Disclaimer: I own nothing expect for my lovely kid characters!
Note: I cannot write songs to save my life! These aren't that great but I promise they'll be better later.
It's Christmas Eve 2006, and the bohemian family is over at the loft for dinner. Ryan Cohen, a tall skinny 16-year-old kid with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes is running around with his dad's old camera. Maria Davis a petite 15 year old with brown curly hair and light caramel skin is sitting in a chair trying to tune her dad's old Fender guitar.
Ryan tries so hard to be like his dad, but still hasn't been able to get that effect on filming. He turns on the camera and begins.
Background Check" Uhh…December 24th 2007, 9pm est. Like my dad I shoot without a script. Nothing comes of it. Just my old shit. First shot Ria , butchering her dad's old Fender guitar, that sat unplayed for years".
He points the camera at Maria who gives him a glareTell the paying crowds what your doing RIA!
Ria slammed down the guitar and stared dead into the camera
"Won't you shut up? Your films suck! You're making me mad. Trying to be like your dad, whom you'll never be! Just like me." She gets up and walks to her room
Ryan turns the camera to himself
"A background look on Ria for those of you just tuning in. Ria's mom Mimi…died of AIDS two years back. Since it will eventually take her dad and finally her…she lives in fear. Also, Uncle Collins and Jason also carry the disease, so like Dad; the one to survive…is me."
He switches the camera off and sits down, watching "Santa Claus is Coming To Town".
Just then Jason Collins bounces over in a Santa hat and jingle bells singing "JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS, ROBIN LAID AN EGG! THE BATMOBILE LOST ITS WHEEL AND THE JOKER GOT AWAY HEY!"
Ryan laughed, "Jase come on that's getting old, we've sang that since we were what…eight?"
Jason laughed "Hey it's Christmas, everyone's eight years old now!"
"So how's senior year treating you?"
"Aw it's a bitch, I haven't been able to hang out with you and Dad you see since I'm trying to meet the standards for New York University!"
"Dude you're practically in already thanks to your dear old dad!"
Collins looked up from his book he was reading, "Afraid not. Apparently I've been conveniently kicked off the admissions board when my boy's application information got sent." He laughed until he started wheezing again, which had been going on for about 2 weeks now.
Jason ran over to him, "Dad are you okay?"
"I'm fine, just got a little carried away there I guess."
Jason got him a glass of water, and watched how his dad drank it tiredly. He started to get a little worried since his dad had been sick awhile. Usually he was able to get back on his feet in a few days, but recently he hadn't been himself lately.
He went and got his journal out which he'd been writing in for awhile.
I can't shake off this feeling that something's really wrong with Dad. I mean I'm used to him being sick, and all but just yesterday he coughed so much he started shaking. I don't know what we're gonna do.
Just then Maureen called from the kitchen. "Okay guys dinner's on!"
I'll be back later, haven't eaten much today and that turkey's smelling good.
He knocked on Ria's door, "Ria come on, or I'm eating your turkey leg again!"
Ria opened the door a little and poked her head out
"Look Jase, I'm not in the mood to eat now, I'll just…"
"Look, I know this time is hard for you but Aunt Mimi wouldn't have wanted you to close up like this. Your dad needs you now too, you know how he's been lately."
Ria sighed, "I guess I'll come out for awhile" as she wiped her eyes.
They walked out to the kitchen where everyone was already seated. Jason sat by Collins near the head of the table, and Ria sat by Roger and Ryan. Collins slowly rose up and held up his glass.
There's only us
Well another day, another year here in the life. We've had our share of struggle, but managed to survive.
Ria: How do we survive? Our lives have been a blow! Mom's gone and your t-cells are low!
Collins: But I feel great today.
Jason: Riiight
Collins: I do, it's the best I've felt in weeks. It's at a peak!
A dead silence overcomes the table
Collins: Okay, that was weak.
The rest laugh at Collins corniness as Ria slumps down in her seat. Roger puts his arm around her.
"Look honey, I know you're in doubt since we're always living without. But really its quite hard to say. That rationale says we shouldn't be alive today."
The rest of the table got up with their glasses raised.
"There's only us, There's only this
Forget regret, or life is yours to miss
No other road, no other way
No day but today"
"Amen, now let's eat!" Ryan exclaimed as they all sat down to eat, still together after all these years.
Okay, there's the first chapter! I had a little slump today, so the songs aren't that great. I was thinking of having Angel and Mimi narrate in between chapters, like before and after the chapter. Would anyone else want to see that? I'll be out for the week so you may get some more tomorrow or Sunday.