June 13, 2004

Angel Grove, CA

During breakfast, the tension in our group seemed to subside. Nick and Jason talked some more and the two found common ground in some of the same movies they liked and music. I was glad because I was beginning to worry that the two would end up coming to blows at some point. I wasn't sure if it was the jet lag or just being tired but Nick was just being extra jerkish towards them when we had landed. But now, I could see that it was going to be alright. He was more relaxed now and was joking with Trini when we left the diner.

Jason drove for a few minutes, parking in front of a small ranch style home. There was a dark brown siding on the structure with a darker roof as well. There was an attached garage and a little silver car was parked in the driveway. Jason killed the engine for his SUV and hit the trunk button before climbing out. Nick climbed out too, walking to help him with our luggage. Grabbing my purse, I climbed out as well and joined Trini on the sidewalk.

"It's so cute!" I said, smiling at their house. Along the front walkway, there were solar powered lights and small green shrubs with pink flowers on them. Larger flower beds lined the sides of the small porch. I recognized the rose bushes as being similar to the ones in her grandmother's garden, yellow buds beginning to bloom in the early morning hours. The porch wasn't too big, just enough for two wicker chairs and a matching table between them.

"Thanks. Jason and I really did a lot out here to make it our own. Let me show you inside." She replied, taking my arm. I looked over my shoulder to make sure that Nick and Jase were still getting along before walking with her. She unlocked the large wooden door with a frosted glass window before heading inside. I followed her, finding myself in a rather large living room. The walls were a soft beige color with dark brown borders on the large windows on the adjacent walls. Light brown curtains hung from them, matching the couch and loveseat that were placed under them. There was an area rug with brown and tan diamond print on the floor, covering the shiny hardwood under it. This was all Trini's touch, I could tell. The only sign of Jason that I noted was the rather large projector television that was across from the furniture. On the walls around the room, I saw pictures from formal events and others throughout the years.

"I love it." I said, smiling. She set her purse down on the coffee table.

"I can show you the rest of the place and where you guys will be staying." She offered. I nodded, walking behind her as she walked out of the living room. We ended up in a hallway that led to the back part of the house. She showed me the kitchen, a lovely little room with yellow, white and black accents that reminded me of a summer villa. It was connected to a dining room that was decked out in hues of blues and white. Further up the hall, she pointed out their bedroom and then stopped outside of a door. "This will be your room. You have your own bathroom just like us. It's the one we usually have company use but we can have everyone use ours or the one in the garage."

"You have three bathrooms?" I asked. She rolled her eyes.

"Jason learned how to install toilets so he insisted on it. Don't even ask." She opened the door and pushed it open. Stepping inside, I let out a little laugh when I saw it. "I hope you don't mind but I added some touches to make you feel at home."

"It's perfect." I replied. The walls were a very soft purple color with grey shag carpet under our feet. Grey trim matched it around the windows and the door. What caught my eye was the bedding. On the queen size bed, I saw she had placed pink dyed bedding. It was a bright pink but not to the point of blinding. The pillows matched it, the bed skirt white around the bottom of it.

"I was afraid it was too much after I put it on."

"No! I love it. I promise." I said, setting my bag down on the bed. "Thank you guys so much for everything. I know it's not easy letting people just stay with you."

"You're not just people, Kim." She said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "You're family. You know that. Besides, we are just happy to have you here again." She said for probably the fifth time since we had landed.

"It doesn't seem real, ya know?" I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I think I asked Nick at least a hundred times about moving back here. And now, here we are. It's all a whirlwind."

"Well, I'm grateful for whatever made him change his mind." She replied, smiling at me. Out in the hallway, there was some commotion. A few moments later, Nick and JAson walked in carrying our luggage. They set it down and I saw Nick grimace when he looked around. "How about we let you two get settled? And then you and I can head to the mall."

"Sounds good." I said, standing up. She grabbed Jason's hand and walked out, closing the door behind her. Nick let out a loud sigh, plopping down on the bed.

