Chapter 200: Seaview Manor

Wednesday, January 18th, Evening

Looking across the front seat of his veteran SUV, the teenage girl looked back at him and nodded slightly. He sighed and turned into the driveway, on one of the gate pillars, which hung a sign with the estate's name on it. The estate's name is Seaview Manor.

Lucas pulled the veteran SUV into a parking spot near the estate owner's car. He put the SUV in a parking spot and looked to his passenger, again. Sawyer sighed and nodded.

"Let's do this," Lucas said.

"Dad, why did you agree to have dinner with them, if you're not comfortable with going?" Sawyer asked.

"We're friends, and your friends with Gareth," Lucas said.

Sawyer shrugged, "Dad, it's not about me," she said.

"I'm just not normally into being social," Lucas said.

"Why, Dad?" Sawyer asked.

"I don't know," Lucas said.

Sawyer nodded and looked out the windshield at the manor. She clenched her hands in her lap. She took in several deep breaths.

"Let's go," Sawyer said.

Lucas nodded, "Alright," he said.

Sawyer nodded, and they got out of the SUV. The sounds of the SUV's door closing echoed in the night. Lucas nodded and walked up to the front door. He rang on the doorbell. Lucas took a deep breath as the door opened, and Meggy Reuter was standing there.

Lucas slowly let out his held breath. He was underdressed, as Meggy was wearing a sleeveless scoop neck, body con dress. Meggy kept herself in decent shape.

"Lucas, Sawyer, right on time, please, please, come in," Meggy said.

"Thank you," Lucas said.

"Thank you, Mrs. Reuter," Sawyer said.

As they stepped into the house, Gareth was waiting there for them. Meggy turned to her son. "Gareth, please take Sawyer and Mister Scott's coats," she said.

"Yes, Mom," Gareth said and took Sawyer's coat. Lucas noticed Gareth's eyes hung on Sawyer, just a moment too long for Lucas' taste.

Sawyer wore a black pinafore dress over a red and black tartan long sleeve shirt. She looked over her shoulder at Gareth.

"Thanks, Gar," Sawyer said.

"You're welcome," Gareth said.

Gareth walked over to Lucas and took his coat. Lucas wore khaki pants, a blue button-down shirt, and a simple black and blue striped tie.

"Thanks, Gareth," Lucas said.

"You're welcome," Gareth said.

Lucas walked over and handed a bottle to Meggy. "It's not much, but I wasn't sure what we're having for dinner," he said.

Meggy took the bottle and cradled it gently in her hands. She looked over the label and nodded. "This should be fine," she said.

"So, what's for dinner?" Sawyer asked.

"Roast Chicken," Gareth said.

"Hmmm," Sawyer said.

"Let's get settled, it should almost be ready," Meggy said.

"Okay," Lucas said.

"Gareth, please show Mister Scott and Sawyer to the table, please," Meggy said.

"Yes, Mom," Gareth said.

Lucas and Sawyer followed Gareth to the dining room. Not that Gareth needs to show Lucas and Sawyer the way, as they both have been there several times already. Once in the dining room, Gareth showed them their spots at the table.

Sawyer took a spot across from Lucas, staring across the table at each other. Gareth went into the kitchen. Sawyer's eyes looked over to the door to the kitchen and then looked back to Lucas.

"What is going on between you and Mrs. Reuter?" Sawyer asked.

"What do you mean?" Lucas asked.

"Well, for one, what is Mrs. Reuter is wearing," Sawyer said.

"Nothing," Lucas said, "That I know of."

"Well, maybe, I don't know," Sawyer said.

Out of the kitchen, Gareth and Meggy came into the dining room carrying dinner. They put out the food and took their places. The party passed the food around, and everyone made up their dinner plates.

"Are you getting excited about this event coming up?" Maggy asked, looked across the table at Lucas.

Lucas shrugged, as he poked at his food. "It's kind of a distraction," he said.

"Really?" Meggy asked.

"I have a department to run, classes to teach, and a basketball team to coach," Lucas said, "Not to forget being a dad."

"But they are honoring you," Meggy said.

"They're honoring the team. I just happened to have coached them," Lucas said.

"I see," Meggy said.

Lucas nodded.

"So, anyway, Lucas, what are you doing with yourself after school?" Meggy asked.

"What's after school?" Lucas asked, with a bit of sarcasm.

"You're not writing another novel?" Meggy asked.

Lucas shook his head. "No, I'm not working on a novel at this time," he said.

"Why not? You're a great writer, Lucas," Meggy said.

Lucas shrugged, "Sometimes you have to let the younger writers have time to shine," he said.

"I understand that," Meggy said, nodded, and looked around the table; finally, she settled back onto Lucas, "If I remember, correctly, you left off just as Cori was heading to California to med school."

Lucas nodded, "I believe you're right," he said.

"I always wondered what happened with that story," Meggy said.

"You can say whatever you think happened, happened," Lucas said.

"That's no fun," Meggy said.

"Sure," Lucas said.

Meggy shook her head and looked over to Sawyer. "Sawyer, how are things going with school?" Meggy asked.

"The usual, Mrs. Reuter, but I'm busy with making videos and designing costumes for a few cons and other events," Sawyer said.

"You're still doing that?" Meggy asked.

"What else am I to do?" Sawyer asked.

"You're a cheerleader," Meggy said.

"I guess," Sawyer said with a shrug.

"You're good at it," Gareth said.

"Thanks, Gar," Sawyer said, "It's not my first choice in sports." She looked at Lucas.

"We've had this discussion before," Lucas said.

"Yeah, whatever, Dad," Sawyer said.

"Let's enjoy this beautiful meal, and good conversation," Lucas said.

Sawyer nodded, "Fine!" she said, and turned back to her plate. Lucas nodded and returned to his meal.