The Journal, Chapter 7
By: BadMomma
… thoughts
***** . . . ***** "live" action that takes place.
Journal Entry 12.03.AC214
Well, well, well. My life never ceases to amaze me. Today I met Quatre's nephew. He's one of the new interns at our school that Katie had told me about when I was in L2. And he's one of the cute ones, too. I was sitting at the benches in the quad waiting for my lunch crowd to show up when he stepped up behind me and cleared his throat. Since I hadn't seen him before I gave him an odd look and asked if he was looking for the administration office. It was clear that he wasn't one of the students because he wasn't wearing a uniform and he didn't look old enough to be anyone's parent so I really wasn't sure who he might be. He thanked me and said no, that he thought he'd found who he was looking for, "Helena, Helena Yuy, right? I've seen pictures of your father" he said.
Instantly I was worried, see occasionally a reporter gets it in their head that they need to do an in depth retrospective of the war years and they start chasing down anyone who had anything to do with the famous Gundam pilots. I can't imagine that they get very close to Wufei or Trowa, so that leaves Duo, Quatre and mom & me. I know it's happened to all of us because we've talked about it before. As a matter of fact Duo always jokes that he's pretty sure that the only reason Wufei joined the Preventers was to avoid having to deal with these kinds of things. Anyhow, I pulled my stock answer up from memory and began to deliver it with as much force as I could. I told him that if he was looking for some inside scoop on where my father was and what he was up to and what did I think about his involvement in the battles that he could shove it, 'cause I wasn't going to have that conversation with him. And furthermore that if he didn't get away from me right away I would call campus security and have him escorted from the grounds. For fun, I had thrown in a few of those colorful Japanese terms Hilde had taught me and began to glare at him.
I thought the guy was going to pass out at first and then all of a sudden he started laughing. Well, that ticked me off and I was about to get up and go find campus security when he held up his hands in a sign of surrender or something and said that I had completely misunderstood. It took him a little while to control the giggles and he apologized for not introducing himself properly. "I'm Michael Faroq" he said "I believe you know my uncle, Quatre Winner." What he said next left me blushing and giggling, he asked me where I learned to swear so fluently! Imagine my embarrassment when I realized what I had said, I'm going to have to learn to keep my mouth shut – either that or make sure that whoever I'm throwing those words at doesn't know what they mean. It was then that I realized that he kind of looked like Quatre, slight build, blue-green eyes and – while slightly darker – blond hair. It was my turn to apologize, so I did and I asked him to sit with me.
We spent quite some time talking, he told me all about how he ended up at my school. His father is an engineer I think he said and last summer he took on a project to build a huge medical research and training facility in a neighboring city. He liked the area so much that he decided to relocate the whole family. His younger sister should be transferring into the school at the beginning of the next semester. Michael himself is finishing up his teaching degree and managed to get his credits transferred just recently so he could complete his studies at the National Institute of Arts & Sciences here in Sank. He'll be interning at my school for most of the year, but mostly as an assistant in some of the language classes. Apparently he's not too much older than me, only about 20. He says he finished high school early because he'd been tutored privately until he was about 11 or 12 and when he tested to get into some exclusive academy his dad wanted to put him in they placed him in ninth grade. He said he'd heard some teachers talking about me in the teacher's lounge a few days after starting here and that he was glad to finally track me down.
I told him that I'd been out of town, with Duo, and that it wouldn't have been easy to find me before yesterday. This he already knew 'cause he had asked and they'd informed him that I'd taken a brief leave of absence. Apparently they did not approve. Curiosity got the better of me and I had to ask who it was that he'd spoken to. I blushed furiously when he said it was Mr. Blair who had answered and I asked him not to judge me by Blair's opinion. Mr. Blair, my history teacher this year, and I have had a few disagreements, shall we say, in the past. He doesn't take too kindly to having students correct his biased opinions of the history of our country and the political nature of its leaders, he's a bit pompous and I couldn't help but defend my family and their political background when it came up. My uncle's not a bad guy, no matter what happened almost 20 years ago. Michael told me not to worry, that he'd already noticed the guy was an ass and that he'd heard nice things about me from my other teachers when he'd inquired. I was glad, Michael seemed really nice and I'd hate to have him think I was a spoiled little rich-girl.
