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 Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 9:45 pm
Paris smiled, mostly friendly, but there might have been a little sadness in it, too. It hurt to talk about his father, to think of the things he’d done and never really talked to Paris about. Everything Paris knew about his dad’s time in France he’d heard through his mother, who’d heard it from his father after his father had already returned. Sometimes he wondered if he even really knew the man at all. It was too late for that now, of course.
“French isn’t too difficult to pick up,” he said, “but then I’ve spoken it my whole life, so maybe I’m underestimating it, but I figure so long as you know some basic sentences, like, ‘how do I get to the Louvre?’ or ‘where’s the closest bathroom?’ or ‘I’d like the chicken, please’ you should be okay.”
As far as the plant was concerned, Paris nodded to agree with Alexandre’s comment about showing his mother. He looked around as if he expected to see her somewhere close by, but he had no idea where she’d even gone off to in the first place, so he doubted it would really be as easy as looking over his shoulder.
“First we have to find her, of course,” he said with a little laugh. “You wouldn’t happen to have some mom tracking powers to go along with your green thumb, would you? Have you been gardening for a while? You sure know a lot.”
Definitely far more than he would expect a kid his age to know about the subject.
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Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:06 pm
"I just might have to find someone to teach me French. I'm afraid I'll butcher a lovely language and that would be something sacrilegious. A language that sounds as nice as French should not be butchered by anyone." He'd talk to his parents about his plans, maybe he'd do it next summer, and in the mean time find a tutor to help him. He didn't do well in Spanish, tending to fall asleep more often than not, it simply wasn't his cup of tea really.
"Learning those things, especially asking about a bathroom, are really need to know. I couldn't imagine going and not having learned at least that phrase." That could lead to a huge problem, which might end really badly and in a most embarrassing manner. No, he'd need to learn.
Laughing he shook his head. "No, no mom tracking capabilities to go with the green thumb. I wish though." It would help on the occasions when he went to events with his parents and got separated, normally because he was looking for a table in a corner to sit at and watch everything from. When people started leaving it would make things much easier. It was a good thing he went on his own now, he could just slip out whenever he wanted to leave. Oh yes, being seventeen and having a license helped a lot.
"My mom is to blame for it. My ather got her as a first year wedding anniversary had a greenhouse built in our backyard, my mother loves plants and herbs, and when I was young she started teaching me. It stuck and took to me. My mother eventually let me take over the care for all her plants, I had more time and was better at it. Being a lawyer took up a lot of my mothers time." Shrugging he didn't mind, he had been more than happy to take over and even make it his own. "I had to read up on all the plants we had, learn everything I could so I could properly handle them and any pests or diseases that showed up." It really had taken to him, he had a passion about it, a soft and gentle passion as he spoke. It wasn't fiery or burning bu it was certainly a passion.
"Maybe you could say it started out like how a parent teaches a child to gentle pet an animal so they don't hurt it. I didn't have any pets so I grew up learning how to trim plants and water them, but never too much, and to tend to them. It's the best way to explain it really." Already he was moving and on the look out for whoever Paris' mother might be, even though he hadn't a clue what she looked like.
"What about you? You equate it to fashion so I assume you like fashion. Tell me about it?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 1:20 pm
“Oh, hey, my mom’s a lawyer, too,” Paris said. “She helps people get legal rights for their kids, apparently. Adoptions and stuff. I don’t know a lot about it. We don’t talk about work much.”
They didn’t usually talk about anything much, when it came down to it. That wasn’t to say they never spoke to one another. Obviously they did or they wouldn’t be spending any time together, but they tended to restrict their conversations to things that involved Paris more than they involved his mother—school and dance and his friends. Listening to Alexandre explain the origins of his affinity for plants, Paris thought it must be nice to be able to share something with his mother like that, even if her job kept her too busy to enjoy it as much as they might have been able to otherwise.
Paris didn’t think he had anything like that with his mother, just a few good memories to go along with the bad ones and the eight years she’d been gone. He and his mother didn’t have any of the same hobbies, and they led completely different lives.
“I like fashion alright,” he continued on to the next topic without further elaborating on the situation with his mom. “I mean, I like clothes and shoes and I like to look nice, but I’m not a label whore. I don’t think it needs a name to it in order for it look good. All the name really means is money anyway. I’ve got some designer stuff, but most of it I got on sale or clearance, or my mom got it for me when she lived in New York. Some of it I even found at the Good Will in pretty good condition. It’s amazing what rich people will just give away sometimes.”
