#bergen_county

January 1st (Crazy)

For Adam, it's been a surreal time. Dating Piper has probably been the thing that kept him sane.

His mother has been going off to her room, or 'out' and he worries things are are going over at the Wayburton house.

Dad has grown more stoic. Whatever conversations he's had wiht other trolls, Adam's not sure of.

And sis?

what a nightmare.

No shadow is safe from a little voice whispering a hello when he's not ready for it.

and to top it off, school starts soon.

Adam rings up the customer and bags the sporting goods. "Thank for coming in." He smiles as needed.

His boss nods "You've been working hard over these holidays. Most kids would bum around"

A shrug. "What can I say?" A bright smile.

"Look, I'm not made of money, and trust me that's going to show, but I've got something for you I should have given you a week ago, sorry I didn't." He reaches over and hands a check

"Consider it a way too late Christmas bonus"

"Naw... Sir, no, thank you but... uh. We're square." Adam means it.

"You do a man's work you earn a man's pay" Mr. G says firmly, "Sides, it's not that much and it's a bonus, not a raise. I've already put on my books, don't make me go adjust things"

Adam shifts unease, and reluctantly takes it. "Mr. G...... really. I'm glad to have the hours I do. You take care of me when there's a game... .uh.... a girl." He grins. "I don't -need- the money......"

"You got a girl?" He raises a brow "I mean, a regular dating girl?"

A grin. "Yeah. Kinda."

"Trust me, even if she's low maintenance, you'll be glad for the extra cash so you can take her out and stuff"

"Heck, if men stopped trying to impress girls, I think we'd have another depression"

Adam grins. "I like her. Are you sure, sir?"

"Sure I'm sure. Like I said, you earned it. I don't do charity"

"Yessir." And Adam takes it.

The door swings open and in comes Zane, looking a bit down.

Adam puts the pay in his pocket and nods to Mr. G, then approaches Zane. "Hey. 'Sup?"

"Nothing sports is going to help me with" He says gloomily

"But.. you know, thought I'd get out of the cold"

"What's wrong... wait, cold?" Worried.

"mmmph" He says "Not that ..bad anyway"

"Zane, dude.... what's up?" Concerned.

"You're going to laugh at me" he mutters.

Adam tugs his friend away and into his car for privacy. "Naw."

"Fine. I cannot seem to get a little female company and I'm going nuts" He says "And it's all around me. hot women. Your mom is visiting my fam to talk to my mom and dad... you say off limits, so I stay off limits... but Nadeen is out, and all the girls I know are taken or not into me"

"Oh shit, dude....." A sincere concern, and appreciation of the issue.

"Zane, dude, wasn't there a Gloaming?"

"Not recently there wasn't. Yule and stuff really threw a pause on it"

"Ok! Dude! How can I help? Let's make it happen!!!!"

Adam almost bounces with eagerness.

"Dude, you know someone?" Hopeful for a life line

"For what?"

"Sorry.. girlfriend I mean.. oh you mean gloaming?"

"Yeah, no, you don't want to lean in on my girl. I mean, casual but.... Yeah! Gloaming!"

"Oh no no.. No Cousins, that way lays madness and dueling banjos"

"But dude, Gloamings don't just happen... I got to call, organize, find a location...."

"Right, so, can I help???"

"Well, yeah I guess... so when do you think is a good time to set one up?"

"Right now! I mean.... hey. Why not? How fast can you make it happen?"

"Dude.. I'm not sure I've got the mojo for that"

But he eyes his smart phone "Maybe..."

And he starts to text, first to the changeling crowd