Strawberry

Sunday Oct 18, 1992

Deej arrived after Nick had made eggs and gotten them mostly consumed. She didn't want anything, well, but then he talked her into pop tarts and milk.

"Breakfast is important."

"Bleh, I can't eat much in the morning, but yeah I know, I'm better about it when in training, guess that's my cue."

Sam had asked to just help unload, evidently she's down from April not being around; understandable.

So they head out, Nick drives this leg, and right away she sets the tone, 

"Um, we need to have a couple adult conversations."

"I didn't bring a note."

"HA. But, well, we need to decide what to tell people when they ask about our plans."

"For the future?"

"No for the past."

He glances over flatly.

"Okay...but yeah...girls get asked if and when and how many babies, you know."

"Ahh, guess I've been able to duck most of that being in college."

"Yeah, and that's my answer, I'm getting a degree, end of story."

"But then they ask ‘after that?’"

"Right, and we're spending time together so..."

Nick remains pensive.

"Did I freak you out?"

"No, it's just...all the tuxes and registry and the announcement in the paper..."

She smiles, "Yeah, that's not us, is it?"

"It all seems so...excessive."

"Well, have you ever been to a wedding, like a second marriage, where they just dress up and it's just close family?"

"That would be a relief."

"Yeah, I have no need for all the trappings, hell, how many of those don't work out?"

"How many couples have you seen over the years who come to church just to get hitched then split? I mean, you never see them again then usually hear they split up?"

"I lost count, so yeah."

Nick thinks a second. "Can you imagine an announcement in the paper where we're making faces?"

She seems to find this a delicious thought to savor to as they turn onto the main county road, then spends the rest of the trip just watching the trees and fields shed their dew.

The trip isn’t long, less than halfway to campus, and he asks, "Hey you ready for this?"

"Pssh."

"Sounds about right."

He pulls into Dawsons' and looks like no one's home, as expected, they were going out for breakfast or such, and backs up toward the door. She gets them in and they head to her room right off the living room, door is closed. Deej slowly opens up and flips the light as if expecting someone inside, but of course there's not. 

She goes straight to the bed to pick up an envelope, opens it and raises a eyebrow at a check and pay stub. 

"Well this will come in handy-dandy."

Nick looks around. "So what all goes?"

"Well you're familiar with this thing here that I was sleeping on, then my dresser and those boxes."

"Check."

So they go to work and naturally it's done in about the time it took to drive over. She takes one last look around the room, then turns to Nick,

"Hey, can you check that shutter door out there, just to make sure?"

So he does and finds something, addressed to Danni but not from him. He presents it to her and she just goes still.

"Wow."

For now she puts it in her back pocket with the check and takes another look around, for good measure, then pops her key off the ring and sets it on the counter.

"OK, let's lock ourselves out."

She walks ahead and he gets a tad distracted by the fact her back pockets have stuff in them and nearly jumps when she asks if he'll take the wheel once more. As they pull out, sure enough, she's already reading the letter.

"I think I can guess at least part of that."

Deej just shakes her head in some kind of disgust or disbelief.

"She actually wants to get lunch with me sometime."

"Will you have appetite?"

"Appetite to hold her down on the ground and pull her head out of her ass."

"Can I watch?" Then he regrets that immediately, "Sorry."

She glances over, "Actually that helps some. But yeah, you can probably guess this, nobody understands her and she needs her space, laa laa laa."

"Inexperience and freedom are a bad mix aren't they?"

"Like ammonia and vinegar."

"Someone paid attention in chemistry."

"Well, it was a safety course I took but yeah."

"Still." 

Nick leaves her to ponder a bit, and sure enough she just watches the world go by. Eventually he asks, 

"Wanna grab a coffee?"

"We can, I'd rather have juice though. There's a decent chance of some at the house too if you wanna roll the dice."

"Yeah why not, we have plenty o’time."

She scoots over and leans on him. "Do I make a better arm warmer?"

"The best. Starting to think that was a red flag of sorts."

"Yeah but who knew a storm was brewing?"

"Why do we have to be adults?"

"Oh that reminds me, before I forget...um, the doctor will ask me things this week."

"Why did my blood just run cold?"

"Relax, your name won't come up, but I plan to say I don't intend to get pregnant or even have intercourse for that matter. I hate to ask but, does that...fit your intentions?"

