Friday, April 02, 2004
Denver opens the door to the sorority house. Arriving late, he notices the house already crowded. Hoping to be relatively unnoticed he takes a step into the house. Almost instantly a girl with a cute and plump, round face rushes up to him.
"Denver, I'm so glad you came."
"Hi Tania."
"So how have you been? I haven't heard from you lately."
"Tania, we need to talk."
"Okay, but let's get you a drink first."
Before Denver can respond, she rushes off to the other room. As Tania comes back, she has a huge smile on her face.
"Here, have this first, that we can do whatever. It's my special mix."
Seeing no harm in having the drink to calm his nerves, Denver takes a sip and is surprised by the at the strength of the alcohol. After a few more sips the sweet taste settles in.
"This is really good."
Tania beams at the remark with a mischievous smile unnoticed by Denver.
Taylor stops the car in front of Claire's house.
"Here we are."
"Thanks, Taylor."
"Don't mention it. Just forget about Lee. There's tons of guys out there for you. Just wait til we go to college."
"Yeah... do you want to come in for a bit?"
"Is your mom home yet?"
"No she won't be back for a couple hours yet."
"Then sure!"
The two make their way towards the house noticing Colby's car in the driveway. Taylor follows Claire through the foyer and into the kitchen. As he sits down on the bar stool he peers into the TV room.
"What are you looking at?"
"Well this is a first in Babs history."
Apex and Kathryn look at Alex and Brayen puzzled. The two just shrug in response.
"It seems we have two tables tie. Why don't we have both come up here to get the prize."
Brayen makes his way to the announcer's stage and spots Braxton walking in the same direction across the room. As the two meet, they begin to laugh and hug.
"Braxton, what are you doing here?"
"Skyler and I just came for dinner and decided to play."
"Well it looks like the two tables know each other."
Brayen turns towards the announcer.
"This is my half-brother."
"Well, well it must run in the family."
Brayen and Braxton each taken an envelope and reply with a 'Thank you' in unison.
Braxton follows Brayen to the table.
"Hello Alex..."
At the sight of Kathryn, Braxton turns pale.
"Oh Kathryn, I hope you're doing okay. I cannot believe what he did and how you got in the way."
"Braxton, please, it's not your fault and I'm okay now. Here meet my friend Apex."
She turns to Apex.
"This is Braxton, also know as Miss Busty Bouchet."
"Oh, well the pleasure is all mine then."
Apex grabs Braxton's extended hand and kisses it. Braxton blushes and responds to Kathryn.
"Kathryn we like him; where did you find him?"
"Undergrad, he's moving here soon so we'll see him around more in a couple of months."
"Good. Well I must get back to my table. It was a pleasure to see you all."
Leland stops Colby.
"What is it?"
"I thought I heard something downstairs."
"Oh, Lee, you're just being paranoid."
Leland continues to insist someone is downstairs. Colby gets out of the bed and looks out the window towards the street. He quickly spots Taylor's car.
"Damn, Taylor is here. But how did he get inside?"
Quickly jumping out of bed and grabbing his clothes, Leland responds in a bit of panic.
"What? So somebody is here?"
"Relax, Lee, it's not like he doesn't know youre gay."
"Yeah, but what if Claire is with him?"
"No she couldn't be."
"Well how else did he get in?"
"You do make a good point."
After putting on his underwear and pants, Colby heads to the other window on the side of the house.
"Here go out and climb down. It's easy. I'll give you your stuff from my car tomorrow."
Now fully dressed Leland crawls out the window and onto the tree next to the house. After watching Leland run away from the house towards the street in the dark, Colby looks for his shirt but can't find it. He grabs another from the dresser and opens his door to head downstairs.
"Denver, I'm so glad you came."
"Hi Tania."
"So how have you been? I haven't heard from you lately."
"Tania, we need to talk."
"Okay, but let's get you a drink first."
Before Denver can respond, she rushes off to the other room. As Tania comes back, she has a huge smile on her face.
"Here, have this first, that we can do whatever. It's my special mix."
Seeing no harm in having the drink to calm his nerves, Denver takes a sip and is surprised by the at the strength of the alcohol. After a few more sips the sweet taste settles in.
"This is really good."
Tania beams at the remark with a mischievous smile unnoticed by Denver.
Taylor stops the car in front of Claire's house.
"Here we are."
"Thanks, Taylor."
"Don't mention it. Just forget about Lee. There's tons of guys out there for you. Just wait til we go to college."
"Yeah... do you want to come in for a bit?"
"Is your mom home yet?"
"No she won't be back for a couple hours yet."
"Then sure!"
The two make their way towards the house noticing Colby's car in the driveway. Taylor follows Claire through the foyer and into the kitchen. As he sits down on the bar stool he peers into the TV room.
