The boys were sitting on the living room floor, watching TV.
"I still think I'm a better Take It From Me host than her." Simon rolled his eyes.
"Alvin, that job made you impossible to live with. And it's not called Take It From Me anymore, it's called the Oprah Winfrey Show. It's been called that for two years!"
"Well, they probably had to rename it because it's popularity fell after I resigned." Theodore looked at Alvin.
"But they renamed it a year after you resigned." Alvin shut up and grumbled to himself. Just then Dave burst through the door, yelling at the top of his voice.
"Boys, boys, I'm back! Please be alright! Oh please be alright!" Dave ran up the stairs in the direction of the boys bedroom, only to scream and run back down the stairs covered in one of the "ghost" traps. Simon and Alvin both ran towards Dave, whilst Theodore ran into the kitchen and jumped into one of the draws. Simon grabbed the sheet that was trailing behind Dave and pulled until it came off. Dave turned and sighed, collapsing onto his chair.
"Thanks guys." Once Theodore had been lured out of the cupboard, they finished watching the last half an hour of the TV show, then prepared and ate a spaghetti bolognese for dinner. After that, at about 8:30, Alvin asked Dave how his trip to the store went .
"I had a horrible time at the store. Mayfair was in the store, calling me a nut case because I left you guys alone in the blackout. I hate that guy." Alvin looked worried instantly.
"He's not got anything he can use in court has he?" Dave smiled.
"Well, he said that he believed that I was mentally incapable, but what's he going to do?" At that moment, the doorbell rang.
Dave answered the door, and standing there was a man dressed in a grey suit and that.
"Mr Seville?" He spoke in a pseudo-middle class voice, with a hint of poshness.
"Yes, that's me. Who are you?" The man took of his hat.
"Mr Seville, my name is Barnsley, James Barnsley. I work with the Public Court program. It has been brought to the attention of the court that you may be suffering from some form of mental affliction. Now, with all respect, it wouldn't be right for a judge from Public Court, a dignified program, to give custody of children to a man with possible mental problems. So, I'm afraid the court has insisted that you seek immediate psychiatric help." Dave was obviously appalled by this.
"Listen, there is nothing wrong with me, if that little twit Rodger Mayfair is spreading his poisonous rumours about me, then he can-"
"I'm sorry Mr Seville, but if you do not agree to this then the court will assume that you are running from problems you do have. The psychiatrist will not be trying to fix your problem, but to see if you have a problem. If you see the psychiatrist before the court reconvenes the Monday after next, and he identifies you as having no mental problem then you're in the clear. It is your only choice. The appointment is on Monday 28th at 2 o'clock at the Psychiatry Institute five blocks away. Please Mr Seville, it's for the best." With that, he put his hat back on, bid them goodnight, and walked away.
Dave's hand shook as he looked at the appointment card that James Barnsley had put in it. It was for an odd sounding psychiatrist, Dr Otto Something-Or-Other. Dave finally managed to close the door, and started to make his shakey way back to the boys. However, half way through he collapsed in the hallway.
"Argh!" He groaned as he hit the wooden floor. Alvin, Simon and Theodore looked up immediately.
"Dave!" They cried. The Chipmunks were at his side in a flash, Alvin grabbing onto Dave's right arm, Simon his left. Whilst they pulled his torso up by his arms, Theodore pushed Dave's legs up until he was in a shakey standing position. They then began to slowly walk into the living room.
"Come on Dave, that's it," said Alvin, "into the armchair, we've got you." Dave finally sat down in in his armchair, but was still completely shell shocked by the fact the court actually believed Mayfair's fanciful leg pulling. Theodore waved his hand across Dave's eyes, and when he didn't react he pulled his hand away.
"I'll go and um, make you some tea." Theodore ran into the kitchen to make Dave some tea, and it was then that Dave spoke.
"I'm doomed." Said Dave. Simon looked at Dave, confused.
"What do you mean Dave, how are you doomed." Dave put his head in his palms and sighed.
"Rodger Mayfair has convinced the court that I might have a mental problem." Alvin and Simon were shocked.
"The court has told me to see a psychiatrist, and if he decides I have a problem, it's very unlikely that I'll win custody." Alvin was horrified. How could they do this to Dave? He was a great dad! Theodore ran back in, just balancing a tea tray, and when he got close to Dave, he took it off of Theodore and placed it in his lap.
"Thanks Theodore." Just then the telephone upstairs rang. Alvin was up like a shot.
"That's Brittany, she said she'd call! I'll get it!" Alvin dashed upstairs. Simon couldn't help but smirk to himself, he'd never admit it, but Alvin was a little love sick puppy when it involved Brittany.
"Dave, why don't you sit here, drink your tea, watch some television, and I'll explain to Theodore what's happened." Dave smiled gratefully at Simon.
"Than Simon."
Dave turned off the television and looked at the small clock on the mantle. He gasped. Nine o'clock! He must've fallen asleep. The boys should be in bed. He ran upstairs to find the boys in bed. A note on Theodore's bed side table read
"Dear Dave, we went to bed early. Night night." Dave smiled, his boys were the best. He walked into his room, and got into his water bed that Alvin got him, he'd sent all the other stuff he bought him back, but the bed did wonders for his back, so he kept using it.
About ten minutes later, Dave's bedside telephone began to ring, so he quickly picked it up, as to not wake the Chipmunks. He put the phone to his ear.