We were about to start talking about other stuff when my friends arrived. He politely excused himself and thanked me for taking the time to talk to him. I realized that I didn't know where he was staying and that mom would surely love to meet him, so I invited him over to dinner sometime this week. I made sure to get his phone number and promised to call him tomorrow to firm up a day, maybe I could even set it up so that Duo and Trowa could come to dinner too. When I said it I wasn't really sure if he knew the other pilots or even cared to meet them, but he sounded genuinely interested and said that it would be great to meet some of his uncle's old friends since he'd only heard stories about and seen pictures of them. It was settled, he waved goodbye and took off in the direction of the main building.
My friends were all acting like love-struck teenagers after he'd left, joking about how I was moving so fast getting his phone number, promising to call the next day, inviting him to dinner and what with him being an older guy and all. I swear it makes me wonder if none of these people have any extended family. Isn't that the kind of thing you do when you meet someone that you share common friendships with, Quatre is like an uncle, why wouldn't I invite Michael to my house, he's practically family. Too bad Katie wasn't there to back me up, she's the only one of my friends that seems to understand that side of me, as a matter of fact she was almost as excited as me to see Duo when he showed up on Sunday for lunch. Secretly, I think she has a crush on him – he is kind of cute for an older guy – but I'll never tease her about it. I think she understands what my family means to me, we're both only children. That's why we get along so well, that's why even though I might not see him again before he leaves I still went to the movies with her on Sunday afternoon after we had all finished having lunch. I wonder when he is leaving, it should be in a couple of days
oh, phone's ringing, mom's probably still working, I better get it
*****
"Hello? Oh hey Hilde! It's Helena."
"Well, of course it's you, I can see that. How are you honey, getting back into the swing of things?"
"Yeah, you know, rested up on the weekend, got caught up on some gossip with my friends and then it was back to the grind Monday morning. Breakfast, school, homework, dinner, sleep. The fun never ends!"
"Yeah, well the only difference when you grow up is that it's 'breakfast, work, housework, dinner, sleep', and that's before you start having children, don't even get me started with that! Hey, is your mom around, could I speak to her."
"Sure, I think she's still in the office, but…"
"She's still working? What's wrong with that woman? I'm gonna have to give her a talking to. Listen if she's busy don't worry about it, I'll call later. It's not urgent."
"Oh, no Hilde, just hang on. I'm sure she'd love to talk to you and this way I can remind her what time it is. She works way too much when she's at home. Hang on, OK, I'll go get her."
Helena walks downstairs and to Relena's office, listening first to see if there's any conversation taking place, she quietly knocks and pops her head in the door.
"Hey mom, Hilde's on the line for you. Can you talk to her now or should I tell her you'll call back?"
"No, no, I'll talk to her, what time is it anyway? God it's almost seven already. I'll take it here. Oh um, you done with your homework already, we should have dinner soon, hm?"
"Yeah I'm finishing something up and then I was going to take a shower, I should be ready in like 30, 45 minutes… What're we having for dinner tonight?"
Pursed lips, a shoulder shrug and a head jiggle was the only reply she got before Relena picked up Hilde's call. "Hilde? Hi, to what do I owe the honor? ….." Helena let herself out and headed to the kitchen to see what was on the menu.
Standing just outside the door, Helena paused to try to guess at what her nose was telling her. Bread, garlic, oregano. Ooooh, Italian! Pressing on, she encountered Marie, the cook.
"Aaaah, ma cherie, ca va?" [1]
"Bien Marie, et toi?" [2]
"Jamais meilleur! Eh, que est-ce que tu fais a ma cuisine?[3]
"Que est-ce qu'il a pour le diner? Italien, je pense. Ca sent pain d'ail?" [4]
"Oui ma petite, mais… Tu ne fais pas la toilette rapide?" [5]
"Certes oui, dans une minute!" [6]
"Eh bien, aller! … Marcher, tout suite! Le diner est prêt." [7]
And with that she left, headed back upstairs to get ready for dinner.
*****
Well, dinner's almost ready so I better finish this up quick. Let's see.
