20 - Peter: Junior Year

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Christmas was coming, and Peter loved it. He didn't care that there weren't many gifts under the tree, because his mother not working on Christmas was enough. They would go to Mass and have a decent meal. It was just family, but it was one day that the four of them spent time together.

His mother felt bad that he hung out at Megan's house. "Invite her here to return the favor for all those meals."

"No Ma. She lives in a huge house. I don't want her here. Besides, we never have decent meals."

"You can bring home pizza from Mario's. Everyone loves Mario's pizza."

"I dunno Ma, besides Megan's not my girlfriend. I have a girlfriend."

"I know, but I want to thank Megan. We'll have her when Becka's home from school. She'll like Becka,"

Kathleen Brenner kept insisting until finally Peter relented.

At the library he said, "Hey, do you want to come have pizza at my house someday. My mom is feeling guilty, because I eat at your house and she wants to meet you." He spoke without breathing.

"Okay."

"Really? You know where I live right?"

"Well duh, I drop you off. It's no big deal. Mari's dad used to live there before he got remarried."

Peter didn't want Harmony to know that Megan was coming to his house. He had very little in common with Harmony except for the physical. It was great, because he was seventeen and was getting it regularly, not as often as Harmony wanted, but he had to work.

He was putting away every penny he made. He'd taken his driver's education class and was driving with Ed, Megan's father. It would take a while for him to save up enough money for an old car and insurance.

Everything was difficult for Peter. There wasn't enough time in the day and not enough money either. He was waiting for Megan. Meanwhile Harmony's parents had gone out, and she wanted him to come over. She had been calling him all day, and he missed the calls, because he worked the lunch shift.

He finally called her back. "Sorry I can't come. I've got dinner plans with my Ma and I have to study. I have a huge Conrad test tomorrow and Chem on Tuesday. They're all getting the tests in before Christmas. What about you? Do you have tests?"

"I dunno maybe. Who cares? I really want to see you. I gotta go to Florida for Christmas to see my grandmother."

"How long are you gonna be gone?"

"Til New Year's. I'll show you my tan lines when I get home."

"Okay. Listen, my Ma needs me. I'll see you in school tomorrow."

His mother asked him to clean off the table. He had woken up early and picked up around the apartment before he went to work. He even cleaned the bathroom.

He looked around at his home critically. What would Megan think of it? There was nothing he could do now. She was coming, and Becka noticed his nervousness.

"You sure she's not your girlfriend?"

"She's a friend, but she's rich. Her house is huge and beautiful and this is small and shabby." He waved his arm around their small living room.

"Don't worry. What's the deal with your girlfriend, anyway? Liz says she's a slut."

"She's okay." He didn't confirm it.

"If you're sleeping with her, you better be careful. You don't want all your plans ruined for sex. You're too smart for that."

"I know. I know."

Megan arrived right on time. His mother had on the clothes she wore to church that morning. She looked nice, but he saw her through an outsider's eye. She looked much older than her forty-two years.

Megan was all smiles. "It's nice to meet you Mrs. Brenner."

"Kathleen, please. The missus part reminds me of that louse that ran off ten years ago."

"Ma!" Peter wondered why she was bringing him up.

"It's okay. I knew Br... Peter in second grade. I remember."

Peter looked at Megan, she had a look in her eyes when she looked back at him. Was it pity? No, it was more like concern or caring.

"Yes, but you hated me in middle school." He tried to lighten the mood.

"True and I still do, because you're so smart." Her face was serious.

"This is Becka. I take after her. They are practically paying her to go to Simmons in Boston." Peter bragged.

"What are you studying?"

"Education."

"Really!" Megan eyed him. "You never mentioned that before."

"It's just that I like kids, so it seemed like a good choice."

"Maybe you'll find a rich husband to support you, right Bren?"

"What?" she asked looking at Megan with a critical eye.

"Oh, sorry that's what your brother said to me when I told him I wanted to teach. Making a lot of money is important to him."

"Peter!" Becka said.

"Well look around, sorry Ma, but I want more." He watched Megan look around. She didn't cringe.

"I will ignore him. Do you really want to teach?" Becka asked Megan.

"Yes, civics and history."

"She wants to be a female Conrad!" Peter said.

"Yes, but my father is not pleased with me. He thinks I should be a lawyer."

"What are you going to do?" Becka asked.

"Ignore him. He was the same way with my brother. Drew isn't coming back soon. My mother will intervene, because I'll just threaten the same and she won't let it happen again."

He expected her to come in and inspect the place and wrinkle her nose. Instead, she carried on a pleasant conversation with his sister and mother. He wondered what Harmony would do if he invited her over. Probably mutter two syllables to his mother, ignore his sister because she was smart and intimidating, and suggest she see his bedroom. Jesus, why was he even with her? He didn't like her. He liked something, but he lived without that before. He could do it again.

Hanging out with Megan, he saw the world differently. She had confidence in his abilities, and he thought his sky high dreams were possible. Lord, he didn't want to be living in some sorry apartment at thirty.

After they had pizza, Peter cleared the table, and they went to work studying. Becka sat and read and his mother worked on a Sudoku, which was her favorite thing to do when she had time to relax.

Kathleen worked Monday to Friday evenings cleaning office buildings and part-time days cleaning houses, which was why Peter barely saw her and was on his own much of the time. Liz lived with them, but came and went as she pleased.

After Megan left, Becka said, "I think you like her."

"Becks, we're just friends."

"What do you think the word girlfriend means? It has 'friend' in it. If you're not friends, then what's the point. I suspect when you smarten up, she'll be waiting for you. Remember one thing, she won't be looking for sex. I can't believe my baby brother is screwing around. Don't let Ma know."

"Why do you think she doesn't want to meet Harmony?"

"Because she's hoping if she ignores it, it'll end before disaster strikes. She's probably worried sick you'll ruin your life. She likes Megan too. I could tell."

"Jeez you're ganging up on me."

"Think about it. You're a smart boy."


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