Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Butterflies & The Net ❯ Chapter 11: The Date (Part 2) Never Been Kissed ( Chapter 11 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Butterflies & the Net by iloveanimecartoons

Genre(s): Psychological/Angst/Drama/Romance
Rating: T
Latest Addition: November 17, 2007

A/N: Folks, I'm still LMOA @ the episode of the Boondocks I saw last night with the `crazy ass whomp b!tch' in it! **wipes moisture from eye** the conversations she had at the dinner table and with Nicole where off the CHAIN! Hallelujah for Cartoon Network!! **thrusts fist upwards in joy**

Oh! Me gots a new reviewer on FictionPress.com—Mao the Peacock! Yay, me! And thankies, Mao, for making my day so much happier! By the way, you're a pretty talented writer, ya darnself! **sends a ^5 your way** (Don't leave me hanging, now…ROFL!)

Yanno, adding these playlists to certain chapters started on a whim; I was feeling the music and wanted to share. A couple people actually likedthem but said that lately they can't get the playlists to come up when they do the old copy and paste thingie. If anyone wants to hear any playlist I post, just e-mail me at iloveanimecartoons@hotmail.com and I'll hook you right up!

Theme Music for This Chapter(Added as an afterthought from my other YT account—it's kind of random…but, then again, so am I!) …the second one describes how I felt today (it's a hawkup list, but me LOURVEY that song!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAI6UM4i3RU&feature=Play List&p=9C2353ACA08BBC0D&index=0&playnext=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yw022T_JfDk&feature=Play List&p=B7C36DA671E5F7DB&index=1&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL

Last chapter…

It was 11:02 pm when the limo stopped in front of her apartment. Jesse gave her a hand getting out of the limo and saw her into the building and followed her into the elevator to floor, the entire time, still holding her hand. When he'd walked her to the door, Solya started biting her lower lip.

Jesse noticed it.

`I wonder what she's thinking,' Jesse thought as he glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

“I had a really nice time, Jesse. Maybe we can do this again next year?” she asked hopefully as he leaned in slowly.

“Yeah…”

And now…

Chapter 11: The Date (Part Two) Never Been Kissed

“Yeah…” Solya parroted back as Jesse leaned his arm on the door.

“So…I was thinking, maybe we cou—yah!” Jesse began, only to cut himself off with a yelp as Solya's door opened unexpectedly.

“Sol! Jesse! Hey, you two! So, how was the fundraiser?” Denise Amarante asked excitedly as she steadied Jesse so he wouldn't fall over sideways.

“Thanks,” Jesse whispered in embarrassment.

“Hey, D! It was…hey, how long were you at the door?” Solya asked suspiciously.

“Oh, about five seconds. Long enough to unlock the door and grab this,” she answered as she lifted the bag of trash into the trashcan by the door.

“Oh…” Solya breathed as suspicion drained from her thoughts. `Phew! I thought D was gonna try to tease both of u—'

That thought went right out the window as Denise Amarante smiled entirely too pleasantly and wrapped her arms around Jesse and Solya's shoulders.

“So…how's about we three come in and have ourselves a little fireside chat?” Denise offered as her gaze drifted from Jesse to Solya and back.

Jesse grinned and shrugged in a “Sure, why not?” fashion while Solya grimaced and bit her lip.

“Great! Let's go, guys!” Denise beamed as she led the teens into the apartment.

`Why do I just know I'm gonna live to regret this?' Solya fretted inwardly as she followed with her heart in her throat.

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“Jeez Louise,” Solya grumbled as she and Jesse exited her apartment and she closed the front door behind them.

“That...was…hmm…” Jesse tried unsuccessfully, giving up with a sigh and a light laugh.

What could he say?

Denise Amarante, in Jesse's mind, would always remain a hilarious-yet-parental-enough mystery.

The entire time they had their “little chat”—Mr. Amarante included—she had the most ironic, almost amused smile on her face. Never probing too deep into their business, but asking just enough questions to make Solya squirm, Jesse had to wonder if Mrs. Amarante wasn't getting a kick out of seeing her blush. When she asked to get a shot of the two of them together, Jesse almost could scarcely contain the laughter that threatened to escape at Solya's response—she hid behind him—Solya Amarante—forehead to his back, as she shook her head vehemently. Denise relented, after about a minute or four of pleading in vain, and went into the kitchen to get a few drinks.

To his surprise, Mr. Amarante had been pretty quiet the entire time, mostly commenting his pleasure over Jesse adhering to the set curfew and really only asking Jesse about the entertainment lined up for the event and asking Solya if she enjoyed herself. There was a sense of approval from Solya's father that Jesse couldn't help but smile about—he'd passed muster with `Mr. If you hurt my baby in any way, I will kill you'. Inside, he was doing a dance. Solya shot Jesse a slightly panicked glance when Denise asked when they should expect to see him again and he caught the hint, answering that it was completely up to both of their schedules—a vague, but acceptable enough answer. Soon enough, though, her father had mentioned the time and suggested that they retire for the evening. Jesse shook his hand and waved to Denise and that, as they say, was that.

Now, as he stared at Solya who seemed to find the floor more fascinating than him at the moment, he almost thought she was gonna say goodnight and be done with it. There would be other times, right? He'd see her later.

“Um, call me and let me know you got home okay, alright, Jesse?”

“Sure Cuteness, I gotta say, that little `interrogation/chat' was…memorable. Your step mom, she's pretty all right—funny, too. And your father's not bad, either,” Jesse returned as he took two steps to stand a few inches in front of her.

“Yeah... Parents; gotta love `em; can't kill `em,” she simpered nervously.

“That was…Sol, I've got an 800 number for you, girl. Please use it,” he added to ease the tension he felt radiating from her to him.

“Hardy har, Mr. Sota.”

“I've been told I've got a pretty good sense of humor. Thanks for reminding me,” Jesse boasted as he leaned over to her ear. “But, before I go, I want to tell you something,”

“And what's that?” Solya managed as she fought the urge to squirm from his warm breath on her ear.

