See You Soon

Chapter 12

Ryder's POV

I was still pining away for Leslie but I figured that if I couldn't have her, I should go after what I could. And right now Denise was very available. I had flirted with her during lunch at the cafeteria to test the waters and to see Leslie's reaction, which was disappointing to say the least. She smiled at me, no jealousy, nothing. We were still friends. I realized that having her as a friend was better than not having her at all. I still drove her and Sami to school everyday so I had that going for me. We had some good conversations mainly about Auntie Lynn and Stephen. They were better than I could've asked for. Steve was very level-headed and Auntie Lynn was incredibly impulsive, both were the easiest to get along with.

"So yesterday morning she and Steve got into an argument when he found out that she volunteered to put together the Christmas Dance this year. She said she would provide entertainment, decorations and the dinner! All under the budget they gave her…" I was telling Leslie on the way home when Carter cut in,

"Now understand that my mom has never stayed under a budget, or finished organizing something. She will just hire a party planner to put it together." He and Leslie had become quite close over the past week. Was I jealous? Yes. They had this bond that I couldn't understand. 

"Right. Well Steve started in on her saying that she wasn't focused enough to make up for her impulsiveness. It's something he loves about her. But also drives him crazy most of the time, but Auntie Lynn loves driving him crazy, she says it's something she loves about him. Says it's a huge turn on," I laughed as Carter made a face. "So they usually patch up any arguments with a tumble in the bedroom." Carter gagged,

"Dude! That's disgusting! Those are my parents!" 

"Well, now they're Ryder's parents too," Little Kari interjected, "What's gross anyway?"

We were all silent. Tommy ended the awkwardness, "When Mom and Dad fight."

"Oh! You mean when they go get happy by jumping on the bed?" Kari questioned. Carter answered her question by groaning loudly and putting his hands over his ears. We all burst out laughing.

"Anyway," I said wiping away tears, "this argument wasn't ended like they normally did." Carter scrunched up his nose. "Auntie Lynn left! She hopped in her car and drove off, returning two hours later with a pomeranian in her arms. Saying she would prove she could be focused on one thing." Sami and Leslie started laughing hard.

"Yeah, Dad was laughing too, until a German Shepherd puppy barrelled through the door, knocking over the lamp we just replaced." We were all laughing now remembering Steve's expression. Auntie Lynn was just driving when she passed the Dog Shelter, She got out and saw Nikki and Minko, she couldn't decide so she just took them both home. "After she explained, Everyone had gotten so attached to the dogs that we couldn't take them back, even Steve. Then they made up." We all laughed as Carter dropped his head in his hands. We pulled up to Leslie's building and they got out. The drive home was filled with small talk but to me the van felt empty. I was trying to not like her but that was like having a conversation with a flower, it just wasn't working. 

I was silent through dinner, mulling over my options and Auntie Lynn noticed. While we cleaned up in the kitchen she poured us both a glass of scotch. I downed mine, immediately I felt a bit fuzzy, she refilled my glass,

"So, what's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing." I downed the next one relishing the burning in my throat.

"How's Leslie?" That question took me by surprise. I was even more surprised by my voice which poured out everything I had been feeling,

"She doesn't like me back and just wants to be 'friends'" I air-quoted friends with a mocking tone that sounded foreign to my ears, "But she likes me, I know it. All that talk about her leaving was bullshit." I looked up and saw Auntie Lynn smiling sadly.