"What are you looking at?"
"Well this is a first in Babs history."
Apex and Kathryn look at Alex and Brayen puzzled. The two just shrug in response.
"It seems we have two tables tie. Why don't we have both come up here to get the prize."
Brayen makes his way to the announcer's stage and spots Braxton walking in the same direction across the room. As the two meet, they begin to laugh and hug.
"Braxton, what are you doing here?"
"Skyler and I just came for dinner and decided to play."
"Well it looks like the two tables know each other."
Brayen turns towards the announcer.
"This is my half-brother."
"Well, well it must run in the family."
Brayen and Braxton each taken an envelope and reply with a 'Thank you' in unison.
Braxton follows Brayen to the table.
"Hello Alex..."
At the sight of Kathryn, Braxton turns pale.
"Oh Kathryn, I hope you're doing okay. I cannot believe what he did and how you got in the way."
"Braxton, please, it's not your fault and I'm okay now. Here meet my friend Apex."
She turns to Apex.
"This is Braxton, also know as Miss Busty Bouchet."
"Oh, well the pleasure is all mine then."
Apex grabs Braxton's extended hand and kisses it. Braxton blushes and responds to Kathryn.
"Kathryn we like him; where did you find him?"
"Undergrad, he's moving here soon so we'll see him around more in a couple of months."
"Good. Well I must get back to my table. It was a pleasure to see you all."
Leland stops Colby.
"What is it?"
"I thought I heard something downstairs."
"Oh, Lee, you're just being paranoid."
Leland continues to insist someone is downstairs. Colby gets out of the bed and looks out the window towards the street. He quickly spots Taylor's car.
"Damn, Taylor is here. But how did he get inside?"
Quickly jumping out of bed and grabbing his clothes, Leland responds in a bit of panic.
"What? So somebody is here?"
"Relax, Lee, it's not like he doesn't know youre gay."
"Yeah, but what if Claire is with him?"
"No she couldn't be."
"Well how else did he get in?"
"You do make a good point."
After putting on his underwear and pants, Colby heads to the other window on the side of the house.
"Here go out and climb down. It's easy. I'll give you your stuff from my car tomorrow."
Now fully dressed Leland crawls out the window and onto the tree next to the house. After watching Leland run away from the house towards the street in the dark, Colby looks for his shirt but can't find it. He grabs another from the dresser and opens his door to head downstairs.
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Colby grabs Leland's hand and leads him into the house.
"Colby, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Lee, my mom is at dinner with my grandfather and my dad is working late tonight. My sister is at practice."
As the door closes, Colby smirks.
"Finally, alone with you in a private place."
Leland shuffles uncomfortably as Colby continues to speak.
"I thought I'd never get a chance to be alone with you."
Leland is caught by surprise when Colby quickly turns and walks into the other room. Leland follows to find the other lifting his shirt up over his head.
"What are you doing?"
"Lee, we're alone and I want to be with you."
"What? I thought we were just going to make out. You know I've never... gone further."
Leland watches uncomfortably, yet aroused, as the bronzed blond-haired young man moves towards him.
"Here, let me relax you."
Colby touches his lips softly to the other. As Colby's arms slowly come around to caress his lower back, Leland can't help but relax.
"Feel better now?"
Leland nods in agreement with a slow, soft exhale. Colby unbuttons Leland's shirt as he moves his mouth to Leland's neck. Colby pulls away only to stroke his companion's hard chest and travel down to his belt buckle.
"Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species."
The table cheers at hearing their answer is correct.
"Brayen, how did you know that?"
Slurring his words, Brayen responds.
"Before I worked for Nelly, I had to do an article on the implications of updating taxonomy."
"Well, that's amazing that you still remember that."
"Oh, it's not that big a deal Kathryn."
"I just never knew we had such a diverse staff."
Alex nudges Brayen under the table. The four continue to listen intently at the announcer.
"It looks like we have a tie so far for the lead."
Brayen and Alex exchange glances at the announcement.
"I wonder who is tied with us."
"I have no idea."
Lena is shocked at the revelation.
"So you mean to tell me this random fling is the father?"
"Yes, I didn't know at first. Most of the events of that night were very blurry and I hardly remembered them until about a year ago."
"Oh, Lily."
"Because I started to remember the details, I went to take a paternity test to find out if Phil was really the father."
Lena shakes her head in disbelief.
"How could this happen? Are you sure?"
"I just told you, and yes, I'm sure. After I found out, I was torn on whether to tell Phil or not."
"But you did?"
"Well obviously, and that's why I'm here now. I have no where to go."
Lily's tears begin to flow down here cheeks as she ducks her head to keep from looking at her grandmother."
"Child, how could you do this?"
"Grandma! I was a stupid teenager and now I'm paying for it. I don't need a lecture from you. Excuse me!"