“You smell like skin,” he whispered and jumped back just in time to avoid a shove.

“Boy!”

Jesse just grinned cheekily and finally gave into the humor of her expression—full of a mixture of incredulity and oddly poutiness—and chortling helplessly.

“Heh,” Solya grumbled, trying not to smile, “Your lines could use some work,”

“Well, you do,” Jesse giggled as he grabbed her hands and looked in her eyes, “Really good smelling skin at that and—and I'm still trying to get over this one—perfume.”

“Yeah, well… What can I say? Peer pressure sucks,” Solya muttered, “I've definitely been girled up, tonight…smell included.”

“Well, it's all good. This scent, it suits you. It's like barely there but still noticeable—subtle but strong—it works for ya,”

“If you say so, Mr. Sota,” Solya grinned as she finally deemed to look him in the eye again with an expectant, yet reluctant stare.

And Jesse gulped. `She looks like she…does she want me to…? Guess there's only one way to find out.'

`Is this it? Do we have to…to…? Craaaaaap!' Solya reflected as Jesse eased further into her personal space and she contemplated backing up. `He's getting closer…he's gonna…oh-my-god, oh-my-god, oh—my—god! What do I do?'

`Should I try it? No. She looks fit to faint right now. No, she's not ready,' Jesse decided and retreated with an apologetic smile as he went for Plan B.

“I've got something for you. But, don't open it till I call you,” Jesse grinned, digging a small black box out of his pocket and placing it in her hand, “It only seems fitting, Cuteness.”

“What is it?” Solya pondered as she eyed the box, then Jesse, then the box once more and shaking it, “Um, can I get a hint?”

“Hmm, I'll think about it when we get outside,” Jesse said as they walked to the elevator.

The doors opened and they walked inside; Solya still looking at the box with a determined scowl as if she was trying to see right through it, and Jesse with his lips pressed tightly together as he tried not to laugh at Solya's serious lack of patience. When the elevator reached the lobby, Jesse noticed Solya's preoccupation with the box as the elevator doors opened and stated to close again. Shaking his head, he pressed the DOOR OPEN button and grabbed her hand to pull her out with him. Solya just obediently followed along as she frowned at the box.

“Patience,” he insisted, laughing out loud at the cute expression on her face as she shook the box—again—and frowned.

The sound of the cab honking cut off any rebuttals she had forming and with a two-fingered salute and a smile, Jesse jogged over to the cab.

“I'll call ya! Sleep sweet, Solya!” Jesse called as he closed the door, rolling down the window as a humorous thought tickled his mind, “Hey, Solya! Try to say that three times fast!”

“You need help, man…bye!” Solya laughed, waving to him dismissively as the cab pulled away.

`That was…really…nice.'

Solya stared down the block as the cab drifted further and further away until it was just a blurry dot, never knowing she had an anonymous viewer in the background.

She was probably better off not knowing...

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After enduring a couple minutes of good-hearted teasing from Denise, her father came to her rescue and pulled Denise up the stairs, all the while shaking his head and muttering about stepparents that act just as young as kids sometimes. Solya, glad for the reprieve, grabbed a bottle of water and made her way to her room. Not three minutes later, her cell phone rang.

Grinning at the ID screen—it was Jesse, just as she thought—she answered, “Hi, Mr. Sota…”

“No need to worry your pretty little head; I made it home safe and sound.”

“What…is it?” she blurted in exasperation as she nearly crushed the box in frustration.

“Your concern for me is heartwarming,” he murmured under his breath.

“Wow. That was kind of rude, huh? Sorry `bout that,” Solya apologized, “I'm glad you made it home in one piece, Jes.”

“Thanks, Solya.”

“Now, what is it?”

“My, you're persistent. Well, if you open it, you'll find out, now won't you?”

“Y-yeah. I guess so,” Solya stammered as she cracked the box and closed it again, “No hint at all?”

“It's…not bad for you?” Jesse offered vaguely with a shrug then laughed to himself when he realized she wouldn't see the gesture.

“Oh, gee. That helped plenty,” Solya drawled as she opened the box and frowned in confusion, “A piece of candy, Jesse?”

“A Kiss, Solya,” Jesse explained, almost, “Well, after evening we had, it only seems appropriate—symbolic, but friendly. I had such a great time with you and…and I didn't want to spoil the feelings of awe and wonder you've accumulated for me by putting any undue pressure on ya.”

“A Kiss…” Solya breathed absently as she twirled the candy by its little white and blue flag.

“But, hey, us gentlemen are few and far in between—must keep up the age old code of chivalry and all.” Jesse added as an afterthought, “Not that I wouldn't have liked the real thing...”

“You…w-would've?” Solya couldn't help but ask.

“Oh, yeah—Hell yeah! Have you checked yourself out, tonight? You looked…pretty as a picture. Okay, that sounds uber lame…”

“Not so much. That's what my father said…before I had a good look myself.”

“I see…perfect sign that your old man's not blind.”

Solya gasped softly at the compliment—Jesse didn't miss it. `He…really thought I was pretty. Well, duh! He only flirts with you with every other breath, Solya. Pay attention, once in a while.'

“…But, hey, I'm a patient man. So, we shall see.”

`Aw, hell! What'd I miss this time?'

“I'll see ya later, Solya?”

“Sure.”

“I'd…really like to see you sooner than later—at your leisure, of course.”

“But, of course. Besides, I think I wanna test your little bro's skills in a few video games; yeah…me, you and Gianni. So, are you up for another tournament, Jes?”

“I dunno…”

“Humility's a good thing, I swear.”

Laughing—couldn't really help it when he felt this good—Jesse figured he might as well give in or he'd never hear the end of it. “I guess I could…think about it. I'll let you know soon.”

“Well, it's just a thought…anyway; get some rest, `kay? It's…1:52 in the morning and I'm feeling it. Night, Jes.”

