#anywhere

Grin.

A kiss, then a laugh as Adam tumbled

Siv goes looking for Kerri

Kerri has ducked back into the kitchen, and is currently cutting up a tray of lemon squares.

"Hey, Kerri. I lost a bet to make a fuss over mom in public, sorry, thought it woudl give you an opening"

Kerri grins. "Oh, don't worry about it. I'll find a way to get a cake in front of your mother. How bad was the bet?"

"Oh not bad. I have to do the ropes on the Kestrel before I go back to Earth Runes"

"Ah. The usual." Kerri grins and winks.

"Let me ask you something. Why do you want to make a lot of noise and fuss about your mother's birthday?"

"I'm not sure I do, " She admits, "Was a time yes, but I want mom to be happy and feel special on her birthday, and I want folks to KNOW it's her birthday, but it's possible she's happier with it all quiet. I just wanted the option..and it was the only thing I could think of to bet to make it interesting at the time " She looks out the window and smiles

Kerri chuckles. "Well, good, I'm glad you've got a good sense of her temper in that."

"oh, 3 or 4 years and I figure things out" Wryly "Okay. What can we do to make this dayh more special for mom without morfifying?"

"Siv...it's the Greening. Her people are here and happy. The land is waking up, and the new seeds are sprouting. I'm sure it's already as special as she needs it to be...especially since you have come to see her." A pause. "Hm...maybe get your sister to make a cameo appearance, if she can?"

"I'll see what I can do..."

Then a hug from Siv "Thanks. I'll call sis and see what if she can at least give a phone call."

A quick hug back from Kerri. "Good. Now, let me put these outside. Better grab one now if you want one," she adds, nodding to the lemon squares.

Siv snatches two "I'm bringing Jonas one, he's been amazing" Proud

"Fair enough." Kerri allows this, and she follows Siv outside with the platter.

And out they go.

----------

Adam ubers dad home silently.

(in the car) "Son... there are many reasons to have a drink but about the dumbest one is to 'show how you're your own man'. It's about the most childish thing a person can do is doing something self destructive to show others they're not the boss. now that's not why you had the Tequila, but I don't want it being the reason you have another drink in the future"

"S'not why I had it." muttered.

"I know, and I think your mom knows, but that is why you started to defy your mother and acted like you'd drink when hyou'd want where you'd want.. and son, you're too smart for that shit. "

"How come she had to start something in public like that?"

"Your mother is a satyr, right?" he says

"Yeah?"

"So... what's that mean? You know Zane. What do Satyrs have to deal with?"

"Feelings. Uh, their passion."

"And your mother just found out you were passed out drunk last night from under age drinking. She JUST Learned that. So she was scared for you, angry at whoever gave that to you....and feeling love and protective all at once at 11"

Adam rolls his eyes. "I'm -fine-!! I didn't drive. I crashed somewhere safe. I had a friend with me."

"You want a medal for breaking the law with a friend and instead of alone? Are you serious?" A brow

Then a sigh "Son... you're missing my point. You asked why your mom was like that... I just told you why. Can you, for a moment, thank on how your mother FELT not as an attack on you, but as her being distressed? Do you not feel any empathy for that?"

Adam huffs a sigh, but drives without speaking for a minute. "I guess."

"Well, it's real. Your mom has gifts now, but she also has new challenges. And Adam, as much as you might not like to hear it, you're still young, still not fully grown, and still not a man. You're getting there. I know you want to be a Great man. But I'm telling you, in the end, it's better to be a Good one"

He shifts in his seat. "So how am I supposed to grow when she's going to freak out everytime I try to live my life?"

"Everytime? I think you might be exaggerating?"

"Seems like it......"

"Really? Because she knows your having sex with Piper and told me we needed to respect that as long as you took precautions"

Adam groans at the memory. "See??"

"What I see is she supported you and didn't freak out when you tried to live your life" his dad says.

"Yeah, but hadda be all in Piper's personal business, and made you be in mine.... God, dad, a -banana-??"

"I wanted to tell you to cut it off.. not the banana, the dating. I thought you were rushing"

"Your mom fought me on it" he says "Stood up for you being a compasionate young man who treated girls well"

A smirk. "Piper's a satyr. What's that mean?"

"Piper's a person, son. " A brow "Not just a body part that brings you pleasure. Now, I don't think you think she is just a body part, do you?"

"No. I love her."

A bit sulky.

"Then we get back to your mother standing up for you , and Piper. She likes Piper actually. What I'm saying is, you don't always knnow how much your mom has stood up for you, or worked for you." He looks thoughtful at the declaration of love, but says no more there

Adam sighs. "So what, just.... blow it off? Like... not let her -know- that but... grain of salt?"