Lily leaves the table and quickly crosses the restaurant heading for the bathroom. James looks up to see where his mother is going, oblivious to the recent conversation.
"Where's Mommy going?"
Lena responds with a worried look.
"Don't worry James, Mommy is just going to the bathroom. She'll be back soon."
Skyler looks at Braxton, dumbfounded.
"How do you know all of this stuff?"
Braxton responds with a smirk.
"I have a couple degrees but none of it was my passion. Busty is what I love. How about you, Mr. Butch, knowing most of these sports questions?"
"It comes from a past I don't like to talk about."
Braxton is taken aback by the comment and looks down at his food. After a few moments, he tries to break the awkward silence between them.
"Well, at least we're tied for first so far."
As he looks back up at Skyler, Braxton finds his friend staring after the woman moving to the bathroom.
"Skyler? Are you okay? Isn't that Lena's granddaughter?"
"I... yes... I'm okay. I just never thought I'd see anyone from high school again."
"Colby, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Lee, my mom is at dinner with my grandfather and my dad is working late tonight. My sister is at practice."
As the door closes, Colby smirks.
"Finally, alone with you in a private place."
Leland shuffles uncomfortably as Colby continues to speak.
"I thought I'd never get a chance to be alone with you."
Leland is caught by surprise when Colby quickly turns and walks into the other room. Leland follows to find the other lifting his shirt up over his head.
"What are you doing?"
"Lee, we're alone and I want to be with you."
"What? I thought we were just going to make out. You know I've never... gone further."
Leland watches uncomfortably, yet aroused, as the bronzed blond-haired young man moves towards him.
"Here, let me relax you."
Colby touches his lips softly to the other. As Colby's arms slowly come around to caress his lower back, Leland can't help but relax.
"Feel better now?"
Leland nods in agreement with a slow, soft exhale. Colby unbuttons Leland's shirt as he moves his mouth to Leland's neck. Colby pulls away only to stroke his companion's hard chest and travel down to his belt buckle.
"Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species."
The table cheers at hearing their answer is correct.
"Brayen, how did you know that?"
Slurring his words, Brayen responds.
"Before I worked for Nelly, I had to do an article on the implications of updating taxonomy."
"Well, that's amazing that you still remember that."
"Oh, it's not that big a deal Kathryn."
"I just never knew we had such a diverse staff."
Alex nudges Brayen under the table. The four continue to listen intently at the announcer.
"It looks like we have a tie so far for the lead."
Brayen and Alex exchange glances at the announcement.
"I wonder who is tied with us."
"I have no idea."
Lena is shocked at the revelation.
"So you mean to tell me this random fling is the father?"
"Yes, I didn't know at first. Most of the events of that night were very blurry and I hardly remembered them until about a year ago."
"Oh, Lily."
"Because I started to remember the details, I went to take a paternity test to find out if Phil was really the father."
Lena shakes her head in disbelief.
"How could this happen? Are you sure?"
"I just told you, and yes, I'm sure. After I found out, I was torn on whether to tell Phil or not."
"But you did?"
"Well obviously, and that's why I'm here now. I have no where to go."
Lily's tears begin to flow down here cheeks as she ducks her head to keep from looking at her grandmother."
"Child, how could you do this?"
"Grandma! I was a stupid teenager and now I'm paying for it. I don't need a lecture from you. Excuse me!"
Lily leaves the table and quickly crosses the restaurant heading for the bathroom. James looks up to see where his mother is going, oblivious to the recent conversation.
"Where's Mommy going?"
Lena responds with a worried look.
"Don't worry James, Mommy is just going to the bathroom. She'll be back soon."
Skyler looks at Braxton, dumbfounded.
"How do you know all of this stuff?"
Braxton responds with a smirk.
"I have a couple degrees but none of it was my passion. Busty is what I love. How about you, Mr. Butch, knowing most of these sports questions?"
"It comes from a past I don't like to talk about."
Braxton is taken aback by the comment and looks down at his food. After a few moments, he tries to break the awkward silence between them.
"Well, at least we're tied for first so far."
As he looks back up at Skyler, Braxton finds his friend staring after the woman moving to the bathroom.
"Skyler? Are you okay? Isn't that Lena's granddaughter?"
"I... yes... I'm okay. I just never thought I'd see anyone from high school again."
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
"Joyce, can you believe after all these years you finally found him?"
"No, Octavia, I can't. At times I feel like this is all a dream. It's been over 25 years since I saw my son. And on top of that, it's his father who leads me to him."
"It's a blessing, sugar."
"Brayen is a blessing, yes. Weston, I'm not so sure. He's married Octavia, and I still love him after all these years."
"We can't help who we love."
"I can see it in his eyes; he still has feelings for me, as well."