“Night, Solya. Oh! I almost forgot. Read the message on the little white flag! Peace!” Jesse returned before hanging up.

“The message…on the candy wrapper thingy? Okay…” Solya mused as she unwrapped the tiny candy and popped it in her mouth before reading the short message on the flag: Thanks! I had fun!

She couldn't help but smile. It was straight, to the point, and to Solya's great pleasure, not mushy—she loved it! What could she say about her first date? It was not at all what she expected. No dress, though she did end up kind of girly; none of the unwanted romanticism she'd dreaded; and no after-date kiss… And she was happy about that, right?

`…Right!'

Not wanting to dwell on her assumptions and afterthoughts of right and wrong ways of ending dates and that instantaneous warmth that flooded her skin at what didn't happen, she decided to call it a night. Carefully undressing and laying her dressier clothing over her headboard, she paused to yawn and stretch, cricking her back and twisting.

`Ah, that's the stuff…'

Her phone rang and she almost laughed when she caught the time on her wall clock.

“2:22 am…I don't have the strength for this,” she moaned as she absently fumbled to turned the ringer off without looking at the ID screen and crawled into her bed after donning her favorite nightshirt.

`I'll hit whoever back in the morning,' she figured as she dozed off for the night.

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The infernal racket was spawned out of the depths of hell, she just knew it. Why wouldn't it stop? Didn't it know she was trying to sleep for the next three days, at least? And it just kept going. Really and truly unfair, it was; and it seemed hell-bent on rousing her, too!

`Why, oh why is my cell phone ringing? Didn't I turn the ringer off? Well, leave a message, guys,' Solya fumed to herself in a grumpy, half-sleep manner as she rolled over and sat up. In that instant, she cringed and clamped her legs together as her bladder protested the change in position.

`Why must a bed feel so gloriously warm and comfy when you've gotta tinkle so badly? No fair…this sucks!'

Cracking her eyes open and glancing at her door mirror, Solya grimaced. Hair still trying to retain the style from the night before—barely, lip gloss smudged on her lips and left cheek, eye shadow and blush almost non-existent and her nightshirt resting high up on her hips…she looked, for lack of a better term, a mess.

“Keh. Guess I was more tired than I thought; forgot to tie up my hair and wash this crap off my face…and my breath smells all to be damned. Phew!”

She realized her door was still open and scrambled to cover herself.

“Oh, well, that's not my cell; it's the house phone. What time is it?” Solya muttered aloud as her father walked past her door.

“It's 8:52 and that phone's been ringing for about 10 minutes, now. Woke me up, too,” he called back, walking towards the bathroom.

“Papi!” Solya squealed as she leapt to her feet and chased after him awkwardly as she nearly waddled to not have an accident, “Please let me go first! I…can't…hold…it!”

“Alright, alright,” he chuckled as he let her pass him, “Shaving can wait…looks like you can't.”

“Fun-ny, Papi,” Solya called back sarcastically when she finally made it to the bathroom and sighed in relief as she emptied her bladder, “No, really…you ought to do stand up.”

“Might have to think about that…”

“Um, that was a joke, Papi. You know; the things you ought to avoid this early in the morning.”

“Ouch. What crawled up your jammies and bit you?”

“Sorry `bout that. I'm cranky when my sleeps disrupted. First the phone wakes me and just when then my bladder. S'Gonna be a wonderful day, huh?”

“It can be. Don't be such a drag. You're too young to be so grumpy.”

“Yeah, yeah…is the coffee ready yet?”

“In a bit, Solya. I just turned it on. Got any plans for the day?”

“None that I can think of. Why?”

“I'm bored and I'm hungry, too. Let's go out for breakfast.”

“Um, okay. Give me half an hour, Papi!” Solya beamed as she turned on the shower taps and adjusted the temperature.

“Okay, Sunshine, it's a date!”

“Papi…” Solya grumbled at the nickname her father insisted on calling her, mostly to tease her, she just knew.

“Alright, I'll be good. Hurry it up, okay?”

“Now you know I get prepped and dressed faster than most guys, Papi, so, no rushing me for nothing; and have that cup of Joe ready for me in fifteen.”

“Yes sir!” he replied crisply before laughing on his way to the kitchen.

Scrubbing her face of leftover makeup and being careful of her hair, Solya shook her head slowly.

`Gotta love that man.'

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The day was pleasant and Solya had a ball with her father. They'd decided on IHOP and ordered steak and eggs for breakfast, then went walking around a local mall. There was no plan to their day really; a little window shopping and picking up little trinkets here and there from various stands set up around the halls. Lamar couldn't believe she'd picked a photo kiosk to get one of those cheesy t-shirts with a picture of them and a cheesy saying printed on the bottom. Solya chose an original statement—`Twin Conspirators'—and Lamar just shrugged and paid for the shirt figuring his daughter was eclectic and left it there.

Then they stopped at Game Stop to try a few of the games that were set up for customers to try and he bought a couple games and two memory cards with the pledge of wiping the floor with her as soon as they got home. Solya scoffed at her father's show of arrogance and smiled indulgently at the man.

She'd get him good, later.

Hours went by quickly and soon it was just after 2:30. Lamar offered to treat her to a late lunch and she chose Olive Garden. Surprised by her choice since she generally stuck with fast food or Spanish and Indian fare, she soon explained her new appreciation for Chicken Parmigiana and they were soon on the subject of Jesse because of that fact.

“So, Jesse again, huh…?” Lamar commented casually as he tried a bite of Solya's order. Too casually.

Solya's eyes widened fractionally and she swallowed hard—Lamar noticed it and chuckled—right before she plucked him on the hand, effectively stopping him from picking off her plate. He locked eyes with her in that `be straight with me' kind of way and she sighed inwardly.

`Oh, shit…' Solya groaned to herself.

