2019-11-17 - Nice to be Needed

Erin had offered for him to come by and she had meant it. There were a few things in her car she needed for a project she was working on. The bag was inside so she got it out of the Maserati and went to wait outside in one of the chairs under the awning. The beach across the way was incredible, the white caps on the gray water washing up endlessly on the wet packed sand of the beach. Unfortunately, it was raining steadily and enough to leave puddles. Beach combing was out since it was too cool this Autumn morning.

With a list on a spiral notebook, Erin was making notation marks beside each line for that project and every time she hears a car she looks up to see if anything pulls in.

It doesn't take too long for the car she's waiting for to arrive -- Ciprian's, that is. He pulls up to the house and stops, getting out of the car and heading quickly up the walk to the door so that he can get out of the rain. He knocks on the door, reaching up to dash some of the water off his face with one hand as waits for Erin to open the door.

Erin had waited outside to watch for him so when he arrives she puts the papers away. Underneath the awning, she gets to her feet, she was tucked over in a breezeway like area maybe just out of sight. A smile is given as she comes out from the sitting area outside with the patio furniture. "Hi," she greets, hoping she'd made enough noise not to be startle him as she comes from the wrong direction. "Come on inside, it's good to see you."

The glass storm door was closed but the heavier wooden door is open and she pulls open the glass one so he can lead the way inside.

It is clearly an unexpected entrance, though while Ciprian is obviously surprised when he turns toward her, he doesn't jump out of his skin or anything like that. "Oh, hi," he says. "It's nice to see you, too. Thanks for having me." He goes through the opened door without delay, since even people who are used to the rain probably like to get out of it sometimes.

"How are you doing?" he asks once they're inside. "Did you manage to get any sleep?" He doesn't look that bad, but judging from the slight shadows under his eyes, he may not have gotten quite caught up with his own sleep yet.

Once inside, the fireplace can be seen, the heat warding off the chill. Erin is wearing casual clothing with no clear intention on leaving the house anytime soon. A pair of olive green pants rolled up to a cuff about mid-calf, bare feet and an oversized sweater in the palest of beige colors.

Somewhere inside there's coffee. Because it smells fresh! "Oh it's my pleasure. I just made some coffee, would you like some? Or I've got orange juice or anything really." Looking over towards him she wears a warm smile, friendly. "Feel free to make yourself at home, check out the back yard, explore all you want." She pads to the kitchen and reaches for a coffee mug and hesitates for the second one until he responds. "I did get more sleep, but I think you look a little tired."

As he steps inside, Ciprian looks around, in the way one does when one enters a new place. "You have a beautiful home," he says as he looks back to her, just in time for the offer of caffeine. "Coffee would be great," he continues with a little smile, that tips a bit wryly at her last words. "Just a little," he admits. "I'll make it up tonight. I've had dreams before where I didn't wake up very rested, but that one was in a class by itself." 'Class' being the operative word. Because school. Haha.

"Thank you. I decided it was time to move out of the Bayside Apartments and invest in something I'd one day own." Erin takes down a second mug, "Black?" Remembering the way he had ordered it the previous night, but she wasn't entirely certain if that was just to stay awake. She does pour coffee in both mugs then adds a sugar substitute to hers as well as creamer. His pun has her lifting her eyes to his, amusement on her features. "I didn't realize how into Harry Potter I was. I feel a need to watch the series again soon."

"Black," Ciprian confirms, "thanks." He takes the cup, and while his smile isn't very big, it's definitely there -- clearly he enjoys that his pun has landed. "I haven't thought about Harry Potter in a while," he admits. "But it might be a good time to start reading it with Ashira. She'd probably like it a lot. Maybe too much."

He takes a sip from his cup, letting out a little sigh of contentment once he's swallowed. There's a little pause then, before he continues a little more seriously, "I hope you didn't feel too uncomfortable last night."

Once her own coffee was stirred, Erin collects it, motioning towards the living area. "You are welcome to have a seat or explore. I can imagine that it would be a good time to start them, I hope she enjoys it."

