611. Hearing an old song, you used to love

 Jade had a little time, she texted Tristan to see if she could come over. She had some leftovers and some extra strawberries. 

There was plenty of daylight as it was hardly eight in the evening. Of course, he pulled up when she got there. 

"I know you only came over to check up on me," he said. "It was Dale who sent you."

"Maybe." 

Jade smirked, thinking Tristan looked as if he were in trouble already, and she could see why as soon as he stepped into the house. He had had dinner with Carmen and her bunch. 

"Now don't go thinking I'm in a bad way," he said about the mess. "I just, you know."

"Oh, I know all right," she teased as she went to put the food in the fridge. 

She saw the leftover strawberry smoothie on the ceiling.

"Actually, it was a strawberry daiquiri."

He explained he'd never made one and thought he would try it since he did have strawberries and wanted to use them before they went bad. "But I might have had too much to drink before I made it."

"Oh."

Jade didn't know what to make of Tristan. Was it all because Dale left? She would let him worry about it. Jade started on the dishes and then swept the dining floor. Then Jade got out the vacuum to clean the livingroom.

Tristan went to work, as if he needed someone with him to get it done. He took out the trash and got the clothes in the washing machine. After all the tidying up, the place looked neat. They took a break at the dining table.

He started in about their history. 

"It was like you were a fangirl I never had," he laughed. "I..I'm still not sure what I did to deserve that."

"I'm not sure either," she said over a glass of iced lemonade. "You were likeable."

"Likeable, I like that word," his smile was smart. "I just knew you deserved better." 

It was quiet then. "Things are good with Ari, right?"

She nodded yes. 

"I should have gotten to know him better," Tristan nodded.

"Well, there's still time," she told him. "We got a cookout planned with Holden and Dora."

"A cookout?"

"Dale says you still haven't seen Holden and Dora's baby."

"Oh, yeah," Tristan smiled, but Jade didn't think he was thinking of their baby. "You know, Liv's baby is coming soon."

He mentioned Carmen's thoughts about his mother and how he was certain Liv would have been better off if she'd stayed here. She might have the family house instead of him.

"But then she'd never met Woo," Jade told him.

"I guess you're right." He looked at the time; it was almost time for the ten o'clock news. "You better get home, Ari will be worried."

Jade almost smiled. She knew he wanted to get to the app and see Dale's (Delia) live broadcast.

True love will find you in the end

 

Dora wanted to believe she wasn't worried what Delia (Dale) would think when she saw her. Dora wanted to put on some makeup and her best frock, but it was a struggle to get out of bed. It was a fleeting thought.

After all, it was an ongoing battle with her breasts. First, they were so sore from the baby nursing, she couldn't get comfortable to sleep. Darn, if they didn't swell up with milk and she felt as if she was carrying the weight of the world of rocks, sharp rocks of discomfort. She could hardly wait for the baby to feed. And then it started all over again.

Clearly, she was pathetic. She didn't know how many times she asked Holden how horrible she looked. He would just smile and tell her she was beautiful. Of course, he did have that low moment when little Tristan was crying and nothing seemed to satisfy him but to be lulled by a white noise of meditation on YouTube. 

It made Holden cry. 

"You can just blame me. It's all my fault. All of it, I didn't mean to hurt you this way," but it wasn't body shaming, it was the fact that he knew she needed sleep, but the baby kept wanting to be nursed.

She promised she would never let anyone know of his all-time low. "You know, your dad couldn't do a tenth of what you are doing. Did he ever change a diaper when you were a baby?"

"Probably not." Of course, it wasn't long after that that he took a nap on the floor while she had the baby. Somehow they'd get through this. But she wasn't counting on ever being the girl Holden married. She just didn't have that body anymore. 

At least, when Delia and Jade showed up, Dora had just showered. Still, she felt plenty out of it. She might as well have been plastered after a binge-drinking party. 

They brought diapers, but there was a special bag from Delia with all of Dora's favorite makeup and body spray.

"Oh, you really didn't have to," Dora managed to say sleepily. 

"But we wanted to," Delia smiled. She and Jade both carefully hugged her. Told her she looked beautiful.

"Yeah, right." She grinned. She knew the truth.

"You're like a warrior," Jade told her. "You just gave birthday.

"Well, it was a c-section." She felt a little sad that she didn't have a vaginal birth. "But I was in labor for about sixteen hours or so before they decided to do that."

It made Delia cringe. "Do you hurt?"

"Oh, a lot of things hurt, but it's worth it," she told her. 

Finally, little Tristan awoke and was as good as could be. This shocked Dora. He practically cooed. Looked at them with his big dark eyes. He went back to sleep as soon as Jade held him.

"Oh, he really likes you," Dora told her and it made Jade laugh to the point she had tears in her eyes. She handed him off to Delia. The baby awoke for a moment, but he was quiet.

"I'm going to have to have you guys over all the time," Dora smiled. But it was only a matter of time before he'd show his true colors.

The sun'll come out tomorrow

 "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Dora asked.

Delia only yawned back. It was true she had crazy hours. She didn't see Tristan like she used too. She had to drive to the news station about two a.m. Occasionally she did have a couple of days off and that gave her time to be with Tristan and to sleep.

"That is such a funny question coming from you," Delia smirked back as she sipped her herbal tea. She'd asked Dora over to see how life was for Jade.

"I could still be there you know, and Jade would be without a job," Delia was even lipped. She had no idea that could have happened. At least, she was glad Jade was still there.

"Oh, it's the same old thing," Dora shrugged. "You know, I love Derrick, but does he even know how to operate a computer?"

