Thank you to everyone who read or provided feedback for the previous chapters. You are all fabulous. So I sat down to do the rewrites of this chapter literally one week before Thanksgiving 2020. It definitely puts me in the mood for rewriting these chapters. Sorry, in reality, it's Mother's Day as I post this.
Chapter 41: Cranberry Chaos begins
From: SummersAX
To: KimKC
Subject: Chad and Sharpay lost their phones (I think Chad and Troy will be stepsiblings by Christmas 2009)
Time sent: 11/27/2008 06:10:12
So another email. Sorry, I didn't send it last night, but I was tired after talking to Ryan. Sharpay's phone is now in a water trap at Lava Springs. Bottom line: Charles Danforth is a homophobic asshole. Vince Evans is done and absolutely has no more fucks to give. You will have to ask Chad for additional details when he has a phone again. A lot of phones were killed yesterday due to Charles Danforth's bullshit.
When they got back, Chadpay watched movies with Carolyn and Jack, the future stepdad. Seriously, I have 100 bucks on Troy and Chad being stepsiblings by Christmas 2009.
I was only in there a couple of minutes, and they're so in tune. Chad said they've always been like that. I don't have the heart to point out the obvious. Poor dear has been through enough after coming out and having it go so badly.
This place has like six other guest rooms, and Jack stayed over in the guest house. Chad does not see it. I have too much homework to deal with Chad's denial on a holiday. Why did I not take the English class Chadpay are doing? I thought it would be difficult to get the comic books from free recordings for the blind and dyslexic. I was wrong, so very wrong.
I just caught Jack sneaking out of Carolyn's Guest House. I don't know if it counts as sneaking when we all know he's over there, and they're just assuming that he's sleeping on the couch. Yeah right. See the pictures attached.
I want a boyfriend that will kiss me like that. Normally, I would be upset because technically, Jack is still married, but Lucy is a coldhearted bitch. She should have never asked Troy to choose between Alex and funding for school. What type of person thinks money is that important? Obviously not a very good one.
Caroline and Jack were a little loud in their goodbyes this morning, and I found out that Lucy has been screwing one of her coworkers for a while. Jack caught the other guy at the house yesterday when he went to confront the bitch after getting a letter from your egg donor's attorney. I understand why Jack ran to the arms of his best friend. I would want comfort sex with my best friend, too, after finding that out. If he wasn't ridiculously gay. Nikki is also out because of incompatible orientations.
Xxx
From: KimKC
To: SummersAX
Subject: I'll start looking for wedding venues.
Time sent: 11/27/2008 06:22:12
Adultery is the least detestable thing that Lucy has done just in the last 24 hours. First, she conspired with my egg donor to break Troy and me apart. She didn't want me fornicating with a White boy. Then, when I got pregnant by that White boy, she tried to have me killed - Literally.
Sorry I just had to type that out because it's been rough. I didn't want to bring Sharpay into it because she's dealing with scars from Darby. I know you know some of it. Whatever you know is only a percentage of how bad it was.
Thank you for sending this email to my school account. We're not answering any of our phones right now. At least the ones that everyone else has the numbers to. We're not giving the new numbers out to more people until tomorrow because I trust all of you. Unfortunately, my landline number was given to Troy's mom by the school secretary, along with my personal email address. She called us wanting to know where her husband was despite kicking him out. I bet that happened after Jack caught her with the other man.
I've kind of expected this to happen for a while. Lucy and Jack have been falling apart for months. He's been sleeping in Troy's room since the Taylor breakup fiasco. In that time, Carolyn has become Jack's rock. They've spent the whole time we were in Las Vegas together texting. It was obvious things were more than platonic.
Kudos for emailing me on this account, by the way. I'm closing my personal account and making a new one. But, unfortunately, the busybody receptionist strikes again. I'm so glad I didn't give them my school account. I don't even want to know what the SOP is for getting a new school email address due to your fiancé's mother harassing you.
I will try to make time for Chad and Sharpay later today. This whole week is a mess. It's only Thursday.
I have to go; my future father-in-law just pulled up. So it's time for the talk.
XXXX
Thursday, November 27, 2008, 6:23 AM
"I thought I wouldn't be waiting for someone to sneak in until Alex got into high school," Kim said to her almost father-in-law as he tried to sneak into her house carrying a backpack.
"I don't think it counts as sneaking in when you know exactly where I was going to be last night. I thought you would still be asleep." Jack remarked casually.
"Alex is spending the night with my dad, and Troy's here. Do you honestly think we're going to be sleeping?"
"Not really, which is why I made plans to be elsewhere," Jack responded.
"I would still be basking in post-orgasmic bless if I didn't keep having nightmares about the accident." Which did happen despite her attempts to have Troy tire her out so much she wouldn't dream. But, unfortunately, good sex doesn't keep the nightmares away.
"It must be worse because of yesterday."
"It's much worse than usual. I didn't want to accidentally kick Troy in the teeth before meeting the rest of the family. So I thought I would come down here and have a nice cup of tea and check my email account that your future ex-wife doesn't have access to." Kim said as she passed her cell Phone to Jack with Amanda's email on the top.
