So how would an actual first meeting go with the ROs and Newman’s mom?
How would an official meeting go between the RO’s and Maria and Livvy? Like it was an official “meet the parents” kind of dinner. How would the RO’s behave and how would Maria and Livvy react?
Fiama arrives ten minutes earlier. She and Livvy already like each other so I picture they would chat a lot, with Newman either joining in or letting them lead the conversation depending on their personality. Mom would be mostly silent, only pitching in once or twice to ask Fiama about her kid or about her job. I think Mom would have a good first impression of Fiama because Fiama is very reliable and mature and seems like the kind of person that is protective of those she loves but also keeps them grounded, and Mom thinks that would be good for Newman.
Fiama also shows up with a bottle of wine, and offers to help washing the dishes because she’s attentive like that and wants Maria to like her. Not so much because Maria’s approval is terribly important to her, but because she’s Newman’s mother and Fiama loves Newman.
Jonny arrives at time (which Newman counts as a win because they weren’t sure he would) but he’s empty-handed. He is polite to Livvy and diplomatic—almost deferential—to Mom. Newman realizes that Maria and Mrs. Bender are the only people he calls “Ma’am”. Livvy asks lots of questions to make him talk and although it is obvious he’s struggling, he answers them—he isn’t good at keeping the chat going tho. I can imagine Newman talking about the cool stuff Jonny knows or does and Jonny smiling a bit. He tries not to be too opinionated because he knows that turns off people quickly and he wants Mom (and Livvy to a lesser extent) to like him.
When it’s time to clear the table, Newman kicks Jonny’s shin. It takes him a while to understand Newman’s pantomime but when he does he pushes off the chair standing up like a soldier, and offers to do that for Mom. He sucks at this but he’s really trying.
Roach arrives like fifteen minutes later but they show up looking very attractive in a new get-up and everything. They also bring wine and a box of expensive cigars and wink at Newman when they stare questioningly at the box. When they meet Mom, they say, “Ah, that explains why the Newman siblings are so good-looking. They take after you.” Then they offer her the box of cigars and when Mom says she doesn’t smoke, they say, “My bad,” and leave it in the living room. Roach is the one keeping the conversation flowing and between their witticisms and the wine, they manage to make Livvy and Mom laugh. They all end up sitting outside, finishing the wine, and even smoking a bit because Roach can be devastatingly charming and persuasive when they want to. It’s a very good evening.
Once Roach and Newman are alone, Newman expresses their surprise at Mom smoking, and Roach shrugs. “Everyone likes to be a bit of a rebel from time to time,” they say with a smug smile.
Horizon arrives in time with a vegan dish, hoping it’s ok and won’t be seen as disrespectful. They’ve made enough for all of them if they want to give it a try. They are very polite and engage easily in conversation. They like to keep the chat going, answering Livvy’s questions, and asking lots of questions in return. They ask about Newman’s childhood and are delighted when Livvy offers to go fetch the family albums. They coo at Newman’s baby photos and comment on how beautiful Mom looks in the pictures. They also refer to her by her name (“Is it ok if I call you Maria?”)
They help Mom wash the dishes and make some tentative questions about her late husband. Horizon hears her out and tells her that they can’t begin to understand how hard raising two kids on her own must have been, but that both Livvy and Newman are great people and she should be proud of them and herself for that.
