Gen 1.6 Can't Be Too Careful

The weeks and months that followed fell into a predictable pattern of sing-a-grams, getting Juniper up to grade-level, and Shane. She noticed that for a guy who worked a stable job at a factory, he kept some irregular hours, but she chalked it up to being a single father. Jasmine, called Jas by almost everyone, was the light of his life and he would do almost anything for her. Jas had big dreams and Shane had put her in private school to help her achieve them. Lupe had no idea how he could afford that on his salary. Maybe Jas had gotten a scholarship?

Cuddling in bed one night, Lupe asked, “What is Jas' mother like? I never hear you mention her or a custody arrangement?” Lupe felt Shane's chest muscles tense underneath her head and he let out a sigh.

“Melissa and I were high school sweethearts. We'd known each other since kindergarten and her older sister was best friends with my older sister Marnie.” Shane rolled onto his side to face Lupe. “She was a daredevil and a real speed demon. We got into a lot of trouble together and ran with a bad crowd. She was an ace with a wrench and could soup up a car like you'd never believe. The day after graduation, I got her pregnant in the backseat of her daddy's caddy.”

He ran his fingers through his hair, and rubbed his hands restlessly along the curve of Lupe's side on top of the blankets, “Our parents were furious and took us before a justice of the peace practically with the test in her hand. I think they hoped that marriage and a baby would cause us to settle down, but Mel still had to race. Jas was still little, maybe two or three. I got home from work and it had been raining. Mel said she was going out and I told her to be careful 'cause the roads were slick. I know she had to be racing, but the coroner said that she came around a turn too quick, lost control of the car and wrapped it around a tree. She was twenty-one. Her family moved away to get a new start and the next year my folks died. Marnie asked me and Jas to move in the old farm to give her some company and it's been like that ever since. Now that she's married to Marlon, me an' Jas decided to give them some space and get our own place.”

His hand moved from her hip to her rear and pulled her closer cupping her bottom. Lupe traced his jawline with her finger enjoying the rasp of his stubble and pulled him in for a kiss. They made love slowly and sensuously drawing it out as long as they could.

Afterward, Shane glanced at the clock and stood, “I'm sorry, baby, but I gotta get going. I gotta get breakfast with Jas.” He started getting dressed. Lupe threw on a robe, smile frozen in place to see him out. In the living room, Floyd barely lifted his head as they went by. He was used to this ritual. Lupe opened the door and let Shane out and leaned against the doorjamb looking down. Shane turned around to say good bye and lifted her head with his hand under her chin, his thumb resting in the hollow under her full lips, “I wanna remember you just like this” he said kissing her.

Lupe drew back and looked up at him doubtfully, “With my hair all mussed, no makeup, and wearing an old robe?”

“Especially with messy hair and no makeup. You look like the cat that got the cream.” He kissed her harder, one hand at the small of her back pulling her in.

When Lupe got back to her bed, she found Floyd had made a nest in the middle of the bed and had stretched out diagonally. Lupe sighed, moved the dog over, and settled down for sleep.

Too soon she awoke to a child in crisis, “Lupe! Where's my homework? I can't find it anywhere!” Juniper was walking in aimless circles around the living room looking at things, not under things and not anywhere near where she usually did her homework. Lupe went into the kitchen and found it on the counter next to Juniper's lunchbox. She gave Juniper's take home folder a once over discarding the junk flyers about nursery schools and after school programs and signing the permission slip for the class fieldtrip to the bistro. It sounded like a good excuse for the teachers to have a nice lunch, but what did she know? “It's over here, Junie!” she called out, “Did you eat breakfast yet? Sorry I wasn't up.” Lupe had thrown on an old nightshirt before she flopped down with Floyd, but she still felt like she might as well be naked.

“I had some cereal and milk and a banana. And I read the comics. I love Dogz!” Lupe had to smile. When Juniper had come to her three years ago, she was barely able to read the simple sentences in Frank I'm Not and Bluish Eggs. The fact that she was reading for recreation was awesome to her. She was still a little below grade-level, but Lupe was so proud. She grabbed Juniper and gave her a quick squeeze before she wriggled free and ran for the bus stop, “Mom! I'm gonna be late!”

“Remember, you've got visitation with your mother this afternoon!” Lupe called after her. The visitation was a farce. Half the time the woman couldn't be bothered to show up and the other half she didn't seem quite right.

