Trying my damndest to get a decent amount of editing/posting done before the holidays. Even though it's going to be low key at home this year for obvious reasons, work doesn't have much of a lull lately, especially during holidays. I hope everyone is doing their best to stay healthy during all this insanity.

As always thanks so much for your feedback on the previous chapter. It really means a lot. :-)

"Wow, the old superhero sheet from your bed," Angela gushed. "Fancy."

"Cut me some slack. Real, authentic picnic blanket is still on my list of major adult purchases to make at some point. It got lost on the priority list between rent and car payments." He shifted around, trying to get comfortable and winced when his head hit the ceiling of his car. "Sorry about this crappy setup." They'd been lost in conversation and didn't notice the clouds rolling in when they were driving. They were just a few feet away from the car when the skies opened up and they dashed back to the vehicle. Eric's idea to fold down his back seat for a sort of indoor picnic seemed good in the moment. "They said on the news it wasn't supposed to rain until later."

"It's not crappy. It's cozy. I like it. At least now I don't have to fight off the bugs who want my food. I'm a mosquito magnet."

"That's because you're so sweet." He dug into the grocery bag, mentally adding a picnic basket to his list of eventual adult purchases. "Would the lady care for the red or blue," he asked in the snootiest accent he's only heard on TV when a couple goes to a fancy restaurant and held up two chip bags.

"The ranch Doritos."

"I'll take those, too. This way when we kiss later it won't be a weird flavor mash."

She smiled at his reasoning and helped get the rest of the food out of the bags. "Sorry again about tomorrow. I know we try to keep Fridays for us, but the hairstylist had an opening and she's done my braids before so I-."

"Angela, I can survive a Friday. I might be miserable but I'll survive."

"Gee, thanks. And it's going to be two Fridays we miss," she reminded him. "I'll be in Boston with my dad next week."

"It's fine. You guys need this time. I know how much you miss seeing him the rest of the year."

"Thanks."

"Can I ask a question at the risk of sounding like a complete moron? Because there's something I just don't get."

"Okay?"

"How could it take so long to braid hair? You said you were going to pack some snacks and maybe a book or two. I saw my mom braid Morgan's hair about a billion times and it only took a few minutes."

"This isn't the same. For one thing it's all of my hair, some extensions, and I'm keeping them in probably until school starts up again."

"That sounds like a long time for one hairstyle. You change it up a lot. It can look totally different from one day to the next- different lengths and everything. I've never said anything but sometimes it's amazing that the Angela I wake up with doesn't quite look like the Angela I went to bed with."

"There are a lot of different factors involved in that." She caught herself playing with the ends of her hair, twisting strands around her fingers. "I'll still be able to style it different ways but the braids will protect my hair and help it grow."

"Oh. Are these stupid questions," he asked, staring at her. "I feel like they're stupid questions or that I'm a jerk for asking."

"It's never stupid for us to want to learn more about each other so long as we're respectful and approach it with sensitivity and an open mind."

"When you first mentioned the braids all I could picture was my mom and Morgan and I couldn't figure out why it would take all day. I was like, what, are you getting pigtails put in by an old, blind, arthritic lady with no thumbs?"

She laughed and leaned forward to kiss his cheek. "It's an intensive process, baby. It took over seven hours last time I had it done."

"Wow."

"Yeah. Now you see why a book and snacks are necessary, right?"

"I don't suppose you could grade me on a curve while I'm learning and figuring all this stuff out?"

"I'll try."

"Thank you."

"You just make sure you're ready whenever I need a scalp massage over the next couple weeks."

"Hey, two hands, no waiting," he said, holding up his hands. "Do you need a ride tomorrow? Or to be picked up?"

"Thanks, but my dad's taking me. He's paying for it as part of an early birthday present."

"Right, your birthday," he said slowly. "That's coming up really soon."

"Eric, stop. It's okay. I know money's tight right now and I already told you I don't want anything big or extravagant."

"You deserve fancy gifts, expensive dinners, and music."

"Well, thank you, but just being with you is enough. Got it?"

"Anyone ever tell you that you need to up your standards?"

"I like my standards just fine, thank you." She scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Anything."