"I really don't need to hear details about your sex life with my son," Jack remarked.
"I didn't need to find out about Amanda seeing Carolyn topless while you two were about 30 seconds from doing the same thing yesterday." Kim noticed Jack go completely pale when she said that.
"Oh god," was all Jack said as he sat on the couch.
"You should probably read her last email. There are pictures. What Amanda overheard is the only reason why you're not getting the cheating doesn't solve anything speech. Although I do believe in the 'two wrongs, don't make a right' philosophy."
"Please don't tell Troy." Jack almost pleaded.
"That you found out that your wife of 20 years is having an affair, and you deal with it by sleeping with your best friend because it hurt too much? You definitely get to tell him that. I guess this means I'm really paying for your divorce attorney?"
"I threw my wedding ring at Lucy's head yesterday after I met my replacement. I told Lucy we were over for good. I can't stay with her after what she did." She could hear the pain in Jack's voice.
"The cheating?" Kim asked. "Because you went right to Carolyn, and I'm well aware something has been going on for a while, at least emotionally."
"You know your other biological parent sent me a letter."
"Thank you for not referring to her as my mother. I know because Matt started cursing in Spanish while reading it. So I know things were bad. Which would make sense considering the letter I got from Zhēn. Will I actually get to read this letter?" Kim asked.
"No, because you don't need to see more of that woman's toxicity. But after talking to Carolyn last night, I think you should know what Zhēn allegedly did with Lucy."
"What did she do? I know the letter I received said that she was actively working with Lucy to keep me in Troy apart." So that was why Kim wouldn't let Troy see her letter. She didn't want him to ever know that.
"Lucy accepted $1 million to break you and Troy up and keep you apart," Jack confessed.
"Fuck,"
"She was also blackmailing Lucy with pictures of her making out with her boyfriend of more than three years. He is 27." Despite it only being 6 AM, Kim really wished she was drinking something a hell of a lot stronger than tea right now. "He didn't know that she was still married to me when we talked yesterday."
"Lucy is such a fucking hypocrite. She called us looking for you after that confrontation, acting like nothing happened, and she didn't throw you out the night before. It's why I have to get a new landline number and file a complaint with the school board."
"I'm not even surprised. Just disappointed, but I've been disappointed a lot these last few months." Jack sighed.
"When I read Amanda's first email, I was planning to yell at you about how cheating doesn't fix things. I know this isn't the situation I thought it was. But, I get why you needed to have comfort sex with your best friend because yesterday was a lot." Kim told him as she took another drink of her tea. Again she wished it was spiked right now.
"We didn't actually have sex." Kim raised an eyebrow at him. She then pointed to the bite mark that was partially visible underneath his collar.
"Carolyn feels that I should at least file for divorce first before we go any further," Jack said as he started to make his way to her coffeemaker.
Unlike his son, he actually knew how to use it. Which was good because she didn't have another backup. She would have to pick one up tomorrow.
"She's definitely the brains of your relationship," Kim remarked.
"She's smarter than me, and I'm OK with that," Jack said with a smile. But, oh God, he was totally in love.
"As I stated earlier, you're the one telling Troy, and I'm definitely not telling Chad. As far as Troy is concerned, you are still in the friend zone with Carolyn. Although maybe Saturday, you should schedule a conversation with both. Things have a way of coming out."
"You're probably right," Jack said as he grabbed a coffee cup from her cover.
"I know you already have a meeting with Matt tomorrow. I assume you're no longer free for babysitting tomorrow evening?"
"Originally, I was planning to get really drunk after filing the paperwork to end my marriage, but Carolyn has proposed a better alternative." Kim is certain she knows what that alternative is.
"Just use protection. I don't want my children to have an aunt or uncle that's younger than them."
"It's a little too late, considering Vanessa's already pregnant. However, we will make good use of the jumbo condom package Carolyn's neighbor made her get from Costco." Jack mumbled under breath, but she still heard him.
"What do you mean Vanessa is pregnant?" Kim yelled so loud that she woke up Troy.
XXXX
Amanda hated keeping secrets from her friends. Which, of course, made for an uncomfortable breakfast where she couldn't even make eye contact with Chad. Carolyn knows that she knows about her and Jack and has requested that she not say anything to Chad yet. Amanda only agreed to stay silent because Carolyn promised to tell Chad everything Saturday. Because of this, breakfast was so uncomfortable she was happy when the doorbell rang, and Carolyn ran to get it.
"I wonder who that could be?" Sharpay asked as she grabbed a piece of melon. Breakfast was light because they had at least three Thanksgiving meals to consume today. She may have to use the state-of-the-art gym in the Evans compound tomorrow.
"I have no idea. Fingers crossed it's not Troy's mother, Lucy." Chad remarked, and Amanda definitely agreed with that for very different reasons.
"Why would she come here?" Amanda asked.
