Thank you to everybody who read or left kudos for the last section. You're all so fabulous. We will be doing almost all-new material from this point onward until the end of book one. I was planning to adapt one scene from book 2 and move it to this section, but I opted to replace it was something different. Because I'm planning things out this time, I don't need to do the flashback I used last time. From the title, you should realize this is a text message-heavy chapter. It is my favorite writing style.
Chapter 71: Several dozen text messages about life
Morning December 18, 2008
Pay Pay: How is house shopping going? Sorry I didn't text you yesterday. Things kind of blew up. I had a heartbroken teenager to tend to.
Kim: I saw all. Teresa sent a video. It was one of the few things that amused me after the asshole took over from Jennifer.
Pay Pay: That bad?
Kim: I'm currently touring what can only be described as a Stepford wives' McMansion. Jennifer at least showed us a nice place before the guy took over.
Kim: Unfortunately, Troy was allergic to it, but it did have hardwood floors and five bedrooms. I'm sure the neighbor won't be making strawberry jam all the time. It was just a holiday thing.
Pay Pay: Did Troy need an EpiPen?
Kim: Thankfully, no. Just all of my emergency Benadryl stash. Although I am going to make him start carrying one. I think the strawberry allergy is getting worse.
Pay Pay: Good idea.
Kim: I'm already exhausted, and the day has just begun. I wish Maria was with us right now, but she has a job interview. She would make everything better. I think we have three more McMansions in one of the pretentious neighborhoods after this.
Pay Pay: You're going to hate that.
Kim: So very much. I emailed Jennifer behind the other guys back a few minutes ago. She will show us another place later today once we lose the ass hole realtor. I've seen pictures, and I already like it better than the Stepford house. It looks like Darby decorated the whole place.
Kim: [six images attached]
Kim: Everything he has planned for today is almost identical to this. Just different shades of pastels.
Pay Pay: This guy does not know anything about you beyond your bank statement. That definitely does look like something Darby would've designed.
Kim: Which means I despise it just on principle. I think I'm getting more shallow by the minute being here.
Pay Pay: However, the other place looks cute. Does the other guy still get a piece of the Commission if you buy with Jennifer?
Kim: Unfortunately, yes, because it's his shop. However, he'll get significantly less, and most would go to Jennifer. We actually like her.
Pay Pay: Why didn't you say no when he tried to take over?
Kim: We tried, but he just showed up this morning to take us to the first McMansion. Unfortunately, we're not as scary as Maria.
Pay Pay: Her in mama bear mode is impressive.
Kim: No more talk of my misadventures in real estate. If I'm factoring in the time difference, you should already be in your second class with Penelope. How has the morning been so far?
Pay Pay: Significantly better than yesterday, except that Kelsi showed up even though Jack specifically told her not to. Jackie was furious.
Kim: Oh God, what happened?
Pay Pay: She was there on behalf of the evil parents to get Jackie to come home. I think you're going to have to pay them off to leave her alone.
Kim: They would stoop so low. I'll call the lawyer on the ride to the next house. What else happened?
Pay Pay: I'm not entirely sure. I took Ryan for a cup of coffee in the teachers' lounge. By the time we got back, Penelope and Jack had gotten rid of her. No one will say what happened, and I'm not asking questions. Although Jackie has another detention for cursing. Jackie probably was the one who got rid of her sister.
Kim: Honestly, it hasn't been good for a while between them. We talked a little bit over the last few weeks when she came over after school. It's why I'm helping Teresa with this. It is not a good place for Jackie.
Pay Pay: That makes sense. Also, as soon as I get my credit card back, I am donating a new coffee maker to the teachers' lounge. Something that can do at least a decent espresso. We're all going to be there next semester and deserve decent coffee.
Kim: Oh, I'll take care of it myself, mainly because my student teaching will be during the morning a few days a week. It will be a thank you present for last semester.
Pay Pay: And your survival present to help you get through next semester.
Kim: Exactly. You're really getting along with Penelope? No fights last night?
Pay Pay: So far, we have been on our best behavior. We may have made many snide comments about Ryan and Taylor being in the love bubble. Lots of photos were sent to Zack. We need to get along since we'll be in each other's lives for a while.
Kim: She is the best friend of your fiance's brother. And she feels like one of those ride-or-die best friends.
Pay Pay: She really is, which makes it easier to tolerate her. I'm sure she took on Kelsi because she was hurting her best friend's boyfriend. She will not accept that.
