I just realized that I now have six chapters typed but not put up so I thought I'd post this one. I hope you like it.
Chapter 42: Lax Is Brown
After working out with Goldberg on that Tuesday, I smirked when a prank Chris and Ben had played on Alicia came back to me. When I found Charlie he was talking to Adam at the breakfast table.
"Hey Lizzy," Adam said.
"Morning cuz," Charlie added.
"Morning guys," I said nodding to them both, "We'll play the prank tomorrow."
"Why not today?" Charlie asked.
"Because today we have to prepare today," I sighed shaking my head. "So far we've forked them and made them itch; now we're gonna clean them out."
"How?" Fulton asked.
"The varsity team likes brownies right?"
"Liz we used that last year."
"Not that one Charlie, this one's different. Well it is if it's the one I'm thinking of. The one that Chris and Ben got regrounded for?" Dwayne asked.
"The very same." I said.
"That one's gonna be good." Dwayne says.
"Guys, don't you think it's time to end this prank war." Julie asked hesitantly. I looked at her then at the varsity table where Scooter didn't look too hot.
"Is this messing with things between you and Scooter?" She shrugged but looked away. "Alright..." I searched my plan arsenal for a few moments before smiling. "I'll fix it Jules, I promise."
"If you can," she muttered.
"Don't worry, it'll be fine." She just shrugged. "Charlie do you think Aunt Casey would mind if we used her oven?"
"As long as nothing explodes, smells bad, causes great harm, or burns down the house she'll be fine."
"Good because I'll be over there after play practice."
"Ok."
"What exactly is the plan?" Kenny asked.
"Think about it. I'll make sure you know at lunch for now, now it's science time." I grabbed my bag and walked out of the mess hall. At lunch everyone looked at me as if expecting me to say something. I looked around and saw Varsity trying to look as if they weren't trying to eavesdrop. I ripped out a piece of paper and scribbled down the message. It was a really weird code that Charlie had taught us in sixth grade so we could pass notes without anyone understanding it. I passed it around and everyone started smirking. All it said when translated is 'Laxatives in brownies.' As Andy walked over I stood up and went to sit with the art girls. "Hey girls." I said sitting down.
"Hey Lizzy." They responded.
"What's your next prank?" Ellie asked.
"You'll just have to watch and see but I'll tell you this it'll have Varsity running for a few hours." I answered.
"Tell us more." Anna prodded.
"I can't but you'll see tomorrow." I said.
"Alright." Alyssa sighed. She glanced over my shoulder and then blushed looking away. I turned to see Fulton smirking.
"You like him." I said looking back at her.
"Do not." She snapped.
"He likes you too." Emma said.
"You think?" Alyssa asked.
"Lizzy you're his best friend what do you think?" Emma asked.
"I think it's highly likely he'll ask you out in the next two weeks." I answered.
"Lucky." Anna said.
"I could say the same for you and Luis." I smirked. Anna and Aly both blushed. "The only thing I'm gonna say to you Aly is if you break his heart, I don't care how you try to explain it, I will hurt you." Aly looked at me a little scared. "I don't mean to scare you, it's just that he's been my best friend since we were in diapers and with his dad being gone most of the time as a sports photographer, it's been hard on him and I don't like seeing him hurt."
"I'll try not to hurt him." She said. I nodded then a bell rang. "Class time then."
"I'll take you on, right here right now." Fulton said. I looked over to him and saw him a foot from Andy. I sighed and walked over to the pair.
"You won't take me on you'll leave it for this thug head here." Andy said motioning to Dean. "Or your wimpy friend." When Andy motioned to me Fulton's nostrils flared and I could tell Andy had gone too far.
"Listen here Jefferson..."
"Fulton let it go." I whispered sidling up next to him.
"Let it go?" Fulton choked out.
