Monday, March 7, 2011

‘This’ Pleasant View - Gen 1 09

Previously on ‘This’ Pleasant View:
Nina pays Cyd a personal visit. Cyd asks Ruyb for time. Time for what? Heather has an odd talk with Daniel. Leaving her with even more questions about the pink box. Dina is pregnant. Who’s the baby dayddy? Magic is schooled by Lisa. Mitch claims his relationship with the slut twins is platonic. If that’s true, how does he know such intimate details of their life?

Meanwhile…


“What? Warned me? Not very likely.” Heather shakes her head bewildered. “You’ve spouted off about some Mütevazi. Which I still haven’t a clue what that is-”
“Who. Mütevazi is a who, erm… a man… a powerful man.” Daniel visibly shudders.
“So you say… then you spout off about preparing for someone and you’re really creeping me out.” Heather takes a step backward away from Daniel. “Do you talk like this to strangers all the time? Or am I just lucky?”
Daniel smiles sadly. “I’m not crazy. Really…”
“Ya… uh huh, I’m sure you aren’t.” Heather is finally safely out of reach of this strange man and a shiver runs through her. “Your creepy factor is rising at an alarming rate. I think I need to go… anywhere.”


“Heather?” He watches her hasten her step to walk away. “I’m sorry.”
Heather can’t help but glance at him. “Creepy… I’m just saying, Daniel… if that’s really your name.”
Daniel simply nods. “Daniel… Daniel Pleasant.”
She does a double take. “Pleasant?” She holds her sides and laughs. Gripping the post she uses it to brace herself. “I’m sorry…” She wipes her tears of mirth. “The irony. This encounter… it has been anything but pleasant.” She walks away, her shoulders still shaking from her laughter.
Daniel shakes his head. “Like I haven’t heard that before…”


The clanking of the wrench rings loudly in the small room. He beats relentlessly at the pipe cursing his own stupidity. “Sure, I can fix it…” clank, “who am I kidding?” Clank. “I’ve never fixed-” clank, clank, “a damn thing my whole-” clank, “life.” His wrench pauses, his brow furrows and he tilts his head listening. He looks around peering at the room as if it holds the answer to what that muffled distant noise is.
He jumps at the piercing scream. The wrench falls from his hand. He steps out of the shower and wipes his shoes on the small carpet. The scream was muted yet he is sure it was piercing wherever it originated from. Toots is off at a work convention so no one should be here. Silently he creeps to the bathroom door. He looks around listening. Again the muffled noise. This time the noise is louder. A woman? A girl? Female… definitely female. She sounds distraught. He curses silently as his rubber sole gives off a small squeak as he pivots towards the bedroom door. He pauses with his hand on the doorknob. Robbers? Possibly, yet doubtful. It was relatively early in the evening plus robbers rarely scream so loudly. The voice is joined by another, male, low rumbling followed by the female pleading. Gritting his teeth feeling a gutteral growl growing within him, he prays he’s wrong about what he will see on the other side of the door.


Ruyb slips in to the master bathroom surprising Cyd. “Hi there.”
Cyd chuckles and slips his arms around her waist. “Hello yourself.”
Ruyb presses her body to his, arms around his neck, breathlessly speaking in his ear. “I was just making sure you’re okay.”
He pulls away and quirks a questioning eyebrow before responding. “Ya, I decided to take a long hot bath instead of a shower. Why? Are they here?”
Ruyb nods a bit too quickly adding to his confusion. “Sorry… so one of the girls is pregger sick and the other one decided to come in to our room and I, um…”
“Jealous… oh, that green-eyed monster can be so cruel.” He kisses her softly. “I didn’t see her… and I’m pretty sure she didn’t see me. “ He smirks.
She melts in his embrace. “If she did I’m sure she got an eye full.”
He chuckles. “Come on, we have company.”


Darren stands in the doorway stunned silent. Words escape him as Lillith scrambles off the bed fighting back tears of relief, fear and embarrassment. Dirk stares at his father. His relaxed demeanor only adds to Darren’s annoyance. Lying there with a prominent tent in his drawers looking at his father’s intrusion as a mere set back. “Hey Dad.”
“Hey… Dad?” Darren blinks at his son. He keeps his eyes from viewing Lilith. “Hey… Dad… That’s how you want to start this conversation?” Darren’s teeth are clenched as he tries desperately to hold on to his anger. Who the hell if this punk and what did he do with his son? He can feel his hands shaking with rage and his son just lies there as if… “What the… “ Darren tries again. “What’s going on?” In his anger, his voice deepens instinctively. Lilith recoils and whimpers.