Pay Pay: Penelope is Jack's teacher's aide next semester for drama I. So I have to be courteous for the sake of my future father-in-law.
Kim: I thought you were doing that class?
Pay Pay: That was the plan, but his session of drama I is at the same time as my writing class. So I am doing last period Creative writing class instead three days a week.
Kim: That's probably good for you. Especially if you're thinking about going into writing for good. I don't know what class I'm doing my student teaching in yet. It would have been Ms. Ortega, but she's doing drama II at that time slot. The powers that be are deciding if my father-in-law can observe my student teaching. Otherwise, I'm doing AP 12 English with Mr. Davis. Regardless, I'm not looking forward to student teaching at 7:30 AM next year. Then I have physics. Of course, that could change depending on what they will allow.
Pay pay: Oh God, I don't even want to think about the next semester yet. We haven't even got our grades back yet.
Kim: Yes, let's just concentrate on getting through the holidays intact.
Pay Pay: I may go quiet for a little bit. Little princess horrible is going up next. I need all my concentration not to smack Tierra upside the head.
Kim: How bad is she?
Pay Pay: She's doing another monologue because nobody wanted to work with her for this part either. I'm starting to think it's not just because she's a diva but because she's just that bad at performing. I'm furious at myself for falling for her act last semester.
Kim: You were under a lot of stress. It's understandable.
Xxx
Meanwhile, on another cell phone:
Penelope C: Be super nice to your boyfriend when you get back tonight. I'm recommending at least two blowjobs.
Zack: I am always super nice to Ryan. What happened?
Penelope C: Kelsi showed up again with more danishes even though she was told not to come. She tried to act like the perfect sister as if nothing had happened the day before. Some of it was related to the custody bull shit. Sharpay and Ms. Ortega managed to get Ryan out of there before the danishes started flying. Literally. Kelsi's parents only want Jackie back to extort money from Kim, per Jack. I'm not sure how that will work, but I'm not even surprised.
Zack: I'm not either. Per Ryan, this is what she does. Kelsi asked him for a ride to the airport after their disastrous breakup, unaware of how inappropriate that was. The split happened mainly because she showed the entire floor the almost-sex tape.
Zack: Which, BTW, Darby paid her to do. Apparently, she's still too oblivious to realize danishes will not buy you forgiveness, especially when you take money to mess with their sibling. Did I tell you about that yesterday? I don't remember. Let's just say this is all a mess.
Penelope C: No, because you spent the entire time panicking about your sister meeting your new little brother. But don't worry, I heard the details from Jackie last night over pizza and chunky monkey. She's definitely ready to divorce her whole family.
Zack: Why did you have a slumber party with my boyfriend's ex-girlfriend's little sister? Do you guys know each other? It kinda seemed that way in the pictures from last night. Sorry, I'm just looking at them now.
Penelope C: We met last summer when I was helping Ms. D with the all-city drama workshop. She was so exhausted last summer and really needed the help. Which, in hindsight, was probably the beginning of the end.
Zack: You don't know that.
Penelope C: I'm sitting here grading her finals. If the situation wasn't desperate, I wouldn't be here. As for Jackie, she was crashing at the Evans house yesterday because the guy she was crushing on is not gay but just not into her. Maybe bisexual, he still figuring out his label. We were helping her develop a new act for the East high winter talent show. I tried to convince her to do Jolene, but Jackie wanted to do something more festive but equally heartbreaking.
Zack: Why do I feel like George Michael will be involved?
Penelope C: Because you have good instincts.
Zack: So, did you have a good time last night?
Penelope C: Very good. In addition to spending time with Jackie, your boyfriend and his other girlfriend were lovely to me. Sharpay actually acted like a human being. Bonus points for Sharpay only apologizing every 20 minutes. The junk food also helped. It was better than being in your dreadful apartment, sleeping with a knife under my pillow.
Zack: Considering how bad things are with Malick, I understand why Sharpay is still apologizing. Our neighbor told me that he showed up at the house last night.
Penelope C: I'm glad I am at the Evans house. Sharpay blames Malick on herself, but she shouldn't. I knew things weren't right, and I didn't leave. I don't even think it would've mattered if she went public because of how dirty he is. I don't want to tell her that Malick probably would have just used his power and connections to get out of it. She would have just ended up the pariah of East high.
Zack: She was already the pariah of East high, per Taylor. They were all pretty nasty to her. They made her the school villain.