"Yes. I grew up with four big brothers. Each and every single one of them has picked on me and called me names. Jeff did the same to Dean. You know what my dad taught me. Sticks, stones, and fists may break my bones but words can just be brushed off and forgotten." I told him.
"Come on we have to get to class. He'll get his tomorrow." Charlie said.
"Lizzy..." Fulton started.
"Fulton, class, now." Charlie snapped. Fulton sighed and nodded.
"Arf arf." Andy taunted. Fulton turned but Dean gripped his arm and almost drug him out of the cafeteria.
"What provoked that?" I asked taking Fulton's hand and stroking the back of it.
"Andy was taunting us." Kenny answered. I looked around and then up at Fulton.
"Dude chill, he'll get his tomorrow when he's running to the bathroom every five minutes." I said. Fulton looked at me and then squeezed my hand before he threw his arm around my neck.
"How are you gonna fix things between the Cat-lady and Scooter?" Dean asked wrapping an arm around my waist.
"Well that's easy I won't poison him." I said.
"Poison him?" Dean asked.
"Yeah I'll leave three of them unaffected and make sure he knows. I don't want to hurt Scooter especially after everything he's done for me. I want Varsity to suffer for what they've done to us but most of this stuff has fallen more heavily on Andy then anyone else." I said.
"Is the reason you don't like Andy the same as the reason you don't like Crystal?" Dwayne asked.
"You know the reason I don't like Crystal. Andy's never stolen anyone's girlfriend as far as I'm concerned. He just won't stop trying to get me into trouble. And for that he must be taken care of." I said.
"Makes sense." Dean said as Mr. Schroeder walked into the room. I nodded and math class went on. In History Charlie passed me a note that asked me the same thing that Dean had asked me earlier. I answered with the same that I told Dean and Dwayne.
"Jacobs answer the question." My history teacher snapped.
"Any chance you'll repeat it?" I asked.
"Nope you should be paying attention."
"March of 1877." I sighed.
"From where?" He asked.
"Kittery, Maine."
"Don't let it happen again or it'll be detention."
"Sorry sir."
Class went on and Charlie turned to me. "What happened in March of 1877?" I pointed to the board where it was written 'The U.S.S. Enterprise.'
After making out with Dean during play practice I met Charlie at my car and then climbed inside. "Does your mom have the stuff we need?" I asked as I started the engine.
"We may have some brownie mix but more than likely not." Charlie said. I nodded and drove to the store where we got what we needed. When we got inside I looked around but could only find a hammer.
"Char, get a paper towel and crush about 15 of those in it." I told him. He finished about the time I started mixing the batter.
"What now?" He asked.
"Now you figure out what we make your mom for dinner to thank her for the use of her oven and because I know you're hungry."
I pulled out the brownie pan and poured the batter into it. When it was spread evenly I sprinkled our extra ingredient in to the pan leaving enough room on one end to have three brownies unaffected. I gently mixed it in until I couldn't see any of it and put it in the oven making sure I knew which end was plain. I set the timer and hopped up on an extra counter as Charlie made dinner. We talked for a while and then the timer went off. I hopped off the counter, pulled out the brownies, and set them on the stove top to cool. Aunt Casey came in right as Charlie was setting the table.
"Mmmm, something smells good." She called.
"Hi Mom." Charlie answered.
"Hi Aunt Casey." I called from where Charlie had delegated me to making mashed potatoes.
"Maybe I oughta go." I heard a male voice say. I looked over to the dining area at Charlie who was grinning.
"What's he doing here?" I snapped knowing that voice. Charlie looked back at me like I had just kicked his puppy. That was like a kick to the stomach.
"Hi kids what's for dinner?" Casey asked entering the kitchen.
"It's in the oven." I answered as Charlie added an extra plate to the table.
"You should stay Coach." Charlie said. I counted back from ten under my breath looking at the melting cheese.
"Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, and Broccoli and cheese? What's the bad news? Ooo and brownies for desert? This must be terrible news."
