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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Sept 30, 2006 21:27:52 GMT
Reno kept up a steady pace, even though he was tempted more than once to turn around and run back to the car, go to the Pier Club, down some stiff drinks and forget this whole insane idea.
He watched as the three girls stopped laughing and chattering. Identical triplets. They watched him with identical looks of solemnity on their faces as he approached their father.
Reno stopped barely a foot in front of him. I've been imagining this day most of my life. Thought of a billion things I was gonna say and do. Now that I'm here, I can't remember any of them.
He stood there as complete silence fell. One of the girls stepped forward, but her sisters pulled her back. "Get Mom," one of them hissed.
The father stared at the man in front of him, unsure of what he wanted. He'd thought of a billion ways this meeting could turn out himself, but he'd never thought it would actually happen.
Reno took a step closer to this stranger... and hugged him.
The two sisters remaining on the scene looked on in shock.
The man finally seemed to find his voice. "Son... is it really you?"
Reno nodded mechanically and stood back. "Hi, pop." It's been fifteen years, and that's the best I can come up with?
The third sister came racing out of the house with her mother in tow, a mother with yet another head of red hair. She froze in her tracks. "Reno?"
Reno nodded. "I'm back, Mom."
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Sept 30, 2006 21:30:25 GMT
nikky yawned and slumped slightly. she found it best not to watch...figuring its really none of her business. she played with her shorts slightly.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Sept 30, 2006 21:52:04 GMT
"What... what do you want?" His mother looked absolutely terrified.
Reno almost felt like laughing. "Nothing. I just... always wanted to come back after I 'grew up'... I use the term loosely, of course..."
The entire family seemed to be frozen into a mosaic. They were all just staring at him, and he couldn't help wondering what was on their minds. "I wanted to see if anything changed after I left. Not much has, apparently." He turned to the girls. "Except you guys, maybe. You were, what, two years old when I left?"
They nodded dumbly.
"Any of you remember me?"
Only one nodded in return.
He went to her. "What do you remember?"
"You didn't want to go."
Reno gave a faint smile. "Yeah, I remember that too." But someone had to, and none of you were old enough to join the program.
He turned back to his parents. "So, I'm a Turk now... what a Turk is, these days, is open for interpretation. Whatever it is, I'm good at it. I make good money. I survive. What else can a person do in this age, anyway?"
He cut himself off. He didn't belong here. Not in this place, not with these people. He'd come knowing that. "Just wanted you to know I still exist. Can't stick around too long... I've got a date tonight." He started backing off towards the car. "Well, see ya."
"Wait," his mother called out.
He stopped and stared at her. "Yeah?"
She came to him. Their eyes, a matching shade of blue, met.
She began to weep, crumpling on the sidewalk. "Please, forgive me."
He hesitated, only for a moment. Then he knelt and wrapped his arms around her. "Sure. What's to forgive?" I forgave you a long time ago. I had to move on. And it wouldn't be fair if you didn't know.
He pulled away and looked at Nikky, still waiting for him. "I really have to go."
She looked at him, lips trembling. "I love you."
Reno hadn't heard those words before in his entire life. He wasn't sure what to do with them. "I know..." What do people usually say? Oh, yeah... "I love you too."
He stood up, bringing his mother with him. He squeezed her hand as he turned away and went back to the car. He strapped in and watched the others wave goodbye. He started the ignition and drove away.
He turned to Nikky. "I think I need a drink," he said, voice breaking. He waited until they had turned the corner before he pulled over and wiped his eyes. "D**n sand..."
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Sept 30, 2006 21:54:47 GMT
nikky stared at him slightly before smiling. ''i think you need a lot more than one....'' she tried to liven the spirits and bring happy back
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Sept 30, 2006 21:59:43 GMT
He laughed, still wiping his eyes. "Yeah. A lot more." He started the car again. "Let's get to the club already." The car lurched forward.
And with that, he left his past behind him.
****
They headed back towards the beach district, and stopped in front of a building just at the edge of it. The outside was plain enough, but a heavy bass beat was throbbing out of the open doors as multi-colored lights poured out. There was a short line at the main entrance, and a crowd was clearly visible inside. A sign proclaiming the establishment's name in altogether too much neon lit up in time with the music.
Reno gave Nikky a smirk. "I think we're gonna find all the drinks I need." He climbed out of the car and opened the door for her. "Let's get on in there, yeah?"
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Sept 30, 2006 22:01:45 GMT
she nodded and grinned, getting out of the car and practically attaching herself to him. ''yeah.... i've been sober for too long.''
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Sept 30, 2006 22:11:21 GMT
He got into line, but didn't stay there long. One of the bouncers, a big African-American guy with more than a passing resemblance to Mr. T, noticed him. "HEY, RENO!"
Reno goggled. "Ain't the nostalgia brigade out in force tonight!" He laughed and clapped the man on the shoulder. "Hey, Steamer!"
"Long time no see, my man," the bouncer rumbled. "Fifteen years?"
"About that," Reno nodded.
"I wouldn't worry too much about visiting the old neighborhood myself, if I had a distraction like her," the guy ribbed him. He made a half bow. "Whazzup, Miss? This guy got you into any trouble yet? 'Cause if he hasn't you just haven't known him long enough."
"Lay off her," Reno insisted. "Can you get us in there any faster?"
"Anything for an old friend," the bouncer grinned. He then cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed, "EVERYBODY OUTTA THE WAY! BIG RED'S BACK IN TOWN!"
The line backed off, allowing Reno and Nikky to get into the club. Reno grinned. "Thanks, man."
"No problemo."
The club was full of dancing people, though not as packed as it would undoubtedly become later that night. Several trays of intoxicating liquids were circulating. Reno grabbed a couple and handed one to Nikky. "Want some dinner, or do you wanna dance first?" he asked loudly over the booming dance music.
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Sept 30, 2006 22:13:51 GMT
nikky laughed and nodded, grinning at the man before following reno inside. she looked around before looking back at him. she sipped the drink, and shrugged. ''you decide.'' she replied over the music.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Sept 30, 2006 22:18:27 GMT
"I say dance first, because if we eat now, we won't get drunk as fast," he reasoned jokingly. "I'll warn you... my coordination is not legendary!" He finished his drink and pulled her out to the dance floor. "Ready?"
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Sept 30, 2006 23:09:52 GMT
she nodded, downing her drink and following. she grinned at him. ''as ready as i could be....''
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Sept 30, 2006 23:22:34 GMT
He grinned back. "Okay..." He took her hand and began to dance as best he knew how. Most of my moves are actually modified from my fight classes... Hope she doesn't notice.
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Sept 30, 2006 23:49:35 GMT
she giggled slightly at his awkwardness as danced with him. she was hella better than he was... then again she took dancing classes. she moved to the beat and grinned slightly.
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Sept 30, 2006 23:55:45 GMT
I'm with a girl who is hot, knows how to build guns, and can dance. I am so lucky, it isn't even funny.
"Where'd you learn to dance this good?" Keeping up with her was a bit of a chore, but if he could fight demons, he could sure keep pace with a dance partner...
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Post by *~Nikkole~* on Sept 30, 2006 23:57:59 GMT
she laughed and spun around, she came in close and wrapped her arms around her neck. ''i used to go clubing all the time with my sister....'' she let go and danced still, a few moves looked a lot like fighting moves....
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Post by Amnesty Lazuli on Oct 1, 2006 0:02:14 GMT
Ha ha ha... she's trying to work her way down to my level. Awful decent of her, as Ami would say...
He cooperated, trying out a few of the more sophisticated maneuvers he knew. "I think I'm starting to feel that drink."
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