Walking over, she curls up in one of the spaces at the end of the couch. "I'm glad you brought that up. I apologize again for making things somewhat awkward. I wasn't trying to embarrass anyone, or ask anyone on dates. It seemed like Tyrone was trying to though, but I think I misunderstood his actions though too. I hope you weren't put upon too badly."

"It's been fun to read all these books I had as a kid with her as she grows up," Ciprian admits, and he does look around for another moment or two, before he elects to sit. "It's like I'm reading them for the first time again because she gets so excited about it." He shakes his head quickly, however, when she apologizes. "You'd just gone through something pretty stressful," he says. "I wasn't embarrassed, and I'm sure Tyrone understands. I don't think anyone's at their best when they're up in the middle of the night because they've just been in a dream where they were suddenly at Hogwarts." There's probably not a very large sample size for that, but still.

There's relief in her eyes at his understanding and she offers him another tentative smile for him. "I was about to figure something to eat if you are hungry you're welcome to join. I've been working on getting together a project for feeding the hungry for Thanksgiving. It will be the day before the actual holiday so any volunteers I get won't lose their holiday with their families. Would you be interested in anything like that? I wonder if Ashira would like it too."

That is an offer that Ciprian cannot refuse -- or at least, he's not going to refuse it at the moment. "That sounds great," he says, "I'd appreciate it. Ashira's having lunch with my parents and I was feeling a little left out." It's said jokingly -- at least, there's humor there -- but it's probably a little truthful as well.

He leans back, crossing one ankle over the other knee and taking another sip from his coffee as she continues. The mention of the project has his eyebrows raising, and he nods, replying, "Yeah, I definitely would be. That would be a great thing to do with her. Let me know when everything's figured out and we'll be there."

"Oh good, this will be fun." Erin starts to rise, "Want something from here or take out? I heard Firehouse makes some great barbecue and they deliver too." Poised on the edge of her seat like she'll get up if he prefers something from home. Or pizza?" Being as hospitabale as possible.

His agreement about the Thanksgiving dinner delights her and she's unable to dim the bright smile she gives him. (Event 11) "Thanksgigiving is rolling up pretty fast and I've got it settled who will cook, I just need people to help serve. Also there will be an Angel tree so if you would like to sponsor a less fortunate child in the town for Christmas, you could choose a name. There will be plenty of sponsors I imagine, so don't feel obligated. I want to sponsor one. I'm really excited about Christmas shopping for someone this year."

"I don't want to make you cook for me, so takeout sounds good," Ciprian replies. "And I'm all for barbecue. I hope you'll let me get it this time, since you got my coffee last night." Leave aside that Erin is ginormously rich -- it's the principle of the thing, clearly.

He reaches for his cup again, the small smile widening a little bit when she gives more detail. "That sounds amazing," he says. "I'm glad you're doing it. I bet Ashira would like to go shopping and pick out things for another kid, too." There's a brief pause, before he amends, "Well, as long as she knew she was going to get presents as well." She is, after all, only eight.

"Barbecue does sound good. Combination plate?" A variety of different meats. Apparently she's got the number in her contacts. Finding it in her phone, she scrolls through until she finds it. Her eyes lift to his and she gives a wry look. "They've already got my payment info associated with my number so the card is charged when I order. Tell you what, if you want, later this afternoon we could get Ashira and take her for ice cream. Your treat, and maybe she could get to know me a little so if I do ever babysit it's not with a stranger." Just a suggestion, but she's trying to ease the girl into it.

"I know I am going to have a lot of fun with it. There's a small list of wants, then the sizes of clothing and shows. I'm a firm believer in the whole Something they want, Something they need, Something they'll wear and Something they'll read for Christmas. At the very least. I'm so excited. I've never really got to do a lot of shopping for Christmas. My Grandmother has all she'll ever want or need." Erin says softly.

Ciprian's head tips to the side as he considers the offer for a moment or two, but it doesn't take him long before he nods. "Sure," he says, "that's probably a good idea. I know she'll be happy with getting away with multiple treats today." This has his smile tilting a little bit crookedly, before he adds, "Combination plate is perfect."

