xp_logs | Doreen & Julian: Making Amends

Julian seeks out Doreen to apologize...plans are made, snickers are eaten, Monkey Joe gets a little bit chubbier.

The early afternoon coffee with Inez had gone as well as it could, but the wanderlust of his new found freedom had blinded Julian from what he really should have been doing. As they were getting back into the car, he was reminded of someone who had been counting on him when he had just fallen 'ill.' A lone squirrel had run out to pick up a chunk of pastry that someone had carelessly dropped seconds before- triggering the fact that he'd promised Doreen to take her, not only to the midnight show of the new Harry Potter movie, but also to the cinema for a Godzilla marathon the weekend before.

Now, a Snickers bar in his pocket and a cup of home-made hot chocolate in hand (covered for safety's sake), Julian set off into the woods to find his friend, who he was quickly coming to regard as family. Keller continued to repeat to himself that it was going to be okay, that Doreen wasn't actually capable of getting mad, but part of him hoped that she actually would be.

Doreen was in a tree, on one of the lower branches, reading a copy of Hear No Evil. It had to be the weirdest science fiction novel she had ever read. Monkey Joe was sitting on her lap, mostly asleep when the scent hit her nose. They both perked up and Doreen looked up from her book and waved, "Hi Julian! Are you feeling better?"

Thanking himself for firmly putting the lid on the cup, Julian jumped- which seemed to be happening a lot lately- hearing the scalding liquid inside slosh around. One burn was more than enough. "Hey, Dori, do you have a second?" he asked, partly stumbling on the words and realizing only after they were out that he'd disregarded her question completely.

"Sure," Doreen said, easily getting down from the tree to the ground and skipping right on up to him, "Isn't it warm for hot cocoa? And Monkey Joe wants the candy bar you have," she said giggling.

"Oh, um, I guess it is a little warm, but...yeah," he flushed slightly, trying to pass the cup to his other hand before remembering it was still wrapped in bright white gauze. Setting the cup down he rifled through his pocket and pulled out the Snickers bar, holding it out to Doreen. "For you and Em Jay," he silently cursed himself for not having brought two.

"Thanks," she said taking the candy and easily breaking the bar in half and giving part to her friend who started to devour it. Hers didn't last much longer, "So, want to climb trees?"

He held up and waved his wrapped hand, "Even with TeeKay, I'm not sure I'll be up to that for a while." Shuffling his feet slightly, Julian looked up at the sky through the branches. Swallowing his pride he managed to get out what he was here to say, "I wanted to say that I'm sorry."

"For what?" Doreen said, having licked the last pit of chocolate off her fingers, "You don't have anything to be sorry for."

"Dude," he turned his attention back at her. "Harry Potter midnight show, Godzilla marathon, new comic book day...I mean, yeah I was sick or whatever, but, how can you not be disappointed? At the very least."

"It wasn't your fault," Doreen said, "These things happen. I mean, it's not like when Dad would end up working on a day we all planned to do something. You didn't mean to miss anything."

Brow furrowed, Julian tried to not lose his cool, "Yeah, but you can still be disappointed, Dori, it's okay." Even if it was just in passing, he didn't care to be compared to her dad. "Anyway though, I want to make it up to you."

"But it's not your fault," Doreen insisted, "You didn't plan to get sick the way you did. But I don't mind going out and doing something today. I'm just glad you're better."

Unfortunately, "I've already got something planned for today, but if you want to help me in the kitchen, you're welcome to. Harry Potter tomorrow though? Matinee I mean, the boys are getting together for a Poker Night tomorrow...but I our trip to Uncle Stan's this week- it's on me."

"Okay, tomorrow then! It won't be crowded, I'm sure. Matinees never are. I can't figure out why, they are cheaper after all," Doreen squeaked, "And this is the best book in the series so I hope the movie is really good too!"

Looking around, Julian leaned in and whispered, "I preferred the seventh one, but please, don't tell anyone." He winked and leaned down to Monkey Joe, "And there will be more Snickers in it for you if you convince her to come help make me hot chocolate...and cookies."

"You have read the books!" Doreen squeaked, "Aren't they great? And yeah, I'll help out!"

Julian smiled, but a wave of guilt hit him, she should have been more upset. "Come on, you can melt the chocolate," he said, picking the cup up off the ground.

"Alright," Doreen said, stepping up to his side, "Away we go, to melt chocolate with the power of coolness!"