Braddocks
Rowena was busy in the kitchen, getting the last finishing touches for their dinner done. She had invited the O'Shaughnessy's over.
Miette pulled up in the driveway. Duke had had a drama class that night and Miette had driven him home. They got out of the car and headed inside.
"Hi kids," Rowena said. "How was class? Did you remember the milk, Mi?"
"Good," Duke said.
"Yeah I did," Miette replied, as she put the milk in the fridge.
"Thanks."
"When are they coming?" Duke asked.
Rowena glanced at the clock.
"They should be around any time now," she said.
"Cool."
Robyn
Robyn fixed her hair back with a clip, eyes sliding away from the picture of Sophie on the mirror. Like they always did now. She couldn't handle looking at the happiness on her sister's face when she wasn't here, for real.
Sean knocked on her door gently, face looking like it always did now, tired.
"Ready, little one?"
"Sure, Dad."
Robyn checked her hair one more time then they walked over to the Braddocks. Sean knocked on the door.
Braddocks
"They're here!" Duke exhulted.
He bounded over to the door and flung it open.
"Hi!" he greeted cheerfully.
Miette and Rowena grinned at each other as they wandered out to join them.
Robyn
"Hi," Robyn said back as she and her dad stepped inside.
"Hi Mi, Ro."
"Hello," Sean said, smiling.
Braddocks
"Good evening," Rowena smiled. "Come in, come in. I'm just finishing off the dinner, if you'd like to take a seat?"
"I'll keep an eye on it, Mum," Miette said.
"No, no, it's nice of you to offer, but you don't know wher I'm up to with the cooking," Rowena replied. "I'll let you all know when it's ready."
"Okay," Miette nodded. "I just got back from bringing Duke home from drama."
Robyn
"Smells good, Ro," Robyn said.
"How was drama, Duke?" Sean asked.
Braddocks
"Thank you," Rowena smiled, before heading back to the kitchen.
"It was good. We played Death In A Minute and I was killed by falling piano," Duke nodded.
"Falling piano?" Miette raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. Because we were set in a music shop."
"I see."
Robyn
Robyn nodded.
"Makes sense. In a weird way. Why not get skewered by a violin bow?"
"Bloodthirsty little thing," Sean murmured.
Braddocks
Duke nodded thoughtfully.
"It was the first thing to come to us," he said. "Well, we only have a minute for someone to die."
Miette shook her head.
"Death In A Minute," she repeated. "Such a nice game."
Duke grinned.
Robyn
"One must allow the children their distractions," Sean said.
"Those video games are worse."
"There is nothing wrong with my video games," Robyn said.
"They're a healthy outlet for agression."
Braddocks
"Personally, I blame human nature," Miette said. "I mean, lets face it, the gladitorial arenas back in ancient Rome were obviously their answer to violent movies."
"Dinner's ready!" Rowena called.
"Yay! Food!" Duke said happily, bounding into the dining room.
Robyn
The O'Shaughnessys followed more sedately.
"I must say, Ro, it smells wonderful. And I'm sure it will taste even better," Sean said, looking at her.
Robyn tilted her head slightly, looking at her father, then grinned and elbowed Duke in the side gently, motioning to the adults with a jerk of her head.
Braddocks
"Thank you Sean," Rowena replied.
Duke gave Robyn a look, then caught her glance and grinned mischeviously.
Miette took her seat and waited for everyone to follow.
Robyn
Robyn sat down next to Duke.
"Still no word on Soph," she murmured to him quietly.
"Don't talk about it. It upsets Dad."
Braddocks
"Okay," Duke said agreeably.
Rowena started passing the plates and bowls of food to the table.
"Help yourselves," she said.
"Thanks Mum," Miette and Duke said together.
Robyn
"Thank you, Ro," Sean said, helping distribute the plates.
Robyn mmm'd appreciatively.
"Looks good."
Braddocks
"It was my pleasure," Rowena smiled.
"Two, four, six, eight, bog in, don't wait!" Duke declared and started dumping foodstuffs on his plate.
"Really, Duke," Miette said with raised eyebrows.