“Nothing… yet.” Dirk grins at his father. Darren loses what patience he tried to hold on to.
“Nothing yet? What the hell, Dirk? You’re eighteen, boy! Lil is only fifteen-”
Lilith’s shakey voice corrects him. “Sixteen.”
“You’re not helping, Lil. That’s not the point. The point is Dirk is an adult in the eyes of the court and you’re not! Not to mention that what I heard sounded more like he was trying and you were saying no! Dirk have you lost all sense, boy?”
“Chill, Dad. Lil and I were just having fun.”
“Fun?!” The vien in Darren’s neck throbs with his anger. His jaw tigtens has he keeps from strangling his only child. “Dirk! The girl said no. That means no!”
Lilith winces. “I’m sorry.” Her voice is a mere squeak.
He rounds on her. His eyes are hard as onyx. “What? Why are you sorry?” Darren’s voice fills the room causing her to flinch.


“Dad, you’re scaring Lil.” Dirk’s disinterest was the last straw. Darren loses his temper.
“Young man, do you have any idea what trouble you’re in? What trouble you could be in is unthinkable.”Darren’s voice booms. “You’re a young adult and it is high time you behave like one.”
“I was about to.” Dirk flashes a grin at Lilith who blanches.
“Dirk! This is no laughing mat-”
“Uh, Mr. Dreamer?” Lilith’s hesitant voice breaks through. “Mind if I uh… can I put my… I mean, it is so embarrassing.” Her voice ends in a whimper.
He finally looks at Lilith and bristles. “Put some clothes on young lady.”
“Oh!” Lilith stares wide eyed, her tears still threatening to fall.


Dirk sighs heavily and pulls himself from the comfort of the bed. His erection gone, the ‘mood’ ruined. “Lil, I’ll take you home.”
Darren shakes his head. His hands are clenching and unclenching as he rounds on his son again. “You will do no such thing. I am not through speaking with you yet.”
“At me… you’re not speaking with me, Dad.” Dirk approaches his father and stares blankly at him. “She is going to need a ride home.”


“Thanks?” Lilith grabs her clothes in her arms hastily and makes a clumsy exit.
“Dirk…” Darren grabs for him… to shake some sense in to him… something.
”Whoa…” Dirk backs away from his father. “You’ve never laid a hand on me before, now suddenly you think he can?” Dirk chuckles. “Ya, I have no idea what you’re thinking, Mr. I’m shacking up with my woman but it isn’t okay for my kid to have any.”
“What?” Darren stares in disbelief. “I don’t even know who you are any more.”


“You never knew me. You never had the time to know me. You and your paintings and work and it wasn’t until Mom died that you remembered I was even alive.” Dirk stares at him daring him to contradict him. “No you have no idea who I am. The guilt ate you up and ya, I let you ply me with stuff… money… but never think for one minute that you know me.”


“Son, I…” Darren is deflated. He shakes his head at a loss for words. Everything the boy said is true. “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry? Keep your apology. I don’t want ‘em.” Dirk looks at his father with disgust. “Where were you when Mom was sick? Where were you when I was growing up? Huh? Off working? Off fucking around and cheating on Mom more likely.”
“What?” Darren shook his head in confusion. “Cheating? I’d nev-”
“Save it for someone who believes you.” Dirk scoffs. “You were never there. If you weren’t home you were at what, your studio?”
“Well, yes.” Darren snaps out of this guilt ridden trip his son suddenly threw him in to.


“No don’t change the subject here. We aren’t talking about what happened between your mother and me, we’re talking about you raping your girlfriend!” Darren grasps at the situation and steers it back to Dirk.
Dirk looks at him and smirks. “Rape?” Dirk looks at his father as if he’s lost his mind. “Look just because you’ve got some weird shit going on with your little whor-”
“Don’t you dare call her that! Toots is a good woman. She loves me. And dammit I love her. You will respect her or I swear on all that’s unholy I will put you out on the street.” Darren’s temper has taken full control. He’s nostrils are flared, his teeth gnash.
“Oh, just like that, huh… I see. So you’re going to pick her over me, too.” Dirk just sneers at his father. “And you wonder why I’m so fucked up.”


