John Baptiste. [powered_otaku]

[sweetsalome]

        It's one of those perfect summer days, one that isn't too hot, too humid. Right after a hard, cold rain, that cools everything down and leaves just enough moisture in the reserves for when the sun shines high over head. Salome's Grandparent's house sits on three acres of land, enough for a great back and front yard, but not enough to be considered country. Far back away from the road, it rests on top of a slight incline, that is just right for sledding when the snow falls in the winter. Two stories tall, it's painted white with blue shutters, that get repainted every two years, a task that her grandfather complains about, but always does proudly. There is a front porch and a back porch, maybe some years ago they were connected, but it seems someone had gotten rid of it years before.

On the back porch there is a swing, it's chain rusted and when it rocks back and forth it squeaks. Not an annoying squeak, but steady and simple, it's sound changing with the back and forth movements. It's one of the things on grandpa's to do list, but never seems to get done. There are four old apple trees a few feet away from the back porch, in the spring their leaves turn dark and about mid-summer the married couple talk at great length over what is the perfect time to pick the fruit. In the end, their largest issue is what to do with the apples they don't eat, turn into preserves, or bake into pies. The setting is idyllic, and for the most part, so is life in the Snyder house.

But like most things the exterior does not match the interior.  The Snyder's have an almost rabid hatred for anything to do with Liam Collins, and who can blame them?  The man took away their daughter, and through lengthy court custody battles, have left them with very little money to survive.  Despite the fact that they can't get a third year law student to look at their case, they still hold out hope that they will one day have their daughter back.  It's painfully obvious, and a weakness that is easily exploited.

       This morning, Salome and Jonba sit on the back porch with finger paints and large sheets of paper.  An old book with pictures of paintings sits propped up on the railing.  Salome is trying to convince the boy to make a painting like the vase of flowers in the book.  The boy needless to say is having none of it.  He is much happier smacking his multi-colored hands down on the paper, or just rubbing his chubby fingers around in circles in globs of paint.  Painting is just not a talent that the Collins possess, clearly.  It doesn't seem to matter, the boy is laughing and having a great time of it.

Comments

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"It is up to you as to whether or not you want to go. It is, after all, your prom. We do not have dances like that, so I may be a little awkward."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Well, you dress up in a tux and I would dress up in a very fancy dress and we dance. And it might be awkward only because you are the only Japanese person they have ever seen. Except in the movies."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Honto? You have never had a Japanese American move in around here?" Then he's definitely going to draw stares around here. "A really pretty dress, classy, not those silly dresses they wear like at weddings."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"The population of this town is like thirty-six hundred people, I think there might be a handful of black people and other minorities. That makes you special." Grinning she sneaks a kiss and then goes back to playing with his hand. "For me, of course! But you should see some of these girls, it's like the biggest thing for them before their wedding."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

Hiro's eyebrow goes up at that. "At least both of our weddings will be much nicer."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

At that, Salome's eyebrows go up. "Both? We are having more then one?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I thought you would probably want a Christian wedding and I would love to see you as a Shinto bride. We have one in Japan, one in new York."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"That sounds like a good idea, I didn't think about that, but it makes a lot of sense. It's very considerate of you." Smiling she kisses the back of his hand. "What does a Shinto wedding look like?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"You would be in a very beautiful red kimono, but a sort of silly hat which hides your 'horns'. We get blessed by the priest and share a cup of sake. Only our family goes to this part of the ceremony, then we have a big reception."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

She can't help but laugh, it sounds lovely even the silly hat. "Oh, but Hiro-kun I thought you like my horns!" She teases him. "It sounds very wonderful, I would like that very much. I just hope I can walk in a Kimono, what will you wear?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"I will be in a kimono, too, but it will be dark colors with the Nakamura mon on it. As to your horns, they are only for me to see. You won't have to walk too far. We could get you a nice oban kimono and you could get some practice with that."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Oh that's right, they are just yours from now on. Forever." She can't stop grinning like an idiot, it feels real, talking like this. "I bet you will be the most handsome man in the world, and I will have to work really hard not to lose it when I see you."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"So will I, but we will be good. After all, neesan and all my aunts and uncles will be there. And your grandparents."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Wow, that's just a little frightening. All that family, oh God, what if they don't like me?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"That will be their problem. Ando will like you, I know it. Neesan is a little bit trickier."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Well it would be very bad if your good friend did not like me, but worse I think if your sister did not. Any tips on getting her to like me?"

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"She likes to be the one in charge. That is certainly one thing she always must be."

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Well, that's fine with me, I have no problem letting her take control over whatever. The only time I have interest in control I don't think she would be very interested in."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"No, she likes men and she certainly has no interest in me that way," he grins.

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"Very good, I would hate to have to beat her up." Laughing, she turns in his arms and gazes into his eyes for a long moment, still grinning. "Anata wo Aishiteiru" she says softly before kissing lips.

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"Aishiteiru." He gently strokes her cheek as they kiss. "Are there other functions I should be prepared for at the school?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

Chuckling a little bit she kisses him once more before putting her head on his shoulder. "Football games, if you want to go. They are really big on football around here. Mmm and homecoming, there's that too. Golly, how very exciting."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"You sound less than thrilled. Perhaps we should go to one football game to show our communiy support," he teases. "What is homecoming?"

[sweetsalome.livejournal.com]

"I think it would be fun, cuddling up and watching guys tackle each other." Laughing she gave him an one armed hug. "Homecoming is generally when alumni come back to the school to relive their glory days. So there is activities and a big football game and then a dance."

[powered-otaku.livejournal.com]

"It is cold at the football game? We should make sure we have something warm to drink. I assume they do not allowed alcohol at the school." He shakes his head. "The whole glory days concept is familiar. I think that many places in the world have that concept, especially when it comes to high school reunions."