Business As Usual

p: do you think about seventeen

(x)

when you think about me, do you think about seventeen? do you think about my old jeep, think about the stars in the sky;

Karen had avoided him for the better part of twenty years. There had been close encounters before (weddings, funerals, Danny in the hospital and her almost asking his assistant to put her through) but not like this. Daniel had given her an ultimatum those same twenty years ago. He’d wanted everything with her, promised they’d get married, have a big house, be rich and famous. He’d wait until Krystal graduated of course- by then Lila McReid had been another funeral and Karen was all Krystal had- then they could all be together. Happy. Perfect.

He’d ignored a lot of her lies (’your identity as a hunter, as a McReid is the priority’), given her chances, the benefit of the doubt… The truth was that Daniel Moore had been too good to her their whole lives. Too good for her. Too happy, too shiny, too human for the twisted darkness that gripped onto her life.

Daniel had given her an ultimatum- a chance, a way out- and she had said no. Keeping him a million miles away from Havensdale, from hunters, from all the death that followed was the only way she could live with what she’d done. Daniel might hate her but he was alive. Danny might end up hating her too but he was alive.

Twenty years and all it had taken was one damn dance. She couldn’t avoid him at the prom, they were both chaperoning and sooner or later she’d have to look him in the eye. Karen never fell out of love with Daniel but in her world, love wasn’t some big saviour that ruled above all else. That didn’t seem to matter when she’d watched him smile, caught the laughter lines along with the bad joke. It didn’t seem to matter when he took her hand and she felt like she couldn’t breathe all over again. How could anything else have mattered when he was here and real and holding her. He still wanted to hold her.

“Take me home.”

That’s what she’d said- what she’d breathed, what she’d whispered without thinking- when they’d danced. For a moment, the monsters and the darkness didn’t matter. Oh, for a moment she was foolish enough to forget about all that, to forget about how dangerous her life was- how dangerous she was- and just…want. Daniel had given her a promise ring, twenty years ago. She was wearing it tonight on the chain she’d looped it onto through tears back then. God, how could she be so selfish…

There wasn’t time to answer that one as his key turned in the door and she followed him inside. Her fingers were still laced through his. She was still lying. He was still too good for her. “I like the beard, by the way,” she smiled, teasing, “I’m sure it only took, what, ten…fifteen years to grow it?”

She was still the girl he fell in love with. How strange it was, to be twenty years down the drain of a love he’d almost begun to believe was never requited to begin with. But, although that would be the easy answer, it wasn’t the right one. They were real. They always had been. They had too much history, too much time for it to be anything else.

He’d be lying if he said he never checked up on her. Not often, because she’d basically told him to screw off and never talk to her again, and if he let himself get sucked into pretending he was a part of her life he would have been crossing way too many ethical boundaries for comfort, but he had checked. From what he could tell from sporadic facebook posts from people she knew, she’d never done any of the things they talked about doing together with someone else. She’d never lived the life he wanted for them. At the end of the day, he could never decide if that made it better or worse. In a way, it was better, because it meant that maybe she truly hadn’t wanted those things--with anyone--and it hadn’t been a personal statement about him. But in a way it was worse, because he’d never wanted to imagine her alone, no matter how much it would have hurt him to see her with another man.

He’d let himself get lost in the night, in the mood, in the lights--in her eyes. The town had hardly changed in the years since he had last visited, the same cafe’s and festivals and happy people living their small town lives. It was enchanting in its own way. And, yes, maybe he was taken by the charm of it all, but more than that...he was still gone on her.

All it took was one breathless whisper in his ear, sending shivers down his spine, and he was whisking her away to the first place he could think of, no matter the past or the consequences. Damn it all, anyway. She’d always meant more than any consequence ever would. “I thought you’d never ask.”

And then they were home--well, not home, not anywhere close to the home he’d imagined they would build together, but it would do for now. The door slammed shut behind them and he was suddenly all too aware of everything out of place in the room before them. Was this good enough for the girl of his dreams? Did it matter? After all this time, did anything except the fact that they were finally alone together matter? “No you don’t. I can hear it in your voice.” Dan says with a smile, pulling their fingers apart long enough to unlace his shoes. “You’re trying to picture me without it, to compare the me you knew twenty years ago to the me that’s in front of you right now. Well, I’m sorry to break it to you, I don’t even slightly compare. Wait. I said that wrong. I mean that I’m the butterfly, baby me was the cocoon.”

                          Me? Chaperoning prom? (laughs because that’s outrageous.) No, no. I’m not the chaperoning type.