"Just have patience, darling. Be grateful you just found the both of them. If it's meant to be, it'll work itself out in the end."
Joyce nods to Octavia and excuses herself from the room. As Octavia contemplates on Joyce reuniting with her past, she is startled by a loud knock on the front door.
"Just a moment!"
Octavia opens the door to find no one outside. Confused she starts closing the door slowly, but out of the corner of her eye she catches something move down the hallway. With her heart racing she goes to investigate.
"I've had a huge crush on your brother for the longest time."
Taylor turns to look at Claire.
"But he'll never feel that way about me."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Colby has his way with people. Don't ask me how he does it, but he is usually able to get whatever he wants from whoever he wants it from."
"I've never noticed that before."
"Well take Lee, for instance. He's got what he wants there."
Claire's face hardens at the mention of Colby and Leland together.
"Don't get me wrong, we're all good friends, but I always wanted more with him."
Claire pause before asking her next question.
"Did you and Colby ever..."
"Yes, I suppose that's why I feel this way now."
Both Claire and Taylor take a big scoop of ice cream and look away from each other.
"You shouldn't eat too much more. It''s getting late and your mom won't be happy if you're not home and hungry for dinner."
"Well luckily my mom went to see my grandfather tonight. He just got back from being over seas for a couple years. So the family is on it's own for dinner tonight."
Claire quickly pecks Taylor on the cheek.
"Thank you."
"What was that for?"
"For being sweet and worrying about me even though you're good friends with my brother. I know you're gay but if you weren't..."
Taylor blushes at the suggestion.
Lena eyes her granddaughter.
"What happened?"
"There was another guy I had always had a thing for. I never bother to mention him because he was so hard to read. He never shoed any feeling towards any one, including me. Anyway, the weekend after the Sweetheart dance there was a big party. He was there."
Lena continues to listen carefully.
"There was a lot of alcohol. The liquor cabinet at the house wasn't locked and was full. The guy and I started talking, once we were both very drunk."
"Lily, I can't believe I'm hearing this."
"Please, Grandma, that was over six years ago."
Lena watches Lily closely as she helps James pick a color for the turtle on the placemat.
"As we were talking, another guy came up and offered us some pills. Both of us didn't recognize him, and with our reduced inhibitions took them. Whatever it was, we ended up going upstairs and having sex."
Denver throws his backpack on his floor as the door closes. He quickly checks his email to see if any friends are doing anything tonight. Finding nothing, he takes off his shirt and lies down on the bed.
That new teacher is hot, and he grabbed my hand. I wonder what he wants. He is right though. I should go to office hours because my grades have been slipping.
He is startled at the ring of his cell phone. Quickly finding the phone in the pocket of his backpack, he hesitates to answer after looking at the number.
"Hey, Tania."
"Denver, hey, let's get together later. We're having a party at the Alpha Gam house in a bit."
Denver covers the phone and sighs.
"Okay, I'll come over soon.:
He hangs up the phone and moves over to his desk. Opening the drawer he picks up the note.
To: Denver
From: Tania
"No, Octavia, I can't. At times I feel like this is all a dream. It's been over 25 years since I saw my son. And on top of that, it's his father who leads me to him."
"It's a blessing, sugar."
"Brayen is a blessing, yes. Weston, I'm not so sure. He's married Octavia, and I still love him after all these years."
"We can't help who we love."
"I can see it in his eyes; he still has feelings for me, as well."
"Just have patience, darling. Be grateful you just found the both of them. If it's meant to be, it'll work itself out in the end."
Joyce nods to Octavia and excuses herself from the room. As Octavia contemplates on Joyce reuniting with her past, she is startled by a loud knock on the front door.
"Just a moment!"
Octavia opens the door to find no one outside. Confused she starts closing the door slowly, but out of the corner of her eye she catches something move down the hallway. With her heart racing she goes to investigate.
"I've had a huge crush on your brother for the longest time."
Taylor turns to look at Claire.
"But he'll never feel that way about me."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because Colby has his way with people. Don't ask me how he does it, but he is usually able to get whatever he wants from whoever he wants it from."
"I've never noticed that before."
"Well take Lee, for instance. He's got what he wants there."
Claire's face hardens at the mention of Colby and Leland together.
"Don't get me wrong, we're all good friends, but I always wanted more with him."
Claire pause before asking her next question.
"Did you and Colby ever..."
"Yes, I suppose that's why I feel this way now."
Both Claire and Taylor take a big scoop of ice cream and look away from each other.
"You shouldn't eat too much more. It''s getting late and your mom won't be happy if you're not home and hungry for dinner."
"Well luckily my mom went to see my grandfather tonight. He just got back from being over seas for a couple years. So the family is on it's own for dinner tonight."