Juniper always dragged her feet coming home on visitation days. Lupe had considered signing her up for an after school activity on that day, picking her up and taking her to the diner afterwards. However her inner unwilling child told her that there were too many opportunities for things to go wrong with that. Juniper had to be at the appointed place at the appointed time, even if her mother didn't show up. What was the term the guardian ad litem use? A show of good faith? Privately, Lupe called it a load of bull shit. On Tuesdays and Thursday afternoons the kid that normally could not get in the house fast enough suddenly took a great interest in the pebbles on the side of the road and the swishing noise willow sticks made as she whipped them this way and that. She noticed birds she'd never seen before and her shoes just wouldn't stay tied. Lupe chivvied her into the taxi to the diner. She spent the ten minute drive whining.

By the time she entered the old fashioned boxcar she'd settled down and accepted that this was going to happen. The elderly waitress knew the drill and settled Juniper at a booth to wait and Lupe a couple of tables away where she could see them. Lupe ordered a coffee, got out her notebook, and jotted down the date and time in blue ink and noted “court mandated visitation.” Juniper got a piece of pie and a cup of milk and started in on her homework. If her mother was going to show up, she'd be there in the next fifteen minutes and homework was a better use of her time than trying to talk to her. Nina had three main flavors to these meetings: happy-drunk and gushing about her latest man, beligerant and trying to turn Juniper against the system and Lupe, or woe-is-me. Nina wasn't really interested in what Juniper was up to or what Juniper was interested in. Nina was more interested in Nina and she never asked a single question of Juniper that she didn't answer herself. Nina thought herself a good mother who had been maligned by busy-bodies.

Juniper began with math, her favorite subject. Then, she moved on to her spelling words which she hated because the letters liked to dance around and form pictures in her mind. She was getting better at reading, but her brain was better at seeing the shape of the word than the individual letters. Books with lots of pictures helped. She ended up doodling down the page as usual. “Gigantic” became a giraffe chasing “haiku” and “lyric” up a tree made of “tone.” At this point Lupe came over and looked at her work, “I like the way you drew the line making up the tree trunk, it's a very funny picture, but what does it have to do with spelling, mija?”

“'Tone' just looked like a coconut tree to me, and haiku looks spooked and what could be more scary than a gigantic angry giraffe?” Juniper darted a glance at the clock above the milkshake mixer, “Is it time for dinner? I wanna burger and fries and a milkshake!”

“Yes it's time for dinner, thank you for being so patient. We'll continue working on your homework later.” Lupe marked down, “6:00, no show, ordering dinner” in her notebook. She wanted to adopt Juniper outright, but it was hard going. Half the time Juniper called her mom anyway, and that would just have to do. When she got home, Lupe emailed their social worker to let her know that Nina had missed visitation for the third time this month and let Floyd out.

Just before falling asleep that night, Lupe sat bolt upright. Today was the first day of fall. When was her last cycle? They'd been careful but not too careful, especially when she was menstruating. Lupe knew her cycle and she knew when the safer and less safe zones were and planned accordingly. Shane agreed with her boundaries and they used condoms most of the time and they had both gotten tested. It was one of those nights where she only knew she slept because of how often she remembered waking up and looking at the clock.

The next morning, she headed to the bathroom and hunted in the medicine cabinet for her emergency pee tests and a cup. It was positive.

Note: I've got like 4 screen shots for the next few chapters because I got really involved in playing and also plain flights of fancy. Enjoy the great walls of text! 

Gen 1.5 Date Night!

One of the perks of working for Sing-A-Grams ™ was an irregular work schedule that allowed her to meet up with Leah in the middle of the day while the kids were at school. Leah would say it was the only perk; she wasn't wrong. She focused in on what Leah was saying about Elijah, or was it Guy? “He's such a cute little guy, but Guy and Elijah tease him to bits! The other day I went into the playroom and they'd strung Joe's toy pig up and trussed it like they were going to roast it on a spit. The entire time Joe was yelling, 'No roast pig!' I think Guy is just happy to have someone to dominate, but Elijah... I'm so disappointed in him. He was never this bad with Guy.”

“Yeah, but they were closer in age, Leah. Guy always had more spunk too. He would've bitten Elijah if he'd tried to roast Big Dog.”

“I suppose you're right. How'd it go with Shane the other day?”