Penelope C: Yeah, that doesn't surprise me, considering the things Kelsi said after Ms. Ortega and Sharpay got Ryan out of there. I may not like your boyfriend's sister, but I can at least respect someone so protective of their sibling.
Zack: That's a good start. What did that evil ex do once Ryan was gone?
Penelope C: Actually, throw a danish at her sister.
Zack: That doesn't surprise me.
Penelope C: This was after Jackie said she would turn all evidence over to their aunt's girlfriend Mariah and Vince's lawyers. Jackie is completely done with her birth family.
Zack: I thought the lawyers already had everything?
Penelope C: Oh, they do. They actually found more stuff, but Kelsi doesn't know that. Jackie was just using the threat to keep them from seeking a payday from Kim. Thankfully she left when Jackie called Officer Mariah and put her on speakerphone.
Zack: Smart girl.
Penelope C: Things got better after that. I had a semi-enjoyable time grading the first-year drama students. Chad's cousin Carmen was the best.
Zack: What side is she related to him on?
Penelope C: Mom side. Most of his relatives on his dad's side around our age went to West High with me. The only good thing I have to say is that none of them posted the Thanksgiving knockout on YouTube. Sharpay wasn't the only pariah of high school. Several of the Danforth boys were responsible for that because I wouldn't put out. You and Chad really are an anomaly in that family.
Zack: That does not make me feel better.
Penelope C: Chad has some good family members. Mariah and Teresa have already adopted Ryan and Troy. They'll grab you too, so they can be your good aunts along with Claudia. It was so sweet of her to give me a whole box of cookies Tuesday.
Zack: I think I am meeting them at a very Suarez holiday cookie/baking party next week. Carolyn invited me possibly to keep people from asking questions about her new boyfriend. I'm OK with this because it will get me out of events with the grandmothers.
Penelope C: This is always a good thing, especially after Thanksgiving. No wonder you preferred picking Ryan up from the airport. I'm definitely not going after everything my mom has done in the last few days. You think she would be on my side after almost getting raped, but she's not.
Zack: That reminds me, Aunt Claudia invited you to her house again this weekend. Apparently, they're doing a mini Christmas earlier because Chad should not be in a room with grandma Danforth anytime soon.
Penelope C: Better than my original plans of avoiding our grandmothers with Chinese for two. Although, are we still doing that on Christmas Day, or do you have other plans?
Zack: We have other plans. I'm going to a very Evans holiday celebration. But you can be my plus one. Actually, I'll see if you can come to the Sánchez party too. Besides, I need someone with me who is fluent in Spanish. You know I only know the basics because the former stepdad wanted us only to speak English at home.
Penelope C: Ryan is your plus one. Ask Chad to translate for you. I think his Spanish is better than mine.
Zack: Taylor is his plus one. I got my own invitation. Besides, I rather have you with me than back at the apartment eating sweet and sour pork alone.
Penelope C: It's good sweet and sour pork.
Zack: Don't make me meet all these new family members alone.
Penelope C: Fine. I will go with you and help you survive meeting your new family members. But I'm getting alcohol.
Zack: Of course, you're getting alcohol. I wouldn't expect you to get through this without some spiked Rompope and a couple of mimosas.
Penelope C: You're the best.
Penelope C: Speaking of complex family meetings, how did dinner with your sister go last night?
Zack: Really good. Gigi adores Chad. She's emailing him baby pictures later. She still told him all the embarrassing stories I didn't want her to tell. You were right; I had nothing to worry about.
Penelope C: You wouldn't let me tell him because I have so many stories, and some are highly incriminating. I knew Gigi would like Chad.
Zack: You can break them out over various holiday parties next week. You're right; I didn't have to worry about Gigi. She's really supportive and wants to get to know Chad too. She's really sad that she and mom will be staying in Arizona for Christmas this year. Neither could get off from work.
Penelope C: You can always convince your wealthy boyfriend to bring her to visit for spring break.
Zack: I think it might be the other way around.
Penelope C: Am I allowed to ask about your mom?
Zack: She didn't come, which was for the best. I just don't know how to talk to her. I know she did what she had to do to make sure she escaped a shotgun wedding with Charles Danforth. I can't be angry about that.
Penelope C: You can be. You have a right to be angry even if you don't want the outcome to be different.
Zack: I really don't want the outcome to be different. Not really, because then Chad probably wouldn't have existed. So I really can't be angry. I just wish I had found out about my little brother earlier. I'm mad that I missed nearly 18 years of his life.
Penelope C: You're allowed to be upset about that.