Claire quickly pecks Taylor on the cheek.
"Thank you."
"What was that for?"
"For being sweet and worrying about me even though you're good friends with my brother. I know you're gay but if you weren't..."
Taylor blushes at the suggestion.
Lena eyes her granddaughter.
"What happened?"
"There was another guy I had always had a thing for. I never bother to mention him because he was so hard to read. He never shoed any feeling towards any one, including me. Anyway, the weekend after the Sweetheart dance there was a big party. He was there."
Lena continues to listen carefully.
"There was a lot of alcohol. The liquor cabinet at the house wasn't locked and was full. The guy and I started talking, once we were both very drunk."
"Lily, I can't believe I'm hearing this."
"Please, Grandma, that was over six years ago."
Lena watches Lily closely as she helps James pick a color for the turtle on the placemat.
"As we were talking, another guy came up and offered us some pills. Both of us didn't recognize him, and with our reduced inhibitions took them. Whatever it was, we ended up going upstairs and having sex."
Denver throws his backpack on his floor as the door closes. He quickly checks his email to see if any friends are doing anything tonight. Finding nothing, he takes off his shirt and lies down on the bed.
That new teacher is hot, and he grabbed my hand. I wonder what he wants. He is right though. I should go to office hours because my grades have been slipping.
He is startled at the ring of his cell phone. Quickly finding the phone in the pocket of his backpack, he hesitates to answer after looking at the number.
"Hey, Tania."
"Denver, hey, let's get together later. We're having a party at the Alpha Gam house in a bit."
Denver covers the phone and sighs.
"Okay, I'll come over soon.:
He hangs up the phone and moves over to his desk. Opening the drawer he picks up the note.
To: Denver
From: Tania
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
Isabelle drives her car down the long driveway. As she rounds the final curve she spots the house. She has never understood why her father chose such a remote location in Garladine for his home. The house wasn't anything astounding in size, just a small version of a French chateau in decor. As she comes to a stop, a servant is there to take the care to the garage. She enters the house to spot her father looking at the portraits around the library. Her father turns around to greet her.
"Ahh, Isabelle, it is good to see you."
"Oh father, I have missed you!"
Isabelle runs to her father and embraces him.
"Where have you been the past two years?"
"I had some deals over seas that took longer than planned. But you knew I would return eventually. I would never leave my only daughter. Tell me, how is the rest of the family? Are the children well? Is Weston treating you as he should?"
"Father, Weston is becoming a problem. I'm losing him."
"Yes, he is becoming a problem. But don't you worry. I'll put him right back in his place. He'll come around."
Taylor smiles at Claire as they sit on a large, flat rock near the creek, far off the path through the park. The sun is starting to settle on the horizon causing an orange-green glow to flow through the canopy.
"Taylor, this place is amazing. How did you find it?"
The young man pulls out two plastic spoons from the grocery bag and opens the box of ice cream.
"That's not important. Now eat, it'll make you feel better."
"Does it have to do with my brother?"
"No, but it has to do with other guys."
Claire looks down at the ice cream understanding Taylor's response.
"Do you think Colby did it on purpose to hurt me?"
"I doubt it. Lee initiated it as much as Colby, although he was hesitant after their first kiss. In fact he still is. They won't ever be an 'item'. It's purely lust."
Taylor shoves a big spoonful of ice cream in his mouth and looks towards the creek. Claire puts a hand on his shoulder.
"You sound a little upset by this, too."
"I am."
"Lily, he's growing up so fast. Look at him. James, how old are you now?"
The little boy opens his hand completely and holds it up for the old woman.
"Wow, five already?"
The little boy nods and goes back to coloring on his place mat.
"So, Lily, why after all this time have you come to see me? I've been asking and waiting for ages."
"Phil left me."
Lily's eyes begin to water as she explains why he left.
"He found out James isn't his."
Lena looks at Lily with shock unable to comprehend the confession.
"But you've been with him since high school. When you found out you were pregnant you told everyone Phil was the father. A high school sweetheart lovechild."
"Yes, I made that mistake the night of our Sweetheart Dance, but there was someone else, too. It happened the weekend after."
Alex, Brayen, Apex, and Kathryn all wait in anticipation. As soon as they hear their answer is right, they all cheer.
"That was amazing. Apex, how did you know that?"
"Oh, I've always been a sports fan."
Brayen quickly looks to Kathryn.
"We need you two to come to trivia with us all the time. Alex and I are horrible at the sports questions!"
"Well you're in luck. Apex will be moving here soon, as soon as the school year is over."
Alex stumbles over her words under the influence of here drinks.
"Oh, my brother is moving here, too, after the school year. We'll have to all get together then."
Before anyone is able to respond the next question is announced and the previous conversation is lost to discuss the answer.