"Because she's a paranoid and controlling Bitch." Chad remarked bitterly. "Like my dad, for years, she assumed that Jack and my mom have been fucking. It's ridiculous." Amanda almost choked on her orange juice, but thankfully nobody noticed.
"Amanda, you were gone by that point, but she called my mom's cell phone, demanding to know if Jack was here." Chad sounded annoyed.
"She turned it back on?" Amanda asked
"After what happened at the golf course, mom wanted her own chance to curse Charles out. She got angry Lucy instead."
"Because Charles was too much of a coward to actually call her back," Sharpay replied.
"The whole thing was ridiculous. Lucy dared to act like she didn't kick Jack out the day before for supporting Troy. Of course, she wasn't happy that my mom knew that, and she accused her of fucking Jack again."
Amanda is sure they haven't had sex because Carolyn seems too tensed to have had an orgasm recently. But, of course, that might be the case because Amanda interrupted them. Carolyn's shirt was already off.
"Thankfully, she's not as prone to angry fits like my father, and her cell phone is still intact," Sharpay remarked, annoyed.
"At least you're getting the black card as an apology. I have plans tomorrow." Chad actually rubbed his hands together.
"You already have a flatscreen TV in your dorm room. What more could you possibly need?"
"A PlayStation and an Xbox. Also, we have to pick up gifts for other people. I don't think Troy has a flatscreen TV for his dorm room yet?"
"Kim is planning to move him into an apartment or house next year since he'll have custody of Alex occasionally. So we need to get housewarming presents." Sharpay explained.
"That reminds me, Kim is only accepting emails from her school account right now. Everything else has been compromised because the school receptionist gave Lucy her contact information."
"I can totally see her giving them my home address because she is that evil," Sharpay remarked.
"I assume there would be more screaming and hair-pulling if it actually was Lucy," Chad commented.
"As well as broken furniture," Sharpay added.
"Should we go check?" Amanda asked.
"Only if the screaming starts." It never did, which was remarkable considering Carolyn brought Tiffany into the room a few minutes later. She brought baked goods.
"I'm sorry your father is an idiot. I brought pastries to apologize," Tiffany said, placing them on the table and taking the seat furthest away from Chad.
"It's not your fault."
Chad shrugged.
"You still should've known about me before yesterday. I could have got your contact information from Karrie. She talks about you two all the time. You're the best people ever, according to her. I'm happy my babies are going to have a really good big brother."
"You know you don't have to keep apologizing for Charles. Really you shouldn't." Carolyn said from behind.
"I know. I'm just sad we didn't get to have dinner last night. I much rather have been with the two of you instead of my stepmother. She is the most controlling and condescending woman in the universe." Considering Tiffany spoke of her stepmother how Marc spoke of his various stepfathers, Amanda knew nothing good was happening there.
"It was probably for the best. I was planning to come out to Charles, no matter what. Considering how he reacted, it's probably best that happened when we weren't in the same location. I would hate to get Sharpay banned from Rose."
"I should've brought more apology danishes. Let's just say I'm really glad you put us in a double because there was no way he was sleeping in the same bed as me last night after what he said to you." Tiffany told them. That made Chad smile.
"I'm starting to actually like you," Carolyn told the group.
"Charles tried to act like he only said what he said because he was surprised." Tiffany scuffed. "The revelation that you're not straight shouldn't have surprised anyone. There was a rumor about you and Troy back when I was a senior."
"Why does everyone think I was in love with my best friend? Actually, why does everybody think most deep friendships are really just romantic relationships? Even Lucy last night accused you of sleeping with Jack." Chad complained, and Amanda tried very hard to keep a straight face. If only you knew.
"I think we all need more coffee. Does anybody want more coffee?" Carolyn asked, obviously avoiding that subject. Chad gave her a weird look.
"I'll take another cup, and then I have calculus homework to do." Because Amanda wanted to get out of here before the fireworks actually started.
"Let me know if you need help. It would give me something to do." That got Tiffany a strange look from Chad.
"I took a cab here because your grandmother picked up your father this morning to help with Thanksgiving prep. I had no desire to be at the hotel alone after my Thanksgiving brunch with Karrie and my Aunt was canceled. She just decided to go to work. Is it OK if I stay here until you leave for aunt Claudia's house?" Tiffany asked
"It's fine," Chad said; thankfully, he wasn't using his fake smile.
"Should we go get Karrie?" Sharpay asked.
"She said she would be heading over to Jackie's house for dinner soon. She also promised to punch Jackie's sister out the moment she sees her. Do I want to know?" Tiffany asked.
"Jackie's sister showed her entire floor the fantasy girl YouTube video. I'm sure Karrie explained that to you." Sharpay answered.
"She didn't have to. I found Charles watching it. He seemed to be enjoying himself until he realized Chad was the subject of the video."
"I'm not even surprised. You know you don't have to stay with Charles just because he got you pregnant? You shouldn't actually." Carolyn told Tiffany, and that's when Amanda decided it was best to get Tiffany the hell out of there for actual homework help.
