New Year's Special 2024

WHOLE LOTTE TROUBLE

It seems like just yesterday that Riley was feuding with Lotte, a volatile, Dutch, platinum-blonde beauty with a venomous personality at a summer camp in Central Florida.

But it wasn’t yesterday. Not by a long shot…

This upscale Manhattan brownstone can’t be called cozy, but it almost seems that way with all the Christmas decorations still up. While the tree and the knickknacks are all looking cheery, the holiday spirit is no longer present this New Year’s Eve.

“I’m sorry,” Riley says apologetically, hands on hips. “I think we have to call it off.”

Beside her, Lotte says nothing. That’s tacit agreement.

Their daughter glares up at them in disbelief. Anika did not inherit Lotte’s total lack of inhibitions, but to call her personality strong would be underselling it. Her gaze is heated.

“You can’t,” she says, and Riley sees the little ripple through her body as she keeps herself from stomping her foot. Anika’s already put together for the party that she wants to attend, although it’s a little odd. She looks cute, as always, in her jeans and hoodie, but Riley expected a dress. It’s weird, but not important. Anika clutches her backpack. “I told you about this a week ago. You can’t do this to me now!”

“Well, a week ago I didn’t realize this big protest was going to be like ten feet away,” Riley replies with a shrug. “I don’t want you anywhere near that.”

“Karen’s like super rich! Her place is way up above all that. I’ll be totally safe,” Anika says through gritted teeth.

“Yeah, this is a college party too. I don’t know.” Riley glances at Lotte, who refuses to help. But she’s also not taking Anika’s side, which means that she agrees with Riley.

“I will be in college in less than a year,” Anika growls, tossing her violently green hair. This dye thing is new for her, and Riley’s not sure she loves it. She’s pretending to love it, though. “Mom! Don’t even!” Anika bursts out before Riley can open her mouth again.

Lotte gently touches Riley’s shoulder: a signal for them to confer in private.

“You stay,” Riley says, pointing at the floor, then steps away with her wife. They put their heads together.

“If you tell her no, she will sneak out,” Lotte predicts under her breath.

“You really think so?” Of course she does.

“Guys!” Anika bursts in between them, waving her phone. Her round cheeks and glasses make it hard not to laugh when she’s being so damn serious. “My location is on. OK? It’s on. Home by midnight.”

Riley doesn’t care so much about what time Anika’s home; she’s an adult and she can party if she wants. It’s the protest that’s the problem. This is about safety.

“OK,” Lotte says, taking Riley’s hand and squeezing. “OK.” She smiles and nods.

Anika doesn’t look convinced. She turns to Riley for confirmation.

Riley chews her lip, casting a skeptical glance at her wife.

“OK,” she relents.

“Let’s go!” Anika throws a fist in the air, then hugs her hard.

“OK. Love you too.” Riley sighs and rubs her head. Anika hugs Lotte, then bolts for the door.

Riley takes off her glasses and pinches the bridge of her nose, then faces Lotte, who holds up a conciliatory hand.

“We go with her,” Lotte says.

“Huh?” Anika will never go for that.

“No. We go with her,” Lotte says, more slowly this time.

“Oh. God. You cannot be serious,” Riley replies.