Something had finally ended the bedroom fight. Most likely knowing that they could change things up again when Claire moved out and Annalyse took the basement room. Of course there had been fifty fights since the room argument. Everything from which group had what kitchen chore that night, to the remote, to who had eaten most of the brownies nobody was supposed to touch. It was always something
"Well I didn't have to pull anybody off of anyone else or remind anybody that you still got charged as an adult if you committed homicide before eighteen. So I would say it's a good day." Tony sighed as he collapsed onto the bed.
"I only heard two vows of vengeance. That's always a good sign." Maggie agreed.
"When is it supposed to get better again?" Tony asked.
"In time" Maggie replied with a groan.
Tony had taken a summer job coaching a youth sports league. It was mainly for children who either could not afford summer programs or children whose parents worked but could not afford summer child care. The slots were filled but he could still bring his children. If he covered their costs. Claire had her job, Annalyse had landed a babysitting gig. She would be watching four children ranging from four to seven months. So the mom could run brief errands and get her tasks done in peace. Austin could still attend the daycare at Maggie's work. That meant Tony only needed to bring the older boys and Tali. Maybe Annalyse on days she did not need to babysit and could not find friends to keep her busy.
"Everybody ready?" Tony asked.
"Do you think the community center has an art program?" Jake asked.
"They do and you are already signed up." Tony replied.
"Are any sports open?" Jack asked.
"Basketball was full by the time I got the job offer but I got you into softball." Tony explained.
"Softball? But that's for girls and out of shape church people." Jack groaned.
"Sports fill up fast. It was either boys softball or golfing with our elders." Tony explained.
"Softballs may be fun." Jack replied.
"What did you sign me up for?" Tali asked.
"About that I got the boys registered back in March. When I first took the position but back then you were still eligible to attend the daycare at Maggie's work. They only changed the policy last week and by then most things were already filled. They gave me a list of activities that still have space and I will sign you up for whichever you like." Tony explained.
"Typical. What if I don't like any of the activities?" Tali asked.
"Then I guess you could help Annalyse babysit." Tony explained.
"So it's either activities nobody wants to do or be a slave to my babysitter older sister?" Tali asked.
"I wouldn't say your future is that bleak." Tony offered.
Tony had dropped Annalyse off at her babysitting job on the way to his new job. Annalyse had already baby sat the two year old twins over winter break and their four year old brother the summer before. While the twins were at swimming lessons, but this would be the first time watching the new baby. She had already talked with the mom and went over the basics of the baby's care. Even though the mom would be in the office down the hall and most likely taking the baby on errands. Until Annalyse had the hang of the job. Now Annalyse was in the den/playroom with the children. The oldest was four year old Chase, the twins were Shawn and Spencer, and the baby was seven month old Claudia Fay.
"How do you like having a sister?" Annalyse asked Chase.
"It's OK" Chase replied.
"I have two sisters." Annalyse commented.
"I would hate that." Chase laughed.
"Annalyse? I have to go get ink for the printer. I am taking Claudia Fay with me. Can you handle the others on your own or should I take Shawn and Spence as well?" Mrs. Martin asked.
"I can handle them." Annalyse assured.
Jake took the front seat of his art class. He heard the teacher was tough but he did not care. He loved art and supposedly the middle school art teacher was worse. He just wanted to make a good first impression. Then maybe he could actually make money in the art world as an adult.
"I hear her name is Bertha." One boy whispered.
"That's an old lady name. I bet she's old." Another boy replied.
"Like suuuper old! Probably too old to teach." Jake agreed.
"Well I have been called an old soul but I am still young enough to teach." Bertha announced ending the room.
"Wow" Jake gasped.
"Anything else you would like to add?" Bertha asked.
"Can I give you my phone number?" Jake asked.
"Oh wonderful! A volunteer to start up the class phone tree!" Bertha cried.
Jack groaned as listened to the coach drone on and on about softball. He could not figure out what was so fascinating about softball. To Jack it was the most boring sport in the world. At this point he would rather take art with Jack, under the instruction of frumpy old Bertha.
"Hey it's DiNerdzo!" A familiar voice called.
"Shit" Jack sighed, softball was bad enough but now his bully was on the same team.
Tali sat alone in the lobby and surveyed the list. Just as she feared her options were miserable. She was to the point where she would rather be Annalyse's slave. The elevator slid open and a group of kids flowed out.
"Are you getting on the bus?" A muscular woman who wore a plaid shirt and pair of ancient jeans.
"I am trying to pick a group but there's only three open. Well four if you count basket weaving for the blind." Tali explained holding out the list.
"Let's see Golfing with our elders, Fun Mathematics for Organized Vegans Lame. Ah here we are Fun and Farming." The woman explained.
"Farming?" Tali asked.
"Hey it's not glamorous but it's either us, golfing with old people who are always yelling about politics or listening to the Fun Math Vegan teacher talk about the time she dated a Robert Wagner look alike in college. Unless you can fake being blind." The woman explained.
"Farming sounds good but I'd have to call my dad." Tali replied.
"Know his number?" The woman asked withdrawing her cellphone.
"By heart since I can't have a phone until middle school." Tali replied.
Farming was not Tali's first choice or her second in fact it probably didn't even make the top twenty but it was better than being bossed around by Annalyse or any of her other recreation options. Though she did secretly hope Tony would disapprove and she could find a way to sit around watching TV all summer. Tony approved and before Tali knew it. She was on a bus to a farm over an hour away and there was no turning back..
A/N: It's going to be an interesting summer for sure. New chapter will be up soon. Thanks for reading and please review.