Nick swallows and cracks his window a bit. "I think you should go with that hon."

She takes his right hand and plants one on the back of it. "We seem to have plenty of options and I'm not about to get ambitious."

Nick takes a deep breath. 

She looks up at him, "Sorry if this makes you nervous, but I want to be ready."

"Oh I know, just a lot to think about."

"Worse than the alternative?"

"Absolutely not, just there's a lot to this adult stuff."

Deej just sighs and they drive on.

At the Eversole homestead the gang is up and moving but easing into the day, the new MO since home group started. Right away Deej checks the counter, "You're in luck, dear, look!" Sure enough there's some fresh coffee. She grabs him a mug and he fills 'er up.

Nancy beams from the table, "We thought you might like some."

For this Nick just floats by and plants one on the top of her head and she giggles.

Deej gives him a wry look and shakes her head.

Nick then heads toward the couch next to Sam and her homework, sits down right next and scoops her up in his free arm with intentional awkwardness, 

"You OK Bub?"

He can see her lighten up and releases the squeeze. "Whatcha workin' on?"

"English Lit."

"Yeah I barely made it through that, only got along with the teacher outside of class, couldn't handle her Kentucky draw slogging through Bay-uh-WULF."

This gets a chuckle. "Good ol' MacBeth."

"I wish I could remember some quotes, just some idiots in class laughing about Gay-Wayne."

She looks over with a smirk, "Real mature."

"Is that the one with the trouble, trouble boil and bubble?"

"It rhymes with that at least."

"Hey they don't pay me to read Shakespeare."

She giggles and continues writing so he rejoins his coffee already in progress, thinking how this is how she must appear at school, always in concentration, the other side of the coin.

Deej and Nancy keep flashing glances over that way. Evidently Dean is out on a jog this morning, which another clue to this here gene pool.

After a few minutes the elder sister comes over, "Should we head over when you're done?"

"If you're ready?"

"Can I fix the hair?"

"Is it broken?"

Right on cue she just sticks her tongue out and darts down the hall. Nick takes a sip.

Sam clears her throat and reads a sentence she just finished, then asks,

"Does that make sense?"

Nick paraphrases it back.

She pauses. "Is that a suggestion?"

"I was telling you what I heard. A paraphrase."

"OH, derp, good. I'm blond remember?"

Nick just grins and takes another sip.

Right about then there's a jiggle of the front door handle then a knock. Nancy jumps up, 

"Now who locked that?" She lets Dean back in the house.

He asks, "I thought I left that unlocked."

From down the hallway, "Aren't you glad to have me back Daddy?"

"I should have known. Hey Nick!"

"Morning, Boss," he can't resist but grins big.

"Now now."

"So do you run every day?"

"Well I try several runs a week, except in extreme weather."

"You are a soldier, I'm better on the bike."

"Sure, cycling is great too, what is it, two and a half miles riding is one mile jogging?"

"Sounds right, for me it's more for mental health, the air and scenery."

"Well good for you, maybe Danni will join you sometime."

"I think we both know she would run and I would try to keep up on the bike."

This gets a laugh just as she emerges from the hallway, "What the who why where?"

Nick jumps in, "Was just saying you offered to pull me in a wagon while you jog."

She ignores the laughter, "You milking that mug or are we gonna do this?"

Nick gets up and motions toward the sink, gets a nod, posits his empty mug then joins the exodus. Everyone but Nancy converges on the pickup. After Deej grabs a box, Sam leans into Nick,

"What did you think of the drawing?"

"Got it framed and on the wall already."

Sam covers her mouth, "She's gonna shhhhh-hmmmmm-flip!"

"Exactly, I love it. Played some with the tape last night too."

This gets her jumping around gleefully until Nick grabs a box and they start hauling. Eventually they collaborate on the futon which will likely find a place in the living room for now.

Deej grabs her purse and promises to be back for a bit of sister time before the week starts, then once outside she blocks Nick from entering the truck with the sultry face, having brushed out the pony tail, left a few playful strands loose and done her usual minimal touch ups that go a long, long way.

"How did you ever get so smooth?" Then punctuates it with sugar.

Nick sweetens the sugar for a few moments till she catches her breath then wipes some drool.

"Dammit, mm, alright, follow me?" 