“No…” Darren shook his head. “No, I refuse to take the blame for this. You are an adult. It is time you took responsibility for your own actions.” His brow furrowed as his mind reeled. “Son, I may have failed your mother, but never did I cheat on her. Never did I love anyone but her until the day she died and even then…”
“Cassandra.” Dirk watches his father blanches. He smirks. “After graduation, I’m out of here. You’re a fucking hypocrit. Now if you’ll excuse me. I think my girlfriend is probably freaking out about now thanks to you.”
Darren moves from the doorway turning his back on his son. “I don’t…”
“Save it for someone who gives a shit.” Dirk storms past his father leaving him to his thoughts.


“Fuck.” Armando grabs his middle and groans. His hand flies to his mouth as his stomach rejects its contents. His body convulses. “Huuuuuu…..”
The urgent pounding on the door comes almost immediately. “Hey, you okay?”
“Huuuuuu…”
“Aw, Mando, I’m not cleaning that shit up!” More pounding is heard on the door. “Mando!”


“Fuck…” Armando falls to his knees and grips the toilet. “Fu-” His word is lost in bodily noises. None are pleasant as bile and booze is expelled missing the bowl completely. The contents of his stomach splash with a thick pouring noise to the tile. The stench makes him recoil. “Oh Gods.”
A groan can be heard from the other side of the door. “I just cleaned that bathroom.” The growling voice recedes leaving Armando to wallow alone.


Dirk grins. “Hey, Babe.”
Lilith jumps letting out a little squeak of surprise. She turns to look at Dirk with a furrowed brow. “You okay?” She glances at the open door behind him and bites her lip with worry.
He shrugs indifferently.


His grin broadens the close he gets to her. “I want you so much right now.”
“I thought he was going to shit a twinkie back there.” She supresses a giggle lowering her voice, “can you imagine his reaction if he came in any later than he did?” Her cheeks warm to a blush that reaches her ears.
Dirk chuckles and shakes his head. “That would have been something.”


“Dirk that would’ve been horrible. My pasty white ass in the air? Oh mercy the thought makes me sick to my stomach.” Her gaze drops suddenly causing him to frown.
“What?” He glances over his shoulder and back to her. “He still thinks you’re a virgin. Hell he thinks I was raping you.”
She flinches, “I’m so sorry…” Her voice trails off.
Dirk shrugs. “Why? That scene back there with my father was long over due. He’s a pompous self-righteous hypocrit.”
“But your college fund…” She shakes her head and frowns. “Your dreams… our plans…”


He reaches up and wipes away the tear that fell. “Babe, it’s in a trust. He can’t touch it. Mom took care of me.”
Lililth sighs in relief. “All I could think is that he was going to ruin everything.” She leans in to his touch and closes her eyes. “It would have been all my fault and you’d hate me for it.”
Dirk chuckles and shakes his head. “Nah. Besides, I love you. None of that shit was your fault.”
“I love you, too.” She kisses his palm and sighs again.


“Come on. I need to get you home before I throw you down right here and rape you for real.” Dirk waggles his brow.
“Oh my gosh, Dirk. Your dad would have kittens.” She smiles shyly, warming to the idea.
Dirk laughs. “I still can’t believe you told him you’re sixteen.”
She looks at him horrified. “I had to! Can you imagine his reaction if he knew I was only fourteen?”

Friday, March 4, 2011

‘This’ Pleasant View - Gen 1 08

Previously on ‘This’ Pleasant View:
Magic gets an unexpected roommate. Who is this kid? What did the note in the pink box say? Mitch throws the ‘M’ word leaving Christina stunned. Will she accept or make him do things in a traditional way? Heather makes birthday plans for Alon. Will they wait four days? Dirk wants to take the relationship to new heights. Darren’s on his way. Will he stop his son or let kids be kids?