"No bad news just a thank you."
"A five star meal from the likes of Charlie and no bad news?"
"Nope and the brownies are for Varsity. We've been playing a few mean pranks on them and now we want to be the bigger person and apologize." I said.
"Oh...well you're welcome. You'll be nice to Gordon tonight, for me please?"
"For you of course Aunt Casey." I sighed. I pulled out a knife and cut the brownies just the way I said I would. Charlie walked into the kitchen and shot me a pleading look. "I already said I'd be nice so stop looking like a beagle with a treat in front of its nose. But you know we could always try these out to see if they work."
"That isn't nice Liz." Charlie said.
"Fine, grab dinner so we can eat." I huffed taking the gravy and cheese and setting them on the table. Then I sat down at the table and looked at Gordon. "How's Cali?"
"It was ok but I really missed the snow." Gordon answered.
"And your job?"
"I actually resigned out there. I moved back here about four weeks ago. I'm working for a firm here who does a lot of pro-bono work. Your aunt's divorce is one of our cases."
"You requested it so you could get closer and have her for yourself when it's finalized." I said.
"Elizabeth." Aunt Casey snapped. I was suddenly filled with two emotions then. The first with remorse that I had angered my aunt and second a bit of pride filled me to know that someone would scold me using my full name. That had rarely happened before.
"I'm sorry." I whispered digging into my dinner and keeping my eyes downcast. Dinner passed slowly as Charlie and I didn't talk much. Aunt Casey kept the conversation flowing but it seemed a little forced. After dinner Charlie volunteered to do the dishes as I arranged the brownies on a paper plate giving the adults time to talk. "Are you sure we can't test them out?"
"Liz, don't. If your dad and Alicia got a divorce and Uncle Rob found someone that he liked and it made him happy would you try to ruin it?"
"I guess not."
"Then don't do it to my mom." I looked away until he handed me the plastic wrap. "I'm sorry for snapping Lizzy but she hasn't been this happy in a long time please, don't ruin it."
"Ok." I walked into the other room and Casey and Gordon both stopped talking. "Gordon I um...I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said at dinner, it wasn't fair to you and I shouldn't have said it."
"You're forgiven." He answered. I nodded and grabbed my coat. "Aren't you staying a bit longer?"
"I wish I could but I have homework to do tonight. Thanks for dinner and the use of your oven Aunt Casey." I said grinning at her.
"Any time dear." Aunt Casey said. "Charlie...Are you sticking around or going back to school?"
"I got to get back too. Bye Mom, bye Coach." Charlie handed me the brownies and then put on his coat. I pulled my keys from my pocket and Charlie and I left. I was told later that after we left Aunt Casey and Gordon had a discussion about where he stood in her life and how Charlie and I would always be a constant. He was also ok with the fact there was nothing he could do to change that.
Throughout the entire car ride Charlie didn't say a word to me about what happened at dinner or afterward but I knew he was thinking about it. I was still angry about him being there so soon and doing what I thought he was doing and I knew Charlie could tell.
"Come on cuz let's get you back to your room, we'll talk about it there." Charlie said. I nodded and followed him. Charlie stole my cell phone and next thing I knew Charlie, Fulton, and Adam were staring at me as Jesse was asking what was wrong from the other end of my phone line. "So come on...tell them." Charlie prodded.
"He's back. She isn't even through with the divorce and they're practically dating. Just...who does he think he is?" I snapped.
"Look Lizzy, Casey's going through a hard time right now and she needs company. If he can provide that then you shouldn't try to ruin it." Fulton said.
"But shouldn't he wait till the divorce is final to come over for dinner? He's moving too fast and who knows if he's even serious this time? He said he was last time and then look at what happened. He left and rarely spoke to either of them again until the Goodwill games, then after that he hasn't spoken to her in two years."
"Lizzy, calm down. We don't know if he has any romantic intentions this time for all we know he could just want to be friends." Jesse said.