Nick just holds the embrace and drinks her in.

"Dipshit, I have to drive, remember, you're making me all gooey."

"And who started this?'

"Shut up." And he lets her wiggle free. "Follow me?"

"Anywhere."

She doesn't acknowledge this but gets in her car and backs out, and he follows. Once at the grandparents' she tosses him her keys, 

"This is what you get, I'll be quick."

Nick gets comfy in the drive seat of her Poncho. Someone he worked with at the store mentioned how these seats are fully extendable in situations involving carnal pleasures, so he messes with the adjuster. He doesn't find much range and wonders if it's the Grand Prix with that kind of latitude. Not something to ask Noreen anytime soon.

Before long the passenger door opens and he gets the seat and mirrors situated.

"Having fun are we?"

Nick buckles up, "Starting to think you just like to sit over there all cool while I drive."

"It's fun to watch you, and you make me feel safe."

"Is that a chick thing?"

"Yes it is a chick thing."

"Even for independent chicks?"

"I think you are figuring us out and must be dealt with."

He looks over and she's very content, eyes closed dreamily, but before long,

"Would you have asked April out if we hadn't...god I don't even know how to finish that sentence."

"I dunno, there was a vibe at times but I wouldn't know where to start."

Silence. 

Nick looks over to find a blank look.

"What?"

"So remind me..."

"Yaess?"

She pauses, "So remind me…after you did that…um blow up,  at the church, we didn't get to talk much, who did you talk to?"

Nick has to think. "Well it got so weird, all the drama with that church, then at school I got stares and whispers, then...in a weird way I think Vance and I had groupies of sorts, girls that seemed kinda shady."

"And?"

"That was a cold winter, kinda struggled to keep up with school for a while, then spring came around and riding the bike helped."

"But you didn't talk to anyone?"

"After things calmed down, well a little, here and there, at school, well, and Geena for a few days. One time, well the next year, there was this girl they wanted me to tutor in math, a freshman, but that was awkward, she's nice looking but kind of a pain, just wants attention."

"Mmm hmmm."

"But that next year was just…well, we went camping at Hectors' like usual but Tim ended up getting laid by that divorced woman and made things even weirder."

"WHAT?"

Nick looks over at her, "Yeah, we all watched fireworks and he took her up on an invitation to her camper and badda-bing-badda-boom."

"No freakin' way."

"Way. She wouldn't give him her phone number so seemed like just burning off carbon, starting over, whatever."

She draws a deep breath but keeps up the stare.

"So yeah, it was stuff like that, I sat with a group at lunch that I'd known for a while but they couldn't understand anything but party. And when I did speak to girls it was usually the wrong thing, probably sent the wrong signal, was just trying to be funny.” He feels a deep twinge of regret since there’s someone he can’t yet mention, but that will have to wait.

Deej leans over and pecks his cheek. "It's OK."

They are now in the town street grid. "Did you do much better?"

"Did you ever figure that a lot of those in a <finger quotes> good Christian school pretty much do whatever the hell they want and maintain an image?"

"Always kinda wondered."

"There ya go. But I did have a fun lunch group for a while there, we held committee meetings and did the Roberts rules, turned a lot of heads when we all said AYE."

Nick chuckles, “Oh I bet.”

"I'm glad you didn't have to go through it, although would have loved to have you around."

"I think we each paid our dues. There were two or three Academy girls that joined us after getting pregnant."

"The death penalty. Probably some males for this and that?"

"Yeah and that worked both ways, we expelled a few that had to do a stint over there."

"You'd think they were rock stars, too."

"Groupies?"

"It was pathetic."

Right about then they pull in to the gravel patch at the end of the yard they maintain to help keep the driveway clear. 

Deej asks, "Are we good on time?"

"Just right, we leave as soon as the crock pot is done."

"Ooh that will make the trip smell good."

They enter the house to the smell of crock pot goodness but no parents in sight. 

Nick dismisses it with, "Must be getting ready."

"Mmmm hmmm, sure," Deej taunts, then sticks out her tongue and gyrates her hips around.

Nick shakes his head, "Alright Sam," then heads up the stairs, only to be tackled, and almost simultaneously her hands find a thigh and a ribcage.

She cackles incessantly, Nick tries to warn, "We're gonna slide off."