"Not the best digs but the bed is comfy." He said, closing his eyes. I snorted, smiling as I looked down at him.

"What do you mean? I think their place is gorgeous." I said. Opening his eyes, he propped himself up on his elbows.

"Are you kidding me? This place is alright at best. Just wait until we get settled at your Mom's place. I'll show Jason a thing or two about what a house should look like."

"We can't change anything at the house, remember?" I asked, walking over to the top suitcase and setting it on the bed. I unzipped it and grabbed a stack of clothes. "Mom said she didn't want us to make anything different." He scoffed.

"Wouldn't be your mother if she didn't have something to bitch about." He muttered.

"It is her house." I stated, walking over to the tall wooden dresser across from the bed. "Besides, it won't be long before we find something of our own."

"I was actually thinking about that. I think we should just stay at your mom's place for a few years. I mean, it's rent free and everything is already in her name. Why pass up on something like that?" He laid back down as I put his socks and underwear in the top drawer on the left side.

"I guess we could." I replied. "When I go with Trini to the mall, I am going to see what stores are hiring. Maybe you could get into the Radio Shack here. I know you like that kinda stuff." He sighed.

"Why so soon? I mean, it wouldn't hurt to treat this like a vacation for a little bit." He yawned. I scooped up another pile of clothes and went back to the dresser.

"Cause our savings won't be there forever." I stated. "And I'll need insurance to help cover the cost of any kind of fertility treatment."

"I suppose." He said, stretching. "Don't mix up my undershirts with my other shirts." He said, lazily. "I hate when you do that shit."

"Well, you could do it yourself." I said in a joking manner.

"You could just not be a bitch right now." He snapped back. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw he was glaring at me from his spot on the bed. "For someone who just got their way, you're acting awfully out of place."

"I was only joking, Nick." I said, turning to face him.

"Whatever you fucking say. Go." He said, rolling over to face the wall.

"Nick-."

"I said go! Go hang out with your fucking friend and do whatever the fuck you're gonna do. God knows you'll probably be fucking that neanderthal by the end of the day."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, walking over to the side of the bed so I could see him. He glared at me.

"Don't act fucking stupid. You and Jason used to fuck. I can tell. He couldn't keep his hands off of you. Pretty disgusting if you ask me. Should I just leave so you two can fuck without worrying about me?"

"Nothing has nor ever will happen between Jason and I." I said, crossing my arms. "He's one of my best friends."

"Sure, he is." Nick rolled over, facing the door. I walked over to that side so I could still see him. He let out a loud huff as I grabbed more clothes. "You can't do this, Nick." I said, shaking my head as I walked back to the dresser. "I never did anything with Jason and you can't accuse me of it while we are here."

"I can do whatever the hell I want." He said, sitting up. As I turned, I saw him pick up an arm full of clothes and fling them at me. A pair of jeans hit me in the face, the button of the fly clipping me in the eyebrow. I flinched, letting out a little gasp. "There! I helped. Happy now?" He laid back down, rolling back towards the wall. "I don't want to look at you right now." I felt dread fill my chest as I quietly closed the dresser drawer. My fingers shook and my eyebrow still stung. I grabbed my purse and cast another glance as I opened the bedroom door. He didn't move to roll over so I walked out, closing the door behind me.

"Hey." Trini's voice said in the hallway, causing me to jump. Looking up, I saw she had a stack of sheets in her hands. "I figured you might want these if he can't handle the pink nightmare."

"Oh. He's taking a nap right now. Want to head to the mall?" I asked. She nodded, pausing for a second.

"You okay, Kim?" She asked.

"Huh?" I replied. She pointed towards my eyebrow.

"You have a red mark." I let out a little laugh.

"Oh. I hit it on the dresser putting clothes away. Yes, I'm still the loveable klutzy everyone knew and loved." She hesitated before smiling.

"I'll get my keys and we can go."