"I don't think he's dumb. I think he just gets rattled and then confused and he has no idea how to be pleasant and calm on the phone," Delia sighed. "I wish I could see Jade. I do. And..and I'm afraid she hates me now."

"How could she? Really?" Dora gave her the eye. "She'll get used to it. She didn't up and leave, you know. She knows what to expect out of Derrick."

"If only she could love him like we do," Delia couldn't help but say as she put down her cup.

"Well, we are his fan girls." 

Dora giggled. Delia couldn't help but laugh too.

"Are we the only ones that feel that way?" Delia squinted as she leaned back in the dining chair.

"I think so," Dora nodded. "Besides, maybe his cuteness expired before Jade could see it."

"Oh, I don't think she could ever see his cuteness."

Delia shook her head. Yes, sometimes, it was good to think about the old times, back when she was happy to finally find a job. Now she felt she was running around all the time, fetching this file, going on a lead that was a dead end. She hoped she could keep up. It would pay off. Some day. She hoped Tristan could make it through, too. Still, a part of her knew who Jade was fangirling, but she would never say.

Hey, you

 "Jade, are you really doing OK?" Liv said into the phone. Usually, they texted, but she was certain Jade needed to hear her voice. It was Jade's first week all on her own at the reception desk without Dale/Delia.

"Oh, you know, nothing changes," Jade did sound a little down. She said Eric helped a little, but pretty boy Derrick wouldn't do a thing. Jade sighed, "I guess he knows he'd do it wrong anyway."

"I wish things were better," Liv didn't want to dare say 'I'm sorry' because she knew how much she hated that phrase. "Did Dale leave you anything to go on?"

"She's busy. She has such crazy hours, I don't dare bother her," Jade said about the matter, "But she did call Dora and she e-mailed me all sorts of phone numbers and list. There were things about opening and closing the place that I never knew..and it's all there."

"Well, that was nice of Dora," Liv smiled. 

"She wants us to get together for lunch, if we ever find the time," Jade sounded as if she didn't have time for anything these days.

"So, anything new with Ari?" Liv asked before she forgot. 

"Ari is so Ari, he's still trying to help Justin you know, and then he goes to Pan's. I guess hoping Pan will help him." Jade told her.

"With what?" Liv cracked up. Ari always sounded as if he knew everything.

"With me, of course."

"How do you know?" Liv laughed more, but the wondered if Woo was that way. She didn't think so.

"I used to talk to Rox some, she said she knew Ari always wanted to talk to Pan about me. Even Pan told her..so..so..." Jade's voice was tired. 

"I hope you're getting some sleep," Liv said, thinking how restless Jade might be.

"Well, I did kick him out of bed last night. So I had the whole bed to myself, for once." 

Jade then mentioned that Ari said they should start going on a run every night.

"Every night?" Liv winced. She couldn't imagine doing that with Woo. It was more fun just to dance in the kitchen with him, while cleaning up after dinner.

I'm still standing

 It was not the best New Year's, especially when Eric invited his Ex over. Of course, Sal had Karl with him. 

Derrick tried his best not to let it get to him. Eric could be so casual around Sal, like they'd never been lovers. 

"Oh, I don't ever want to go through that again," Derrick was thankful he had Delia to confide in. At least, she was there for the party along with Tristan. She gave him a hug and told him not to worry so much. She thought Eric was genuinely fond of him.

Dora and Holden came along too. It was like they were party hopping. Part of the night they were at Derrick and Eric's and then they all headed down to Tristan's. 

But Sal and Karl lagged behind with some of Eric's friends he'd made at the local modeling agency. It was then while Sal was off talking to Eric that Derrick got up the nerve to ask Karl if he knew Sal's ex.

"Aw, it's cool," Karl didn't have a second thought about it. 

"Well, you can say whatever you want, but I don't find anything cool about it," Derrick said his peace. Was he wrong to think this way?

Karl only smiled. 

"I think you and Eric are good for each other," Karl told him as he sipped a non-alcoholic beer. "He talks about you all the time, you know."

"What?" Derrick squinted hard. He really did feel like opening a bottle of wine. He was certain he could finish it off, but all they had was bubbly grape juice.

"Oh, Sal knows Eric loves you," Karl said. "It made him rethink his own relationships. We've been friends since our moms had us. We go way back. I just never thought we'd get together. He was always finding the herd, but I saw him a while ago when I was visiting my mom, and you know, we're pretty tight now."

It made Derrick a little dizzy just listening to Karl. Derrick scratched the back of his head. He guessed he wasn't always right about everything.

I remember

  What could it possibly mean? She didn't make a pumpkin pie for him. It was cheesecake with cherries on top. Elvis could hardly hold the laugh in. Here he was living with Rox's friends.

"Well, they're not all my friends," Rox looked at him a little frustrated. She sounded as if she hardly knew any of them, but they were the friends who could take him in at a moment's notice.

"Sure, they're not," Elvis sighed back as he leaned against the kitchen door watching this pixie of a girl be all domestic as she and Nonnie were putting the Friendsgiving spread together. It wasn't a big deal, according to Rox's bestie. 

"Oh, but you are the best," Rox sweetly said as she had her arm around Nonnie's shoulders while she was putting the last of the fixings of the King Ranch Chicken casserole which meant more cheese.

There were lots of cheesy things for the feast. Cheesy pizza, mac and cheese, broccoli, cheese and rice. 

"I did cut some carrots," Elvis shrugged.

"Yeah, he's afraid we didn't have any real vegetables," Nonnie smiled at him. Elvis looked at her cooly as if he might win Rox's friend over yet.

They sat together then. Roomies, except for Rox who lived down the hall in her apartment with Pan.

"Why didn't he come?" Elvis asked as everything was settled and chowing down piled plates of carbs.