"Dad and I are having dinner with Aunt Lois on Monday. She said I could bring you if I wanted and I'd really like you to come. Plus this way you can meet Uncle Manny. He and Aunt Lois have been married since the dawn of civilization it seems like."

"Cool. Just tell me the time and I'm there."

"Are you sure? I know you're supposed to have a test that afternoon."

"I'm positive."

"Thank you. Because I know the conversation is inevitably going to turn to my mom and I'm hoping if you're there they'll decide not to mention her."

"So you're using me as a human shield?"

"If that's okay."

"Sure, so long as you promise to change the subject the next time we're having dinner with my parents and one of them starts talking about school."

"Consider it done."

"And-"

"And," Angela challenged, raising her eyebrows.

"Just a small and."

"Okay."

"My mom wanted me to tell you that the next time you come over for dinner you could bring your dad, too, if you want. She said they'll plan a barbecue."

"Wow, your parents want to meet my dad? Why?"

He shrugged. "Why not?"

"I don't know." Parents meeting parents? Didn't that mean something? They haven't been together long enough for something like that…had they? "What do they want?"

"What do you mean, 'what do they want?' I think they're looking for an excuse to use their new grill. Plus my mom probably needs a distraction from Morgan being away and our dads will spend the whole day talking military."

"Your dad was in the military?"

"He was in the Navy, remember?"

"Oh, right. Sorry. I forgot."

Eric tried to hand her a water bottle, but she was staring out the window. "Why are you being weird all of a sudden?"

"Huh? I'm not. But my dad and I have a lot of things planned before he leaves, that's all. I'm mentally going through our schedule to see which day would work."

"Or we could ask your dad when I drop you off. My parents are flexible and will accommodate you guys."

"I feel like some music. Do you care if I put on the radio? She didn't bother to wait for a response before continuing, "I'm putting on the radio." Angela twisted around and leaned over the front seat to reach the radio. Finally finding something she liked, she settled back beside Eric to eat. "What," she asked, confused when he chuckled.

"Nothing."

"It's obviously something."

"You bypassed your normal stations to listen to Red Hot Chili Peppers."

"So?"

"You're listening to more and more of my music. The other day you sang along to Green Day and The Offspring."

"What's your point?"

"I don't know that I have one aside from I think it's kind of hot. You're expanding your musical horizons for me."

"Any chance you're going to return the favor?"

"Oh, I already have," he said. "But when I came out of the shower Jack and Cory made it clear that The one I Gave my Heart To was a solo, not a duet."

"You belted out Aaliyah in the shower?"

"You left the C. D. I liked it. The critics were not impressed, however."

She squeezed his hand. "Poor baby. Want me to yell at them?"

"I got my revenge. Running the dishwasher during Jack's shower worked and Cory has been doing all he can to avoid me since he walked in on us, so-"

"Ugh, don't remind me."

"The offer to beat him up is always good. Just say the word."

"Not yet."

"But maybe someday?"

"Maybe."

"Good enough for me."

/

/

"So I go to get a coffee at what I thought was your normal time, only to be told by a hot girl named Colette that you no longer worked at the Student Union?"

Jack looked across the apartment and was surprised, yet not, to see his brother in the doorway. "And to think I was about to put you on the list of endangered Hunters."

"Huh?"

"You've been gone for however many weeks and, according to Cory, back for a few days already, and you're only choosing now to get in touch with me?"

Shawn sighed before he let the door close behind him and strolled over to the counter where his brother was putting the finishing touches on his lunch. "Did you put macaroni and cheese into a grilled cheese sandwich?"

"Yeah."

"What'd you do, turn into a pothead when I was gone? Do you have the munchies?"

He rolled his eyes. "Of course not! Do you think they'd let me work in a bank high?"

"Then what's with the sandwich?"

"It was Eric's idea. He claims it came to him in a dream."

"That sounds about right."

"But adding the bacon and tomato was all me." Knowing he was going to do it anyway, Jack didn't bother to pretend to debate and cut the sandwich in half. "So where have you been?"

Shawn did his best not to laugh when he accepted the smaller half of the sandwich. It was as if that was the only way his brother could think of to express his anger over him going radio silent- give baby brother the smaller bit of food. "Around."

"That's it? Around? That's all you're going to say?"

