InsaneJournal

Who: John and Audrey
When: Recently
Where: Baxter Bakery
What: Random Encounter
Rating/Warnings: Low/None
Status: Complete


Audrey brought Ben with her to the bakery for a visit. She had the baby in a front wrap, cuddled against her chest. Of course she wanted to see her friends and employees, but she also desperately wanted to get out of the house. She was working a few hours a day now, normally bringing Ben with her. Sometimes Merlin would watch him or bring him to work, (Stark Industries actually had excellent child care) but Ben was still so little Audrey was having a hard time letting other people care for him.

So she was at the pastry case today, with Ben against her chest in a wrap, giving instructions to the young woman behind the counter.

John waited to be served in his favourite cafe, quietly observing the lady behind the counter with an infant strapped to her chest. As the man in front of him took his coffee and left, John stepped up and smiled at the lady he had been watching. “Starting them that young are they now?” he joked with a grin as he nodded towards the baby strapped to her front. “What happened to stay in school?”

Audrey turned and broke into a smile at the sound of the voice, bringing a hand up to rest against the baby’s back. She chuckled softly. “He’s only working part-time. C’mon, Old Man, get with the times.” She teased in a playful way. “How are you, John? It’s been a while.”

“Not a zero-hours contract I hope,” John winked at her. “I’m doin’ ok. Just...gettin’ by day to day,” he shrugged, handing over the money for his usual order. “Tryin’ to get out some more, meet new people, but that’s not always easy, y’know?” he told her.

“I know.” Audrey said, nodding. “I think the only reason I know as many people as I do is because of the bakery. A lot of people come in here for the java. It’s an instant-win.”

“Yeah, working at the college most of my interactions are with young adults, not really people I can hang out with y’know?” John grinned. “Since Sam and Fraser left I’ve been a bit...I don’t want to use the word recluse but it’s probably the closest description,” he told her.

“I know what you mean,” Audrey said, nodding. “I feel like it’s been harder to connect with people my own age after the baby was born. Getting out of the house is hard, and then when I do I have to take a huge bag, and I’m so used to talking to the baby I have no idea what to say to grown-ups anymore.”

John chuckled at that as he accepted his order from the other lady with a smile. Stepping to the side of the queue he continued chatting with Audrey. “Well I’m always free for a bit of adult talk if you want. I can’t say my apartment’s completely child friendly but you’re always welcome,” he told her.

“You’re very kind,” Audrey said, returning his smile. She motioned to the gal behind the register, her usual would be fine for today. “But I think we should get out more. You know? Rather than hide away in our homes and apartments. Go out and do things. Isn’t that what people do?” She added, playfully.

“I guess you’re right,” John conceded. “So what would you suggest?” he asked, picking up a sugar for his latte.

“I really have no idea what grown-ups do for fun anymore.” Audrey said in an apologetic, self-depreciating way. “But maybe bowling? Or billiards?”

"Bowling! Brilliant idea! Why don't we put an invitation on the Net and see who'd like to come with us?" John suggested excitedly. "What do you think?"

“That would be lovely.” Audrey said, smiling brightly. “I love that idea. I’m always interested in meeting new people, having new experiences and the like. If there are people on Valarnet who want to come bowling… let’s make a big group and go!”

“Ok, let’s do it,” John grinned, feeling happy about the decision. “I’ll put up a post tonight when I get home,” he told her. “When do we want to go? A weekend or week night?” he asked.

“Definitely a weekend if we want more people to be able to come along and join us,” Audrey mused aloud. “Merlin can come. And we can grab some of his work friends, too, I bet.”

"It's settled then, a weekend of bowling," John grinned, looking forward to making some new friends.