There were few people in the world that knew Solya inside and out and this man, her father, was at the top of that list. He could read her emotions as easily as his own and if he was set on picking her for information, there was no way she could hide from him. But this topic—Jesse—was bordering on taboo. Okay, maybe that was a bit harsh an assessment. But, Jesse was hers to figure out and get used to on her own and, to be honest, she wasn't really sure that she was ready to share him with anyone, yet. Did that make her weird or selfish? It was just too early in the game to even figure out where she rated Jesse herself;to be interrogated by her father… Well, she wasn't so sure she was ready for all that.

“So,” Lamar began again, “This Jesse fellow…like him much?”

“Papi! No! Oh, come on,” Solya gasped incredulously, “How many years have you known me? And you think I'd like Jesse off of, what, two times hanging out with him?”

“Calm down, Solya. There are different kinds of `like' and I meant the friendly way,” he assured her as he laid a hand on one of hers.

“Oh…well, then why didn't you say so?” she asked, still a bit ruffled.

“Dunno…kind of figured you'd know what I meant. My bad, honey.”

“It's okay. And, Jesse, he's okay,” Solya answered with a shrug as she stabbed her meal in an unmindful manner.

“He's…okay. Riiiiight.”

“Well, yeah; in friendly terms, I like him well enough.”

Watching as she continuously jabbed her chicken dish, he knew she was being cautious with her answers and decided to keep his next statements neutral.

“You know, honey,” Lamar started, then paused to take a healthy swallow from his drink, “I was thinking about having a little get together for your birthday—nothing huge, mind you, just a couple friends and a nice laid-back dinner—and I wouldn't be…amiss to you inviting that young man…I mean, if you wanted to.”

“Um, well, yeah…that sounds great! The party, I meant. And, I guess Jesse would come…if he's free. I'll ask him,” Solya answered carefully as to not sound too excited about the invitation being extended to Jesse.

Lamar Amarante was a fair man, if not a tad overprotective at times, and to hear him extend the invitation to Jesse after knowing him such a short time… Well, it's spoke volumes of his estimation of the young man. Still, she wasn't really sure if she was ready to share him, yet. Truthfully, she was even starting to have second thoughts about the Spades game. Did that make her a bad person? She wasn't sure, yet, but she hoped not.

“Well, you only turn 18 once and it's a special day. I figured you'd want all those you deem worthy to participate. Does he know about your birthday coming up?”

“Um…I don't think so. I guess it never came up. Well, I guess if he's coming, he ought to know, huh?” she replied in as convincing a way as she could.

“Sounds like a plan,” Lamar agreed.

“Yeah…” Solya trailed off with a sigh.

“What's going on in that little head of yours, Solya?”

“Oh, nothing, Papi. Well, maybe not nothing. Can I…can I ask you a question?”

“Sure. What is it?”

“When you went on your first date, did you…kiss your date when it was over? And, if so, how did you know it was right? How old were you?”

Caught off guard by her question and the shy, almost nervous way she'd presented it, he had to clear his throat a few times before attempting to answer.

“I…did. She asked me to, my date, and honestly, she made me awfully nervous with how straightforward she was about it,” he answered with humor in his tone, “But I did it because I wanted to, she wanted to, and it just felt…comfortable. Yeah, I guess that's it—comfortable. And I was 15, almost 16, at the time.”

“I see…”

“Any particular reason you wanted to know?” he prodded gently.

“Oh, no, nothing like that; just a little random table chat, really…thanks.”

“And, you're sure that's all?”

“Well, I was…curious, really. I was just wondering…”

“It's not necessarily the norm. It doesn't have to happen, Solya. And it's not odd or wrong for a couple to just end things on neutral terms—a handshake, a hug, a simple goodbye. It doesn't take away from the value of the evening you shared or the influence of your participation. Do you understand, honey?”

“Uh, yeah…sure,” she agreed with a half smile for her father's benefit only and started on her meal again.

As a pretty observant man, he caught on to her reticence and deciding on breeching a new topic—she was way too hesitant to go any farther, anyway.

“Okay, okay,” Lamar chuckled heartily, “I'll back off. So, when's the last time I whipped you good on the court?”

“Hmm…how `bout never?” Solya grinned cockily.

“So, you still insist on denying facts, Grasshopper?” Lamar queried as he lifted his chin and crossed his arms.

“Not so—not when the disciple has become the teacher,” Solya returned with a low bow.

“Damn, you've become a cocky little thing, Sol.”

“So, I've been told. Let me finish eating this meal and I'll help you eat your words, old man.”

“Old? Oh, it's on, Sunshine!”

“Those are fighting words, you know.”

“Don't hit me. I'm light-skinned and I bruise easily,” Lamar mock cowered.

“Then, watch ya self, she muttered under her breath, “Sunshine, indeed…”

“Hahahaha. I'm Rick James, bi—”

“Don't go there—puh-lease,” Solya pleaded as she scanned the restaurant for anyone who may have overheard him. Lucky for her, no one seemed to notice and she heaved a heavy sigh.

“Don't hate, playa,” he continued strictly to annoy her, now and he knew she knew, too.

“You're almost 40, Pops—act like it.”

“What's the fun in that?” he asked with a lazy shrug.

“I tell you, Pops, sometimes I just know you and Denise were made for each other; this is one of those times.”

“You're no fun. Where's your sense of adventure?”

`Is he serious? Oy…' Solya leveled a pointed glower at her father.

“Please don't embarrass me in The Olive Garden. I'd like to return someday.”

“Okay, I'll just embarrass you on the b-ball court.”

“This, Ladies and Gents, is what is known as clinical denial at its worst. Pray for the man,” Solya smirked with her hands on her hips.

Lamar arched an eyebrow in challenge, “Keh! Pray for the girl!”

“`Keh' yourself! Lemme finish this plate, old school, and we shall see!”

That said, the duo decided to finish their meals, skip dessert, and hurry out to the park to get one up on each other. True, Lamar had taught his daughter everything he knew, but she had a wicked 3-point shot—taught to her by Trevor—that meant as he ran himself ragged with the ball, Solya'd just stand, shot and wrack up points. Funny thing was, in the middle of the tie-breaker, there was a sudden downpour and they ran to catch a cab home.

