Autumn In Kent
Black Friday

It's been a long time since he played chess. Last time he played chess before he came to America. That means it was more than 4 years ago. By racking up sweat and brains Puti finally managed to win the game against Christy.

‘New age now I can a tough opponent,’ comments Christy while smiling satisfied.

‘How about I try to fight the winning one?’ Steve challenged. Then Puti realized that Steve was so close to her.

‘I can no longer play,’ reject Puti. Steve smiled funny.

‘You want to play with me, Christy?’ he turned to his sister.

‘Nmobile. You always cheat when you play.’ Christy refused it.

‘How about we play canasta? You and Emma fight me and dad?’ Mrs Walden's proposal.

‘I have to go to Nick's house. Nick's family is gathering there. I'd like to stop by for a minute to meet them,’ replied Emma. ‘You want to come with me, Put?’ Emma offers.

‘I'm home, Em. Want to try playing canasta,’ replied Puti who did not want to disturb the togetherness of Emma with Nick's family.

‘Yakin?’ Emma asked doubtfully.

‘Ya, she's sure.’ Steve said it while pulling out a card and told Puti to sit opposite him. Mr. and Mrs Walden also immediately took up positions.

As soon as Emma and Nick leave, Steve immediately shuffles the cards and hands out eleven cards to each player. Put the rest into the middle of the table and open the top card.

Mr. Walden is a serious player. For a long time he considered which cards to open, which ones to be arranged into melds and which ones to discard.

‘It looks like we'll just finish Christmas later,’ Steve fun. Mr. Walden smiled and accelerated his game.

When it was Puti's turn, Steve looked at her for a long time as if giving her a cue which card to throw away. Puti suddenly noticed Steve's eyes that, when it was bright outside like the sky in summer, turned dark blue. Darkened. And Puti knows which cards to discard. Small black card. Steve smiled in agreement.

Contrary to her husband, Mrs.Walden was a very spontaneous performer. Quickly decide without much consideration. The principle of origin of the cards in the hand quickly runs out.

In the middle of the thrill they play Christy appears carrying small plates containing lemon pie made.

‘Christy darling, please prepare a pillow and blanket for your brother,’ said Mrs. Waldens. ‘Steve your room was used Puti so you slept on the couch,’ instead of Steve.

‘Let me alone sleep on the sofa,’ says Fast Puti.

‘Puti can sleep in my room. Tonight I'm waiting in line at The Electronics. Tomorrow's Black Friday. There is a laptop that I want to buy, mumpung big discount,’ proposed Christy.

‘I'm the only one sleeping in your room. Puti let me sleep in my room,’ replied Steve.

‘But you dropped me at The Electronics huh? I've made a pact with my friends to meet there.’ Christy bargained.

‘OK, I finish this game first. It won't be long,’ said Steve confidently. And in the three rounds of the score achieved by Steve and Puti has more than 5000 points. Game Over's.

‘Good game, Mom..Dad’ said Steve while tidying up the card they just used and put it in his box.

‘If you guys don't flirt, we can beat you,’ comments Mrs. Walden with a smile.

‘Main eyes how?’ Ask Steve.

‘Do not pretend. Every turn Puti, I see you looking at each other and sending a gesture,’ replied Mrs. Waldens. Steve laughed loudly at his mother's accusation.

‘Mom, that's strategy. Not breaking the rules of the game,’ replied Steve as if justifying his mother's accusation.

At one in the morning, Steve was ready to take Christy to the Mall to queue for the sale of goods in order to welcome Black Friday.

‘No items you want to buy, Put?’ Ask Steve to Puti.

‘I can not stand to queue for hours until the store opens in cold air temperatures like this,’ replied Puti.

‘Mau nemani I drop Christy and travel around Youngstown at night?’ Take Steve.

☘️

Even though everyone slept after sunrise, but at lunch time everyone had gathered at the Walden family dining table. Including Christy who just came and showed off her new laptop that she bought at a discounted price.

‘You're in the race for cheap home design, Steve?’ Mr. Walden asked.

‘Entahlah. I have not found a partner to handle the interior, whereas before Christmas, the mockups and details of the cost must be entered,’ replied Steve.

‘Hey, Emma, are any of your friends interior experts?’ the question turned to Emma.

‘If there is any I will not introduce him to you,’ said Emma ketus.

‘Come on, Emma, can't we make peace? For more than two years you have blamed me. Though Tracy's changed girlfriends three times,’

‘So you guys are hostile because of Tracy? Tracy Hall?’ Christy Chirps.

‘Tracy Hall my best friend, Chris, because Steve was unfaithful I lost a friend,’ defend Emma.

‘In my opinion, because Tracy Hall is unfaithful you lost a sister,’ Christy said sure. All eyes were on Christy to give a further explanation.

‘While still dating Steve, Tracy also dated.... Who is it, Em, your Italian quarterback?’ Christy asked Emma.

‘Danny Romano?’ Emma with the question.

‘Yes, there it is. Several times I caught them kissing under the pews on the football field. I was happy when Steve finally left him.’ Christy settled her argument. Nodding and smiling proudly towards his brother. Steve developed a clumsy smile that was hard to decipher. Emma looked shocked.

‘So, Emma, will you introduce your friend?’ Steve shifted the conversation to the original topic. His eyes looked at Emma hopeful like a rabbit boy waiting for a carrot toss.

‘No friend of mine is a decorator,’ finally Emma replied.

‘There is!’ argue Steve sure. ‘Aren't you and your best friends working on the interior of a new nursing home in Kent? Who's plan?’ Emma and Puti look around to hear Steve call the place.

‘I don't know if she wants to work with you or not,’ Emma said as she threw a smile at Puti. His tone was no longer as simple as it was.

‘Introduce me to him first and hand me over to persuade him. ‘

‘Stephen Carroll!’ Emma exclaimed furiously. His eyes glowed with anger. Steve soon realized that he had let go.

‘Sorry, Em. Not like that I mean,’ said Steve sincerely. ‘I really need someone with an artistic touch. There's no point in me planning a beautiful building if the color composition and decoration are sedodorant . But if you're not willing to introduce him to me, that's okay. It's just a shame to miss this great opportunity. It's not the reward that I'm targeting but I need to porfolioku.’

‘How is the prize sharing?’ ask Emma. Steve looked at him in disbelief.

‘Say first the prize share,’ Emma won't lose.

‘Seventy-five - twenty-five. Does he want to?’

‘That's his name you demean him. You think of yourself as better. ‘

‘But the portion of my work is indeed more,’ refuted Steve. ‘She just completes the main design that I have already designed.‘

‘Just said that you don't need the gift,’ Emma reminded.

‘OK. How about half-half,’ Steve relented.

‘Yes, I think it's best. But even better if you ask him directly.’

‘So you want to introduce me to him?’ asked Steve excitedly. Emma nodded. ‘When?’ ask Steve again.

‘Now can too,’ replied Emma standing up. ‘Stephen Carroll, I would like to introduce an interior designer who has planned and decorated a new nursing home in Kent, Miss Puti Larasati. ‘