Not much else exciting has been happening these last couple of days. Mom and I haven't had much time to hang out and talk, I really want to tell her all about my trip and Thanksgiving and what-not, but other than Sunday when Duo was here for lunch, we just haven't had much time together. Her, Lu and Milliardo all had some serious meeting after dinner yesterday and I watched the kids, but after that we just went to bed. Maybe this weekend we can do something, just the two of us. Well gotta go. Tout a l'heure!
Journal Entry 12.06.AC214
Jeez, I've been so busy these last couple of days that I really haven't had time to write. My French teacher made me write a report to make up for a couple of quizzes I missed while I was away and I had a huge math test this morning. I'm just glad this week is over, school-wise. As for the evenings, today was the most fun. Michael came over for dinner. It turns out that mom's actually met him before, at Quatre's wedding, he was the ring bearer. We had a nice dinner then moved to the living room and mom brought out some old photo albums that we went through while having some coffee. There were pictures of him from the wedding, he would have been about twelve, I guess, and he was just as cute as a button. jeez, I never realized what a weird expression that is, my shirt buttons aren't all that cute! Oh well, whatever. She also had some pictures that Quatre had sent of his family at the kid's birthdays and what-not and he was in a few of those too. Though there were no recent pictures, for the more obvious reasons, at first I thought it was just because 15 year olds aren't into little kids' birthday parties much, but then it occurred to me that he would have been away at school and he wouldn't have been able to attend family events like that regularly, especially with Quatre living in the colonies and all.
Anyhow, it was a nice evening and we sat around talking, listening to music and looking at old photos. I can't believe that mom embarrassed me by pulling out those pictures she has of me from when she decided I should take ballet classes. I looked like a total goof-ball in that pink tutu. I guess I'm just my father's daughter and the more refined things in life were not for me. There were also plenty of pictures of me caked in mud, with scraped knees and looking all-around disheveled. She also pulled out a picture of me from Halloween when I was about four where I dressed up in a kimono and mom had done my hair up in a poofy bun on the top of my head. I had a pair of chopsticks in one hand and my candy bag in the other. What a sight! I think that one elicited the biggest laughter of the night.
Michael left about an hour ago and upon her insistence, promised mom that he'd be back at least once a month for dinner. She said it was no use knowing people in town and not spending time with them. I think that would be nice, he's a real sweet guy, just like his uncle.
Well tomorrow Katie and the girls are coming over for a picnic down by the lake. We're going to make ourselves a nice lunch and head down there around noon to hang out, paint our nails, listen to music and just talk. I can't wait, we haven't all gotten together since right before my birthday and they're all just dying to find out about my adventures in space. It's funny though, now that I think about it, most of what happened while I was out there is really off-limits for our picnic talk. Katie's the only one that I confide in about stuff that has to do with my father. I'm not sure if I don't think the rest of them will understand or if it's just that they really have no clue what it's like for me.
Katie's parents are the only ones who really know my mom well and they're definitely the only ones that knew my father. The other girls' parents have met mom, but they treat her like she's some demi-god or something, like they're in awe of her because she's Relena Peacecraft-Dorlian, former Queen of the World, former Vice Foreign Minister, daughter of the late-great King Peacecraft, bringer of peace, …. I could go on for days. Actually, it's kind of gross, I want to scream at them sometimes that she's just an ordinary mom, but I guess that wouldn't do any good, cause she's not. Not really. Well, enough of this depressing crap, I'm tired and I'm going to bed. I'm hoping for clear blue skies tomorrow.
~~ to be continued ~~
AN: This one's kind of short, sorry. But I need to do some set up in the form of a side story (ch.8) and then I can get back to her journal. Also, I indulge; sorry if the French is a little rusty, please forgive any errors:
[1] Aaaah, sweetie, how's it going?
[2] Fine thanks Marie, and you?
[3] Never better! And what are you doing in my kitchen?
[4] What's for dinner? Italian, I think. It smells like garlic bread?
[5] Yes my little one, but… Aren't you going to take a quick shower?
[6] Yes yes, in a minute!
[7] Good, go! … On your way, now! Dinner is ready.
[8] Bye for now!
Hope you're still enjoying it. Need I say again that comments are not just welcomed but encouraged. Thanks. Write me at: BadMomma64@aol.com
Disclaimer: I dream, yet they are still not mine.
