Thanks to all of you who continue to read, favorite, and put this story on your alert lists. It means a lot to me. Big thanks to Pharmergirl, ki4pak, smilychick89, and the guest Alex for reviewing the last chapter and Donnie88 for leaving a review on chapt 22.
Contains scenes and references from 2x18, 2x19.
"So how'd it go?" Jim asked at lunch the following day.
"How'd what go?" Anna asked.
"The exam. Your permit?" Jim asked, stabbing his chicken.
"I passed but I'm pretty sure I told you that two weeks ago," Anna said.
"And have you been driving?" Jim asked. Everyone at the table looked up.
"No. My parents are real touchy about the subject."
"They probably just don't want you to grow up," Derrek said. Anna and Jim both looked at him. "Oh come on, teaching you to drive means giving you freedom and that freedom means you need your parents less. No parent wants to go through that."
"So ... Who's ready for tryouts?" Anna asked, changing the subject. After school were baseball tryouts and Anna poured all her frustrations and anger about not being able to drive into her pitching and batting and was complemented on it. They wouldn't find out who made the team until after all the paperwork was in. When Anna got home that night she found a voice mail message on her phone from the owner of Lou's diner asking her to come in for an interview the following day. "Mama," Anna said when Linda got home. "I need you to sign these papers for school, please. And I was right, the school needs a copy of my birth certificate."
"They really want to make sure you're only 15?" Linda asked, setting the grocery bags down on the counter.
"They want all their bases covered. Ha, that was a baseball pun, get it?" Anna asked.
Linda scoffed but walked over to where Anna was standing at the table. "So what are these forms?" Linda reached for them but Anna kept her hand on top of them pressing them to the table to keep Linda from picking them up. She had them spread on the table so that only the parent signature line was showing on the bottom three forms.
"Baseball and school stuff. You've read it all before, just sign it, please? I find out if I make varsity when I turn these in," Anna explained, keeping her tone soft as to not sound pushy or like she was demanding anything from her mother. That would only make things worse. The top form was a waiver to allow her to play baseball, the second a student information form with all her pertinent details, the third allowed her to ride the bus to and from games, and the last was the student work permit. She just didn't want to tell her mom that because she was sure her mom would throw a fit about her working and it would lead to all kinds of questions she wasn't sure she was ready to answer. Linda looked at her daughter skeptically then sighed and signed the four forms on the lines available.
"Are you sure I don't need to read these?" Linda asked as she pulled back after signing the last one. She was still staring at her daughter skeptically.
"Do you think I'd actually lie to you about some forms for school? Report cards don't come out for two months and progress reports are in two weeks."
"No, of course you wouldn't," Linda answered, going back into the kitchen to put the groceries away.
When Anna entered Lou's Diner that Tuesday afternoon, something about the diner felt right. It felt like home. A man stood up and motioned her to the booth he was sitting in, the last one against the front wall away from the door. "You must be Anna," he said as she walked up to the table.
"Anna Reagan," she said, shaking the man's hand.
"Lou Monroe. Please, have a seat and tell me a little about yourself."
"I prefer to be called Anna," she said, sliding into the seat. "My grandma's name was Mary and since I'm named after her they've always just called me Anna. I'm 15, a sophomore, yesterday was tryouts for the school's baseball team. I tried out and will find out if I made it tomorrow and I work extremely hard." Anna smiled as she kept her hands folded in her lap and her eyes on him but refrained from staring. He looked down at her application in front of him.
"You've held a job before?" he asked.
"Babysitting. $10 an hour. My brothers since I was 12 and other kids in the neighborhood since I turned 13. I come highly recommended."
"What brought you to my diner?" Mr. Monroe asked.
"My feet," Anna said instantly. She flinched and looked down. "I'm sorry, sometimes I forget where I am and my mouth runs away with me. I just thought it's a good place to start. Everyone's gotta start somewhere and clearing the table after supper as well as doing the dishes usually falls to me. It gives me experience that I don't have but that I can use."
"I understand and I'm glad you have a sense of humor. How will being on the baseball team affect your work schedule?"
"It shouldn't. I know that I can only work 18 hours a week and varsity has games on Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays. JV on the other hand has games on Wednesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays. I'll get you the schedule when I get it that way we can see if we can work around it and the only problem I see is that I can never work on Sundays."
"Sunday? That's unusual. Most people want Fridays or Saturdays off."
"My family is Catholic. Sunday Mass and then Sunday dinner with the family. No excuses, no missing it every week."
"When would you be able to start?"
"Friday. I have baseball tomorrow, we find out who makes which team and get everything nailed down with the schedules for that and I have a sitting job on Thursday so Friday will be the earliest."
"Should the waitress or cook position become available, would you apply for that?"
"Waitress, I'm not afraid of a challenge with proper training, but I think I can't be a cook because I'm only 15."