"Ahh, Isabelle, it is good to see you."
"Oh father, I have missed you!"
Isabelle runs to her father and embraces him.
"Where have you been the past two years?"
"I had some deals over seas that took longer than planned. But you knew I would return eventually. I would never leave my only daughter. Tell me, how is the rest of the family? Are the children well? Is Weston treating you as he should?"
"Father, Weston is becoming a problem. I'm losing him."
"Yes, he is becoming a problem. But don't you worry. I'll put him right back in his place. He'll come around."
Taylor smiles at Claire as they sit on a large, flat rock near the creek, far off the path through the park. The sun is starting to settle on the horizon causing an orange-green glow to flow through the canopy.
"Taylor, this place is amazing. How did you find it?"
The young man pulls out two plastic spoons from the grocery bag and opens the box of ice cream.
"That's not important. Now eat, it'll make you feel better."
"Does it have to do with my brother?"
"No, but it has to do with other guys."
Claire looks down at the ice cream understanding Taylor's response.
"Do you think Colby did it on purpose to hurt me?"
"I doubt it. Lee initiated it as much as Colby, although he was hesitant after their first kiss. In fact he still is. They won't ever be an 'item'. It's purely lust."
Taylor shoves a big spoonful of ice cream in his mouth and looks towards the creek. Claire puts a hand on his shoulder.
"You sound a little upset by this, too."
"I am."
"Lily, he's growing up so fast. Look at him. James, how old are you now?"
The little boy opens his hand completely and holds it up for the old woman.
"Wow, five already?"
The little boy nods and goes back to coloring on his place mat.
"So, Lily, why after all this time have you come to see me? I've been asking and waiting for ages."
"Phil left me."
Lily's eyes begin to water as she explains why he left.
"He found out James isn't his."
Lena looks at Lily with shock unable to comprehend the confession.
"But you've been with him since high school. When you found out you were pregnant you told everyone Phil was the father. A high school sweetheart lovechild."
"Yes, I made that mistake the night of our Sweetheart Dance, but there was someone else, too. It happened the weekend after."
Alex, Brayen, Apex, and Kathryn all wait in anticipation. As soon as they hear their answer is right, they all cheer.
"That was amazing. Apex, how did you know that?"
"Oh, I've always been a sports fan."
Brayen quickly looks to Kathryn.
"We need you two to come to trivia with us all the time. Alex and I are horrible at the sports questions!"
"Well you're in luck. Apex will be moving here soon, as soon as the school year is over."
Alex stumbles over her words under the influence of here drinks.
"Oh, my brother is moving here, too, after the school year. We'll have to all get together then."
Before anyone is able to respond the next question is announced and the previous conversation is lost to discuss the answer.
Monday, March 29, 2004
Claire looks at her driver as he pulls into a parking spot.
"Taylor, a grocery store?"
"Yes, just trust me."
He grabs her hand and rushes into the store. Taylor continues to make his way through the building to the frozen foods section. They stop in front of the ice cream.
"Okay, we're here. The best cheap ice cream in all of Garladine."
Claire laughs at his goofiness.
"What? C'mon pick a flavor or two and we'll go eat it in the park."
Jersey watches the group carefully from the end of the bar. She jumps at the chirp of her cell phone.
"What?"
"Careful Miss Knox. That's not a polite way to answer your phone."
"Oh... I'm sorry... Mr. Kreeland. I have good news. It seems the Bouchet/Scott family is becoming close friends of the Stones. We may be able to take down both your enemies in one strike."
"Perfect. We will devise a plan soon. Continue to watch and study their habits."
"Of course, Mr. Kreeland."
"We'll be in touch shortly."
Lily pulls her car into the lot of a restaurant with a wooden patio out front and a neon sign splashing Babs across the top of the building. The small child in the back seat stirs as the car comes to a stop.
"James, honey, wake up. We're going to see Grams."
Lily opens the back door and undoes her son's seat belt. James yawns sleepily.
"I'm hungry, Mommy."
"Well I'm glad you are. We're meeting Grams at a restaurant. See the big pink letters on top?"
Lily points to the top of the building as she picks the child up.
"Lily!"
The woman looks up to see a woman with silver hair running towards her, as fast as a 70-year-old can move. Lily puts James down on his feet who hides behind his mother's legs.
"Grandma! I'm so sorry we haven't visited sooner."
"Child, it's okay. I'm just glad to see you! And who is this young man?"
James peeks from behind his mother as she speaks.
"James, honey, this is Grams. She is my grandmother which makes her your great-grandmother. Can you say hello?"
"Hilo."
"Hi James. I've met you once before when you were just a baby."
As Skyler and Braxton approach Babs, they see an old woman, young woman, and child enter the restaurant.
"Hey Skyler, isn't that your neighbor?"
