When Jason Blossom is presumed dead, Riverdale shifts on its axis. Letting in the horror, and darkness that had been held at bay.
Archie, Veronica, Clary, Jughead, and Betty grapple with desires, love, drama, and murderers all while coping with the...
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Clarissa Cooper
I STORMED INTO MY HOUSE AFTER SCHOOL TO MEET MY MOTHER IN THE
kitchen making a pie "I know what you're doing, Mom." I pointed at her "Whatever do you mean? I'm making peach pie for our guests." She set down the pie tin
"No, you're laying out some kind of trap for Jughead's dad." I accused
"On the contrary, Clary, I took what you said earlier to heart." Mom said with a sickly sweet smiled "So you're not going to question Jughead or his dad about the murder then?" I asked leaning on the counter
"I mean, only if it happens to come up as casual dinner conversation." Mom said.
When would murder ever be 'casual dinner conversation'?
"I'm not playing this game with you, Mom. And neither is Jughead, not after I tell him what you're planning here." I said waving to the food on the counter
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Clary? When I invited Jughead, he seemed so excited." Mom said and my confidence falter slightly
"Like it really meant a lot to him that our families are gonna get to know each other. That's all I'm after, honey." Mom explained and I inhaled slightly "FP is innocent, Mom. Jughead said so, and I trust him." "I'm sure the question of FP's guilt or innocence won't even come up at dinner." Mom smiled and I sighed before heading out.
Mom is right. Words I hate to admit. Jug was way too exciting for me to crush it. But I do have an idea to keep mom on her toes.
"Mrs. C, this roast is super-delicious," Jughead complimented my mom.
"Sure is, Alice. Been ages since I had something that wasn't from a combo meal or snack pack," FP joked, earning a playful face from Jughead.
"So, FP," Mom began, glancing at Betty and me exchanging looks.
"Mmm," FP hummed, taking a bite.
"Betty mentioned you're working for Fred Andrews now. How do you juggle that with everything else?" Mom asked.
"You mean like being a father?" FP retorted before Mom pressed on.
"And being part of the Southside community," she continued, prompting me to interject, "Mom."
"You can say 'Southside Serpent,' Alice. I'm not ashamed. And it's not just me; there's a group of us working on Fred's site," FP explained.
"If you don't mind my curiosity, what did you do before that?" Mom probed.
"I got by. Odd jobs," FP replied, glancing at Jughead before Mom directed the conversation to him.
"I know you worked at the drive-in, Jughead, before it closed. Did FP work there too?" Mom asked, and Jughead looked at his dad.
"Well, I hung around. What can I say? I'm a movie buff," FP chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
The atmosphere was tense.
"Were you upset when Hiram Lodge bought the drive-in land?" Mom asked, breaking the silence that followed.
"Let me rephrase. Were you surprised?" Mom pressed, before the doorbell interrupted, bringing an unexpected guest.
"I'll get it," I volunteered, heading to the front. As I returned with Dad, the dining room fell silent, except for Betty's unchanged expression.
"I thought she wanted me here," Dad whispered, noticing Mom's expression.
"She does. It's Homecoming, after all. Our families should be together," I explained, sitting back beside my boyfriend.
"Right mom?" I challenged
"What's going on?" he whispered, and I just smiled sweetly, gently rubbing his arm. Mom motioned for Dad to sit and served him a plate.
The dinner continued, and Dad finally joined the conversation.
"I'm hoping there might be some openings at Sunnyside. Been sleeping in my office at the paper, and it's getting chilly," Dad said, his tone carrying a hint of passive aggression as he glanced at Mom.
"I bet your office beats the trailer park," FP remarked, prompting a laugh from Dad. "I wouldn't be so sure. Alice here's been redecorating the Register. Just the other day, she threw a brick through the window."
"Is that right?" FP chuckled.
"Keep pushing, Hal, and the next brick might not be aimed at a window," Mom retorted.
"Remember our Homecoming, Alice? Hal? Castles in the Clouds?" FP turned to Betty and me. "Did your mom ever tell you about that night?"
"Just that she and my dad were king and queen," Betty replied.
"Yeah, they were. Of hell," FP remarked bluntly.
"Dad, please," Jughead interjected.
"No, it's a funny story, I swear. Fred and I were all set to perform at the dance. I was backstage, dropping off our gear, when I heard shouting. It was your mom and dad. They were arguing about... something. Sounded like life or death," FP recounted, and I widened my eyes.
"Shut it, FP," Mom said icily.
"Happy to oblige if you are," FP replied, leaning forward. "I don't care what you think of me, Alice, but don't mess around. Not in front of my son."
Clearing my throat loudly, I interjected, "This was a lovely dinner idea, Mom, but I think it's time for us to head to the dance." I placed my napkin down. "So, would it be alright if we skip the peach pie?"