"You know, we've broken up," Rox was even lipped about it. She wasn't dolled up and she looked to be in her favorite clothes for moments like these, in sweatpants heaven.

Elvis sighed and looked down at his mounds of cheesy casserole. It was spicier than he ever imagined.

"I could be with you," he said out loud.

"You know, we are just friends," she snapped. 

He remembered. But it felt like so much more. She was like a light at the end of the tunnel. He had someplace to go now. He didn't feel to be lost in the forest only to have his mother find him and to need him so badly. After all, he was just her errand boy out to find her local drug dealer.

"I want to be your bestie," he grinned then. Possibly, she was an angel in devil's clothes. He didn't care. He knotted his hand in hers as if this was real and she better figure it out before it was too late. 

Elvis looked around the dining table. He knew what Nonnie thought of him. He heard her say to her boyfriend that the new roomie had the face of a snake. 

"Thank you guys for making me feel like this is home," Elvis smiled with gratitude. "Just don't eat all the cheesecake. Rox made it for me."

Yes, he was selfish. Maybe even a real prick. They knew his real colors. But it didn't matter. No, Elvis knew right where he wanted to be. He looked to Rox. He knew there had to be a reason as to why he was here and not somewhere hanging out in the cold dark shadows.

Carmen didn't even realize it was Black Friday. Of course, she was at the skating rink with Rico. It was fun just watching him while she took care of skates and the cash register. There was a special today and it was amazing how many were coming in to skate. 

It felt like the times when she was a kid and she couldn't get enough with her in-line skates. But since she was working there, the crowds weren't nearly as big. Although she was OK with that since the pandemic she wasn't one much for crowds.

And yet, she knew why some came to the skating rink now. It was Rico. Of course, he'd get her out on the floor later. He always did near the end. Many would be getting ready to go home, but they were in no hurry when he'd put a show on. It wasn't like he was in a roller derby. No, he would glide by moving to the disco music and then he would take her hand. It would feel as if they were in a different world. 

She couldn't help but smile when she was with him. Somehow, she always felt safe when they skated together. All she had to do was have a little faith. Yes, it made her feel a little giddy and wild. And it was their stage. 

His moves made her see a life she'd never known before. It felt as if everything was moving forward and she felt a part of it. Yet, he made her feel at home when they weren't dancing, or at work. She looked forward to seeing him at any given moment. It was an opportunity to seize the moment. Yes, she felt as if it was meant to be and she didn't know she would ever experience anything like that in her life.

Really, all Tristan felt like doing after all this Thanksgiving was hybernating with Delia. They just couldn't have the Facetime his mother wanted with Liv. After all, he felt as if he'd been dropping in on everyone for Thanksgiving. 

They'd made the rounds to Dora's then to Rico's dad's. It felt never-ending, and yet it came back to that new roommate....Elvis.

Really, it made him laugh in his sleep. How in the world did they end up with this guy?

"Your name can't be Elvis, it just can't be?" He's said first thing to the skinny blonde dude. For a moment he thought he might have new problems of some kind, but Elvis said they were very old.

"I've been living with her most of my life," he shrugged. After all, it was his mom who named him Elvis. "She never gave me a good answer about it." In fact, she didn't have a lot of answers for him. It was because of her that he'd ended up in the emergency room. It was evidently the last straw.

"I've been thinking, I don't want to die for her," Elvis sighed about the matter. There had been fentanyl-laced in the marijuana. "She's been worried about it for a while now. She won't go to one of those licensed places for her pot. She says it's not strong enough."

Evidently, his mom liked to smoke it first thing in the morning and before bed too. 

"I don't smoke the stuff. I don't do drugs," Elvis told him. "Believe me there is no chance I am doing anything for her anymore."

Tristan knew Elvis was worried about her, in spite of saying, "Never." Of course, he said she'd lucked out. Was happy to have his drug prescription. 

"I gotta wonder how long that will last her," he sighed about the matter, but with Roxann around Elvis didn't look too worried. Hopefully, his mother was nothing to worry about.

Careful with words

 

"Yeah, well..there is something I wanted to talk to you about," Tristan winced as he hugged himself in his favorite hoodie. Honestly, it was downright cold in Holden's garage. Why did they have to be out here. Holden really didn't need any help with the gas cap on his truck.

"What?" Holden looked at him as if he didn't want to listen to anything Tristan had to say.

"Um, I saw somebody a few weeks ago," Tristan didn't know if he should go on. "Magz. She was at the zoo."

"So." Holden sounded numb at the mention of Magz. 

"She's pregnant," Tristan told him. He kept calm. Watching how Holden might react. Maybe it was nothing or was it something? Obviously, Holden was not going to fold. He kept busy with whatever he was messing with. He just wouldn't stop the monotonous sound of slamming the cap shut and then popping it back open.

"Look, would you stop that?" Tristan stood up and noted Holden was going to break something. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

He didn't think Holden would ever cheat on Dora. Never. Not the way he'd been so passionate to find someone like her. It was like Dora was some kind of angel. And she'd saved him.

"Look, Magz and I are done." Holden turned to him as if to never mention that girl's name again. "I don't know who she's with."

Tristan nodded.

"Did you do something with her?" Holden swelled a frown.

"What? Are you kidding me?" Tristan winced hard. "I would never."

"Oh, she thought she had a chance with you." Holden nodded as if it was old news just ripened for this moment so they could disagree.

Tristan sighed. He shook his head, no. He then said she was too rich for his blood. "And then when I found out you were her-"

Tristan sighed. "I knew for sure I'd never think anything, but her being your girlfriend."

"I never really liked her," Holden said. "I only saw her because my Dad asked me to. Well, actually, it was my mother's doing. Before she passed."