"Not as long as my butt is on a step we won't."

Eventually he musters free and crawls into his room. 

Deej follows and instantly freaks out, "Eezzh...zzht...muh...I'll snap that little twig!"

Nick turns to find both hands on her head and both eyes full open and zeroed on his recent art acquisition.

"You were saying, dear?"

"Just when...last night?"

Nick grins.

"I should throw your ass back on those stairs."

"What did I do?"

"Did she frame it?"

"I may have helped, just a teeensy tiny -"

"Are you two ready to leave?" Irene from downstairs.

"Deejay is picking her nose but should be about done."

Deej cocks back a mock swing.

"What are you now, kindergartners? I need someone to put this crock pot in the wagon."

"Nick just volunteered if you can believe it," Deej motions him toward the door and they proceed to a 99% innocent backseat encounter, where she sticks behind shotgun and pulls him to the center to lean on her, at some point whispering, "I don't wanna be in the mirrors."

Girls.

They tend to speak in whispers just above the Bears pregame show that Ned has panned to the dash speaker nearest him. Irene has a crossword puzzle book.

Nick leans up to relay something, Deej leans down, "You're gorgeous."

This earns a menacing growl.

"Danni is he bothering you?"

"He just complimented me."

"Nick how DARE you."

Ned chimes in, "You know you can't win with these types right?"

Ned gets a light slap and Nick a squeeze of the ribcage, with Deej whispering, "I think they've seemed...friskier lately, don't you?"

Nick just grunts.

A little later on, Deej starts anew, "Are you ready to say goodbye to the bangs?"

"Your trademark?"

"This gal is starting over, gonna grow 'em out and do a part."

"Mmmmm hmmmmm," in a wolf-whistle cadence.

"I didn't think you'd object." 

Then a bit later, she adds, "Sam wants to get some more skirts and do the tights thing."

Irene jumps in, "Oh that would be cute."

"Yeah I think she's getting out of her shell some."

Nick, "I keep thinking she's gonna dye her hair."

"Um, that idea stays in this car, got it?"

Nick grunts again. Irene chuckles.

"Actually it all sets up a trip to the thrift store, Mom loves that."

Irene, "I've found a lot of nice things there, like a really well kept secret."

Deej, "It really is. So do you guys like the home group so far?"'

Irene turns around, "We really do, it means so much more with just three or four families, well, couples really, you know, it’s for  kids too."

Nick, "It certainly for sleeping in the next morning."

This gets him two simultaneous swats.

Deej, "Isn't it really about a 24 hour sabbath observance, not just the group activity?"

Irene, "Yes it is, a time of reflection and rest."

Deej, "Well it's really helped out in our gang."

Irene, "Certainly glad to hear it. And I might like to join you for thrifting and lunch if it works out."

Deej, "Sure, I'll tell Mom."

Through all this Nick just relaxes and tries to concentrate on both audio streams going on and probably dozes off.

Gradually that conversation ebbs and Deej leans on Nick's head. Before long she gets inspired,

"Too bad this car doesn't have one of those rumble seats in the back, we could watch the world go by in reverse."

Nick stirs, "We'd need a mirror to read the signs."

She nudges him. "Remind me, how long as your granddad been gone?"

"Two years this summer."

She pauses. "We're lucky to have them any amount of time aren't we?"

"Always too short."

She pecks him on the head and keeps leaning.

"Just curious, on that proposal you sent Dad, are the computers coming from that guy we saw at Lombo's"

"Oh Fred? Yeah - heh- that's an option. Goody suggested that and Deke was impressed, they can go with Fred or get the Gateways in the moo-cow boxes like we have at the school."

"Hear that gang, he's schmart."

Irene coughs conspicuously and Ned warns, 

"It's a trick."

Nick grunts.

Deej lowers her voice again, "You know we're proud of you, and I'm sure old Tuttle will lick it right up."

Nick has to laugh.

"Okay I have no idea why I said that."

Nick laughs harder and gets slapped, then eggs her on,

"What's old Tuttle like then?"

"Typical old fart. You'll be right at home."

Nick just grunts. 

Before long Deej digs an emery board out of her purse and starts whisking away. 

For some reason Nick thinks to ask her quietly, 

"When did you drink your first beer?"

"Grandpa."