I know exactly what you mean. And yet--[makes vague motion-y gestures] somehow prom takes us all. Do you have kids? That’s usually how they get you. I never knew the public school system involved so much guilting until I grew up and started dealing with it myself.

[Years ago, before Daniel left town, and Karen had their kid, and Krystal “died”, the two were happy together, living the small-town all-American dream. High school sweethearts spending their free time together and....studying...like normal kids. At least, Dan thought they were normal. Geometry problems, and prom in the distant future, and gossip about classmates fills the room as Daniel tries everything he can to move the conversation away from homework]

You do know geometry will be useless when I’m rich and famous, right? [what was it he’d been talking about becoming this week? A world-famous scuba diver? An astronaut? Nothing achievable, that was for sure] My point is, we should not do it, because what’s the point? Before you argue, you don’t need it either, because if I’m rich and famous, you’re also rich and famous, so. Flawless logic, Kare.

“Oooh, Nathan. Nathan’s my dude. No no, wait, he wouldn’t want me to say it like that, that’s not sophisticated enough for his city boy tastes. He’s...uh, a respected fellow business person and--shit, I can’t say that with a straight face, he’s my friend. I think he’s a whip-smart dude, real head for business, an’ I admire his work ethic. Now if I could just get him to sign me as his primary coffee provider, I’d upgrade him to best friend level. Kidding, there’s some sayin’ about not getting in bed with business I feel applies here, but I can’t remember it. Whatever, point is--Everybody should visit his restaurant. il Pi-ack..something french soundin’. I’ll be honest, I never remember how to pronounce it. Shhh.”

“No. What? No. I…I didn’t even grow up here. I just really really like this cafe. And yes, fine, I do work here, but it’s because the coffee is really good, and saying bad stuff about it is…Well, it’s just wrong.”

“That’s...Your brand loyalty is admirable. That’s something company owners would pay big bucks for. But that’s besides the point. I know it’s wrong, but I get a free pass. And I should probably be saying thank you, I’m glad you like Lyndsy’s coffee so much, since it comes from me, and all that.”

“I’m honestly not entirely sure what you just said.” 

“That’s good, that means you can’t get me in trouble with my niece or sister-in-law.”

I mean… I’m sure I was labelled as such a long time before I saw the compliment of it, but thanks. Oi, trees deserve a voice too, and I am that voice. Doctors have been, doctors have tried- we both concluded I was just strong willed. He might not have put it like that but that’s what I took away from it anyway. The tree should be allowed to grow as it pleases. I see no need for man to intervene with the foliage of a tree so alive.

“Elaborate ways of getting a gal’s attention; my area of expertise,” he laughed although a degree of truth rang out there. Then what this guy was saying actually dawned on him and his mouth fell into an ‘O, duh’ shape. “The wedding! Man, that was an awesome party, huh? Not that…you should refer to a wedding reception as a 'party’, probably but still. Are you Jenny’s uncle then, yeah? Me too but I’ve got a pretty sneaky excuse to chaperone 'cause I was helping to coach the football team so technically, I am staff. Well— Okay, not answering. Sounds like a plan though.”

“You’re going to live a hard life, kid. Stay away from sky-writing. It’s embarrassing for everyone.” So this kid was one of those guys, probably idealistic and romantic and definitely going to get his heart broken. Daniel knew the type. He might’ve been the type, in a lifetime forever ago. “No no, I think it works. We were all livin’ it up there, and everyone was dressed up. Close enough to a party to count. I am, the one and only. Well, that’s not true anymore, but I am her favorite uncle. Are you chaperoning to keep an eye on a little sister? Hey, if you work there, technically you have every right to be there, who can argue with that logic? Assistant coach, huh? Did you play ball in high school?”

“Mr Moore, how dare you. You should be ashamed for even thinking that Lyndsy’s is falling behind in the market. How ever will you live with yourself knowing that you’ve turned your back on your family for Starbucks?” While needing her glasses due to being human, Isabel casually slid them up on to the top of her head, not wanting Daniel Moore looking at her with her ugly ass children’s glasses.

“I should be, I should be. You should make sure to tell Lyndsy that I said those things so I learn my lesson. She’ll probably ground me or have me work at the cafe for a week to see the other side of life. Can you imagine?” 

“Perhaps they both should. No offence to small businesses, of course, but I’ve been praying all my life for a Starbucks that isn’t inside a gym or a hotel. When will Havensdale franchise?”

“I think Havensdale will franchise once all of the older, crankier residents have moved on. I just learned Mrs. Fitzherbert is still around and kicking, though, so we may have to wait a while. In the meantime, let’s just enjoy the IHOP.”