He finishes his coffee, before he stands up to move toward the sink, presumably to rinse it out. "Well, I hope you have a lot of fun with it," he says. "And I'm sure the kids appreciate it. I used to enjoy trying to figure out the perfect presents for everyone. I think I spent more time doing that than playing with my own stuff."

"I've always heard you can't spoil a child, just show them love. Then again I've never been a parent before. I have babysit a few cousins over time. And my boss at the Gym, he's got a niece who's so adorable, her name is Jesse. She's younger than Ashira by just a few years."

It sounds like fun though. Christmas Shopping. She readies the number then places the call. Turns out it's all automatic, but she leaves it on speaker so he can hear as well. At the question of mild or spicy barbecue sauce she hesitates, looking at him for his preference, watching him move towards the kitchen with a smile. "Hot and spicy? I mean hot or mild?"

"That's mostly true -- I think as long as you keep it in check, and make sure they take care of their things and that they're aware of the rest of the world, they turn out pretty well. But I'm not an expert by any means." Since he only has the one child. "I'm constantly discovering things I'm doing wrong, but that's par for the course, I think." This gets a little wryer smile, though again, it sounds like he's joking.

He quiets when she calls, rinsing out the cup and setting it to the side on the counter, but it doesn't take him long to reply, "Hot."

Erin finishes the call after telling the sort of barbecue sauce. Once that's finished, she also gets to her feet and takes her coffee cup to the kitchen, rinsing it out and putting it in the dishwasher. Turning towards the fridge, she opens it wide, "Anything you'd like to drink?" There's a variety in there from beer bottles, orange juice, some green frosted looking bottles that reads Pear Cider on the labels, milk and a few soda pop type drinks, lemonade and tea. A buffet of drinks!. Selecting a Pear Cider for herself, she smiles, not in a hurry.

"Maybe I shouldn't say anything about spoiling kids. I was spoiled by my grandmother until very recently. I'm on my own now though, and I learned to save before she cut me off so maybe I've learned the value of money after all. Some if it is from my parents estate though, and life insurance." Catching that wry look she smiles at him. "Honestly, I can't see you making bad choices. She seems incredibly happy. And well adjusted."

"Water would be great," Ciprian replies, "thank you." Though he does look over the cornucopia of options in her fridge with a vaguely impressed expression. He starts back to the table to sit, settling back in the chair and crossing his legs again. A little huff of amusement escapes him as she continues, however, and he replies, "I've made my share -- I just hide them well. But thank you." As for whether she's been spoiled, he looks around for a moment, then back to her. "Well, even if she did, it seems like you've turned out pretty well, too."

Selecting a water, Erin walks over with it and offers it to him. It's in a bottle. She places her Pear drink at the other end of the sofa, opposite and down from the chair. "Want a glass of ice with it?" The bottle is cold, but some people liked it in glasses.

"I hope so. Mostly the reason she got upset at first was the job I took at Kelly's Gym. I think that was the beginning of the end." The smile she wears is a hard earned one because it shows no hard feelings. They were there once upon a time though! "Thank you for saying so."

The offer of a glass and ice gets a shake of his head, and Ciprian replies, "That's all right. No need to use another glass." He takes it from her with murmured thanks, unscrewing the top and taking a sip from it. He's listening as he's drinking, though, of course, and his eyebrows raise. "Really," he says. "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm glad you're doing all right. Family stuff can be really hard sometimes." He smiles, and while he doesn't elaborate, he certainly looks sympathetic.

"That's what dishwashers are for." Erin smiles, settling down then with her drink. "Pear cider was just recommended by a friend recently. It's made locally and I keep stocked up on it now. It's one of my favorites. I recommend it sometime. What all does your daughter like? What is she allowed or not allowed? For future reference. I want to keep to your rules. I have a whole dressing room in my closet, if she's allowed to play dress up, she's more than welcome to. " The food doesn't take long to arrive. The glass door is still closed but the wooden door is open and the doorbell rings by someone in the Grubhub logo shirt and hat. "Here it is. Living room or kitchen?" She asks Ciprian. "I'd offer the backyard if the rain's stopped." She walks over to get the door.