This gets them both laughing deliciously.

"Howbout you?"

"Noreen."

"Nice."

"That was right after a strange experience, long story."

"I got time."

So Nick relates the Delano saga.

"Wow, hell of a way to earn a beer."

"Or half of one."

"We'll have to share one sometime."

"We'll have to sneak one sometime."

She plants another one on his head.

Nick probably dozes off to be awakened by Ned, "Touchdown Bears."

"Finally," Deej offers.

"Do you follow 'em hon?”

"Well...how shall I put this...after a while you learn the best time to ask Daddy for something is when they're up by two or three TDs."

Ned chuckles.

Irene, "I'll remember that."

"Good luck," Ned fires back.

Nick chuckles, then realizes he has a gas pocket, lets it slide, thousand one...thousand two...

"God Deej, crack a window, that's nasty."

He feels drafts from more than one window coming down about an inch.

"Yeah right, I don't think so," Deej fires back.

Irene turns around, "At least he didn't ask you to clap and make a gas sandwich."

"WHAT?" This gets Deej fired up, laughs hysterically and struggles to keep quiet.

"Those boys, I had -" then she turns facing the doors to let Ned hear the radio, "I had to keep hiding the bread for a while there."

Ned pipes up out of left field, “Just don’t rip one at your grandma’s table like that one time.”

Nick tries a defense, “Hey it...got away from me.”

“I’ll say it did, sounded like a tire shop with the impact wrench, THDDDDDT-THDDDDDDDDDT”

At this point Deej is about to fly apart but grabs Nick by the waist and uses his back as a sound shield, and this goes on for a solid minute, 

"You gonna make it there sport?"

She bites his back and goes off into another full-lung gale, "Ohh," then a series of discrete burps as she taps her sternum.

"Deej?"

After some gasps, "Yeah I'll live, god Nick..." and soon gets her head back near his and pulls him in for sugar. 

Irene offers a Kleenex, Deej accepts, "Thanks I was about to use his shirt."

"Why not, he does."

Nick grunts.

Out comes the compact, she mutters, “So much for mascara,” fusses with it for a bit leans against Nick.

"Hi."

"Alright, so what was the funniest thing you ever did?"

"Hmmm...OK, well there was the time, I was about nine probably and we would hang out at the neighbors. One time they had some Koolaid packets sitting out and I did a bad thing."

"Okay..."

"Snuck one home and...<sighs>...I always had my own cup at the kitchen sink, I put the powder in there and filled up the cup with water, it just sat at the bottom so I put my hand on the top and shook it up, and it kept squirting out and went everywhere."

Nick starts to laugh quietly.

"Shut up...well I hear someone coming to the kitchen so I try to hide the evidence and drink it down...man I thought I was gonna die right there."

"Pretty intense."

"It was the kind you add your own sugar, so yeah, couldn't swallow so it went everywhere."

"My hero."

"Shut up you...fartclapper."

"Clap on PPPPT PPPT clap off PPT."

She covers his mouth and Irene takes a swat for good measure.

"Yeah I got marched back and had to 'fess up, still had it allllll over me."

"Talk about being caught red handed."

"Red chested, faced, you name it."

Nick fishes for a response but comes up empty, they are getting close to destination anyway so he sits up and pulls Deej in. 

She just smiles and drinks in the new world passing by.

Before long they pull in. Ned is first in, finds the game already on TV and Nick grabs the crock pot.

Gramma guides him to the spot at the counter and gets her hug, then the introduction,

"This is Danielle, Danni ...Deejay."

"Good to meet you dear, call me June."

"Nice to finally meet you, June."

"Have you been friends for long?"

Nick jumps in, "She's the strawberry."

June gets this wide eyed look of surprise, "Wow you have known each other a while?"

Deej is just as surprised, in a full lung voice,"Strawberry?" The irony of her turning as red as one is almost too much.

"Oh he told Paps about you once and he just loved asking Nick about you, seemed you two stopped talking after a while?"

Nick rescues, "Yeah it's a long story."

"June do you need any help?" Deej offers as an escape.

"Sure, if you'd like to set the table."

Nick steps over to the couch to escape a most menacing side-eye from Deej as she heads to wash her hands.

He watches a few plays and cut to ad break. Bears are beating Tampa Bay but seems everyone beats Tampa Bay.

