Chapter 1.39

Chapter 1.39-Common Ground

            The discomfort of the three in the limo was almost visible it was so strong. Anthony had tried to leave room for Layla to sit next to him, but she had refused. Layla couldn’t stand Arden and would have loved to have clawed her eyes out. Arden was angry that she was having to include another couple in her prom-night plans. Then the dry-cleaners had destroyed her dress leaving her with nothing to wear but a mismatched skirt and top. Finally Galen’s shoelace had broken and he was still trying to get it fixed which left the others sitting uncomfortably in the limo waiting on him so they could leave.

            As a start for prom night went, things were looking pretty dismal.

            And by the time the limo finally pulled out into the freezing night everyone was pretty rattled.

            In the little house left behind Helen had received a thrill. She was in Galen’s room taking pictures down off the walls when her phone rang.

            “Phedra!” She breathed excitedly. “How’s paradise?”

            They hadn’t heard from her in several weeks. Her flight training concluded, her language lessons over, she had travelled out to the village she was to be working in. During her last phone call she explained that the nearest phone would be a 4 hour trek from the village she was in. She could only call when she needed to be in the larger village for supplies, which wouldn’t be often. This was the first time.

            Even then, this call wasn’t as planned as she had hoped. She really still had plenty of supplies, but she was discouraged. Only a few children were able to attend her classes. Most of the others were needed to work at home.

            “Teach the ones you can, and they can teach the others. You’ll see. Even helping a few is better than none.”

            Helen’s heart soared as she listened to Phedra through the static on the line. Hearing how her daughter was nearly made her obsession over the computer seem trivial and petty.

            She told Phedra about the snow. Phedra told her about how she was so sick of being nothing but hot all the time.

            Helen told her about Buck’s arthritis and folks around town. Phedra painted word pictures of the village she lived in. Of the tiny chieftan who held such power, such sway. How she’d almost been sent packing because one of her bracelets had a pattern on it that was a little too similar to something taboo.

            And finally, she told Helen something to make any mother’s heart soar.

            Phedra told her mother just how much she missed her cooking.

            “Sweetheart,” Helen told her. “I love you, too.”

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            In the end, Prom wasn’t the total disaster Layla thought it would have been. There were a few snafu’s and bobbles, but nothing really major. Anthony had been kind, though he insisted that they talk as they danced which had annoyed Layla quite a bit at first. But once they finally found a common ground it was a little easier.

            Arden had even settled down once they arrived at the restaurant, and had then promptly ignored Anthony and Layla the rest of the night to their immense relief.

            When Galen and Layla had finally arrived home, both were starving, their parents were in bed, and each was anxious to talk about their night.

            “Did you see Selena slip during the smustle?”

            “Arden talked about her panties for at least an hour,” Galen answered. “I didn’t see them myself, but I felt like I did.”

            “It was awesome.” Layla giggled.

            “Couldn’t have happened to a nicer sim, hmmm?” Galen gently reminded her that Layla and Selena were once friends.

            “She once told me she thought your hair was stupid.”

            “I wasn’t the one who was friends with her,” Galen couldn’t be rattled by anything tonight. Things had gone exceptionally well for him. “Plus Arden thinks her hair is stupid.”

            Layla giggled. She was quite willing to be nice to Arden if she planned on ignoring Layla.

            “So,” There were so many other things that had happened he was wanting to talk about. Galen could barely contain himself. “So, after tonight, I’ve decided that I really do want to ask Arden to marry me. Looking around at every other girl in the school gathered right there in one room and dressed up, Arden outshone them all for me. Even in her outfit. She’s the one for me.”

            Layla nodded. She’d expected this some time ago, but had really expected it to be Arden informing Galen that he’d be proposing and what time to show up for the wedding she already had planned.

            Taking a big bite out of the hamburger Layla expected Galen to go on about his darling Arden and all her virtues compared to their lacking classmates when he dropped a bomb on her.

            “And I saw how well you and Anthony get along,” Galen’s voice was smooth as silk. “Are there wedding bells in the future there also?”

            If she hadn’t just swallowed, Layla’s sure she’d be dead from choking. Instead, she takes a deep breath and another bite. Galen can wait as she formulates her answer.

            Galen’s smile slips as he watches his sister. In her eyes, he can see the wheels turning.

            “One day,” Layla leaned forward as she spoke. “One day I’m going to get married. It’ll be outside near a pond on a bright and sunny day. And I’ll be very happy.”

            Pausing to wait until Galen is about to take a bite adds good dramatic effect. She wants him to listen to her. And she wants him to realize that he still has no control over her life.

            “But as to who the groom is,” she finally continued with a voice of steel. “I have no idea who that person is.”

            “It was just a question.” Galen is a little put out. He’d shelled out information that was highly valuable to him. There was no need for her to do that. It was okay with him if she wanted to marry Anthony. Really. And with his room being renovated and a computer added, right now, he was even willing to tell Arden that they would live here with his folks. He was rather partial to his childhood home. Layla and Anthony could get their own house if they wanted.

            Layla blocked further attempts at conversation by dismissing him.

            “You’d better wash that dish before you go to bed. Mom’ll have a duck if she wakes up and there are dishes in the sink.”

            Galen took her hint, getting up to wash his plate and go to bed. It was too late to reason with his stubborn sister anyway.

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            Short filler chapter. But the next one is going to be a little long to make up for it. Also, it’ll have a lot going on. Much more plot and all that.
            Also, in the shots where Helen was on the phone with Phedra, Phedra was standing right on the other side of the wall. lol. If I had shown what Helen saw out the window while she was talking you would have had a great shot of Phedra.
            It may take me a little bit to get back to those who comment for a few days and I'm so sorry. I'm having my wisdom teeth removed Thursday morning and I'm hearing I'll be a bit loopy for a day or so. In the meantime, thank you for reading and commenting!