Chapter 4 Tiffany

They walked into the large dining area and Susan immediately approached them. "I heard you were back," she said.

Phineas shook his head, "you look great," he told her.

"Thanks," she said smiling shyly, "hi Jeffrey."

"Hi," Jeff paused, "listen, do you know who those kids were that I saw earlier on the beach?" he asked as he glanced around.

"Well, I know one of them," Susan answered, motioning a middle aged woman over to them. "Elaine, I'd like you to meet two good friends of mine, Phineas Bogg and Jeffrey Jones." Susan said, introducing them.

"Nice to meet you," they said and shook hands all around.

"And this is my daughter Tiffany," Elaine said as she ushered a young teenage girl into the circle.

"Phineas Bogg, nice to meet you," Phineas said shaking her extended hand.

Tiffany stared at him before murmuring, "nice to meet you," then she extended her hand to Jeffrey.

When Jeff didn't move, Phineas glanced down at him. He was staring at the girl like a deer caught in headlights, his mouth open. He nudged Jeff's shoulder and Jeff put out his hand and shook hers.

"I'm Jeffrey," he managed to croak out. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. His stomach was doing flip-flops.

Suddenly Jeff realized they were seated and a meal was being served. Tiffany sat across from him. How in the world can I eat? He thought to himself.

Phineas sighed. His heart went out to Jeffrey, but he didn't really feel too surprised. It had to happen eventually, and on some level he was glad it had. He knew a lot more about dealing with girls than with grief. Yet, in a strange way he also felt a sense of loss.

"Phineas? Is that you?" he heard a familiar voice behind him and stood up. Jeff took his eyes off Tiffany long enough to watch him leave the table and hug the man warmly.

"Thomas, listen, there's someone I want you to meet," Phineas said excitedly, "come here Jeff."

Jeff stood up and approached them.

"So this is the kid, eh?" Thomas said, "you know we don't believe it, don't ya?"

"Don't believe what?" Bogg asked confused.

"Now don't try to tell me he's your partner, Phin, it's a great rumor, but I don't buy it."

Phineas paused and smiled, "I had trouble believing it myself at first Tom, but it's true. This is Jeffrey, Jeff, this is Thomas Paine. He's a good friend of mine. And Tom, Jeff really is my partner." He paused to let this sink in.

"But he can't be."

Bogg nodded, "he is."

Thomas stared at Jeffrey, extended his hand and they shook. As he let go, he spoke again, "Well, I don't know what you were, but you don't really expect me to believe that you're going to keep him as a partner when you leave here. He's a shrimp, look at the size of him, he can't be more than 12 years old."

Phineas' expression suddenly became more serious. "Listen Tom, he's my partner and I don't like you talking about him like that. He deserves the same respect you give me, or any of us. He's risked his life to save mine more than once, so if you've got a problem with it, get over it."

Tom's jaw dropped open. He stared at Phineas a minute more, then turned to Jeffrey, "sorry Jeff." He looked at Phineas again, "okay, I guess I can deal with it if you can," he finished and shook his head.

Jeff smiled to himself. It felt good to hear Bogg tell people that they were real partners. It was true without him saying it, but there was something about him telling others that made it seem different.

"How in the world does something like that happen?" Tom asked seriously.

Phineas and Jeff exchanged looks and shrugged.

"Well, a lot's happened, that's for sure," Jeff answered, then went back to staring at Tiffany, whom he noticed was staring at Bogg.

As he sat down, Jeff glanced back and forth from Bogg to Tiffany just to be sure. Tom had pulled up a chair and was talking to Bogg, Susan and Elaine, but Tiffany was definitely gaping at Bogg.

"Figures," Jeff whispered to himself as he began to push the food around on his plate with a fork.