Sophomore Year || Parenthood Series, Book One || WATTYS 2018

Chapter Twenty-Six

SOUNDTRACK: "New Soul" - Yael Naim

MONDAY

Kate yawned as she took her toast from the toaster and slid it onto her plate. For the first time in months, she had been able to sleep in and it felt glorious. Midway through her yawn, Jared shuffled into the kitchen in fleece-lined house slippers, a ripped and moth-eaten houndstooth bathrobe that only went to his knees, and a neon green beanie with flowers embroidered on it. She watched him in silence as he approached the coffee maker, poured a considerable amount into the water bottle he was carrying, and took several drags from it before letting out a long sigh. He blinked and looked at her as if he had only just registered her presence.

"Morning, kid," he muttered. "Aren't you - aren't you supposed to be at school or something?" he asked, looking at the microwave clock.

She shook her head. "I'm off all week for Thanksgiving break."

He nodded and made to leave the room, but stopped in the doorway, turning to face her. "What are you going to do all day, then?"

"Probably get my assignments done so I don't have to worry about them all week," she replied. "Then Connie wanted me to help her with some Thanksgiving shopping this afternoon. Do you think you could take me over there later?" she asked.

He nodded. "I should be able to." He took a drag from his water bottle. "If not, someone will," he told her.

In the last few days it seemed like all of Kate's walls had dropped. She was more talkative and didn't hide in her room all day. She had even stopped slamming doors all the time and rolling her eyes at him. It was like she was a totally different person.

Shayla appeared at the side door, letting the screen slam accidentally. "Sorry," she cringed. She stopped when she saw Kate. "I thought you'd be at school."

Kate shook her head. "Thanksgiving break."

"Oh - well, I need to steal you, Jared," Shayla said urgerntly. "There's a massive issue over at the Compound."

Jared looked at Kate. "I-I've gotta take care of this," he said with an apologetic grimace. "You gonna be okay here on your own?"

She nodded. "Sure, but you might want to put some pants on first," she replied.

"Right," he said quickly, rushing down the hall to his room.

Kate went to the dining room table and sat down, pulling the script for Streetcar towards her. After her audition on Thursday, she'd gotten an almost-instantaneous email response from the director, practically begging her to be in the production. Saturday morning, she awoke to an envelope on the front porch addressed to her filled with the script and rehearsal schedule inside. The schedule required her to be off-book by the next Monday and had Kate second-guessing her acceptance of the part. She didn't even think the audition had gone that well.

TUESDAY

Jared rolled his head on his shoulders as he looked at his laptop screen. His eyes went out of focus for the fifth time and he groaned before rubbing them. Vedder was lounging on the concrete floor in his office at the Compound, snoring loudly. The noise echoed off of the walls. Jared realized he needed a break.

"Vedder, come on," he called, standing and slapping his thigh to get the dog to follow him. "Wanna play fetch?" he asked.

The dog's ears perked up. He stood and stretched out his massive form before trotting after Jared. He led the dog through the house to one of the empty living areas. Since the house was only half-decorated, several of the spaces were open. It was perfect for throwing a ball for the dog. He tossed the tennis ball across the room and Vedder eagerly leapt after it claws skidding across the concrete floor. Vedder caught it before running into the wall. He ran back over to Jared and dropped the slobbery ball at his feet, tail wagging in excitement. Jared threw it again, smiling.