Chapter 6
The Talk
Disclaimer: I do not own TJ Hooker, its characters, or the places mentioned. I only own the names made up. Growing Pains, the show, has nothing to do with TJ Hooker.
A/N: Sort of AU. This is going to be a series.
Once Stacy and her dad got home, Stacy took her books to her room, like her dad had told her to. It was the weekend, and she had all weekend to study and do her homework. She returned to the living room, to find her father sitting on the couch.
Her dad patted the cushion beside him. "Here, Stacy. Why don't you sit here, and we can really talk."
Stacy sat down beside him, making certain to turn and face him.
"Now, Stace, what's going on? Why are you going out and disobeying the rules?"
Stacy was silent for a moment. "Dad, I'm bored. I want to hang out with my friends. I don't want to be home alone, with no one to talk to. When I come home, you're not here. When I go to bed, you're not here. Most mornings, when I wake up, you're not here. I just want my…" At this, Stacy broke down into tears again.
Gathering Stacy into his arms, "Is this why when Hooker asked you what you wanted, you said you wanted your mom?"
Stacy nodded. "I know she can't come back, daddy. I just want you home either when I get home or before I go to bed. If not then before I go to school, daddy. I miss mommy. She used to tuck me into bed at night."
Hugging her even tighter, "Oh, Stace, I know. I miss your mom, too. More than you know. So, because of this you run out to be with them kids? Stace do you know what them older kids are doing or what we suspect them of doing?"
She turned in her dad's arms, so that her back was against his chest. "No, daddy, I don't. I'm not a cop, so I wouldn't know what you and Uncle TJ suspect them of."
Her dad turned her back around and took her by the arms. "Stace, we suspect that they are involved in armed stick-ups, near where you and your friends gather. If they are caught, and you are near them, you could get arrested. There would be nothing I or Uncle TJ could do about it."
"Dad, we can't help it if they show up where we are. We don't even tell them where we will be, each week."
"Stace, have you considered the fact that one of the older kids might be a sibling of one of your friends?"
Stacy shakes her head. "No, dad, but…"
"What is it, Stace? What are you thinking? "
"I don't know. I mean, I'm not for certain. I thought I recognized one of the girls."
"Who did you think it was?"
"I'm not certain, but she looked like Gina, dad."
"Gina? You haven't seen her in four years."
"I know dad. That's why I'm not certain if it is her or not. I don't want to get her in trouble, again, dad."
"Stace, you won't get her in trouble. She'll get herself in trouble. I do not want her pulling you down with her. She maybe your sister, but it does not mean that you should get in trouble as well. Could this be the reason why you continue to go to the skating parties?"
Stacy shrugged. "I don't know, dad, maybe. Consciously, I don't do it on purpose. I like hanging with the kids that are my age. Do I want to hang with someone who maybe another family member? Maybe, I just don't know."
"Stace, I don't want you hanging with that crowd, anymore. You want to hang with your friends? We will work something out with their parents. I'm certain the parents don't want their children hanging out with these older kids either."
"Dad, don't you think I'm a little old for a playdate?"
"I didn't say a playdate, but maybe something organized where you and your friends can hang out in a safe environment."
Stacy turned away from her dad, not in defiance, instead to lean against him again. She enjoyed cuddling with her father. "What about family time, dad? Can we set time each week, to be together? Do something together. Talking, like we did today, was fun. Just going out to eat and talking about whatever was fun. I just want my dad. Not the cop that comes home."
Dennis hugged his daughter. "Yes, Stace. We will spend more time with each other."