Chapter 123: Adams' Apartment

Friday, January 6th, Morning

The apartment door opened and two women entered the apartment, a brown-haired one who was slightly older, and a blonde. The blonde put her bag down on the nearby breakfast bar, while the brown-haired woman walked into the apartment proper. A boy about eleven met her.

"Aunt Libby, Aunt Fallon," Wyatt Scott said.

"Wyatt!" Fallon Stafford, the brown-haired woman, said and bent over to hug him.

When they broke apart, the blonde walked over from the breakfast bar and hugged the boy. "Wyatt," Elizabeth "Ellie" Scott said. They broke apart and turned to look at the mistress of the house, who's still standing by the door.

"Don't even say hello to me?" Trinity "Trin" Adams asked.

"Oh hi, Trin," Ellie said.

"Hey Trin," Fallon said, and both Fallon and Ellie laughed.

"Not funny," Trin said.

"I found it hilarious," Fallon said.

"As do I," Ellie said.

"Are you ready for the game tonight?" Wyatt asked.

"Of course, they are, Wyatt, why do you think they're here?" Trin said.

"To see me?" Wyatt asked.

"Maybe," Ellie said.

"I came for dinner," Fallon said.

Wyatt shook his head.

"Shall we retire to the living room?" Trin asked.

"You mean the sofas five feet away?" Ellie asked.

"Yes," Trin said.

Ellie shook her head, "Let's," she said.

"What's for dinner?" Fallon asked.

"I have pizza and wings coming," Trin said.

"Game night tradition," Wyatt said, as they took a seat in the living room.

"Good thing I work out every day," Ellie said.

"Is it white or red wine with pizza and wings?" Fallon asked, teasing Trin.

"It doesn't matter, drink what you like," Trin said, and took a seat next to Wyatt. Fallon and Ellie took seats on the other couches, one per.

"Why aren't you out with those wasted friends of yours?" Fallon asked.

"They're not wasted, and for your information, Fallon, I'd rather be here, with my boy and listen to my sister cheer," Ellie said.

Fallon nodded, "Well, I can't argue with that logic," she said.

"So, Fallon what is this date you're going on?" Trin asked.

Ellie turned to Fallon, "You're going on a date, Fallon? That's great!" she said.

"It's nothing," Fallon said.

"Where are you going, Aunt Fallon?" Wyatt asked.

"It's a gallery opening for some artist named Alex Grasland," Fallon said.

"Wow, that sounds," Ellie paused for effect, "Exciting," she finished dryly.

"I know it's not your usual night, Ellie, but it seems enjoyable," Fallon said.

"Art Gallery opening? I don't think that's anyone our ages night," Ellie said.

"I'm looking forward to it," Fallon said.

"Do you even know what type of artwork Alex Grasland does?" Ellie asked.

"Painting, but that's it," Fallon said.

"Where is it?" Ellie asked.

"The Knight Center," Fallon said.

"Knight with a K or an N?" Ellie asked.

"A K," Fallon said.

Ellie turned and looked at her smartphone. She nodded, "Alex Grasland is an East Village-based Impressionist Painter considered part of the Heidelberg School," Ellie said.

"I have no idea what that means other than East Village, Aunt Libby," Wyatt said.

"I don't either," Ellie said.

"So, who's this Grant guy?" Trin asked.

"His full name is Grant Coyle, and he's a collection specialist for paintings at the Knight Center for American Art. I met him at the New Year's Day party in Brooklyn. We've talked a few times," Fallon said.

"I already know this," Trin said, and shook her head, "Any questions, Ellie?"

"I'm just surprised Fallon is going on a date," Ellie said.

"Why's that, Ellie?" Fallon asked.

"Most guys either want you for your money or are scared of you as you say," Ellie said, pointing out Fallon's usual mantra, "So, you shut them off."

"True," Fallon said, agreeing since she couldn't argue with her own words.

