The Past Recedes

Chapter 31

"I like Miss Murphy, she's kind and pretty. And she's English like Mom's family", said Nika as she followed Kathleen and Steven to their car.

"It's good Josh has a girlfriend, and I like that she's a college student. Being in LA, we were concerned he'd date some really dumb girl", said Steven.

"LA attracts a lot of wannabe models and movie stars, a lot of silly girls", explained Kathleen.

Nika nodded in understanding, glad that her father didn't date. "Where are we going for dinner, Mrs. Klinghoffer?", she asked.

"We're going to Outback Steakhouse, Josh and Steven love that place. It's a steakhouse with an Australian theme. And please call me Kathleen, Mrs. Klinghoffer is my mother in law", said Kathleen.

Nika wondered if calling adults by their first names was some sort of California Valley thing. She got in the backseat of their white Toyota sedan and watched as Steven drove through the dull suburban neighborhood towards the mall. The sameness of the houses and yards made her feel as though she was in a really cheap cartoon, the sort where the background was just some generic footage in hazy detail. Nika hoped that one day Josh made a lot of money and moved somewhere more interesting.

The nearby mall resembled the one she'd gone to with her father and Clara, which reassured her. "We're going to have dinner first, if you don't like the movie or feel uncomfortable, just let us know", said Kathleen.

Nika gave the older woman a tentative smile as she followed them. The mall was less crowded than at it's peak in the afternoon as it was mostly couples and families with young children, the PA playing its familiar mix of pop music. The restaurant was just starting to get busy as Steven notified the greeter who grabbed three menus and led them towards an empty table.

Nika quietly observed the restaurant and compared it to the one she'd went to with John. Unlike the sedate Japanese restaurant with its soft jazz and hipster waiters, this restaurant had hard rock music playing over the speakers and waitresses in gaudy striped shirts. It was different but not unpleasant as she sat down and looked at the menu.

"Dad probably couldn't eat this, he's on a macrobiotic diet", said Nika as she looked at the menu.

"I guess it's because of his health issues, Josh told us. We're originally from New York, so macrobiotic diets aren't something we do", Steven laughed.

"Wow, what's New York like? We've only changed planes at JFK", asked Nika.

"Huge, fast. Manhattan as the biggest skyscrapers and looks amazing all lit up at night. Plus the pace is a lot faster than Los Angeles, we still got a lot of family back on the East Coast. We've gotten used to the West Coast lifestyle, but we're still East Coast people at heart", said Kathleen.

"Most of Mom's family lives in England, in Manchester. I hope Dad can meet them one day, they are very smart", said Nika.

She looked confused when the waiter set down a giant fried onion that resembled a golden greasy flower. "It's a Blooming Onion, it's fried onions cut into segments. You take a piece and dip it in sauce", said Steven.

Nika looked dubiously at the onion and picked up a fork in order to grab a piece. She dipped the edge into the sauce and carefully took a bite. It was salty and crispy but not bad, but she disliked the greasy sensation on her tongue. "If there's any leftovers, we'll bring it home to Josh. He eats like a horse and he's still skinny", laughed Steven.

"You're supposed to eat it with your fingers, but if that's what makes you comfortable", said Kathleen.

"I don't touch food with my hands, only sandwiches. I don't like the feeling", she explained.

"Oh, it's sensory. I'll remember that", said Kathleen.

Nika felt much better after her main course of a small steak and a double helping of vegetables. "We're taking the onion with us, Josh will heat it up later. I hope him and Ashley are having a good time", said Kathleen.

"They're going to see some art house movie, European stuff. He's into that, I can't understand those movies", said Steven with a rueful chuckle.

"Not everyone has the same tastes, Steven. Josh just has more sophisticated tastes, remember when we saw Breaking the Waves?", Kathleen reminded him.

"Ugh, that movie sucked. It's too weird and had too much nudity, it must be a European thing", Steven muttered.

Nika wondered why anyone would watch a movie with lots of nudity. She followed the Klinghoffers out of the restaurant and towards a nearby movie theater. "If you feel uncomfortable, let us know", said Kathleen.

Nika nodded as she followed them into the theater. All around the lobby were fans wearing Star Wars t-shirts who congregated around the closed doors, straining forwards. When the doors opened, Steven and Kathleen held back until the crowd found their seats. "Star Wars fans are very hardcore, this is the first Star Wars movie since 1983", Steven explained.

Nika sprawled in her seat and watched with disinterest as the previews played on the big screen. The silliness of the films previewed made her wonder if people were really that dumb, the humor based on fart jokes and toilets. She knew her father would never watch this and neither would Josh, hoping they would be over soon.

She was relieved when the previews ended and the lights dimmed and the movie started. Nika concentrated on the film as she tried to make sense of it, having to admit that the scenery looked great and the vehicles very cool. But overall, she could not make heads nor tails of this film and vaguely felt disappointed since the movie was boring in spite of its special effects. "It was okay", she said with a shrug.

"All right, hopefully Josh is home now", said Kathleen.

Josh was already home. "Hi Mom and Dad. Ii dropped off Ashley since she has class tomorrow", he said.

"Josh, Star Wars was boring", she said.

"Really, I love the original trilogy. I guess the prequel might not make sense then", he replied.

His eyes lit up when he saw the onion. "Of course, we knew your appetite", teased Kathleen.

"And my Dodgers tickets came in, they're playing the Mariners. Nika, do you want to go?", he asked.

"What about Ashley?", she asked.

"She has a test in two days, she's studying. The Mariners have Griffey and he's awesome, too bad the Dodgers suck this year. Mom and Dad, you can watch us on TV", said Josh.

"Okay, but you have to watch out for her", said Kathleen.