Don't Toy With Me
"What are you doing?" Brenda asked her son who was fully dressed to go out
"Just gonna meet Pamela for a bit" James replied
"I don't think so!" Brenda scoffed, "You just got out of detention. You can be grounded for at least a night to think about what you did."
"Mum, come on." He groaned
"James we're not discussing this." She said firmly
"Dad, can't you talk to her?" He turned to Dylan longingly
"Son, I'm on your side." Dylan began as he stood in his son's room. "We both are. But your mother's right. Give it a breather."
"Great." He whined, pulling his t shirt off over his head. "Pam's mother doesn't want us seeing each other and now you two don't."
"What?" Dylan cocked an eyebrow "What did Pam's mother say?"
"I don't know..." James sighed, "Something about how it's not a good idea. She's too overprotective..."
"Oh really?" Dylan breathed out "You know what son you go ahead and get dressed. I'll talk to your mum."
"Dylan." Brenda said sternly as she put the dishes into the cabinet.
"I know Bren," Dylan soothed, "But he knows he's done wrong. Besides this is the only friend he's connected with since we got here. Can't we let him have that?"
"Dylan our son got into a fist-fight today. He could have been badly hurt and for what? We don't even know this girl!" Brenda cried
"...You sound your father, Bren." Dylan chuckled
"Maybe he had a point." She scoffed
"You're right. Babe... I'm sorry. I just I know what it feels like when someone tells you you can't have something or you don't deserve something. I don't want him to go through that."
"Pam, the guy got into a fight at school. This is hardly the guy you should consider dating." Kelly snapped
"He punched the guy for me!" Pamela yelled, "How is that a bad thing?"
"Pam. You're not going to see him tonight. Get over it." Kelly said fiercely, stomping back down the stairs
"Ugh!" Pamela groaned, "So not fair!"
"What is all the commotion in here?" Steve asked following Kelly into the kitchen
"Your daughter wants to go out tonight with James."
"Ah, let her go." Steve shrugged
"Steve. We both agreed-" Just then she was interrupted by the door bell.
"Well... looks like he finally found the front door." Steve joked
"Oh, so you're okay with this?" She asked
"Now I know it's Dylan's son... Yeah I feel a little better."
"How?" She looked bewildered
"I don't know. I mean, Dylan and I had our issues when it came to you... but at the end of the day, he's one of us. Class of '93."
Kelly folded her arms.
"Funny that you've got a problem with it though." Steve paused, "Unless there's something you're not telling me..." He hissed
Kelly glared at him as Steve went to open the front door.
"Hey, kid." Steve shook James' hand
"Hi mr Sanders. I hope you're okay with this."
"Sure son. Just don't get into any more fist-fights tonight." Steve grinned
"Hi James!" Pamela came running downstairs to meet him
"Hey! You look great." He smiled at her
"So where you two off to?" Steve asked
"Oh um, Griffith observatory. My dad said it makes for a great date." replied James
That bastard. Kelly thought. He's toying with me.
"Nice. Have fun guys. Don't be home late." Steve warned
"I spoke to Brandon." Brenda said joining Dylan on the couch, who was watching surfing on TV.
"How's he doing?" He asked
"They agreed to come visit for thanksgiving." She replied
"That's great. James will love having his cousin over."
"Yeah... plus this way the three of us can face the old class of '93 together." She let out a deep, anxious breath
"Exactly." He smiled, rubbing her knee in comfort.
"I bet he's nervous too." Brenda presumed
"How long has he been gone for?" Dylan asked
"He left shortly after you..."
"Guess none of us are good at keeping in touch." Dylan shrugged
"Somehow that won't affect Brandon. He'll blend right back in." Brenda scoffed
"And you? Did you try calling Donna?"
"I will."
"You should. No matter how much time has passed, she'd be happy to see you."
"And Kelly?" Brenda asked, and Dylan's jaw clenched as tension filled the air. "Come on, her name was bound to come up some time..."
"The nerve." Kelly began as her and Donna shared a glass of wine the following evening on Donna and David's porch. "The nerve of telling his son to take my daughter to where we had our first date. He's toying with me. I know it."
"Well, it worked." Donna sighed
"It's only because I know them dating is a bad idea. That's the only reason he's pushing this."
"Kelly... dwelling on this stuff isn't good for you. Those kids are gonna be fine. What you need to do is not let him back into your head."
"I was doing good before he came back." Kelly sighed
"I know and I know it's so hard for you. But please try to get some distance. What happened was a long time ago. It's over."
"You know, Donna that's the problem." She let out a nervous chuckle, "It's been 17 years, and it never seems to be over."
"Kelly don't." Donna warned, "Don't let it into your headspace."
"Fine let's change the subject." Kelly shook her head, "I guess we can talk about having to socialize at The Miller's annual get-together tonight."
"Are you going?" She asked
"Aren't you and David going?"
"Yeah but..." Donna hesitated
"But what?" Kelly asked
"Kel... I don't think it's a good idea for you to go."
"Why not?" She asked
"Well... Dylan is a parent at the school now, so he'll be there."
"And? Didn't you just say I have to basically get over it?"
"I said get some distance." Donna corrected
"So avoid anything to do with West Beverly High?"
"Well... James' mother will be there."
"Oh... Well, I mean... knowing Dylan's track record, I'm surprised they're still together."
"It's not about that, Kelly. It's about who James' mother is..." Donna fidgeted in her seat
"You know her?" Kelly's voice was quieter