My note….This story is still moving a tad slow, so right now we will be heading into Memorial Day weekend(timeline wise).
FATHER KNOWS BEST
CHAPTER 5: ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
If the week before hadn't convinced Robert Kerwin that his daughter was the busiest young woman on the planet, this past week surely did. Between her work at the t-shirt shop, extra circulars at school, finding time to spend with friends and cramming for year end exams…Ashley was only at home to sleep and eat, with most of the latter being done on the run.
Because of this, Robert was extremely surprised to see Jimmy and Ashley snuggled together on the couch, as he walked through the front door.
"Well, I didn't think I'd find you two home tonight", Robert exclaimed, tossing his keys onto the side table. Ashley shifted slightly as her father spoke, releasing Jimmy from her grasp and allowing him to pull himself upright with the help of the arm of the couch. "If I'd known…", Robert paused and lifted the take-out bag he was holding. "….I would've ordered extra.
"Hey Dad", Ashley called from over her shoulder and smiled as her father came into view. "That's okay, we ordered a pizza".
Jimmy cleared his throat and formally held out his hand. "Mr. Kerwin", he greeted with a firm shake and a smile.
Robert reciprocated and sat in the armchair across from the two. "What kind?", he asked, in reference to the pizza.
"Extra pepperoni", Ashley replied satisfactory as she snuggled back against Jimmy's chest.
"Why am I not surprised?", he chuckled lightly. "I thought you two had plans tonight...your mom said you couldn't make it for dinner at Jeff's mother's house".
Ashley shrugged and toyed with Jimmy's fingers as they rested in her hand. "Yeah, we did have plans, but they were sorta postponed", she answered with a quick smile.
"That's too bad", Robert replied apologetically. "Why?"
"Well, we were halfway to Centre Park for an ouside concert, when it started to thunder", Ashely explained. "We headed back and got home just as it started to pour", she giggled softly, her eyes traveling from Jimmy's rain spattered jeans and white undershirt, to the damp polo that hung over the back of his chair.
Robert could tell from Ashley's appearance, that she was under the saftey of an umbrella."So we decided to hang out here, order some food and watch pointless television", she smiled brightly. "Hope we didn't ruin your plans", Ashley apologized worriedly.
"On the contrary", Robert chuckled. "I was dreading having to eat all alone", he motioned to the bag. "I'll share if you share".
Both Ashley and Jimmy grinned at Robert's offer. "I'll get the plates and drinks", Ashley announced as she jumped off the couch. "Pop okay for you Dad...or did you want some of the wine that was left over from last night?".
"Whatever is easiest Ash", he called over his shoulder, then turned back to see Jimmy reaching for his chair, preparing to transfer. Robert was still fairly new to being witness to Jimmy's disability and found it a bit sad to watch the boy he remembered as being strong and independent, struggle with even the simplest of tasks.
Robert diverted his eyes as Jimmy swiftly completed his transfer. He was heading for the kitchen to help Ashley with the drinks, when the door bell rang. "Pizza's here", she yelled from two rooms away, as if the men couldn't here the bell themselves.
Jimmy sighed as he looked from the direction of the kitchen where Ashley could be heard bustling about, to the four steps that blocked his path to the front door. Robert immediately noticed Jimmy's distress, and a look of sympathy crossed his face. "I'll get it", he offered kindly and stood up.
"Thanks", Jimmy smiled and pulled some money out of the pocket of his jeans. Robert refused with a waive of his hand. "No sir, really", Jimmy protested, extending his hand a little farther.
"Please Jimmy, let me", Robert insisted, taking the steps by twos and swinging the door open.
Reluctantly, Jimmy stuffed the money back into his pocket and held his hand out for the pizza. Robert smiled sincerely at Jimmy but shook his head. "The bottom of the box is pretty hot", he cautioned and carried it down to the coffee table.
Jimmy nodded appreciatively on the outside, but felt a strange stirring on the inside. He shook off the uncomfortable feeling and was headed in the direction of the kitchen to help Ashley, when she emerged with a large tray full of utensils and drinks. She had the tray wedged against her hip one one side, with a stack of napkins and paper plates in the other hand. Jimmy took the plates from her so she could right the tray and headed back to the coffee table to clear some room.
Ashley took her place back on the couch and proceeded to pile each plate with food and pass them off, one to Jimmy in his chair on one end of the coffee table and the other to her father in the arm chair on the other side of the coffee table. Ashely chuckled and scooted to the middle of the couch. "There's plenty of room here", she joked, patting the cushions on either side of her.
Jimmy and Robert looked at one another and smiled. Accepting Ashley's invitation, they both moved to their respected sides, sandwiching her in comfortably.
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That Monday was Memorial Day and a planned Kerwin family reunion at a centrally located park a few towns over. "Well, don't you look lovely today", Robert noted as Ashley walked down the stairs, sporting a colorful polkadot sundress and complimenting fuchsia sandals.
"Why thank you, Sir", she replied sweetly, taking his offered hand and swirling playfully in her dress.
"Just as lovely as your mother", Robert added, pointedly looking over at Kate who had just walked into the room.