“It was good, sweet actually. We went to the festival and it was like something out of a movie.”

“So, were there any fireworks?” Leah asked, waggling her eyebrows.

“Not like that, but we're meeting for happy hour at that dive bar across from the fire station on Wednesday.” Lupe smiled to herself, she was really looking forward to it. Apparently, he went there often after work to play pool and have a drink. “How'd you know with Elliot?”

Leah laughed, “Well, by the time I knew for sure, I'd already had Elijah! Before I got pregnant, it was just, that hair, those eyes, the poetry, that butt... He really stepped up once Elijah was born, though. He was my rock and took care of me so I could take care of the baby. He kept our relatives at bay and was my hero. So you think Shane could be it?”

“I don't know. I mean, there's only been one date. He hasn't even met Floyd yet!”

“And of course you couldn't see anyone that Floyd didn't approve of.” Leah said archly.

“Of course not! Floyd is The One! He just lets me meet my needs with humans.”

“Oh and will you be meeting your needs with Shane?”

“Maybe, we'll see how things go on Wednesday.”

“OOOoooOOO, better stop at the store on your way home, wouldn't want to be caught unprepared!”

“Gotta sing a few more 'grams before heading home. Junie's pissed. What am I supposed to do? She's old enough to stay home by herself for a little bit and the bills aren't going to pay themselves. 'It's been a good day, let's make it a great day, here's a present for you!'” sang Lupe sarcastically.

“Boop boop be doop!” squealed Leah and they collapsed into giggles.

Wednesday was rather light. Lupe spent most of the day doing chores and only had three sing-a-grams to perform. She called up Jodi, Jude's mom, to arrange for Juniper to go over there after school. Lupe felt self-conscious as she got herself ready to meet up with Shane. “It's just a date,” she told herself, “It doesn't even mean anything. We're getting a beer and shooting some pool.” She put on her lipstick with care and fussed with her hair for a while before settling on her usual side braid. She didn't want to look like she put too much effort into this, it's just a dive bar. Finally she felt like she was ready to head out and she looked at the clock. It was only four o'clock. She had to laugh at herself! Not get yourself worked up, indeed!

When it was actually time to go, she set off and still made it there before him. She had about fifteen minutes of sitting at an unfamiliar bar being scrutinized by unfamiliar people before he came in. At the far left of the bar, a woman going for a Dolly Parton look, but achieving a Golden Girls look nursed a large mug of beer. The portly bartender twitched his mustache at Lupe disapprovingly as he wiped down the bar. He defrosted when Shane came in, “Shane! How ya doin? Wanna try the new amber ale from the Stardrop Brewery? Don't know if I'm gonna carry it yet.”

“Gus! Sure, I'll give it a try!” he came up behind Lupe's stool and rested a hand on her shoulder, “And what about you, Lupita? They carry all the usual beers here, plus some micro-brews. Stardrop's pretty good and I also like Fire House's IPA.”

Lupe arched a brow when he came out with the diminutive, no one except her abuela and her brother called her that. Her mother was more likely to come out with the even sweeter “Lupecita” which was often followed by, “querida, could you please...” Lupe felt that she would let him get away with it just this once, because she liked him.

“I don't know much about beer” she said, trying not to blush, “What's good?”

“What's this, Shane, you bring a girl into my bar and she don't even like beer?!”

“If you saw a girl this pretty sitting by herself in a coffee shop, would you stop to ask if she liked beer?” he paused for a second, “Think of it this way, you get to educate her!”

“Ok, ok, we gonna start you off with a nice, light hefeweizen or--- I'll make you up a flight.” he intoned getting excited, he had a sonorous voice with a New England accent. He was a Pavarotti of bartenders, nimble and passionate.

“We're gonna be over here, Gus, gimme a shout when it's ready.” said Shane, guiding Lupe to a booth.

She could see why he liked the place. “Gus has owned this place for ages, don't know why he decided to come out here from Portland, but I'm sure glad to have him! That's Pam in the corner, she's cool once you get to know her. Some of the guys come in after work like me and they're real pool sharks. Latoya used to come around a lot too, but now that she and Gus got married, we don't see her that much. So why Meadow Glen? It's no Bridgeport.”

“I just wanted to be someplace else, you know? I was one of those 'anywhere but here' kids and there was this book I loved as a kid that took place here and I just thought... I don't know, I wanna be somewhere like that. Where there's this close-knit community and you've got the mountains and the water. It's silly.”

