“Violet?” Rina asks after ringing the bell.

“Rina! Hi! I’m glad you came, come on in.” Violet greets her with a warm smile and waves her in. Rina sighs with relief. Violet hadn’t sounded angry on the phone but she’d still worried that she was headed to the house of an angry mother. A validly angry mother. She lets out a sigh of slight relief and follows the woman inside.


“Thank you for coming.” Violet says as they sit down. “I know you’re a busy woman and I don’t mean to be a pest I just thought...well I wanted to tell you about something that happened at your son’s’ party the other weekend. I probably should have called sooner but to be honest, I’m new at this.” She isn’t quite meeting Rina’s eyes, unsure of what the reaction will be.

She continues on to share about how the kids had found some pills, most had taken them. She shared about how Angela had been unsure of how to get home, and she shared her worries if they hadn’t come and found Angela at the beach.

“I know this isn’t the sole responsibility of your sons. Angela has been grounded since. But I thought you should know.” She finishes.


Rina lets out a long sigh and closes her eyes. “Thank you for letting me know.” She says after a few moments. She looks like she’s about to get up to leave but then takes a look at Violet who truly seems concerned, not angry.

“This isn’t the first time.” She confesses. There’s a long pause as the two women stare at each other.

“How do you do it?” Rina asks finally.

“Do what?”

“Work, be a good parent of twins, and on your own nonetheless. I have my husband to help but honestly we struggle with the boys. They are ALWAYS into something. We spend tons of time as a family, though we probably spend more time apart than most. We eat family dinners, we give them chores, we travel and value education and yet…”


“I’ve only been at this for a few months and to be honest, I was hoping maybe you’d have some tips.” Violet half smiles and Rina laughs.

“You want parenting tips from the mother whose kids gave yours drugs?” She takes a light tone but it’s filled with empathy.

“Well in a few short months I’ve had one dropped off by police for breaking and entering, principal phone calls about skipped classes, and one try drugs at a party on an island she has no transportation home from soo...I’ll take whatever tips you’ve got.”

Rina laughs again.


The women chat a while longer and as Rina eventually gets up to leave she pauses and gives Violet a genuine smile.

“This was really nice.” She says quietly. “Chatting with another mom, woman, parent of teens.”

Violet smiles and nods.

“Can we have coffee again sometime? Maybe just for fun? Not because our children are on a crime spree together?” Rina lightly touches her shoulder and Violet nods again.

“That sounds lovely.”


After she’s gone, Violet sits out front mulling over the things Rina had said. It definitely felt like breaking in and drugs were not typical teenager things. But she had never been a typical teenager, so maybe they were? She certainly hoped things would settle with the girls for at least a few weeks. She had been hoping to find help for the vet clinic and would need extra time to look at resumes and do interviews. She couldn’t have her eye on the girls ALL of the time.

“Every time I come by here, you’re looking pretty miserable.” She looks up to see Dave strolling up with a smile. “You need a vacation.”

She rolls her eyes. He knew very well she’d never taken a vacation in her life. They hear a rumble of thunder and it starts to drizzle rain.


Dave jogs up to get under the porch and swings in to give Violet a hug. “You wanna talk about it?” He asks. She shakes her head no.

“But, since you keep showing up...any chance you could take a look at the girls’ computer? It seems to be busted and they need it for school.” He shakes his head with a smile and agrees.


“Two visits in just a few weeks.” She states. “You up to something?” Violet asks as he putters away at the computer.

“Nah, just checking on you. Not sure how long you’ll last with two teenagers in the house before you need some help.” He says with a grin.

“Help?”

“Yeah, you know, a second parent. Someone to run interference.”

“I don’t think I’ll need your help” She says. Though the idea of having someone else to help with decisions and consequences did sound appealing.

“You just asked me in to fix your computer and you’re gonna tell me you don’t need help? Maybe you really DO need a vacation” He dangles the screwdriver up and his eyes twinkle. She feels her heart flutter and she shakes her head again.


“There.” He states, pushing the button to turn it on and test it. As she watches it turn on an idea pops into Violet’s head.

“I can’t swing a vacation but I do have an idea for some fun.” She finds herself saying before thinking it over too much and giving herself a chance to change her mind. He raises an eyebrow at her.

“I was invited to a party this weekend. And I was told I could bring a date.” She explains.

“You’re asking me on a date?”

“I’m inviting you to a party. At the Harrington house.” She adds for interest.

“Well now I’m intrigued. How’d you swing that?”

She explains her earlier visit with Rina Harrington and he smiles. “Well. Then, yes. I will go on a date with you Violet Swan.” He gets up from the computer and is looking at her.


“You know what the worst part of a date is though?” He asks, moving closer. She shakes her head, unsure of where this is headed.

“Waiting and wondering if you’ll get a kiss.”

Violet feels her cheeks heat up and she’s sure it’s noticeable.

“Well, it’s not our FIRST date, so I doubt you’ll spend much time worrying about that.” She says.

“But I would. I’d hate to ruin our date by worrying all evening.” He’s moved closer and his hand reaches up, thumb touching her lip.