Zack: I know. Chad told me Sharpay thinks me and him should go to family therapy.
Penelope C: That's not the worst idea Princess Pay has had. Especially if she's paying for it. That means you will actually get someone that knows what they're talking about.
Zack: Is it weird being at East high right now?
Penelope C: I will let you go with your weird subject change. It's not strange. Although I am jealous of the fact that they have 4 drama I classes this school year.
Zack: Ryan says that's new. Thanks to Troy Bolton going to the drama side, everybody wants to take drama as their art elective. Although it did save the program from getting cut two years ago.
Zack: Along with the really generous donation from the Evans group. It might be on the cutting block again this year, so more donations will be needed.
Penelope C: I'm glad that they're not losing the program. Not like what happened with West. They're not even going to have any drama classes this year. That's why I'm doing the volunteer program at East high.
Zack: That makes sense. Hey, do you know which teacher you're going to be working with?
Penelope C: I now know it's Coach Bolton. Since he has the first-period drama class. This is either going to be brilliant or a disaster. I'm assuming Troy's acting chops come from his mom since she's a terrific liar.
Zack: Probably. I know he's a great basketball coach because I saw him in action at state last year. But I'm not sure how that translates into drama. Although I will say, he's been really nice about the Charles situation.
Penelope C: We're having lunch in the teachers' lounge to figure that out after this. Your boyfriend is having food delivered because apparently, that's something he did a lot in high school.
Zack: Good luck. That feels very Ryan.
Penelope C: I just had to keep your boyfriend's girlfriend from throwing her phone at the replacement diva. He owes me food.
Zack: You are a full-service friend.
XXXX
Meanwhile, on yet another cell phone.
Best boyfriend: I hate my boss, and I feel like I owe Alicia flowers. The drama final exams are more exhausting than anything I've had to administer before. I didn't even have to do it alone.
Carolyn: Mariah sent me video. I'm glad Teresa was there.
Best boyfriend: I am too. Although I didn't know until I started texting her. I thought Jackie was going to hit Jimmie for a moment.
Best boyfriend: She told Teresa she was before he hugged her. Which freaked her out because her grandmother was a hitter. She didn't want to be like her. Teresa is not even surprised she has moved on to the grandkids. Not with what the woman did to her growing up.
Carolyn: Fuck. How bad were things in that house?
Best boyfriend: Bad enough that Kelsi keeps trying to get with Ryan again even though he is 1000% not interested. She showed up again today. I think she's afraid of what will happen if she doesn't get the money back for her parents. She's even tried to get Jackie involved, who would not have any of it. We lost a whole box of danishes.
Best boyfriend: We also had to give Jackie another detention that we don't actually want to.
Carolyn: I'll call the same friend that got the restraining order again Zeke. Hopefully, this order can last longer than January 1.
Best boyfriend: Thank you. Include Jackie in that order too.
Carolyn: I'll take care of it. You should definitely let Teresa know what's going on.
Best boyfriend: I will after class.
Carolyn: Did anything else happen?
Best boyfriend: I'm still mystified at the fact that Ms. Gold apparently had two other years of drama. Today's monologue was worse. Penelope just had to keep Sharpay from throwing her phone.
Carolyn: It's good that they're getting along. Although bad that it happened due to their mutual shady ex-boyfriend.
Best boyfriend: Tragedy makes for strange bedfellows. I'm sure I'm on better terms with Karen now than Lucy. Mom and Karen are even on good terms right now. They're sharing recipes.
Carolyn: That is utterly bizarre. What's going on now?
Best boyfriend: I am sitting through round two of a very homoerotic Star Trek.
Carolyn: More TOS?
Best boyfriend: We've moved on to the next generation and the adventures of Q and Picard. I'm sure they changed the script slightly, but I'm afraid to look. Sharpay did inform me that is allowed. This is why Ryan and Sharpay gave Jackie and Jimmie full marks yesterday.
Carolyn: It was a very captivating performance.
Best boyfriend: Unfortunately, I had to stay in the locker room for yesterday's practice so Jimmie wouldn't be bombarded with homophobic slurs. I'm not going to let them do what they did to Ryan and Chad to Jimmie. Even if it was just indirect in Chad's case. Although the boys of drama III are very supportive.
Carolyn: This is another reason why I love you. Hey, I have good news.
Best boyfriend: What? I could use good news. I found out Troy is definitely not coming back for Christmas. I'm sure Lucy did something, but neither he nor the lawyers will tell me. I know better than to ask Kim.