“No, it's sweet. Just like you.” he leaned his head in close.

“Shane, order up! Go from lightest to darkest they're all Stardrop.” Gus said, placing a paddle with four short glasses on the bar next to a tall glass full of amber ale with a short head of foam.

Shane settled the flight in front of Lupe, who was bewildered by it. Arrayed in front of her was a set of four juice glasses filled most of the way up with beer arranged from a pale yellow to practically black. She picked the lightest up and smelled it. It smelled kind of like bread with a citrus touch. Then, ever the scientist, she picked up the next three to smell them. They also smelled like bread with some alcohol in it, she thought the dark one smelled stronger than the others. When she went back to the first, it smelled like nothing to her. Shane was watching her with a slight smile, apparently beer was one of his things. Was this a test? Was she passing? Shane pointed to the lightest beer, “This is Stardrop's Pilsner, Shooting Star. Take a sip and roll it around your mouth a little bit like wine. What do you think?”

“I think it's good, crisp, lemony?”

Shane glowed at her like she'd given him an A+ answer. “Now what's this one?”

“That's the hefeweizen, North Star. The next one is their Belgian amber ale, Red Sky. And the last one is New Moon, an imperial porter.”

Lupe took a sip of the hefeweizen and found it to be sweet and a little tropical, but not to her taste. She much preferred the clean taste of the pilsner. Then she tried the amber ale, which oddly tasted like autumn and moved on to the porter. She took a sip of the porter and then another. It reminded her of coffee the way her dad drank it, rich and black with a crema at the top, but it was also bready and a little sweet and bitter. She wanted to drink more of it. Shane was amused by her observations, “And what are you drinking?”

“This is their Amber pilsner, they just developed it. I think it was gonna be a seasonal for autumn, but..” he shrugged.

“And what do you think?” she asked

Shane took a deep drink of his glass, thinking, “I think it's good, but should've stayed seasonal. It's a bit pumpkin spice for me, you wanna try?” he passed her the glass. Lupe took a sip and grimaced, “I see what you mean, they didn't quite take it to candle territory, but it's getting there.”

“You wanna play a round?” Shane asked indicating a pool table.

“Yeah, but it's been a while since I played, so go easy on me.”

“Ok, I'll try.” Shane said, offering her a cue. He put a few coins in the slots and pushed it in releasing the balls. Lupe helped him gather them together into the triangle, “You wanna break?” asked Shane. Lupe agreed and totally flubbed it, not even hitting the white ball.

“Are you sure you've played before?” asked Shane leaning on his cue.

“I might need a refresher...” before she quite had time to process, Shane crossed behind her. Speaking softly into her left ear he positioned her arms and hands on the cue. She could feel the heat of him behind her and smell his breath as he spoke. He guided the cue and her hands to hit the ball and break the setup. She turned her head to thank him and he dipped his head down brushing his lips to hers. It took all her willpower to turn her attention to the game and not turn around and give him her full and undivided attention. He, meanwhile, was doing all kinds of fancy maneuvers to impress her, but to her just hitting the ball and having it hit other balls was impressive. He beat her handily, “When was the last time you played?”

This time, Lupe did blush, “Sixth grade, I think. The church youth group had a table in the hall, until the deacon discovered that the kids were gambling on it and then it was 'Bye bye pool, hello croquet!' Guess they never realized that you can gamble on anything if you try hard enough.” Lupe saw Shane give a nod and a discreet head shake to a guy in a black jacket, “Hey, I'll just be a minute, you practice using that cue, k?” He headed over to the stranger and carried on a very quiet conversation. He came back; Lupe feeling bold after two pints of beer asked him which way to the restrooms, leaned in and said “Follow me in about a minute”

She walked back through the bar, hips swaying, feeling in control. She got to the hallways in front of the unisex single stall bathrooms and looked back, feeling rather like a cat, she tilted her head at the door of her choice and entered it. A couple moments later, just long enough for her to begin to worry, there was a knock on the door, “It's me.”

Gen 1.4 A Meadow Glen Mystery, A Taste of Back Story, and A Teenaged Dream

Meadow Glen has been rocked by a crime spree. The past three nights, houses have been broken into and items of value have gone missing. Only the wealthiest families have been targeted. The town is on edge and the police are baffled. Mayor Lewis Alterman is out for blood after the burgler made off with his mother's jewels, but the thief is canny. None of the stolen goods have shown up at the local consignment store or other fences. 

