Coming to Terms
Cassie walked into her Mom's cafe after a long day at school. She was sore from head to toe as a result of the new moves Brooke had decided she wanted to try out. She would have normally stayed to watch the basketball practice and get a ride with her brother but for one reason or other Whitey had decided to cancel practice for the team that day.
The first thing she heard when she opened the door was the sound of yelling coming from the kitchen area. She saw her Deb seated at the counter reading the paper, so she decided to walk over and join her.
"What's going on back there?" Cassie asked.
"Oh hey Cass." Deb smiled at the young girl who she had grown very fond of over the last couple months. "Somethings up with your Mom and Luke. They seemed fine until a couple minutes ago, that's when the yelling started."
"Oh." Cassie said. She had a feeling she knew what had gone on. "You can't even make out what their saying."
Deb nodded. "I know. I'd go back there but I think this is something I'll just stay out of. Do you have any idea what's going on?"
"I might." She said and got off the stool to walk into the back. She walked in just in time to see Lucas run up the stairs to the roof of the building. It was his favorite hiding spot and he went there when he wanted to be by himself. She found her Mom leaning against the counter with tears pouring out of her eyes.
"Mom?" Cassie asked approaching Karen timidly. "You ok?"
"He's leaving Cass." Karen said turning around the face her daughter. "And there's nothing I can say to change his mind. He won't even tell me what's going on."
Cassie's heart went out to her mother, Karen was heartbroken. "So Luke told you then?"
"What? That he's moving in with Dan? Did you know?" Karen asked.
Cassie nodded. "He mentioned it a couple days ago."
"Did he happen to mention a reason why? I know Dan is blackmailing him somehow, I just don't know how or why. Has he come near you?" Karen asked feeling the anger boil up. She knew Dan had been up to something when he had told her kids he wanted to be apart of their lives.
"No I swear, he hasn't even approached me. I guess he told Lucas that he was extending the invitation to move in to me as well but Lucas told him no way in hell would I go for that." Cassie explained.
"Well that's one good thing. But Cass did Luke mention anything to you about why he is moving in with Dan?" Karen asked her daughter again, wanting answers.
Cassie knew there was no way she could lie to her Mom but there was also no way she could break her promise to her brother. He would never forgive her. She suddenly felt trapped and needed to get out of there. "Mom, I really should go check on Luke. You might want to go help Deb, it looks like it's getting busy again."
Cassie then took off up the stairs to find her brother. She found him sitting on the ground with his back against the wall. He looked broken.
"So I see you decided to tell her." Cassie said getting her brother's attention.
"I had to." Lucas said. "Did you say anything to her?"
Cassie shook her head. "I wanted to, but I didn't. Luke why don't you just explain to her what happened? Either way the truth is going to come out and sure she's going to be pissed at you for lying to her but if you wait to tell her, she'll be even angrier."
"I can't Cass, don't you understand I'm doing this for Mom." Lucas said.
Cassie looked at him dumbfounded. "How is you moving in with Dan helping Mom? If anything it's causing her more stressed, she's downstairs worried to death about you."
"Look this situation isn't permanent OK. I told you I would be back by the end of the school year, and I meant that."
Cassie rolled her eyes. "And in the mean time your going to be living with Satan? Luke the school year just started, that's a long time to go."
"Yeah I realize that but that's the only way Dan's going to pay for my heart meds, and look this will give me a chance to get to know him a little and if he tries anything I will be able to take him down, got it." Luke explained.
"I get what your saying, I just don't like it but I won't say anything I swear. Just be careful." She said giving her brother a hug.
Lucas nodded. "I will, but I want you to look after Mom, don't let her get to upset."
"I won't, you owe me for this." Cassie said with a small smile.
"I know, you want anything you name it." Luke said.
"Ok, if you find a way to take down Dan, I want in." Cassie said.
"No way. I'm not letting you get involved sis, it's way too dangerous." Lucas stated firmly.
"Fine then I'm going to Mom." Cassie said getting up, more to prove a point then anything.
Lucas grabbed her arm and spun her around. "Ok, ok. I'll let you in on whatever goes on, don't say one word of this to Mom. Got it!"
