BaCC in Widespot: Round 2 - Weiss
Continuing from Part One:
"I have stumbled across your master work, son. I must say, she is going to be exquisite. Well done!"
"Yeah?"
"All this time I had no idea you were up here working your wood to such perfection.
Why, you must have been in a frenzy! To get so much done so quickly."
"Yeah, I was in the zone."
"Inspired! Yes, yes, I see!"
"You really like it, Dad? I mean...?"
"Oh, I do. The craftsmanship is superb."
"Wow. Thanks, Dad."
"I only have one suggestion..."
"Uh, Sandy."
"Hi-hello, Penny."
"What are you doing here?"
"I came because...I figured it was about time that we talked."
"No thanks."
"Excuse me?"
"I said no, I don't want to talk to you. I don't want to hear anything you have to say to me. Now. When it's all said and done. No thanks."
"Penny, please, try to understand-"
"I think I do understand. A hell of a lot more than you want me to understand," she said. "I've actually given this thing a lot of thought. I had no choice.
Nobody was talkin' to me before. I haven't even seen you since it all went down and in this little town that takes a whole lot of doing. I understand
that much. And I understand that you musta come here expecting good ol' Penny to roll over, forgive and forget. I'm not going to do that. I am not
falling for the 'Poor Sandy' routine. One thing I know pretty damn well is that you can't judge intent by the consequences. What happened
'tween you and Rhett was a 'mistake' cuz you got caught but it was no accident. You did it, that first part at least, on purpose.
"I wasn't trying to hurt you, Penny."
"I wish you were! That woulda been a whole lot better than knowing you stole my life just cuz you could."
Sandy had not prepared for...she didn't know what to say to that.
Which was just as well because Penny seldom ran out of things to say.
"You already had your own husband, a good husband, and-"
"How the hell do you know how good my husband was!"
"-good kids, the nice house. Picture perfect. What? Because I know Hamilton, that's how."
This wasn't about last night, which was none of her freaking business.
"Oh, and you think that because someone is a nice guy and people like him and you like him that's all that's required! Since you've
never had a husband how about you refrain from commenting on mine. My marriage is not your concern. I don't need you judging my life."
"Last I heard you don't have a marriage anymore. Forget? And you're the one stomping all over mine and my daughter's life so I'm gonna judge away.
Or did you forget that, too? 'Course you did. Of course you did. You are constitutionally selfish. I'm sure you know what that means. And you can't
even see it, but I grew up with girls like you, kids with moms like you. You think cuz of who you are and where you come from you're entitled to
anything you want, because you want it. The house, the kids-one of each, natch-and a husband who loved you was just too, too boring," Penny said,
emulating those women. "But there was Rhett, young and dumb and you know the rest. Nothing you could do with him really but that; he's nowhere
near on your level, and yet you made sure that I couldn't have him ever. And that's what you're really doin' here. Now. You're here cuz you know Rhett was."
"That is, that's just ridiculous."
"Yeah right. But don't you worry your little blonde head about Penny Weiss. I have moved on to bigger and better things.
But I'm not gonna forget that 'somehow' your daughter has her father. In a way mine never will. As for you and me, we ain't rivals but we are not friends."
After talking with Daytona Dora made another stop. Hmm, she was gonna have to blend her own colour.
Skye brought Woody and his lady friend out to his workshop.
Woody could not believe this was happening!
"Well, Woody, how do you want to pry her open?"
"Um...huh?"
"This seam here looks just the ticket but it's your handiwork, what do you suggest?
We need as unobtrusive a point of entry as is possible to go in and refit her with a proper skeleton."
Dora woke up the next morning alone, Weiss hadn't come to bed at all. This was gettin' ridiculous.
Skye stayed in the shed working away long after he sent Woody to bed.
Woody was very protective of the torso so they set to work on one of the arms and Skye had since perfected the grasping motion.
The prototype was progressing very nicely indeed. Woody had even brought down one of his early model heads for Skye to tinker with.