Tiffany was very grateful and actually did help her with her calculus and chemistry homework. Which is oddly enough the most comfortable part of the morning. At least she wasn't keeping secrets from Tiffany. She may have sent a few snarky text messages to Ryan, but she never did get a reply.
"I expect you all to behave," Carolyn said to the group as they got into the car.
"I don't know if that can happen because Charles will be there, and Aunt Claudia is forcing me to go," Chad remarked.
"Just try not to punch your father out. Regardless, I expect Nana Danforth or Esther to scream at me within the hour due to your wardrobe choices." A.k.a. something from the Ryan pride collection. Along with enough eyeshadow to make you think Chad was going to a club. Although honestly, it was necessary to help camouflage the black eye.
"I'm not wearing the shirt from last night anymore, just the necklace and all purple. I could be so much worse right now, mom." Carolyn just gives him a look.
"I'm not taking the eyeliner off. Then you'll see the black eye, and that would be worse." Chad argued.
"Nor should you. This may not garner a response from Aunt Claudia, but Esther and your grandmother are completely different stories. I regret giving all three women my new cell phone number. Tiffany, don't give her your cell phone number." Carolyn warned.
"I'll remember that," Tiffany remarked as she sat in the backseat with her.
XXXX
The drive to aunt Claudia's went well, surprisingly. Chad was definitely starting to get used to the idea of Tiffany. It helps that she genuinely accepts him for who he really is.
Amanda actually spent the drive talking with Tiffany about their common major. Tiffany prepared Amanda for the horrors of organic chemistry. It was enough to make Amanda wonder why she was still premed. She did hate half of her classes and felt like all she was doing was homework. Thankfully they arrived at their destination before her thoughts got too dark.
"Is there anything I need to know about Aunt Claudia?" Tiffany asked as they got out of the car.
"Let me guess, Charles didn't give you a primer. If I knew ahead of time, I would've given you my flashcards." Sharpay remarked.
"Chad made you flashcards?" Tiffany asked.
"It's useful for situations like this," Chad said just as they approached the door of Great Aunt Claudia's home.
"For example, the reason why Amanda is approaching the door first is my dad's side of the family is nicer to non-relatives," Chad remarked in all seriousness.
"Cowards," Amanda said as she rang the doorbell.
"If I was a true coward, I "Jackie's sister showed her entire floor the fantasy girl YouTube video. I'm sure Karrie explained that to you." Sharpay answered.
"She didn't have to. I found Charles watching it. He seemed to be enjoying himself until he realized Chad was the subject of the video."
"I'm not even surprised. You know you don't have to stay with Charles just because he got you pregnant? You shouldn't actually." Carolyn told Tiffany, and that's when Amanda decided it was best to get Tiffany the hell out of there for actual homework help.
Tiffany was very grateful and actually did help her with her calculus and chemistry homework. Which is oddly enough the most comfortable part of the morning. At least she wasn't keeping secrets from Tiffany. She may have sent a few snarky text messages to Ryan, but she never did get a reply.
"I expect you all to behave," Carolyn said to the group as they got into the car.
"I don't know if that can happen because Charles will be there, and Aunt Claudia is forcing me to go," Chad remarked.
"Just try not to punch your father out. Regardless, I expect Nana Danforth or Esther to scream at me within the hour due to your wardrobe choices." A.k.a. something from the Ryan pride collection. Along with enough eyeshadow to make you think Chad was going to a club. Although honestly, it was necessary to help camouflage the black eye.
"I'm not wearing the shirt from last night anymore, just the necklace and all purple. I could be so much worse right now, mom." Carolyn just gives him a look.
"I'm not taking the eyeliner off. Then you'll see the black eye, and that would be worse." Chad argued.
"Nor should you. This may not garner a response from Aunt Claudia, but Esther and your grandmother are completely different stories. I regret giving all three women my new cell phone number. Tiffany, don't give her your cell phone number." Carolyn warned.
"I'll remember that," Tiffany remarked as she sat in the backseat with her.
XXXX
The drive to aunt Claudia's went well, surprisingly. Chad was definitely starting to get used to the idea of Tiffany. It helps that she genuinely accepts him for who he really is.
Amanda actually spent the drive talking with Tiffany about their common major. Tiffany prepared Amanda for the horrors of organic chemistry. It was enough to make Amanda wonder why she was still premed. She did hate half of her classes and felt like all she was doing was homework. Thankfully they arrived at their destination before her thoughts got too dark.
"Is there anything I need to know about Aunt Claudia?" Tiffany asked as they got out of the car.
"Let me guess, Charles didn't give you a primer. If I knew ahead of time, I would've given you my flashcards." Sharpay remarked.
"Chad made you flashcards?" Tiffany asked.
"It's useful for situations like this," Chad said just as they approached the door of Great Aunt Claudia's home.
"For example, the reason why Amanda is approaching the door first is my dad's side of the family is nicer to non-relatives," Chad remarked in all seriousness.
"Cowards," Amanda said as she rang the doorbell.