Meanwhile…


“There you are.” Ruyb enters the room and watches him paint. “We have company coming, unless you want to cancel.” She tilts her head at the subject of his current piece.
Without a word, Cyd puts down the brush and turns to her. He pulls her in to his arms and holds her. He places a soft kiss on her forehead before leaning his against hers. She opens her mouth to speak and he closes his eyes. She closes her mouth, bites her lip biting back her concerns. “I need time.”
“Okay.” Ruyb continues to bite her lip. She has a pained look as she buries her face in his neck. She struggles with her need to speak and respecting his wishes.
He feels her body trembling and takes a deep breath. He stares off at nothing as he holds her. His expression is blank, haunted and distant.


“Did you open it?” He looks at her with earnest. He shifts his gaze to his left then right and shakes his head at her. “You didn’t… right?”
Heather peers at this whispering stranger. “What are you talking about?”
His eyes widen and he glances up the stairs. “The pink box!” He hisses. “You got the pink box, I’m sure of it. I saw him.” He recoils and looks around once again panicked.
Heather gasps. “You know about the pink box! Who is ‘he’ and why did he leave it? What’s in it?”
He winces. “Shhhh… you don’t want him to hear!” He peers at her. “You’re either brave… or stupid.”
Heather looks at him in utter confusion. “Huh?”


The stranger blinks. “You really don’t know.”
Heather huffs. “No, and I think you need to start talking before I start screaming about pink boxes.” Heather tries to keep a straight stern face feeling rather silly.
He peers at her. “You’re bluffing.”
She shakes her head. “Nope, not bluffing… so start talking.”
“I knew it was a mistake talking to you… I knew it!” He sneers. “Your ignorance is gonna get us both killed.”
Heather shrugs. “I don’t have anything to lose, buster, so spill.”


He paces waiting for the other end to answer. He sighs as it rings for the fourth time. He stops as the other party answers. He grins. “Hey-” Mitch blinks. His grin fades. He pulls the phone from his ear and stares at the reciever for a moment before putting it back to his ear. “What the hell?” He shakes his head listening. “Uh, ok I have no idea what you’re blubbering on about.” He bites back a laugh. His grin returns. “I didn’t say you are blubber, Dina. I said you’re blubbering.” This time he doesn’t bother holding back and laughs. “It means you’re crying and chattering a string of nonsensical ramblings.” He cringes and pulls the phone away from his ear for a moment. Carefully he puts the receiver back to his ear and shakes his head. “No, that’s not blubbering. That is screeching…”
Mitch rolls his eyes. “Is Nina… Dina? Dina, is Nina… Dina… Dina…” Mitch groans, his shoulders slump, he hangs his head and hits his head with the reciever.


“So, lemme get this straight. That pink box, the one with the envelope, the computer, the gift certificates…”
The girl nods with each word and Magic groans. “I should have known better than to open that. If it seems too good to be true…”
The little girl giggles. “It is!”
“What if I give the box back? I can just put that crappy computer back in the box… take the stuff back that I got and you can go away.” Magic peers at the little girl.
She grins openly, her bright eyes filled with humor. “You’re funny.”
“I’m serious!”
“So am I.” She suddenly crosses her arms across her little body showing her just how serious she is. Magic laughs. The girl shrugs her shoulders. “You’re a push over. Listen… once you open pandora’s box, you’re stuck. There is no stuffing things back in.”
“That thing wasn’t Pandora’s box…”
“Nope, worse… you opened Mütevazi’s box.” The girl states this very seriously with an added nod for emphasis.


“You have got to be one of the weirdest kids I’ve ever met…” Magic just stares blankly at her.
“Oh this from the woman named Eek.” She scoffs and rolls her eyes.
“My name is Magic.” Magic bristles.
“Yup, still a dumb name.” Her eyes smolder as she squares off against Magic.
“And you? You haven’t told me your name yet.” Magic counters.
“Oh,” She blushes daintily. “My name is Lisa… Lisa Cuzican.” She tilts her head and smirks up at Magic. “I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you but I was taught to be honest…”
“Why you little…” Magic pauses and stares blankly. “Cuzican? Like Christina Cuzican?”
“Yes!” Lisa’s smile is disarmingly sweet and sincere. The kind of smile that lights a child’s face causing her eyes to sparkle. “She raised a bunch of little girls, most of us took on her last name even though we aren’t related or anything… she was very good to us.” Lisa’s smile fades, her eyes lose the sparkle and she stares at Magic. “When we become the right age, Mütevazi came for us.” She shrugs. “We didn’t even get to say good-bye.”


