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

Chapter Forty-Two

SOUNDTRACK: "Tiny Light" - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

MONDAY

Kate looked out of her window at her car parked in the parking lot next to the Hot Wheels car. The late February sun was glinting off of it's freshly-washed roof (Jared had one of the interns take it to a car wash one day). She took the keys from her desk drawer and pulled on a pair of slippers and a jacket before heading outside. She hadn't taken a closer look at the car since Jared had given it to her on her birthday. She had resented him for giving it to her, so she avoided it. There was no reason for her to have it because she only ever went to school and back, so she hadn't really thought much of it. But now that she and Olivia were going out and doing things together, she figured it might be time to at least learn how to drive, even if she didn't get behind the wheel yet.

She unlocked the car and sat behind the wheel, running her hands across the black leather. A sudden sense of power ran through her body and she sat back against the seat, enjoying its feel. There was no sense in the car just sitting in the parking lot (it wasn't really a driveway when fifteen cars could easily fit in it). Kate bit her lip and pulled the visor down to block out the sun. Sure, L.A. had crazy traffic and initially she had been terrified of driving in it. But her daily trips with Samir had shown her plenty of quiet back roads to and from Winterlake that she was totally comfortable on.

She got out of the car with a smile on her face, her mind made up. She locked it behind her and walked back into the house to find Jared. He was in his office with Reni and Emma, discussing something for Camp Mars. She waited by the open door, not wanting to interrupt.

"Don't lurk, Kate. You'll make Reni nervous," Jared said without looking up from his laptop and bringing a smile from both women.

Kate shuffled into Jared's office and stood by the door awkwardly. "I don't want to interrupt anything," she said softly.

Jared smiled. "You're not. We're almost done."

Kate nodded and sat in one of the chairs in the corner, fingering the car keys in her jacket pocket.

"So you'll have those estimates to me by Friday, right?" he asked. "I want to get tickets out by the end of March. Mid-April at the very latest."

"Absolutely," Reni replied. "But it's pretty much a copy of last year."

"I thought we were getting more cabins to accommodate more people?" Emma asked, making a note in her notebook.

"We are. Or, we will. I'm still waiting to hear back from Kylie," Reni said. "But I will definitely have final numbers for that by Friday. If not, I'll climb down her throat myself."

"I didn't know you had a violent side, Reni," Jared chuckled. She made a face at him. "Alright. I think that's all wrapped up for now." He shut his laptop. "Let's plan to pick this up again on Friday. Does one work?" he asked as the two women gathered their things.

"I have a meeting in Malibu at eleven, but I should be back by one," Emma said.

He nodded. "Alright. Good meeting, guys," he said. He looked at Kate as Emma closed the door behind her. "What's up, Gremlin?"

"Um...do you remember when you bought me the car and I told you I didn't have my license yet?" she started.

"Yeah."

"Well, I was wondering if we could go get my learner's permit and I could start learning how to drive," she finished.

"I'm not sure if I should scream in happiness to have Samir back completely or in fear at the thought you being on the road behind the wheel," he replied.