Youthful IndiscretionsUnfortunately, Romeo Rake and his boyish charm couldn't last forever.
In the middle of painting Vera's teen portrait, Grim decided it was time.
The family came running over to say goodbye, but it was too late to do anything but stand and watch.
But Romeo seemed to agree with Grim that is was his time. With a little shrug, Romeo just took Grim's hand.
The kids, in particular, took it badly. He had been like a grandfather to them.
Evan was young and more easily comforted with a story and a hug.
For Vera, however, this sort of tragedy could only be drowned with the wild indiscretions of rebellious teen-hood. She needed to do something crazy. Something stupid even!
And most importantly, she needed to get out of the house.
So she did what any teen in mourning would do. She called up all her friends for a secret all-nighter at the beach!
Vera felt oddly grateful when Eggs showed up. After all, she'd gotten him arrested the last time they hung out.
Vera: "Eggs! You made it! I . . . I don't know what to say. Were your parents as mad as mine were?"
She looked at him then, and she thought she felt something. Maybe it was just grief and confusion and teenage hormones, but she didn't care. In the heat of the moment she suddenly couldn't help but grab that dorky little Egbert and plant one on him!
I mean, why not? Right? She was young and hurting, and she didn't care if it was stupid. It felt good.
Besides, Eggs seemed to agree.
So why not?
There was one person there, however, who took her actions strangely amiss.
William Fangman: "Aaaah! Vera! Why are you kissing that nerd, when I have all the muscles!"
Giles: "You know this is just really inappropriate, right? I mean, you're a young adult, and she's not even legal!"
William: "Well,
I'm inappropriate! And Vera's foxy!"
Giles: "I guess that explains it."
Even Giles was persuaded to indulge in a little youthful indiscretion. Maybe his older sister's rebellious tendencies were just rubbing off on him, but it did look like fun. He decided to try some of his best moves on a classmate.
She seemed to like his charming wink.
The air kiss, it seemed, was a little too early.
Well hey, even Mr. Irresistible gets turned down everyone once in awhile!
The party carried on well into the morning, and thankfully the cops didn't even seem to notice that all the town's teens were out of their beds!
Giles had to give the inappropriate William a second word of warning when his hands started wandering a little close to his sister's behind.
William: "Hehehe! This will show that Egbert!"
Giles: "It'll show him that you're quite inappropriate, yes. And Vera, too. Think she'll like you then?"
William: "Oh fine!"
Well, score one for logic, at least, even if the rest of the night had been about craziness and teenage hormones!
Fortunately, Vera seemed too distracted to notice. She decided to throw a little special something into the fire.
She tossed it in and sparkles cackled up into the air like fireworks, and somehow that made her feel better. She felt like she was watching Romeo's playful spirit rising up into the stars and coming to rest somewhere beautiful. Somewhere eternal.
Rest in peace, Romeo Rake.