Before long the table is set and Deej plants right next to him for interrogation,

"Strawberry?" 

Nick sighs, "Paps asked me if I was talking to any girls and so he asked what you're like, I said a tall pretty strawberry with freckles."

She just holds her stare then sighs, "Swanson, what am I gonna do with you?" then sneaks a peck, and adds, "And you couldn't have warned me?"

He shrugs, "Oops."

"Mmmm hmmm." She notices the score, "Isn't this about the best they've done all year?"

Ned speaks up, "Just about, pretty sure Ditka has run his course."

"Sounds like it."

Nick remembers, "Didn't you have a tape of that Superbowl Shuffle?"

She smiles, "It was one of the few secular songs Sam and I could dance around to, well, at least from this century."

"Figures."

"Soups on!" 

"Come an get it!"

June offers grace then immediately wants to know everything from the young'uns.

They gracefully recount their history, well, mostly Deej does most of the recounting as Nick feels like he's on a keg of dynamite.

Ned somehow manages to sit with a view of the TV. 

Once the narrative reaches present tense, June asks the inevitable, "Have you talked about marriage?"

Ned steps in, "Mom."

Deej looks at Nick with a grin, "We've talked about it."

Nick fesses, "Actually we talked about how to field that question."

This blows up the table and even Ned chuckles, "That's muh boyyy."

From there the topics bounce around to the usual. Gramma made her killer pot roast that he didn't learn to appreciate until late in high school, it practically falls apart when you look at it.

Irene had supplied a pot of scalloped potatoes so June wouldn't have to do so much, but she made green bean casserole so they're all set with a pie in the oven still.

Nick waits a bit before taking his plate to the sink but decides to take a walk, always has to visit the old shack and see what it has to say. He only needs to stand at the door, even with the equipment gone and the space redone as a semi-functional office this is a place of reverence. Someone had placed an ornamental microphone there as a nice touch, Nick would like to see similar as a code key, might have to ask around.

About then he senses a presence then a face next to his own and arms around him. After a few seconds, he observes, "I think I can still smell the cherry pipe tobacco."

Deej takes a couple breaths, "Smells more like strawberry," then offers a peck.

"He would have loved you."

She just squeezes tighter. "So did you get all his stuff?"

"Most of it, he donated the amp to a club, but other than that Gramma said to get it cleared out and we went to work, hardest thing I ever did."

Deej just sighs. "Sometimes it's best to rip off the bandaid and let the wound heal."

"Yeah, she needed to change this around." He taps her hand and they head back to the living room.

Third quarter just started and pie is cooling. This is a good place to be.

Nick turns to Deej, "Want a tour of outside or shoot some pool?"

"It's nice out, let's do that first."

Naturally the centerpiece is the tower footing. Jim had made arrangements for the local yokels to take it all down so June wouldn't have to worry about it, now it seems like a special concrete memorial.

"Did you get to play out here a lot?"

"Yeah sometimes, mostly before the privacy fence went up. I think they got tired of all the urchins messing up the grass and flowerbeds."

"Why do I get the feeling you would do that sooner than later?"

"Put up fences? Hell yeah."

"At's muh boyyy," and she pats his rear.

They head inside and proceed to the basement, Nick narrates, "Sometimes Mom and Dad shoot a few when we're here."

Deej racks 'em up then makes a saucy approach while chalking her cue, "Flip ya for the break?"

"I'll end up SPLAT against a wall."

"Ok you break."

"So...I hit right on the 1 or between it and another?"

"Ok I'll break." She gets into position, lines up the shot a little, then fumbles with her top buttons to show cleavage, throws him a wink, then sends 'em all over creation, sinking one.

"I take it they had one of these things at Asstickle?"

"Maybe."

"Worse ways to blow off steam."

"Absolutely."

So they continue on with more or less a game of 8-ball and Deej throwing her moves around and trying not to laugh at herself, which is what makes it all pop. At one point she almost scratches when trying a shot behind her back.

Nick finally gets the last one in, and she slithers over, 

"Well well, looks like you have no...more...balls."

"Maybe I could scare up a couple more," pulls her in and the expected shenanigans start, she wraps that leg around and he works things up and around, when there's a voice from up the stairs, 

"Pie is ready!"

Nick whispers, "Oh I bet it is."