"I'm not scared of you, Aunt Fallon," Wyatt said.

"Thanks, Wyatt," Fallon said.

"How did he react when he found out he was talking to the Fallon Stafford?" Ellie asked.

"Well," Fallon said.

"What did you do, Fallon?" Ellie asked, her curiosity peaked.

"Did you do something bad, Aunt Fallon?" Wyatt asked, picking up on Ellie's change of tone.

"He doesn't know who I am," Fallon said.

"What?" Trin asked.

"How does he not know that?" Ellie asked, even more curious, now.

"I didn't tell him my real last name," Fallon said.

"He doesn't know your real last name?" Ellie asked, impressed.

"Yes, he thinks I'm Fallon Adams," Fallon said.

"You used my last name," Trin said.

"Yes, I told him I have a sister that lives in the city," Fallon said.

Ellie shook her head, "That's a bad idea, Fallon," she said.

"You're one to talk, Ellie," Fallon said.

"I don't lie, and I tell them what I intend, want, and my expectations upfront," Ellie said.

"Enough of this," Trin said, "We can't dig her out of the hole she's already dug, Ellie."

Ellie nodded.

"Thanks, Trin, I think," Fallon said.

"How can we help you, other then untie the noose you tied, and you're going to have to be honest with him," Trin said.

"I'll need a dress that looks a few seasons old, and a place that I can get picked up that isn't my townhouse," Fallon said.

"My place?" Ellie asked.

"Not in Hell's Kitchen or here, it looks too high end, and I don't want him to put two and two together," Fallon said.

Ellie shook her head, "Fallon, are you trying to reach China?" she asked.

"No," Fallon said.

"Leave the place to me," Trin said.

"Thanks," Fallon said.

Trin checked her watch, "We got sometime before the first game, and food," she said, "Wyatt."

"Yes, Mom?" Wyatt asked.

"Trin, what are you up to?" Fallon asked.

"Notta," Trin said, "Just go ahead, and help Aunt Fallon with her dress, I'll be in soon."

Fallon nodded, not too sure, "Okay," she said, "Come on, Wyatt."

Wyatt and Fallon left the leaving the living room. They disappeared down the hallway to the bedrooms. Ellie looked at Trin. The two friends who somehow ended up related by marriage knew each other too well. Ellie knew Trin wanted to talk.

"What's up, Trin?" Ellie asked.

"Fallon knows, but I need my best friend," Trin said.

"What Trin? Don't get me worried," Ellie said.

"I need some advice, and I don't want Wyatt to know," Trin said.

"What is it? Is it about Brian? You're going to have to come clean with him about his Dad," Ellie said.

"No, it's not about Brian," Trin said.

"Good, I don't think I can deal with hearing too much about your love life with my cousin," Ellie said, "So, what's this about?"

"I'm meeting a guy I met on the dating app tomorrow," Trin said.

"You mean that hook-up app," Ellie said.

"Whatever, but yes," Trin said.

Ellie smiled, "That's great, Trin, get out there, and meet people, get lucky, have fun," she said.

"I'm just so nervous," Trin said, "I don't want to mess it up."

Ellie smiled, "It's simple, Trin," she said.

"How can you say it's simple?" Trin asked.

"Because it is, Trin. Show up, be yourself, and let the chips fall where they may. If it's meant to be, it will be," Ellie said.

"Is that how it works for you?" Trin asked.

"I have a method to my madness, but it's my method," Ellie said.

"I have Wyatt, I can't gamble with your madness," Trin said.

"A valid point," Ellie said, "but We're all quite mad here. You'll fit right in."

Trin chuckled, "Nice Lewis Carroll reference," she said.

"I try," Ellie said, "Let's go help, Fallon."

"Fallon needs help?" Trin asked.

"Wyatt's so good, he'll have her confused soon enough," Ellie said.

Trin laughed, "True," she said, and the two friends turned relatives headed out of the living room to join Wyatt and Fallon.