Kerry Hennessy frowned at her oatmeal cookie. Did Mom really think that would make everything better? Stupid being the middle child--- nobody noticed her, ever. Since Dad had... died... and Grandpa, CJ and Uncle Patrick had moved into the basement, things were a little better, not that Kerry would ever admit that. It was so funny to her, "Uncle" Patrick, being two months younger than Bridget. Even though they were now divorced, the little fact that they were still getting it on that many years later, gave her hope that a relationship could last longer than she thought.
It did make her laugh, though, the reputation Patrick seemed to get for being so dark and mysterious. It was just the look, she guessed. She wondered if maybe Grandpa had the same one, because Patrick looked so very much like a younger version of him from pictures she had seen. She missed Paris. Bruno... she smiled a little. She liked having that little secret that no one knew. She wanted to tell someone, but she didn't know who to tell. And, then, there was Kyle... sweet, adorable, wonderful Kyle... How could she keep seeing him after what she had done? But, then, how could she tell him? How could leave him? Kerry sighed, tossing the untouched cookie back onto the plate, when Patrick walked into the house, shirtless and covered in motor oil.
"Gramps got you fixing the car again?" she asked, wrinkling her nose at him. "Geez, you smell."
"Love you too, Pipi." Patrick said, rolling his eyes.
Kerry made a face at him, when CJ walked in.
"Oooh, cookies!" he said excitedly, grabbing Kerry's off of her plate.
"Hey! Mine!" she yelped in protest.
"Weren't eating it." CJ said through a mouthful.
Kerry stomped upstairs huffily, muttering to herself.
"What's with the midget?" CJ asked, grabbing another cookie.
Patrick shrugged. "Dunno. I'm gonna go take a shower, stuff to do."
"You mean girls to do. Am I right?" CJ said, holding his fist up.
Patrick just rolled his eyes at him.
"What? Goin' through a slump lately, Unc?"CJ asked, tilting his head slightly. "What about that girl? Kat... something?"
Patrick's eyes popped open. "What do you know about her?"
CJ smirked; he knew he'd hit a nerve. "Dude, I hafta share a room with you and Grampy. The snore machine and the dream-lover. Ohhhh, Kat..." he moaned mockingly.
Patrick blushed. "Shut up." he growled. "I do not."
"Do too. Besides, even if you didn't, Bridgy told me."
Patrick shook his head. No friggin privacy here...
"Showering. Going out. Alone, none of your business." he said, stomping upstairs to the shower...