A Fresh Start

Saturday Night's Alright (for fighting)

Already Portland was starting to grow on me.  After a game of soccer with Ben after our tense morning, Gloria had taken me out to a busier street lined with shops, where we had gotten lunch as well as a few treats.  After we had eaten all that we could, Gloria insisted we walk around.  "Oh Marie, look at this," Gloria exclaimed in excitement.  I followed her gaze to an adorable little clothing boutique displaying a fall clothing collection. "You know I bet you didn't have much need for winter clothes in Florida huh," Gloria continued.  "Nope, not really," I said with a smile, I could see where this was going. "Well then, that gives us a really good excuse to do some shopping, doesn't it." I could feel my smile growing as I said: "You know Gloria I think you might be right." "Yes!" She said with excitement, "I missed having a partner in crime to shop with.  You know most of my friends in the neighborhood think that I'm immature, but I think it's more likely that the stick they have up their asses is just starting to be bothersome." I stared at Gloria in shock.  I could see how a woman like her might have a little problem fitting in such a suburban area.  Most of the neighboring houses were painted with neutral colors, had plain stereotypical yards, and any grass or plants were kept trimmed and neat. Gloria's house was a cheery yellow, her yard was full of whimsical looking plants, and if that big tree was any indication she let the plants grow how they wanted. "Well, I'm up for having a little bit of childish fun if that's what it is. Maybe those women are just grumpy because all they've eaten is a kale salad," I mused thinking back to some of my mother's female friends who prided themselves of their looks and their housewife position.  "Marie you are definitely your mother's daughter," she said with a laugh. "How long were you and my mother friends?" I wondered out loud as we entered the shop, "We were friends all throughout our schooling. The kids at school used to mistake us for sisters." "Why did you two loose contact then?" I inquired, Gloria seemed lost in her memories so we stopped walking around the store and when she continued she had a sad expression on her face. "I was so happy for her when she met your father, he was such a nice man. I was with her when she found out about you, most girls would have been so scared, but not your mom, she knew that she was meant to be your mother.  After graduation she stayed here to get married, and I left her to come here and go to art school. After you were born it was hard for her to travel, and then your father's dad died and he took over the company.  I visited a couple of times, but pretty soon I met Rob and had a family of my own." I pondered her words as we resumed walking. I had so many questions on the tip of my tongue, but for some reason, the first one I voiced was rather insignificant to our conversation. "You went to art school?" I asked, "Yes I did, I even sell paintings online now.  I used to do more with them, but I wanted to take time for my boys." As Gloria talked about her work something clicked in my mind, "that painting of the fairies in my room, did you paint it?" I asked thinking of the expressions on the fairies that were so like her son's. "Yup, I sure did. What do you think of it?" "I love it, it totally fits in with your house." She gave me a questioning look, and I quickly elaborated, "I just mean, that your house, it's kind of magical," I said the blush creeping up my cheeks. "You know what Marie, I know just what you mean." I breathed a sigh of relief at Gloria's amused expression. The rest of the afternoon was spent in and out of clothing stores where I was encouraged to buy anything and everything.  Gloria hadn't lied, she was a VERY enthusiastic shopper, but she had great taste and I was very pleased with some of our finds. 

After our shopping extravaganza, I collapsed in my room with a book, content to relax after the eventful day. Just as I was reaching the end of the story I heard my name being called from downstairs, by now I had realized that in this home this was how you requested a person's presence, it was very unlike the high tech intercom my parent's had installed in our home, but I kind of liked it. I rushed downstairs to see Gloria talking seriously with her sons, Ben looked exasperated, while Sebastion looked annoyed. "What's up Gloria," I asked as I reached them. "Marie the boys are going to a small party at a friend's house. They are going to bring you along so that you can meet some people before school on Monday." At this statement I noticed Sebastion's expression darken. Did he not want me to go with them? Was he embarrassed by me? Urrrgh I shouldn't care whether he likes me or not, but I didn't want him to dislike me because I crashed their party. "Oh, well I don't want to be a party crasher-" I started, but Gloria cut me off. "Marie it's no problem, right boys," she said, leaving no room for argument. "Go get ready dear," Gloria said shooing me off in the direction of my room. Well, I guess I was going to a party.