Chapter 2: Closets and Couches

Chapter 2: Closets and Couches

Lizzy sat on her bed when there was three knocks on her door. Three knocks meant meet in the game closet. She counted to fifty and leapt off the bed. Peeking out of her room, she made sure the coast was clear. She walked casually towards the closet, noting her family's where-about. Casey was in her room studying; Marti was playing with her new doll, and judging by the noise coming from Derek's room he was occupied as well. Three knocks on the closet door and she was permitted entrance. Edwin was sitting in the corner.

"Family check?" whispered Edwin.

"Casey- studying. Marti-playing dolls. Derek- Dereking."

"Dad and Nora downstairs with Mom. Have a seat."

"What is this about?"

"Mom." Lizzy looked at Edwin in confusion.

"Well you know how she took us home from the game?" She nodded. "She started talking about being a family again. I thought it was just for Marti at first, but she was kept talking about doing thinks together like we used to before the divorce."

"But that would be kind of hard seeing as Mom and George are married."

"I know. So, I said that we'd have three new members of the family to have fun with. All she said was 'We'll see.'" Edwin looked down at the floor before continuing. "Mom never wanted the divorce. She said that she and Dad could work it out, but Dad never tried that hard. Finally, she realized that Dad wasn't going to give in and she said that if he wasn't going to be apart of the family any more, than neither was she. She ran off and Dad got full custody of us."

"But she's always been at your birthdays and stuff."

"Yeah, she started that as soon as Dad and Nora set a wedding date. I think she thought she was going to be replaced as a mother."

"So, what's the problem?"

"I think she wants Dad back." Lizzy stared at him.

"But she can't have him back! Mom loves him! I've never seen her so happy before George," exclaimed Lizzy. Edwin shushed her, pressing his ear up against the door. When he was satisfied that no one heard he went on.

"I know that and you know that, but she doesn't. And I don't think Dad realizes who he is dealing with."

"What did Derek say?" asked Lizzy, but Edwin shook his head.

"He wasn't paying any attention. He was still sulking about losing the game. I don't think he comprehended what Mom was saying." A loud commotion downstairs caused both of them to jump. There was some brief yelling and then a door slammed.

"Sounds like Mom finally lost it with her. I guess we won't have to worry about your Mom any more tonight," she gave a weak smile which he shrugged off.

"George I don't want to hear it! I don't want to hear any excuses or fake reasons! Just tell me how long this has been going on behind my back!" Startled, Lizzy and Edwin looked at each other and began to creep out of the closet. Neither heard George's reply. Casey came out of her room down the hall.

"Do you know what is going on?" she asked. Both shook their heads no.

"Never? Nothing is going on? Then explain to me what I just saw!" Nora's voice was loud and clear, but George was not yelling back. Casey rushed to the stairs, her siblings close behind. Nora was standing with her back to the stairs facing George in the kitchen. Abby must have been the one to slam the door.

"She pounced on me…I didn't…I mean," George was at a loss for words and was staring desperately at his wife. "Kids, go back upstairs," he said once he caught sight of them. Nora whirled around, her face red in anger.

"What happened?" asked the ever-so-brave Casey.

"Nothing we can't work out, so just go on-"

"Nothing we can't work out? Are you kidding me? George this isn't something to joke about!" Casey could tell her mother was furious about something, but she could not decide what. "Upstairs, NOW!" The three ran back upstairs. Nora's shouting must have penetrated Derek's music or upset Marti, because Derek was holding her as the other three climbed the stairs. Marti had tears in her eyes.

"What is going on down there?" asked Derek.

"I don't know. Mom is furious about something and Abby left," replied a puzzled Casey. Shouting could still be heard downstairs.

"Do you think Mom did something?" inquired Derek.

"Honestly I don't know- I've never seen Mom that mad before."

"Except when her and Dad were about to get divorced," whispered Lizzie. Casey put a comforting arm around her.

"But that's not going to happen, Liz. George loves Mom. They'll get over this." Another door slammed and all was silent downstairs.

"I vote Derek goes down and asks what is up," said Edwin. Lizzy nodded in agreement.