"Like..like an arranged thing?" Tristan squinted. 

"I suppose." He sighed. "OK, I did try. I did. And well, we just kept getting into arguments. We just couldn't be nice to each other." He was quiet then. "It's not my kid. OK?"

"OK?" Tristan wiggled his lips to keep them straight. Maybe they were too much alike, Magz and Holden.

"I don't care if I disappointed my mom's parents. I really don't. Those kinds of old customs were just made to make you go mad. I want to believe my Dad loved my mom. But I hate to think how unhappy he'd been too. 

"So Dora and you have been talking?"

"Well, yeah, she makes me tell her stuff. She wants to know everything." Holden told Tristan.

Tristan smiled then. He could tell it took a lot out of his old friend to talk. He was the kind of kid who had always used his energy in sports. And sometimes, he just enjoyed a good fight to keep himself aligned. 

"Did you know he was having trouble sleeping?" Delia played with the tea bag in her tea while Dora went to get some cookie dip for the various cookies in the cupboard.

"Who? Tristan?" She looked at her as if that could mean trouble.

"No," Delia smiled. "Have you been listening to anything I've been saying? Eric and Derrick."

"Eric has problems sleeping?"

"Well, yeah, but its Derrick who's the problem. They can't even sleep together anymore." Delia didn't mean to spill Eric's secret but she'd heard an earful from him.

"Really?" Dora winced a smile as if how was that possible. "Don't they just have a one-bedroom apartment?" She sat the cookies in front of Delia but she knew she needed to be picky. She took a vanilla wafer and dipped it into the hazelnut chocolate dip.

"Well, Eric sleeps on the couch." Delia shrugged. 

"That can't be healthy, he's so tall." Of course, Dora used this moment of remembering Eric when he wasn't that tall, but suddenly, he was over six feet. Yes, he was a late bloomer, but a mid-west modeling agency signed him up for a fall fashion show.

They both smiled as if they knew that would happen. 

"Do  you think it bothers Derrick?"

"Well, Eric says he threshes around in bed. It was happening long before Eric started sleeping on the couch. According to Eric, Derrick has always been that way. He even hit him in the face once, but that didn't stop  him from sleeping with him." Delia shrugged. Somehow it felt better talking about somebody else's problems than her own. The surgery was coming up in a few days, and she knew it was nothing really, but still she'd never been in a hospital for surgery.

"Anyway, Eric did get him to go in and the doctor gave him something to help him sleep," Delia told her.

"Did it?" Dora's eyes were on Delia.

"Seems to have helped. The Melatonin wasn't," she sighed. "He's on an anti-depressant for a major depressive disorder. I didn't even know he was depressed."

They each took another cookie and dipped it into the chocolate goodness. It would be their secret. no more mention of Derrick's faults. They loved him and knew they needed to be his good friends. They would always fangirl over him. 

It's not what he's made for

 

"I feel so bad, about this," Delia cleared her throat. Yes, maybe she'd cried enough by now that she couldn't, anymore. It wasn't like life was ending. Oh, it could be far worse, but she wouldn't say a thing to Bren's big day that was coming about her own health.

"I just don't think I can be a part of your wedding party." Delia was discharged from the hospital now. Still, she knew she couldn't fake happiness at the moment. There were things she needed to get in order.

It was thyroid cancer. She would have to have her thyroid removed. Naturally, the doctor said it happened to a lot of people. The doctor did tons of these procedures. Of course, it was at the Cancer hospital. Just the thought, made her queasy. No matter what, she knew it would be life-changing even if Tristan promised they would get through it. 

"I'll be here for you. You can do this," Of course, he made it sound like an adventure of some kind. His mom was there too, and even his dad. Yes, they were her family now and it felt good to know they supported her too.

She knew Dora meant well, but in the end, she knew who was the most important person to Dora. It was Holden.

"Well, shouldn't it be that way," Trish had said. Delia hadn't meant to be upset about it. 

"It's just, well..we have been like sisters forever." Delia had lived with Dora's family once upon a time. Of course, you'd never know that now. Dora's parents split. Her mom was in California and her dad was out in Seattle. It was like they had new lives.

It was still a mystery to her. Was that the way it worked? Would she be like that one day? But there was Tristan who had practically been in bed with her every night she was in the hospital.

What if she was just like her mother? What if history was repeating itself? What if she didn't recognize herself in the future?

She knew Tristan wouldn't listen. As much as she tried to push him away, he was right there as if it was all going to be OK. 

Back then, I thought that things were never gonna change

 

Derrick raced to Dora and gave her a hug. He told himself it was all because of Delia, but it really wasn't. He'd waited forever to have a chance to see her without Holden.

"Is she really OK?" Derrick winced tears. Honestly, he was that happy to see petite Dora with that sweet smile of hers and her baby-fine voice. 

"She'll be OK," Dora assured him. Of course, at first, they thought it was just a viral thing, but Delia had been given so many tests.

"We've seen her all summer," Derrick spoke of Eric then but he was still at work. "We thought she was just fine."

"You know how she eats," Dora shrugged. "All she eats is yogurt."

Derrick winced. Nothing wrong with that, he thought.

"Well, she's got a sweet tooth too. All that boba tea." Dora told him.

Still, Derrick remembered her bringing all those veggie trays over. And she ate lots of carrots and broccoli. He thought she was eating healthy.

"So how's married life?" He grinned, thinking it was best to change the subject. He wanted an inkling of what was going on with her these days.

"It's every day with Holden," she laughed. She worked in the office at his veterinary clinic. "It took some getting used to, but you know, I caught on, pretty fast and I did a lot of organizing. It's good."

"I miss you so much," he told her. 

