California Dreamin'

Family Dinner

"Daniel, promise me you won't be too...rash." Marie asked, adjusting her red hair out of her face.

"I won't be rash, besides, it was my idea." Daniel defended.

"I know, and I'm proud of that, but just don't be too quick to judge, alright?" Marie asked, making Daniel smile lightly.

"Alright, I'll try." Marie smiled at his joking tone as he left their room, leaving her alone in front of the mirror. Her eyes drifted to the mangled scar along her collar bone, the sight almost making her sick to her stomach.

Marie took a deep breath before covering the scar with foundation as the doorbell rang downstairs. Plastering a fake smile on her face, Marie left her room and walked downstairs, where Sam stood besides Kyler.

The first thing Marie noticed was the bruises in his hand and cheek. "Kyler, this is my mom. Mom, Kyler."

Marie brushed away the bruises, deciding to bring it up later as she shook Kylers hand. "It's nice to meet you, Kyler."

"It's nice to meet you too, ma'am. Sam's told me a lot about you." Marie smiled as Daniel walked into the room, shaking Kyler's hand as well.

"Well, dinner's prepared, so let's eat."

~ ~ ~ ~

"The yanagi, or yanagi ba, depending on the region, is a knife used exclusively for cutting sashimi." Daniel spoke to the group as they sat around the table. "I picked up this bad boy on my first trip to Okinawa. Voilà. The famous... LaRusso ponzu toro."

Sam and Marie clapped out of habit with smiles, but Kyler seemed disgusted. "Oh, no, thanks. I don't like sushi."

Marie immediately sensed the awkwardness that filled the air. "Uh, are you sure you just don't want to try a little piece?" She asked, tilting her head.

"It melts in your mouth." Daniel added as Kyler shook his head.

"Uh, no. Fish kind of grosses me out." Sam and Marie shared a look before Sam spoke up.

"No, you like fish. What about the fish sticks at school?" She asked, timidly.

"Oh, yeah, fish sticks are dope. You have fish sticks?" Kyler asked, making Daniel shake his head.

"Uh, no, just this fresh fish I picked up from the Japanese market this morning." Sam looked at Marie, practically begging for an escape from the awkward situation.

"You know what? Why don't we go see if we can find Kyler something he can eat, okay?" Marie suggested, standing. "Sam, you want to come with me to the kitchen?"

"Sure." As the two exited the room, Daniel and Kyler awkwardly sat quietly before Kyler spoke up.

"Thank you for inviting me over, Mr. LaRusso." He could clearly tell he'd screwed up by refusing the fish, and was now trying to make it up. "Um, you have a really great house. And I think Sam is really cool, too."

"Yes, well she takes after her step mother." Daniel replied with a semi-polite smile. "And listen, I never liked sushi when I was your age either. It wasn't until I met a good friend of mine that it began to grow on me. He was from Okinawa." He added. "Where are your parents from?"

"Irvine, I think." Kyler replied awkwardly.

"Irvine, right." Daniel nodded. "So tell me about that shiner you got there."

Kyler put his hand over the bruise, making up an excuse quickly. "Oh, this. Um... this is from wrestling. You know, I dodged the wrong way, and I caught an elbow. It's stupid." He laughed awkwardly.