It would be the most involved mechanism so Skye needed to see how he might manage and Woody gave him leave, insisted he was not
happy with the face although Skye could not see why, it looked a perfectly lovely face to his eyes but, well then: Off with her head!
"Before you go, Woody, I need you to help me for a minute, if you don't mind. Stuff's in the way."
"You're starting the painting?"
"Startin' and finishin', you watch. When Dora Mae goes to work, she don't dawdle," Dora mumbled to herself.
" 'Fraid you're remanded to our room today, Una."
With all the stuff and the baby safely outta the way, Dora set to it.
Oh, that Weiss was a piece o' work but, like they agreed, this here was her home.
Even if it turned out they couldn't never get along that way, she was stayin'.
~
Penny double-checked on the stock and especially on the order for Daytona before she opened up.
Woody wasn't doing too much new stuff lately but he got it done. Little brother was the wood wizard.
Hamilton must've skulked in when she wasn't looking but Penny made a beeline for him.
He wasn't getting off that easy.
"You!"
"Penny, I wanted to-"
"I can't believe you seduced me like that!"
"I'm-"
"Kidding! I'm only kidding," she said. "Don't be sorry, Ham. I'm not."
"I don't want this thing to be awkward between us, but for what it's worth," he whispered, "a shot of you is better than tequila."
Was that what was in their Sweet Hijinks? She didn't even know, she'd just started pouring.
When Hamilton noticed the other customers starting to filter in he took a step back. Life of a politician?
Penny played along; under her breath she said, "It's kinda sweet, chivalrous,
how you keep comin' to check on me. But I'm not all that fragile, Ham. Honest."
'And I definitely did the seducing,' she almost said out loud but they turned around and there was his mother. Awkward.
"Daytona, find something else you want? Your chair is all finished. I could carry it across the street myself if
you're in a rush, Hamilton. I don't mind gettin' my hands a little dirty. Oh, and I know you're busy," Penny
said to Daytona, "but Una's birthday is coming up and I'd love it if you could stop in for the party."
"We'll see. I've got to run. Hamilton, take the chair upstairs for me. And don't forget, tonight I'm-a be late for dinner."
"So, is that payment in full then?" Penny taunted.
"Penny, please."
Was that Hamilton Beech actually almost blushing? Too funny.
"My last regular customer always wanted to get the goods on credit," she said, "Turned out he wasn't good for it. But I could get used to this!"
"Open. Closed. Open. Closed."
*Woody's aspiration meter was dipping so with nothing better to do with his hands (once the furniture was replaced, um, sim paint dries super fast) he decided that playing
with the refrigerator doors (but not swinging on them so this was another unexpected animation I only vaguely recall) was a good use of his time. It was suitably annoying.*
"Woody, stop that. Please. Let's get back to work."
"Robbie, right?"
"Right! Penny." She nodded. "Looks like business is booming for you."
"Well, we're doin' pretty okay today."
He got around to asking her out so...why not? Penny agreed to meet him for a date after she closed up Woodworks.
"Ah, you made it!"
Robbie was starting up a campfire so Penny went inside the shop to pick up dinner.
They roasted the sausages, laughed, and talked. But there was still no spark.
He noticed it, too, now. Not lame, not great, just okay.
But even though Robbie was bedding down here for the night he still offered to walk her home.
Penny came in admiring the new look of the place. Dora was so good for them.
"Didya kiss 'im?" she called out.
"What's that, kiss? Kiss whom? Penny?"
"Oh, leave her 'lone, it wasn't that Hart boy."
"But my Penny, she was with a boy, and kissing?"
"Your Penny is a grown woman, with a baby, and it's a good thing if she's ditched that Hart boy for her a man
and kissin' goes with the territory. Or did you forget? Like you forgot to come to bed last night."
For such a perceptive feller, Weiss sure did miss a lot but since Dora wasn't goin' nowhere she was gonna have to make him remember.
Skye was so excited at his discovery of Woody's visionary ingenuity and their father-son
collaboration that he had forgotten that he had a very important communication to make.
"I love you, Dora."