Mr. Monroe looked back down at her application, running a finger over it and then looked up at her, doing the math in his head. "I see. Yes, you have to be 16 before you can use any grinding, cutting, or washing power driven machinery. Which means you also can't use my dishwasher until September."
"Does that disqualify me from this job?" Anna asked, trying not to show her nerves.
"No, if you did get it, you'd just have to have Doug press the start button on the dishwasher. You do not have to answer this next question. It has no effect on the outcome of my decision," Mr. Monroe said. He paused for a moment and watched her. "Your father is a detective, that's stated on the application, and your last name is Reagan. You aren't by chance related to—"
"The P.C.?" Anna asked.
"Forget I asked," he said as Anna worried her lip between her teeth.
"Just don't tell anyone. I don't like using that to get my way. It's not fair and he believes that we shouldn't get special treatment because of his career choice."
"It looks like the rest of your paperwork is in order. I'll be in touch soon with my decision."
"Thank you, Mr. Monroe. It was a pleasure to meet you." They stood and shook hands before Anna made her way home.
"So? How'd it go?" Jim asked as they headed inside the school the next day before classes.
"You know, you ask me that a lot. I think it went well though. He was very nice and not at all turned off by me being only 15 and not being able to run the machine. What about you? Looking for a job yet?" Anna answered.
"Casually browsing." He nodded.
"Let me guess, because your brother and sister are so much older than you, your parents give you whatever you want?"
"They're not that much older," Jim protested.
"Your sister's oldest is five and your brother is almost 21 and has his own place."
"He's only three and a half years older than me."
"See," Anna said as they stopped at Jim's locker.
"Okay, but where else are my parents going to spend their money?"
"On a romantic getaway?" Anna suggested. Jim pulled back from digging through his locker and stared at her bewildered.
"Last time they had a romantic getaway, I happened. I really don't need another sibling."
"Okay, but it's still been a while. My parents still plan a weekend alone every couple of months. Besides you should be putting away money for the future. If not for college then for finding your own place and living on your own. The city's not cheap and your parents shouldn't have to support you forever. Besides don't you need your own car?"
"Well ... yeah okay," Jim turned back to his locker to continue his search for his book. "How's the driving?"
"Think we had that discussion two days ago," Anna answered.
"Still not driving? You know if your parents don't want to take you, you could always ask your uncle. He told you to call him, right? My sister took me out a couple of times when things picked up at the firehouse."
"There's an idea," Anna said softly, "but I don't want to make things awkward between my dad and his brother. Ever since Uncle Joe died it's been a little strained between them." Anna leaned back against the locker next to Jim's.
"Do you think it will?" Jim asked, shutting his locker.
Anna shrugged as she thought it over. Part of her did wonder if it would strain their relationship, it was already distant enough, but part of her didn't care. That part of her however was smaller than it would have been if she had been in the position a year prior. As the bell rang and she went her separate way from Jim, she decided to give the silent treatment another week and a half to see where that got her then she would ask Jamie.
That night after baseball practice, where she found out she had indeed made varsity and got her schedule, there was a message from Mr. Monroe saying that when she came in on Friday they'd get the paperwork sorted and he'd have her shadow another busser so she could learn her job.
When she did sit down with Mr. Monroe, he told her now that she worked for him she could call him Lou unless that made her uncomfortable, then she could call him Mr. M. They worked out her schedule so she'd work eight hours on Saturdays when she didn't have a game then three hours after practices on Wednesdays and Fridays. Sure, it was only 14 hours a week but it was enough, especially if she picked up a few babysitting jobs on the side.
On Sunday, Anna was helping Nicky set the table when she noticed how pensive her cousin was. "Everything okay, Nicky?" Anna asked.
"Something happened this week with my friend Diane," Nicky said. She told Anna what happened and Anna instantly felt bad for not being there to help her out.
"That is truly terrible. Just remind her that what she does next truly matters and you have your whole life to be noticed by boys. Some of the most famous people didn't get famous until after high school, some even way after high school. Someone will see her for who she is someday."
"You're just saying that because you're noticed all the time by boys."
"Can't help that I'm on a baseball team full of them. I've never actually been out on a date though. Out with friends yes, but not on a date. People will forget about this though. Some stupid celeb will do something stupid and people will become more interested in that than some stupid selfie. They're teenagers, it's old news after five minutes."
"What's a selfie?" Sean asked as he and Jack came to the table.
"I'll tell you when Mom and Dad let you have a cell phone," Anna answered.
"Not fair," Sean whined.
"Neither is life," Anna said. Dinner went on and Anna did her best to ignore her father as she interacted with Henry and Jamie. "Jack, pass the potatoes," Anna said in the middle of dinner. Since they were sitting by Danny, just out of Jack's reach he would have to ask for the before he could pass them over. It would be the third time he'd have to ask for something from his dad for his sister.
"Dad, pass the potatoes, please," Jack said.
"There are potatoes on your plate and if Anna wants them, she can ask me herself," Danny answered.
"Sorry," Jack muttered to her. Anna shrugged and put more salad on her plate.