Carolyn: I'm sorry about that, but I think you'll like my surprise.
Carolyn: Thanks to a fight with her mother, Nadine is no longer flying to Puerto Rico for Christmas. So she's willing to cover for me Monday, which means I can leave Saturday morning. I'll still get to stay until Chad's birthday on New Year's. Daniel has graciously already changed my flight. I just need you to come to pick me up.
Good boyfriend: That is definitely good news. If I'm going to miss quality time with my son and grandbaby, I'm glad you will be here for longer. I'm just so worried that Lucy has made Albuquerque too toxic for Troy to want to come back.
Carolyn: As long as Kim and Alex are in the city, he will keep coming.
Good boyfriend: But that's only for probably another year and ½.
Carolyn: Who knows where you'll be in that year. You could be in DC with me. You can also go to Troy.
Good boyfriend: I'd consider it, which is why I'm renting instead of buying. I may have just signed a lease on the house next to Kim's.
Carolyn: That seems like it would be expensive since you will be living alone and not with six other people, which is typical for those houses.
The boyfriend: It's a short lease, and I think he's only charging me the equivalent of his mortgage note because I'm not a college student that will wreck the place. That's actually why he's looking for a new tenant in December. The owner might sell soon. Possibly to Kim.
Carolyn:?
The boyfriend: Kim, bought her current house from him. I am probably the only person he can rent to right now that won't get kicked out if she does purchase the home.
Carolyn: You know there's a 50-50 chance that could be your Christmas present.
Best boyfriend: I can see it happening even if it would be too much.
Carolyn: I have a meeting in like 10 minutes, but I'll email you the new flight information.
Best boyfriend: I can't wait to see you Saturday.
Carolyn: I can't either. I miss you so much.
XXXXX
A couple of hours later
The good ex: Hey, tell Sharpay we're back. I tried to text her, but I think her phone was off.
Ryan: She tried to throw it at Ms. Gold this morning, and only Penelope stopped her. As a precaution, your future father-in-law made her turn it over to him before the next round of performance pieces.
The good ex: Good idea. Although I don't think Sharpay will throw things at her own kids.
Ryan: Normally, that would be true. Unfortunately, a few idiots have been nasty to Jimmie this afternoon, so it's possible. They're not as liberal as the drama III boys.
The good ex: I deeply regret I never got to experience the drama III boys for myself. It doesn't surprise me my girlfriend is going mama bear on everyone. Sharpay is very protective. How are things going? I heard Kelsi crashed earlier.
The good ex: Also, please do not sext your boyfriend when I can accidentally read it. It's still weird that my ex is dating my brother.
Ryan: Now you know how I felt for most of the semester. And you guys are getting married.
The good ex: That's true. Sharpay and I are already planning to get you another gift basket when credit card privileges are returned.
Ryan: Preferably without sex toys.
The good ex: I'm sure you enjoy those.
Ryan: How did meeting the sister go yesterday? Zach said it went well, but I want to hear it from your perspective.
The good ex: Gigi adores me. She profoundly regrets agreeing to work over Christmas just to avoid her grandmother's house. Although Gigi is working on being able to come up for spring break. I'm sure she really wants to meet you.
Ryan: You just reminded me that Zack's grandmother lives in Albuquerque. You don't think he's going to want me to meet his grandmother?
The good ex: Meeting the parents is usually a six-month activity, but Zack already met your dad on the first date. Of course, your relationship with Vince is better than Zack's relationship with his grandmother. You should probably just ask Zack about this.
Ryan: You are no help.
The good ex: Don't say that. Sharpay and I will be at the mansion first thing tomorrow morning.
Ryan: That would be good. We have to get everything done soon. We did a little last night, but we mostly worked with Jackie. We also did all the rituals of the broken-hearted. Lots of chunky monkey was consumed.
The good ex: I expect nothing else.
XXXX
Jimmie: You and Casey were great today.
Jimmie: I wanted to tell you that after your performance, but I'm not sure if you're ready to talk to me. Yesterday it was your aunt that told me to perform with K instead. She also threatened to break my hand if I hurt you again or fuck up with K.
Jackie: I love my Aunt Teresa. Start with text messaging for now. We can work our way up to in-person conversations.
Jimmie: That seems fair.
Jackie: You did well as well. Although, per Jason, everybody says yesterday's performance was better. Of course, they don't know it was not a performance. At least not from me. I'm amazed you stayed in character the entire time.
Jimmie: Not the entire time, and you know that. Yesterday was my fault. We really should have told you. I'm sorry we didn't.
