Sarah & Allison Life goes on
As soon as they could, Sarah and Allison invited Rikki to join one of their afternoon, after-school soirees, this time at Allison's house. Rikki used Sarah's cell-phone to call her mom and let her know where she'd be. Her mom told her to have a good time and she'd pick her up about 9 pm again.
As the guest, Rikki got to shower first. "Go ahead and wash your hair if you think it needs it. Sarah and I do each other's hair all the time."
"OK." She came out dressed in shorts and a T-shirt with wet hair.
"Your turn, munchkin." Sarah came out wrapped in a bath towel with wet hair too. Allison was last and straightened up the bathroom while Sarah started on Rikki's hair. When she was done, Allison sat in front of Rikki. "Don't worry about the braid, Sarah will do that. Just dry for now." Rikki wondered why they didn't dress but didn't say anything.
About the time Sarah was finished with Rikki's hair, Allison's hair was ready for braiding. Rikki and Sarah traded places. Rikki started combing Sarah's hair while she braided Allison's. When Allison's braid was done, she took over finishing Sarah's hair. "You seem quieter than usual, Rik. Something happened?"
"My father flew in for a visit over the weekend. It's never fun when he comes."
Sarah continued, "You did feel a little tense when I was doing your hair. Would you like a neck rub?"
"That would be nice, but I couldn't bother you."
"Don't worry about it. Sit. Allison is usually a bear after a game until I work on hers." Rikki sat in front of her and she started working on Rikki's neck and shoulders while Allison finished her hair. Down the back of her neck, Rikki's head lolled forward. Across her shoulders, you could almost hear Rikki purr.
"So, your parents' divorce wasn't amicable?"
Rikki tensed and Sarah shot Allison a you're not helping here' look. Allison changed the subject to their homework assignments and Sarah had Rikki turn her chair around so she could work on her back too. Sarah worked until she thought she'd worked out as much of Rikki's tension as she could.
"Ladies, it's time to get started on homework and dinner. Rikki, we'll meet you in the kitchen after we change." Rikki turned at the bedroom door and saw Sarah and Allison kiss briefly, but tenderly.
Rikki had her English book open when Sarah and Allison made it to the kitchen some minutes later. Allison started getting out what they needed to cook with while Sarah started the coffee. They all worked on their assignments while the main course cooked. Rikki was working on the salad when Allison's mom got home.
Allison was checking on the entrée and bounced over to plant a kiss and hug on her mom, "Good afternoon, my Lady. Your faithful servants have been hard at work, preparing this evening's repast."
She inhaled a good whiff, "Excellent work. Would you bring a cup of coffee and the mail and join me in the living room?"
"My pleasure."
Allison's mom kissed the top of Sarah's head and looked towards Rikki, "And who is the new addition to the staff?"
"This is Rikki Laveque. She's a recent transfer and in my English and History classes. She's a defender on the soccer team and plays basketball too."
"Welcome to the castle, Rikki. I hope these two aren't working you too hard."
"No, ma'am. Not any harder than I do at home. Thank you for having me over."
"Not a problem. If I don't see a different face every few days, I wonder if something is wrong with the girls. I hope you will come back soon."
When Allison joined her mom in the living room, she came to the point: "Rikki seems to be a nice girl. Does she know about you and Sarah?"
"She may. We haven't been in her face, but we haven't been hiding it either."
"Is this another of your crusades?"
"I don't know. Her parents are recently divorced and I think it wasn't amicable. She doesn't have a good relationship with her father. She needed a friend. I thought seeing you and dad together might be good for her."
"Ally, darling," pulling Allison onto her lap, hugging her close, and kissing each eye. "I know you mean well and your instincts are usually pretty good, but this could blow up in your face very easily."
"I know that, Mom. At this point, I'm just trying to be her friend."
"You promise you'll let me know how things are going?"
"You bet."
"How soon till dinner?"
"I'll check. It shouldn't be long."
While Allison and her mom were talking, Allison's dad came home. Sarah and Rikki met him at the door. Sarah kissed him on the cheek and hugged him, "Good afternoon, Mr. White. How was your day?"
"Evening, sunshine. Had an interesting day in class and some good results in the lab. Who's the new face?"
"This is Rikki Laveque. She's a recent transfer to Allison's school."
"It's nice to meet you, Rikki. I've heard that name before, are you related to Gustav Laveque?"
"He's my father."
"I was at the University of Minnesota and both the school and my consulting company had dealings with his shipping company. Welcome to the house, Rikki. I hope you will come back soon."
"Thank you, Mr. White."
Sarah took over. "She will if Allison and I have anything to say about it. Dinner will be ready in about 15 minutes. Coffee?"
"Yes, please. Thanks, Sarah."
Allison poked her head out of the living room, "Hey, munchkin. How long till we eat? Hi, dad."
"About 15 minutes. I could use some help setting the table and getting things ready."
Rikki spoke up, "I'll help, Sarah."
"Thanks, Rikki."
Allison's dad went into the living room. "Evening, Ally. It can wait till later, but I know Rikki's father." A moment later, Rikki brought in a cup of coffee, set it on the table beside him, and went back to the kitchen.
"OK, dad." They worked through the mail and talked about everyone's' day. After about ten minutes, Allison got up, "Time to wash up. Dinner should be ready in a few minutes."
"We'll be right there, darling."
Allison's mom and dad entered the living room to find Allison pulling her mom's chair out, Sarah and Rikki pulled out her dad's chair. Rikki sat in the guest-of-honor's chair to his right. Allison sat to her right, Sarah on the other side.
Allison's mom took a big whiff, "Good and faithful servants, if dinner tastes as good as it smells, you have done your usual excellent job."