“Maybe we could just get that part over with now...you know, for the sake of saving the evening.” He says. He’s watching her, waiting for a reaction, knowing that after all these years she’s just as likely to shove him out of the house as she is to kiss him. When she leans forward, her arms go around his neck and he’s surprised at the intensity of her lips pressing to his.


“OMG, Angela, just do your stupid book report and…Oh.” Lilith freezes as she opens the door and spots Violet and Dave. She tries to duck out, but Angela is right behind her and shoves her forward.


“Oh.” Angela states. Dave and Violet quickly pull apart and the four of them stare at each other awkwardly.


“Dave was just finishing up with your computer.” Violet explains quickly, scrambling for something, ANYTHING to say. Angela raises her eyebrows.

“That what you kids are calling it these days?” Angela smirks. Lilith swats her in the arm and Dave laughs.

“Sorry, we were just dropping off our homework, we can head out again.” Lilith says, looking at Violet.

“No, no, you girls can stay up here. Dave really was just heading out.”

“He could stay for dinner.” Angela states. Another swat from Lilith, who was wondering why her sister couldn't just mind her own business. Violet and Dave don’t commit to anything and head downstairs.


“Do you think they’re like together together?” Angela asks after they’ve settled in to their daily routine of homework before dinner. Lilith shrugs.

“Only seen him twice. I doubt it.”

“So he’s what? A booty call?”

“Omg, Angela gross. Mind your own business.” Lilith rolls her eyes but wonders the same thing. He seemed like a nice enough guy.


When Dave does stay for dinner, the girls give each other a look from across the table. Maybe there was something more than a hookup going on here. Lilith hoped so. She’d wondered if Violet had been seeing anyone before they arrived. Worrying that they’d squashed any other relationships she’d had.


“I think it’s time you start thinking about getting a job.” Raul Davis tells his son, Anthony. They don’t often eat meals together but Anthony had cooked a lovely meal and Raul happened to be on the day shift this week.

“Dad, seriously? With school, and chores and painting, when would I have the time?” It comes out defensively and he can see a look of annoyance flash through his dad’s eyes. Half the food they eat, Anthony catches and grows. He keeps good grades and he paints. There is no extra time.

“Maybe less time painting will free up your time.”

“Do we need the money or something?” Anthony snaps. He knows they don’t. They’d gotten decent insurance when his mom passed away. And they’d spent none of it since.


“Just think you need to start having more responsibilities. That’s all.” Raul states again, getting up and leaving the dinner table. It would have been too much to think they’d actually enjoy a full meal without arguing, Anthony thinks.


He could of course explain to his dad that he’d been commissioned 3 times now for art. He’d been paid a decent amount of money. His art WAS his job. But he was sure his father wouldn’t get it. Art couldn’t be a job. A job meant hourly wages, hating your work, and coming back home again. He was sure his dad loved being a cop before his mom had died. But now...well now he just hated everything.


The next morning before heading off to school, his dad mentions printing off resumes again. Anthony only argues for a few minutes before finally agreeing that he’ll make some up and print them off. He has no intention of doing so, and he’s sure his dad will forget all about it in no time.


“Oh heeeeey Angela.” Angela turns, surprised to see Ken standing right behind her. A smirk on his face that does not look friendly. It had been nearly a week since the party, and none of them had so much as acknowledged her presence with a nod. She’d gotten a few looks from Fern that she’d hoped would lead to a hangout or SOMETHING but so far...nothing. She’s not even sure what she’d done to annoy them.


“Just wanted to say thanks for waiting until the day before I get out of this nightmare of a school to nark on our party. I really appreciate it.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Angela tells him. He rolls his eyes. She briefly remembered telling Lilith about the pills but she was sure Violet hadn’t known. How had she ratted them out? She was sure she’d kept quiet. Had Lilith narked? Angela glances over at her and she’s just watching quietly.


“Oh come on, Ken. She was probably just doing the right thing. Sweet, innocent little Angela. Worried about her new friends.” Fern chirps. Angela feels her cheeks flush, already missing the radio silence she’d enjoyed all week. Other kids in the class are watching but no one joins in. Lilith watches closely, not sure if she should jump to her sister’s rescue.


“The only thing I did at your party was leave. It was getting lame and I went home. Thanks for the invite though.” Angela states, getting frustrated at their accusations. Fern smiles at her.


“What are you twirps still doing here?” Harper Ghasem walks right up to Ken and flicks him in the nose. “Thought you were off to Twikki today. I was looking forward to another extended absence.”

“We WERE. Until SOMEONE narked on our party and now we’re staying here. Indefinitely.” He glares at Angela, and she feels Fern’s eyes on her as well. Indefinitely? They weren’t leaving again? The twins AND Fern? Angela had hoped they’d be off and away soon.


“Oh nooo, now you’re stuck with us lowly normal people. Yikes. Whatever will you do now?” Sarcasm dripping from her voice. “And now we all get to suffer your drug withdrawal crankies. Ugh.”

Ken and Fern are now glaring at Harper who turns to look at Angela. Angela mouths a quiet “thank you” but receives nothing but a glare back.

“Sorry your new friends didn’t work out.” She states, staring down Angela for a solid minute before turning and plunking herself down at desk behind them.