The Physics of Falling: Study Buddies #1

Chapter Two

Shayna Davis had a mountain of belongings to carry in, so Sidney made herself useful and helped her family lug everything from their minivan up to the second floor. There was an elevator, but Mr. Davis insisted they could do without. "There's a line for it anyway."

Mr. Davis was a kind looking, tall man with blue eyes and salt and pepper hair. Mrs. Davis was an equally tall bombshell, dressed like a lawyer or someone else important, with a cream colored pencil skirt and matching blazer that set off her dark skin. She was perfectly manicured, and there wasn't a single strand of her long black hair out of place, despite helping us all heft boxes of clothing and dorm decor up the stairs with everyone else.

Shayna looked like a more athletic and wild version of her mom, wearing shorts and a tank, she had an impressive mass of curly brown hair tied back away from her face. Shayna seemed to have boundless energy, and her excitement was contagious. Sidney couldn't help but grin at her antics as the girl danced up and down the stairs.

"You haven't gotten rid of us yet, young lady. No need to celebrate prematurely. We still expect one last dinner with you." Mr. Davis admonished good-naturedly as Shayna kissed his balding head.

"And Sidney, dear, you should join us. Dinner is our treat. You two will soon be subsisting off nothing but cafeteria food and ramen, but tonight we'll go to the steakhouse downtown," Mrs. Davis insisted.

The idea of dinner with other people at a restaurant tied Sidney's stomach into knots. It would be the first time Sidney had eaten at a restaurant in over a year. The counselors in the Independent Living classes at the group home had taken all of the girls out to eat to practice restaurant etiquette. They'd gone to Applebee's and were told embarrassingly stupid tips, like, "don't blow your nose at the table." Sidney cringed at the memory.

Langston's, the local steakhouse, was not exactly Applebee's. Sidney almost felt faint as they pulled into the parking lot. It looked like a nice place, with twinkling lights strung around an outdoor patio that bubbled with the soft sounds of a fishpond nestled somewhere within the beautifully landscaped property. Thankful for small mercies, Sidney observed a lot of other college kids in jeans and school colors. If it were any other day, Sidney was sure she'd be completely out of place in her t-shirt and sneakers. She would have to see about finding a nice blouse and slacks outfit at the nearest thrift shop if dinner with the Davises was going to ever happen again.

A hostess guided them to a table inside, as Mrs. Davis was loathe to eat in the heat of the setting sun, and get eaten alive by mosquitos. Sidney felt a pang of regret that she wouldn't see the fish pond, but it was quickly replaced by anxiety as they took their seats and picked up the menus. It was silly to have such a response, and she envied all the normal people who had grown up going out to eat with their families each week. Sidney hated how the simplest things stymied her, and turned her into such a ball of nerves.

How would she pick what to eat? The Davises were paying, so she needed to find something that was cheap, but not too cheap, because that would be rude. "When in doubt, simply ask what they recommend on the menu." She had read that in a magazine once. So Sidney did just that.

Mr. Davis was no help. "Oh, get a steak! What else would you get at a steakhouse? A nice big juicy..."

"James, if you're getting a steak, you better get a small one. You're watching your cholesterol. And no butter on your baked potato." Mrs. Davis admonished. "But Sidney, dear, you get whatever you want."

"That's right. Eat what you can now, while your heart is still young." Mr. Davis winked and passed her the butter.

Sidney settled for some sirloin and veggie kabobs that were cheaper than the steaks, but not as cheap as the salads. She was beginning to feel better, and it was likely due to the company. Mr. and Mrs. Davis were so genuinely kind and welcoming. They were easy to be around.

Shayna talked nonstop about class schedules and clubs, and wanted to know all about Sidney's plans. "What's your major?"

"Oh, I haven't decided yet."

"Me either. I'm just taking all the general requirements this semester, and then I figure I'll toss in some interesting electives in the spring to help me decide. It's really no big deal to not know yet, I guess. Most people change their major a couple of times anyway."

"How many hours have you signed on for, Sidney?" Mr. Davis asked.

"Nineteen."

The Davises looked shocked. "Nineteen hours? How did your advisor let you get away with that?" Mr. Davis asked, with great concern.

"Nineteen hours is a lot to commit to for your first semester." Mrs. Davis looked impressed.

"I think I'll be okay. I made a promise to myself that if I earned enough scholarships and didn't need to work part time, I'd throw myself into nothing but school work."

"I've got 15 hours, and I'm worried about how I'll manage it with track." Shayna confessed.

Sidney felt herself blush, and she ducked her gaze towards the bread basket. She hadn't been trying to brag.

The food was brought out and there was a pause in conversation as Mr. Davis fawned over his food, with oohs and ahhs, and appreciative moans.

"Dinner is my dad's favorite part of the day," Shayna explained. "He really loves his food. It's a wonder he's as skinny as he is."

"There is no sincerer love, than the love of food." The quote was out of Sidney's mouth before she gave it any thought, and she felt herself blush all over again.

"George Bernard Shaw!" Mr. Davis exclaimed. "He was wrong of course. There is no sincerer love than the love for a woman who can cook good food." Mr. Davis waggled his eyebrows at his wife. "You'll have to come home with Shayna sometime, Sidney. My wife's cooking could put any restaurant to shame." He grinned as Mrs. Davis blew him a kiss from across the table.

"Oh geez." Shanya rolled her eyes but she, too, smiled at her obviously in-love parents.

For a moment, all the stress and uncertainty in Sidney's life seemed to dissolve into the background. She couldn't remember the last time she had ever felt this pleasant togetherness and acceptance.

Is this what it feels like to have a family? Is it this safe, warm feeling?