Well Saturday had been slow. Raven wasn't expecting Sunday to be any different. She would still have to wait two full days for Dad and Liz to get home from their honeymoon. She was trying hard not to over-think everything. Raven had made some discoveries yesterday that raised some serious doubts about her the marriage that honeymoon was meant to celebrate.
She was worried for her dad, but at the same time excited for herself. It all seemed very unreal in the light of a fresh morning. Yet when she crept back into the master bedroom things were the same as before. The goldmine of girl-toys in Liz's bedside drawer was still all there. It seemed to be having dire effect on Raven's judgment. She couldn't let herself get carried away. Raven needed a diversion to keep her busy. A day out seemed like a good idea. She dressed simply, in some cutoff jean-shorts, a Cure T-shirt and some converse sneakers.
She left the house having no particular destination in mind it was nine o'clock when she walked past the Watkins house.
Sam was sitting out front yelled hello from the front porch. Raven was a little startled because she hadn't seen the car out front.
"Hey Rave, whatcha doin' today?" Sam was one half of the Watkins twins, she was smart and bookish and a bit dorky truth be told. But she was also one of the kindest people Raven knew.
"Nothin much Sam. I'm just out for a walk getting some air. Got the house to myself actually, but it gets kinda dull just laying around."
"Oh yeah, your pops married Miss Malone huh. Whats that like? " Raven wasn't entirely sure how to respond. She didn't want to sound like she was exactly loving the situation but at the same time she didn't want to sound like another bitchy little girl who oozed insecurity.
She settled for a shrug and " I dunno yet, really. Too soon to say I guess".
Sam nodded "yeah you know when our old man walked out on momma I was real worried, but its been three years now and she seems to be even stronger without him around. Church helps I think. That's where they are now, momma and Staci I mean."
"You didn't go with?" Raven asked.
" Nah not this week, only reason Staci went cause she got in trouble, now she stuck with momma for today. We turned 21 last week see, and Staci already went and got nabbed for drunk drivin' or as good as anyway. She didn't actually get arrested but she drove the Volvo through the garage door." She pointed to the damage – a dented garage door and a broken window ."Broke the driver's side mirror clean off too."
An idea bloomed in Raven's devious mind. " So your legal now Sam, I mean you could buy us beer if you wanted?"
She nodded again " Yeah sure I could I spose. I mean I ain't looking to do anything crazy like sis but you know."
"Oh sure, of course we'd only be taking it back to my house. Like I said I've got the whole place to myself for tonight and tomorrow. Seems like kind of a waste to do nothing."
So a few hours later the two girls were sitting in the Robinson family living room with cold beers in their hands listening to music. "Charlotte Sometimes" by the Cure came on and Raven realized she was towards the end of her sixth bottle. "Shit. Sam, drank my half of this pack, are you feelin' good yet? "
"Yeah Rave, I'm good. Actually kinda lightweight I guess. This is only my fifth but I'll split the last one with ya if you want."
"Yeah sure sounds good lemme grab it from the fridge real quick."
Raven stood up fast and felt a slightly wobbly on her feet. She must have been drunker than she thought. She shrugged it off and opened the last beer, and took a big healthy drink before handing it over to Sam. "Damn girl you kissin this or what, got it all wet and shit. It's coo though I don't care really, don't know why I even said somethin'."
That was the type of girl Sam Watkins was. If she said anything that might be taken negatively she was quick to take it back, even when drunk.