"I hear the new girl, Jade, is working out. Delia has lots of good things to say about her." Dora looked at him as if she hadn't heard a word he said.

Derrick hated for Delia to be out, that meant he'd have to help man the phones. Honestly, he knew nothing about those phones. He didn't want to even go near those phones.

Maybe the world is like this

 "The only person I know who ever had their thyroid removed was this girl I knew in high school, but she's a guy now," Dora hugged herself with a shrug. She looked at Tristan who was rather frazzled, there in the hospital corridor waiting while they were running tests on Delia/Dale. The walls were so pale, she thought it might blind her as she looked for maybe a vending machine.

He didn't say anything but pressed his lips tight and gave her a sigh.

"Oh, she never complains, really." Dora knew that wasn't very optimistic. "Maybe..maybe she's just run down."

"She never said if ..if she had COVID or not," Tristan looked at her as if Dora would know. 

"She always got her shots, flu, COVID...that kind of thing," Dora said Delia might have gotten it, but it was a real light case. No more than a sinus infection. "She's always taken care of herself. She didn't want to be like her mother."

Tristan nodded. He looked away from her as if he was still taking it all in, or maybe making his own diagnosis. 

"You're a real comfort for her, you know." Dora sat next to him in the waiting chairs. "Not like Hoyt."

Tristan cleared his throat as if he didn't want to bring up Delia's ex. 

"He'd just call her and expect her to drop everything for him, you know." Dora thought Tristan should know. "I guess she didn't think she'd ever meet anybody else. Like you know, you get stuck in a rut sometimes."

"How's it going with you and Holden?" Tristan asked as if he wished she would stop talking about Delia and Hoyt.

"Oh, he's so Holden, you know." She smiled then. "Sure he wants to be all tough, but he's not really like that."

"Or..you just want to believe that?" Tristan gave her a dead stare. "It's just some of the things he says. I dunno If..if I can even go on being his friend."

"He's just hurt, that's all." Dora shrugged.

"And you can live with that?" Tristan winced.

Dora really hadn't stopped to think about it much. She knew she had to be here for him. He needed someone in his corner. Of course, there was his Dad too and she was doing her best to make the peace.

"You know, you can get moody too," she told him, "But hang in there for Delia. She needs you. You two are good for each other." Dora knew Tristan wouldn't let her best friend down.

on the edge of reasoning

 

Well, it was settled. Bren guessed. Her father was now at Mario's dad's. She and Mario were alone once again. She'd met her brother. Although, she didn't know what to make of him. He was stoic.

"I don't like him," Mario told her.

"Well, I don't know him." Bren was straight-lipped. Maybe she never would, but his wife was pretty adorable and at least she reached out to Bren and to Kang (Bren and her brother's dad) too. 

She could see Kang was happy about that. He wasn't using the breathing machine as much. Yes, it was good that he was going to be fine. At least for right now.

Of course, there was the matter of the backyard wedding. It would be easier that way. It would be nice and her dad was going to walk her down the aisle. Although his friend had said he'd do it because he was faster. They'd had a good laugh, but she knew it meant so much to her Dad and so she wanted it to happen too.

"It's OK if Holden isn't there," Bren decided. She knew he was having a rough time. She didn't want to make him upset. Perhaps, it would be best to leave it at that.

However, Dora said she wanted to be a part of the wedding too.

"I didn't have any of my friends at my wedding," she said and she wanted Bren to include Tristan's girlfriend too.

Liv didn't care. She said she wasn't going to be there. This let Bren down the most. What was wrong with her? Bren had always been there for Liv, but once they mentioned Delia she said NO. LaLa was being her usual cold self, but she at least told her not to make it a big issue with that high school kid.

Bren didn't want to get depressed about this. She knew Mario needed her to be happy, and she wanted that. But by herself, she felt as if she might be sinking fast in waves of sadness. Why was she like this?

She'd quit her job at the grocery store. Yes, maybe that's when it happened. What was she going to do now? Her dad wasn't even there to take care of. 

"There is still a lot to do," Eddie reminded her. It was then she decided she wanted Eddie to be in her wedding party. Yes, it was time everyone needed to know who her best friend was. 

And another thing

 It was a crowded house. Delia supposed they were going to talk about Mario and Bren's upcoming occasion, but it didn't get that far.

Sure everyone was civil and Holden looked worried. Delia did her best not to say a word even if she wanted to be by Dora. It felt as if she needed to at least be loyal to her. Meanwhile, she listened to Tristan's father refer to Tristan's mother as Pat while everyone else called her Trish.

She looked at Tristan. Maybe he was exactly like his dad who seemed more of a wayward cowboy than anything. 

Oh, the tales that could be told between him and Holden's father. Although, Holden didn't want to listen to any of it. He was as indifferent as he ever was. Honestly, she didn't see what Dora saw in him. Of course, after a while when she went to the bathroom, she thought back how she'd wanted to go out with Holden. She was thankful that she hadn't now.

He was in such a pout and could hardly say a word to Bren. Thankfully, Dora stepped up, and told Bren how happy she was for her. And she said kind things to his dad too. Delia knew she meant it.

And then Rico showed up. He looked as if he was searching for someone. Finally, after everyone went outside to discuss the logistics of the wedding, Rico hung back.

"Why didn't Liv come?" he asked Tristan who was busy washing dishes.

"Beats me," Tristan shrugged.

"Why should she? She doesn't live here anymore. You two broke up," Delia laid out the facts. Of course, Rico did look lost without Liv. He went to his room then.

"You didn't have to be that mean," Tristan looked at her.

"Mean?" Her forehead wrinkled as if how could he say such a thing.