"I am, I am an old-fashioned sort. You may have noticed. But, but next to having
my children, it would be the great honour of my life if you would be my wife."
Dora was overcome, in all her years and some mighty fun times she'd never actually been asked that before.
"I would love to marry you, Skye Weiss."
He'd meant to talk over his plans with Woody before he asked Dora but the distractions!
And now it was done and Skye was on Cloud 9 so he only hoped his son would also be delighted.
Penny always figured her Dad would marry Dora so it was about time they got this show on the road.
As for herself, well, she didn't kiss him.
Dora was sure she was makin' the right decision. There was some romance in Skye yet.
Just had to be patient and go slow. She could do that.
*I found them autonomously dancing the morning away.*
Dixie was out and Goldie was in but his friends were still a clique and Woody wasn't in it.
But one day River started talking to him so at least there was someone and they didn't have to both feel left out.
Most of the time.
David and Goldie were one thing but seeing Virgie with Scot, it was different.
"Um, hi. I, um, I saw you come up here and...mind if I sit down."
Woody shrugged.
"You really like her, huh?"
"Who? I don't-"
"Virginia. It's...kinda obvious."
"We're just, she's my best friend, that's all."
"But you want her to be more?"
Woody wanted to deny it, he tried to force out the words but he couldn't.
"You love her?"
"Uh, I don't, I don't know." What he really didn't know was why he was finding it so hard to lie to River.
He wasn't even, he was only River Land, and that's why he should've lied, he was Scot's little brother!
"You ask a lotta questions. But I don't mind, I guess. I like people to talk a lot. So I don't have to."
"Almost time to get you ready for the party! Wait one minute for Mommy while I go
find where Grandpa hid my dancing snowman. It's not a party without music, right!"
As they headed inside, River turned to Woody. "Um..."
Woody was dumbstruck.
River faded out of sight and Woody snapped back to his reality. What in the world just happened?
~
Party time!
Rhett was still nervous around Penny, he didn't know what that was about, but he sure didn't wanna be cussed out no more.
She invited the baby, Proxima that is, but he could curse himself for walkin' in holdin' her himself. He shoulda given Proxy to Goldie or Pop
so Penny wouldn't feel some kinda way seein' his other daughter in his arm. Now what was she gonna think? And what was she gonna say?
Penny didn't say anything. The baby's parents were a coupla pains in the butt but Penny wasn't angry with the baby and Una deserved to know her sister.
She was just surprised Sandy still let Rhett bring her after their, well, showdown. But she prolly didn't even tell Rhett about it. Sandy was so shady. But whatever.
"Glad you could make it."
Whoa-ho-ho there. Peter didn't know it was like that but he was happy playing for Team Beech even if he wasn't first string.
Sammie wasn't here, only David and the twins and his ma, but Daytona didn't have to worry about him. Soul of discretion, he was.
Mary had no right to be mad, she had to keep tellin' herself in her head, over an' over, she ain't had no right to be so mad.
Tellin' herself so ain't help but she found a distraction.
Rhett handed off Proxy to his Pop so he could go try and redo that first impression. Penny had to know he was here for Una.
Daytona wasn't above holding a grudge against a baby.
*Rhett works for her. She doesn't pull that face around him on his own.*
"Daytona, I'm so glad you decided to come. It means a lot."
This was the boy's chance to really make things right so Valentine decided to fall back and let Rhett
do this daddy thing and bond with Una instead of goin' full on "Grandpa Hart", like Penny called him.
Rhett and Junior still couldn't quite believe what they'd gotten themselves into.
While their families were distracted David and Goldie made their own party fun.
Valentine saw that Mary was uncomfortable. He tried to steer clear of her.
He walked up on his daughter and the boyfriend, lookin' all innocent.
"I saw that."
"Looks like we've got even more in common now."
"That so?" Valentine said, sizing up Peter.
"Your daughter is a sweet girl. Believe me, my son knows how lucky he is.
David already told me he's willing to do whatever it takes to hold on to his treasure."
"Goldie's a l'il young to be gettin' all that serious about her first l'il puppy love just yet."