"I needed to clear my head. In case you hadn't noticed my life has been heading downhill at warp speed since I graduated high school." He took a bite before continuing. "And yes, I know some of that is my fault, but…damn, this is good. You should open a restaurant."

"Thanks, but I think I'll stick to majoring in economics. What were you doing to clear your head? Where you? Why didn't you call?"

"In that order: I spent a lot of time outside. I fished some. It's none of your business where I was, and I didn't call because I didn't want to talk to anyone here."

"You went fishing. Seriously?"

"Is that so hard to believe? I like fishing."

"I've never heard you mention fishing ever!"

"It's not so bad when I go with my grandpa." Shawn regretted it the moment the words left his mouth. His cover was blown.

"What are you talking about? I thought Chet's dad died years ago. Didn't it have something to do with a horse?"

He nodded. "Grampy Glenn was kicked in the head when he tried to steal a horse from the racetrack in '87, dead before he hit the dirt. And you want to know the real kicker? He was stealing the horse that came in last place, not first. Man if that isn't a Hunter move or what?"

"So if it wasn't Grandpa Hunter then…oh. Virna's dad. You've been in Oklahoma with your mom all this time," Jack concluded. "I don't get it. Why the secrecy?"

"I didn't want to hear the lectures from Cory. I don't want to listen to him say that she's only going to let me down and disappear again."

"I thought he knew about her letters and phone calls."

"He thinks they stopped a while ago."

"Why do you let him think that?"

"Because I got tired of him seeing a letter and going on about how he didn't understand her being away, how a real mother would be here." He went over to the fridge to get a can of soda, momentarily thrown when he spotted a bottle of Angela's favorite juice on Eric's shelf. "When Chet quit his stable job as a janitor it sent her off the deep end. After all the years she worked two or three crappy jobs at a time just to keep us afloat he couldn't handle one real job for three months. She said it felt like he spit in her face and she knew she couldn't count on him for anything. She snapped and felt like her two choices in that moment were to either leave him or kill him. I'm not going to claim Virna is perfect. She's not. I know that. But she decided to get therapy and she's trying to be better. She just couldn't stay in Philadelphia and be around his broken promises anymore. And…well…she's the only parent I have left."

"Now I understand why you wanted her letters to keep getting mailed here even after you moved to the dorms."

"It was just easier. You're not going to tell Cory are you? He'll freak."

"I think lying only leads to bad things-"

"Come on, Jack."

"-but it's not my secret to tell."

He exhaled. "Thanks."

"Just promise me one thing?"

"What?"

"Don't disappear again without telling anyone where you are. Whether you believe it or not you have a lot of people right here who love you and were worried."

"How about within a thousand mile radius, just in case you decide to send out a search party."

"Fifty miles."

"Five hundred."

"One hundred," Jack countered. "Final offer."

"Deal." The doorbell rang. "That would be Cory."

"He has keys. Why would he ring the bell?"

"Because I swiped his keys, how else do you think I got in here?"

"You don't still have keys?"

"You and Eric practically ripped my arm off to give them to Rachel when she moved in." When the incessant knocking began, he decided to get up and open the door. "How's she doing?"

"Moving into the dorms next semester."

"Sorry."

"Yeah."

"Hey, Cor, what's up?"

He marched into the apartment, hot on Shawn's heels. "Don't you 'hi, Cor, what's up' me, mister! Why did you take my keys?"

"I wanted to visit with Jack for a few minutes."

"I could've let you into the apartment for that."

"I knew he was going to try to pull the pissed off big brother card because I disappeared for weeks and I didn't want you to see that."

"Why not? I already yelled at you for disappearing on me again."

"I was afraid you'd be inspired to give me another lecture," he lied.

"Not today, buddy. Today is all about how to get my ring back on Topanga's finger." Cory placed the bags of takeout on the coffee table. "You can help, too, Jack. I need all the ideas I can get."

"Sorry, but I have to go to work. I'm still on my probation period at the bank. I don't think it would look good if I'm late." He knew it would be pointless to mention that virtually every day since Cory moved in had included some speculation about how to get things with Topanga back to normal. It wasn't that he didn't feel bad for the guy, he did, but there were only so many times he could sit there and listen to the same stories and ideas. "I'll let you know if I think of anything."

Once they were alone Cory held up a paper bag. "Tacos?"