"You know, what I mean." He nudged her then and she took a dish to dry. "I don't think he really wanted to break up with her but sometimes, it's time...you know."

Delia couldn't help but swell a frown. Was it that way? She hoped it wasn't. She couldn't think of what she would do..if..if she and Tristan broke up.

You're always running in my mind

 

"We..we just have to leave well enough alone," Tristan said to Dale about the Holden and Dora situation. He settled back on the couch with his arm around her. He didn't want to be angry with Holden. Hell, he didn't even want to say his name.

There was summer and he knew they both felt beat with grueling work schedules. At least, they had Eric and Derrick to hangout with. They were watching RENFELD and snacking on popcorn. He knew now that Eric wasn't really one for game night and Derrick disliked puzzles, but he knew Dale was trying. He knew she didn't like staying home with Hoyt around.

He couldn't ignore it either. He didn't know why they hadn't left yet, but Mona was that pokey little puppy who just had to nose into everything.

A smile came to Tristan. Wouldn't it be funny if he and Dale moved in with Derrick and Eric? Oh, he knew it wouldn't happen. Not these two, but weirder things had happened.

"What's so funny?" She turned to him.

"It's nothing. Really." He kept quiet and pointed to something silly on the TV. "Well, the movie, of course."

He knew deep down he couldn't do this to Nic nor Weezer and Nonnie. Oh, it would be all going so well if it wasn't for Mona and her Hoyt. 

Still, he was bitter about Dale ever falling for the likes of that Momma's boy. Of course, maybe he was no better. Funny, he was still going to his mother for advice. He never ate dinner with his parents, but many a time, he'd get there first before his dad got home from work.

Naturally, she said very little. He was all on his own about this live-in situation.

"Are you sure you and Dale are OK?" She would give him the eye.

"Yeah," he'd squint, but she had him guessing. "I think so."

It felt right. He thought. He was just letting it happen. He wasn't trying to manage their relationship. A lot of times, he wondered if that was what went wrong when he was with Mona. But Dale/Delia was no Mona. No, this was bliss. It could be..if they didn't have to live with certain people. No matter what, he felt good around Dale. He felt like himself. He didn't have to prove anything. 

Tristan went to get them a cold soda at Eric & Derrick's. He could tell she didn't want him to move. It was as if she would take care of it if she'd let him.

"Don't you like the movie?" She shot him a look.

"It's cool," he smiled back. "But we better catch the Barbie movie while it's still in theaters." Tristan nodded back. 

He looked over at Derrick and Eric who were very much together. Did they even need any friends?

He came back with the soda and got comfortable again. It was best not to look at the past. There was all of August to look forward to.

Going around in circles

 "I wish you could come back," Delia said to Dora about working at the yoga and dance studio. "Derrick's so worried. Are you really OK?"

"Of course, I'm OK." Dora was however straight lipped. Delia didn't see her old roommate as that happy.

Delia cradled her cup of tea. Here it was a hot day and they were indoors sipping tea with a few treats Delia had brought.

"It's..it's been crazy, you know," Delia hated to crack a smile, but every day was practically an adventure living with Tristan.

"Crazy?" Dora looked at her as if she was being silly.

"Hoyt moved in," Delia told her.

"Hoyt?" Oh, she knew she hit a nerve when she said his name. Dora couldn't stand him. "How did that  happen?" Dora didn't look her self at all now. No color in her hair. She looked a bit washed out to Delia, but she wouldn't mention it.

"He's helping out with Mona." Delia shrugged. Of course, Dora didn't know her.

"It doesn't sound fun," Dora finally admitted she hated that she'd given up the apartment. "I..I just felt I had to, or..you know, he might think I would up and leave him."

"What?" Delia squinted. She didn't know Holden could be that demanding. "He told you to give up the apartment?" She hadn't meant to shout but Dora shushed her.

"It's not like he said it, but I knew he would be furious with me if I didn't," Dora confessed.

"How could you just up and leave everything..for him?" Delia grimaced.

"I'm in love with him," she said as she looked at her half cup of tepid tea. "He needs me. I know he does. And..well, sometimes, you have to make sacrifices."

Delia nodded. Personally, she felt as if she was the one who made the sacrifice. 

In my wildest dreams

 

Jade got Dora's old job. It was full-time and Ari thought it was a way to get her into something better than just the coffee shop. Sure, she was hesitant. After all, she'd be working with Tristan's significant other whom she thought was Dale all this time but was actually Delia.

"I don't know, why he calls me Dale, but it's Delia," Jade's co-worker told her who would be showing her the ropes around the yoga and dance studio. There would be scripts to learn in phone responses and calls about overdue payments. Yes, Frankie didn't have the means to outsource so it was good to pick up this kind of customer service skill. Or Ari kept telling her.

"It's a new way to meet the public," Ari kept insisting. Also, they could get a free membership, and of course, he loved the weight training room. Ari always dropped by when least expected.

"So how's it going?" He wanted to know by the third day.

"Oh, it's going," she didn't know what he wanted to hear. It felt as if she and Delia ended up having to take care of so much while everyone else just fiddled around.

"Oh, I'm sure they are all busy," Ari just kept being his chipper self and it made Jade all the more bitter. 

"It's just..Delia.." Jade started to tell him what was really on her mind. Why had Tristan picked her, an airhead as far as Jade was concerned? She wore cheap clothes, and her hair was a different color every day. Some days Jade didn't recognize her at all. What if Delia's a guy? Ok, she would never ever say it, but she woke up more than once in the middle of the night thinking of all of those bizarre wigs of Delia's.

And yeah, it hurt a lot to think Tristan could go for some random ditzy chick like Delia while he pushed Jade away last summer like he did. She knew it was all the wrong timing, but she thought..just maybe..maybe he would come to her, after all. Only...he never did and ignored her now for the most part.