"If I was a true coward, I wouldn't be here. But I'm here to face my homophobic father in person," Chad remarked just seconds before the door open. An older woman who looked like a darker version of Chad with obviously relaxed hair opened the door. Within seconds she was hugging Chad.
"You've grown so much since I saw you at graduation." Chad's Great Aunt Claudia said before grabbing onto Amanda. "You must be Sharpay. I've heard all sorts of wonderful things about you."
"Aunt Claudia," Chad said, trying to correct the woman.
"I absolutely love your hair." Thankfully the woman had the good sense not to actually touch her hair.
"Aunt Claudia," Chad tried to interrupt again.
"I absolutely love your hair." Thankfully the woman had the good sense not to actually touch her hair.
"Aunt Claudia," Chad tried to interrupt again.
"Where did you get your extensions done? They almost look real."
"That's because they are," Amanda said in annoyance before pulling away. "Before we continue this parody of a scene from an Ashton Kutcher film, I should let you know I'm not Sharpay. The very angry girl behind me is your nephew's girlfriend." Amanda said, pointing to Sharpay as Chad try to calm her down.
"Please tell me you're not Charles's new girlfriend. I know my nephew likes his girlfriend's young, but I hope not this young." Aunt Claudia remarked darkly. At least she knew some of what was happening in her own house.
"I'm Sharpay's roommate. I'm here to make sure they keep the PDAs down to a minimum. The pregnant 21-year-old is the mother of your brand new Great niece and nephew." Amanda said, walking through the door, getting the fuck out of there. She has already reached her awkward family interactions limit for the day, and it wasn't even 11 AM yet. This was worse than the Easter when her father ended up in the hospital the first time.
Xxxxx
At the same time, in a different part of Albuquerque.
Troy walked to his future father-in-law's house with his father, hoping to every deity in the universe that this goes better than Las Vegas. Yesterday went OK, but they weren't really in public this time. Also, his girlfriend was still ranting about no longer being an only child. If her suspicions about Taylor were true, she already had a stepsister. So really, she should just calm down. It's not the worst thing that could happen.
"Did you have to tell her about Vanessa?" Troy asked his father.
"It was an accident," Troy responded with a dark look. He didn't believe it for a minute. "Also, as somebody with a sibling 13 years younger than them, I didn't see it is such a big deal."
"I'm upset for a lot of reasons outside of losing my status as an only child. OK, I was never really an only child, but I don't like the idea that I'm being replaced. I'm also upset that after this nightmare of a family lunch, I will have to go to your mom's house. That's just going to end in tears. So why are we still going? I have to get a new personal email account and landline." Kim lamented.
"Because I want to see the rest of my family and make sure they know you're a good person before Lucy poisons the well. She can go to hell, but I actually like my uncles and the Aunt by marriage. So I'm going to see them and my grandmothers," Troy remarked. "Although I really wish this was an aunt Liz year."
"At least we agree on where we want your mother to go," Kim said quickly as she kissed Troy.
"I just want to go inside, see my son, and yell at my father. How can they do this to Alex? He's going to be two years older than his Aunt or uncle. They're going to make fun of him in school." Kim said this as she knocked on the door.
Taylor's mother, Alexa, let them inside the house and promptly confiscated their cell phones. Vanessa wanted an iPhone-free thanksgiving (His and Kim's anyway. For some reason, his father got to keep his. Which was entirely unfair.)
Troy noticed his son playing with a plush basketball with Jason. As they walked inside, his dad quickly grabbed the ball to play with Alex. That's when Troy realized his father wasn't wearing his wedding ring anymore.
It makes sense; Lucy did kick him out Tuesday. This just means that things really are over, and it's completely Troy's fault that it happened.
Xxx
Chad is not surprised when Amanda runs past Aunt Claudia and gets the hell out of there after dropping the Tiffany bomb. Amanda is a survival expert. Chad is also not surprised that Charles did not even bother to tell the woman who raised him about Tiffany. He doesn't tell people a lot of things, especially anything that reveals his true character. Silver lining, he probably didn't tell any of the aunties about yesterday's coming out either. Maybe he'll get kicked out in the next five minutes, and they can go over to a very Sanchez Thanksgiving early. That would be lovely.
"I'm not even surprised. Charles is too much like his father. Lord knows I tried my best to raise him right, but you can't go against DNA." That caused Sharpay to squeeze his hand harder.
"You can if you really want to. Some people just don't want to," Tiffany remarked darkly. "Hi, I am Tiffany Jackson. I am a premed student at Case Western Reserve, and I was stupid enough to get pregnant by your nephew."
Chad is really starting to question his father's relationship with Tiffany. He knows that Tiffany broke up with Charles when she found out he was married. That came out during their morning with Tiffany. But at some point, they got back together long enough for her to get pregnant. Yes, they were kissing yesterday, but today Tiffany seems ready to tell him to get fucked. Chad knows Tiffany made Charles sleep in a separate bed for his reaction the day before to him coming out.
"Well, we all make mistakes when we are young." Aunt Claudia remarked. "Some like my nephew keep making them even as they are approaching 40."