"Not for you it's not," as Deej pulls back, flashes a smirk and stares him down while buttoning back up then storms up the stairs. 

Nick follows but she has enough lead to suggest, "Nick should only get a gas sandwich."

He can hear his mom laugh the hardest, then rounds the corner to ask what kind of pie.

Deej fires off, "Sorry, not strawberry," which lands her an even bigger laugh.

June rescues him, "Nick it's blueberry and you can have some as my guest. After this fine young lady gets hers of course."

Deej sticks out her tongue at him and and on it goes.

They end up on the couch with said pie, and she admits, "Why did you never bring me up here before?"

"Thought about it, but there was the Tim situation."

"Oh. Yeah. Still..."

"We would have had to tie him to the hood."

"Or you."

Nick flashes a flat glance between bites.

"Well, for the record, you really do know how to show a girl a good time."

"Just going with the flow."

"And?"

Nick just shakes his head.

Game is wrapping up and they usually don't stay long on these trips since June has a group thing around 5 on Sundays.

After a bit more standing around Nick returns the crock pot - ooh, with some pot roast in it - to its rightful spot in the wagon's rear deck, then back in to hug Gramma. It never struck him till now how well she does on her own, another strong, independent gal in the mix.

The gals lead the way out and Deej takes Irene's arm, 

"Think these here males can get us home while we catch up."

"That's a wonderful idea."

Ned tosses Nick the keys, "Daddy's tired, let's see if you can still drive this thing. We'll have to fuel up at the usual spot."

As they're getting started Deej asks, "Hon did you really take your driver test in this wagon?"

"Yipper do."

"And what scores?"

"I think 85 on the cones and 90 on the driving. Can you beat that?"

"Pass."

The gals laugh and so it goes. At the refueling stop Ned grabs a coffee for Nick and big Sunday Tribune while prepaying, gives him something to focus on and probably fall asleep with. Once they get started he quickly dials in the late game and is all set, just like at home.

Falcons and 49ers, the latter of those gives Nick a few things to ponder as the road stretches out. Thankfully the coffee has cream, it has surely been sitting there all day. This situation always brings to mind the Far Side where the buzzards are glad for ketchup when a carcass is not so fresh.

"Dad did cream this for me? Awww."

"Yeah it was pretty ripe. Should put some hair on your chest."

From the back, "You just made Danni  blush."

"My strawberry," Nick can't resist.

"I'd flick your ear if you weren't driving," she warns.

With military stealth, Ned reaches over and gives the wheel a quick hitch, causes gasps in the back seat.

"EDGAR WAYNE!" admonishes Irene.

Nick shakes his head, "Mom just went nuclear, you heard it here first." He can hear Deej pretty amused back there then they go back to their murmuring.

The western sky takes on clouds in a dramatic, almost foreboding structure and overtakes the sun. Somehow this reminds him of the grunge scene, all the sadness and angst, party is over. Strange how grunge was a few years too late it likely would have fit his latter high school malaise pretty well. It’s also sort of…industrial, in a way, like those machine labs at the campus, or all the factories he’s passed on trips, with no idea what they make. Although, he’s keenly aware that tucked in the Chicago suburbs is one that makes electrolytic capacitors.

Nick doesn't make much progress with the coffee and chugs it down at room temperature as they reach town. Everyone had pretty much chilled out for the ride home except for Deej leaning up to his left and subtly asking if they could rest a bit before she heads home.

Once they do arrive Nick dutifully returns the crock pot and finds a message on the machine, from Sam for her big sis, so he relays it once Deej is done in the bathroom. Nick takes his turn draining some coffee and finds her wrapping up the callback.

"She's just wanting to know when I'll get back, told her about an hour," after which she holds the same gaze as by the pool table.

"You really were something throwing that cue around."

She just pushes the door to the nearly-closed state that shields them from most intrusion and makes a glance toward the shades, which Nick draws. She holds the same gaze while unbuttoning her blouse all the way this time then she lies down on the bed, leaned on one arm.

Nick takes his place and lets her lead, and at that she doesn't take her time, pretty soon has his shirt up and jeans undone and fishes out the Joker. She's very determined and works her magic, after bout a minute he whispers,

"You're a bad girl today."

She uses one hand to undo her own jeans and pull them down some, 

"You gonna spank me?"

