I feel like this should have a title, but oh well. I don't know why I'm still writing these. I think to prove to myself that I've improved as a writer. HAH.
I don't own THINGS.
She fluffs the pillow for the tenth time, her hard punches bending it slightly out of proportion.
"You are going to ruin that," Jimmy is standing in the doorway of the living room, his eyebrows raised. He takes the abused thing from her hands and tosses it at the end of the couch.
She huffs, pushing her bangs out of her face. "This is a bad idea."
"I did try to talk you out of it, but in usual Vortex fashion, you ignored me. It's too late to back out now, I'm afraid. If we are going to meet our doom, we might as well face it head-on."
"Doom? That's a bit of an overstatement."
"Sorry," he apologizes. "I'm nervous too."
"You are?"
"Your mother is not exactly my biggest fan."
"No, she isn't," she wraps her arms around Jimmy, almost crumbling into his chest. She inhales his familiar scent letting it comfort and bolster her. Then the doorbell rings, and she unwillingly detaches herself from their embrace.
She stands in the hall for a long moment, finding the place of calm and serenity she had when she did Tai Chi. Inch by inch, vertebrae by vertebrae, steel enters her spin. When she opens the door, the familiar sight of her mother greets her. There is a sprinkle of silvery grey in her hair and lines around the corners of her eyes.
"Hello, Cynthia," Sasha's greeting is as cold and emotionless as ever. Well, at least she didn't sound angry.
"Come in," Cindy answers.
"This is for you," Sasha extends a small plate of store-bought cookies. Her mother had never been much of a cook. But at least, she'd tried. Perhaps this night was not going to go as badly as she thought.
"Thanks. Do you want to take off your shoes?"
After doing so, Cindy leads her down the hallway into the kitchen. Jimmy is preparing the last step of the chicken carbonara, which she knows for a fact is one of her mother's favorites.
"Hello, Ms. Vortex," Jimmy greets them with a broad smile and a wave.
"That smells good, Mr. Neutron," her mother answers.
"It was Cindy's idea," he adds nonchalantly.
"Mom, would you like to see the rest of the house? There's not much to it, but-"
"Yes, I would."
She takes her mother to the dining room, the guest bedroom, and the living room. Sasha turns to her with raised eyebrows. "It's a bit small, dear."
"It's enough for us," Cindy's words carry a hint of finality that she is sure her mother catches because she shrugs, not issuing any further comment.
"Food is ready," Jimmy's voice carries from the kitchen.
Their small table doesn't provide a lot of elbow room. It makes all three of them sit a little closer together than Cindy would like.
"So, what brings you to our neck of the woods? Cindy mentioned a family connection," Jimmy says.
"Yes, I am visiting my sister who recently moved here."
"I remember her."
"You do?" Cindy and her mother ask at the same time.
"Of course! You got her to do that parent competition to best me."
"Oh yeah," she can't help but feel for her younger self, who couldn't deal with the fact her heart belonged to the genius across the street, so she hid it beneath layers of antagonism.
"Speaking of family connections, how was your father when you last saw him?" Sasha asks abruptly.
Cindy almost drops her fork. Her mother never asked about her father. At least, directly. That she chooses to do so now is slightly unnerving. "He was good. We had him for supper a few months back."
"Yes, he mentioned that."
That was why Sasha had brought it up. She was mad. "Mom," Cindy starts.
Sasha shakes her head. "So, Mr. Neutron, what have you been up to lately? Still blowing things up?"
"No, my latest invention was quite successful. Your daughter helped a lot. She tempers my ideas and often helps me bring them to fruition. She's a true boon to my scientific process," Jimmy finishes with an easy smile.
Cindy looks between her mother and Jimmy. She has to admit that she's impressed with him. He hadn't even blinked at the jab.
"That's good to hear," Sasha replies.
They eat in silence for a while. The carbonara is perfection, and Cindy gets a rush of vindication when her mother asks for a second helping. When they have finished, Jimmy takes their plates to the kitchen, leaving Cindy and her mother alone.
"That was delicious."
"Thanks, it's one of our favorite meals."
Sasha folds her hands on the table. "I can see why."
"Mom, I'm sorry about Dad. I know things are bad between the two of you. I didn't expect him to tell you," she hopes that Sasha hears her sincerity.
"It was in passing. I was finalizing the sale of the house in Retroville and needed him to answer a question."
