Day 328, Friday, November 28th

[papalobo]

[It's weird, to end up at a home that's not home. He's spent more time there than anywhere else this year, but that says more about his transience than anything. If told five years ago he would live such a lifestyle, he'd have believed that, but not the part about most of those multiple places being not just six but seven, eight figure abodes.

And yet it's Jessica's home (still probably the nicest one he'd lived in as an adult, before Ash swept in) they're doing Thanksgiving in. Maybe it's a fear of being upstaged on her part if it's in such a house; such a naive thought is, while unvoiced, just more proof of Ash's suspicions, that Max's mind is on something, something Ash had likely been trying to put his mind on for months. Because with even half of his braincells to put to it, he'd suspect the worst sooner.

It's not until they're pulling up to the house and there are two other cars there that he remembers the hell of Thanksgiving is not only family, but family you don't normally have to see. And thanks to Michael, Jessica's family is still his family.


And their ride is a taxi. It's not like they can turn around. Though Michael coming out to greet them right away in a hurried excitement would've made it impossible in anything.]

...Maybe she decided to start investing in cars. But not especially good ones. To be more undercover. As a journalist.

Day 375, Friday, December 14th

Comments

[jadedlynx]

I'm not the one who might've left any work unfinished.

[papalobo]

We're in a digital age now.

[Pretend it's all normal again. Pretend he's not surprised Ash isn't blowing out for a day or two.]

[jadedlynx]

[ They knew they'd be gone for a few days so he likely brought his laptop with him even just for travel.

There's a lot to do. A lot of responsible to be. But, their life isn't going to be enjoyable if Ash keeps trying to get through the days focusing only on what needs to be done. ]

We never got a chance to really do that RV trip.

[ The cats are fine for now, too. They were also packed for travel. ]

Our last hike got interrupted, too. I liked the trials here.

[papalobo]

We got about the same track record in the woods as we do for holidays, together. You do all right alone on 'em.

[jadedlynx]

So let's switch tracks on them. They're stuff I want to do.

[ Says the boy who assumes he's made it as far in life as he'll manage. ]

[papalobo]

"Walk on mountains with old man." Sounds like a real popular bucket list item.

[But he's already pulling a foot up onto a chair to tighten the laces a little, as if to make sure his shoes are set for hiking. He isn't someone who wears different shoes for different activities unless it's work boots in a garage.]

[jadedlynx]

You know I'm not going now, right? I'll order you some hiking shoes when I order mine.

[ Ash doesn't ask his size. He doesn't need to. ]

But since I'm handling that, stocking the RV is up to you.

[papalobo]

Don't wanna walk off dinner and all that stress first?

[jadedlynx]

This kind of stuff is more exhausting than hiking.

[ To prove his point, Ash heavily lands his weight on the couch. ]

I think we should order alcohol and sit out back instead.

[papalobo]

I got a bar with alcohol. It doesn't go bad if you're gone a few months.

[jadedlynx]

You kept it all here?

[ That does fit in with their rapid timeline. ]

Then grab some bottles. I'll get a fire started.

[papalobo]

Fire and liquor, sounds like a winning combo. I'd say see if we can set anything up to cook but I'm pretty full still. You?

[jadedlynx]

I got full from dinner.

[ Ash didn't skimp out on the food. ]

So we'll finish the night celebrating in a way that's more like us and then order breakfast in bed tomorrow.

[papalobo]

Wait, we're gonna fight after all?

[jadedlynx]

We're about to add alcohol so probably a few more times. But we'll both drink enough that we can't leave.

[papalobo]

You could manage if you really feel like it.

[But he's off to fetch the liquor. It wasn't a lie. He 'won' that bet for now but he's not sure it won't change by the end of the night. As he begins to fetch the liquor, he wonders when the cut off should be on the bet, an imaginary competition with himself. He does intend to be good, to just keep giving up again to keep the peace. So Ash should stay. Still 60/40.]

[jadedlynx]

[ It's not difficult to light a firepit. By the time Max returns, Ash is out back with the flames flickering toward the air. It's dark by now, just as Jessica had warned when pulling Michael inside. Being L.A. it's far from cold, but it's not as sweltering this late in the year as to make the heat from the firepit unbearable.

Ash doesn't get drunk often. And so, when Max returns, he continues the conversation as it he hadn't left. ]

Don't let me.

[papalobo]

Don't let you what? There's not a lotta things I can stop you from.

[He's going with the mid-tier bourbon. They're not doing anything high class, but it is enough of a holiday to avoid bottom shelf. Plus, Ash stocked his bar well last year for Christmas. There is no 'bottom' shelf quality.]

[jadedlynx]

Let me leave. I'm actually going to get drunk. Even then, I should know I can't, but if I try, stop me.

[papalobo]

You do want that fist fight.

[jadedlynx]

I don't want the fist fight! But if I get stupid enough to leave, I'll forgive you for it tomorrow.

[ If Ash is outside without all of his senses, it wouldn't end well for him. ]

[papalobo]

What else's forgivable?

[jadedlynx]

... What else are you planning?

[ That isn't the expected answer.]

[papalobo]

If we're getting Turkey pardons, I'm taking all I can get.

[jadedlynx]

You're not getting a turkey pardon. Why the hell do you have that many things you want to do?