Kellie & Jason's House
Charles had put Kelsey to bed while the older kids started a movie. When Charles came downstairs, he saw Spencer sitting in a chair off by himself, playing on his phone, and less engaged in the movie than Jared, Jamie, and Alyssa.
"Spencer, could you help me with something in the kitchen?" Charles asked quietly.
Spencer looked as if he might attempt to decline Charles's request when Charles shook his head as if to indicate that wasn't an option.
Spencer sighed, got up from the chair, and headed to the kitchen. Charles followed behind him and caught a glimpse of PCU's logo on the phone.
In the kitchen, Charles got a bag of microwave popcorn going in the microwave.
"You really needed my help to make popcorn," Spencer scoffed.
"You seem more subdued than I would usually expect," Charles said, "Is everything okay?"
"I don't know why that would be your concern," Spencer said, pointedly.
"Spencer," Charles said, "You are important to Kellie and were important to my son. Now you and I may not be blood related, but we are part of the same family. I know that you expected Kellie to be here. It seems to me that you have something on your mind."
"Look, I'm sure you mean well," Spencer said, "But it's not something I'm sure I even want to talk to Kellie more about at this point. I mean her and Aunt Alexis are just totally off base that I need to find some purpose in my life. I can't help it if my life's purpose is to run the family company and estates. What do they expect me to do, just find some career until my father dies and the company reverts to me?"
"And yet you are looking up college classes at PCU?" Charles shared his observation.
"I don't know why, it's not like PCU would be considered an appropriate college for a Cassadine to attend," Spencer said, "It's not prestigious enough."
"Says who?" Charles asked.
Spencer's jaw dropped and then he stammered, "Helena…. Uncle Victor…"
"I think most people would say their opinion doesn't matter," Charles replied.
"I'm sure my father would have something to say," Spencer protested.
"He's who knows where facing legal issues if or when he does come back," Charles said, "Not to mention you are legally an adult. From what I can tell if you want to go to PCU, go to PCU or any other college."
"It's a dumb idea," Spencer said, "I could just do what Kellie said she did take all her classes on line. I'd be starting out several years behind."
"If that's what you want," Charles said, "You certainly wouldn't be the first person to take a few gap years before going to college. Out of curiousity, why didn't you go to college after high school?"
"I was bored with school," Spencer said, "And Esme and I had other plans."
"How do you feel about college now?" Charles asked.
"I don't know," Spencer said, "I'm only looking at it because I let Aunt Alexis and Kellie get into my head about having a purpose instead of focusing on getting custody of my brother from Esme."
"You can focus on more than one thing at a time," Charles said, "Some might say it's healthy."
"Isn't the popcorn done?" Spencer deflected.
"It'll keep a moment," Charles said, "Forget the Cassadine expectations, Spencer. Forget that your desire to raise your brother is not working out like you wanted at the moment. What do you want to do with your life?"
"I don't know because I guess I've never really thought about it," Spencer replied.
"Maybe it's time to try some things and see what you might like," Charles said.
"Like just sign up for college and take a bunch of random classes," Spencer said.
"Why not?" Charles said, "You'll have to take general education classes and could take other classes see what sticks."
"I don't know," Spencer said, "What exactly would be the point of going to college with no idea of a major in mind."
"In your case, that is the point," Charles said, "Spencer, you have so much of your life planned and directed for you. Maybe it's time you allow yourself to explore like most young people your age do. If you go to traditional college, you could get involved in some student clubs."
"I'm not really a joiner, so the clubs are pushing it," Spencer said, "But I don't hate the idea."
Charles didn't as answer as he watched Spencer try to process the idea more.
"Uh, should we get the popcorn now?" Spencer asked.
"Probably," Charles replied.
The Quartermaine Mansion
Oliva was in the kitchen when Yuri came in.
"What can I do for you, Mrs. Quartermaine?" Yuri asked.
"What are Monica's plans for tomorrow?" Olivia asked.
"I don't really know if I should be discussing those with you," Yuri answered.
Olivia though for a moment.
"So I happened to overhear one of my staff at the MetroCourt take a brunch reservation for tomorrow from Charles," Olivia said, "He's taking Kellie and the kids out from what I can gather. I was thinking it might be nice if Monica happened to decide to eat out tomorrow…"
"She might want to have brunch at the MetroCourt," Yuri said, "What time is the reservation?"
"11 am," Olivia replied.
"I'll see what I can do," Yuri said.