Adventures in Family Dynamics

The next few weeks went slowly. With Haley's help, he was finally caught up, but it turned out that Lucas, who he had pegged as a big dumb jock, actually got very good grades when he wasn't blowing off schoolwork entirely, so it quickly became apparent that Nathan wasn't going to get to be the smart brother without a lot of very hard work. Peyton continued to be nice to him, and a few others from outside the inner varsity team core started to thaw a little, to the point where he could join a group at lunch and not feel weird about it. Lucas was still being horrible, and he still didn't get Dan, but at least he finally had his stuff unpacked. Dan had insisted on blowing up the picture of him with the basketball and putting it in the living room. But Nathan was a little nervous. This was the first week he was actually going to be living with Lucas. Karen and Dan had finally agreed that they were settled in enough at the new place to restart the regular custody arrangement, and Lucas was back to moving from house to house every other week. A tiny part of Nathan felt bad for Lucas, to be stuck in the middle like that, but the rest of him was just apprehensive. He'd never managed to have one successful conversation with Lucas that went longer than "Pass the salt" or a hissed admonition not to touch something and now they were going to be sharing a bathroom. Dan was all excited, but Nathan was sure that had more to do with the opportunity to train both boys together than anything else. But now it was Sunday night. Karen had cooked a real meal and he and Dan were going there to eat. Lucas would come back with them after dinner. It was going to be the first time he saw Karen's house, formerly Dan's house.

It was huge. It was enormous. His entire house in Vegas would have fit in the living room, with space to spare. It was unreal that anyone could live there. Dan saw the look on his face. "Yeah, I know. I make good money, and we plowed every cent we had and then some into this place. And now it's hers, and I only get to use it for the annual basketball appreciation dinner."

"What's that?"

"Boosters Club party. Parents, players, cheerleaders, coaching staff. Big shindig and one of the highlights of the Tree Hill social calendar. I had it written into the divorce decree," he added, smirking. "Anyway, until I can rebuild my savings, it'll be a while before we can get another place like this." He got out of the car. "Take some advice from your pop, Nathan. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Someone with a sharp lawyer might come along and steal it from you."

He lead the way onto the porch and opened the door while Nathan goggled. The house they were living in now was already twice what he and Mom had had in Vegas. He simply couldn't imagine living anywhere like this mansion.

Dinner was weird. They'd eaten together before, in restaurants in Las Vegas waiting for the hearing, but this was the first time they were all together in a house, like a normal family. Dan seemed to be intent on scoring against Karen, and Karen was torn between trying to score back and make Nathan feel welcome. Waves of anger poured off Lucas, but Nathan couldn't tell who they were directed at. Probably all three. Finally the meal was done, the table cleared. Lucas was sent upstairs to gather his stuff, while Dan disappeared into the den to catch the sports highlights on ESPN, leaving Nathan alone with Karen and the dirty dishes.

"Thank you for the meal, Karen. It was nice to eat a real family meal."

Karen smiled. "I don't know how great that was as an example. We were still pretty raw from the divorce when... well, it's just reopened some old wounds. It's not your fault. You're just stuck in the middle right now. But it'll get better. Lucas will come around."

Nathan shrugged. "Lucas hates me."

"Well, that doesn't make you special. He hates everyone right now. The only person he even talks to anymore is Haley."

"Haley?" Nathan said. "I didn't know he was friendly with Haley. I never seem them talking at school."

"Yeah, apparently they have some bizarre deal worked out for school, but they're actually very good friends. I used to hope they'd hook up, especially when all the shi- uh, stuff, started to fly, but then Peyton came along and she was this blonde cheerleader. Not that there's anything wrong with that; I mean I was a cheerleader, but she's more the kind of girl I guess Lucas felt like he should be dating. So he and Haley stayed friends. Peyton's a nice girl though. Sad, sometimes."

"She misses her mom."

Karen looked up from the last of the dishes. "She told you about that? She barely ever mentions her mother."

"Yeah. She's nice. She goes out of her way to talk to me. She told me about her Mom."

"What, so the poor little mother-less orphans bonded over their tragedy?" Lucas' voice came from the doorway and Nathan jumped. "That's so cute. You should start a club."

Karen slammed the sponge into the soapy water. "Lucas, I am sick of this. You apologize to your brother right now."

Nathan started to say it wasn't necessary, but Lucas smiled that cold smile. "Sorry, little brother. I'll try to be more considerate of your fragile state."

Karen frowned, but chose not to pursue Lucas' less than sincere tone. "Dan! Lucas and Nathan are ready to go!" There was no response from the den, and Karen huffed. "That man, I swear, if a marching band went through the room during SportsCenter... Nathan, can you go wake him up? Lucas, go put your bag in the car. And I'm going to check with your teachers on your homework, young man. No more letting it slide because your father is too distracted to check it."

Lucas smirked and left. Nathan started toward the den. "Nathan," Karen said, stopping him. "I know I'm not your mother, and I know the situation is awkward, but I'd like it if you could tell me things."

"Things about Lucas, you mean?"

"Just... I need to know if he does anything to you. It's as much for him as you."

"But then I'd be a rat. He already hates me."

"Don't worry. I can handle Lucas. It's just... that letter your mother wrote me. She wanted to make sure I gave you a brother. Family. I made her soul a promise. I can't do that if I don't know what he's up to."

Nathan considered, and then nodded. "Okay. But only if it's above and beyond the normal hazing. That I can handle."

"Deal. Go roust your father, before he grows roots out of his ass." But Nathan didn't leave immediately. "What?"

"I jut wanted to say you and my mom... You're a lot alike. I think she would have really liked you. You might have even been friends."

Karen smiled, and for a moment, she even looked like his mom. His throat closed. "Thank you, Nathan. That really means a lot." Nathan nodded at her, still not trusting his voice, and left the room.