Duke grinned angelically at her before returning to his food.
Robyn
Robyn served food onto her plate and started to eat quietly.
"So, how's drama, Duke?" Sean asked.
Braddocks
"Drama is good," Duke said. "School is putting on a play. I'm gonan audition. And it's good be really good all because I get the lead."
He nodded importantly.
"And you're so modest too," Miette said dryly.
"Yup."
Robyn
"Sounds good," Sean said.
"Careful, or you won't be able to walk outside anymore cos your head will be so big," Robyn warned.
Braddocks
"I'm sure someone'll be happy to deflat it for me," Duke retorted.
"Like me," Miette grinned.
Duke poked his tongue out at her.
"Duke, manners," Rowena replied. "How are the classes going, Mi?"
"Good," Miette replied. "It's turned out to be a lot easier to tecah people how to create my kind of holograms than I expected."
Robyn
Sean nodded, eating some more of the food.
"Well, that's good."
"Duke, how did that project go?" Robyn asked.
"That I had to help you for. Did you foster Aussie myths like I asked? Cos I like scaring people."
Braddocks
"Yes, yes I did," Duke said, laughing evilly. "And I got a B. Whoo hoo, go me."
"He would have gotten a A if he had bothered to spell check and use proper grammar," Rowena said pointedly.
"Who? Me?"
"Yes you," Miette grinned.
"Couldn't be!"
"Oh don't start singing that again."
Duke chuckled.
Robyn
"Rob, what did you do?" Sean asked cautiously.
"Oh, you know. Drop bears. Carnivourus wombats that look like rocks. Huge spiders. Killer 'roos. Scaring people off Oz," Robyn said, then ate more food.
Braddocks
"Wrestling crocodiles every morning before breakfast," Duke went on. "Riding said killer 'roos to school and work."
"It was a creative writing exercise," Rowena explained.
"Actually, we had a choice between creative writing, writing about another country and writing about an animal. Mrs Harris thought it was very talented of me to write all three things."
Duke grinned.
Miette shook her head and took another bite of her dinner.
Robyn
"Aw, the cleverness," Robyn cooed, reaching over to muss his hair.
"One day, mate, you'll actually be able to write on your own."
Duke
"Yes, but that day is not today," Duke nodded decisively. "I have better things to do with my time than homework."
He paused, then gave Rowena an angelic smile.
"You didn't hear me say that."
Robyn
"Bus-ted," Robyn singsonged.
"Duke's a juvenile delinquent in the making."
Braddocks
"Nothing in the making about it," Miette joked.
"Y'know what would be really funny? If there was a play called 'Juvenile Delinquent' that was in the making... and I was in it," Duke laughed.
"Oh dear... we've created a monster."
Robyn
Robyn eyed him.
"Skin looks normal, no fangs, no ridges, no different coloured eyes. Course, he could be possessed."
Braddocks
Duke laughed evilly.
"Wouldn't you like to know, my dear child," he said manically.
"Mum?" said Miette.
"Yes?"
"I think we can pull Duke out of his drama classes. He's dramatic enough already."
Robyn
Robyn fished her cross out and pressed it against Duke's skin.
"No flames, not demon."
She ketp eating slowly.
Braddocks
"Maybe I'm just insane," Duke said. "Or maybe a witch has cast a spell on me."
"Or maybe you're just talking out of your -"
"Miette."
"Sorry."
Robyn
"I'm voting for insanity," Robyn said.
"Swinging that way myself," Sean murmured.
Braddocks
"Yay! I'm insane!" Duke grinned.
Then he burped loudly.
"Duke, really," Rowena said.
"But, but it's compliments to the chef!"
Rowena smiled and shook her head.
Robyn
"You're gross. Boys are gross."
Robyn moved away from Duke slightly.
Braddocks
"Thank you," Duke smiled broadly.
"So, how's work," Rowena asked Sean, changing the subject.
Sean
"Busy," Sean sighed.
"Lots of new projects, new clients."
Braddocks
"That's good," Rowena replied.
Miette finished her plate and pushed it aside.