"Are you OK?" Chad whispered two Sharpay.
"I'm OK; I just wish we could've brought Ryan with us. I feel like your Aunt deserves it." Chad couldn't help but laugh. Which caused all eyes to turn back on him.
"Sorry, I was just saying how much I wish my brother Ryan could've come with us to meet you. But, unfortunately, he is in New York. He is a first-year student at Julliard in the dance program." Sharpay explained, covering up for the laughter.
"Wait, isn't Ryan your other boyfriend?" Tiffany asked. Chad was trying to decide if he was happy or upset at that question. He's going to go with glad because Aunt Claudia looks like she's about to go into cardiac arrest. She also quickly shut the front door.
"Ryan is Chad's ex-boyfriend. It didn't work for lots of reasons, including Chad's parents' marriage falling apart right when they were trying to start their relationship." Sharpay explained. "Thankfully, we're doing better." Sharpay lifted up their joined hands for Aunt Claudia to see.
"I am so sorry about that. I really didn't know Charles was still married because he lied to me." Tiffany told the group. Unlike his father, he felt like Tiffany actually was sorry for her role in that. Aunt Claudia look like she was about to faint.
"Oh, I guess Charles never told you why Carolyn dumped him. He told me he was a divorced single father. I found out the hard way that was a lie by his wife walking in on us. I also dumped his ass at the time."
"Although it doesn't look like it took." Aunt Claudia said, looking directly at Tiffany's very pregnant stomach.
"We all make mistakes. Sometimes we make the same mistake multiple times." Tiffany remarked darkly.
"Why did you take him back?" Chad did not mean to ask that question out loud; it just kind of slipped out.
"My grandmother died the week before, and she had one of the world's most Gothic funerals. This is why I ended up with charcoal in my system. Sometimes we make bad decisions when we're grieving. Now I have twins. I also really need to sit down." Good thinking, Tiffany. This would be his way out of this uncomfortable Conversation.
"I'm gonna go take her to find a seat," Chad said, trying to move past aunt Claudia, but she wasn't having it.
"No. Sharpay, why don't you take Tiffany inside. My nephew and I are going to have a little talk." Sharpay gave him a look that asked if it was safe to leave him with his Aunt.
"It's fine, Sharpay." He said before kissing her goodbye.
"Are you going to yell at me for having an ex-boyfriend who happens to be related to my current girlfriend? Both of them are white-ish, by the way. I rather you do it quickly because I'm not ashamed of being nonheterosexual." If he was going to get yelled at, he was going to completely earn it.
"I am sorry that I assumed Amanda was your girlfriend. You even told me you were bringing an extra guest. I just assumed Sharpay was the extra guest; I didn't see you holding hands. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry." Chad was surprised she was apologizing, but he was relieved. He wasn't expecting that, but he'll take it.
"Thank you for at least apologizing for that." Chad sighed.
"So is Ryan actually your ex-boyfriend, or were you just messing with your father because you're mad about the twins?" Aunt Claudia asked.
"Ryan and I actually did almost date. But the day of our first kiss was also the day I found out that my parents were divorcing. It made me terrified of anything else changing, including coming out. So I ended up staying with Taylor because it was easier." Chad explained. Aunt Claudia always had a way of making you talk.
"But you weren't happy with her. I could tell at your graduation." Aunt Claudia was there to help him try to keep his parents far apart. It was a small miracle the plan worked. Sometimes he thinks his Aunt likes his mom more than her nephew.
"I wasn't happy at all last year because I wasn't being myself. I didn't think certain people would be happy with me being my true self, especially Charles. Which was proven last night. I really don't care anymore." Not after what Charles did to Taylor and his mother. He has no respect left for the man at all.
"Did you tell your father about almost dating your current girlfriend's brother to get back at him?" Aunt Claudia asked.
"I think Ryan deserves full ex-boyfriend status. I might as well count Ryan as an actual ex-boyfriend because honestly, we have a deeper relationship than what I had with Taylor."
"You can refer to Ryan however you please, but it still doesn't change things if it was a revenge scheme." Aunt Claudia said, looking him directly in the eyes.
"There may have been a little of that." Because he asked Taylor for oral sex. "We were supposed to have dinner last night even though he showed up that morning with Tiffany and the future twins without telling me anything about it. Then, about half an hour before we were to leave to pick him up, Charles called to cancel dinner. Because he wanted to do something with Tiffany's stepmom," Even though Chad now knows Tiffany really hates her stepmom with a fiery passion. She actually had a chat with his mom about filing paperwork to ensure her stepmom can never get near her kids, no matter what.
"I was already mad at him because of the stunt that morning, and I was planning to tell him the truth that dinner anyway. I didn't want to be a hypocrite for being mad at him about Tiffany when he didn't know about Ryan or Jamie, my other ex-boyfriend. However, since he canceled, I decided just to get it over with. He reacted badly."
"How badly?" Claudia asked.