Lupe put down her newspaper and shook her head. She gave her tea a stir and looked around the cafe. Who of her neighbors would do such a thing? She looked at Robin as she angrily tapped at the computer. She observed Gil as he pulled his hat down over his eyes and leaned back in his chair; his wife Penny was leaning forward, earnestly reading her book. The bell tinged as the door opened, admitting someone Lupe hadn't seen much of before. She thought his name was Shane and all she knew of him is that he worked in the factory downtown and had a young daughter named Jasmine. Before she could school her face into a neutral expression, he looked over at her and caught her eye. He held her gaze for a moment before heading up to the counter and ordering a croissant and an americano.

Lupe went back to her newspaper, but was interupted in the middle of Miss Manners, “Would it be ok if I joined you?” She was confused, the cafe wasn't crowded, but here he was. It would be churlish to turn him away, plus she admired his guts, “Be my guest.” He sat down across the table from her and broke off a piece of his pastry. He read the front page of her newspaper as she returned to the advice column, “That's some caper, huh?”

“The thief?”

“Yeah,” he took a sip of his americano, grimacing as he burned his tongue.

“I think it's awful,” Lupe said, “People should feel safe in their homes. He's ruining that for them.”

“Maybe they feel a little too safe. It says here they didn't even have their doors locked.”

“What did you say your name was again?”

“Shane, Shane Granger, nice to meet you...” he said holding out his hand.

“Lupe Estes” she replied shaking his hand.

“I gotta get going, but we should get together sometime. I enjoyed our chat.” With that he got up and left, and taking the color out of the cafe with him. When she picked up her newspaper to go, she found his name and number scrawled on the top corner. What a smooth operator! She hadn't even noticed him doing that. She shook her head, intending to toss it in the recycling bin on her way out, but didn't.

She hopped on her bike and checked her watch, she had a half-hour to make it home before Juniper did. Juniper was no trouble at all, but she didn't really like to be alone. Lupe couldn't really blame her on that one. People react to their past in different ways. Lupe's parents left her and her brother alone while they worked and Lupe became fascinated by the world around her. When the fridge was empty, she would go to the neighbors around dinner time looking pitiful. She knew her parents were trying, but she never really felt their love the way her brother did. Juniper's mom... the less said about her the better.

When concerned neighbors called DCFS about her leaving her daughter alone in the house for hours, she would take her to the park and leave her there instead. She was comfortable in the belief that everyone there would assume she was there with someone else and she'd pick her up after the end of her shift.

The first afternoon Juniper played happily with the other children, but began to get nervous as one by one her playmates left for dinner. She sat on a bench and clutched her knees to her chest and waited. Eventually, her mom came back and got her. When they got home, she gave her a poptart and sent her to bed. Her mom sat on the couch, “soda can” in hand and fell asleep. In the morning, Juniper got a lecture before the bus came about keeping to herself and this was family business- no one needed to know.

Her mother failed to anticipate that people would eventually notice that Juniper didn't go home when the other children did. People would notice the little girl that didn't play with the others, but sat on the benches watching the parents with hungry eyes. Maybe it was the grandmotherly woman who walked her little white dog through the park every evening at seven that called. Or maybe it was the nanny who took the last child home. Or maybe it was the harried mother with the two little boys. Or maybe it was all three who called DCFS and called and called again.

Juniper didn't like being home alone. Juniper didn't like being outside for too long. She wouldn't get into trouble, but she wouldn't be happy either. She would do her homework with Floyd laying on her feet and look reproachfully at Lupe once she got in. Lupe peddled faster.

After she got Juniper to bed, Lupe got the newspaper out of her bag and looked at the number. Should she call him? He had challenged her, he was confident, those shoulders... She called her friend Leah instead. Leah had moved to Meadow Glen at about the same time Lupe had to pursue art surrounded by nature. Then on one of her long walks along the dunes she'd met Elliot, a man who looked like he walked straight off the cover of a romance novel, and fell head over heels in love. Luckily, he reciprocated and they'd been inseparable ever since, even though others had tried to catch his eye.

“Hey, Lupe, what's up? Elijah, I thought you said that project wasn't due until Thursday! Well, talk to your dad.” Lupe laughed, Leah's conversations were always sprinkled with directions to her sons or interjections from them.