"Why me?" Derek shook his head. "No way. Casey should do it."

"Why is it up to us?"

"Because you are the oldest; their first born. They love you the most," replied Edwin confidently.

"Fine. I'll check on Mom and Derek can check on George." Casey finally agreed. "But someone needs to put Marti to sleep."

"Fine, me and Edwin will do that." Lizzie took a still sniffling Marti from Derek.

"Operation Nora and Dad- hands in!" shouted Edwin.

"Don't you mean George and Mom?"

"How about Mom and Dad?"

"Ok. Hands in!" Edwin put his hand out first; Lizzie and Casey were quick to follow. Marti reached up to add to the pile and with a regretful sigh, Derek joined them. "Break!"

When Derek and Casey came downstairs they saw George getting out blankets and pillows and putting them on the couch. Casey gave Derek a good luck pat and shoved him towards his father. She knew that if George was in the living room, Nora was in their room. Knocking first, she slowly opened the door. Nora was crying into her pillow on their bed.

"Mom?" Casey cautiously entered. Nora lifted her head and wiped her eyes before turning to her daughter.

"Hello, honey. Do you need something?" Casey could tell that her mother was trying to play it cool, but it wasn't working very well.

"Mom, what happened?" Nora sighed and patted the bed for Casey to sit down.

"I guess you are all worried, huh?" Casey nodded, urging her mother to go on. "I…I don't even know. I went to answer the phone and I come back to…"

"Mom…it can't be that bad." Nora shook her head.

"I don't want to turn you against him. He is so good to you and Lizzie."

"And he's great for you too."

"No…not like I thought," sighed Nora. Casey wiped a tear that had begun to roll down her mother's cheek. "I think he's been cheating on me. I caught him with Abby tonight."

Casey stared at her for a moment before wrapping her into a hug. This couldn't be happening- not George. George loved Nora! How could he do this to her?

"Hey Dad!" Derek jumped into his favorite recliner. What did those kids think he was going to say? Clearly this was something him and Nora were to work out. This wasn't the first time George had to sleep on the couch. However, his dad looked sadder than usual. "Women…they're a piece of work, huh?"

"It wasn't her, Derek. It was me." George took a seat on his 'bed'. "I mean, it wasn't even me! I didn't do anything…Nora came in at the wrong moment…"

"Dad, whatever it is, just blow it off," smirked Derek, grabbing the remote. "Nora will get over it. Just give it time."

"No she won't. She blew this whole thing out of proportion. Abby tried to kiss me and I held her off, but Nora thought…"

"You were cheating on her…" murmured Derek. Great. What was he supposed to say to that? "But you weren't right? Cheating on her, I mean."

"No! I would never do something like that! I love her!"

"Then tell her that."

"I did."

"Well, tell her again. Nora can't stay mad at you for long. Plus, she has to realize you never meant to hurt her." The two sat in silence for a moment before George looked at the clock.

"OH! Marti!"

"Dude- got you covered. Edwin and Liz are putting her to bed." About this time, Casey walked back upstairs, but not before giving both of them a look of disgust. "I guess I should be a good step-brother and go see what crawled up her-"

"Derek!"

"Yeah, yeah. Going. Hope the couch is comfortable. You'll be back in bed by tomorrow night."

Edwin and Lizzie had just gotten Marti to fall asleep and were back in the closet. They were discussing scenarios that could have caused their parents to be acting the way they were. They heard Casey stomp by and they poked their heads out just as Derek came up after her. Neither one seemed to notice their little siblings.

"This shouldn't take long to fix," said Derek coolly. He began to walk past Casey, but she put a hand to his chest.

"Shouldn't take long to fix? Are you kidding me?"

"Well, yeah. I mean Nora just needs to sleep it off-"

"George has been 'sleeping' it off pretty well. How long has he been going behind Mom's back?" Derek stared at her angry face.

"Never?"

"Ha! You Venturi's are all the same! I bet that's why you're the player you are. You learned from the best." Casey stormed to her room and slammed the door.

"You McDonald's overreact to everything!" Derek stalked off in the other direction to his room. Edwin and Lizzie stared at each other.

"This can't be good."