Home Improvement

Chapter 1: Memories

A/N: Ok, after a long wait, here's the sequel to the last story. The point of the last story was trying to get Mark through teenage life, and Randy entering adulthood. Now, Mark is going to enter adulthood, and go through real teenage problems. I mean problems that are very real, and eventually end with a dramatic change to Mark Taylor's life. Oh, KK92, if you are reading this, you sent a review once I never answered for the first story. You asked me about Mark's hair color and whether or not he dyed it. You also asked me if Ken is hot. Just for you, yes, he is dead hot. He is so hot, not one girl in the school resists him. As for dying Mark's hair, I am not sure, but I do know you gave me a great idea for Mark. I can't say, but it'll create a great plot with him. I liked the term, The Dark Side. This is gonna be good! Don't worry everyone, there are fewer chapters.

After the marriage of Randy and Lauren Taylor, it was time for them to leave. Randy got accepted into a University in New Jersey, Princeton. He had to move away. The plan was for Randy and Lauren to go on their honeymoon, and then straight to New Jersey. They were Detroit, Michigan for the last time to say goodbye.

"I'll miss you, son," Tim said sadly.

"I wish you waited, just to stay with us a bit longer," Jill said tearfully.

"I'll come every Christmas, I promise," Randy vowed.

"Have a good time bro," Mark said. "I'll… miss you."

"Only a year to spend with you, it went by quickly," Randy said sadly. "I'll miss you too. Join me in New Jersey sometime, will you?"

"My place is here," Mark said apologetically.

Randy laughed. "Do you ever plan to move out when you're older?"

"If ever, I always fancied Massachusetts," Mark laughed.

Randy gave Mark a last big hug before walking out the door, holding Lauren's hand.

Tim's head was being flooded with a certain flashback he was unable to push out of his mind. Mark was seven when he got chicken-pox. Thankfully, Randy didn't catch them, but Brad did. This time, while Jill and Mark stayed with Brad, Randy and Tim moved out into a motel. It was a difficult time for both of them, because they both had different interests.

"Hey Randy, would you get off that Game Boy and spend some quality father-son time with your dad?" Tim asked.

"Humph, no," Randy laughed. "C'mon dad, that's lame. I want to beat Tony Hawk!"

"Randy, get off that Game Boy or I'll snatch it out of your hand!" Tim scolded.

As a response, Randy got up and walked into another room and closed the door.

"I'm coming in there!" Tim yelled.

As another response, the door clicked, signaling it was being locked.

That was a hard time. When Randy was a kid, he spent all his time playing. He wasn't like Mark or Brad, who would help Tim work on his Hot Rod. Randy was always the different one in the family. As he got older, he started questioning everything anyone in the family did. Of course, when he was twelve, after Maureen Binford took complete control of Tool Time, and practically turned it into a girl's corner, even Randy, who seemed to have inherited his dad's manly nature, was disgusted. He was the one who put a call in to John Binford and got him to come back, turning Maureen out of the crew.

"How're my Former Tool Boys?" Maureen said happily, coming into the studio.

Al looked away from Tim, going pink. Tim was confused, "What do you mean, 'former?'"

"Well, Al and I thought it would be good to take a break from Tools," Maureen replied. "Why not go a little more feminine?"

Tim was outraged, "This is a Tool Show, Maureen."

"Tim, are you forgetting already?" Maureen happily raised her arms high in the air and said, "Producer!"

"Maureen, are you forgetting?" Tim imitated her movement, "Man's Tool Show!"

"Tim, I'm only trying to make this show better for both sides of the world," Maureen said innocently.

"I agree," Al said.

"Shut up, Al!" Tim scolded. "John Binford made this show for tools and tools only! Just like Irma has her show for women and women only!"

"By daddy isn't here right now, and that's what counts," Maureen said happily.

When Tim got home, he decided on quitting. Tool Time, or rather Toe-nail Time with Al and Tim, as Al was the new host, Tim picked the phone up to resign, when Randy came in.

"Dad, I need to use the phone, to call Joey," Randy said.

"Not now, son," Tim said. "I'm quitting my job!"

"WHAT?" Randy yelped.

"Maureen Binford changed Tool Time completely, take a look," Tim gestured to the TV.

Randy watched for a minute or so, and then looked at his dad. "You can't let them do this. That's sick! Tell Binford or someone!"

"Binford got married to page two hundred and forty-two," Tim said sadly, handing him a magazine.

Randy, a puzzled look on his face, flipped through the pages. His boyish face changed from puzzled to disgusted, "Call him! Even my friend Tommy would come back for this sick change!"

"Son, you don't understand," Tim tried to say.

"NO, you don't understand, dad!" Randy said, half yelling. "I'd be dead before I let some strange girl take over my show! Call Mr. Binford or you'll end up on the streets again!"

"Do you think it's easy?" Tom asked loudly.

"Knowing Tommy, it would be easy!" Randy said. He got up to leave. He stopped at the doorway when he turned around sand said, "Do whatever you want, dad. But I don't want to end up telling people I have a Tool Salesman for a dad!"

Tim took Randy's advice and called John Binford. It worked better than he thought. Binford dragged his model with him to Detroit and kicked Maureen out for changing Tool Time without the approval of Tim or her dad. Of course, it was all because of Randy Tim got his job back! That was when Randy got closer to Tim, no matter how far apart they already were.

Randy left the house after his last goodbye.