“Name isn’t buster it’s…” He blinks and shakes his head. “Never mind, Buster works. Listen Mütevazi’s pink box is a trap. If you don’t open it, you aren’t bound to the contract. Just read the back of the first card.”
Heather tilts her head. “Why do you care?” I mean what is it to you if I open the box or not?”
‘Buster’ pauses and stares. “He’s evil.”
“Okay for argument’s sake, let’s just say this Mütevazi is evil. What does that make you?” Heather tries another approach. None of this is making any sense and suddenly she has a very strange urge to open this damn box.
“Me? Me?!” Buster is taken aback. “I’m not evil… I’m trying to help. I’m… I’m…” He shakes his head. “Yanno, open the damn box. Go ahead. Just remember. It’s binding.”
Heather continues to stare at him unsure of her next move.
“Try to be nice and this is the thanks you get… accused of being evil like Mütevazi.” He shudders.


“Well look at it from my point of view, Buster.” Heathr takes a deep breath. “A stranger comes to you whispering warnings and threats about binding contracts and pink boxes and I’m assuming someone named Mütevazi. Through all of all of this, this stranger refuses to give a name and if that isn’t enough this binding contract is as vague as his paranoia. Contract binding me to what? To who? What is in the box?”
He grins and nods. “You’re right. Name is Daniel and the box has a computer, a note, and some gifts to prepare you for what is to come… or more accurately who.” He smirks. “Open the box, Heather. Welcome her. Just remember… I warned you.”


“Oh thank the Gods…” He cringes. “Sorry, but your sister was giving me a headache. What in the nine hells is she rambling on about?” He starts to pace again and stops dead in his tracks. His eyes widen and he smirks. “I see. Well for a normal person I would say congrats but in her case…” He chuckles. “Okay, okay… so now what?” He folds his arms lets out a low whistle. “Interesting…” He catches a glimpse of the clock on the wall bringing his attention back. “Oh hey, so I called because it’s about that time… but I’m guessing you two aren’t in the-”
He listens and nods. “Fair enough. I’ll just meet you two there then.” He hits the end button, stares at the receiver and laughs while hanging it back up on the craddle. He turns towards the front door and groans. “I forgot to ask about tomorrow.”


“Let’s assume I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
“Because you don’t…” Lisa adds.
Magic ignores her and continues. “Let’s get these facts straight shall we?” Magic prompts Lisa. “Start from the beginning. Christina raised you and you were taken away…”
Lisa nods slowly. “Uh huh…”
“You aren’t related to Christina or the man that took you away? So who are your parents?”
Lisa bites her lip. “We aren’t told who our parents are… that way we don’t try to go and find them.”
“Aren’t you even curious who your parents are?” Magic is stumpped.
“You ask a lot of questions.” Lisa stares at her either refusing or unable to give answers.


“I’m an invistigative reporter, Sweetie… it’s what I do.” Magic grins triumphantly.
Lisa laughs. “Right, this from the woman who didn’t read the clues and had no idea I was coming… okay, ‘reporter’. What are the other facts? Hmmm?” She folds her small arms, challenging her.
“The card said: Treasure your ward, nuture and help it grow and your future is richly rewarded.” Magic shrugs. “Where in there does it say ‘expect a punk little girl to invade your home and disrupt your life?”
“It says: Treasure your ward, nuture and help her grow and your futures are richly rewarded.” Lisa sighs and rolls her eyes. “Lame.”
“Hey!”
“Lame.” Lisa giggles. Her belly gurgles. “Oh hey, I’m hungry. What’s for lunch?”


