Tommy sat there frozen for a second. Then he just stared at her. Is she pulling my leg? Tommy didn't say anything. He just closed the car door and proceeded to crank up. Before he could pull off, Cassidy shouted at him. "DR. OLIVER! I AM NOT KIDDING AROUND HERE! PLEASE TALK TO ME…I ONLY…" But that was all he heard, for he drove off he school grounds without looking back.
Tommy left the school grounds in a world of though. Was she…How could she know? There was no way she could know about his past as a ranger. After pondering this for a while, Tommy laughed it off. These young girls will do anything to get attention. Not that he was being arrogant. At 27 years old, he still looked pretty damn good. He still worked out twice a week in the gym; weight lifting and doing a bit of cardio work. He also kept his mind clear by steady practicing his martial arts, searching for new techniques to maybe teach others someday. He still had that same handsome, baby face that he had in high school and when he smiled, the ladies went-still do-go nuts over his dimples. The only major change about his looks was the shorter hair. He got rid of the long hair to make himself look more adult. Also, it didn't look very professional to have such long hair in the teaching profession and he was way past the long hair days.
Minutes later, Tommy's jeep skidded to a halt in front of his uncle Frank's house. His uncle must have done some serious renovating. The house looked nothing like it used to. Oh well, everything can't stay the same he thought to himself. Tommy got out of his jeep and was immediately greeted by his uncle, who was now standing on the front porch.
"HEY TOMMY! HOW'S IT GOIN'?" he asked as Tommy walked up.
"Oh, well, good I guess. Not much has changed I see…well, except for your house." His uncle laughed.
"Well, yeah, and the fact that we haven't any people trying to take over the city, or the world rather, anymore." There's always somebody who wants to rule the world, he thought. That, he learned years ago. "Take a seat Tommy." They were now inside the house sitting in chairs next to the kitchen. Tommy looked around the room. He never knew that his uncle was much of a decorator. There were beautiful paintings all around the small living room. The paintings were all classic ones such as a replica Mona Lisa and a famous painting by Picasso. The paintings seemed to blend in very well with the crème colored carpet, along with the many photographs of other family members. "Tell me uncle Frank, when did you become so big on decorating? You also added onto the house and I know that you've always been too lazy and damn proud to do anything like this." His uncle chuckled.
"Tommy, I'm glad you asked. I want you to meet somebody." Oh no, not another surprise. He didn't really have any surprises today, but what Cassidy said to him earlier was still nagging at his brain and he didn't feel like going through anymore shocks. A second later, a tall, slender, woman entered the room. She had long, blonde hair and light brown eyes. She was wearing overalls that had paint all over them. "Tommy, meet my new girlfriend Karone."
"Hi Tommy, it's nice to meet you. Sorry, I would hug you but I've been painting."
"Oh that's okay." Tommy studied her for a moment. She seemed nice enough and look pretty good. He was sure that she wasn't too much older than he. His uncle was now close to his 50's in age but age is but a number these days.
"Well honey, I am going to get back to painting the room." She walked up to Tommy and shook his hand. "It was nice meeting you Tommy. Please drop by again sometime. Your uncle has been raving about you all summer long." Then she strolled out of the room, Frank looking at her walk away in awe.
"Ahem."
"Oh, sorry Tommy. Yeah, that's my new girlfriend and I love her so much. She's the first woman I've been with since…"
"Yeah, I know. Let's not go there today alright. I've already had one hell of a day."
"Oh?" his uncle asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, just…you know how high schoolers are."
"Yeah, do I know. Tommy listen, there's something you ought to know."
"Yeah, and what's that?"
"Well, I know you said that you didn't want anyone to know you were in town and…"
"Frank…"
"Now hold on a sec. I haven't told anyone that you were in town, but you aren't the only one "visiting" for the next few months. In fact, I hear a couple of your friends are moving back to this city any day now."
"Well, that doesn't really concern me, now does it?"
"Well, I thought it might…"
"Well, you thought wrong. Listen Frank, I need to be off. I have to finish unpacking a couple more things and then I have to make lesson plans for the class tomorrow."
"Okay then. But don't you want to know…"
"No, Frank, not really." Tommy grabbed his keys and walked out the door. Frank was still talking to him, but he was in no mood.
"Tommy…Tommy…TOMMY!" Tommy slammed the door of his jeep shut just as his uncle shouted a name. He couldn't hear what was said though and it was quite alright with him.