“I met Shane Granger today, do you know him?”

“I think Elijah has had a few classes with Jas. I've seen him at parent teacher nights, but he keeps pretty quiet. Why?”

“We had an interesting conversation, is all. Then when he left, he had left his number.”

“I guess he liked what you had to say! You should call him! Sam Lane shouldn't turn you off men for life, Lupe. Don't tell Elliot, but have you seen his eyes?”

“What's this, I hear!? My wife has noticed another man's eyes!? Oh woe! Oh sorrow! How shall I live this day down!” Lupe heard Elliot exclaim in the background, followed by a thunk which was probably Leah hitting him playfully with the phone. They soon hung up the phone. Lupe checked Tinder. She swiped left and right a few times before she saw his picture. His hair was messy and he was smiling at the camera holding a pool cue. She scrolled down looking at other pictures and reading what he had to say about himself. The picture of him on the beach laughing into the camera was interesting. Yes, interesting, she settled on texting him.

After a few days of texting, she agreed to meet him at the festival. Lupe felt about sixteen as they played the carnival games and rode the rides. When Shane grabbed her hand, electricity shot through her body. She looked up at him and noticed him looking at their hands intently, she felt herself blushing as she met his eyes. His hand was warm and firm, calloused, capable, and intensely male. He took her other hand and looked at her palms. Lupe's hands looked small, slim, and brown in his. Shane looked like he was having similar thoughts. Instead he said, “Do you like rollerskating? I've taken Jas a few times and I'd like to think I've gotten pretty good.”

“Pretty good” was a bit of an understatement thought Lupe as she began to lose her balance and he arced around to take her hands and steady her while skating backwards. “Here, relax. Keep your feet still and bend your knees a little bit.” He pulled her along like a child. “You seem a bit more steady now, try to push off with your back foot and glide. I'll be here holding your hand. I won't let you fall.” Lupe soon got into the rhythm Shane set of push, glide, push, glide. She could've let go of his hand, but she didn't. When they got off the rink, Shane grinned at her, “You're a natural!”

Lupe looked down at her feet, “You're just saying that to encourage me. There's no way you got that good 'just taking Jas a few times'” she looked up at him pointedly.

He laughed ruefully, “You're right, I used to play hockey as a kid. When I got to high school, they had an ice hockey team. I started as a defenseman, but when I got to varsity Coach moved me to center. Skating's skating even if you've got six wheels instead of a blade.”

Lupe checked the time, she had told Juniper she'd be back by four-- it was 3:45. "Oh no! I Told Juniper I'd be home in 15 minutes!" she exclaimed. "I gotta go, but let's do this again sometime, ok?" Shane gave her a look that told her he was thinking of kissing her, "Definitely"

Reluctantly, she hopped on her bike. She wasn't some young thing anymore, she shouldn't feel so fluttery just because a man paid a little attention to her! Even if he was a handsome one, with muscular shoulders and warm brown eyes. 

Note: I'm trying to get my blog closer to where my game is, but some of the things that have happened there make more sense in terms of play than in terms of the characters I've established. Coincidentally, the loudspeaker was playing "Teenage Dream" while they were at the festival. It's hard for me to advance the generation while trying to figure out how to write about it.

Gen 1.3 Enter, Gen 2

After dropping off her completed paperwork, Lupe had to take a class and have a home inspection. The process took a few weeks and though the local government was loathe to make a single woman a foster parent, they accepted her. Late one afternoon, she got the call she had been half hoping for and dreading, "Good afternoon, Ms. Estes, this is Dr Smith from the Department of Children and Family Services, please have a room ready this evening for a young girl to stay with you." 

After hanging up, Lupe got to work cleaning. She was so nervous she couldn't stay still! First she cleaned the kitchen, wiping down the table and the counters and cleaning out the fridge. Then she cleaned the oven, did the dishes, and swept the floor. Then she went and made up the bed. Just as she was approaching the bathroom, the doorbell rang, causing Floyd to jump down from the couch and run over barking ecstatically. She opened the door to admit a harried looking social worker and a quiet, pale little girl. Floyd took the lead, rushing up to them and sniffing their shoes and groins, sneezing periodically. He was very good at breaking the ice. Lupe invited them in over Floyd's barking. The social worker introduced them, "Juniper, this is Lupe Estes, you'll be staying with her for a while until your mother can take care of you again. Ms. Estes, this is Juniper. Here are her things." She handed Lupe a mostly empty black trash bag, "We'll be in touch." With that, she left leaving the woman and the girl sitting uneasily on the couch. 