Ruyb appears distracted and has trouble meeting his direct gaze. “Thanks for the, uh… Chinese food.” She cringes.
“Not a good choice, huh? Sorry, it was on my way. Figured we were showing up around lunch and instead of expecting you to entertain us and… ya okay so the girls usually bring a home cooked something, but we…” He glances over his shoulder. “It has been an odd weekend.”
Ruyb grins and nods. “Still the thought was very sweet. Thanks.”
“I know we just met and all, but uh… are you okay?” Mitch tries to catch her wandering gaze.
Ruyb is taken aback and does a double take. “I… uh… what? Yes, I’m okay. Why?” She feels her cheeks redden and lowers her gaze.
“I used to be an EMT…” He motions to his own eye and nods at her. “I’m trained to notice things others don’t want noticed…” He glances over his shoulder again towards the quiet hallway and back to her with a questioning gaze.


“Oh! No, no, no, it’s not like that.” She chuckles and shakes her head. “Cyd didn’t do this. He saved me from the asshat that did.”
Mitch nods and grins. “Glad to hear it.”
“I was distracted by the blond, she keeps going to my bathroom all urpy like. Is she going to be okay?” She watches as Dina dashes to her bathroom again. “Maybe Chinese was a bad idea for her?”
Mitch turns in time to see the bathroom door close again. “Nothing is good for her right now. Morning sickness…” He shrugs.
“Oh how exciting! When is her due date?” Ruyb is finally distracted from her own worries.


“No idea. I didn’t think to ask.” He shrugs.
“So are you hoping for a boy or a girl?” Ruyb’s enthusiasm is almost contagious until her words sink in.
Mitch’s eyes widen. “Woah, I’m not the dad…” He laughs. “Hells, I never even slept with the Caliente twins. Not my kind of girls. They’re fun to hang around with and sweet as pie, but I like the good girl… the kind you marry.”
“That’s right…” The sarcasm is dripping from her voice. “He doesn’t like fun, he likes innocence.”
Mitch sighs. “Nina…” Ruyb gives him an apologetic shrug.
Nina uncrosses her long legs and stands from the couch. She casts him a seductive grin. “There was a time, when we first met…”
“Nina…”


Nina laughs. “I’m off to powder my nose, etc.” She glances at him again. “Don’t be too harsh with your words, Mitch.”
“Sometimes it is best to ignore her.” Dina groans.
“Um, I have some crackers I think… they help some. Oh and I have ginger ale.” Ruyb’s eyes widen. “Door to your right… the other…” She frowns at Mitch. “That’s my bedroom.”
Mitch shrugs. “She doesn’t steal.”
Dina pipes up from the couch. “Unless there’s a man in there.”
Ruyb’s eyes widen more. “Cyd.”

Thursday, March 3, 2011

‘This’ Pleasant View - Gen 1 07

Previously on ‘This’ Pleasant View:
Cyd kicks Armando out. Ruyb is faced with a black eye. Darren and Toots appear happy. Mitch and Christina appear happy. Can there be happiness in Pleasant View?

Later…


Thump, thump, thump, thump…
Magic steps out of the shower and pauses. Her eyebrows furrow while listening for the sound to repeat quickly grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
It sounds somewhat muted, yet oddly close. Magic towels off while listening intently.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
She finishes dressing, tosses the towel over the rack and straightens it. Magic tilts her head listening to the rhythmic pounding.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…


She walks slowly in to her halway and looks around. The sound stopped. She looks down the stairwell and debates on what to do next. The sound returns.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
Magic jumps. Her hands fly to her mouth as she stiffles a girly yelp.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
The thumping noise is jonied with a giggle she couldn’t hear when she had the bathroom door closed.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
The giggling is relatively high pitched definitely female. Magic looks at the extra bedroom and glares at the door. Her voice is low as if talking to herself. “No one in this house is having sex if I’m not… how rude. Don has gone too far.”
Thump, thump, thump, thump…


Christina answers the phone on the third ring. “Hello?” She pauses and glances out the window. She bites her lip as she shivers at the sight of Mitch. “I’m sorry, what?” She pulls her thoughts back to the conversation. “Oh, right… sorry. I was distracted. Hmm? Oh, it’s just Mitch being Mitch.” She giggles and nods as if the caller can see her nodding. “I know right?” She suddenly stiffens. “Wait, how did you know…” Christina visibly relaxes a little bit. “Oh, right. Okay, so I’ll tell him. Mhmm…”


Mitch puts the mail in the mailbox and lifts the flag. He watches silently as an old man pauses to look at his house ignoring him. Mitch crosses his arms and narrows his eyes. He tears his eyes from the man and looks to see what if anything the man was looking at. He smiles at Christina waving to him at the window. He returns his gaze to the man and shakes his head. “I’ll be buying curtains this weekend… enjoy what you can while you can.”
He smirks at the man’s grin. Mitch grabs his newspaper off the porch and heads inside the house. The old man continues his walk without a second glance.


