rage against the dying

“I know, I didn’t want to put you in a difficult decision,” Cam said quickly to the man in front of her. The words stung a little. He was moving on, which he should be after ten years. Just like she should be but here she was… She definitely wasn’t. “I hope you’re happy with this new person in your life.” Even though the words were hard to her, the words were true. He deserved the best. “Well, in that case. Do you want to go and hang out sometime? Maybe with Alex as well and some others?” If that would make it less uncomfortable in the beginning…

It hadn’t been a difficult decision. Truthfully, it never would be. Oliver valued Cam’s presence in his past, but he would always choose Cory. She was what he needed right now. He just didn’t know how to say that out loud to Cam. “Um... yeah, we can do that.” 

“Do you work at all with the younger ones?” She asked, know that he worked as a social worker, as she went to some of the conferences through her degree program. Maybe if he’d been working while Josie was still in school, she wouldn’t have fallen through the cracks. “Well, there it is, you can make any situation awkward. I think that’s a brilliant superpower and could be quite entertaining.”

“High schoolers, actually,” Oliver clarified. “They’re like little ones except that they have sex.” During undergrad, Oliver had volunteered at a daycare believing that he would pursue a career in early childhood education. He’d always been amazed by how much the daycare had resembled a high school with its cliques and personalities. “You’re right. It’s kind of amazing how awkward I can be.”

“Oh, Oliver Bentley, you absolutely do not,” Corinna grinned, head shaking. Keys jangled as she fiddled with the remote lock. Clicking on the green button, she shrugged the tote off her shoulder while pulling the back door open, tossing it on the seat. Glancing at him, her head tilted quickly. “Get in, chocolate lover,” she opened her door and slid in, pressing the key into the ignition. “You have to help me, though,” she finally spoke once she pulled out of the oddly crowded parking space, index finger wiggling in self-defense. “Been a minute since I’ve made them,” she admitted.

Oliver followed her lead and entered the car. He, himself, wasn’t a driver. Not that he didn’t know how to. His father had insisted that he learn and Oliver had gotten his license shortly after turning sixteen. It had been provisional, of course, but the sentiment was the same -- autonomy. Since moving to Maywood, though, he’d simply given up on the idea. It simply didn’t make sense economically. Plus, he enjoyed riding his bike.

“I’m going to be honest,” he began, running his fingers up and down the seat belt strap that sat across his chest. “I’m not a good baker, but I’m good at reading instructions and measuring things.”

Sutton nodded. “That’s me. No problem.” she grinned. “I mean it’s not everyday that you found out news like this.” she took a seat across from him. Sutton took a minute to see if he looked familiar at all. He did a little bit. “Obviously there’s not really a guidebook about what to do when it comes to first meetings like this.” Sutton cleared her throat. “But I know I have questions and I guess I was curious to know if maybe you had some as well.” 

Oliver couldn’t agree more. The entire situation was strange. One day he was spitting into a test tube to humor an inkling that he’d had, the next he was sitting across the table meeting his half sister. “Funny how the world works,” he said. “I mean, yes. So many. But I figured introductions would be a good place to start. I’m Oliver. I’m a social worker. I guess we have a mother in common.”

“Well they’re wrong and you can tell them I said so.” Dominic spoke with a small grin as he almost rolled his eyes at his own statement. It wasn’t likely that anyone would change their opinion about something just because he said they were wrong. “I’m no good at it either I’m afraid. Even with a recipe I just feel like it doesn’t turn out as well as it should. I hope my partner is good at baking so I can just be pretty and hand them things.”

“Can I have that in print?” Oliver flashed a small smile so that Dominic knew that he was only joking. Still, it was nice to have a confidence boost. “Same. My plan is to stay out of their way as much as possible. Though I’m pretty good at reading recipes and measuring things if I do say so myself.” 

Cam looked down at the white suit that she was wearing. She preferred this over a dress and Oliver was right; it was more practical than a dress. Definitely. She quickly nodded when he let her know that something like that could not happen again. “Yeah, I know. And it won’t happen again. I think I was just in the moment, the last kiss we would ever share something like that.” And she was rambling again. Great. It hadn’t even been a full kiss, so what was she even talking about. The woman took a deep breath. If she wanted to work on a friendship between them, she would have to relax. “I just wanted to say that… I hope we can be friends. Because even though it has been ten years, you were one of my best friends and I can honestly say I never had such a good friend ever since.”

Oliver hadn’t meant for his words to come across as harsh. He’d always been bad at setting boundaries in his personal life. He’d learned to set them with clients, but in his own life, Oliver struggled. Any attempt to do so had always felt heavy handed to him. “I get it,” he replied, hand running through his curls. “It’s just that, I’m seeing someone now, and that’s not a line that I can cross again.” Cam had been out of his life for ten years, but there was a part of Oliver that would always think of her. She was his first love after all. It would be impossible to tell his story without mentioning her. “I would like that.”

“I don’t know, everything I guess” he mused. Having had grown up in Maywood, Stefan was well aware how the Founder’s week worked but he had moved out of town for college years ago, and it was now ages since he had actually been to one. While he had been in town last year, he barely even paid attention to i. “Flo is excited about the parades, apparently some kids at the day care told her all about it.”

Oliver loved children. There was something so pure about them. He especially loved the wonderment in their eyes whenever they experienced something new. “I’m kind of jealous of kids,” he replied. “You know... Imagine experiencing things for the first time. Imagine thinking that the world is still full of goodness. I guess that’s kind of why I love this week so much.”