Jackie: You should have. I would like to think I would have blown up less in private. I hope so, at least. Were you really that afraid of my reaction?
Jimmie: I don't think I was terrified of your reaction. I'm more worried about you. The stuff with your parents has been bad. You were so hurt by that. I didn't want to give you anything else.
Jackie: It really has been a mess. They don't actually care about me. They just want money. I think Kim really will pay them off to leave me alone. We had a fascinating conversation at lunch.
Jackie: I hate that she will have to do that, but I'm happy someone cares enough about me to do that.
Jimmie: They should be in jail.
Jackie: Well, it depends on whether Kelsi knew that she was being pimped out to Ryan. Honestly, I don't want to know. I just want to move on.
Jimmie: I'm sorry.
Jackie: You have many things to be sorry for, but that's not one of them. My messed-up family is responsible for themselves.
Jimmie: I should have explained how I felt better.
Jackie: I should have realized it was never going to happen. You're just the first guy who's actually noticed me as an actual person.
Jimmie: I hate to break it to you, but half of the basketball team has noticed you. Mostly your breasts. Which is another reason why they hate me.
Jackie: You do not have to threaten other guys on my behalf. I can take care of myself.
Jimmie: I believe that.
Jimmie: Are we going to be OK?
Jackie: Eventually. Although, be glad I decided to go with last Christmas instead of Jolie. Penelope was really pushing for Jolie, making me wonder what really went down with Zeke.
Jimmie: I appreciate that.
Jackie: Are you going to be using our song?
Jackie: I did say you could yesterday through Teresa.
Jimmie: No. It didn't seem fair to use your song. Maybe we can do it next year together.
Jackie: Maybe.
Jackie: So, what are you doing?
Jimmie: That's going to remain a surprise.
Jackie: I look forward to it.
XXXX
Afternoon December 19
Troy: [Image one attached]
Chad: OK, that house is cute. And definitely less creepy than what Kim sent yesterday.
Troy: Most importantly, the next-door neighbor isn't making 2 bushels worth of strawberry preserves as Christmas presents.
Chad: That would be a problem.
Troy: The sad thing is that's the second-best house we've seen. It just got worse after the guy who didn't like us when he thought we were poor college students took over. Thankfully Maria got rid of him. I think she might've called Sharpay's dad, but I can't confirm that.
Chad: She's definitely your good mommy.
Troy: I do like the house that Jennifer showed us today.
Troy: Although it's only a four-bedroom and a little on the small side. This means we'll only have two guest rooms.
Chad: More like One for guests. I almost expect Maria to move in with you for a while
Troy: No, but she will be on call. Although Madison will be our nanny so we can just put a futon in the mancave. Or turn that into another bedroom. OK, maybe we really do need a place with five bedrooms. We might need to get Yolanda out of the dorms before she strangles her roommate.
Chad: I like it even if you might need a place that's a little bigger. What's the neighborhood like? Is it a gated community?
Troy: In this price range, they are inevitable, but they do have basketball courts.
Chad: As long as there are basketball courts, you are happy.
Troy: They also do Shakespeare in the Park. Apparently, if I live there, I'm allowed to audition.
Chad: And there's your real true love.
Troy: Maybe I can ask Jennifer to find something else in the neighborhood. Where are you?
Chad: Grocery shopping with Taylor.
Troy: I thought Sharpay already did that this week? Kerri texted me pictures.
Chad: I have to pick up a few missing things like chicken. Kerri did a good job teaching Sharpay how to shop on a budget. Everything Sharpay picked up is non-perishable or easily prepared.
Troy: Maybe Sharpay just stuck with what she thought you and her could cook. I do remember you blowing up my family's microwave last year. I believe Lucy banned you from the house for a month.
Chad: I did not blow up the microwave. I just accidentally superheated some water. Contrary to popular belief, I can cook some. After the divorce, I got tired of microwave cuisine and McDonnell's. I learned to cook a little. Also, your mom hated me, so it wasn't like I could eat at your house every day.
Troy: In hindsight, I can now see that.
Chad: However, don't tell my grandma that I can cook. I have her convinced I can't do anything in the kitchen. If she knows I have any skills whatsoever, she will draft me to help with Thanksgiving next year. If I actually show up. Considering Claudia is going to Acapulco to avoid a family Christmas, I think she'll let me off the hook.