“I'll give you your props, old man. You're not totally broke down…yet. But, next time, beware my skills,” Solya bragged as she cuddled up to her father to benefit from his body heat.

“Skills, indeed! The heavens are conspiring against me. That's the only reason I didn't win, little girl.” he scoffed as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead and chuckled when she nudged him in irritation.

“Papi! Quit it!” Solya whined in exasperation.

“Nope!” Lamar persisted and kissed her forehead again.

“You're a really tall 4-year old, aren't you? C'mon, level with me. I won't report you to Area 51...unless I get really broke.”

“Damn. Feel the love,” Lamar sulked.

“You know I love you, Papi.”

“Yeah, I do. Love you, too, Sunshine.”

“By the way, tell anyone I said that and I'll beat ya down—then sit on you,” Solya threatened as she leveled a fist at his face.

“Your compassion is safe with me, Mother Teresa,” he drawled as he squeezed her a little tighter.

The ride home was pretty much the same, full of playful threatening, teasing, and good old fashioned Daddy hugs. Solya gave up fretting once she realized the cab had no heat.

“We ought to get a discount for hypothermia,” she whispered to her father conspiratorially.

He just laughed and rubbed her arms, knowing she was freezing.

The cab finally got home after being stuck in traffic due to major accident on the freeway then detouring around yet another Baltimore construction project. Solya had burst out laughing when her father had grumpily suggested they move to Wisconsin for better traffic and weather.

After a shower to warm up, Solya wrapped up in two pairs of pajamas and a robe before heading to her room.

`It's like the opposite of Hades out there! What the hell were we thinking playing basketball out there?' she grumbled as she rubbed her feet to warm them and, giving up, tunneled under her comforter.

And then…her cell rang.

“Oy! What gives with the inconvenient calls today? I'm friggin' freezing here!” Solya hollered.

“You okay, Sol?” Denise called up the stairs.

“Yeah. You know I have these fits often,” she called back as she reached for the cell. `Oh. It's Jazmin.'

“Give me $150 and we can talk about it,” Denise joked.

“I'll think about it. Consider the payment a birthday gift,” Solya returned before answering her phone, “JJ! Hey there, girlie!”

“TB!” Jazmin squealed back, “How's life in Bulletmore, Murderland?”

“Girl, stop joking like that.”

“Alright, I'll be good; on one condition.”

Solya cringed. “Okay…what's the condition?”

“Where's the trust?”

“Um, who am I talking to?” Solya asked in response.

Jazmin had to laugh at that. It was true enough, anyway. “Oh, yeah, right…okay, tell me about `the outing',” she answered in a hushed tone.

“You make it sound like some kind of scandal or something.”

“Ooh! Was it?”

“No more sugar for you, girl. And scandal? No This is me we're talking about here!”

“Why ya being so defensive, Sol? Ooh! What'd you guys do, anyway?”

“We went to a fundraiser, ate, danced, talk—”

“Wait, wait, wait! You, Solya Deja Amarante, danced with…a guy? Suki now!”

“It wasn't all like that. Well, not really. He just taught me some basic…slow…dances—”

“Did you guys dance close?”

“Um, yeah—but, just for one song, so don't get all mushy out over there!” Solya explained quickly to keep Jazmin from guessing the wrong thing.

“Did you get all cute for it?”

“Totally not my idea, but, yeah; makeup and perfume and jewelry…and Josie did my hair.”

“I want a picture, TB! Did he kiss you?”

Solya blanched. This was exactly what she was trying to avoid thinking about. On one hand, she was appalled by the mere thought of doing any such thing—the thought was enough to make her shudder.

On the other…

She'd allowed them, Denise and Josie, to set up the perfect look, feel, and atmosphere for the evening. As much as she tried to refute it, for just that evening, being a `girl' wasn't so bad. And Jesse made her feel all confused. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, though. It felt kinda nice, kinda comfortable, and kinda…

`Special…'

So, why didn't he kiss her. And why was she even thinking about it at all? Okay, this was getting just a little too weird.

“—and there you go again, spacing out on me. TB, answer me already. Did he?”

“Huh? What was that?”

“I knew it! How you manage to space out so often at such a young age is a mystery to me…and a sad one, at that.”

“Where ever did you get that impression?” Solya defended lightly when her other line beeped, “Saved by the brats—hold please!”

“I'm not forgetting, TB.”

“Wouldn't be you if you did—be right back,” Solya returned before clicking over, “Hey, Josie! How's it hanging?”

“I'm okay, for the most part, just a little pressed for time,” Josie sighed.

“Oh Gawd, girl—what's up? Andre showing off again?”

“No, nothing like that. I just need to pick up something important a few hours away and I won't have enough room in the car for all the kids.”

“And you need an exorcist, right?”

“God, Sol, they're not that bad. Are they?”

“Have you spent time with them, lately?”

“Well, duh.”

“Then I rest my case. But, I guess I'm free this evening—lucky you—and I'll even charge you the going rate: $100! Can't beat that, can ya?”

“Wow. And to think I was going to offer a grand,” Josie drawled.

“But, I'm such a nice friend that I wouldn't dare go out of the triple digits.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah… So, you gonna guard the `Legion of Evil' or what?”

“You're so lucky my birthday's coming up and I need to suck up to folks with money. Okay, come get me, already!”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, Solya! You're a lifesaver! Give me 10 minutes!”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm just way too nice. Oh, Jaz is on the other line. I'll tell her you said `Hey'”

“Cool, you do that, and thanks again!” Josie repeated before hanging up.

Solya clicked over to hear Jazmin humming the theme to Jeopardy and chortled. “I wasn't that long, child.”

“That's a matter of opinion. So, who was it?”

“My…nosey, are we?”

“You're just full of vain questions today—now tell.”

