Practice Makes Perfect.

Karina had always considered herself to be lucky. For whatever reason, she has always had luck on her side and she’s never once questioned it. However, she did feel like it was going to run out tonight. The mere thought of possibly losing Lisa made her sick to her stomach and it showed as she continued spinning the ring on her finger. Her father would find it to be deserving probably and Karina would never forgive herself. All these thoughts ran through her head and she tried her best to push it to the back as she listened to Lisa once it was her fault. She certainly didn’t deserve this clemency; that much was true but she was grateful for it and when Lisa joined her side, she positioned herself so that she was facing her wife. 

It felt important to have Lisa look into her eyes. Especially with how easy it was for Karina to lie and to get her way with things when it came to gambling. Karina needed Lisa to see just how genuine she was and how she wasn’t just trying to save her own ass. This wasn’t about her. It was about her wife and Allison. Hearing everything Lisa had to say, she flashed her a small smile and shook her head in response. “No more secrets. And I’m definitely never involving myself with those crazies, I promise. I really don’t want them anywhere near us or Allison either so I will make sure I don’t pull them into our lives. I’ll destroy all the tapes. I’ll make sure Derrick does it as soon as he gets back to the studio.” 

Hearing Karina agree to them having a relationship without secrecy, Lisa gave one firm nod and then listened to her add on to it with what she planned to do. “Thank you,” Lisa replied, a little bit of a clipped tone. She drew in a deep breath and turned in her wedding gown, letting it back out with a sigh. Giving herself another moment to calm down once and for all, Lisa faced Karina again. “Okay. If we’re both agreed to putting this behind us, then I guess we should get back to our reception.” She then took a quick look in the mirror to make sure everything was intact on her face--her make-up, hairstyle, and jewelry, and then made her way to the door. With one hand on the handle, she turned slightly and extended her other hand to Karina.

Yeah, I ordered them the first day of hte blizzard so that they’d get delivered shortly after the snow let up. 

Good, I’m glad to hear that. What sort of books did you listen to while we were all shut in from the storm?

Oh, I absolutely have to have at least 21 seasons. Maybe 25. And yes, that is the spite talking again because the Kardashians are ending with season 20. But really I’m just happy to be on the air as long as people want to watch. 

Wow. Well, I hope the pure spite works out for you. Seriously. It must be a tough balancing act though, with your show, your music career and your personal life commitments. I know that it’s near-constant juggling for me with my work and home life.

I am excellent at bribery. That’s the best way to make it as a single parent, so I have plenty of experience with Sofia. 

Then I would say that even as someone who’s no longer a single parent, that that might be something for you to utilize in this case.

Yeah, my situation definitely sounds more humorous. I know the way straight men can get - dangerous. So I really feel for all women when they’re hit on. But I’m sure when the realization hit him it was hilarious. Some guys are so dumb.

You certainly said it best. I’m glad that your situation stayed pretty harmless though, even with a woman approaching you. The ring should have been enough to tell her to take a hike, but I know we don’t live in “Should”-land. Shameless flirts aside, how are things with you, James?

Oh you’ve gotta try some of them! Wits and Wagers is like the best thing to happen to trivia games ever! You can win without even getting any right possibly! How have you been doing, Lisa?

You’re going to have to explain to me how to play some of those, and how you can win a game without getting anything right. I’ve been okay. I had a cold recently but I’m better now and back at work and also helping Allison get ready for her next recital. How are you?

I was at the gym today, and this lady was making heart eyes at me for like ten minutes. I was just trying to get some cardio in, and I showed her my left hand with the ring on it. Then she walked over to me and said “Your wife is a lucky woman.” I had to let her know she was barking up the wrong tree. Not even in the same forest.

I’ve been hit on by guys and had to tell them something similar before I was married--about them barking up the wrong tree. Your situation sounds less annoying and more humorous but still. One guy got mad and asked if he was out of my league, as though I was being a snob. I flat out told him we're playing for the same team and watching him work it out on his face was so satisfying.

Well with lots of them you can easily organize these crazy one night tournaments that are super fun! I’ve picked up quite a few different games, but the most recent ones are Skull, Spyfall 2, Wits and Wagers, and Deception: Murder in Hong Kong! So a pretty good mix!

Well, I’m clearly far out of the board game loop. I’ve never heard of any of those. Here I thought you were going to say something like...Cranium or Clue or Sorry or something.

Karina wasn’t an expert at this. In truth, she hardly made an attempt to defend her character with anyone. She’s never had to. Even with her father, she’d dissociate. It was the best way to handle the situation, in her eyes. Derrick often called her out for seemingly coming off as selfish even if that’s never the intent, it’s good that people call her out on it. At least those who matter to her and Lisa had quickly become part of that very small group of people. She wasn’t trying to garner pity but in that moment, she could see why she’d come off that way. She was, as hard it is to admit, trying to flee in that moment. Karina felt like she’s already ruined enough and Lisa of all people didn’t deserve to be wrapped up in that. Allison definitely didn’t. And while Karina didn’t know the full details to what happened and what Lisa had gone through, it was easy to see even as a complete stranger how much that little girl meant to her wife. 

Karina kept her silence as she listened and when Allison was brought up, she looked up at Lisa with what she hoped was the most genuine expression she could muster up. “You should expect the same ferocity. I mean, down the line. You should absolutely expect that from someone who has exchanged vows with you and will be living in the space as you and Allison. I promise you that I will protect her like she is my own. Well, she is my own. I won’t hurt her. I’m very sorry that I’ve hurt you.” 