"I guess that's true," Ciprian concedes with a little chuckle. "I've never had pear cider before, but it sounds good." As for what Ashira is allowed, he continues, "Oh, she loves to dress up. I'm sure if you all did that together you'd have a friend for life. I don't mind if she watches a movie or anything like that. If you ever ended up having to feed her, whatever you want to get is fine. I don't mind desserts as long as it's nothing too crazy. She loves playing make believe, and she loves to draw."

He looks over as the doorbell rings, before his gaze turns back to Erin. "Either one," he says. "If it's the living room, I promise I'll try not to spill."

"She sounds like a lot of fun. Is she allergic to any foods?" Erin laughs, "Now I can't wait to hang out with her and try on clothes and play dress up. Some of my favorite movies are Disney movies. I just watched Descendants three the other day. Next year Zombies two comes out." Okay, maybe too much Disney info. "Make believe and drawing. I'm pretty sure I have some ideas for that. We'll encourage her imagination."

After collecting the food, she closes the storm door and turns around to go to the living room area. "Here is just find and messes are fine, they can be cleaned up. I don't want to live in a museum like my grandmother's house." She spreads the food out on the coffee table, two duplicate meals and plenty of sides and barbecue sauce as well as utensils. She smiles at Ciprian. "Does your sister and daughter get along well?"

"No allergies, luckily." Ciprian quiets as Erin continues, and while he may not share quite the same enthusiasm for Disney as she has, he can certainly appreciate it on some level. He's probably watched his share of Disney movies, after all. "I feel like you two are going to get along really well," he says, and that is the most important part about this whole thing.

Her comment about not wanting to live in a museum elicits a nod. "That makes sense," he says as he stands up, starting toward the living room as well. "And yes, they do. Ashira loves her. She's a really great aunt. I'm sure you'll hear a lot about Aunt Riya."

"I already know Minerva pretty well. We've been through a lot together recently." Not that Erin elaborates for now. Another time, another place. Maybe. "She's good at what she does though. I like her a lot. I can't imagine Ashira not admiring her too." Settling down near the coffee table she takes one of the containers with utensil and a napkin. The chopped brisket is what she goes for first, she doesn't add any extra sauce yet. "What are you all doing for Thanksgiving day? Or even the day after? When do you start decorating for the holidays?"

Ciprian may be curious about what, precisely, it was that Erin and his sister had been through together; his head tilts slightly to the side, and one eyebrow raises. However, he refrains from asking -- with some difficulty, since he is a lawyer, and they aren't necessarily known for their tact. Instead, he just nods. "They're similar in a lot of ways," he replies. "So it makes sense. I'm glad they have a special bond."

He takes the other container as well as a fork and a napkin, too, but he doesn't eat quite yet. "We'll probably go over to my parents' place," he says. "We usually start decorating the day after. If it were up to Ashira, we'd decorate right now, but I had to put my foot down. Nothing before Thanksgiving." He smiles, small but genuine, before he asks, "How about you?"

Erin notices that look and lowers her eyes a moment instead of succumbing to it, as much as she just almost does. When she looks up again it's to agree with the two of them being similar. "I bet you are glad they do." Then maybe she crosses a line when she asks. "Is her mother in her life at all?" Curious, she looks at him, but she leaves it to him to either respond or avoid it.

She can't help but share the smile that the thought of decorating now brings to her features. "I bet that will be a good time. I can understand the excitement on her wanting to start decorating early though. I've considered it, but when I go find my tree at some point, I'd like it to have the first snow on the branches so I can find the most magical one." She blushes a little at waxing poetic, "I've never gone to choose one before, so I have my expectations high. I imagine. I'll be spending it here myself."

Ciprian doesn't avoid it, but he also does not really elaborate on it. "She isn't," he says simply, and he leaves it at that -- though he certainly doesn't seem like he's offended by the question, or that it's made him feel awkward. Instead, he focuses on the next part, and the small smile widens a little bit at the description of the tree. "If you've never chosen a tree before, it is kind of magical," he admits. "Walking through and picking the one you like the best really does get you in the mood for Christmas."