Curiously, Paris eyed the other boy. Alexandre looked pretty well put together. That didn’t always equate to affluence, but Paris was pretty sure a decent lawyer got paid pretty well, so he wouldn’t be surprised if this kid fell into what someone of Paris’s background might consider “rich.” While his own mother had a similar career and Paris had been known to benefit from it in the form of a healthy allowance and a credit card, he’d spent too much time on the other side of town with his worn out father working in a humble art store to think of himself as wealthy. He was still trying to get used to his boyfriend’s family, who seemed to have more money than they knew what to do with.
“Hey, if you ever wanted to learn French, I could always teach you,” he offered to try and smooth over any damage his previous comments might have done. “I’m probably not the best teacher, but I took some French classes in high school for the easy A. That and gym were about the only things keeping my GPA from going down the toilet. I might still have some of my workbooks, though, and after the classes I think I have a good idea of where to start as far as vocabulary and sentence structure is concerned.”
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 6:09 pm
"That interesting. My mom does business law, contracts and such. Though she has sat, second chair, on criminal trials due to the trust her clients have in her." It was like having someone, a best friend, sitting with you and helping you or so his mother had explained it to him. He could understand it though, being on trial or having a family member on trial for a crime was stressing and having someone calming, who you trusted, around helped. So his mother did that as well, as a service, to her clients.
When the other mentioned not being a label whore Alexandre had the decency to look at his own clothing, from shoes to shirt he had on labeled clothing. He tended to go for such clothing stores, but he didn't buy things just due to it being the latest and in season, he did buy what looked good and suited him. He was picky and knew what looked good on him. "I'm surprised people would send their goods, expensive ones, to the good will but it's likely done because it's not in season." Shrugging. It was something he wouldn't do, he still had clothing from seasons passed, things he really liked and was comfortable in. Some of it was bought out of season and at a lower price, but it was all still designer. There was that scarf though, a gift for Christmas, that was designer and had come from the good will. It was certainly in good condition, though he still wasn't the biggest fan of having something someone else did, it was still a nice scarf and again - designer. Alexandre came from money and knew it, maybe not as much as some people like Lily, but it was because of his upbringing that he did have a habit of going for the designer things and buying even when he didn't need something. It was just...well him and who he was. Shrugging those thoughts off he flashed a smile.
Alexandre though wasn't bothered by anything the other said and nodded his head with a smile. "That would help. I did horribly in Spanish. I blame a good deal on the words having genders and sentence structure. It looks like someone took a normal sentence and just scrambled it all so it makes no sense." It really wasn't easy to get his head into thinking of sentence structure as being changeable. "I failed Spanish." But he'd done well enough in his other classes, and his art classes helped a lot in keeping him from doing as badly as he perhaps should have. "I think it's those two factors that kept me from caring how I did. One on one might help more in learning a language." For some things he could see one on one teaching as being the better option as opposed to a classroom setting, and language was one of those cases. "So I guess we should set something up then..."
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 8:29 pm
Paris had been born into very little money, to a father who’d once known a moderate amount but lost it due to familial estrangement, and to a mother who hadn’t known much of it until she’d finished school and established herself in her career. It had never been something that had concerned him as a child. He’d had what he’d needed and a couple of things that he’d wanted, so the fact that he and his father weren’t as wealthy as some people in the city had seemed like such a trivial thing to focus on. They’d had perhaps not the easiest life together, but it had at least been a comfortable one, and comfort was what Paris cared for most.
He didn’t begrudge people with money. Even when Paris realized that Alexandre had probably been better off than he’d been as a kid, he didn’t look at him any differently. Everyone came from different places and backgrounds. So long as there was a certain level of respect and acceptance between them, Paris didn’t see how their differences should have any effect on their interactions with one another.
“Just let me know when you’re free,” he said. “I’m in a local dance company so sometimes I have rehearsals and stuff, but I can usually manage some free time when I need it. I’ll go ahead and warn you that French isn’t much different than Spanish, though,” he added with a smile and a quiet laugh. “Still those pesky genders and sentence structures, although to be honest some of it’s sort of stereotyped, like ‘kitchen’ is feminine, so sometimes you can guess the gender of a noun pretty easily.”
Paris paused to dig through the purse that hung on his shoulder, pulling out his cellphone and opening his contact list. “We can exchange numbers if you want. Or you can give me yours and I’ll just send you a text so you have mine. Then we’ll probably be able to coordinate this easier. And we can do it wherever you want. A café or something, or I’m staying at my boyfriend’s house now. His mom won’t mind if I have company over, though my mom’s house would be quieter during the day since she’s at work, or we could even do it at your house if you’d be more comfortable there. Honestly, I’m good with anything. Totally flexible, both literally and figuratively,” he joked.
