Salem, on a Saturday Morning
Nancy finished packing the bag with goodies. Chloe sat at the table, picking the chocolate chips out of a muffin. She was nibbling the muffin, when Brady came into the kitchen.
Br: Well, I'm ready.
Ch: (eating the muffin) Well, it took you long enough…
Br: I can see that you're busying yourself with that muffin.
Ch: (chewing) I am.
N: (walking over to him) Here you go, Brady. I've packed some fruit salad, sandwiches, and muffins. (handing him the bag) You're more than welcome to stay for lunch.
Br: Nah, Mrs. Wesley. My dad must be wondering where I am. (looking at Chloe) Speaking of where things are, where's my car keys?
Ch: (eating a chocolate chip) In my pocket.
N: (looking at Chloe) Chloe and I had a talk. Among the many things we've discussed was the issue of your car. She's not going to drive it unless you want her to, right Chloe?
Ch: (annoyed) Right, Nancy.
Br: (smirking) Well… she can drive, unless her driving proves risky to my paint job. (holding the bag) Besides, I want to dive in to the goodies before I get home. Belle may not look it, but she can eat her weight within an hour!
Ch: (smiling at him) Thanks, Brady.
Br: (staring at her hands) First things first. Go wash your hands. You're not going to operate my Jeep with sticky, chocolaty hands.
Ch: (jumping up) Cool. I'll be back.
Brady watched as Chloe dashed out of the kitchen. Sadness crossed Brady's eyes, which he tried to cover, but Nancy saw it before he could.
Br: (looking at Nancy) So… how are you going to celebrate this fantastic news?
N: (smiling) Honestly, I don't know. I would love to parade her around Salem, but… I think it's wise to follow her lead.
Br: That's a good plan.
N: And, I don't anticipate any big blowouts. Since you made that pact with her, I think she won't be in the mood to party, at least, not without you.
Br: (sighing) Yeah.
N: (patting his shoulder) Besides, I think she would want you at 100%, operating on all cylinders. (pausing) This may be tough for both of you to hear, but it is wise to let things happen naturally, in its own time.
Ch: (bursting into the kitchen) Chloe Lane, ready for inspection, sir!
Br: (turning around) What?
Ch: (walking to him) Chloe Lane, presenting hands for inspection, sir! (wiggling her fingers) Note the absence of chocolate from my fingernails, sir! I've even used hand sanitizer, for extra protection, sir! I can borrow some latex gloves from Craig, if necessary, sir!
Br: (rolling his eyes) Alright, alright. (looking at Nancy) Thanks for everything, Mrs. Wesley.
N: (hugging him) Don't thank me yet. You still have to drive home with her.
Ch: (sarcastically) Ha-ha, Mom.
Br: (walking out of the kitchen) Come on, Diva. Let's go.
Ch: (kissing Nancy) I'll call you when I need a ride back.
N: ( pulling away) Aren't you forgetting something?
Ch: I'll kiss Craig on my way out.
N: No, I don't mean that.
Ch: What do you mean, Mom?
N: (reaching in her pocket) Your cell phone?
Ch: (smiling sheepishly) Thanks, Mom. (taking the phone) I shouldn't be long. See ya.
Chloe went outside where Brady was waiting.
Ch: Why didn't you get in?
Br: (annoyed) You have the keys.
Ch: Oh. (smiling) Sorry.
She unlocked the passenger door and Brady climbed in. She walked around the car, tucking her hair in her hair in her hooded sweatshirt. She climbed in as Brady began to unpack the care package.
Br: Oooh, muffins!
Ch: (moving the seat) Yeah, they're fresh-baked. (adjusting the mirror) Blueberry and chocolate chip. (fastening the seatbelt) There are some turkey sandwiches in there too.
Br: Oh, yeah. This will be gone before I get home.
Ch: (smirking) I'm glad to hear it. (poking his ribs) If only those ribs were.
Chloe turned the key in the ignition.
~*~
Chloe made a right turn on Sycamore. Brady was diving into the goodies, finally reaching the fruit salad.
Br: (opening the container) Yes! Cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, strawberries. (looking at Chloe) And nectarines.
Ch: (extending her hand) Gimme some.
Br: (glaring) Keep your hand at two o'clock.
Ch: (glancing at him) Come on, Brady.
Br: No. No sticky hands on my steering wheel.
He began to eat the fruit with his fingers.
Ch: My mom didn't supply utensils?
Br: (eating) I didn't look.
She stared at him as he scarfed the fruit salad.
Ch: Geez, Brady…
Br: (looking at her) Hey, I'm hungry.
Ch: Well, you shouldn't eat so fast.
Br: (under his breath) Fast. I wish some people would drive as fast as I'm eating.
Ch: (annoyed) Excuse me?
Br: You're driving too slow. (pointing to a power walker) See, he's beating us and he's in his 70s.
Ch: (glaring) Knock it off. (looking at road) I'm driving the speed limit. I would think that you'd be grateful for my caution while driving your baby.
Br: I am, but I would like to get home before Fall.
Ch: (slapping his arm) Shut up!
Br: (looking ahead) Chloe, you can make that light. Floor it!
She applied the brakes as he glared at her, She looked to her right and saw Dot.com. Brady looked in the direction she was staring.
Br: (leaning in his seat) Uncle Phil's probably in there.
Ch: (looking straight ahead) Can I have some fruit?
Br: Sure. What do you want?
Ch: Some honeydew. (pointing to a piece) That one. (looking at him) Go on, feed it to me.
Br: Are you sure?
Ch: Yeah. I'm just observing the rules. No sticky fingers on the steering wheel.
He fed her the honeydew, which she savored as she eyed the pineapple.
Br: (sad) You'll have to face reality, sooner or later.
Ch: (looking at him) I will, but my first priority is to get that pineapple. (pointing at it) That one.
She smiled as he fed it to her. She moaned as the sweetness of it permeated her mouth.
Ch: (leaning back in her seat) Now that was great pineapple.
Br: (laughing) Okay, Diva. Are you sure you're in the condition to drive?
Ch: (smiling) I am.
They smiled at each other.
Br: (looking ahead) The light's green.
Ch: (looking ahead) Oh.
He shook his head as they drove away. A lone person sauntered out of Dot.com, watching the twosome in the northbound black Jeep.
Cynthia: (smarmy) Well, well, well. It looks like Ghoul Girl has emerged from her coven. (pulling out her phone) I know a certain, dimpled hottie, who would love to know that she's out and about. (dialing the phone) He will be glad to know that she's having fun… with a friend.