"Would you like something to eat? Or have you eaten?" Lupe asked. The girl shook her head and continued staring at her feet, petting Floyd absently. 

"Would you like to see your room? I didn't know what you liked, so it's kind of plain." Juniper nodded and stood up. Lupe led her across the living room to the first door to the left of the kitchen and opened it. "Here's your bed, the blanket was mine when I was little. My abuela crocheted. I got this toy bin for you and I found this dollhouse at the thrift store. I hope you like it! If you don't, we can just repaint." Lupe felt like her mouth was running away from her. The little girl stood in the middle of the room, turning this way and that taking it all in. Then, she went back to the living room, grabbed her bag, and brought it back. She went rummaging inside it and put a ragged stuffed bear on the bed. Then she opened the storage drawer and upended the rest of its contents inside. For the first time, she smiled at Lupe, "Do you think I could learn to paint? I also want to write! I've got all these ideas for stories..." She stopped like she said too much. Then she continued, her mind on a different track, "Can I play with him?" she asked pointing to Floyd. "Sure thing, just mind his body language. If his tail goes down between his legs, he's scared. If his ears go flat and you can see the whites of his eyes he might bite even if he isn't growling. Dogs can't talk like we can, so you have to pay attention to other things. If he gets too rough, say 'no' firmly and stop reacting to him. Put your hands into fists and go still like a tree. He seems to like you, have fun! I'll be right here if you need anything. Oh, and stay on top of the hill. My property is pretty much every thing on top here, but the sides are pretty sheer. It wouldn't be fun to go rolling down." Juniper scratched at her arm, thinking, "I don't really like it outside, it isn't safe."

Girl and dog retreated to the front porch. Even here, Juniper felt uneasy. What if there was someone in the bushes? What if she did go rolling down the hill? There are bugs and snakes outside! Floyd would know if there were anything in the bushes, she answered herself. "Hi, boy!" she said addressing him, "Are these your toys? Do you like sqeaky toys?" she asked, teasing him with one. He feinted one way and then another trying to get the toy, tail wagging. Then he nosed through the toy basket and came up with a knotted rope and dropped it at Juniper's feet. She picked it up, was she supposed to throw it? When Floyd grabbed it and started pulling, she nearly dropped her end from surprise. He seemed to be teaching her how to play tug of war, by tugging on his end of the rope then stopping and giving Juniper a look. When Juniper tugged back, he triumphantly tugged back like, "Yes!" Eventually, Floyd tired of winning and went running off across the yard. 

Lupe was working in the garden, getting it ready for winter. She watched the dog go running off, followed a little later by Juniper. She had a feeling things were going to turn out well. Looking up a little later, she saw girl and dog silhouetted against the rising moon. It was a memory she'd look back fondly on for years.

Gen 1.2 Exuent Sam, Stage Left Pursued by Bear

The next morning Lupe got on the phone. She knew Sam didn't have to be at work until the afternoon, so she asked him to brunch. Maybe Sam felt guilty, but he agreed to meet her at the coffee shop. Lupe took her time in front of the mirror before she left, she needed to look her best and perfect her shocked expression. When she got to the coffee shop Sam wasn't there yet. She got a cup of coffee and a muffin and had a seat. She sipped slowly at the coffee, looking out the window and watching passerbys and broke her muffin into bits nervously. Sam came rushing in about five minutes later once her muffin was reduced to crumbs. He smiled nervously and waved at Lupe before getting his own cup. Lupe glanced out the window and saw Abigail sitting across the street at one of the outdoor tables at the cafe. She smirked at Lupe and gave a mock wave, before pulling her long purple hair into a messy bun and pulling out a magazine. 

Sam came over with his sugary specialty drink. Lupe had no idea how he could stand that stuff. Kissing him was like eating a candy bar after he had one of those. She preferred her coffee with a touch of cream and no sugar. Sam looked down and stirred the whip cream and caramel sauce into his drink with his straw. Lupe decided to break the silence, "What did you get this time, an iced caramel mocha? Is there any espresso in there at all?" 

Sam looked up, "It's an iced caramel latte. I think I saw them put two shots in! Still too bitter though. What's up?"