Heather bites her lip. “I’m so sorry.” She shakes her head and closes her eyes. “No, not sorry we made love… never for that, but we should have waited.” She looks around and sighs heavily. “I keep waiting for the doorbell to ring and I’m carted off for statutory rape.” She smiles and chuckles softly. “Well forget it. I don’t want you near the house for another four days. I don’t trust myself around you.” Heather pouts. “I don’t…” She shakes her head. “No, Alon.” She covers her mouth to stiffle her gasp. “No!” She whimpers and shakes her head again. “Please, I have nosey neighbors and if they don’t already know, they will if… Alon… no, Alon, it’s not-”


“So, we got off to a rocky start and maybe we need to start this again. I’m Dirk, Dirk Dreamer. Kid to the guy you are fixin’ to marry.” He extends his hand to her. Toots is taken aback yet is willing to play along.
“Okay… Toots Grim. I’d say it’s a pleasure but I’m not sure what game you’re playing.” She shakes his hand and he smirks.
“No game.” Dirk shrugs. “If I have to live here… better you don’t want to kill me, right?”
Toots tilts her head and eyes him wearily. “Right…”
“So uh, whats with the jacket? It’s not that cold…” He pulls his gaze away from her breasts to try and make eye contact.
“I’m traveling this morning.” She crosses her arms and watches him.
“Cool… so uh, hey that heap out here. You said its mine if I fix it. You’re for real, right?” He motions with a jerk of his head towards the driveway.
“Yup… you know anything about cars?” Her eyebrow quirks.
“Enough to get that thing running and I have friends who know stuff too.” He glances at it and back to Toots. “Mind if I uh…”
“Ya sure…” Toots waves a dismissive hand. “Listen I have to finish getting ready for my trip. I’ll leave the door unlocked for you just in case you get hungry or something…”


“Stay out of trouble, Dirk.” Toots calls to him before she takes off. He’s been working for only about ten minutes when an odd breeze whips through. He pauses and turns off the hand buffer.
Dirk wipes his brow. The buffer sound is still ringing in his ears. He looks over the car’s roof. He shakes his head as if he was wrong about something. He looks around and scratches his head. He heads inside to get a towel and listens for a moment at the quiet house. He walks from room to room and grins noting Toots is gone. “Sweet.”
Dirk heads back outside to put any tools away.


His cell phone rings twice before it’s picked up. “Babe… ya, the house is mine.” He laughs. “Hurry up then.”


“Oh before I forget, Nina called.” Christina glances at him from the book she’s been trying to read.
He sighs, scratches out something before responding. “Okay.”
“She said the wagon is at two… and then said you need a tan.” She giggles and shakes her head. “I don’t happen to agree with that last part.”
Mitch’s pen pauses. He chuckles and shakes his head. “That voyueristic wench.” He starts with the paper again: circling, scratching, growling, and sighing.
Christina tilts her head. “I’m going to invite them over for dinner.”
“Mhmm…” He flips the paper over and continues.
“I’m thinking about tomorrow night…” She tries again.
“Okay.” He looks closer at the paper, his eyebrows rise in surprise.


Thump, thump, thump, thump…
Magic’s jaw is set. Her mouth is a thin line of annoyance. She marches to the door of her spare bedroom.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
She growls grabbing hold of the doorknob and gives it a fast jerk open to catch whoever it is in the act. You can’t deny anything if you’re caught doing… it.
Thump, thump, thump, thump…


Thump, thump, thump, thump…
Magic stares. Her mouth drops open. “What in the…”
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
She giggles gleefully. “Hi!” Thump, thump, thump, thump…
“Get down from there.” Magic walks in the room staring at the girl in utter confusion. “How did you get in?”
Thump, thump, thump, thump…
“The front door.” Thump, thump, thump, thump… “You should probably learn to lock it…”


“I’m serious, Alon. Four days is not that long and if my neighbors…” She clutches her stomach and gasps. “Oh, well…” She shakes her head. “Not fair… that’s so not fair.” She giggles and blushes. She bites her lip and sways on her feet. “Oh, um…” She fans herself. “Are you sure you’re only seventeen because when I was that age, I never knew anyone like you.” She laughs and shakes her head. “That is so wrong.” She leans against her kitchen counter her attention is caught by the package still sitting and waiting in her hallway. “You want to what?” Her eyes widen and she licks her lips. “Oh ya, on your birthday we will definitely do lots of that.”


