Boswell, LaVenia by THE DAWNING (The Dawning Trilogy)

silent almost the entire drive.
                “Yeah, well, they already live together so what’s the big deal,” she responded still in a sullen mood.
                He looked at her a moment and simply smiled as he maneuvered his car through the evening traffic.  Even on Sunday, Beach Boulevard was heavily trafficked at times.
                She gave him credit, other than saying that one statement he kept quiet, not hassling her to talk as they rode in silence.  He even kept his stereo down to low background music, knowing she was upset, when he knew she usually liked it at a decibel that made their chests rattle. 
                As they were about to arrive at the beaches area she turned to him and asked, “Jas, what were you and Tom discussing before I came in?”
                Jason puffed out his cheeks, looked out the window, adjusted his hands on the wheel and shifted his weight before looking at her again.  “There are some stocks that are really tumbling right now, and, uh, Thomas, I and many others are upset over it.  It really punches the ole wallet, ya know.”
                “Huh, so that was it?” she asked, a little relieved, not knowing if it could possibly be true or not, though she had never known of Jason ever telling a lie.  He had mentioned many times over the years that a person should just keep quiet, in most circumstances, rather than tell a lie.  Besides, a number of guys she knew or their parents were losing money in stocks.  Her own brother had been a day trader almost since he’d been in grammar school, using his allowance and lawn mowing money.  He’d purchased through their dad of course, until he’d turned eighteen and then bought on his own.
                She had to admit, Thomas’ portfolio at one time had been pretty impressive for a kid.  She didn’t know what it looked like now.  That’s why he’d been able to limit the student loans he had to take out, by using his savings from the stocks and investments he owned.  It wouldn’t make him rich, perhaps, but at least comfortable she hoped.
                With a resigned sigh and putting her irritation behind her she admitted to herself, he was a good brother, aggravating and extremely irritating at times, but a good brother none the less.
                With that worry off her mind she smiled at Jason and said, “Thanks for inviting me Jas.  I sure hope that woman author comes by.”
                He smiled broadly at her and laughingly admitted, “I hope so too, for my sake, otherwise you might not go to a party with me ever again.”
                Just as they arrived at the beach house, both of them immediately realized they’d have to search for a place to park without blocking neighbor’s drives.  There were cars, trucks and motorcycles all over the place.  Some were parked where they knew they’d get towed before the evening was over.  He drove over to the next street and asked, “Jen, do you mind walking a bit?”
                He was parking as close to the beach and the host’s house as possible, but it was in a restaurant parking lot.  Lots of folks did it.
                “Don’t mind at all.”
                As always he said, “Wait here,” while he jumped out and hurried around to her door to open it. 
                He was the last of the genteel men of their age who were still full of courtesies, as far as she believed.  It was nice, made you feel special and looked after, she realized as she took his hand for him to help her out of the car. 
                “I’ll be right back, stay here, it won’t take a minute,” he said as he hurried off to the front door of the restaurant. 
                Jenny giggled to herself.  She knew him well enough to know what he had in mind.  He was going to order something and have