"But Charlie's already said he's asked Aunt Casey out, if that isn't something more than friendship then Basketball is a sport."
"Lizzy-gator please just calm down we don't know where this is leading and I don't want you jumping to conclusions." Fulton said.
Silence reigned for a few moments then Charlie spoke. "When you said he's moving too fast...too fast for whom? For you or Mom? Maybe he took her out to catch up as friends. Adam and Dwayne would do it with you in a heartbeat. What if he just wants to see if anything's left? What if it was you and Dwayne in his place and Portman or Fulton was reacting like you are?"
I tried for several seconds to say something then finally settled on "You may have a point there but who knows how long he's staying around this time. How long's it gonna be before he wants to be out there doing something bigger? Before he wants something better? Guys like him won't be content staying in Minnesota doing pro-bono work for the rest of his life. You're gonna get hurt again Charlie and I won't let that happen again." I sank down on my bed and looked down at my hands. "I won't let that happen. I can't let that happen." I muttered. I heard the phone click off then my door opened and shut again.
"Don't cry Gator." Jesse said. I looked up at him to see him moving across the room to me. Soon he wrapped me in hug and sat down next to me.
"Why can't you Skater? Why can't it happen again?" Charlie asked now sitting behind me. Jesse let me go and looked at me suspiciously.
"It hurts to see you cry Char. You've always been so strong especially when things looked so down and then Gordon comes into your life and suddenly you're crying more than I do."
"Lizzy looks up to you Charlie and if you're upset over Coach Bombay then where's the hope for her?" Adam asked kneeling in front of me.
"Lizzagator, Coach Bombay isn't all bad you just have to get to know him." Fulton coaxed.
"Why? So I like him as much as Charlie does and then get hurt just as bad when he leaves town for something bigger and so called better? No sir, thank you very much but no thanks. I can't stand being hurt anymore."
"That's why you try to push him away from both you and Charlie. You're thinking you can protect Charlie and keep from getting hurt by not letting yourselves get attached. It runs both ways Liz. Maybe if you let yourself and Charlie get attached to him and vise versa he won't leave because it will hurt him as much as it does you."
"Then how come he wasn't hurt when he went to play minors?"
"He was Lizzy, he tore himself up constantly then and when he got back because he didn't stay in touch as often as he wished." Fulton said.
"He did?" Charlie asked.
"Charlie, don't you remember how you felt when he left, how you felt when he never called, when he became Captain Blood? Remember all those times?"
"Yeah but remember how he taught Fulton to skate, how he sat with me for three hours when you couldn't, how he's helped all of us become the people we are today and how he taught us the real meaning of being a team?" Adam put in.
"But he..."
"Lizzy, we can go back and forth about this all night and it won't make a difference in your mind and it'll only confuse Charlie. People make mistakes. You have, your dad has, Matt has, and I'll admit Bombay has. You have to let the past rest. Mistakes make us human." Jesse says. It took almost another ten minutes before I was calm enough to drop the subject and go to bed.
The next morning I woke up and met Dean in his room. Unfortunately he was still sleeping. Therefore, I shook him a bit waking him up. "What do you want Lizzy? It's nearly five a.m." Dean asked.
"I'm going for a run this morning and I'll probably meet you at breakfast." I said.
"Fult told me how upset you were...I can understand." Dean said. I nodded and drew him into a couple of kisses. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"
"Not today."
"Dude, shut up. It's too early." Fulton whined.
"Sorry." We both muttered.
"I love you so much Lizzy."
"I love you too Dean, now I must go for that run."
"Alright see you later babe." Dean kissed my cheek then fell back asleep. I headed for the gym meeting Goldberg there and working out with him for a bit.
I've also realized this chapter, starts and ends with the same thing Lizzy and Goldberg working out. Strange. Anyway shoot me a reply if you find something wrong. Or just want to say hi or that you liked it. Later.