“Took you long enough. Did you have problems with the mom?” He sweeps her in his arms. Lilith swoons and hugs him back.
“Not really… I had to shake off the bitch though. For some reason she wanted to tag along. I’m like since when and she is all like since now and I’m like no way and she is like I’ll tell and I’m like so tell, you don’t know what you’re talking about and then she is like it doesn’t matter cuz I’ll make some shit up and Mom will believe me cuz I’m the favorite and-”
Dirk kisses her to shut her up. She stops talking immediately to kiss him back. His mouth devours hers, his tongue invades and conquers. She stuggles to breathe and pulls away gasping for air. Dirk grins as if triumphant leaving Lilith dazed and nervous. “You promised.”
“Ya… I know.” She glances at the house nervously. “So no one is home, huh.”
“Nope. Come on. I’ll show you my bed.”
Lilith nods numbly and stares at the house again suddenly sick to her stomach.


“Did they say yes?” He glances at her.
“Not exactly.” She bites her lip. “I haven’t asked yet.”
He chuckles and shrugs. “I can ask if you want… or you can ask when they stop to pick me up.” He goes back to reading his paper and puts a big red circle around something and grins.
“What are you doing?” Christina leans over and looks at the paper.
“Job hunting.” He shows her the few red circled ads.
Christina looks at a few of the jobs he has circled and looks at him with surprise. “You’re going back to work?”
“Of course.” He chuckles at her surprise. “I can’t have my future wife supporting me. What kind of man would that make me?”


“Just because my front door is unlocked, that does not give you the right to barge in and jump on my bed!” Magic is fuming angry.
“You mean my bed.” The girl stops jumping and grins down at Magic.
Magic stares for a moment absorbing what she just heard. “How do you figure?”
“Yanno, for a reporter you suck at investigation.” She plops on her behind on the bed and swings her legs a few times before responding. “You didn’t read the card in the pink box… or you’d know.”
Magic folds her arms before her. “I did, too. It was rather cryptic though.”
“Wow, you really suck.” She throws her body back on the bed and giggles at her own joke. “If you can’t even figure that out, how are you supposed to raise me?” The girl sobers. “I’ve been put in a house with a moron. I’m doomed.”


“You don’t have to be scared. I promise no one will find out. You love me right?”
Lillith frowns. “You know I do.”
“Well then, the next step is sex.” Dirk runs a finger along her top against her skin. “Just lemme see. I mean, we don’t have to do anything. We can just get naked and then see… yanno, if you want to do more.”
“Dirk, I just don’t know…” Lilith hesitates. Her voice cracks and she cringes.
“Come on, Lil. If you love me, you’ll let me at least see.” His hands shake as he takes her hand and puts on his body. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.
“Dirk…” Lilith tries to pull her hand away but he holds it on his crotch and grins.
“You know you want it.” He uses her hand to rub more.
“Dirk, don’t…” Lilith tries again to pull away. She cringes and fights back the tears. “Please don’t make me do this.”
“Don’t be a tease, Lil.” Dirk pushes her back on the bed and pins her down with his body. “You want it as much as me.”


“Your what?!” Christina stares at him as he walks away. “Mitch!”
Mitch chuckles and walks away. “I gotta get ready to go. The girls will be here soon.”
Christina’s head is spinning. She shakes it a few times as he heads up the stairs. “Wait! When did we decide this?”
His voice comes to her from the stairs as he takes the corner towards their room. “We haven’t… but that’s usually next after the moving in thing… just think about it.” The door closes. Christina closes her mouth and stares stunned at the room.
“Married?” The room remains silent. “Holy Simoly.”


‘This’ Pleasant View - Gen 1 08