"Hey, I met my Sammie when we were about that age. David came, uh, a little sooner than we might've planned," Peter lowered his
voice confidentially, "but that just means he knows better than most kids how, uh, well, how not to do like his ol' man, you know."
Woody finally came down to the party.
Peter had some brass ones on him, Val would give him that.
And he knew Day was sittin' smug, all in her element, but her boy toy there had obligations.
'That's right, run along there now,' Val thought, 'and leave the grown folks to handle ours.'
Happy Birthday time!
"Hello there, birthday girl!"
Una stats: 2/9/6/5/8
Definitely another people person like her mama.
And she managed to sidestep both her parents in the niceness dept. and fill up on points inherited from her Weiss grandpa.
Una couldn't wait to join her new friends!
"I know you hate to leave any kinda party but I'm not feelin' so hot, Junior. You mind?"
He minded a little bit but he went ahead and helped her get the twins ready to go.
Her parents knew how to have fun, though!
"Una, Proxy, look at Auntie!"
Goldie loved all the babies but she wasn't so keen on Jim's stink swarm clouding up her photo.
The next generation triple bolters joined in the dancing.
Peter cheered on his son with a noisemaker he was still holding on to.
He could be so annoying sometimes but David knew how to block his dad and his silliness from his mind!
"See that, too" Val said when he walked by. Goldie only laughed but he was serious.
No bumpin' and grindin'. "Goldie." She kept ignorin' him. "Don't make me separate you."
"Pop!" Sheesh, she was only dancin' like Candy taught her. "Better?"
"That'll do." Be better if they kept that much distance all the time, keep all them parts apart.
"How's my girl?"
Rhett had done all right so far, bonding with Una, staying on Penny's good side, so Val didn't mind upstaging him while nobody was lookin'.
"Well, look at you, Una. What'd I tell you about that nose, huh? Your mama can call you what she likes but it's clear as day you're a Hart, nose to toes."
He couldn't resist stopping off to steal a little kiss from his favourite girl...
...on his way to stealing an altogether different kind of moment with another favourite girl of his.
"Ah, we can't, Day, you know we can't. Not here, not now."
"Meet me at mine in an hour?"
"You're on."
Woody...didn't want to know. Everybody here had somebody but him.
(And Penny and Peter and Rhett. But lonely logic isn't exact about its math.)
Day better be glad he wasn't the jealous type, that's all Val knew.
"Look, lady, I don't even know who you are to be raggin' on me, especially when I'm here for my kid! And I don't give a shit..."
'Rhett! The kids! Damn it, Dora.' Penny sighed, chastising them both in her mind.
She knew Dora meant well but Rhett had been on his best behaviour today, no need to push it.
"Hey there, party people. Let's, uh, let's go ahead and break this up, whatever this is. Everybody's been havin' such a great time so, you know, chill."
Proxy was getting fussy. She lasted longer than usual, didn't cry or nothin' the whole time she was sittin' with Una.
The party was winding down but Rhett had wanted to make sure he was the last to leave.
He found Penny on the phone and she signalled him to wait and walked away. Who the hell was she talkin' to, anyways?
"...yeah, no, we're just finishing up...yeah, it was a good time, but, um, lemme, lemme call you
back, um, Una's father is about to head out..." Penny giggled, "...yeah, I'll talk to you later, 'k....'Nite."
"Uh, who was that?"
"None o' your beeswax."
"Oh, yeah, ok, um, I just wanted to, y'know, thank you and everything for lettin' me come and, y'know, just be able to be there."
"That's all I ever wanted for Una, to know who you are and where she comes from,
and to know she can count on you. It's a work in progress, right? I'll see you later, Rhett."
"Yeah. Um, good night."
"Yup."
Good party.
"Dora?"
"Oh, stop with that face, I ain't tryna rush you to the main event, I know you have a hangup 'bout waitin' and all for the
big day but ain't no harm in a l'il cuddle. And I sure won't mind if you sneak in a kiss or two. Or three. Eh, Weiss?"