Cassie nodded. "So when are you moving out?"
"Tonight." Lucas said. "That's why I told Mom today."
"Nice job genious, don't even give her time to digest it." Cassie said sarcastically. "Whatever, I have to get home. Talk to you later."
One week later things at the Roe/Scott household were quiet. Lucas had moved in with Dan officially and Karen was understandably upset, she couldn't get either of her kids to crack. She knew Cassie knew something but for some reason she wasn't saying anything. As soon as Karen would bring up the subject Cassie would either change the subject or find an excuse to leave the room.
Karen sat in the living room contemplating her thoughts when Cassie walked through the door after school.
"Hey honey." Karen said as cheerfully as she could muster. "How was school?"
Cassie shrugged throwing her bag down on the floor and flopping down on the chair with her head rested on one armrest and her legs dangling from the other.
"School was school." Cassie said.
"Did you see Lucas?" Karen asked hopefully. She had hardly spoken to her son in the last couple days.
Cassie nodded. "Yeah he's doing ok, he's coming over tomorrow I think. He misses you, Mom."
"Really?" Karen asked sounding surprised.
Cassie looked at her a little surprised at her tone. "Well yeah, he's not angry with you."
"Could have fooled me." Karen said.
Cassie sat up. "Mom, whatever's going on with Lucas, has nothing to do with being angry at you. You did nothing wrong."
"Well then why do I feel like such a failure of a mother?" Karen asked as tears welled in her eyes.
Cassie shook her head and moved to sit next to her Mom on the couch. She couldv'e killed her brother for putting their Mom through this. "Mom trust me when I say, Lucas is not doing this to get back at you. You are the best Mom we could ask for. He's just doing this because he really feels he needs to get to know Dan better, don't ask me why it's just the way he is. There is no way you are a failure as a mother, don't even think that."
Karen managed to smile through her tears. "Thank you sweetie."
Cassie shrugged. "Ah no problem. So what do you have planned for tonight?"
"Actually I have a date." Karen said, through everything she had been going through there had been one good thing about the week.
"You do." Cassie smiled. She couldn't remember the last time Karen had went out. There had been a few guys here and there, none of them ever serious. Karen really didn't believe in letting her kids in on her love life, especially when they were younger, fearing that they would get attached and if it didn't work out then they would get hurt. Now that they were older she didn't have to worry as much.
"Who is it?" Cassie asked.
"Remember my college professor I told you about?" Karen asked and Cassie nodded.
"You mean the really cute younger guy who came to the cafe that one time? Your dating your college professor? Go Mom." Cassie said with a laugh.
"Yes him, his name's Andy and were going to a movie tonight." Karen said.
"Wow on a first name basis with a teacher, that's something I never thought I'd hear." Cassie giggled. "Seriously, I'm happy for you. It's about time you go out. When do I get to meet him?"
"Cass..." Karen said knowing her daughter was getting a little carried away. "I don't think you should be meeting him just yet."
"Aww come on Mom. I'm 17 not 7. I don't have a problem with you dating, and even if it's not serious, I'm happy to see you having a good time, and I would actually like to meet the guy who put a smile on your face despite the crazy week you've had." Cassie said.
Karen sighed. "Ok, you can meet him. Be forewarned there is a chance Andy thinks your a little younger then you are."
"What do you mean? How old does he think I am?" Cassie asked.
Karen shrugged. "Around 6."
"Whoa and you haven't corrected him?"
"Well it's not exactly something that's easy to tell a guy." Karen said. "Oh yeah, I'm Karen, I'm middle aged, cafe owner, and am also the single mother of two 17 year olds."
"What's wrong with that?" Cassie asked. "That's exactly what you are."
"I know but I just didn't want to scare him off." Karen said.
Cassie sighed. "Don't worry I understand, if he's my age, I'm not calling him Dad." She said getting up before her Mom could smack her leg.
"Haha." Karen laughed. "And what do you have planned for tonight? Let me guess, date with Kyle?"
"No actually he's gone on a trip with his parents, something about looking at colleges." Cassie shrugged. "I've actually got plans with Uncle Keith."
"Really. Well good. I haven't heard from him for awhile, it's kinda strange." Karen said.
