So I figured that I'd do something for the new Netflix series. This is the Claudia chapter and hopefully it's still good. I tried to make it funny but this came out instead. Also its set in the same universe as The Summer After so the same background I had for her there also happens here. Her husband has died so it's up for interpretation of where things go for her from there.
Enjoy and please review!
Claudia Kishi took a deep breath in and then let it out. It was only a temporary arrangement before putting a big smile on her face. Then looked at both Brett and Reina, her soft look seemingly calming them. She brushed her dark hair aside and bit her bottom lip knowing what was coming next.
"Does she have to have my room?" whined Reina.
"Your aunt Janine just needs a place to stay while her apartment is being fixed," said Claudia gently. "Besides if you give up your room, I'll…"
Oh wait, nope, she was not going to bribe her with candy and sweets. Claudia learned the hard way not all the sugary stuff she ate when she was in middle school wasn't the best for you. Her evidence included some weight she never lost from having the kids and the sugar. She wasn't exactly overweight but she was a sixteen in jeans.
Reina looked at her hopefully and put her best stern look on her face.
"You'll feel good about it," she said. "Trust me, your able to help your aunt."
And keep me from going insane, thought Claudia, and nodded at Reina. Her eight-year-old looked displeased but took Brett's hand anyway. Brett didn't seem to mind sharing his room with his older sister. Then again, he was six and didn't have much to complain about so far in his young life.
"Can we make spaghetti for dinner?" asked Brett with a hopeful look on her face.
"Of course," said Claudia as she went to the kitchen. She sighed in relief and looked at the photo of her husband and grandmother Mimi as if they gave her strength.
She was fortunate enough to get a townhouse right there in Brooklyn. Her art studio right down the street and her actual work just a short subway ride away. Despite not being an artist full time, her job as a graphic designer paid her very well. Claudia started to boil the water and pulled out the frozen meatballs putting them in the oven.
There was a knock at the door before she yelled at one of the kids to get it.
It was probably one of Reina's friends before shaking her head. At least she was dressed for guests and not just in her sweats all day. Like right now she had on an open vertical black and green blouse with a green floral crochet lace tank top underneath. She had her favorite stretchy black pants on and ankle socks.
Then she heard the familiar voice of her elder sister in the doorway.
"Aunt Janine!" shouted Brett.
What?! She was supposed to be here tomorrow she thought and just thought about adding more food to the pot. Then thought of the mess in the living room with the kid's schoolwork and paint supplies all over. Claudia had been pretty good about keeping the public places in her house clean and work stuff staying at work, but this was not the time to have people over.
Turning the heat down on the stove, she turned the timer on and headed into the living room. Her dark eyes zeroed in on Janine who was hugging Reina.
"Claudia," said Janine warmly and hugged her. "Do you need help with dinner?"
"Uhh, sure," said Claudia watching her stuff something in her pocket. "Reina why don't you bring up your aunts' stuff to your room? Brett I'd make room for your sister."
Reluctantly they stood up and headed up the steps to their rooms. Once they were gone, she twirled and looked at Janine.
"I know I'm supposed to be here tomorrow but the man fixing the flood came early," said Janine.
"It's fine," she said before rushing back to the stove. Claudia had one bad experience with a fire already she did not need another and only saw the spaghetti simmering on the stove, good. "I would have cleaned up or something."
"I'm sorry," said Janine.
"You're fine," said Claudia again going to dump the sauce in the mixture. "I hope you don't mind spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. Then strawberry cake from the bakery down the street for dessert. It was supposed to be for tomorrow but…"
Janine just nodded happy to be there just in time for dinner. "Do you have any vegetables?"
"I put diced up zucchini and basil in it," said Claudia. "Let's just say thank goodness for Mrs. Bishop's senior year home ec class."
She cleared her throat and Janine just nodded clearly a little impressed. She was lucky to still have the stapled sheets of papers with the old recipes on it. Cooking class was one skill that she had impressed her parents with taking in high school besides all her art classes. It was one useful life skill.
"I can help!" she said reaching for a knife and the zucchini a little anxious.
This was weird and things were tense, but she didn't understand why. Like they only ever shared a room once, but she was in middle school and still hiding candy in her room. Sharing a house temporarily was just one step above that. Maybe it was the kids?
"Uh Janine is everything okay?" she asked her sister a little jumpy then shook her head. "Okay, say how are you and Dale? I was curious to know… Janine the knife!"
Janine stopped dicing the zucchini and nearly slicing her hand wringing the paper towel in her hand. She just wiped her hands and cleared her throat.
"Dale and I are perfectly fine," she said.
Wait a second. Claudia studied her sister and thought back that she hasn't used big words this entire conversation. She wanted to help make dinner. Not that it was unusual but then Dale, her long-time boyfriend, came up. They have been dating for about six years or so. Personally, Claudia thought that was way too long but then she married after a year and a half. She covered her mouth with her hands and gasped.
"You're getting married."
That was not a question but a fact. She knew her sister was acting a bit strange and that had to be the reason why. Besides she knew Janine especially since they had grown closer together a bit later in their lives. Janine was a lot easier to talk to once they shared a similar class or two or remembering the good times. Plus long distance worked out between them. As in absence makes the heart grow fonder, or whatever the phrase was.
"Wha… You… How did you know?" asked Janine in a small voice.
"Because I know you. Janine this is fantastic oh my gosh this is amazing! After six years he finally proposed." Forgetting her basil, she leaned over the counter and got excited for her. "Why aren't you staying with him?"
"He has to go to Vienna for a conference and I didn't want to stay alone in his apartment since I want to work instead of going with him," said Janine a flush rushing to her cheeks. "Besides you're the first I told."
Claudia just squeezed her sister tightly super excited for Janine. She was kind of jealous too because she would totally go to Vienna too it was a great place for art appreciation. Plus, Janine told her over anyone else.
"Are you going to tell mom and dad? Can I help plan? I have so many ideas!"
Janine just looked relieved that she was excited for her and slumped a little relieved.
"Of course, I'd love to have your input and creative expertise. I'd rather you not make it as extravagant as your nuptials."
"Okay, so I'll plan something simple yet elegant. You know kind of like Stacey's wedding," she said remembering her friend's wedding even though she wasn't part of it. Then pulled the meatballs out of the oven. "Kids dinner is done and then we'll go out for dessert. What do you say about Madam Blake's Ice Cream?"
Reina and Brett bounded down the steps with a familiar shout. Kind of like a war cry as they bounced up and down the townhouse steps.
"YES!" they screeched at the same time. Madam Blake's Ice Cream was the best ice cream on this side of Brooklyn.
"Why?" asked Reina bouncing in her steps and filled her bowl with spaghetti and the meatballs.
"Your aunt Janine is getting married."
Shocked looks filled their faces before getting up and hugging her. Janine showed her the ring that she had put aside in her pocket to help with dinner. What started out as a simple day just ended perfectly. Smiling more to herself, Claudia thought of her own husband and made herself a bowl of spaghetti. She loved to think of her wedding day and missed him every day. She was hoping to make Janine's just as special.