Skyler stares at the closing door without saying a work.
"Skyler... Skyler?"
"Oh, sorry, yes that looks like her."
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"No, I'm okay. C'mon let's go inside."
Upon entering the restaurant, they spot the trio being seated towards one side of the restaurant.
"That must be her granddaughter and great-grandson. We should go say hi."
"No, let's not. Ms. Crandall doesn't like me. I'd just assume stay away."
"Fine, suit yourself."
The hostess approaches them.
"Just the two of you? Will you be playing trivia tonight?"
"Yes, just two. Skyler, what do you think? Should we try our luck at trivia?"
Braxton nudges Skyler staring at the table with Lena and her family.
"Oh, yeah sure."
"Right this way boys."
The hostess grabs a couple menus and walks them over to the opposite side of the restaurant from Lena, Lily and James.
"Taylor, a grocery store?"
"Yes, just trust me."
He grabs her hand and rushes into the store. Taylor continues to make his way through the building to the frozen foods section. They stop in front of the ice cream.
"Okay, we're here. The best cheap ice cream in all of Garladine."
Claire laughs at his goofiness.
"What? C'mon pick a flavor or two and we'll go eat it in the park."
Jersey watches the group carefully from the end of the bar. She jumps at the chirp of her cell phone.
"What?"
"Careful Miss Knox. That's not a polite way to answer your phone."
"Oh... I'm sorry... Mr. Kreeland. I have good news. It seems the Bouchet/Scott family is becoming close friends of the Stones. We may be able to take down both your enemies in one strike."
"Perfect. We will devise a plan soon. Continue to watch and study their habits."
"Of course, Mr. Kreeland."
"We'll be in touch shortly."
Lily pulls her car into the lot of a restaurant with a wooden patio out front and a neon sign splashing Babs across the top of the building. The small child in the back seat stirs as the car comes to a stop.
"James, honey, wake up. We're going to see Grams."
Lily opens the back door and undoes her son's seat belt. James yawns sleepily.
"I'm hungry, Mommy."
"Well I'm glad you are. We're meeting Grams at a restaurant. See the big pink letters on top?"
Lily points to the top of the building as she picks the child up.
"Lily!"
The woman looks up to see a woman with silver hair running towards her, as fast as a 70-year-old can move. Lily puts James down on his feet who hides behind his mother's legs.
"Grandma! I'm so sorry we haven't visited sooner."
"Child, it's okay. I'm just glad to see you! And who is this young man?"
James peeks from behind his mother as she speaks.
"James, honey, this is Grams. She is my grandmother which makes her your great-grandmother. Can you say hello?"
"Hilo."
"Hi James. I've met you once before when you were just a baby."
As Skyler and Braxton approach Babs, they see an old woman, young woman, and child enter the restaurant.
"Hey Skyler, isn't that your neighbor?"
Skyler stares at the closing door without saying a work.
"Skyler... Skyler?"
"Oh, sorry, yes that looks like her."
"You look like you've seen a ghost."
"No, I'm okay. C'mon let's go inside."
Upon entering the restaurant, they spot the trio being seated towards one side of the restaurant.
"That must be her granddaughter and great-grandson. We should go say hi."
"No, let's not. Ms. Crandall doesn't like me. I'd just assume stay away."
"Fine, suit yourself."
The hostess approaches them.
"Just the two of you? Will you be playing trivia tonight?"
"Yes, just two. Skyler, what do you think? Should we try our luck at trivia?"
Braxton nudges Skyler staring at the table with Lena and her family.
"Oh, yeah sure."
"Right this way boys."
The hostess grabs a couple menus and walks them over to the opposite side of the restaurant from Lena, Lily and James.
Sunday, March 28, 2004
Alex and Brayen enter the relaxed atmosphere of the restaurant. Trivia Night at Babs was an event that the two had never missed until the shooting at Waterstone. Almost a month and a half later, Alex and Brayen decided to reinstate the tradition tonight. As the hostess is about to seat them, Alex hears her name from behind her. She turns around to find her boss, Kathryn Stone, quickly approaching with a man she does not recognize.
"Alex? Alex, it's good to see you. I want you to meet my friend Apex. We went to undergrad together. Apex this is Alex."
"Nice to meet you Apex."
"Likewise."
"Kathryn, you know Brayen, right?"
"One of our writers, yes?"
Brayen responds quickly while eyeing Apex.
"Yes ma'am."
Alex elbows her friend and the two giggle at eachother.
"Why don't you two join us? It's trivia night tonight, if you didn't know, and we always win."
Apex and Kathryn look at eachother and smile before Apex responds.
"Sure, why not?"
"Okay, you two sit here and we'll go get the stuff for trivia."
Brayen grabs Alex and walks off to the announcers stage.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Grandma, I'm almost there."