~
Penny couldn't believe her daughter was growing up so fast! A lot was changing, though. Woody...Woody wasn't a
fan of change but he'd come around. Deep down he liked Dora, too. She was already family, what was the big deal?
Dora certainly felt like family, Una was an honorary granddaughter to her. And since she was growin' up it was time to start her training
now instead of waitin' and endin' up with that Tommy situation. "You sit there now and do your business like a good girl." Una listened!
Penny couldn't thank Dora enough. She finished getting Una cleaned up and dressed and retouched her makeup.
Time to get this day going!
Dora had volunteered her daughter-in-law as some kinda drop-in daycare but Penny didn't know about that.
Samantha was, well, she already had her hands full with the twins...but it might be good for Una. She'll have to think about it.
No classes outside today.
Saved by the little brother?
It's not like Virgie was gonna try anything with everybody around, or even if they weren't,
so David didn't have to do all that cuddling up to Goldie just to send her a message, ok.
Scot squeezed in next to Virgie. Those two were looking mighty comfy.
He elbowed David in the back. "That's gonna be some kinda hickey."
It was only a kiss...on the neck, cuz David said, he dared her, but all Goldie's bashfulness came flooding back and she buried
her face in his shoulder and she stopped kissing. "Aw, Goldie, don't listen to him. Yo. Scot. What are you doin' to me? Damn."
"I don't know what you're talking about. There is no hanky panky permitted when
we're on the clock for class. Isn't that what your grandma says?" Scot laughed.
"Young people, please. This is not the first day of inclement weather that we have experienced. We still have work to do! Miss Ottomas, Mr. Beech,
please return to your own class group. Mr. Ottomas, please restore Miss Hart to an upright position. Where her own feet can touch the floor. Thank you."
Dora gathered her motley crew around.
"Y'all put on your scarves, hats, and mittens and grab a big bowl. We're gonna make us some
ice cream outta the snow! And don't dig too deep, we don't want no dirt. Y'heard me, Tommy?"
"So, how ya like your snow cream?"
They must've liked it pretty well, the kids were all too busy shovelling it down to answer!
~
Penny tossed up her out to lunch sign and tipped across the street.
So this was the Beech boudoir.
"So, uh, we meet again, Mr. Beech."
Penny was a little nervous, just a little; they were both completely sober now, it was daytime, it was...different.
"So we do, Ms. Weiss."
"Ooh, I like the sound of that. Ms. Weiss. Miz Penny. I could get used to that...so what brings you by to see Miz Penny today?"
Hamilton laughed. "Logistics. My mother is at work today but I'm not and my kids are at your place.
Couldn't waste a day off and an empty house. And technically you came to see me...Miz Penny."
"Miz Penny's never too busy for a housecall," she said.
"You know, I went on a date the other day. Like, a real date."
"Yeah? How'd that work out?" Hamilton asked, pulling her over to him.
"For me? Fine. I didn't have any expectations. It was that guy. From The Dugout, you remember? But I'm guessin' he didn't
expect to end up in the friend zone. Not that the friend zone is a bad place to be," she said, looking down at her, uh, good buddy.
"I don't know what it is, he seems sweet, he's attractive, there's just no chemistr-"
"Penny. Miz Penny. I think we're done with the chitchat portion of the day here. Don't you?"
"I see you lingering, Miss Beech. You are welcome to join our lesson, as always. Woody, you might like to sit in today, too."
"Yeah?"
"No thanks, Mr. Weiss," Virginia answered for both of them, "Woody and I are heading out. Later, Scot."
"Why'd you tell me about that other guy? Would you feel better about this if there was dinner and dancing?"
"I know it's just one of those things. And us dating would be weird," Penny said, "Don't you think?"
"That's weird but this, with us, isn't?"
"No."
"Just checkin'. I don't want you to feel like I'm using you."
"What are friends for if we can't use each other? It's not like a revenge thing for me, though."
"Me neither."
"Cool beans. I should prolly go. Before your kids get home. See you 'round, Mista Beech."