"What exactly do you do, anyway?" Miette asked.
Robyn
Sean raised an eyebrow.
"Not allowed to speak about it, I'm afraid. Non-disclosure agreement I signed."
"Conspiracy theory!" Robyn said.
Braddocks
"Ahh, I see," Miette nodded. "Know all about those."
She chuckled.
"Mummmmmmmm..." Duke said.
"Yes Duke?"
"Dessert?"
Robyn
Robyn nodded, putting her knife and fork on her now empty plate.
"Please, Ro?"
Braddocks
"Oh, I think I can find something," Rowena replied teasingly. "Are we all finished?"
"Yep!" Duke replied as Miette nodded.
Robyn
"It was delicious, Ro," Sean complimented her.
Robyn nodded in agreement.
Braddocks
"Thank you," Rowena replied. "Miette, can you collect the plate, please?"
"Sure."
Miette started picking up the plates off the table as Rowena pulled out some ice cream.
"Ice cream okay with everyone?" she asked.
"Yay!" Duke exlaimed.
RObyn
"Need any help, Mi?" Sean asked.
Robyn grinned.
"Icecream, yes, please."
Braddocks
"No, it's okay, thank you," Miette replied.
"Okay, ice cream it is," Rowena smiled. "Who would like topping? We have chocolate and caramal. We also have crushed nuts if you'd like some."
Robyn
"Everything," Robyn said.
"Guts," Sean said.
"Not at all."
Braddocks
"It's okay," Rowena smiled.
"I'll have caramel, Mum," Miette said, putting the plates in the dishwasher.
"Chocolate and k-nutses!" Duke said.
Rowena started serving up the ice cream.
Robyn
Robyn got stuck into her bowl, mmm'ing happily.
"Tasty."
Braddocks
Rowena smiled.
"Ice cream!" Duke grinned, stabbing at it with his spoon until it turned into mush.
Miette shook her head and started eating hers.
"Thanks Mum," she said.
Robyn
Sean took his bowl from Rowena, smiling at her slightly.
"Thank you, Ro. So, what have you been doing with yourself?"
Robyn glanced at her father and then ate more icecream.
Braddocks
"Still trying to find some work," Rowena replied. "But I have another interview with the motel down town this week, which looks promising."
"Looks promising?" Miette repeated. "This is the third interview! Mum, I'd say you've got the job."
"Well, thank you for your vote of confidence, honey."
Robyn
"That sounds good," Sean said.
Robyn finished off her icecream and looked at Duke.
"Hurry up so we can play the PS2."
Braddocks
Duke poked his tongue out at her, then used it to lick his bowl.
"Oh really, Duke, we have company," Miette said.
"Like you never used to do it," Duke said. "I'm not wasting one taste of icey-cream."
Robyn
Robyn sucked thoughtfully on her spoon.
"He has a point. Because ice cream is goooood."
Braddocks
"Yes, yes it is," Duke said.
He licked up the last of his ice cream.
"Ready?" he asked Robyn.
"Nonetheless," Rowena cut in, "It is bad manners."
Robyn
"Yep!"
Robyn looked at Rowena.
"Canwebeexcusedplease?"
Braddocks
Rowena nodded.
"Yes you may," she said.
"Yay!" Duke grinned, leaping out of his seat.
"Ahem."
"You're so polite, Robyn. If only Duke'll learn some manner from you," Miette said.
"Never!" Duke replied. "Come on, Roby-Robyn. The PS2 awaits!"
Robyn
"Coolies!"
Robyn put her spoon down in the plate with a clatter and then pushed out from the table. She ruffled Duke's hair on her way past.
"Slow-boy."
Duke
"Hey! Don't do that!" Duke objected.
He ran after her, and, as soon as they were out of the kitchen, tackled her to the ground.
"Are you... ticklish?" he asked devilishly.
Robyn
Robyn folded her arms and looked at him, one eyebrow raised.
"Get off me. Before I hurt you."
Duke
"Oooh, scary," Duke said.
He promptly started tickling Robyn.
