With just a week left until Christmas, Steven was already putting together plans for how Ulysses and Whitney would meet up. He'd called the day before and asked his grandmother and aunts to meet up with him somewhere in New York. Now he had to break the news to Ulysses and the family.

At around 10:30 in the morning, while sitting on his motel bed in front of a tiny desk, he began a Zoom meeting with Ulysses and the rest of the Scheele family. He waited until his grandfather had finished with his morning coffee before he asked the question.

"So, uh, Grandpa," Steven began. "Christmas is coming up."

Ulysses just looked at his grandson amusingly. "Yes, yes it is. Why are you calling me Grandpa all of a sudden?"

"Well, I called my grandma and aunts earlier. I... kinda sorta arranged for you and Grandma Diamond to meet."

Ulysses was somewhat flabbergasted. "Um, when exactly did you do this?"

"Oh, I did it yesterday."

"And you didn't tell me until now... why?"

"I wanted to surprise you guys."

"Surprise me? I guess that makes sense. Just one question: how do we even know your Grandma Diamond will like me?"

Steven's eyes trailed down to the ground. "I've been thinking about that myself. I mean, this is the founder of Diamond Bright Records we're talking about here. She places herself on a pedestal way beyond the others, except for her own children. I don't think we have to worry about a romance going on between you two, however."

"And why would that be?"

"Well, she's never shown romantic or sexual interest in anyone."

Ulysses nodded as if to show he understood. "Ah, I see. So that must explain why she had herself artificially inseminated, then."

"Yeah." Steven waited a few seconds before saying something again. "So are you gonna want to meet up with Grandma Diamond?"

"Well, if it really means that much to you, Steven... then sure. I don't see why I shouldn't anyway. I mean, I actually have a chance to meet up with the woman who used my sperm to have your mother."

"Great. Guess I'll talk to you later, huh?"

"You know it. Alright, I need to go. I have to help Nevaeh unpack her stuff."

"Alright, bye."

Just like that, Steven ended the Zoom meeting. At least he'd gotten the meetings with both of his grandparents over with. Now came the difficult part: waiting for the day for them to actually meet. Thinking about the future like this tended to make him somewhat anxious, especially if the future wasn't certain for him. He tried to take his mind off of it by making himself some breakfast on the portable stove. His breakfast of the day happened to be a vegetarian burrito made with the finest tortilla and greens he could pick up at the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market near the motel. He ate it up in just a few bites and then hung out with Alexandra for several minutes.

"Hey, Steven," Alexandra said at one point.

"Yeah, Alexandra?" Steven asked.

"How's your therapy going?"

"Pretty good, I guess. Why do you ask?"

"I could hear you talking with who I guess is your therapist. Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, everything's fine, Alexandra."

"Oh." Alexandra waited a few seconds before speaking again. "Your therapist seems nice."

"Yeah, he is. He's also my grandpa, did you know that?"

Alexandra let out an audible, albeit somewhat quiet, gasp. "That's so cool, Steven. You must be very proud of your grandpa."

"I am, Alexandra. I'm proud of him for all the things he can accomplish and for trying his best to help others. I'm sure anybody would love to have him as a grandpa."

"Well, I sure would. Did you tell him about my plants?"

"Uh..." Steven suddenly felt a ping of guilt. "Nah, sorry. I might tell him some other time. Your plants seem rather nice."

"Thanks, Steven. I take great pride in my plants. Did I ever tell you I'm going to college for my degree in Botany?"

"Oh... no, I don't think you have."

"Yeah, I gotta say. This stuff's not as easy as I thought it would be."

"Have things been different for you since you started college?"

Alexandra looked down while she gave her answer. "A little. I have to move over here from Beach City since the motel is in close proximity to the college."

"Ah, I see. What are your classes like? How do you spend time between classes?"

"Well, I have to take some basic college courses in math and science and stuff. I have about an hour or so between each class, so I'll usually take a food break before the next class."

"Do you go to the cafeteria to take your food breaks or does it matter?"

"Uh, usually, I go to the cafeteria, but I might stop by at a restaurant and pick up food there."

"Ah, okay. It's just good that you're pursuing a degree for yourself."

They talked like this for close to two hours. Steven never let on the whole time that he'd been growing increasingly impatient with their conversation. Finally, Alexandra had announced that it was time for her to head off to her first class of the day. She and Steven exchanged goodbyes and then went their separate ways. With Alexandra gone, Steven now had an opportunity to head out for lunch, being famished and all.

After wrapping up lunch at an Ali Baba Restaurant, Steven decided to do some sight-seeing around town. He figured that it would do him some good after everything that happened this year. He strolled around town, making sure to get a good look at some monuments and landmarks. The Don Knotts statue especially caught Steven's attention. It was enough to bring back memories of when Steven would see him play Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show." That wave of nostalgia lingered on long after he moved on to something else. Had life always been so hard for Steven or did it only get harder for him as he got older? He tended to ask that question at least once a month or so. Things may have been going great for him now, but he had to wonder if it would last just a little while.

Eventually, he stopped by at the diner where Circe had started working as a waitress. While inside, he thought to look around and perhaps order some food from there. He always wanted to help out a local business, especially if his aunt was working there. That checkerboard flooring... those polished mid-century countertops... it was like he was displaced in another place, in another time. He could remember when his father would take him out to these diners as a kid. That was before he had become fully aware of his eating habits and converted to vegetarianism for the sake of the animals. But that was then, and this was now.

"Hey, guys!" Steven greeted the working staff.

The waiters and cashiers turned to look at him. Only Circe recognized him.

"Hey, Steven!" Circe greeted back. "What are you doing here?"

Steven smiled and just shrugged. "Just thought I'd see how you were holding up. How's work so far?"

"Eh, okay." She hesitated to say anything further. "I haven't had many tables to work with today... just like usual."

"Aw, I'm sure it'll get better later. What about Tammy? You said she was planning to retire soon, right? How's she been?"

"Fine, I guess?" It took a few seconds for her to say something again. "She's been having problems with her marriage lately. It seems like the spark just died overnight and she's trying hard to rekindle it, but can't."

"Huh, I'm sorry to hear that. Why don't you try talking to her about it later?"

"Sure. Just not sure how exactly I could help when I've never been married... or in a relationship with a guy."

"I'm sure you'll figure something out. Mind if I hang out for a bit while you work?"

"I don't see why not, but you'll have to order food at some point."

"Sounds good."