"Whenever you want to, Miz Penny."
~
Woody was surprised that Virgie wanted to hang out with him, it's been a while, and that she led them past her house to the Makeout Spot.
But nowadays he knew better than to jump the gun on that one. And anyway, looked like somebody already beat 'em to it.
"Can I ask you a question, Virginia?"
"Uh. No."
"Come on. Woody! Don't stare. Come on."
"I didn't mean to cut you off like that. Okay, I did, whatever. What is it you wanted to ask, Woods?"
"I wanna know why it was Scot and not, not me," he said, staring up into the sky.
"Okay, look. It's just, one, I wasn't ready for all that, and two, with you and me, I mean, you're like-"
"Please don't say I'm like your brother."
"No, I wasn't gonna say that. I missed us hangin' out. I know I've been kinda
super into Scot but that's, like, how it is when something's new. Like those two."
"I missed you, too."
"Woody, you over there hittin' on my girl the minute my back's turned?"
"Scot, shut up," Virginia said.
"And what's with the little sibs?"
"Had to bring them. But look, River will have to take Delta home in a little bit and then we can chill."
"Yo, what's that?"
"What? Who? I wasn't-"
"Over there!"
"Would you look at them. Boys."
Goldie laughed. "Yeah. Looks like fun, though."
"Race ya!"
"Arm yourself, woman!" Scot yelled, "Cuz you're goin' down!"
"In your dreams, loverboy. I don't need no stinkin'-oof!" Virgie went down with a snowball right to the mouth. "River!"
"Come on, Una, let's eat up so we can go play in the snow, 'k. You're gonna love snow!"
The kids, l'il and big, all gobbled up the snow cream 'experiment' while Una napped before Dora got a chance to set a bowl aside for her.
But that was okay, she was learning that snow was tasty all on its own.
"Look, Una, it's Grandpa Hart."
Valentine figured Penny would have Una outside exploring so he stopped by to play with his favourite girl.
"Look at how big you're gettin'! Has she met Richie yet?"
"Well, we just met her sister, remember. I've only seen Candy a coupla times lately, like in passing."
"Mm-hm. He's her cousin, though, so they ought to get acquainted, too. Y'all should organise some play dates, you and Candy, y'know."
All told, Penny had a very good day but she was worn out so she curled up for a nap before dinner while Una played nice with 'Brella.
Scot was right on top of getting rid of 'the kids' as soon as the sun started to set.
"You're gonna hang out, Woody, right?"
"Uh, sure."
"Cool."
Not the best decision. Woody wasn't into being the fifth wheel but he, um, he didn't wanna run into River on the walk home either.
Grandpa got Una to her feet to teach her what wonders a hands-free little biped could do.
No stopping her now!
"Come on, Una, talk to Mommy. Aw, you don't wanna talk to Mommy tonight?"
"Mommy."
"That's right, Una! Mommy!"
Una was well on her way. Skye taught her to walk, Dora took over the potty training, and, of course, Penny taught her daughter to talk.
The next generation was off to a running start.
"Ah, Mr. Land. And Mr. Land. Are you come for the science as well?"
"No, sir. I don't think I'm ready to be on Scot's level just yet."
"Well then, come along, Scot, come along. We are saturated with theory, it is time once again to put it to work!"
"Right behind you, Mr. Weiss. Oh, Woody, River's got something for you, he'll show you. Upstairs."
"Scot?"
"Just go. Trust me."
River went all the way up to Woody's room.
"Uh, what are you doing?"
"You don't ever make your bed, do you?"
"No. I'm just gonna sleep in it again so..."
"Hey, what's the matter with you?"
"You didn't tell anybody, did you? About..."
"No."
"But you are mad at me?"
"No."
"You were right, you don't say much."
"I'm not gonna tell nobody. I don't even know, like, like why you-"
"I don't know, it just happened. It ain't a big deal, right? It don't hafta be."
"You looked like it was kind of a big deal a second ago."
"That's only cuz you were actin' like, look, I dunno. But we're cool?"
Woody nodded.