Karina listened to the question, her fingers gently turning the ring on he finger. She’ll have to get it resized. Unknowingly, she had lost a couple of pounds stressing over the documentary, getting another in finished in it’s place, explaining to her parents that matched would be a good thing for her, and planning the wedding. It wasn’t something she allowed herself to dwell in. The moment she did that, she’d lose her composure. But when Lisa asked her the question, she raised a brow as she tried to gather her thoughts. It was a lot to reveal but not something she wasn’t willing to especially now after what Lisa had discovered and now that they were married. “I always hoped we’d work out. Even then. I know that a lot of our problems as a couple stemmed from my immaturity. I guess I secretly wished I had that second chance and the stars aligned? I always make that lucky joke, you know? Haha, I’m so lucky because I’m always striking it big or whatever and because things always seem to go my way. And I thought that the moment I met you like wow, this great woman actually likes me. And that luck ran out when things didn’t end up working out. I know we remained friends and all and that was more than I could ask for.” She shrugged and chuckled a bit. “I’m rambling. I guess, if you want a clear response to your question, I didn’t back down because I’ve always felt a certain kind of away about you. It’s no surprise my family adores you and I thought that being matched to you, that luck came back and that I’d have that second chance. So you can see how much I hate that I’ve already started off on the wrong foot with you. I—i know that’s a lot and I’m sorry and I don’t expect reciprocation. I really don’t. But I’m definitely the lucky one here tonight and way back then and when I got notification of who is my match and now and always. I hope I can make you feel a sliver of that someday.” 

Lisa was continuing to listen intently and while she wanted to believe Karina right then, her guard was up too high at the moment to take her promise at face value. She would have to see it with time and proof. But hearing Karina explain why she stayed on the Matched app... truthfully, Lisa was a little at a loss for words. She and Karina did have something back then, or else there wouldn’t have been a past relationship and more like a past fling. And she knew that Karina was a good person, even if her upset towards the brunette had spiked and was coming down about as slowly as sap on a tree. Deep breaths helped though.

Drawing in another one and slowly sighing it out, Lisa turned her back to Karina and slowly paced the length of the room a couple of times before returning to the spot she’d been previously standing in. She then moved to take a seat on the bed and looked up at Karina. “Well... I stayed because despite us not working before, there were some good moments, and we aren’t the exact same people that we were back in college. Life’s changed since then. Our responsibilities have changed, and so-on. And I’m hoping that those changes are for the better for whatever future we have together. Obviously the app’s algorithm saw something still between us that we... or I haven’t fully seen yet, but I’m biting into the cliche of trusting the process. More than that, I’d been willing to trust you. That’s what infuriated me so much. And I know you’re sorry, and I know you said that you didn’t mean for things to happen the way that they did, but here we are. So...” Lisa’s eyes bore into the floor as she thought about a way forward, lips pursed as they often were when she was thinking hard. When her light eyes looked back up to Karina’s face, she said, “No more secrets, and for the love of all things, no more involving yourself in that sad excuse of a sorority. Because you and I are married now and if you involve yourself, you’re involving me and I don’t want to be pulled back into their juvenile garbage, nor do I want Allison getting swept up into any potential drama. I need an honest agreement to that, so that we can both put this behind us.”

Legos, play with Han which doesn’t help when Han wants to just stay in my office. And I’ve been trying to get him to do some homework, but that’s definitely not going well. 

Are you opposed to bribery or striking a compromise with him?

Good. If you weren’t probably would have ordered you some soup. 

Thank you, Timothy, that’s very thoughtful of you. I’m assuming you were able to get your screen readers replaced?

Partially spite.  I hate the Kardashians and how annoying they are so I like stealing their views and showing something that actually shows better role models.  Plus it also gives a lot of insight into the music business that I think a lot of people don’t realize, so it helps beat a lot of the myths. And I like the connection that it gives me with my fans, because it’s very different than just interacting through social media because it lets them see that I’m a real person and I make mistakes and I struggle, which is easily forgotten when you’re always only on social media. 

That’s an interesting spectrum of reasons. Do you think you’ll keep the show going for much longer or do you have an end in sight?

Karina: The goal is to bring it down to a single digit lol. Ah yes, thanks. I'll be careful.

Karina: Matter of fact, let me take care of dinner today.

Lisa: At least it's a goal. But good.

Okay so hi everyone! I’m putting this out here as a bit of a water tester as it were… but…. I got some pretty awesome new board games and was wondering if anyone would be interested in maybe like a board game night? Could even get some hot cocoa or something together and have a nice get together! And we could put together like a tournament and everything! I’ve got plenty of games we can try! Some more complex than others and some more combative or co-operative! I think it could be a lot of fun!

A tournament sounds like more than I could commit to at this time, but what board games have you purchased?

Talia nodded. She wanted nothing but good things for her friend so she crossed her fingers and held them up with a tiny grin, letting Lisa know she’d be rooting for her and her soon to be wife. 

“That would be the word.” She chuckled and listened as Lisa spoke about Allison. “That sounds adorable and reminds me of this cute little tent I saw in the shape of a rocket ship. If I see it again, I’ll pick it up for her.” Talia grinned and sat up the moment her massage chair turned off. “Okay. That was delightful. Feeling more relaxed already.” 

“So hip,” Lisa mocked with a small chuckle as well. “Oh, I’m sure she’ll love that. If it’s small enough to go in her room, it’ll probably become her new reading nook. If not, then we’ll figure out a spot in the yard for it to be.” As their massage chairs shut off, Lisa looked over to Talia again and smiled a bit. “Good. Because before we leave, we’re getting actual deep tissue massages. One hour. And I’m willing to bet you’ll fall asleep before the masseuse finishes.”

Yes, that sounds like a great idea. And is different than what I’ve been trying to have him do, so he might like the change of pace. 

I’ll send it to you then. What have you been trying to have him do?