Chapter 11 - Misunderstandings Part Deux

After not seeing his son for a good few weeks, Joey decides it'd be best to check up on him. Peculiarly enough, however, Jarred never seems to be in his house. Ever. He always seems to be off somewhere else, perhaps with his girlfriend Carrie, who Joey recently heard through word of mouth gave birth to twins.

After a quick call ahead to find out if Jarred really WAS home, Joey heads over.

The first thing he realizes is how run down the entire house is. The only thing in it that's had any care and attention paid to it is a little drawing table in the corner with a half-finished sketch on it.

Jarred's also a bit thinner than when last Joey saw him.

"Son, it's good to see you. How are you holding up?"

"Well, I'm not some famous ASTRONAUT always running off and making billions of Simoleans for my family, but I'm happy, at least."

The vehemence with which Jarred shouts is enough to make Joey rear back in surprise. "Jarred, what's gotten into you?" His son's hot-headed nature isn't much of a surprise, he guesses, but to be snapped at seconds after he came in the door is extremely...peculiar.

Jarred is silent and sulky.

"...I haven't seen much of your art displayed around town. Are things all right?"

Jarred sighs and nods. "Yeah. Things are just...busy. I didn't expect to suddenly have twins to take care of."

"Are they around?"

"No, Carrie's still living with her folks..."

It was late already, and he'd only just gotten there. Joey looked at the clock, cursing his elderly body. "Look, Jarred, it's already 11pm, and I was wondering-"

"I've only got one bed, but it's yours if you want it."

-snoooooooooooooooore-

The next morning they bonded in the best way possible.

Meanwhile, back at the Randall house, the bed continues to sleep though its occupant is gone. The other furniture judge it for being so lazy.

Kyle's mind grows more and more hungry with age, and he ends up spending a great deal of his time at the telescope when he's not at school. If his family asked he'd let them know he was just learning where all of the stars were, but he has a secret motive as well.

"We're not alone. Aliens. There are ALIENS. And they'll come down here and eat us if one of us isn't watching them at all times. STAY AWAY, ALIENS."

It's much more entertaining being up there, at least. It seems like every time he has to eat, Freya's already in the kitchen and on the phone with Donald.

"I know, frying pans are so hard to clean! It's so stupid!"

Kyle lets his anger simmer as he makes his way toward the sink.

Which, of course, promptly breaks.

Before Freya can even notice, he drags her outside. "C'mon, we haven't played tag yet! And it's so pretty outside!" And full of germs, but if Freya's there Kyle has a feeling that there's no way they can get him.

He has a feeling that Freya's going easy on him, so he pulls out all the stops to make it harder for her to catch him.

By the time that they're exhausted and breathing hard, he wanders over to her and gives her a big hug.

"I love you, Freya."

She grins. "I love you too, Kyle!" But as she prepares to pull back, Kyle's arms tighten around her and lock her into place.

"Promise you'll never leave, okay?" She is silent, if not stunned. "I'm serious. Please. You can't leave me here alone, okay? You just can't. Mom and Dad are already so old, and if anything happens to them and I can't help them, o-or if they get sick, or i-if -I- get sick, or..."

He's so incredibly bright and well-spoke for his age, but she also recognizes the faint traces of hysteria on his lips, and so she smooths his hair and shushes him softly.

"Kyle, don't worry, okay? I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere."

He sinks against her in relief.

The next morning is Kyle's birthday, which Freya is rather delighted about. Her brother seems incredibly paranoid and neurotic for such a young child, and she's hoping that he grows out of it.

For once, the whole family is there to celebrate in the morning, Joey plopped down right between them to cheer as well. "Make a wish, Kyle!"

He's quiet, screwing up his face, just moments before he blows out the candles, claps, and ages up.

Into a...remarkably handsome young man, actually.

Once cake is enjoyed by all, everyone retires to their various pursuits to save up their energy for yet another birthday tomorrow, this one being Freya's. Freya departs for school, but Kyle somehow talks his old parents into the fact that he shouldn't have to go.

The first order of business on Kyle's birthday is to wash his hands precisely three times, just to be sure that the dye on the cake doesn't stain them forever. Apparently those neurotic tendencies are there to stay.

The bed, meanwhile, is still asleep, and this time dreaming. The lamp is displeased about this.