Had she made him that uncomfortable? She knew she shouldn't think about it, but one thing for sure she knew she could never be Delia's friend. After all, Delia was with Tristan and it still shocked Jade to know he was with that kind of girl.

Now you got me on my knees

 

"Is your honeymoon ever going to be over?" She might have said it out of spite, but Derrick felt that way too. He didn't mean to eavesdrop but Delia was really being over-ran these days without Dora. He did his best to pick up the slack. Although, he really wasn't someone who could handle the phones like Dora and Delia. They could both be having bad days, but they were so pleasant over the phone. Even with a bad customer, they could soothe whatever might be on their mind. 

She hung up. He knew it didn't go well, but he said, "What did she say?"

"Oh, she's having the time of her life at Disneyworld," Delia was in a pout. "You'd think they were going to live there." She sighed, ever so sadly.

Derrick nodded. "Do you think she's really happy?" He wanted to know as he looked at her closely with his head tilted. They were so close they could have kissed, but he just wanted her to know he cared.

"Nothing's been the same," she backed away in her rollaway desk chair and gave him a serious pout with her arms crossed. "I don't know what to think anymore." That's when she told him about her ex showing up at Tristan's. "He's there all the time. I don't even know why." She shook her head. "I don't even think Mona wants him around, but he just makes over her like she's the queen, you know."

"What about Tristan?" Derrick looked at her, thinking he must be as bad as Holden. They were best friends, after all. 

"He's doing the best he can," she went to her keyboard to check on something. "We did at least get Nic's room and..and I'm moved in now with him. Even if his parents have a lot of my stuff at their house."

"I hope Dora actually misses us," Derrick said as if he was thinking out loud. He swelled a small frown as if this was all so crazy.

"Maybe, but she's in Holdenland now, and I think he's got her wrapped around his finger. He must be good in bed."

This cracked Derrick up. He couldn't help but try to hide it, but he couldn't. He smiled then and mentioned Eric was learning how to make mojitos. 

"But you don't drink," she looked at him as if that was ridiculous.

"I really don't. It's only a Friday night drink," He shrugged. "Maybe you and Tristan can get away from that crowd you're in some time for a mojito."

She nodded. Maybe they could. She'd bring a tower set and they could make it a game night.

The woes of June

 "You can't stay mad at Rico," Ali winced with a sigh. She'd listened to Liv practically all night. She'd tossed and turned during their sleepover. 

"Look, I'm just glad Sammie didn't leave, after all." Ali didn't understand why Liv was so livid. "Maybe he's just what she needs."

"Who?" Liv looked at her as if she could only think of Rico.

"Both of them," Ali gave her look that Liv needed to just calm down. "She could be living with you. You two could be sharing a room, but no. She's with who she wants to be with. Gabe."

Ali said Diago was fine with it. Even his mom said maybe this was all for the best.

Liv sucked in a breath as she hugged herself hard.

"I was hoping Rico and me.... could have..."

"What?" Ali practically laughed. "You want to live with Rico all on your own. Are you serious?" Ali should have known it would be this way. After all, she knew she had dreams like that too, but knew, in the end, they were not really ready for something like that.

Oh, Mona was in a bad way. "What are we going to do?" Delia looked to Tristan. After all, Nic was the one who left him in charge. He told Tristan on the way to the airport that he and Delia could have his room.

Only now, it didn't look like Mona would ever leave it. She didn't even say goodbye.

Tristan only sighed. "Let's just leave her alone for now." He wouldn't rush it. "She's.. she's-"

"Hurting?" Delia knew he wouldn't say it. He only shrugged back as if this was all Mona's fault. No one else.

"I just don't understand Nic," Delia was baffled. Of course, she was baffled about a lot of things right now. Just when she thought she knew Dora best she obviously didn't. It was true, Dora wasn't thinking about her at all and suddenly she felt as if they were cut off from each other, but they'd had such a long friendship. Didn't that mean something? "I just thought.. you know, Nic was like her anchor.. or something."

"Oh her ship has sailed," Tristan practically chuckled but he asked her if she wanted a spam sandwich. "Mona might smell them and come out. Remember, you get in that room and lock yourself in." There was the importance of having your own bathroom. 

He went to get the Spam and opened it. Before Delia knew it the Spam was sizzling in the pan, but no Mona. Delia went to the door. She knew Mona was crying. She went back to the kitchen. "What if she's like this the whole summer? Should I call her mother?"

"We'll do that tonight," he nodded. 

Soon enough, Weezer and Nonnie appeared and he had the fries on in the airfryer. It was as if he'd mastered all of Nic's thrifty skills. But Mona didn't come out of Nic's room. It was as if she was going to be there for a while.

"OK, just. . a heads up..  Nic has left me in charge," Tristan nodded after everyone settled down to the food. "I don't think we will have any new roommates this summer."

"I like that idea," Weezer nodded as he munched on a fry.

"As soon as we get Mona.. out of here.. then.. then Dale and I will get Nic's room. Nic said he wanted it that way," Tristan told him Nic gave him a notebook about what to keep track of with the bills and such.

"What if Mona won't leave?" Nonnie looked at him as if this was going to be weird.

"Well. she can stay. I guess. But not in that room." Tristan gave them a serious eye.

Delia looked at him as if this might take some secret maneuvers on everyone's part. After all, Mona was in a very sad way.

Don't waste time with a masterpiece

 

It was Pixie and Cyrus' day. Maybe hoodies were not the way to go. After all, the sun was shining and it was practically summer, but they wore the pastel hoodies proudly. Funny, how Pixie could remember it snowing about a month ago when they were planning this occasion.