Kate blushed and smiled a thank you to her ex-husband. "Are we ready then?", she asked heading for the door. With Jeff and Toby away on a male bonding, father and son fishing trip, Robert and Ashley had convinced her to accompany them to the party.
Ashley watched as her father held the door open for her mother, they smiled contently at one another, and held hands as they walked down the steps, side by side. The scene was sureal for Ashley...her parents acting like a 'happy couple'...Jimmy coming along to finally meet her dad's extended family...this was the happiness she'd always dreamt of.
"Robert, these aren't the directions to the park", Kate stated as they pulled away from the house.
"I know, my sister Linda called and said the party was being moved to her house...something about needing a special permit to use the park grounds", he explained, keeping his eyes on the road. Kate nodded and looked ahead.
"Dad, take a right at the next stop and Jimmy's house third from the corner...3104", Ashley announced from the back seat.
"Jimmy", Kate gasped softly. Ashley leaned forwar in attention and Robert waited at the stop for Kate to continue. "If I recall correctly, Linda lives in a split level...there's no way Jimmy will be able to get into the main part of the house, he'll only be able to get into the downstairs family room", she said conceredly, Robert nodded.
Ashley smiled at her parents. "It'll be fine guys", she assured them, but they still looked skeptical. "... it's a barbeque, we'll probably spend the entire time in the backyard".
Kate smiled at her daughter and Robert took the right, heading down Jimmy's street.
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The party was in full swing by the time they arrived. Introductions were given to those who were in the grassy part of the backyard and waives where given to those up on the deck. It was quite a few years since Ashley had seen most of these people and even longer since she was last at the house.
Robert's younger sister Linda came down to warmly greet her guests. Robert caught his sisters apologetic gaze, as if sorry that her home wasn't more accomodating to Jimmy.
"Go, have fun", Ashley demanded, shooing her parents off so her and Jimmy could enjoy some time alone. They finally settled on a shady part of the yard, under a big oak tree, Ashley happily perched on Jimmy's lap.
Robert was cornered at the bar on the deck by his brother-in-law, his brother and an uncle while Kate was wisked inside to help in the kitchen. The men were deep in conversation on sailing when hushed words rang in Roberts ears, "Ashley's boyfriend?",was the question. "Yes,...shot in the back I think, a school shooting", the other whispered to the lady next to her, Robert turned to see that it was two of his cousins. "How sad", the first concurred.
Robert uncomfortably excused himself and made his way through the house when he heard his sister say, "...from the way Kate was hinting, it seems pretty serious". The woman she was talking to, Robert's brothers wife raised a surprised brow. "I can't imagine they'd be thrilled with that prospect...", his sister-in-law Cheryl paused, "...what hardships Ashley will have to face". Linda shrugged, "Kate looked more than pleased to me..."
"Robert?", she asked when she noticed her brother wandering through the crowded kitchen.
"I'm looking for Kate", he replied simply, forcing a tight smile on his face.
"Out back I think", Cheryl answered, oblivious that her conversation was over heard.
Robert nodded a thank you and headed to the yard via the side door. Four young ladies, two who were Robert's nieces, stood on the side of the yard, looking in the direction of the old oak tree. "...yeah, he is kinda cute...but, ya know...", a girl he didn't recognize said. "I gotta say I'm surprised", niece Rachel spoke next. "I never would've guessed my cousin as the desperate type". The fourth girl nodded, "Yeah I mean, look at her...that girl could have anyone".
Rachel's younger sister Hannah starred dreamily at the couple. "I think they're cute togther", she pipped up, in her sweet twelve-year-old voice. "Maybe they'll get married", she added excitedly. Rachel rolled her eyes. "Now that would be some party", she joked sarcastically. "...part black, part Jewish, part gay and part Kerwin".
Hannah frowned and sighed at their teasing. "Well I think they should get married", she replied firmly, then paused and smiled. "And they'd have really cute kids". One of the friends tapped Rachel on the shoulder. "Yeah, little white chocolate mochas", she giggled in unison with the other two. "Can he even have kids?", the other friends asked, laughing at her own question.
Hannah turned dejectedly and headed back to the house. "Hey unlce Robert", she mumbled as she passed him on her way to the stairs. Robert turned to watch her walk into the house, then briskly breezed past the roaring laughter of the group Hannah had just left.
He spotted his family, Kate smiling, her hand resting lightly on Jimmy's shoulder as she spoke to him and Ashley. They seemed happy, laughing and having a good time, and totally obvilious to the fact they were the hot topic of conversation...causing Robert to pause and wonder if it was always like this.
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Wow, that was long...got a little crazy, didn't I?. Okay, I need to clarify that I do not agree, in any way, shape, or form with what my charaters said in this chapter...dialogue was purely for plot purposes. I actually wanted to incorporated Jimmy's race into the picture a little more, but an interracial couple isn't as big an issue in Canada as it is in some places...so I focused on his disability.
Big thanks to lilfiftyfour, for her wonderful...and my only review for chapter 4!!
Degrassi is not mine.