"Always."

"So where did we land on if I should drive down to see Topanga?"

"Bad idea, remember? You decided two days ago if she sent back the engagement ring she might not want to see you in person yet."

"Right." He sank into the couch, a familiar sense of hopelessness coming over him. "Flowers and chocolates? Teddy bears? Fruit and seaweed in case she's gone back to healthy eating?"

"Material items that do nothing to fix the problems between you two."

"But there are no problems between us. Her parents on the other hand…that's it," Cory exclaimed and jumped out of his seat. "Shawnie, I've got it."

"Got what?"

"Topanga's a wreck because of her parents, right?"

"Yeah."

"So that means she's not going to feel better until they're better. You know what this means, right?" He clapped his hands together. "I've got to fix her parents."

"Cory, they're adults."

"So are we…technically anyway. We can drive and vote. I think that makes us grown-ups."

"And you feel grown-up enough to go ask Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence about their marriage?"

He deflated slightly. "Not really, but I can't seem to get through to Topanga. If this is my best shot then I'll take it."

"I think you're throwing up one hell of an air ball."

"No, look, my parents disagree and have fights, but at the end of the day they always remember that they love each other, someone says sorry, and they move on with their lives. Maybe Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence just need to be reminded that they still love each other."

"I think this might be too big even for us."

"You're giving up, too? Don't you want me and Topanga to make it?"

"Of course I do. It's as sure a thing as the sun rising every morning." In spite of everything, Shawn truly believed that. "But do you even know why Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence are getting a divorce?"

"Pssh," he scoffed, waving his hand. "As soon as they remember that they love each other divorce will be the last thing on their minds."

"I don't know, Cor. You're talking about screwing with people's lives here."

"No, I'm talking about fixing people's lives. And as soon as Topanga sees her parents back on the road of wedded bliss she'll once again be ready to take the steps with me into holy matrimony." He sensed Shawn was still hesitant. It didn't take a genius to see that. "I know it's an iffy plan."

"It's a terrible plan, one of your worst."

"But you're in, right?"

Shawn sighed, resigned to his fate. "Of course I'm in." If it got Cory and Topanga back together it was worth it. Right?

"Yay! We ride at dawn!"

"Wait, tomorrow? We can't."

"Why?"

"We have jobs. You know, like grown ups?"

They went back and forth over the next few days, debating their schedules. "I cannot believe my future with Topanga has to wait because of stupid work. You can't play hooky just one day?"

"I just came back from vacation. My boss would kill me. I have assignments lined up all week."

"And I doubt my dad would let me bail for this. Not to mention I have to help finish decorating mine and Eric's old room for Morgan before she gets home." He swung his fist in the air. "I hate this."

"Don't worry, we'll figure something out."

He sighed and rested his head against the back of the couch. "Being a grown up sucks."

/

/

"The arrangements are all made for Boston."

Angela muted the television. It had been a busy Saturday at the bookstore and the second she got home she plopped down in front of the TV. "The Pops?" She and her dad were leaving next week to spend a few days in Boston, just the two of them.

"I got the tickets."

"Good seats?"

"Front row balcony."

"How did you manage that?"

"A friend of a friend pulled a string or two."

"Thank you."

"Consider it part of your birthday present."

"Dad, stop," she said, laughing. "There have been about a million things you've said to consider part of my birthday present and my birthday is still-"

"You deserve it. However there is more we need to talk about."

"I don't want a party. Birthday parties were never my thing."

"I know, but this is potentially birthday related and also potentially school related so it is a time sensitive matter."

Angela turned off the television and turned around to face her father. "How can something be about school and my birthday?"

"My original plan many months ago was to gift you with a car. A used car," he added, "but a good one. I don't like you depending on public transportation to get around, especially at night when you could be alone."

"I'm usually out with Eric and he drives. Even if I'm not with him I'm rarely alone, especially late. All those safety lectures you drilled into my head did take, you know," she reassured with a smile. "And now I've able to use Nan's car which…still weird, but Aunt Lois has been letting me use it."

"I can see that now and that has me thinking."

"About my birthday and school?"

"The car was birthday. This is school. I have a proposal for you."

"What is it?"

"As you know Aunt Lois is planning to go through the house and most likely put it on the market."

