Room 406, late morning

[izzyalienqueen]

The camping trip had been fun, even though it was cut short by rain and the fact that her family was going to be arriving this afternoon. Despite that, Isabel was still unpacking and straightening up her room with a rather broad smile on her face.

The door was open.

Comments

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

The phone rang.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel looked at the caller ID and frowned. They were supposed to be in the air by now. "Mom? What's wrong?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Hi sweetie, I'm sorry but we won't be able to make it this weekend," Dianne Evans said sadly. "We got a call last night, Aunt Rachel had a heart attack, we're driving up to Santa Fe right now to see her."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Is she going to be okay?" Isabel asked, feeling torn between being worried about her aunt and somewhat relieved that she won't have to worry about her family being exposed to the insanity that was Fandom. "What do the doctors say?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"They're cautiously optimistic," Dianne assured her. "But we thought it better that we go up and check into things ourselves. Plus if she's going to be in the hospital for a while we'll have to make arrangements for her cat and her mail and clean out the fridge. I'm sorry. I was looking forward to seeing your school and meeting your friends."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Mom, that's fine. I understand. You need to take care of her," Isabel said, trying not to let the relief she felt creep into her voice. "You can come visit another time."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Or you can come home," Dianne suggested. "A visit wouldn't be so bad would it?" She paused for a moment and sighed. "Who am I kidding? My little girl has fled the nest already."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Mom...You know I love you. It's just hard."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Dianne rested her head against the back of the seat and stared out the window. "I know you and Max have been fighting for quite a while. I was hoping that you'd be able to move past that. Maybe you will now, in your home."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

Isabel suddenly had a very bad feeling. "Mom, what do you mean?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Max is still coming out to visit you. We dropped him off at the airport on our way out of town. He'll be there this afternoon. I hope you two can work things out."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Oh," she said as she banged her head against the wall. "Then I guess I better go finish straightening up."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Okay honey. I'll call you tonight and let you know how Aunt Rachael is doing. Have fun. I love you."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Love you to mom," Isabel said, then hung up the phone. It wasn't exactly great news that her parents weren't coming. She would have liked to see them. But still, if was a relief not having to worry about them being exposed to Fandom. At least Max knew about the weirdness. The trick was going to be keeping him from finding out that people knew she was part of the weirdness. Isabel sighed and got back to cleaning. It was going to be a long weekend.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Having not been able to sleep very well, and cleaned her room twice, then had a panic attack, then calmed down again, Parker was mostly dealing well when she went to check on Isabel. Her hair and clothes were a little too perfect, but hey. That was normal.

She knocked on the door. "Isabel? Tell me you're back."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No," Isabel said. "I'm an extremely detailed figment of your imagination. What's up?" Yes, despite the phone call, she's back to smiling brightly.

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Last minute freak-outs before my father and Sydney get here, and oh my god, you're perky. You're glowy. It went well, then, I take it?" Parker folded her arms and smirked.

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Let's just say I think I get what all the fuss is about," she laughed. "We had fun, it was nice. And here," she said, holding out a set of car keys. "It's back in the lot, safe and sound. And correct me if I'm wrong? But you said your father is coming?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Yes." Parker took the keys, spinning them around her fingers as she started to pace. "I had to make reservations for him at the Arms. It's fine. Completely." She shook herself, and grinned. "So, no panicking, no giggling, no bears that stuck their heads in the tent? Just a fun nice time? I don't have to kill or mock Greggy?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"There was no panicking, no flailing, a few minor giggles and more importantly, no bears. So please do not be mocking the boyfriend who was incredibly sweet and just basically wonderful." Isabel facepalmed. "My god, I'm a sap. But at least I have good memories as I face the firing squad. You've got your dad. I've got Max. And my parents will not be here to run interference. Which is good and bad. But still. Is it Sunday yet?"

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"Oh, wow. My sympathies on having to entertain King Dork while he's here." Parker shook her head. "At least I've got Sydney to keep things *something* like mellow. He's coming in too. I'm sorry your parents couldn't make it. And yay! on the good time. I won't mock him." She paused. "To his face, anyway."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"No mocking!" Isabel laughed before sobering a bit. "Yeah, mom called this morning. My elderly aunt had a heart attack so she and my dad are driving up to see her and help her. In a way it's good because I don't have to worry about them and the weirdness. At least Max knows that part of things," she explained. "But if he's going to be obnoxious, it's going to be a very long weekend. I'll be seeking distractions."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry your aunt is sick. Consider me distraction material-- well, no. My father's here. I'm going to be insane. But when you meet Sydney, I'm sure he'd help." Parker sighed. "I just realized this morning that there's a thousand tiny things he could object to that aren't even getting into the weirdness of this place or my ex-boyfriend-who-doesn't-exist, and I'm freaking out a little."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Thanks," Isabel nodded. "She old so it's not entirely unexpected but it still sucks. She was the closest thing to a grandparent I had but she lived a few hours away we didn't get to see her that often."

"Parker, you will be fine. Everyone who saw your email will be nice and charming and make no mention of the ex. We're going to survive the weekend. And afterwards? We might have to have a night of chocolate and chick flicks."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"I don't have any grandparents either. Unless you count Sydney, who's old enough, but is really just... Sydney." Parker shook her head. "And that sounds like an awesome plan, a great plan, and... what if he asks me why I have a bunny? Or a cat? What if he doesn't like that I do? I should've boarded them out for the weekend, but I didn't even *think* of it."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Why should he care if you have a bunny or a cat? Those are minor little details and somehow I think your dad is man who's more focused on the big picture," she said. "But if it'll help, you're welcome to send them up here for the weekend."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"He always said they made too much mess, that's why we never had any, and-- you're right. You're right. Big picture. Harvard, law school, Centre, life." Parker smiled. "And if it looks like it, maybe I'll just claim they're yours, and that I'm giving them back now. Thanks. Anything I can do about Max, while he's here?"

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"Give me a weapon?" Isabel said half seriously. "But yes, feel free to blame me for whatever you need."

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

Parker grinned. "Sure. Or I'll sell tickets if you two get into a telekinetic fight, and make sure that all the photos make him look stupid." She checked her watch. "Thanks. I have no idea when my father's coming in, so I'm heading down to the meeting area now. Wish me luck. And that Sydney gets here first."

[izzyalienqueen.livejournal.com]

"It could be part of the weekend's entertainment," she chuckled. "Go. Good luck. If you need me? Call. I'll knock Max out and come running."