"Tickle, tickle, tickle!"
Robyn
"YOW!"
Robyn squirmed, pushing at his chest to make him get off.
"I warned you already! Your pain is now your fault!"
She punched him hard in the stomach.
Duke
"Ow! Hey, I'll get you for that!" Duke objected.
He tickled her with increasing vigor.
Robyn
Robyn squealed.
"Stop!"
She punched him again, hitting at his chest.
Duke
Duke grinned and continued to tickle her.
"Say please," he taunted.
Robyn
"Duke, if you don't let me up right now, I'm going to kick you in a very sensitive place!" Robyn warned him.
She struggled again.
Duke
"Spoil sport," Duke muttered, letting her up.
Then he bounded into the lounge room to set up the PS2.
Robyn
"Me? Hah!"
Robyn got up and went after him.
"Brat."
Duke
"What game do you wanna play?" asked Duke.
He plugged in the approriate cords and sat back against the lounge.
Robyn
"Something violent, yet funny," Robyn said,
"Does such a thing exist?"
Duke
"Umm... good question..." Duke said.
He eyed his game collection.
"Oh look, if we play this one we get to run over pedestrians..."
Robyn
"Sounds good to me," RObyn said cheerfully.
"Do they scream?"
Duke
Duke's eyes glittered.
"Yep," he said, then cackled evilly.
He put the game into the machine, started it up and then began deciding what car he wanted to use.
Robyn
Robyn picked a car quickly, and then looked at Duke.
"C'mon, let's squish people!"
Duke
Duke picked his car, and then the game began. Duke raced his car along the road and ran over a pedestrian.
"100 points a person!" he beamed.
Robyn
Robyn snickered as people screamed, ran, then went under her tyres.
Sean looked at Ro.
"These games breed road rage."
Braddocks
"Most likely," Rowena agreed. "When did he get this game anyway?"
"Jason gave it to him," Miette said.
"Ahh, that explains it."
Miette attempted to hide her grin, thinking of her older brother.
"Rubbish bin! Only 50 points though," Duke said, knocking down more pedestrians. "200 for someone in a wheelchair..."
Robyn
"I find that disturbing," Sean said softly.
Robyn drove her car into another and flipped it. The computer's car caught on fire and she punched the air.
"Whoo, five hundred!"
Braddocks
"Indeed," Rowena agreed.
"Luckyyyyy..." Duke said, then his eyes lightened up.
He ran a red light, and the cars on the green light all swerved to avoid him... causing a car pile up.
"Yay! 1000 points!"
Robyn
"Maaaan," Robyn complained as that put her behind again.
But a few more squished pedestrians and they were back to being more or less even.
Duke
"I'm gonna mash you like a bug little person!" Duke declared.
He laughed evilly as he hit more pedestrians.
Robyn
The children mashed more computer generated people. The adults chatted.
"I think we should get going," Sean said.
"Aw, no way!"
Braddocks
"But, but, but..." Duke began.
"You and Robyn can play more PS2 another day," Miette said.
"But..."
"It was a pleasure having you over," Rowena cut in. "As always."
Robyn
"And it was a pleasure to be invited," Sean said.
"Thank you, Ro!" Robyn chirped.
"And I'll be back like Arnie to kick your butt again, Duke."
Braddocks
"My butt will never be kicked by you, harlot!" Duke declared.
"Duke!" Rowena scolded. "That wasn't very nice. I think you should appologise."
"Sorry. Not."
"Duke."
"He probably doesn't even know what a harlot is," Miette commented.
"I do so, it's a -"
"And Robyn isn't one. So a sincere apology this time, thank you."
"Sorrrrry."
Rowena sighed in that way where she knew that was the best she'd get otu of him, and it simply wasn't good enough.
Robyn
"Night, Ro. Mi."
Sean nodded to them both as he ushered Robyn out the door.
"G'night!" Robyn said, waving as they left.
Braddocks
The Braddocks waved goodbye and said goodnight.
"Duke."
"Yes Mum?"
"You can do the washing up tonight."
"Aww, but -"
"No buts."
"Dang."