How Green Becomes Wood

"Maybe. I can't wait until my 21st birthday, I'm going to go to a drag show. There are some drag shows I can go to now, obviously, but I want to go to like... a real one and have like... I don't know. A vodka cranberry or something. I wish we lived in Europe so I could do it this year."
 
Alec tried not to choke when Sloan said that, partially out of surprise, but mostly at the thought of them being in Europe and drinking already. "Drag shows are cool as an art style," he agreed. "I hope you have some cool friends to go with you on your 21st since your coolest friends wouldn't be old enough yet." He gave her a wink.
 
"The bar will put x's on your hands," Sloan grinned, leaning in, "You'd love it, dude. Xander would probably hate it, but you? It's all sequins, music, and dancing. It's made for you. I just want to be able to drink when I go."
 
Alec considered this carefully as he shredded the last of his sandwich bread. "I don't have a good relationship with alcohol since I've only seen drunks," he admitted. "I know logically that you can and many people do drink responsibly and enjoy the taste of it, but I just can't see myself enjoying it. And I can't help worrying about you when you go to drink even though I know you're smart. But the show? Oh yeah, that's my place to be!"
 
She shrugged, "You don't have to drink to be in a place like that. Lots of people don't. I don't really drink a lot, but when I do it's always pretty chill unless the people around me are being jerks, but I try to be pretty careful. Like I don't drink alone."
 
"You aren't supposed to be drinking at all," Alec reminded her without thinking. Then he sighed and shrugged. "But at least you put more thought into it than any adult I've seen. So it's not so bad, I guess."
 
"Maybe not, but I think part of why we have such a problem with binge drinking in the US is because it's mystified. In other places, teenagers can drink legally under 18 so long as their parents consent to it. And I'm turning 18 tomorrow, so, it's really not that big of a deal. Anyway, it's not like I drink sad and alone in my room, I only do it socially. Pretty much only at parties after gymnastic competitions." Sloan explained, "so it's really not a big deal."
 
It still sounded like a big deal to him, and like she was open to potentially dangerous situations when it was only a bunch of teens drinking, and Milo and he had already had the discussion about "mature" teens, but he didn't want to argue with Sloan. He didn't want to be yet another person telling her how she was wrong. So, instead, he said, "As long as you're safe, I don't see the harm. Anyway, I doubt there will be drinking at your birthday party."
 
"Oh, god no," Sloan replied, shaking her head, "My mom would actually kill me. As far as she knows, the only time I ever have alcohol is at Jewish holidays. But I think that's part of why I don't really think drinking is that big of a deal, you know? Why is wine okay at Passover and Shabbat but not the rest of the year?"
 
Alec considered this question thoughtfully for a second. "Nope, I don't have an answer to that," he concluded.

Becky scurried over and slid dramatically into the seat across from Sloan. "I can't believe you invited me to your birthday!" she squealed. "I'm so excited! Is there a dress code?"
 
"Right? Like, I was having a glass of wine at passover since my Bat Mitzvah, and before then they'd give me a few sips." She shrugged, turning to smile at Becky, "I mean, we've been hanging out for long enough, I'd feel weird if I didn't invite you. There's not really a dress code, no. I mean, don't wear something you wouldn't wear to school, I guess, because my mom's crazy, but other than that, it's whatever you feel comfortable in."
 
"Should I dress up like I'm going to church, or should I feel free to express my individuality?" Becky grinned.

"You go to church?" Alec asked in surprise.

"Well, three times a year or so," Becky admitted. "My great grandfather was a preacher man, so I think my mom feels kind of obligated. I don't, but it's only a couple of times a year, so, whatever."
 
"Definitely don't come like it's time for Church," Sloan replied, making a face, "I think I'd die if all the pictures from my birthday party looked like Easter. I don't even celebrate Easter."
 
"I think the only person who I'm worried about embarrassing me is my mom," Sloan said, resting her chin in her hand, "But this is the last birthday she gets invited to, so I just have to survive it."
 
Becky sobered a little, looking at Sloan. "Wow. That's... that's actually really sad. I knew things were tough with your mom, but I didn't realize it was that bad. I'm sorry." Then she brightened. "But this is a big birthday! So no matter if it's at t a grand hotel, your back yard, or in the convenience store parking lot, we are going to have an awesome time!"

"Absolutely!" Alec cheered.
 
She shook her head, holding one hand up, "It's not that I plan to go no contact, or anything. Not right now, anyway. But most people don't have birthday parties with their parents, right? Or if they do, they have one friend one and one family one. This is the last one with friends she gets to preside over, and that's great. But, yeah, I think it'll be a good time, even if she is bound to hover and make comments." She looked at Alec, "You have to make sure Xander doesn't snap at her. She's already suspicious of him."
 
Alec's smile melted away and he looked gloomily at his mess of a lunch.

Becky thought about this. "Actually, I think my family has always been a part of my birthday parties, and I get asked what I'd like to do for them, but my friends have informed me that I am quite spoiled, so don't take my word for it." She glanced around. "Where is Xander, anyway? He didn't get suspended or anything, did he?"

"No," Alec said, forcing himself to be neutral. "He's just having lunch with another friend."

Becky looked at him in surprise and then whispered to Sloan, "Xander has friends?"
 
Sloan rolled her eyes at Becky, although she did feel bad for mentioning Xander. She wouldn't have, had she realized just how relevant he was to whatever was bothering Alec--which was stupid, she realized. Of course he was relevant. Otherwise, he'd be here too. But she just told Becky, "Of course Xander has friends. He's not a gargoyle."

Then, sitting back, she shrugged her shoulders and said, "I guess maybe people who have cool parents probably enjoy having them around more. But I really just can't imagine choosing to party with my surviving grandma. Although some of us," she lightly nudged Alec, trying to give him something else to think about, "have cool parents, who would probably be more fun to hang out with."
 
Alec smiled, brightening a little as he tried to pull his mind away from other thoughts. "Very true! Although I think my parents would just hang around at the edges of the party rather than take part most of the time."

"Question," Becky said, waving her juice box, "and I don't have the answer to this, but what makes a cool parent 'cool?' Genuine question. I don't think of my parents as particularly cool, but they're fine, I guess? But other friends tell me they are cool. Mr. Dark is, of course, the epitome of cool, no question about it, but he's more like a goal to strive for, I think. Same with his wife."
 
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