"I never thought I'd be back here again." I said as we walked out of Bloomingdales. The Angel Grove Mall was just as busy as when I had left it all those years ago. I was sad to see that a few of my favorite stores were no more but excited to see two of my go-to's from Miami here.

"I'm sure the mall missed you just as much. I can already feel the economy boost from it." Trini said, grinning over at me. I let out a laugh as we walked up the middle of the wing, heading towards the center of the mall. I had a couple bags in my hands, clothes that I wanted to get in case I got an interview. I had spoken to someone at every store we've gone to and so far, none of them were hiring for anything more than minimal part time. I needed something that gave me more than ten hours a week at the most.

"If I don't find a job soon, I won't be helping with much of anything." I replied.

"You'll get something. I know you will. You're a hard worker, Kim. Anyone would be lucky to have you working for them."

"I hope so." I sighed.

"I know that one of my co-workers said something about their community theater looking for a manager. I could ask them about it."

"Community theater?" I asked. She nodded, adjusting the bags in her hands.

"Yeah. They need someone to keep track of their budget, answer phone calls, help with productions. You'd be great at it! You did every school play in high school. Especially that one where Jason and Bulk had to wear those silly tights." I laughed.

"Rumplestiltskin!" I replied. "I haven't thought about that in years! It was so awful."

"We sold out all three nights." She pointed out.

"Cause Bulk flashed everyone opening night. Everyone wanted to see if it would happen again." She let out a loud laugh, nodding.

"Yeah. I forgot about that." Sighing, she looked at her watch. "I suppose we should get going. Jase is going to kill me if I don't find a way to sneak these bags in the house."

"Oh, I can help with that." I said. "I was a pro at that by the time I hit fifteen."

Trini and I headed for the exit. It took a bit to find her car, forgetting which lot we had left it. Shoving all of our things into the trunk, we climbed inside. It was very quiet when she turned the key in the ignition. Once it started up, she checked to make sure the coast was clear before backing out.

"So, how are things with Nick going?" She asked as she merged onto the highway.

"Fine." I replied automatically. "I'm sorry if he was a jerk earlier. Jetlag does a number to him and he hasn't slept much in the last couple of days."

"It's alright. We figured you guys were probably exhausted. How is he handling this whole trying to get pregnant thing?"

"He's still here, right?" I replied. "I don't think he's overly thrilled about it but he's supportive for the most part. I know having it be so difficult is hard on him so I'm hoping we can just get pregnant super easy now that we're here."

"They do say relaxation could be a part of infertility. Maybe a change of scene will be best for the both of you." She shrugged her shoulders. "Different things work for different people. I think you're going to end up pregnant though! And soon. Trust me. I'm a scientist." I laughed.

"Not that kind."

"Still a scientist." She pointed out. I nodded, looking out the window. I noticed that she pulled off the highway that led to her neighborhood. "Listen, if you ever need to talk about anything, you can tell me. I promise not to judge anything or anyone." I glanced over at her.

"What do you mean?"

"I just want to be supportive. That's all." She said, smiling in my direction. "I know you got a lot going on and it's best to talk to someone when you need to. I'm here if you do."

"Thanks, Trini." I replied, smiling at her. For a moment, I thought about telling her about Nick hitting me with the jeans. The mark was gone now and it felt silly to want to bring it up. He didn't try to hit me. It just happened that way. And I shouldn't have been so condescending to him about everything. I would have been pissed too. I knew I owed him an apology when I got home and it was the first thing on my to-do this.

"Anytime." Trini took a right hand turn that went the opposite way of her house. She pulled down lower Main Street, slowing the car to a crawl.

"Uh, Trini. Where are we going?" I asked.

"A pit stop." She replied, pulling the car to a stop against a curb. Glancing out the window, I say a brick four story building next to us. The front of the building had tall glass windows with writing on them. My eyes widened when I saw the name of the dojo on them.

"Trini…" I said, looking back at her.

"What? I told Jason I'd grab something for him." She said, undoing her seatbelt. "Let's go say hello to Tommy."