"I know." She looked around the room. "It was weird being back here at first, but I'm glad Aunt Lois talked me into staying. I've felt closer to Nan. Returning to the dorms will be weird. I didn't realize how much I missed having a private bathroom and not having to wear shower shoes."

"That could be a luxury you continue to enjoy."

"What do you mean?"

"You are an excellent student, always have been. In fact due to your academic scholarships, scholarships due to being in a military family, and various other grants and scholarships you earned, I more or less only pay for your room and board at school. And I definitely know I got the short end of the stick on the food because there's no way you've used the cafeteria enough to make that meal plan worth it."

"Sorry."

"Anyway, my idea is instead of having you return to the dorms in the fall I would pay rent on an apartment."

"My own place? Really?"

"We're talking a studio or small one bedroom, nothing extravagant. What do you think?"

Angela was stunned. Never in a million years did she think her father would be offering her an apartment. She wanted to say yes. She really, really wanted to say yes. She loved having all this privacy and quiet, and again, she couldn't stress enough the luxury of her own bathroom. But what about Topanga? They'd been excited about sharing a dorm together again next year until she and Cory got married. Could she ditch her friend when she was already going through such a rough time? And then there was the cost. "Dad, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but no. It's too much money."

"Actually it's not. I did the math and it would be comparable, if not little cheaper, than paying for the dorms. I wasn't kidding about the cost of that meal plan. It's highway robbery."

"Oh."

He patted her arm. "You don't have to make a decision now and either way is fine with me. Take some time and think it over. But do be aware that the first payment is due in two weeks so your thinking does have a deadline."

"Okay, I'll let you know." She glanced at the clock. "So did you want to go out for dinner or-"

"Actually there is something else we need to discuss."

"What's that?"

"Your mother."

"Dad-"

"Angela, no. You don't have a choice."

"Yes, I do. And right now I'm exercising my choice to walk away from this conversation."

"She's coming to town. Aunt Lois was going to tell you at dinner on Monday, but I thought it would be better coming from me. But there are some things to settle with your grandmother's will…documents to sign…and Camille would rather do it in person."

"Of course she would," Angela muttered. "It's not like fax machines, the post office, or email exist or anything. When is she coming?"

"A few days after we return from Boston."

"Isn't that when you're supposed to return to base?"

"I was able to procure some extra time."

"How?"

"I'll have to visit some colleges in the area and check in on their ROTC programs."

A horrible, sinking feeling came over her. "Mom's not going to be here for my birthday, is she? I don't want to see her at all, let alone on that day, my day."

"I don't know her plans."

"Why can't she just come later?"

"I think some of the documents having to do with Nan's estate are time sensitive."

"Estate, what estate? Nan wasn't rich."

"Sweetheart, she was an executive chef for a chain of hotels and managed a lot of people. Nan was well liked and respected in her field. Perhaps rich isn't the word to describe her, but she was comfortable. She didn't live an extravagant lifestyle either. Lois said she saved most of what she earned. You'll have to meet with the lawyer as well."

"Can't you handle that for me?"

"You're almost nineteen, an adult in the eyes of the law."

"Yeah, and some birthday presents they provide. I have to deal with my grandmother's will and see my so-called mother."

"Angela-"

"I don't need anything. I already told Aunt Lois all I really want of Nan's are her bunt cake pans and maybe a couple things she crocheted, but that's it. If there's any money I don't care."

"Maybe you don't, but your grandmother obviously did. She cared enough to leave you things- whether they be money or material possessions- to remember her by. At the very least I think you owe it to her to meet with the lawyer."

"Will you come to the meeting with me?"

"Of course."

"Thank you."

"Any time."

"I won't have to see her, will I?"

"Who, your mother?"

"No, the Mona Lisa," she snapped. "I hear she's a raging bitch after the long international flight from Paris."

Alvin raised an eyebrow and glared at her. "Excuse me, young lady, you want to try that one again?"

Unable to look at her father, Angela's eyes fell to to her lap. "I'm sorry," she mumbled, mindlessly picking at some chipped polish on her thumbnail.

"That's what I thought. She may come here to the house with Lois to look things over and discuss when to put it on the market and whether or not things need to be fixed or updated, but I see no reason you should have to interact with her at all." She nodded. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to be here when you saw her."