He's simply awed by her knack but at the same time this is classic Deej taken to a whole new level. From here it's not long till the moment is approaching and she uses her teeth a little here and there, and it lasts quite a while and he has no choice but to collapse. She repacks him and he helps get his jeans back up, then realizes there's no mess. 

"Umm, where did that end up?"

She giggles as she gets into place resting on his shoulder.

"You didn't," he presses.

"Mmmmm hmmm," more giggles and a peck on the cheek, "now I have some of you to take home."

Nick has no choice but to doze off, then finally gets his wits,

"You're pure magic when you wanna be, lady."

"Maybe I just get inspired in the right ways."

He starts rubbing her back and gets a hand beneath her open blouse but she squeezes him still.

"Hon-"

"This is what you get for showing me a good time and treating me like you do, just relax."

"I want to taste you."

She shivers, then sighs, "Nicky...you know how self conscious I am, don't mean to be, but things need to be cleaned up first."

"Howbout your tummy?"

Another shiver. Silence.

She loosens her grip and he pulls her in for a good once over, tongues and all but maneuvering all around her back and stomach, ignoring the girls until she offers. Eventually he rolls her onto her back and starts kissing further southward and she pulls her bra up, so he pays appropriate respect, then slowly approaches the navel. His hands start to work her jeans a bit and she coos, and just a few seconds later she gasps and twitches. Silence.

He returns to his original position but this girl is out cold. Nick pulls his own shirt off but puts her headlights away, then carefully scoops her around back onto his shoulder and now they can rest a bit.

Nick guesses he dozed off a couple more times before she stirs, clears her throat, and squeaks out, 

"Now who is it working magic?"

"Hey I just go with the flow."

Deej just grunts. Gradually her breathing sounds more wakeful. 

"Does your bed smell like me for long after I've been in it?"

"Not long enough."

She giggles. "Mmm, one of these days things will line up when we get to be totally alone and you'll get full range, I'll do my best to not pop too soon."

"Same here."

She giggles, "I should get home, remember all that shit we carried in? It'll be like Christmas rediscovering what's in the boxes."

"And little sis needs big sis."

"OH, gonna start running with Dad some mornings."

"Can he keep up with you?"

"Heh, I'm the slacker these days so we'll see. But I can feel myself getting sluggish and do not like it."

"Could you teach karate at your level?"

"Yeah as an assistant for the starters."

"Sounds right."

"Well see..." then switches to muppet voice, "VEE SHALL SEE," then pulls him in for more sugar.

"Thanks for this weekend, dear."

"Mmmm this was the best, I seriously don't think I ever laughed that hard."

"Sheesh."

"OH, just thought of something, what's the chance you guys will play golf with Vance, like with your dad and...Tim?"

"I'll have to ask him, was thinking about it but I'll be the rookie stooge - DON'T say it."

She just smiles and pecks his nose.

"Timbutt is about due for a trip home, been since summer, I hear he may bring a someone back too."

Raising her eyebrows, "Really now, is she human?"

"We'll settle for less than three heads."

She chuckles and starts redoing her blouse "Alright tater..<peck>...um, call me?"

"When's best nowadays?"

"Hmm, depends on whether you want me alone or in a group."

"Gotcha."

Nick gets himself back to public appearance while she grabs a brush from her purse and does the same.

They descend the stairs to find Ned asleep under his Tribune and Deej plops down next to Irene to give her a squeeze and a peck.

At her car she gets a mini-once over, more of a quarter-over, and she embarks..

This has been a long day but the wind is low and there's daylight left, so he bundles up a bit and takes a fall bike ride, just for about twenty minutes, but for some reason he thinks of April and wonders how that situation is going, not that the situation makes much sense.

Upon returning he finds Ned staring at the last plays of the game, 

"Dad were you planning to play any more golf one of these days?"

"Hmmm? Oh, maybe, sure been a while."

"I think someone's hoping we can hit a few with Vance, sounds like he's become a real junkie at it. I could rent clubs."

"Yeah we could handicap you to the moon, your boss used to play, all that could be good for a laugh."

"Hmm, I'll see."

Irene just smiles and Nick senses she's in on Deej's angle, one way or another.

But an intricate day like this calls for a soak to clear the head, and so it goes.