"Still?" It's been a week!" Erin said, looking at Linda.
"Yep. She won't talk to him, he tries to get her to and it usually ends in a very quiet and awkward dinner; when they're both there of course. Danny was busy Monday and Tuesday this week and Anna spent Wednesday and Friday with friends studying," Linda answered.
"It's like some kind of weird game," Sean added.
"If he'd teach me to drive, I might—No, I would speak to him again," Anna told the rest of her family.
"Stop acting like a child and I might consider it, Maryanna," Danny said.
Knowing he was just trying to make her angry enough to snap at him and break the silent treatment, Anna chose to ignore him. "Who do you think will give in first?" Jamie asked, curiously.
"Hard to say knowing them," Frank said.
"I bet anything it'll be Dad," Sean said.
"A month of saying grace," Henry said.
"You're on," Sean said.
"Don't bet on me like I'm some kind of horse and I'm not sitting right here," Anna snapped at her brother.
"I'm betting that you're going to break him down. That's betting against Dad," Sean said.
"I'm with Sean. Uncle Danny's stubborn, but it's a rite of passage for a teen to drive," Nicky added.
"I am sitting right here," Danny said.
"What do you want to bet, Nicky?" Henry asked.
"Dishes after Sunday dinner for one month," Nicky said. "Don't let me down, Anna."
"While Anna is very stubborn, Danny is too. Maybe he's got a good reason not to let Anna drive. A reason that will keep his resolve stronger than hers," Frank said.
"You want to let me in on this reason? 'Cause all I'm seeing is him being stubborn," Anna said.
"I said maybe," Frank said again.
"And I've rarely lost a bet," Anna said.
"First time for everything, kid," Danny said.
Anna wanted to correct him but she'd instantly lose the bet so she held quiet. "Jack, you want in on this?" Henry asked. Jack shook his head furiously. That was the last thing he wanted. He trusted and believed in his sister but he knew at some point his dad would make her angry enough to snap, whether it was intentional or not.
Sure enough just a week later, dinner started out just fine. Erin had made all of Jamie's favorite foods for some reason and Jack was grateful for Danny helping his friend. Then came after dinner. That's when Danny made Anna mad enough to snap. He rounded up his kids to leave and Anna questioned her mom. "Why are we leaving so early, Mom?" Anna asked.
"Your dad is taking Mike Keenan to the Rangers-Islanders game. His dad was supposed to take him and after what happened, your dad thought it would help if he took him," Linda said.
"You're kidding. Please, tell me you're joking, Mama?" Anna asked in disbelief.
"Why would I be joking?" Linda asked confused.
"Let's go," Danny said, reentering the kitchen.
"Are you kidding me?" Anna snapped, rounding on her father. "Are you freaking kidding me?"
"Watch your mouth," Danny ordered.
"Anna," Linda warned.
"You have got to be kidding me," Anna growled, ignoring both her parents' warnings.
"Anna," Danny snapped. None of them noticed they had the attention of the entire house.
Anna was too fired up though. "You're dropping everything on one of your few days off to take this kid, a kid who isn't even yours, to a stupid hockey game? Once again it's not important to spend time with your own kid. Last week it was Sean's science project, before that it was Jack's history report, then it was something for Nicky or Uncle Jamie or Aunt Erin or it was something stupid for work. Everything is always more important than your own daughter. It's. Not. Fair. I begged and almost cried for two weeks straight. Two weeks and you wouldn't take me out driving but some kid asks you once and it's off you go to a stupid hockey game. You always make time for everyone else but never me. I guess I'm not important enough because I'm not a real Reagan. If you didn't want me, you shouldn't have adopted me in the first place!" Anna shouted.
Danny's hands gripped his hips hard, trying to fight down his confusion and his instant reaction as Anna shoved past him and fled up the stairs. "Maryanna Margaret Reagan!" Danny shouted after his daughter, "Get back down here this instant." The only answer he got was a bedroom door slamming shut. He raised his hands to his face and ran them over his head. Then he turned to his wife. "You didn't tell her she was adopted, did you?"
"Why would I tell her that? It's not true," Linda answered. "You're her father, Danny. Always have been, always will be. Look, you have a promise to keep. Go, I'll take care of this."
"You sure?" Danny asked.
"Yeah, I got it. Go," Linda answered, smiling at her husband. "She's like you, she's going to need time to calm down before either of you say something you regret." Danny sighed and kissed his wife before leaving.
Meanwhile, upstairs Anna laid down on the bed trying not to cry. She had probably just blown past whatever line there was in the concrete and knew she was now in deep trouble. Not only had she just caused a major scene and shouted at her parents, but she had done it in front of the entire Reagan family. Taking a sensitive subject like that and shouting at him in front of the whole family was not only uncalled for but out of line and she was certain not only was she about to be spanked but also grounded. What had her the most upset though was that she felt everything she had said was true.
Looks like Anna's going to be in big trouble. Stay tuned to find out how.