"I'm really looking forward to it. There's even a city event where people don't have to go alone. I'd rather have someone around since I'll be using a little hatchet or something to cut it down. Just in case and since I can't really heal mys.. I mean I won't have the first aid kit with me while I'm out traipsing through trees. It should be fun. I've not looked to see who all has signed up since me, if anyone." She lets the matter of Ashira's mom go. He'd answered and not elaborated, so she doesn't pry. What she does do is eat some of the food! It's really good. "Do you and Ashira go out and find a tree?"

"Oh, is there? That sounds really nice." If Ciprian catches the little false start she makes, he also does not comment on it, just takes a few bites of his own food -- it is, indeed, really good. "It's probably smart if you've never done it before. I'm not the best at it, but I've managed the last few years." He nods, reaching for a napkin as he continues, "We do. Her mother wasn't Jewish, and so we started doing Christmas when she was born. Now it's sort of become a tradition, even though we do Hannukah as well. She gets most of her presents then, but there's always one or two under the tree also."

"I wondered about that, because I assumed you both were Jewish. You and your sister, I mean. It's nice that you allowed her to do both. Choices are always good." A few bites of some of the meat and sides before she continues. "Are you going all out with lights and all on the house? Does Minerva celebrate Christmas at all?" Erin seems genuinely curious, she doesn't know much about the different customs, but she's interested in knowing. "I guess I also didn't realize your parents lived close by too. I know you mentioned Ashira being with them today, I guess it just didn't register."

Ciprian nods, taking another bite of his food. "It's sort of hard not to," he says once he's swallowed, "because she gets all the Christmas things at school as well. I want to make sure she doesn't forget about being Jewish, too. But she likes Hebrew school so far, so I'm happy about that." He shakes his head at the question of Minerva celebrating Christmas, though. "She doesn't," he says with a little smile. "We're the outliers. My parents run a Jewish bakery, so I'm not worried about Ashira's religious education. Food is the most important part, anyway."

"Is there anything she can't eat at certain parts of the year?" Sort of like being Catholic. Erin realizes how little she knows and suddenly finds herself wanting to be educated on it. "I wish I knew more. I didn't know they ran a bakery. In town? Or a nearby town?" The food is good, Erin eats some of it but she doesn't finish even close to all. The top gets closed and she places the container on the coffee table to the side. It's still light enough outside and she rises to her feet briefly over towards the double French doors that lead to the back yard. She opens one and there's a bit of a rush of frigid air that makes her shiver, without her shoes on. The sound of rain can still be heard. "Does she swim? Ashira, I mean?" Closing the door back, she turns to face him.

"We don't eat pork," Ciprian says, "and we don't eat cheese and meat together. There are some other things, but you don't need to worry about it. We're more flexible when we're at other people's houses who don't keep kosher." He finishes his food, standing up to bus his plate, though he shivers as a bit of that cold breeze hits him. "She does," he confirms. "She's been taking lessons since she was little, and she's pretty good now." He glances at one of the clocks then, though, and sets his plate aside when he finishes rinsing it. "Thank you for lunch," he says, "it was great. I should go relieve my parents -- if you want to meet us at Sweet Retreat in a little while so you can get to know her more, that would be great."

"Kosher, that's the word I was trying to think of. I honestly don't mind learning some things and abiding them when she is here." In fact, it makes Erin smile, "Kind of makes me feel needed. Not sure I've ever had that before. It's nice." With the door closed, the cold breeze mostly dissipates but it had been pretty strong. Cooler than usual. "My backyard isn't large enough for a pool, really. But I do have a hot tub back there. I'll read up on that too, I've heard small children shouldn't be in them. Not sure how small." She smiles, "I can clean up the rest of this, you go ahead and go. I'll definitely meet up with you both later for the ice cream." She'll walk him to the door and just outside to the front beneath the awning. "I hope you both have an enjoyable afternoon together." Lifting a hand to wave

"Great. I don't mind telling you about it." Ciprian acquiesces, leaving the rest to her as he replies, "Thanks again. We'll see you later, then." With that, he turns, starting toward the door and flipping the hood up on his jacket before he exits. After that, it's a quick trip to the car, hopefully before he gets completely soaked.