Rolling her eyes at Jazmin's sarcasm, Solya blew a raspberry into the phone and scoffed.

“Maturity. It so becomes you,” Jazmin shot back in retaliation.

“Well, it was Josie, if you must know and I'm off to keep an eye on the rug rats. So, I'll talk to you later. Be good and don't do anything I wouldn't do.”

“Where's the fun in that?”

“Bye, Jaz,” Solya laughed.

“I can't help it if I'm more exciting than you,” Jazmin gloated.

“Bye, Jaz.”

“Later, TB,” Jazmin laughed before hanging up.

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“I'm either really nice or really crazy,” Solya thought aloud as Josie's 5-year old twin terrors—Andre and Aishee—tag teamed her oldest son Terry, effectively knocking him off the couch, Funny Bone first. The resulting cry was ear-piercing.

“Alright, you demons; who's maiming who?!” Solya yelled into the living room from her seat in the kitchen.

“Nobody!” Andre and Aishee declared in all the innocence they could muster.

“And I believe that, why?”

“Because we're your darling little angels and you love us, Auntie Sol!” Aishee answered in sugary sweetness—a sure-fire sign that she was lying her ass off.

The crying had stopped soon after only to be followed by yelps of pain and the sounds of furniture being pushed around with a squeaky scraping sound that set Solya's teeth to grinding.

“Ouch! Quit it! Go'way, Terry! Auntie Sol, Terry's bein' mean?” Andre whined.

`Mmm hmm…translation: Terry's getting his licks back.'

Solya rolled her eyes and arched her back, rising to intercept the beat down she knew was commencing. As much as she could sympathize with the older boy's frustration with his siblings, she also knew he didn't know his own strength or the meaning of restraint when he was ticked off.

“Nope. This does not bode well,” Solya whispered to herself knowingly.

It didn't take long for her theory to be proven.

“Auntie Sol! I'm gonna kill my siblings!” Terry roared from the other room seconds before she crossed the threshold.

And what a sight she saw…

`Oh…my…'

Terry—two and a half years older and almost a foot taller than Andre—was standing on the couch hanging his little brother upside down by his socks The threat of a concussion was all too real as Andre slowly slid out his socks about three feet from the hardwood floor.

Aishee, noticing this, too, hurried to Andre's aid.

“I'm gonna tell Mama on you, Terry!” she wailed, “Put `im down!”

“Oy vey…” Solya muttered as she hurried to separate the boys.

“Nanny nanny boo boo!” Aishee teased as Solya glared from the two boys she had in her grip.

“Promise to keep them alive till your mother gets home, Terry,” Solya sighed and tugged them down securely onto the couch, sitting between them, “Besides, I don't think she paid on your insurance policies for the month, yet. So, no bloodshed boys or I'll sit on you both.”

“Yes, ma'am,” the agreed in unison, instantly and contritely.

Pretty cool for a grownup, they figured Solya was, but she was also no joke. The last time Solya threatened to sit on them… Well, let's just say it wasn't a threat. And that memory kept them still and compliant.

“And what are you smiling about, Aishee? You're just as guilty. So you can stick you tongue back into your mouth and go sit in the Time Out chair till I say to get up.”

“But—”

“You did not just say `but' to me, did you, Ai?”

“Urm…uh…see, what had happened was…”

“Nope. Don't wanna hear it. Buh-bye,” Solya ended with a dismissive wave towards the short stool in the corner of the room.

“Um, Auntie Sol, I'm sorry. I won't do it no more. Can I go play Playstation?” Andre apologized.

“Apology accepted, though you need to tell that to your brother. And—you actually got the nerve to ask—Playstation? Hell no!”

“Yes'm…um, sorry, Terry,” Andre mumbled with a cracking voice and puppy dog eyes.

The apology was real enough but the manner in with he delivered it was fake and predictably so. The boy was a master manipulator and Solya was immune to his tricks, having been his sitter on and off since he was a baby. Pushing back the urge to pinch Andre good, Solya shifted her gaze to see if Terry would be gracious enough to accept. He didn't speak but, after a couple minutes, looked over to his brother and nodded in affirmation.

`Shit. Good enough for me. Damn, these kids are exhausting! If I wasn't scared of nuclear winter breaking out, I'd take a nap!'

Taking a look at the girl on the stool facing the corner, as she sulked, stomped and kicked the wall occasionally, muttering things under her breath that Solya was pretty sure she didn't want to hear.

Solya winced.

`Nope. Definitely not falling asleep.'

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It was dark and something warm and soft was tickling her neck. In the middle of stretching her back, Solya gasped as she caught the slumped figure of Aishee, still in the corner, asleep on the Time Out chair.

“Oh, hell! I fell asleep?! Poor Ai—better go rouse her. The boys—boys!” Solya panicked groggily.

“Yes?” they answered from their seats besides her—not as close as they were before she fell asleep, but close enough.

“Oh,” Solya exhaled as she pulled the cover—Terry's fleece throw—off. `Well, lets see. Nothing is burning and no one is bleeding, broken or crying; no police or FBI agents… Hmm, still everything's a little too innocent….'

“Terry says I'm crazy, Auntie Sol, but it's not true.”

“Oh, really? Wait…huh?”

“Yeah, really! I'm just random and hyper, that's all. I'm pretty sure, anyway…” he shrugged.

Solya just stared.

“Well, that's what Mama says anyway.”

“Riiiiight. What you just said,” Solya agreed easily enough as she covered a yawn with her fist.

“I just said `You so crazy', Auntie Sol. You know, like Martin says all the time. Oh, I'm hungry, too,” Terry added to the conversation.

“Well your mother made dinner already so, if you guys are hungry, I can reheat it and make your plates.”

“Okay!” the boys cheered.

“Man, you kids are hyper,” Solya giggled before her attention back to Aishee, “Hey, Terry, go wake up your sister before she gets a crook in her neck, please.”

“Okay,” he obeyed, leaping up from the couch to jog over to his sister, “Hey, Ai. Wake up. It's time to eat.”

