Home Improvement

Chapter 1: Was it Worth the Move

Things changed greatly for the Taylor family since they moved to Indiana. Brad got a scholarship for professional soccer and had to travel to Spain as part of his career. Jill was promoted to an expert Psychiatrist and got a new boss. Mark was an all A's student at the Middle school he went to. Tim was without a job. He spent all his time at home. The whole family turned around because Tim got mad at his boss Morgan Wandell back in Detroit Michigan. Tim quit his job and moved the family to Indiana because his wife Jill got a job offer there.

Tim was beginning to think the fight with Morgan Wandell was nothing though. As always, he never thought of the consequences before he did things. Now, he was in hot water. He was the man of the house. He was supposed to be working. Now, Jill was working for the family.

Tim missed his old job. He used to run a television show called Tool Time. He used to be Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor. He had an assistant called Al Borland.

Tim also missed his old neighbor, Wilson. Wilson was an extremely wise man, mainly because of his knowledge of history. He always gave Tim advice. He always helped Tim become the best man he could. Now it was too late. He listened to Wilson's voice in his mind. Yes, if Wilson was here, he'd say, 'Well Tim, maybe it's about time you thought of the future instead of the present.' Wilson would go off into some explanation about some old saying from a famous guy. Tim would get confused. Wilson would explain it in English less formal and Tim would understand it better. Now, it was too late. 'Tim, it's never too late. There's a solution to everything,' Wilson's voice went in his mind. 'Maybe, the solution is right around the corner, or right in front of your face.'

Tim looked down at the table. There was a letter from their middle son Randall Taylor. They received this letter weeks ago. Through unpacking, Tim spotted it.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I'm coming back home on July 18th. I finished my studies and can't wait to see my family again. I can't wait till I show off my brains to Wilson, he'd be surprised. Someone in the family would be smarter than him. Send my love to my brothers and tell them I miss them very much, even Mark.

Your son, Randy

Something hit Tim. He couldn't believe it. How could they be so stupid? They never told Randy they moved. He'd come back to Detroit and see no one there.

'Send him a letter, Tim,' Wilson's voice suggested in his mind.

This time, Tim would have something to say, 'You know kids Wilson. They hate moving.'

Randy's voice went off in Tim's mind as clear as Wilson's, 'MOVING! How could you be so stupid? We were so successful, even if you are an accident prone fool. How could you let an idiot like Morgan get to you?'

'Well Tim, maybe you and Jill should consult with your boys before making a major decision about something like this. It doesn't matter if they are inferior to you, they're still human.'

Tim couldn't get Wilson's voice out of his mind.

The door opened and Tim's only son left, Mark Taylor came in. Mark moved over to where Tim was sitting and sat down. "Hey dad," Mark said, sitting down. He got out his homework and started working on it.

"Hi Mark," Tim said shortly.

"Is something wrong?" Mark asked.

"Still Detroit," Tim said slowly. He didn't feel like confiding his feelings in fourteen year-old Mark.

Mark didn't answer. He was working on his Biology homework.

They sat in silence until Jill came home. For some reason, she was fuming, "I was fired!"

This got both Tim's and Mark's attention. "Fired, by your new boss!"

"That ass fired me because I protested against drugging children!" Jill complained.

Well this was one thing from Detroit that would never die, Jill complaining about something.

"Mom's right, drugs have negative effects," Mark pointed out.

"Mark, you study too much," Tim whispered.

"I'm only studying because mom threatens to ground me the next bad grade I get!" Mark said.

"Now what do we do?" Jill asked loudly, sitting down. "We're going to go poor. Neither of us have a job."

"We could move back," Mark suggested quietly.

Before anyone could answer, the phone rang. Tim moved over and picked it up.

"Tim, it's me, Al," a voice said.

"Flannel man, how's it going?" Tim joked.

"It's going fine, Trudy's pregnant," Al said excitedly.

"That's great news Al, I'm happy for you," Tim said.

"Trudy and I are moving into a bigger house," Al informed Tim. "The problem is, Wilson is having trouble. He misses having a neighbor. I'm wondering whether or not we should move. What do you say? Tim where are you?"

Tim was there. He was thinking carefully and then said, "Al, get the hell out. The Taylor's are coming back, arr, arr, arr!"

A/N: Well, this is my first HI FF. How do you like it? I have another FF I am writing, but it isn't on this site. How do you guys like this?