"Well, at least it's not raining," Cyrus told her that had to be a good sign. Before they knew it, Roman was having them say their vows. 

Afterward, Pixie wasn't even sure she could remember the words, but she knew what she was agreeing too. Yes, as she looked around, it felt as if her real family was there. From Frankie to Eric and Derrick along with Delia and ....

"Hey, where's Dora?" she winced thinking she would be here for her wedding.

"Oh, she's on her honeymoon?"

"Honeymoon?" Pixie practically yelped. "When did that happen?" Pixie thought she was losing touch. She knew Derrick wasn't fine with it and Eric only shrugged.

"Oh, they went to Disneyworld," Delia practically clinched a smile.

"Is everything OK?" Pixie knew they should be celebrating, but this was so unlike Dora.

"I think so," but it looked as if Delia had been put in her place.

"Dora gave up the apartment," Delia's boyfriend explained.

Pixie only sighed. She knew all was not right. "Don't worry, it'll be fine." He assured her.

She didn't know him, but he seemed to be who Delia needed and Pixie was glad she wasn't alone. Soon enough Cori came to the rescue. Everyone made a toast with wine, except Pixie who was given ginger ale.

There was wedding cake and plenty of other sweet treats for the late afernoon. Music of summer tunes played and everything was on time. Even though, she could see Mario was stressed. Something about Sammie.

"But..but I didn't know she'd left?" Cyrus looked worried about the evening crew at Mel's pizza.

"This morning," Mario nodded. "She got on the bus. She's going to D.C. to be with her mom." He kept straight-lipped as if it might have been all his fault.

"Don't you worry about a thing," Cori told Cyrus to have a good honeymoon.

"But we're not going anywhere?" Pixie laughed. Not in her late pregnancy.

"Oh, yes you are," Cori smiled and Megan was right there with him along with Frankie and expecting  Bea.

"The limo is here and it's taking you away to a destination unknown." Frankie laughed.

"Oh, I don't like this at all." Cyrus shook his head, no.

Pixie was beginning to think this might be a nightmare. But it was a beautiful white limo. After a little more cake, they were on their way.

"We've made sure you're gonna have a honeymoon, even if it's right here in town," Eric told her. 

Pixie couldn't imagine what they were even talking about, but after a twenty-minute ride of around town and into the City, they finally made their way to the new hotel by the river for a four-day stay. All they had to do was to relax.

Remembering the good and the bad

 

Tristan and Delia were at his parents when Delia got the call from Dora.

Actually, everything was turning out better than Tristan had ever expected. His mother knew Delia's mother. He found it quite funny what a small world it really was. 

"Mom, you know everybody," Tristan looked at her wanting to laugh, but he kept serious. Hoping his mom hadn't had a falling out with the woman. As he became more serious, he did wonder where he actually got all his problems from. He knew of her father's tempor, but he'd never thought of her having any issues. Although, when he looked back at his time as a child, he remembered her being the one who deciplined them, and he knew a lot of times it was his and Liv's fault. Like the time they found a way to splat chili on the kitchen ceiling while she was on the phone with someone.

Really, he didn't want to think about it now, but she'd had a lot of jobs back then and his Dad was being a dad, working on his truck in the driveway and drinking too much when she couldn't trust him to watch the kids.

He pressed his lips then hoping his mom hadn't done anything strange back then.

"Oh, yeah, she was great to work with," she said about Delia's mother, but she gave him the eye as if he better be careful. 

Delia only nodded as if she understood. He held on to Delia's hand as if one of them would keep the other safe. 

"So how did you two meet?" She'd asked right before Dora called about the Holden situation.

When it happened they both went outside to discuss this more with Dora and then Holden. Were those two crazy?

"They haven't known each other that long," he'd winced looking at Delia. Of course, he knew Delia enough. He sighed. It wasn't like either one of them could stop the situation. 

Finally, he got back to his mom and told her about Holden and Delia's roommate.

"So, does this mean you're moving in with Delia?" His mother wanted to know.

Tristan gave her an uneasy smile. What was she talking about? He liked where he lived. This was all happening so fast. What did they have to do with Dora and Holden's happiness?

Maybe I wasn't strong enough

 

Holden was in a sad way after he found out the news of his co-worker (the other veterinarian at the place he worked) who had died in a car-wreck. Really, it was awful news. But the next thing Dora knew he'd asked her to marry him and she said yes. 

It just didn't seem real, but it was true. It felt like the right thing to do. 

"I can't believe you," Delia said over the phone. Dora had only meant to text it to her roommate, but in the next breath, Delia was calling.

"Um," she knew she should be happy although she was crying. 

"It can't be true," Delia said it would have to be a long engagement. Hadn't she always said that. 

Dora only sighed. "We're on our way to get married now."

"Right now?" She could hear the cry for help in her friends voice, but Dora only nodded.

"Aren't  you going to say anything?" Delia wanted to know. She told her this was all wrong. It couldn't be possible. Had she thought this through?

But Dora could only mumble that it was happening. Right now.

Of course, Delia wanted to know where. She and Tristan were coming. Didn't they need to be there?

Honestly, Dora didn't know where they were going. It was something they had to do.

"Are you sure?" Delia asked. Next she knew Tristan was on the phone and he wanted to talk to Holden.

"Just put it on speaker phone," he said.

"Holden! What are you doing?" Tristan asked. Neither had an answer. They were going to the courthouse.

"Just like that?" Tristan wanted to know. "But..but I'm supposed to be your best man, aren't I?" and Delia yelled in the background, "What about me?"

Dora thought she might lose consciousness. This was really happening and she was just in her jeans and a hoodie.