Troy: I'm pretty sure I will tell your grandmother to go fuck herself the next time I see her. Also, we're definitely going somewhere tropical for Thanksgiving next year. At a minimum, no one will be subjected to your girlfriend's cooking.
Chad: I should've never told you about the macaroni incident.
Troy: You tell me everything. Why did you keep eating?
Chad: I'm trying to build her confidence up, and she's getting better. It was not her fault she never developed any real-life skills. Let's face it; we all know that Darby was not the type of woman that showed Sharpay and Ryan how to make Christmas cookies. Darby would not even let Sharpay have a cookie.
Troy: Love is the only reason I could think of anybody trying to eat that extra crunchy macaroni and cheese. Giving yourself food poisoning is not going to build up her confidence. If Sharpay keeps cooking, you will need a jumble bottle of Pepto Bismol.
Chad: Very Funny. I'm aware it's a work in progress for both of us, which is why my mom is planning cooking lessons when she gets here tomorrow.
Troy: I thought she wasn't getting here till Christmas Eve?
Chad: Due to other families fighting, she managed to get someone else to cover for her. Your dad is picking her up from the airport. You should just be aware he's probably staying with her in your guestroom.
Troy: Thankfully, I'll be in the bay area, probably still looking for a house. Otherwise, I feel like he would be trying to get revenge on me for being too loud with Kim.
Chad: What did Lucy do?
Troy: Via Uncle David, she threatened to drag out the divorce if I didn't spend Christmas with her. I told him to tell Lucy to go fuck herself.
Chad: Good response, and your Uncle David will definitely pass it on. Besides, you know your dad would not want you to spend time with your mom for his sake.
Troy: Jen thinks she was always going to drag it out just to be spiteful. Matt agrees with her.
Chad: Yeah, that's definitely the Lucy I know.
Troy: Why did you never tell me any of this?
Chad: Because I didn't want to hurt your feelings.
Chad: Oh shit! I should've gone to the other store. I deeply regret the lifetime ban from Specialty Foods of Albuquerque.
Troy: OK, who just showed up? The devil herself didn't appear?
Chad: It's one of your baby's grandmas but not the evil ones.
Troy: OK, that's not bad.
Chad: Did you forget Taylor is with me? She is not ready to see Vanessa, and Alexis is with her.
Troy: Oh, that's not good.
Chad: At all. I'm going to try to get Taylor out of the store without seeing them.
Troy: Good luck. Send me pictures from the talent show tonight.
Chad: You're getting full video as always.
XXXX
Ryan's sister: Hey, while you're shopping, I need you to pick up pads. Because we were so short on space, I forgot to pack any. There are only a few tampons in my stash at the house. I usually just keep those for the pool.
Taylor: You know you can ask your boyfriend to pick those up for you.
Ryan's sister: He's not trained yet. Unless you taught him. Which would be fair since I've already prepared Ryan for you.
Ryan's sister: Although you have to text him a picture of the box you want.
Taylor: Smart man. You should do that. Also, unfortunately, I never got around to asking Chad to pick up tampons. We didn't have that type of relationship.
Ryan's sister: [Image one attach]
Ryan's sister: Thankfully, I'm pretty sure you have that type of relationship with Ryan.
XXX
"Your girlfriend just asked me to pick up feminine hygiene products for her," Taylor said as Chad approached her again with a mostly full cart. She carefully placed the roasted chicken Chad asked her to pick up for dinner into the cart.
"Of course, it's placebo week. That's why Sharpay tried to throw a phone at Tiera yesterday." Chad sighed.
"I feel like you should already have realized that."
"It's been a busy couple of weeks, and I forgot to put it on my calendar. It's fine. I know what to get. She uses the Always ultrathin and the Tampax regulars. She'll probably want both." That matches the picture Sharpay sent a few minutes earlier.
"You know exactly what to get her?" Taylor was surprised and impressed.
"Yes, because I pay attention. I went on a run with Ryan last year. Also, do you know how many times my mom asked me to pick up pads? Charles never would." Chad explained.
"Of course, he wouldn't. I knew your girlfriend should've asked you. Also, I deeply regret never making you do a tampon run." Why didn't she see this Chad last year?
"I'm not sure we ever had that type of relationship. I wasn't ready for you to know I knew how to do these things." Like pick up tampons and apply eyeshadow perfectly.
"That's what I told Sharpay." Taylor sighed.
"Did she say if she needs Midol?" Chad asked. "I don't think she packed any. Actually, I don't think we packed any medication. We probably can use a bottle of Pepto-Bismol. Sharpay is making a cake, so we're probably going to need that. Mom sent her an egg-free recipe that she is trying. Can you run to the CVS next door? I'll give you cash." Chad was practically pushing her out the door at that point.