“I guess kids just do the cutest things.” She said with a small laugh, but there was swirling of mourning in her stomach. It’d been over 4 years and the loss still seemed to kill a piece of her every day. Just the same, she didn’t let it show in more than a flicker of sadness across her features. “It wouldn’t be if they had a pie eating contest with a cash prize.” Josie laughed, that’d be the dream event for her. “Yeah, otherwise, pretty useless. But what’s your superpower?”

“They definitely do,” Oliver agreed. If social work hadn’t worked out, he would have definitely pursued a career in childhood education. He just loved being around small children. They were so untainted by the world. “Hmm... I don’t think I have one. I’m just a guy who likes sweets too much and can find a way to make any situation awkward.”

“Ah sounds interesting, I’ll have to check it out. I can honestly say I have no idea what instagram worth trends are. I let one of the assistants at work run our instagram account. I figure that’s safer since I have no idea what hash tags are correct to use.” He chuckles and nods. “Oh I’m sure. though i’m sure some of the older timers will be fussy about it. Old timers and young blood don’t generally mix”

“Old folk are always fussy.” Oliver laughed at that. He didn’t typically spend a lot of time around older folks, but his experiences had all been similar. “But that’s how change happens. By incorporating the younger kids. I can’t tell you how creative and interesting the kids I work with are. They’d be an addition to the event if it was marketed well.”

“A schedule,” Lindy’s tongue poked her cheek to conceal her laugh. “Well, just remember to take a breather, have some water, people go crazy for this, but it doesn’t mean you’re obligated to just ‘cause you live here. Last year, I didn’t do anything, but the dance, I think,” she shrugged as she reminisced. “I’m bustin’ your balls, Oliver, I know that,” she shook her head, a giggle bubbling from her chest. “I was actually on my way to buy some elephant ears, y’all want some? Could tell me about what you’re doing for your box since I’m not doing that this year.”

Lindy’s advice was good and Oliver promised to take them into consideration. He usually got overly excited to the detriment of his own body. “I promise to drink water. Scouts honor.” A blush bloomed across his face as she laughed. He was still getting used to saying that he was seeing someone and the relationship was so new that this would be their first public event. It was all so nerve wracking. “I’m kind of nervous about it,” he admitted. “Not that there’s anything to be nervous about. I just feel like I haven’t dated someone steadily in so long. That and the fact that my longest relationship sort of imploded.” He shrugged and shoved his hands in his pants pocket. “Sure. Anything to see that cute nugget of yours. As for boxes, I’m participating. Nothing special. Just desserts and Golden Girls.”

She gave a nod at this chosen event. “Nice. I typically don’t participate in that because being born and raised here and some client at my job, I feel like there’s very little I don’t know about the town and people who live here.” she grinned. “I probably no more than one should.” she joked. 

“That’s cool,” Oliver breathed. He’d always been interested in strange facts. Growing up in Philadelphia, there had always been something to learn about the city. Maywood was a smaller town in comparison, but it was full of its own history. “I’m sure you could always help to host the event, or even come up with trivia questions. I’m pretty sure they’ve been using the same batch of questions for the last four years, at least.” 

Josie smiled, pulling off another piece of her own candy floss. “It’s because it’s so cheap.” She explained in a matter-of-fact way, popping the handful of pure sugar into her mouth. This was the brunette’s 24th Founders Week to date, and the day with the food was always her favorite. “This is a dangerous day for parents with nothing smaller than a ten.” That’s what her father had given her to go buy a treat one year, while he was still alive. She’d probably been five or six at the time and she returned with ten bags of cotton candy. It was a miracle she’d been able to hold onto them all with her short arms and small hands, but she’d been determined. “Yeah, it’s not a good idea to leave me alone with sweets, or baked goods. I can eat twice my body weight in both without a second thought.”

“I can imagine.” Oliver answered. He couldn’t though. As a child, he’d never really had experiences like this. His father had worked too many hours, and the hours he did have off, had been spent doing practical things. Carnivals did not fall into that category. Perhaps, that was the reason why he enjoyed Founders’ Week so much. “That seems like an incredible skill to have. Not entirely useful, but incredible.”

“Don’t say that. You had just as much reason to win as the other guy.” And even though she probably shouldn’t have, Cam had voted for him in the end. She walked out of the large hall where the party was given, finding her way to the gardens that belonged to the Mayor’s House. “I like the outfit, it fits you. I mean, no suit,” she said to him as she turned around so she could face him again once they were in the fresh air. “Anyways, I wanted to say I’m sorry for last time. I probably went too far with… that kiss after we hadn’t seen each other for such a long time.”

Oliver followed a half step behind Cam. “Thanks,” he replied. “I like yours too. Seems very practical for photo taking.” He slid his hands into his pockets and waited for her to speak again. “Oh, yeah. That.” Oliver rocked back on his heel. He hadn’t much thought about the sort of kiss that had ended their last conversation. “It’s okay. Really.” What else could he say? They’d been in the middle of an emotional conversation and Cameron had reacted. “Though it’s not something that can happen again.”

“It is a little dramatic, but I had to give up my title so I think I deserve to be a little dramatic even for a moment.” She told him with a laugh. She knew she had been a tad dramatic over this, but with it being her first win she had wanted to do it big. Instead it ended with her passing the crown on to another. “I have to say I am thankful that shorts are now an option.” She’d taken full advantage of returning to her old clothes and not wasting a bit of time with those hot dresses anymore. “Oh no. Don’t cut the hair. It doesn’t deserve to be touched with the scissors. Let it be long and curly.” 

Ollie nodded his agreement. She did deserve a few minutes of dramatic. “Why’d you give it up anyway,” he asked.  “I was happy when I heard you’d won. Is that something I can say?” He shook his head, sweeping the curls that hung in his face out of his eyes. “They’re getting a bit too long,” he admitted. “I’m sort of annoyed with constantly being stabbed in the eye by strands of hair.”