"It's a good thing Tiffany is having a boy because Charles said he doesn't have a son at the moment. That's OK because I don't have much of a father. I rather be an Evans. Anyway, various homophobic slurs were used, and then I broke my phone." Aunt Claudia responded by shaking her head.
"That explains why you called me on your girlfriend's cell phone last night."
"After Charles could no longer get a hold of mom to yell at her, he called Sharpay because she gave Tiffany her number earlier. However, at that point, Sharpay and I were on the shooting range of her father's club. Her dad picked up the phone instead. Charles managed to make Mr. Evans very, very angry. Because of that, Mr. Evans may have made it sound like I am dating Ryan and Sharpay simultaneously." Chad will not explain to Aunt Claudia that Vince still thinks he's in a poly relationship with Ryan.
"Is this why you called yesterday and asked not to come?" Aunt Claudia asked.
"I think there's about a 50-50 chance I might punch Charles out. He doesn't want me. He never did. My father doesn't love me, and I accept that. He doesn't love me even more now because I'm not who he wants me to be." Chad lamented.
"I wanted you, though. Your grandma wants you, and everyone else did. Fuck Charles." Chad was surprised about that.
"Language, Auntie," Chad remarked. She deserves it for all those times she got mad at him for using mild curse words.
"I'm 65, baby, and I grew up in the 60s. I've said much worse. Done much worse." Yet, you are always chastising me and trying to act like a good Christian woman.
"Someday, I want to hear the stories." So who is this person really?
"Well, then you're just gonna have to bring your girlfriend and possibly your ex-boyfriend for Sunday dinner sometime."
"He'll be back in December. He is helping get a friend into an alcohol treatment program this weekend." Aunt Claudia frowned at that. That is when Chad remembered why something like that would make her frown.
"That's always hard. We could never get your cousin to stay in treatment. You know how that went." With cousin/Aunt Amy wrapping her car around a tree four years ago. They don't talk about Amy at all. It's one of those very sad subjects that everyone avoids at all costs. Aunt Claudia never got over burying her only daughter.
"I know you're gonna have to join your mom in a couple of hours, so you'll have an out to leave early. But I would like you to stay. I'll try to keep you away from your father." His Aunt offered.
"You're going to make us help in the kitchen, aren't you?" Chad asked.
"At least Charles will stay away from you that way." Aunt Claudia remarked.
"This is true. We will stay until we have to leave for a very Sanchez Thanksgiving." Chad acquiesced. He did remind her of her dead daughter, so he should stay.
"Although I really hope people don't keep confusing Amanda for my girlfriend."
"Or Tiffany." Aunt Claudia mumbled under her breath, but Chad still heard her.
"I really wish Ryan was here."
"I am sure you do but let's hold off a little bit on telling my sisters that they could be dealing with you dating a white boy instead of just a white girl. The make-up will be enough. I didn't bother to pass your mom's text message to my sisters. Remember, I'm the reasonable one." This was, unfortunately, true. Grandma was extra conservative, and let's just leave it at that.
"Or both simultaneously." Chad joked.
"You're going to give me more gray hair."
"I didn't show up with a pregnant girlfriend almost half my age-which would be impossible at this point, but you know what I mean. I am the least of your problems." Chad replied.
"This is true. Tiffany seems to at least be in her 20s. Which is still a step up from when he knocked your mom up at 16."
"This is true," Chad said darkly.
XXXX
Same time on a flight headed to Albuquerque.
Last night going to Albuquerque to smack Troy upside the head seemed like a good idea. Now Gabriella was not so sure. Was she really going to fly halfway across the country to confront a person who was in love with someone else? Gabriella kept crying the entire time. The flight attendants were convinced that she was going to a funeral. Maybe in a way, she was. Her relationship with Troy is dead, and she's going to Albuquerque to bury it once and for all.
When she arrived in Chicago, she grabbed a bunch of chocolate because she couldn't get any alcohol. Although Gabriella wanted to convince someone to buy her a drink, it was way too early for that right now.
Now, she was on the second plane en route from Chicago to Albuquerque. Gabriella was sitting next to this older woman named Katrina. She was extremely nice to her so far. She was flying out to see her son and grandson in Albuquerque. They started talking about why Gabriella was flying halfway across the country. She told her all about the situation with Troy and Kim. Although Gabriella didn't give any names to protect the guilty. She just referred to Kimberly as the billionaire hotel heiress.
"Do you realize that his mom is using you?" Karen asked Gabriella in a very stern voice.
"My friend Madison would agree with you," Gabriella told the older woman. She read most of Madison's text messages during her layover in Chicago. She didn't dare write her back. "I have my doubts because Lucy has always been nice to me." Even if Lucy trying to cut Troy off financially to force a breakup with Kim is raising red flags in Gabriella's mind. Gabriella doesn't notice that Katrina frowns when she says the name, Lucy.
"That may be the problem. The mom actually likes you, but not the girl that he's in love with. She's using you to manipulate his feelings. Probably in her mind, she thinks that if he sees you again, he will leave the other girl. I can understand. I absolutely hate my daughter-in-law. If I had my way, I would have set him up with his best friend Carolyn years ago." Katrina explained.