“Oh no, I really didn’t mean any offense, don’t call the Havensdale police on me or anything. I don’t doubt they’d make an arrest for blasphemy like everything I just said.”

“......”

“That is entirely overly-extravagant and deeply devious- you would have nailed it on Shark Tank as a guest judge. You only think it’s more fun because you haven’t been scolded via Lyndsy McArthur selected emojis. It was nice knowing you. I-,” she was about to protest but ended up laughing instead which felt just so nice. After everything that had happened last night… Jenny wasn’t sure that she was even capable of feeling light today. Thankfully her eyes hadn’t filled with tears. “Somehow I don’t think you’re going to hear anything else that might even remotely protest that. I hope you still have a tie. Oh my gosh. Stop. I don’t even wanna image how intense that must be. Moore versus Moore, to the death. Can’t wait to see the next big step out coffee is going to go in either way.”  

“And that’s exactly why I’ll nail it next season. For real this time, no matter how desperately Ashton calls the producers asking for my spot again. Kidding, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t personal. That’s true, but don’t you think I should live through that experience? We all need to grow as people, and I think an emoji scolding would really mature me. It was nice knowing me, like I’m the next door neighbor and not the person who changed your diapers. Diaper. I’m sure there were multiple occasions, but I’m blanking on all but the one time.” Although he was a little surprised she wasn’t arguing more (it had to be reverse psychology, right? There was no way a sixteen-year-old girl actually wanted her embarrassing uncle at her prom. Right?), he accepted it. “You think I don’t own a tie? Jenny, c’mon, what kind of self-respecting adult do you think I am? That being said, my job hasn’t really required any kind of formal neck-wear in a really long time, so all of my ties are probably from the nineties. I should buy a new one. Unless you’re open to me wearing one of the many bowties I’ve been forced to keep for events. Exactly, Moore versus Moore--and one day I’ll even teach you how to do it. It’ll be your graduation present. That and something ridiculously material that your mom will definitely hate.”

“You think? My aunt would be so proud if my future was headed in some sorta coffee-centric direction so I will definitely look into that. TM. Don’t worry about it, Havensdale can be a lot to take in regardless of how ‘small town’ it is. I mean, everyone’s so close-knit that you pretty much need a cheat-sheet just to get through the day without offending anyone. Mostly, I’d just avoid Mrs Fitzherbert at all costs. You’d know her when you see her. You just described Sal’s perfectly,” she laughed, her grin widening at his improvised hat tip. “We’re a pro-Sal’s household but that’s mostly because it was the only place that’d feed the whole football with minimum complaint. Really? Huh. I can totally stick with ’Jenny’s uncle’ then. Yes! I mean, really who isn’t- she’s Jenny. But we cheer together. I’m Carrie McReid.”

“Oh I definitely think. And especially if you’d be making your family proud. Wait, you aren’t related to Rhonda, are you? Havensdale is most definitely a lot. I feel like I was lied to about small town living. Maybe you guys should put out some tourism brochures or something. Avoid Mrs. Fitzherbert....got it. She sounds like the type to chat my ear off and then complain about me being on her property. Probably wearing something that makes her look like a 1900′s orphanage matron? I’m picturing tweed, or is that too children’s book villain? Alright, I’ll be pro-Sal’s as well, then. I’ve just got to keep taking pointers from the respectable families around here, and I’ll be in the clear. She’ll love that, I’m sure. This is true, I’ve yet to meet someone who didn’t like her. It feels impossible, honestly. Oh--Carrie the cheerleader, I do think she mentioned you during one of her prom rants. You are nominated for prom queen, right?” He paused, brain taking a moment to catch up with the conversation. Did she say--? There was a family resemblance...She must be Krystal’s kid. How awful. “McReid, you said? That’s...wow. I went to high school with your mom. She was really great.” It was technically true, even if it wasn’t really how he’d known Krystal. But going into the mess that had been the end of his relationship with Karen was the last thing he needed to do with her family member.

“Ooh, is that fighting talk I hear? You know, one bad review from coffee mogul Daniel Moore and whole towns just go ahead and shut down, give up and retire from civilization. You should really be careful with what you let that mouth of yours go around doing. For public safety, obviously.”

“Hey, Dan. … Did you say pick-me-up?”

“Coffee mogul might be stretching it. Could I get away by calling myself a coffee emperor? Still, somehow I doubt I could do that much damage to Havensdale. This place seems hardy. No, that’s not right. Tightly-knit? Still not the word I’m looking for, though it is accurate. Maybe...unbreakable. Now you sound like my niece. Still, two votes for Dan shutting his mouth means I should--” [mimes zipping his mouth closed and locking it like a real dork].