Opposites Attract - Riff Lorton

chapter twelve

Riff woke up without Kathleen in his arms.
Instead she was up and ready, looking like a million bucks.
"Where you goin' beautiful?" His voice was hoarse and raspy from waking up,
"Oh! Good morning Riff, I'm going to the store. These boys will not be waking up to nothing."
Riff sat up and rubbed his eyes.
"Can I come with you?"
Kathleen was just going to let Riff sleep considering he was shivering on the windowsill for half the night.
"I was going to let you sleep but if you want to, sure why not."
Riff got up and went to Kathleen's bathroom.
"There should be an extra toothbrush in the cabinet under the sink!"
Riff thanked her and brushed his teeth.
"Alright let's go."
"Shhh. Everyone is still sleeping."
The two tiptoed out of Kathleen's house, not waking up anyone.
"What are you gonna buy?"
Kathleen thought for a moment.
"Stuff to make breakfast, toothbrushes for everyone, and toothpaste."
Riff nodded.
Kathleen hesitated before saying her next sentence.
"We also need to go to the Puerto Ricans market to get strawberries."
Riff looked confused.
"Why'd you hesitate?"
It was Kathleen's turn to be confused.
"I thought you didn't like them?"
Riff sucked his teeth.
"It isn't that I hate 'em. It's more about the Sharks, and territory, and whatnot.
I don't like the Sharks, because they walk into our area acting like they own the damn place."
"Language please," Riff apologized,
"and you've all done things that would disturb their peace as well."
"Like what?" Riff borderline accused.
"You go around antagonizing the Puerto Ricans, even if they have nothing to do with the Sharks."
Riff, for once, was a bit embarrassed.
It was weird having someone actually tell him off. He didn't say anything until they got to the store, but promised himself that they'd stop.
For Kathleen's sake.
"Alright, come on."
The inside of the store was a bit cool.
The place was clean, and had a very artificial smell. The couple got a few stares (mostly directed towards Riff) as they walked in, but nothing that would make them feel that they had to leave.
"Alright, do you think they'll like pancakes?"
"I think they'll like anything you cook, darlin'."
"Yeah but what if they prefer something savoury? Grab a basket, please."
Riff picked up a basket from the pile.
"Yeah, but I think they'd eat whatever, you really don't gotta worry so much."
Kathleen nodded as the two walked around.
"Alright, so pancakes and… Toast and eggs?"
Riff nodded with a small smile.
"Whatever you want, doll."
"Alright then."
The two walked up and down aisles, they picked up ingredients like the toothbrushes and toothpaste, instant pancake mix, maple syrup, butter, and even whipped cream.
"You're really spoiling them huh?"
"No, no, I don't think so. I'm only feeding them breakfast."
Riff stared at her as she put another item in the basket, making it heavier for Riff to carry.
He had never thought anyone could care for a bunch of delinquent kids like this.
He hadn't thought he would be cared for.
"Riff? You okay?"
Riff was pulled out of his thoughts.
"Hm? Oh yeah, I'm fine. You all done?"
"Yes, let's go."
The two checked out their items, with the cashier having a pretty terrified look on their face, and Riff carried the given paper bag out of the store.
"Alright, let's go get strawberries."
"Why didn't you just buy them from there?"
"Oh, the Puerto Rican man, Luis, always gives me a better deal. He gives me more fruit, for half the price of what they're selling in there."
Riff nodded, and the two started their way towards the market."
"You know his name?"
"Yeah, I know most of the vendors' names."
Riff hummed.
As they approached the marketplace, the Puerto Ricans were giving Riff stares, and giving Kathleen smiles.
"You're, uh, you're quite the celebrity here, ain't you?"
"No. I'm just a white person who's nice to them."
Riff felt embarrassed.
Kathleen waved at an old man selling fruit.
The pair walked over, Riff not saying anything.
"Buenos dias! Can I just have one pound of strawberries?"
"Buenos dias, of course, will that be all?"
Kathleen nodded. Luis was looking a bit uncomfortable.
"¿Está él contigo?"
Kathleen tried her best to translate the sentence into English, squinting her eyes as she did.
"…Yes? But he won't do anything."
Luis relaxed at her confirmation.
Riff's eyes widened.
"You know spic?"
Kathleen looked at him with dismay and disapproval.
"Don't use that word Riff, it's offensive. And I can sort of speak Spanish. I've picked up a bit from being in the area for so long."
Riff apologized for his language, and Kathleen forgave him.
Luis handed Riff the strawberries with a smile.
A Puerto Rican smiled at Riff.
Kathleen handed Luis what she owed and they were on their way home, Riff still a bit bewildered.
"You alright Riff?"
"Yes. Thank you."
"For what?"
"For tellin' me to be a good person? For carin' about me and my boys? I- I don't think me or the boys have ever felt like this."
Kathleen latched her hand onto Riff's free one.
"I'll never stop it either. You all deserve to be cared for. You deserve to be loved."
"Hey Kath'!"
The two whipped they're head around to see a shorter kid jogging towards them.
Kathleen gasped with a smile.
"Anybodys! Where've you been?"
She engulfed him in a hug.
"Ah, y'know, around. I've been thinking about you, I've missed you."
"Me too. Why don't you come over for breakfast at my house, if you aren't too busy."
Anybodys paused.
"Who else is there?"
"…The rest of the Jets. Why?"
Anybodys' eyebrows raised.
"I'm afraid I can't come. Some of them Jets don't like me too much."
Kathleen's eyebrows knitted together.
"Why's that?"
Anybodys looked warily at Riff.
"I gotta go, but it was nice catching up with you… Maybe we'll have a meal sooner or later."
With that Anybodys ran off, leaving Kathleen confused.
"What did he mean by that?"
Riff paused.
"A- Anybodys wasn't born a boy like the rest of the Jets. The Jets don't like that. I don't mind at all, but the rest of the Jets are stubborn and irrational."
Kathleen thought for a moment.
"So he was born a girl?"
Riff nodded.
"But he's not though."
"Yeah that's what the Jets don't understand."
Kathleen nodded, taking Riff's hand once more, and going home.
She was going to do something about this. Eventually.