Hey, thanks to the lovely people still around for this sh*t show. I love you. OK? Okay, bye. DON'T OWN THIS, and I don't know what this is. Does this surprise anyone at this point?
Sasha Vortex steps out of her car into the driveway with a deep sigh. The light is on in Cindy's room. Usually, she was in bed when Sasha got home, but the bar had finally found someone to take the late shift. She realizes she had forgotten to mention that she'd be home early, but it wasn't important anyway. Cindy was too busy with school and activities to have much social life, and Libby was out of town this weekend. She unlocks and relocks the front door quietly. She kicks off her shoes and takes off her coat.
That's when she hears a thud upstairs followed by what is unmistakably a masculine voice. Without a second thought, Sasha grabs the pepper spray that she always keeps in her purse. She ascends the staircase slowly, avoiding every creaky floorboard. When she steps onto the landing, she hears her daughter moan in pleasure. Sasha's eyes widen with shock and surprise. The old Sasha would've charged at the door. But she'd been working on her anger, going to therapy and everything. Sasha inhales as she focuses on the hum of the AC unit and the soft light of the bathroom down the hallway.
"Jimmy, I would love to continue this, but I need to study," Cindy says.
"I could always help you with that."
"No, I can't have any distractions."
"Oh, am I distracting?"
"You know you are. Besides, mom will quiz me tomorrow morning. If I don't do well, she will be disappointed. I'll get a lecture about how I'm not living up to my potential."
"Really?"
"It's happened every morning for the past six months. She's expecting me to win Valedictorian. She doesn't shut up about it." Unexpected remorse tears into Sasha at Cindy's words. She had been very hard on her of late.
"The likelihood of you winning against an actual genius is very low."
"You are a pompous asshole," Cindy teases.
"You know I'm joking. Because if anyone has a chance to defeat me, it's you," Jimmy says.
"Do you honestly think I can do it?"
"No," she hears Cindy gasp, and Jimmy chuckles. "I know you can."
Sasha hears the creak of Cindy's bed. She knows that they are kissing again, and she turns to go when she hears Jimmy laugh.
"Here, I thought you wanted to study."
"Shut up," Cindy teases, but then she sighs. "I love you, Jimmy."
"I love you too," Jimmy's answer is sure and sweet, laced with something that sounds almost like awe. It's a prayer and a promise.
Somehow, her daughter had found a boy whose love had bloomed like sweet roses and rooted like trees. Tears fall down her cheeks, but she doesn't wipe them away.
"Okay, Neutron. I do need to get to work now. Meet me tomorrow at seven-thirty in front of the lockers."
"It's my turn to bring the coffee, right?"
"You did lose in Debate today."
"Don't get used to it," Jimmy scoffs.
"Never."
"Shall I get your usual?" Jimmy asks.
"Yes, please," Cindy answers.
"Good night, my fair lady, " Jimmy says.
"Are you for real?"
"Was that not a good line?"
"Terrible," Cindy answers.
Jimmy laughs, and there's a long pause, followed by a whisper. Then the window softly closes and latches.
Sasha tiptoes back downstairs, turning off the kitchen light as she passes. Then for some reason, she finds herself in what used to be Ted's den. She hadn't been in here since after he'd moved out, and she'd turned it into a storeroom. Papers, some old textbooks, play programs, yearbooks, and old clothes poke out of boxes.
It's chaos.
Her fingers itch. Her throat bobs.
She shuts the door behind her and gets to work.
