It was Saturday morning on Wisteria Lane. Bree Hodge was walking her new chef, Ria, down the street to take her to meet Lynette. Edie Britt-Williams was going to the grocery store with Katherine. Susan and Gabby were on Gabby's porch discussing the two new woman on Wisteria Lane. Lynette was inside, yelling at the twins for messing around with Mrs. McClusky's yard, even though she was still away from her recent breakdown at her 70th birthday party.
Mike Delfino was out on his front lawn, shirtless and watering his flowers. He got a few admiring stares from joggers running by, but Mike was used to this by now.
Mike heard his front door shut and he looked over to see his cousin walking out of the house. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Wow. I never guessed that you were the kind of guy who would water your flowers…" Astera stated.
"I'm actually watering the tree. The flowers just happen to be around the tree…" Mike said, with a smile.
Astera raised an eyebrow and laughed slightly. "Right…of course," Astera trailed.
"So what are you doing today?" Mike asked. "I'm supposed to be going to the park to play tennis with your friend, Dave…" Astera replied, before sitting on the porch.
Mike raised an eyebrow as he took a seat next to her. "You're going to blow me off for a date?" he questioned.
"We didn't have anything planned for today. Besides, it is not a date. He's just being friendly, you know? He's helping me get a chance to just….glide into the neighborhood," Astera protested.
"No. He wants to 'glide' into your neighborhood," Mike teased. Astera made a face, before shoving him slightly.
"Seriously? He's married Mike…" she said, rolling her eyes. "Never stopped men before," Mike replied.
"No. That's wrong and disgusting…" she snapped.
"What's disgusting?" came the voice of Dave. Astera and Mike looked up to see Dave walking towards them.
"Mike not wearing a shirt…" Astera said, giving him a side look. Mike laughed.
Dave smiled slightly. "You ready to walk down?" he asked. Astera stood up. "Yea. I'll just have to get my stuff. I'll bring about twenty balls. Think that's enough?" she asked.
Dave shrugged. "Should be fine…" he said. Astera gave mike a quick goodbye hug, before heading for the garage.
Mike sighed. "She's going to kill you. She's been playing for awhile…" he said. "Hmm…if there is going to be any killing, it's going to be by me," Dave stated.
Mike looked to see Astera coming out of the garage, and she waved Dave over. "Be careful Dave. There can be some real weirdo's down there. Keep an eye on Astera. She means a lot to me. She is my favorite second cousin," Mike said.
Dave smiled. "Oh trust me, she's going to be well protected. I know how much she means to you, buddy. It would really crush me if something happened to her…" Dave said.
"Well, I mean she is twenty one. A lot of guys our age tend to go for the younger ones like her," Mike replied. Dave smiled. "I won't take my eyes off of her," he said, before turning away.
Astera raised an eyebrow at the smirk on Dave's face as he walked towards her. "Why are you smiling? You're about to get your butt kicked…" Astera asked. Dave put his arm around her shoulders. "Just planning a strategy…you've seem to make everything easier," Dave stated.
Astera questioned Dave's response in her head. His response didn't make any sense. How did she make everything easier if they both knew he wouldn't stand a chance. Dave smirked down at her and she raised an eyebrow. "Where did you go to college, again?" she asked him.
………………..
Bree and Ria walked up to Lynette's door. "I promise this will be the last one you have to meet. I just want you to get to know all the women that will be joining us for poker on Tuesday night," Bree said, with a small smile.
Ria nodded. "Oh, I understand. I wouldn't mind getting close to the people of Wistera Lane…" Ria replied.
The door opened and Lynette stood there. "Hi Bree and…are you related to Bree?" Lynette asked, turning her attention to Ria.
"No. This is Ria, my newest cheft…" Bree stated. Lynette shook Ria's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you," Lynette said. "Oh, believe me. The pleasure is all mine, Lynette…" Ria said, with a smirk. Lynette smiled nervously.
"Okay. So you're going to be joining us on poker and tea nights?" she asked. "Yes, she is…" Bree stated. "Good. Hey Bree, did you ask Mike's cousin if she wants to come play?" Lynette questioned.
"Oh, no I did not. Haven't even met the girl yet. If you see her, feel free to invite her over," Bree said, with a nod.
"Well, you just missed her. She went down to the park with Dave about five minutes ago," Lynette said, nodding down the street. Bree raised her eyebrows.
"How does Edie feel about that?" she questioned. Lynette shrugged. "You know I…don't really care about it. Edie's had her fair share of stealing other women's men. It's about time…" Lynette paused at the sound of breaking glass.
"I got to go. I'll see you at Gabby's house for tea tonight, and I'll ask Astera if she wants to come. See ya," Lynette said, before shutting the door. Bree turned to look at Ria. "Sorry. After so many years, you get used to it…" she said.
Ria smiled. "It's okay. I'm just glad that I'll get to spend time with all of your friends," Ria said, before stepping off of the porch.
Bree stared after her. "Oh…that's a lovely thought, Ria…" Bree said, before following her.
Ria smiled to herself. Each day she was inching closer to the business that she came to Wisteria Lane to finish.
………………….
Astera walked a limping Dave up to his door. He took his arm from around her shoulders, and he limped towards the door.
"Thanks, I think I'll be okay from here…" Dave grunted. "Alright," Astera replied.
"You were right…you killed me…that game was a complete washout," Dave said, leaning against the door frame with a smile.
"I warned you…" Astera said, with a shrug. She turned to walk away. "Hey Astera?" Dave spoke up. Astera turned to look at him.
"You coming to watch the Battle of the Bands on this upcoming Friday?" he asked. "My cousin is the lead singer. Of course I'll be there…" she replied. "Oh, right. Well…I'm the drummer," Dave said, with a smile.
"That's nice…" Astera trailed. She walked a few feet, before turning back to him.
"Just for the record, faking a sprained ankle isn't the smartest thing to do. For whatever the reason," Astera stated. Dave raised his eyebrows. "What?" he asked. Astera shrugged. "You can't fool an EMT," she said, with a small smile.
Dave turned his head slightly. "You playing with me?" he asked. "No. I really was an EMT, but…yea. I'm playing alittle," she said, with a wink before walking away.
Dave shut his door and walked up the steps. Astera wasn't as easy to swindle as the rest of the people on the street. He needed this revenge, he swore on his dead loved ones that he would get it. He need a big hit for Astera, but he needed to plan it carefully. He knew he couldn't get as close to Mike, unless he was close to her first.
