the quiet between us

Delia: Hello?

Reed: Hi Mom

Chiquita: Hi Mama!

Delia: It’s so good to see your faces, you look good!

Chiquita: We missed you Mama!

Delia: I’ve missed you too. How’s Don? Is he home?

Reed: He’s too busy working on lesson plans to be bothered to talk

Delia: Oh, I’m sure he’s very busy settling into this new job. It’s very exciting for him, a long term substitute teacher? He has a class of his own.

Chiquita: I don’t know if he can come for Thanksgiving, but Gene can! He said his exam got moved so we can come even earlier

Delia: About Thanksgiving, I do have some news. Gene already knows, but do you remember Carl? One of Uncle Austin’s hunting buddies?

Reed: No. Why would I?

Chiquita: Was he the one with no hair?

Delia: He has hair, honey… But yes.

Chiquita: Then yes!

Delia: Well, for a few months now we’ve been seeing each other

Reed: What?

Delia: It’s not too serious, but we are quite fond of each other

Chiquita: Really?! Mama, that's so exciting! Is he romantic? Does he bring you flowers? Do you think you’ll get married?

Reed: You’re kidding, right? 

Delia: Like I said, we’re taking things slow. 

Reed: You have a boyfriend?

Chiquita: I’m so happy for you, Mama

Delia: So about Thanksgiving…

Delia: Carl’s son lives in Houston and he’s expecting a baby in the spring, so he wants to drive down for Thanksgiving. 

Chiquita: So we won't meet him?

Delia: Actually, he asked me to go with him

Reed: Wait…

Delia: I know you’re supposed to spend Thanksgiving with me, but I figured it’s such a short break it just isn’t worth it-

Reed: Seriously?

Delia: Your father agreed to swap Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, so you can spend your whole winter break down here in Chestnut Ridge with me and Grandma Mamie and Your Aunties and Uncles and Cousins

Reed: You’re fucking serious? You’d rather see your new boyfriend and his kids than spend Thanksgiving with your own? I already told Connor I can’t go to his party that Friday! And Jerry was gonna invite me on his family’s ski trip- I can’t go if I’m in fuck-ass Chestnut Ridge!

⸻ beginning | previous | next ⸻

♪ now playing: the boys of summer

Transcript:

Vera: Well, I'll be damned. I thought you skipped town for good.

Xavier: Vera?!

Vera: In the flesh.

Vera: You here because of your dad?

Xavier: Yeah. Had to come back eventually, I guess.

Vera: I know things between you two were... complicated. Still. I'm sorry, Xavier.

Xavier: ...Thanks. So what about you? Last I heard you were tattooing somewhere in the city. How’d you end up back here?

Vera: It kind of just fell into my lap, honestly. My uncle was retiring and needed someone to take over the building. My old shop wasn’t exactly working out anymore and I’d always wanted my own studio… so I took the leap.

Xavier: Wow. So you own this place now?

Vera: Mhm. It’s been about a year and a half now, the first few months were just constant renovations… but it was worth it. Never thought I’d want to settle down here, but it feels good to be back.

Xavier: Well, it looks good. Really good, actually. Much better than your uncle’s old barber shop.

Vera: [laughs] I can’t disagree with you on that but thanks.

Xavier: [glances around] You know what? I’ve been wanting to finish my upper body for a while now. Might as well have you take a crack at it while I’m here.

Vera: Oh… I’m actually headed out of town tomorrow. I’ll be gone for about three weeks.

Xavier: Damn. Need a long vacation from this place already?

Vera: Sort of. I’m getting married.

Xavier: Ah. So the settling down thing’s happening immediately.

Vera: Pretty much. I know the timing sucks but I do have another artist here.

Xavier: Yeah? I don’t know…

Vera: Just look at this before you reject the idea completely.

Vera: This is Cass’s work. Honestly, these probably match what you have better than my style would.

Xavier: Yeah… I guess it kinda does. [pauses] Alright. Go ahead and book me.

[Xavier adds tattoo appointment to his calendar “Tattoo w/ Cass on May 17 at 11:30AM at Silk Rose Tattoo”]

Finn: I thought Windenburg Island was private property.

Avery: It is. The founder of Kasper Institute purchased it more than fifty years ago.

Finn: Aren’t you worried that I might try to escape?

Avery: It’s below zero out here. I consider you smart enough not to jump into the water.

Finn: I could steal your keycard and escape through the tunnel.

Avery: Hmm~ you could. But I don’t think you will.

Finn: That patient of yours… are they… are they alright?

Avery: You mean Dr. Miller’s patient? They’ll be fine. They weren’t following instructions closely, which resulted in some unexpected side effects.

Finn: Oh… okay. Will they… be kicked out of the study?

Avery: Hm? No. We’re grateful for everyone willing to help us test new medication. If anything, it’s a reminder to make sure participants are following instructions carefully.

Finn: … I see.

Avery: Why are you asking?

Finn: Oh… no particular reason. Just… making conversation, I guess.

author's note: Oh to be blessed with snow instead of suffering through a heatwave.