Allison giggled, "Thank you, my Lady, I think you'll be pleased."
Conversation continued around the table. Rikki was asked how she liked her new school and the town. They talked about how the sports teams were doing. They talked about classes and assignments. Mr. White talked about his classes at the university and his consulting business. Rikki wasn't forced to take part but she wasn't allowed to be quiet for very long either.
Allison's dad picked up his napkin, "An excellent effort as usual, ladies. My compliments."
Allison continued the part she'd been playing all afternoon, "Thank you, my Lord. If you and my Lady would like to repair to the salon, someone will bring your aperitif in shortly."
"Thank you, all."
Sarah put two cups of coffee on a tray and took them into the living room while Allison and Rikki started clearing the table. "Is every night such a production?"
"Not every night. Some nights we don't know how to prepare what's on the menu. Those nights, we help and learn. Some nights, Mom wants to cook, so we set the table and clean up. If we have tests or projects coming up, both our moms prefer we concentrate on homework and we're excused from kitchen duty. Both Sarah and I realized that knowing how to cook would be a good thing if we went away to college. It's simple and fun and really helps out our parents. And it's an easy way to say 'thank you for all you do for me'."
Sarah began loading the sink with dirty dishes, "I'll wash..." Allison said, "I'll finish putting things away..."
Rikki, seeing where this was going. "I guess that leaves drying for me."
Sarah could tell Allison was in a mood when she piped up, "Well, munchkin. Do you think Rikki is ready for induction?"
Sarah had no idea where this was going; she just followed Allison's lead, "Sure."
Rikki wasn't sure about this, "Induction?"
"Yes, induction. You've already completed the first half of the initiation. Sarah and I will do the other half now if you agree."
Rikki repeated, "Induction?" Sarah could tell Allison was having fun.
"Yes, induction. Into the sacred and ancient order of S.H.E." Sarah was having trouble not laughing out loud.
"S.H.E.?"
Allison scooped up some suds from the dish water and draped her hands around Rikki's neck. Sarah did the same from the other side. "Yes, the sacred and ancient order of Soapy Hands Extraordinaire. Do you promise to help out around the kitchen at home, just because it's fun?"
"I do."
Then Allison planted a monkey kiss, (braaaaap), on one cheek and Sarah did the same on the other. Rikki started laughing and throwing soap suds.
Allison's mom came in to see what the commotion was all about. "I'm glad you're throwing suds instead of my dishes. Just be sure there are no slippery spots on the floor." She went back to the living room, shaking her head.
When the dishes were done, the girls went back to their homework. All their assignments were completed and checked by Allison's mom. They were watching TV when Rikki's mom arrived. She was invited in, but asked for a rain check. Rikki got a hug and kiss on the cheek from Allison and Sarah and a standing invitation to join them anytime.
After Rikki left, Allison's dad called Sarah and her into the living room. "Let me tell you what I remember and then we'll talk about it. Gustav Laveque is Rikki's father. He's an executive in a large shipping company based in Montreal. When I was at the University of Minnesota, both the University and my consulting company had dealings with his firm. His personality is classic Type A – micromanager. We had to deal directly with him, not one of his support staff. He's also old world French Canadian who supports the Separatist Movement.
"Her mother is Jessica Laveque, an American. She's primarily known for her sculptures, though she does have a following for her paintings too.
"Rikki has an older brother, Richard, who apparently doesn't get along well with his father.
"Their divorce was anything but amicable. Both sides played to the media whenever possible. Gustav couldn't believe that Jessica would have the temerity to want to leave him. The settlement was supposed to be enough to leave her and Rikki well off for life. Rikki's college education would be paid for.
Any questions?"
"Is it likely that Rikki has had any experience with boys?"
"No. If she wasn't attending an all-girls school, the only way she would be allowed to be in the same room as boys her own age is with other adults present."
"Her relationship with her father seems to be very strained. She was very tense today. When we asked why, she said her father had flown in for a visit over the weekend."
"That wouldn't surprise me. Gustav's relationship with Rikki is defined by power and control. Very likely, Rikki was verbally abused, possibly even physically. She probably tries to avoid visits with him whenever possible. Anything else?"
"No, dad."
"Well then, I do. I was talking to your mother and she told me about your earlier conversation. I agree with her. This is something that could blow up on you very easily. I cannot and will not try to replace Rikki's father. I will treat her as I do you girls; with dignity, respect, and love."
"That's all I can ask, dad. As I told Mom, I'm just trying to be her friend right now."
"You will let us know how things are going? There is one more thing I agree with your mom on. We both think you should tell Rikki about your relationship with Sarah."
"Why, Dad?"
"She's new to town and doesn't know about your history. She probably has no experience with boys. She may have experimented with some of her girl classmates. If you spring a full-blown relationship on her, you may scare her. Remember, the primary relationship in her young life, her parents, suffered a very public meltdown. She probably looks at all relationships the same way. She may be hiding bisexual or lesbian feelings because she's been taught they're wrong. If you want to be a true friend to her, be honest. Show her that her past experiences do not necessarily reflect the rest of the world."
"I understand. Thanks, Dad."
"Yes. Thanks, Mr. White."
"Now, off to bed with the two of you. The adults would like some quality time alone."
Allison made a face. "Eeewwwww. Gross." She grabbed Sarah's hand and ran out of the living room.
Afterword:
The series of 5 stories that begins with 'Life' is a departure. In addition to introducing new characters, the parents are much more involved. I would appreciate any comments you have. My thanks to Lady Shay. She is the creator of Rikki Laveque.
-Donal
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Copyright 2004 Donal