"Why do you hate your daughter-in-law?" Gabriella asked.
"You mean other than the fact I'm almost positive she is cheating on my son. They were not a good match. Before they got married, they never talked about what they wanted from their marriage. She wanted to focus on her career and felt that children would get in the way. He wanted a huge family. He loves children, which is why he is a high school teacher. The one-child they had was an accident, and after that, she had the female sterilization procedure performed without discussing it with my son." Gabriella could detect anger in her voice.
"Of course, it's her body, her choice. But there should've at least been a discussion. That discussion should've happened before the wedding."
"I understand why you don't like her. But, did you ever talk to your son about this?" Gabriella asked.
"I tried to tell him years ago that his wife was not a very good person. He never listened to me. Before they were married, he was too in love to see what was really going on. Young love makes fools of us all. I feel that love is making a fool of you. Do you really think seeing you again will make him change his mind?"
"No," Gabriella said in a barely audible whisper. She knew it was over. "I just want closure."
"Really? I don't know if you're really there. And I definitely don't think that's his mother's plan. That woman is just using you, and you know it. In this situation, you're the only one who's going to get hurt. So you shouldn't confront him right now."
"I'm already hurt; what is a little more pain? I really thought that he loved me. When we were together, he did all these great things for me. He drove halfway across the country for me. He would send me these cute little notes just because. I never had a boyfriend before that made me feel so special." Of course, the boyfriend before just used her for sex, but Troy was never that person. Which was good considering she really didn't want that when on the medication.
"Now everyone keeps telling me he's with Kim. She is supposedly the one that got away. " Gabriella said as she started to cry again. Katrina quickly gave Gabriella another tissue. "She has his last name now. I don't even want to contemplate why she has his last name now." She is going to be extra furious if he got married without telling her. They've been broken up for barely a month.
"I know losing your first love can be difficult. However, did you ever think that maybe this really isn't love?" It had to be love on her part, but she isn't so sure about Troy anymore. If Kim was already in Troy's heart, was there ever really any space for her?
"Maybe it's just high school infatuation? You told me yourself that you knew nothing about his previous relationship. That tells me that the two of you really didn't talk to each other. I have a feeling that there are a lot of things you kept from him."
Gabriella knew that Katrina was right. There was a laundry list of things she never told Troy. This included the real reason she left Lava Springs that summer and where she went after school on Wednesdays. He didn't know about her witnessing her Aunt's death. You can't build a relationship on lies. Gabriella knew that, and yet here they were.
"You're right about the last point. There are a lot of things that we never talked about. Then there's the fact I broke up with him last summer because I couldn't deal with a long-distance relationship. I never told him that other things were going on. I was sure that he loved me because he drove to Stanford to keep me from breaking up with him. We never really talked about why I broke up with him in the first place. Despite everything, I know that I love him." But that doesn't really mean anything, does it?
"How do you love him? Is this the type of love that's based on sex and good looks? That love fades away with time. I learned that with my late husband." Katrina said darkly. "Do you love him because you need him, or do you need him because you love him? Is what you feel just infatuation or lust? If you couldn't handle doing a long-distance relationship, maybe you don't love him." Katrina's questions felt like a slap in the face to Gabriella. She didn't want to answer the questions because she may need to reevaluate her entire relationship with Troy if she did.
"Of course, I love him. He had to care about me because he went to school at Berkeley just to be near me. Also, he gave Madison my mom's number because he was worried about me even though he's back with the hotel heiress." Gabriella spat that part out bitterly.
Why did Kim have to come back? Everything was perfect with her gone. Gabriella wanted to punch her out even though she knew it was stupid.
"Sometimes you can care about someone deeply, but it not be romantic. Also, did you ever think he could be just going to Berkeley for the program and not you? You did mention he is receiving a full scholarship. My grandson goes to Berkeley as well. He's a drama major, and from what he told me, I know the school is pretty good."
"It is," and she knew Troy was happy there.
"I know most young girls want to see what he did as some grand romantic gesture, but maybe he went to Berkeley for him." Gabriella chose not to listen to the woman's words. Instead, she needed to hold onto the illusion that Troy went to Berkeley just for her. It was the only thing keeping her from crying again.
"My ex Troy is also a drama major. Maybe they know each other?" She accidentally said his name, but it doesn't matter anymore.
"Your former boyfriend's name is Troy?" Gabriella noticed a strange expression on the woman's face.
"Yes, Troy Bolton. By the way, I am Gabriella Montez." Gabriella said, telling Katrina her last name.
"What high school did you and your boyfriend go to in Albuquerque?"
"We went to high school at East High, where Troy was the basketball team captain. What high school does your grandson go to?" Gabriella asked.
"He went to East High as well," Katrina said quietly.
"Maybe I know him?" Gabriella asked with a smile.
"I'm sure you do, just not as well as you think," Katrina said cryptically with a dark look in her eyes.
To be continued…
So do you know who Katrina is? If you do, you're in better shape than Gabriella.