"You realize that most grocery stores have pharmacy sections? I don't need to go next door." She said, pointing to where they could find pads and Pepto-Bismol.
"Yes, but they have the better store brand Pepto-Bismol…" Chad suddenly trailed off as he spoke. She realized why when she saw Vanessa in front of her.
Taylor hasn't even spoken to her since finding out that she was her biological mom. Michaela wanted to do a group phone call, but Taylor wasn't ready yet. Unfortunately, this was going to happen now without therapist supervision.
"Hello, Taylor," Vanessa said in greeting. Taylor looked over to see that Chad wasn't shocked. Obviously, he knew Vanessa was there and was trying to get her out of the store.
"Hi, Vanessa." Taylor could at least manage that without throwing up. Her therapist would be so proud. She was also grateful that Vanessa didn't try to hug her. "You're showing." Taylor blurted out because it was the first thing that came to mind. She was actually visibly pregnant compared to a month ago. Taylor can't even believe it hasn't been a whole month since her entire world fell apart.
"I popped a few days ago. A little earlier than last… Then I expected."
"You mean a little earlier than you did with me?" Taylor asked.
"Yes, I'm not sure if you're ready to talk about that," Vanessa hesitated.
"Not really. Not without my doctor there, at least. Maybe we can try for January."
"That's fair. I'm on your timetable." Taylor believed her.
"I appreciate that."
"Just to let you know, your mom is here. We are getting last-minute snacks for your brother's after-show party."
"So Jason's the one doing that. I wondered who was taking over since Sharpay wasn't doing it." Chad remarked.
"Alexa volunteered. I think she didn't want your girlfriend to be doing everything."
"That seems like mom." And it was probably best since Sharpay couldn't get a caterer this year.
"I'll see you later. Maybe you'll stop at the party?" Vanessa sounded very hopeful. "Jason said you were going to the show."
"I wouldn't miss it for anything." Even being ridiculously uncomfortable.
"That's why you were trying to get me to go to CVS to pick up pads for your girlfriend?" Taylor asked as soon as Vanessa was far enough not to hear her.
"Yes. I know you're not quite ready to see your parents. We were even planning to keep you guys on opposite sides of the theater tonight. It's the same protocol Jack used at my graduation to keep my parents apart."
"Thank you." She smiled genuinely at him.
"Maybe when we were dating, we didn't have a relationship where I would ask you to get pads, but I totally would ask you now." Taylor liked him a lot more now that she actually knew him.
"I'm glad. You're going to the party, aren't you?" Chad asked.
"I can't let Jason down." He's been texting her nonstop. He really wanted to see her tonight, and she would be there.
"It's probably better this way. Less potential for awkwardness in a public place." Chad placed a reassuring hand on her back.
"True. That was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. But I still want wine."
"Of course. I'll text Zack."
XXXX
Sister Taylor: You were absolutely brilliant up there. I love your outfit too.
Jason: Sharpay helped me out before her credit card became a pumpkin. I still only got second place.
Sister Taylor: Jackie's rendition of last Christmas was just excellent. You did beat Jimmie and Kerri. Although they were at a disadvantage by doing a Boyz II Men song that works better with five people.
Jason: They were at a disadvantage because they had to do a whole new routine in 24 hours. They still did a great version of Let it Snow. If things did not blow up Tuesday, they would be ahead of me.
Jason: OK, Jackie and Jimmy would have been ahead of me.
Sister Taylor: Which means nothing would have changed.
Sister Taylor: Hey, what room is the after-party in? We checked the cafeteria, but it's not there like usual. We have your brownies. Don't worry, they're store-bought. Sharpay had an accident with hers.
Jason: Miss D's former classroom. You're coming? I didn't even tell you about it. Dad is catering, so I didn't want it to be awkward.
Sister Taylor: I ran into Vanessa at the grocery store earlier and was invited. That was nowhere near as awkward as I thought it would be, so I will go celebrate my brother's second-place win. I believe small polite public interaction is the best way to start right now.
Jason: Smart.
Sister Taylor: Although there's a good chance my punch will be spiked.
Sister Taylor: Zack picked up the good stuff, and Ryan actually has a flask.
Jason: You have excellent taste in Co-boyfriends.
Sister Taylor: I like to think so. We'll be there in five.
Jason: Perfect.
To be continued…