Kyle takes his place protecting the universe for the entire day of playing hooky from school. No aliens are gonna destroy THIS house.

During their last night together as elder and teenager, Freya and Leda share a quiet meal together. Freya's recently developed vegetarianism often makes it difficult for them to enjoy the same meals, but a good sandwich is just what the doctor ordered.

"So what do you think you wanna do when you're an adult?" Leda asks.

Freya is silent for a long moment before she smiles. "I've thought about...maybe becoming a writer, like you."

Leda looks at her daughter, eyes wide and beyond surprised. "Are you sure? I...Freya, being an author is a difficult career without a great deal of guaranteed success. Do you think you're really ready for the rejection?"

"I've thought about it a lot, Mom. I really have. And I'm gonna do it. I don't care if I don't get a house as nice as this one or whatever. If I've gotta live in a studio apartment, I'll do that! I just...Mom, I've got these characters in my head that I can't get rid of. I've gotta let them be free."

Leda smiles, watching the distraction behind Freya's glasses. Yes. She's as ready as she will be. She might be a shy girl, all ready to be a recluse in the name of telling stories, but her words are strong and sure. She'll be ready.

They do homework together for the last time.

Kyle, meanwhile, has found a hobby of his own to take care of the weird paranoid images in his head that he can't get out any other way. He's quite satisfied.

Freya wakes up the next day already in deep thought about what the first book she'll write will be. She can't wait to get started.

More enthusiastic cheering!

The family is a little shocked at her new pajamas. Leda thinks she might need to sit down.

Regardless, the family gathers for cake for breakfast, and Freya doesn't waste any time chatting excitedly to her mother. "I've actually already found a house about twenty minutes away. Isn't that awesome? It looks perfect for me!"

Kyle chokes on his food.

While Freya and Leda continue conversing about the merits of the tiny little starter home, Kyle finally manages to swallow.

"..." Without warning Kyle shoves away from the table the instant that he is finished with his meal and starts heading toward the stairs. On the way, however, he utters a single word over his shoulder. "Bitch."

Freya and Leda go silent. Freya waits until Kyle is almost to the stairs before she is sure her feet will hold her and stands.

"Excuse me?"

Kyle storms over. "I don't know what the hell is in that cake, but it's OBVIOUSLY messing with your head."

"What in the world are you talking about?!"

"'I'm not going anywhere, Kyle!' Sound familiar? Or was it just a damn lie? Pretty lies. That's all it is."

"Kyle, you were just a kid!"

"IT WAS YESTERDAY." The very walls seem to shake with the force of his shout. Freya stares at him as he pants, catching the unmistakeable trace of tears in his bright blue eyes.

There's nothing more to say. Kyle spins into his clothing and turns, walking sulkily toward the door. "I'm going out. I hope you're gone by the time I get back." The door slams with a sense of finality that shakes Freya to the core.

Leda makes her way over, tilting her head to the side as she looks into Freya's eyes. "Sweetheart, I know you're angry. And you have every right to be. Kyle has the right to dictate your future about as much as I do: not at all.

"Make your own choices, and Kyle will get over it, all right? You mean the world to him. I have a feeling that you're more a mother to him than I ever was. And that means he'll forgive you because he can't bear to be angry at you like this. Trust me." Leda smiles, rubbing her daughter's arms. "If your heart leads to you that little house, don't hesitate. Go to it."

Freya forces a returned smile. "Yeah...besides, it's my birthday, right? I can't let it get me down." A moment of silence lingers in the air, both women in their separate thoughts, before she rubs the back of her neck. "I think...I want a little more time to think on it. Is that okay?"

"Perfectly." Leda nods. "Look, why don't you go upstairs and get a shower and invite your Donald friend over, all right? I'm sure he'd be happy to celebrate your birthday with you."

Freya doesn't think she's ever heard a better idea.

------

The whole Jarred/Joey storyline was originally going to have far more significance, but Jarred sort of ruined it by screaming at his father about eight times for saying 'hi.' OTL

As it is, Kyle's new trait is Eccentric, and Freya's is Artistic.

I don't really think there's much more to say, except I legitimately cannot ever figure out where Jarred's children are. I'd love to have their grandparents visit them, get a couple of pictures, SOMETHING, but I have no idea how to locate them. xD And they're NEVER at Carrie's house, somehow, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE TODDLERS. IT'S SO WEIRD.