She rubbed her eyes and rolled her neck side to side before hopping up to run to the bathroom.

“Gotta go, gotta go, gotta gooooooo!!” Aishee squealed as she slammed the bathroom door behind her, “Sorry, Auntie Sol!” she called through the door, knowing that kids slamming doors was a pet peeve of not only her mothers but Solya's, too.

“S'Okay in this case, chica. When you gotta go, ya gotta go,” Solya called back as she headed off to the kitchen to reheat dinner for the kids, “Everybody wash your hands.”

A chorus of yeses came back to her and she smiled. Leave it to them to be little darlings when food was presented.

`Eh, whatever works, I say.'

Nearly 10 minutes later, the trio of children stared longingly at the assembled plates of yellow rice and mixed peppers, baked chicken, fried plaintains, and honey cakes. Absently wondering how long she was asleep since the kids looked half-starved, Solya loaded the plates and set them before the kids with and expectant smirk. Aishee had stuffed a forkful of rice into her mouth and was about to lift fork again when she caught Solya's observant look. She slumped back in her chair before giggling nervously. When Solya crossed her arms and leveled an `Are you serious?' look at her, Aishee jumped up and recited the quickest version of grace she could think of. After all, she was hungry and her mother could throw down!

“Rub-A-Dub-Dub, thanks for the grub! Yay, God!” Aishee blurted around the mouthful of rice she was still chewing on.

“You little sacrilegious heathens,” Solya breathed incredulously as she looked at the two younger kids starting to eat.

“Sac…what?” Aishee contemplated, puzzled as she grabbed her fork again.

“Oh, never mind. Try again. Gawd! Rub-A-Dub-Dub, indeed…” Solya scoffed.

“You ought to do Eenie Meanie Minee Moe next time, Auntie Sol,” Terry suggested as he pulled the fork out of Aishee's hand and scowled at her.

Andre grinned cheekily and stood to say grace to hurry things along. Almost dreading what the little gnat would say, Solya rolled her eyes—something she did a lot in their company—and waited for his version of grace.

“All y'all gotsta bow y'all heads,” he announced haughtily.

`Hooked On Phonics worked for me,' Solya joked to herself as she bowed her head and waited.

Bowing his head and raising his arms—overly dramatic child he was—he began.

“Our Father in Heaven, you know we're here so I'll leave out the rest—eat hearty kids!”

“Thanks, Amen!” Terry and Aishee shouted before tearing into their meal so fiercely their plates slid.

Solya just gaped at them.

“Well, my word, kids! Is it that good or are you guys just that hungry?” Josie asked as she entered the room with bags and a briefcase.

“Mama!” Andre mumbled around his mouthful of chicken.

“Mami! You're back!!” Aishee cheered, accidentally spitting out a few grains of rice, “Uh…oops!”

“Ma!” Terry greeted after he swallowed most of his chicken, “Ooh, what's in the bag?”

“Chew, swallow all of your food, speak—in that order, Pussycats,” Josie admonished with a smile.

“She's back! There is a God!” Solya exaggerated as she wrapped Josie in a sagging hug, denoting her mentionally exhausting day.

“And to show my appreciation for taking 20 years off your life, here,” Josie smiled as she passed a small bag to Solya.

“A bag! Wow! How'd you know it's what I've always wanted?!” Solya squealed as she took the bag and shook it.

“You're just hilarious, you know that? Open that damn thing, you!” Josie growled playfully.

Solya gasped as she pulled the DVD set out of the bag—the complete series of Cardcaptor Sakura—and nearly dropped the box. Though she hadn't mentioned it much over the last few years, it was one of favorite shows from her childhood and she spent countless hours searching online for the entire set only to find it in pieces or, when she did find the whole of it, it was way too expensive. That Josie remembered and somehow did this for her, as weird as it seemed to feel this way over a bunch of cartoons, her vision was starting to blur. Grabbing Josie in a quick hug, she sat the box down and hurried to the bathroom to get herself together.

`Suck it up, Sol. It's just a set of anime. Cool it with the waterworks.'

Solya washed her face and smiled a grateful smile thinking of her friend. A few minutes later she came back out to eat with the others. Josie let her know that Jazmin, Jerrod and Jesse—did she have to emphasize his name like that?—had called while she was gone; Solya said she'd call them back, rolling her eyes at the significant look Josie shot her that bespoke a healthy prodding later. Hours later, Matthieu—Josie's husband—had come home and played with the kids a bit before reheating his dinner and excusing himself to tweak a few files he'd brought home with him, she and Solya helped the kids with their homework before giving them their baths and sending them to bed.

“Hallelujah, the little hellcats are asleep!” Josie groaned as she sunk onto the sofa with a six-pack of beers.

Taking a can off the ring and passing it to Solya, Josie let out a choked giggle that soon escalated into uproarious laughter. Solya shot her a confused if not slightly affronted glance when Josie waved her hands helplessly before her face, fanning herself as her face flushed near burgundy from her efforts. Raising her index finger and clearing her throat as she tried to compose herself, Josie grinned impishly before choking on another giggle. Opening her can and taking a few sips, Solya reeled in the very real desire to pluck the woman next to her who'd laughed herself to hiccups.

“What's so funny, woman?” Solya inquired with a small laugh—Josie's laughter was contagious.

“Oh, sorry…I just thought about…you father and…something kinda funny…just came to…mind,” she managed between slowly decreasing chuckles and slowly increasing hiccups.

“What?” Solya asked, now intrigued as she passed her beer over to Josie. “Here, take a few swallows, Josie. Those hiccups sound painful.”

Gratefully swallowing about half the can, Josie paused for a few seconds before answering. “Your father's got to be one of the most observant men I've ever known—he's like a male Jazmin and—”

Another hiccup.

A hard one, at that.

Solya chuckled again and eyed the can in Josie's hand meaningfully. She downed the rest of the contents and swallowed a few more times for good measure.