"It wasn't your fault. You had obligations at work."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I know sometimes it doesn't feel like it and I hate that, but you are always number one for me."

"I know. It's okay."

"No, it's not. I'm not around anywhere near as much as I should be. That's going to change. I promise. As soon as this contract is up I'm retiring."

She'd heard this song many times before. It wasn't that she didn't believe him. She believed he wanted to change, to retire and be there, but he didn't know how. "Sure, dad." She leaned into him, needing one of his dad bear hugs. "We'll have a party or take a vacation to mark the occasion."

He could hear the disbelief in his daughter's voice and it hurt. Then again he supposed he hadn't done much to inspire confidence over the years. "That sounds like a great plan to me."

"Are they coming, too?"

"Who?"

"Her kids."

"I honestly have no idea."

"Oh."

"You know, I remember how I felt when I learned about Spencer…her son. I was completely blind sided and-"

She sat up and pulled away from him. "I thought you didn't know until Nan's wake."

"That-that's right. I talked to Eric to see how you were and he filled me in."

"You're lying."

He laughed, nervous. "What?"

"Why would you be blind sided almost ten years after the divorce? And why would Eric only tell you about one kid and not the other?"

"Angela-"

"How long, dad?"

"I don't-"

"How long have you known that mom was off playing happy families with other people?"

"Let it go," he said gently. "It doesn't matter."

"It does to me. How long?"

He took a deep breath before speaking. "Camille was about six months pregnant when her divorce lawyer called my lawyer to let him know. There were definite legal issues that were going to come up if the divorce wasn't finalized before she gave birth."

"You knew all that time? Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were a little girl who was coming to terms with the fact that her mom wasn't coming home. You had finally stopped asking if you did something to make her mad and leave. How was I supposed to tell you that she was out there being a mommy to a new baby? I couldn't break your heart like that."

Angela stared at the blank television screen doing her best to keep the tears stinging her eyes at bay. "Maybe it was a truth I needed to hear. Maybe…maybe I would've seen the light sooner."

"What light?

"After a while I told myself that mom just could handle having a family. All her life she dreamed of being a famous singer. What if decided she couldn't have both and chased her dream after trying to be a wife and mother?" She shook her head. "At least that's what I tried to tell myself until Nan's wake. But I guess I can't ignore it anymore, can I?"

"I don't understand what you're saying."

She lifted a picture from a side table, one Nan had kept hidden in anticipation of her eldest grandchild's visit just prior to her death. The photo was sickeningly sweet in a generic way, parents and children posed in a typical family portrait. "She wasn't tired of being a mom. She was just tired of being my mom."

"No, this was not your fault. Camille and I had problems and we decided…well, I decided that-"

"It's okay, dad. I'm a big girl now. You don't have to protect me from the truth anymore." She wiped her eyes, annoyed at the tears that felt despite her efforts. "I can handle it."

"But you're-"

"I'm going to bed. This whole conversation is giving me a migraine." She got up and headed for the stairs without looking back.

"I'll bring an ice pack up in a few minutes." Alvin thought he heard her mumbled thanks, but wasn't sure. He picked up the photograph Angela had just been staring at. It didn't seem like it was that long ago when it was his little family of three posed like this. Despite the fact that he was over his ex-wife and wasn't jealous, it did make him happy to see that he could probably take her new husband in a fight. He shook his head, willing the childish thoughts to flee. He placed the picture back in its resting place and went to the mantle, this time retrieving a photo of Camille and Angela. They were side by side on a piano bench, playing together. Mother and daughter had truly been two peas in a pod. If you asked Angela what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer used to be, "my mommy."

Maybe if he'd have been willing to be more flexible with the custody arrangements…

Maybe if they had divorced before they could hardly have a conversation that didn't end in a screaming match…

Maybe if he'd retired when he originally promised Camille, thus allowing her to chase her dreams…

Maybe…

Maybe…

Maybe…

All the maybes in the world couldn't fix this. They wouldn't take away the last ten years of pain Angela's endured, mostly in silence. Maybes won't give back the mother she adored.

Frustrated, Alvin stalked to the kitchen and took an ice tray out of the freezer. An ice pack was a small consolation, but it was all he could offer up at the moment.