsay to come over..."
"I think he did... But don't worry about me, really, I'll probably be working anyway"
"No, no, I insist! We would all love to have you over. I'm sure Lindsay would like it too" – Kirsten added rather slyly, making Renee snicker.
"Twist my arm, why don't you. Well. I mean" – she sighed long suffering – "Sure, why not. What should we bring?"
"Just yourselves, or maybe some wine for the adults"
"Alright" – Renee looked Kirsten over – "You really don't need to take us on, you know" – she tried again.
"Do you not want to–?"
"I don't actually mind either way, but if it'll make Lindsay happy..."
"I promise my husband and I are not totally crazy, Thanksgiving notwithstanding" – that made Renee's lips twitch.
"I suppose it wouldn't be terrible to finally see where my daughter has been spending so much of her time these days" – they shared a pleasant grin.
"Unfortunately Anna, my son's boyfriend, is in Pittsburgh with her family, but... Do you know about Luke?"
"Luke. Big lab of a boy?" – Renee guessed dryly.
"That's him. Well, he's having, hum, he's having a situation with his family, nothing... Bad, but he's going to spend Chrismukkah and New Year's with us"
"Chrismukkah?"
"My son made it up when he was a kid, it's Christmas and Hanukkah together, the best of both worlds, or so he's always said"
"Ah. Well, I've met Anna a couple of times, the girls are very good friends now, but I would certainly love to meet Luke and Seth"
"I'm glad. I mean, I love the kids, they're all really sweet, but I think I need some adult company every now and then. Just don't tell Sandy, he'll be upset with me"
"Your secret is safe with me"
"Mom!" – Lindsay called out – "Come look what we found!"
"We are being summoned" – Kirsten stated flatly.
"I guess we should go before they rebel, I know my kid"
"And I know mine, he's too nice for that. Seth on the other hand..."
"Cannot wait to meet him, then"
(Kiki making a friend =]
I've kinda come to the conclusion that these notes are way too long, sometimes longer than the actual chapters, and they don't seem to do much except answer some burning questions, so I think I'll try to be concise from now one. Again, you want me to directly answer a question you may have, you're gonna have to log in.
Also, the actual Chrismukkah ahead.