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Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 9:23 pm
"You dance?" He asked, stupid really, the other said he was in a dance company. But he didn't take back the question, couldn't really since it was already out there. "I just got a job here so I'll have to find out my hours and how I hold up. Then we can work something out." He had no way of knowing just how much it might drain him, he'd never held a job.
He was one of those who came from money and had never needed a job, this was more of a want and an image thing, but he was unlike some rich or well off teenagers. He was close to both of his parents, family traditions and the like were still kept, everything else put aside so the traditions could be continued for another year. It was a close relationship he had with his parents, his aunts, uncles, and numerous cousins...not so much. His cousins drove him nuts in large doses.
"That's one thing the teacher never said. So it seemed just very random, the gender placed on things. Someone even asked in class if there was away to tell, she said it was random." Though it sounded like in some cases it wasn't. Maybe that would help in some areas and make up for issues in other areas.
Taking out his own phone, from his back pocket he held the black device and pulled up his own phone number; no he didn't remember his phone number. He wasn't good with remembering numbers. "I'll give you mine and you can give me yours. A cafe would be nice, I'll pay even." Since the lessons were for him, it was only fair really. "I don't know what your boyfriend would think of you having someone over. My house is fine, my roommate isn't around, left for schooling elsewhere for now. So either or, and even your boyfriends if he's ok with it. I wouldn't want to just show up there." Cheeks flushed red at Paris' last words and he shook his head, letting his bangs try and hide this.
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:57 pm
“Ballet mostly,” Paris clarified, “but I like jazz, too, and I’ve been known to break into a little hip-hop. I’ve been doing it pretty much since I learned to walk, so I guess I am to dance what you are to gardening. Congrats on the job, by the way. Seriously, you’ve been a huge help.”
If it weren’t for Alexandre, he’d likely still be wandering around aimlessly, unless one of the other workers had come up to offer their assistance, but Paris couldn’t even be sure he would have accepted it so easily. He was surprised at himself for sticking around this long and not just going to sit and wait in his mother’s car, but there was something interesting about it when Alexandre explained it. The more they spoke, the more Paris could see gardening as an art form. He could appreciate it a lot more when he thought about it like that.
They exchanged numbers quickly, Paris rattling off his own before entering Alexandre into his contact list. His smile slipped just a little bit when his boyfriend was briefly mentioned, but he managed to keep himself looking friendly while ignoring the sudden sadness.
“Oh, I should have been more specific,” he said with a sheepish wince, and tried to explain without going into any of the overdramatic details, “I meant my boyfriend’s parents’ house. He has his own place. Uhh, I’ve just been staying with his parents since… well, my mom only just started to move back to town, and before that I needed a place to stay and my boyfriend and I didn’t want things moving too quickly so… His mom’s great, though. She wouldn’t mind anyone coming over, but if you’d rather do it at a café or your place, that’s totally cool. I can be anywhere you want me. Just let me know what your work schedule’s like and I’ll make this happen.”
Paris had never considered tutoring anyone in French before, but he didn’t imagine it would be too hard for him—maybe a little frustrating for the other party involved if they didn’t pick it up easily, but he thought there could also be some fun in it, too. It’d been a while since he’d let himself get out and be around many people who weren’t family, close friends, or fellow dancers.
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Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:06 pm
"It would seem like you are to dance as I am to the plants. A good thing, that the arts have people involved in them for so long and with dedication." As an painter himself it was something to appreciate, like all forms of art. Such dedication was a good thing to sea, even as schools has issues with getting budgets passed and art programs were cut. Truth be told he wouldn't be surprised if it happened at his school. The economy was just not good for certain things.
"And thank you. I'm glad that I was able to get the job. I've yet to have a job, so this will be a new experience for me."
"It's ok, I didn't mean to say anything to cause upset either. That is nice of your boyfriends mother though, to let you stay with her. It must be nice to date someone who's mother you can be so close to." Alexandre had a feeling his mother would be that sort of mother as well, if he were still living at home. His mother was pretty easy going, big on family, and so long as rules were followed she was good about things. "Of course, I'll let you know as soon as I know and we can arrange things. You know if your a good tutor you could offer to tutor other people, for money." And if it went well, and happened often, he'd be more than willing to pay for the help. He didn't mention it, but he would after the first lesson if all went well. He wouldn't have someone doing such a thing for free, tolerating him and helping him learn something as difficult and potentially frustrating as another language.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:23 am
“I’ve never really thought about tutoring, to be honest,” Paris said. “At least not until right now. I mean, I guess it’d make sense if I did since I’m fluent, but school stuff’s just… never really been my thing. Way too frustrating when it comes to some things, but I’ll give it my best shot.”