"Oh, Lily, that's great. How has James been taking the ride?"
"Actually, he's been asleep for a lot of it, but he is going to be hungry once he wakes up."
"Well how about you meet me at this restaurant, Babs." It's a great place that my friends opened a few years ago. I dont think it will be too loud or exciting right now.
"Grandma... I don't know... Okay I guess we can handle going out for a little."
"Okay, great."
"I should be there in about 30 minutes."
Lena beams as she hangs up the phone. She hasn't seen her great-grandson since he was born.
"Okay, Apex, so what do you think?"
"That's crazy, I mean, here of all places, who knew?"
Kathryn nods with excitement.
"Yeah, actually this is perfect. I finish up this semester so I would have been looking for a job anyway. Tell your father-in-law that he has me on board."
"That's fantastic..."
"What are you two talking about?"
The now buzzed Alex and Brayen surprise Apex and Kathryn.
"We brought you two some drinks."
"Yeah, we also had a couple shots ourselves while we were there."
The two giggle as Brayen puts the trivia machine down on the table and sits next to Apex.
"Are we ready to win some trivia?"
"You're not stupid Claire."
The young girl is startled by the statement as she looks up to see from where the voice is coming. Claire quickly wipes her eyes.
"Taylor... I didn't know you were here."
The boy shifts uncomfortably.
"Well I saw you run in here as I was coming from the bathroom and I heard you mumbling about something."
"Oh... well... yeah it was nothing."
Taylor sits down next to Claire with his arm around her shoulder.
"Claire it wasn't nothing; you were crying."
She open her mouth as if to say something but is speechless.
"It was about Leland and Colby, wasn't it?"
"You knew about that?"
"Yeah... we're all friends. Leland wasn't really for it at first, but I guess something grew on him."
Claire looks at Taylor as her eyes begin to water again.
"Here, let me tak you home. You're in no condition to school."
"No, no, I can't go home. My mother will expect me to be at school, then at practice, and we all know how she can be when something isn't going as planned."
"Alright, I've got a better idea."
"Alex? Alex, it's good to see you. I want you to meet my friend Apex. We went to undergrad together. Apex this is Alex."
"Nice to meet you Apex."
"Likewise."
"Kathryn, you know Brayen, right?"
"One of our writers, yes?"
Brayen responds quickly while eyeing Apex.
"Yes ma'am."
Alex elbows her friend and the two giggle at eachother.
"Why don't you two join us? It's trivia night tonight, if you didn't know, and we always win."
Apex and Kathryn look at eachother and smile before Apex responds.
"Sure, why not?"
"Okay, you two sit here and we'll go get the stuff for trivia."
Brayen grabs Alex and walks off to the announcers stage.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Grandma, I'm almost there."
"Oh, Lily, that's great. How has James been taking the ride?"
"Actually, he's been asleep for a lot of it, but he is going to be hungry once he wakes up."
"Well how about you meet me at this restaurant, Babs." It's a great place that my friends opened a few years ago. I dont think it will be too loud or exciting right now.
"Grandma... I don't know... Okay I guess we can handle going out for a little."
"Okay, great."
"I should be there in about 30 minutes."
Lena beams as she hangs up the phone. She hasn't seen her great-grandson since he was born.
"Okay, Apex, so what do you think?"
"That's crazy, I mean, here of all places, who knew?"
Kathryn nods with excitement.
"Yeah, actually this is perfect. I finish up this semester so I would have been looking for a job anyway. Tell your father-in-law that he has me on board."
"That's fantastic..."
"What are you two talking about?"
The now buzzed Alex and Brayen surprise Apex and Kathryn.
"We brought you two some drinks."
"Yeah, we also had a couple shots ourselves while we were there."
The two giggle as Brayen puts the trivia machine down on the table and sits next to Apex.
"Are we ready to win some trivia?"
"You're not stupid Claire."
The young girl is startled by the statement as she looks up to see from where the voice is coming. Claire quickly wipes her eyes.
"Taylor... I didn't know you were here."
The boy shifts uncomfortably.
"Well I saw you run in here as I was coming from the bathroom and I heard you mumbling about something."
"Oh... well... yeah it was nothing."
Taylor sits down next to Claire with his arm around her shoulder.
"Claire it wasn't nothing; you were crying."
She open her mouth as if to say something but is speechless.
"It was about Leland and Colby, wasn't it?"
"You knew about that?"
"Yeah... we're all friends. Leland wasn't really for it at first, but I guess something grew on him."
Claire looks at Taylor as her eyes begin to water again.
"Here, let me tak you home. You're in no condition to school."
"No, no, I can't go home. My mother will expect me to be at school, then at practice, and we all know how she can be when something isn't going as planned."
"Alright, I've got a better idea."