"What, a girl can't ask her boyfriend out for coffee without suspicion anymore?"

Sam's face went ashen, "You didn't check your voicemail this morning?!" 

"No, I saw the missed call, but I figured we could just talk here..." Lupe said, keeping her tone light. Sam ran his fingers through his already messy hair, "I really wish, you'd listened to the voicemail, Lupe, it would've made everything so much easier... I ran into Abby last night, well she ran into me, we ran into each other? We still have feelings for each other and, well, something happened and we decided to give things another chance." 

Lupe recoiled like she'd been slapped, her large green eyes filling with tears. She knew she'd needed to hear it from him. She itched to slap him, but when she lifted her hand, she saw him brace himself for it and rested her hand on his cheek. This seemed more shocking to him than if she had, and leaned his head into her hand, his cheekbone fitting into the hollow of her palm perfectly. He leaned back in his chair his stubble rasping against her hand, breaking contact, "Lupe, I had so much fun with you and you showed me that things don't need to be so hard all the time..."

Before her brain had time to connect with the action, she leaned forward and kissed him, lingeringly. It would be the last time, "Things shouldn't be so hard, Sam, relationships do take work, but..." He stood up and crossed the table, she stood up to meet him. He kissed her hard, pulling her arms around his waist. She met him eagerly, but pulled back. "You're right, things are over with me and Abigail."

"You're a great guy, Sam, and you deserve better. I know you have a history, but it seems to me that she's toying with you and Sebastian. He used to be your best friend, when was the last time you even spoke to him?" 

Across the street, Abigail met Lupe's eyes with a glare. She held two fingers up in a V and gestured to her eyes and pointed at Lupe. 

"So where does that leave us?" Sam asked.

Lupe's eyes filled with pity, "Sam, I could never be with someone I couldn't trust out of my sight. I could've loved you. I thought you could be The One, but now... I wish you the best, don't be a stranger." With that Lupe, grabbed her bag and left leaving Sam staring after her. Someone would console him soon, he wouldn't be single for long, she was sure. Lupe slung her bag over her shoulder and headed over to City Hall to drop off some papers. She had decided to apply to be a foster parent and give some child the home she had never had growing up.

Gen 1.2 Enter, Sam, Stage Left

 Over the course of two seasons, Lupe Estes has gone from living in a tent with an outhouse, to a cabin built around the outhouse with enough space for a bed with an outdoor kitchen. From there the cabin grew to have enough space for an indoor kitchen. Then it got enough space for a living space. Finally she was able to add a bedroom and an eating area. It's still super tiny, but there's enough space for her and her dog, Floyd.

On Halloween, Lupe got an invitation to a party at Willy's boat. She went and the only other person there beside her and Willy was Sam. Gossip told Lupe that Sam was involved with Abigail Clark, but she really liked his easy laugh, athletic physique, and the twinkle in his eye.

So Lupe took a chance and asked him if he was seeing anyone. Sam heaved a sigh and told her that he and Abigail were through. Lupe hid a smile and told him that she was crazy to let a handsome guy like him go. Sam smiled crookedly and leaned in, "Oh yeah? Why's that?" and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear making knees go weak. 
"Do you want to go to Shenanigans?" Lupe blurted out. Willy was busy on his computer, he wouldn't care if they left. This party was lame and he had to know it. Still, she wished him goodbye and headed out. They had so much fun on that first date playing foosball and shuffleboard, laughing and chatting the whole time. Then, during a lull in conversation, Lupe worked up her courage and said, "Sam, I think you're great. You're funny and smart and any girl would be lucky to have you. I wish I could be so lucky." His eyes crinkled at the corners, "I think you could be" he said cupping her face. 

Lupe rode her bike home practically floating! The next few days passed in a blur of dog training, lab work, and Sam. Always Sam. 

Then came the call. A voicemail, actually. 

"Hey, Lupe, it's me. I ran into Abby today. It's been fun, but we're gonna give things another shot. No hard feelings, ok?" 

No hard feelings, indeed. She was going to call him and give him a piece of her mind! No, she was going to call him and set up a date. Show him what he was missing. Even if they didn't get back together, he shouldn't be toyed with like that. It wasn't fair to Sebastian or Lewis either. Maybe it was childish, but Lupe no longer cared about having a boyfriend, this was about justice.