He was, indeed, very lucky that Chris’s mother had taken to him so well, though Paris refrained from going into any further detail about his current living arrangements or his relationship with his boyfriend and focused instead on the least awkward topic. He didn’t really mind talking about it under the right circumstances, but he also didn’t think it was appropriate to get into such private matters with someone he barely even knew. Certainly not upon first meeting them. He might not be as social as he used to be, but he still had some manners and knew to be cautious about which topics he brought up and which ones he expanded upon.
As they walked, Paris searched around for his mother. Even though he looked very much like her and could easily be picked out of a crowd as her child, he didn’t want to put that pressure on Alexandre. Instead, Paris split his time between talking and seeking out his wayward parent.
Finally, when they came to another one of the other greenhouses, Paris spotted a familiar head of pale blond hair.
“Oh, there’s my mom,” he announced, pointing toward a woman currently looking at one plant or another, who looked almost exactly like him except for a few minor differences in the face and the fact that she was a few inches taller—and noticeably pregnant with her maternity clothes, much to Paris’s chagrin.
“Thanks again for all your help,” Paris said with another smile for the other boy. “Er… I mean, I don’t know if you wanted to talk to my mom, too, or if you’d think that’s awkward or whatever. Not that she’s not nice, but… you know… I’d understand if you’d rather just… not. I think I can remember everything you’ve told me so far, and you said there’s information on the tags, right? So I should be able to do a decent job as long as I pay attention to that?”
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 7:24 pm
"It would help people, especially those who need to pass a French class." Where for him it was something to learn so he could travel, he was sure it would help college students the most. Some, if not all of them, needed to pass a language requirement, he really wasn't sure if language was a requirement of all colleges no matter what you went for.
As they talked and walked he looked as well, though he hadn't a clue as to what the others mom looked like. It gave Alexandre something to do, plus he assumed there would be some way to tell the woman was related to the blond at his side. Peeking into each greenhouse his attention was grabbed by the other again when he mentioned his mother.
Looking in he nodded, indeed he was right in his assumption. The two did look enough a like. "Your mother and you look quite a lot alike." Laughing at the others words he nodded his head. "it would be a bit odd but ys, the tags are in the pots or hanging from the plant. They give the information on light needs and anything else really important. Other wise think of it like fashion, like you said. You should be fine with that. Though I'd just make sure your mother know to keep your sibling, when they are older, away from any plants so nothing is eaten. I mean unless she's checked each plant before hand to make sure they are safe." Feeling his cheeks heat up, ever so slightly, Alexandre looked over to Paris' mother to see what she was looking at.
"If anything gets pests just have her come back here, we have anything she'd need to handle pests as well." Organic solutions and the chemical kind - which he disliked in the case of chemicals.
"I hope I helped and you find everything you need."
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Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 3:11 pm
Paris paid very close attention to the information Alex was reciting, wanting to make sure he remembered enough of it to relay it to his mother or be able to help with any of the planting and gardening if needed. He repeated it over silently in his head a few times for added impact, and when he finally thought it had sunk in well enough to remember without him having to take notes on his phone, he smiled brightly in gratitude.
“Yeah, you’ve been a huge help! Thanks!” he said. “Honestly, I never would have known any of this stuff. I’ll make sure my mom knows. I never even realized plants could be so… well, sort of complicated.”
Before he’d sort of just assumed you stuck them in the ground and they could take care of themselves so long as they got enough water and sunlight. Raising plants had never seemed as involved as raising a pet usually was, but now he was beginning to see that a lot more went into it than he’d originally thought. He’d probably never have the same sort of interest in the subject as Alexandre did, but he could appreciate the knowledge and the talent when he saw it in someone else.
“Thanks again!” Paris replied, taking a few steps in the direction where he’d spotted his mother, walking backwards so that he could wave as the two separated. “Good luck with your job! You’re already fantastic at it, so I bet it’ll be a piece of cake for you! And call or text me whenever you’re free for a French lesson!”
Gardening and tutoring would both be new experiences for him, but there was indeed a first time for everything.
One day he’d be sure to return the favor.
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