"Oh," Cindy lifts her glass to her lips, wishing that it was something alcoholic.
"Now, that's quite enough of that topic. How is the law practice coming? I believe you mentioned you had achieved the title of Junior Partner?"
"I did, yes. But it's a small firm, so it's not as big of an achievement as it sounds."
"Do not downplay your success, Cynthia."
The unexpected compliment nearly shocks Cindy to death. "Are you saying you are proud of me?"
Sasha looks at her, and her eyes soften just a bit. "Of course, I am."
Cindy doesn't know what to say to this. It's something that she always hoped for but had never expected from her mother. "Thanks."
"How is Liberty these days? Her mother mentioned that she and the Estevez boy recently got engaged."
"Yes! The wedding is sometime next year."
"She works for a music production company, correct?"
"Yeah, she finds unknown bands and promotes them. It's hard work, but she loves it. She was always a tastemaker, that Libby."
"She was. I'm glad to hear she's doing well."
The conversation ends when Jimmy brings them some wine. He got a red, Sasha's favorite, even though she knows it's his least favorite. If her mother weren't present, she would kiss him right then and there. They drink, and she can see her mother studying the man across from her with something like admiration. Cindy could nearly shout for joy.
"How are your parents, Jimmy? I have not visited Retroville since the house sold last month." Cindy can't help but notice the fact that Sasha had just called Jimmy by his name. This evening was getting more interesting by the second.
"They are well. Dad is looking forward to retirement, and Mom is busy with her book club. How are you? Do you like your new place?"
"I do. New York is a much better fit for me than Retroville ever was."
"Ah, New York. I miss it," Jimmy replies wistfully.
"You've been?"
"Of course, Cindy and I went when I graduated from MIT," he answers with ease.
Sasha nods in approval. "I'm glad. Hopefully, you got to experience some of its unique pleasures."
"Yes! We went to several little local spots that a friend of ours suggested. Cindy even convinced me to see a show, which was quite a feat. I'm not generally a fan of musical theater. I found I enjoyed it, though," Jimmy smiles at her.
Cindy fights off the urge to flush as the memory comes back. She'd worn an evening gown which, when Jimmy saw her, knocked him speechless. He had wasted no time in taking it off her once they got back to their little hotel. Whispering things in her ear that still made her toes curl. "It was a good night."
"I do enjoy the theater. I used to be an actress, you know." Oh no, now her mother was going to wax poetic about her achievements. Cindy is very grateful for the wine. But Jimmy, her dear beloved Jimmy, sits and listens without losing the slightest bit of interest. He even asks a few questions.
They eat the cookies Sasha brought, and there is even some laughter about how bad they taste. If Cindy had dreamed the best possible scenario, this would be it. Then her mother gets up and excuses herself to go to the bathroom.
Jimmy takes her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't need to. This night was almost over. As if her mother hears her thoughts, she appears in the dining room.
"I should be going, Cynthia. My sister will be expecting me."
"Thanks for coming, Ms. Vortex. It was a pleasure to have you in our home."
"Thank you for the delicious supper. Cynthia, will you walk me to the door?"
Cindy stands and pushes her chair in, giving Jimmy's hand one tight squeeze, and follows her mother. For a while, Cindy can feel her heart thundering, and her stomach clenched with anxiety. She is waiting for something to go wrong.
After Sasha puts on her shoes and gets her purse, she turns to her. "You really do love him," it's not a question.
Cindy gawps at the comment but nods. "I do."
Then to her deep shock, her mother smiles. "I hope you will invite me again soon. Maybe for an entire weekend or something." With any further comment, she leaves.
Cindy turns away from the door as tears prickle in the corner of her eyes. Jimmy appears at the end of the hallway, and Cindy wastes no time tackling him in the fiercest hug she can manage.
He laughs, "I take it this means I did okay?"
"You were brilliant, Neutron."
"I can be charming when I wish to be, Cindy."
"I don't know if I'd go that far," she whispers as she kisses his neck softly.
"Says the woman kissing me," he chuckles.
She looks up at him, studying his familiar face, her heart so full of love and appreciation she thinks she might burst with it. "Thank you for tonight."
"You're welcome."
They stand in the hallway for a long time, buried in a tight embrace until she tugs him by the arm.
"Where are you taking me, Vortex?"
"Figure it out, genius."
-x-