“As I was saying…” Josie continued, “Your father sees a lot and as slick as you are—as you think you are—you never seem to get past his radar. That said, how the hell, with all the parties we've had over the years has he never caught on to the fact that his daughter's an alcoholic?”

“Not hardly,” Solya scoffed before shoving Josie playfully, then laughing when she let out another hiccup followed by and unearthly burp, “Good golly Miss Molly, that was loud! That was a Superbowl burp, girl—I'm so proud!”

“Eh…thanks,” Josie mumbled as she pounded her chest lightly, “That beer, after three cups of Diet Dew, can put hair on your chest.”

“And that burp can burn it right off,” Solya added.

Josie pouted. “Yeah…you're not funny, wench,” she grumbled.

“Just playing, Jos. Anyway, I'd rather have your gas escape from that exit, anyway. And I'm not an alcoholic! I'm a…beer-a-holic. So, there!”

“A beer…? Solya, your logic once again astounds me.”

“Thanks. Anyway, haven't you heard? I'm my father's `Sunshine', Josie,” Solya balked, resting a hand over her heart in mock indignance. “Surely, he wouldn't believe me to be the author of such blatant acts of defiance. Why, I shudder to think of it.”

Josie shook her head slowly at the feigned innocence in Solya's expression—then belched again.

“Pardon me,” she apologized in embarrassment, even though she had a feeling Solya didn't really mind all that much.

“No big.”

“I couldn't believe how much beer you drank at the card party—Peacock either. Phew!” Josie exclaimed as she waved a hand over her nose and wrinkled her nose, “That fart he let out was one to remember. And fear.”

“I heard the paint cracking and hitting the floor in the aftermath.”

“We are so mean,” Josie laughed unrepentedly, “Peacock would have a fit if he heard us.”

“So don't snitch, then. Hell, my lips are sealed,” Solya reasoned with a shrug.

“And my conscience is thoroughly assured, after that little kernel of wisdom,” Josie muttered in monotone.

“Your sarcasm rivals my own…little niblet…”

“D'ah…so very lovely to have things in common. Even if I'm better at them than you are.”

“I looked in the dictionary for humble and saw your picture. Guess I oughtta call the publishing house and let them know of their grave error.”

“Lame as hell…yep, pretty much. That was just lame.”

“Aw, kiss my grits,” Solya giggled.

“Only if there's cheese in it.”

“Child, puh-lease don't mention food right now. Crap, we're pushing it now, with these beers.”

“Light beers, Sol.”

“Beer, regardless…you're not good for my motivation, `Miss-Let's-Split-A-Cherry-Cheesecake-And-Just-Eat-Brocolli-For-The-Rest-Of -The-Month'”

“Hey, I was craving…and I needed an accomplice.”

“With friends like you…”

“Who needs Betty Crocker?”

Solya rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Face it, I'm the uber girlfriend! You're just so privledged to have a friend like me, that's all.” Josie boasted as she placed her fists on her hips in pride.

“I thank the Heavens hourly,” Solya smirked sarcastically.

“Hey, how about we got to the movies this weekend? Me and `The Fabulous 5'—sounds like a winner. I miss hangin' out with D.”

“So, you just get a kick out of cutting off your circulation at the hips? You are a little sadistic, aren't you?'

“Not at all, my darling Solya—that's what the Crisco and crowbars are for.”

“And random, too,” Solya added with and amused sigh.

“Hey, where'd the term `The Fabulous 5' come from, anyway?”

“Oh. That. Well, that's Jerrod, Denise and me, of course,” Solya replied as if it were simple.

“Um. Okay. That's only three people, Sol…”

“Well, yeah… I make the other three.”

“Uh huh…” Josie drawled, rotating her hand to prompt Solya to elaborate.

“Well, as my motto goes, I'm not fat. I'm three pretty women smashed together. Now, I never said those three women weren't a little thick, but they're not fat. Addin' D and PB, you get five—`The Fah-Bu-Luss 5'—get it?”

“Urm…yeah,” Josie answered with a slight raising of her lips and a quirk of her brow. “Sol, if you weren't already in therapy, I'd strongly suggest it.”

“Story of my life, it seems,” Solya deadpanned, “Everyone thinks I'm loco.”

“Nah. You're not crazy, Sol. You're just random and hyper!”

“Hey, that's what Apple Scrapple said earlier. I see you're instilling your weird fundamentals into your kids…the poor babies.”

“Shut up!” Josie squealed before shoving Solya till she nearly tumbled off the couch.

“You and your rugrats…God help us all.”

“You know you love my little minions, Sol.”

“Yeah; when they're asleep.”

“But, they're your little angels and you're their beloved Auntie Sol.”

“Angels, huh? I guess the horns are just there to hold the rather hard to see halo in place, huh?”

“Yeah. Sure. We'll go with that theory,” Josie agreed absently as she pulled off two beers from the ring, passing Solya one.

Popping the tab, Solya proposed a toast. “Here's to living the life we've always wanted!”

“Here here!” Josie agreed as she butted her can into Solya's and took a healthy swig. A few seconds after she unleashed another harsh belch, she raised her can once more. “Here's to being satisfied with the life you've been given…thunder thighs, included!”

“Sho you right,” Solya toasted again.

The two girlfriends talked into the wee hours of the morning, reminiscing over old times, the group of pals they practically grew up with, current daily drama, cravings and what they ate when they cheated on their `lifestyle changes'—they refused to call it a diet because, in their humble opinions, `diet' is just DIE with a T on the end—and just about anything else they could think of. Roughly four hours later, and about three hours before Josie had to get the kids ready for school, they were both mellow and pliant, dozing on weird angles on the couch.

The last thought to go through Solya's head…

`Gawd, this was a long-winded way of avoiding Jazmin's questions. Eh, it was fun, anyway…'

A/N: Sorry I took so long, guys. I was sick a couple times in the last month and the PC I was supposed to be buying turned out to have sufficient glitches. I'll try not to be this long again.