"So I can hang out with you up here, until Scot's ready to go?"
Woody looked around over his shoulder downstairs, he didn't know why, nobody was gonna be there. "Uh, sure."
"I don't...River, I don't think I'm gay."
"I don't think you're gay either," he said. "Does it matter?"
"So, now that's settled..."
They started talking about other stuff but now that they were talking again, Woody couldn't help coming back to it.
"You know that was my first, like, first kiss."
"Me too."
"Yeah but that's, I mean, of course it was yours."
"Thanks a lot."
"No, I mean, you practically just transitioned. But I'm the only one of my friends who never
even had my first kiss. Isn't that pathetic. I did, I did try once. With you-know-who."
"My brother's girl."
"She wasn't his girlfriend then. Anyway, I, I tried to kiss her and, um, I missed."
"How did you miss?"
"I just did, okay."
"I didn't miss."
"Yeah, I noticed that."
"You need to work on your aim."
"Okay, okay. Enough."
"Naw, I'm serious. You should practice," River said. "If you, if you want, maybe, you know...for, uh..."
"...for practice."
It took up a lot of his free time which meant time away from Virginia but Scot wasn't about to give up
being a protégé, not when all he was learning meant he could do his family proud and help them out
and with these skills under his belt be ready for him and Virginia to start their life together right away!
When it got to 'round the time Scot usually finished up with Mr. Weiss River jumped up to go before his brother came lookin' for him.
Right when Woody was kinda startin' to get into their...practice session.
"What's that?"
"What Scot sent you. He said you missed out but be sure and go slow
with that stuff. Don't go gulpin' it down all at once, that's that rotgut."
"What's it taste like?"
River shrugged. With Dixie gone he wasn't ever invited when they snuck a tipple.
"You and Scot didn't-you let him see?"
"Relax, Woody. I would not let anyone else work on our project. She is in the closet."
It was full late for David to be open but Dora had a hunch. After the brisk walk all the way to the other side o' town, she'd have knocked on the door to get
him to come across the street and ring her up if she had to but there he was, sure enough, and not before long up sauntered his l'il girlfriend. Well, well.
"Gran, I told you before, you don't have to pay, it's okay."
"And I told you I always pay my own way. What kinda head for business is that, anyhow? Or are you
tryna hurry me on outta here?" Dora said, bobbing her head a coupla times in Goldie's direction.
"Never that, Gran. Only, it's gettin' late, is all."
"It surely is...You still got your l'il secret stash o' them you-know-whats? I hope you do, Davey."
Nobody could embarrass David like his Gran. Mom and Dad tried sometimes but it was Gran who knew him a little too well.
"Well, do ya?"
"Yeah, Gran. Okay, so here's your change..."
David wanted to crawl in a hole or somethin' and if that's how he felt then Goldie
musta been seconds from runnin' out on him. And it wasn't even like that!
"All right, I'll skedaddle. You just make sure and get a young lady home at a decent time. Y'hear."
"Do!"
"That's good, Una. Say Do-ra."
"Do!"
Skye saw Dora come in and followed her to their room.
He was a lot more hands on these days.
*For Science!*
"What say you to a spring ceremony? With only, yes, I think with only the family around, to bear witness to our merger."
"Sounds kinky."
Skye cleared his throat but all he said was, "Highly inappropriate, I should think."
"Skye Weiss, did you make a joke!"
Dora threw her arms around him.
"Of course, in a surprising multiplicity of cultures the-ahem-the bedding was an integral part of the
wedding festivities. But it goes without saying that what was culturally sanctioned once upon a time..."
"Aw, hush up. Spring sounds just fine."
Woody's project had been overtaken by his dad's prototype. He went down to the shed before anyone was up and took her from the closet.
She looked kinda right, mostly, but when Woody set her down he touched some kinda button and she jumped! What the-what?!
~
One thing: Woody is not gay. He's not bisexual either really but he is at a point in his life where his needs easily trump his wants. Someone wanted him! Is it perfect, no, but he can't "practice kissing" alone.