"Yeah he's been busy, he was out of town for a few days." Cassie explained. She wasn't sure she wanted to tell her mother that Keith had been out of town for a few days with a women he had just met.
"Business trip?" Karen assumed.
Cassie didn't know what to say but then decided maybe telling the truth couldn't hurt. Her Mom would find out anyways eventually. "Actually he met someone."
"Someone as in a woman?" Karen asked.
Cassie nodded. "Yeah, her name's Jules, she's nice enough. He met her while working for Dan's dealership."
"You met her?" Karen asked for some reason feeling jealous of this woman. "Why didn't he just tell me?"
"I met her once but it was totally by accident, when I went to his shop to ask him where he'd been lately. She was there talking to him about something and she introduced herself right off the bat, I guess she kinda already knew who I was." Cassie explained. "And as for not telling you right away, I don't know why that is. Sorry Mom."
"That's ok, I guess we've all been keeping our secrets huh Cass." She smiled and Cassie nodded when the doorbell rang.
"Oh my god that's him." Karen said. "I'm a mess, can you answer it?"
"Don't you think that might be a little weird? According to you he thinks I'm 6, if I answer it, he might think he has the wrong house." Cassie said.
"Please just get it, don't say who you are until I get back, just let him in and ask if he wants anything, I'll be fast." Karen said.
Cassie watched her mother scurry off to her room. "Well this is awkward." Cassie said to herself as the doorbell rang again.
"Yes?" Cassie said answering the door. "Oh hi, you must be Andy, come on in."
Andy entered and looked at Cassie. "I've seen you before, at Karen's cafe. Are you a friend of hers or something?"
"You could say that." Cassie said. "Have a seat. Can I get you anything?" She asked quickly knocking over a couple of recent pictures of her and Lucas.
Andy looked at her suspiciously but then just shook his head. "No, I'm fine thanks. Is Karen ready?"
"Ugh my Mo...Karen's just changing and she'll be right out." Cassie said before walking to the kitchen.
"So these must be her kids." She heard Andy say. She walked in and saw him eyeing a picture of her and Lucas when they were little.
"Yeah that would be them." Cassie said.
"Wow, you know them well? Well you must if you practically live here." Andy said.
"You could say were like one in the same." Cassie replied, breathing a sigh of relief when her Mom emerged.
"Thank god. He's been asking all kinds of questions Mom, I think he's getting suspicious." Cassie whispered.
"Relax, I'll take care of it right now." Karen assured her.
Cassie nodded with relief.
"Karen you look great." Andy smiled at her, causing her to blush.
"Thanks." She replied before glancing at Cassie nervously.
"Your friend here was just telling me about your kids. Is she babysitting tonight? Cause you know Cassie and Lucas could always come with us." Andy said.
"Actually Andy they'll be fine on their own." Karen said and off the confused expression on his face she decided to just continue on. "There is someone I'd like you to meet." She grabbed Cassie hand and pulled her forward. "This young women right here, is my daughter...this is my Cassie."
Cassie smiled at Andy as he looked shocked. "Nice to meet you Andy, I've heard a little bit about you."
Andy recovered from his shock and took the girls outstretched hand. "Cassie, it's nice to meet you. Um I thought you were 6 or 7."
Cassie laughed. "Don't worry about it, it happens right Mom."
Karen laughed nervously. She was thankful Cassie was as outgoing as she was, she knew how to make people feel comfortable around her right from the get go.
"Where is your brother Lucas?" Andy asked wanting to meet him too.
"Actually Lucas is living with our father for a little while, but you'll meet him sometime soon I'm guessing."
Andy nodded. "Well Cassie it was good to meet you, despite the circumstances." Andy laughed and Cassie immediately liked him.
"You too. Have fun tonight Mom." She said but then whispered. "But not too much fun."
Karen rolled her eyes. "Behave." She laughed. "What time is your Uncle Keith picking you up?"
"Around 6, I might not be home until late. Were doing our pizza and movie night." Cassie said.
"Ok sweetie, well have fun. Call me if you need me." She said.
Cassie nodded and hugged her Mom goodbye before closing the door behind them.