"Hello." He was greeted by the booming voice of Miss Miller.
"Hello David, it's Beatrice. I heard about the psychiatrist David, I'm so sorry." Dave sat up in bed, confused.
"How do you know about that Miss Miller?"
"Well, Alvin was talking to Brittany on the telephone, so I listened in on one of my other telephones."
"Why did you listen in on their conversation."
"You know why, David, Alvin's a boy, Brittany's a girl, they're the same age, they seem to like each other." Dave was again confused.
"Miss Miller, aren't they a bit young for that?" Miss Miller's voice changed to a very accusing and annoyed tone.
"What are you implying, David? If my daughter is organising her first date via telephone then I want to hear it. It's important for a mother. Anyway, since you must be stressed about this, I was thinking me and the girls could come over early and help you out." Dave was flattered, but didn't want to impose.
"Oh no, Miss Miller, I couldn't ask you to do that. You and the Chipettes are guests at this barbecue, I couldn't make you do that. It's not fair." Miss Miller's face suddenly fell.
"David, I am being forced to take one of your children away from you, and I feel terrible for it, it's the very least I can do." Dave sighed to himself.
"Well, if you insist, it would be a great help. Thanks Miss Miller. What time will you and the girls be over?" Miss Miller thought for a minute.
"How does about ten o'clock in the morning sound?" Dave smiled to himself.
"Sounds great Miss Miller. Bye bye."
"Goodbye David." Miss Miller put down the telephone. Dave lied down fully in bed, closed his eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
Dave woke up in the morning, and looked to his left, his eyes falling on his alarm clock. It read eight thirty. Time to get up. Dave put on his dressing gown and walked sluggishly down the hallway to the Chipmunks room. He opened the door, about to call their names, only to discover that the room was deserted. Dave called out
"Simon? Theodore? Alvin?" To which the reply was
"We're down here Dave." Dave came down the stairs, and walked into the dining room. There, sitting in a row, were Alvin, Simon and Theodore. Dave was shocked by what he saw. Their hair was stuck up in all directions, they had bags under their eyes, their faces red from tears. They looked so, broken. It was awful. Dave was flabbergasted.
"Fellas, what's happened?" Alvin replied in a quite monotone voice.
"In just over twenty four hours, we'll be separated from each other, only to see each other on Sundays. Under such conditions, we're not exactly the happiest Chipmunks in the world." Dave sighed to himself, then reached down and pulled the boys into a big embrace.
"Don't worry fellas, we'll pull through this." The boys clung hard onto Dave, for Simon and Theodore this was their last day with Dave as well as with each other. Dave finally put them back on the floor.
"Right fellas, let's get this barbecue party ready to go."
The morning flew by like lightning. Dave and Theodore began to prepare the food to be barbecued, whilst Simon helped Alvin prepare the barbecue for use. At around ten o'clock, Miss Miller and the Chipettes turned up. The boys and Dave were sitting at the table eating a breakfast of buttery toast, when the doorbell rang and Miss Miller's booming voice could be heard through the door and hallway.
"David! We're here! Come open the door!" Dave smiled despite himself and walked through the dining room to the front door. Once he opened it, Miss Miller immediately burst into the house, her presence filling the room. "Hello boys, hope you're doing well." Immediately following Miss Miller was Brittany. She was in her usually attire, except with the addition of a large pink hat.
"Don't worry, I'm here, the party can start now." She followed Miss Miller and Dave into the back yard. She was briskly followed by Alvin. Next came Eleanor, who walked up to Theodore and pulled him into an embrace.
"How are you felling today Theodore? I hope you're not too sad." Theodore smiled slightly.
"I've been better. Let's get the food ready!" She nodded in agreement and they both headed towards the kitchen. The last to come in was Jeanette. She smiled slightly at Simon, which he replicated.
"Hi Jeanette, you look nice today." He said in a slightly nervous voice.
"You don't look so bad yourself, Simon." His smile grew.
"Do you want to help me finish setting up the barbecue, I think Alvin's a little bit busy." Jeanette's smile grew.
"Okay."
Dave, Miss Miller, the Chipmunks and Chipettes finally got the barbecue ready for use in the nick of time. At three o'clock, the doorbell rang, the first guests had arrived. Dave walked to the door and opened it to reveal Mrs Waterford, Angela Waterford and Tommy Waterford. Dave smiled and moved from the doorway.
"Welcome Mrs Waterford, Angela, Tommy, please come in. It's great to see you." Mrs Waterford followed Dave into the back garden. Angela ran towards Brittany.
"Oh my gosh, I am such a big fan of yours! It's such a pleasure to meet you!" Brittany smiled her way, and looked like she was about to respond when she turned to Alvin.
"Alvin, it's great to see you again. I still can't thank you enough for saving Tommy." Tommy walked up to Alvin.
"Speaking of which, I'll let you two catch up." Brittany seemed to like Angela, so she beckoned her over and they walked into the back yard.
"So, you're our age, how have I not seen you at school?"
"Oh, we go to a school in the middle of the city." Tommy walked up to Alvin.
"Hi Alvin, how are you doing?" Alvin smiled, he hadn't seen Tommy in seven years, but he seemed to have turned into a nice lad.
"I'm not to good at the minute Tommy." His smile fell slightly.
"I heard, but don't worry, my Mom is gonna help." Alvin smiled.
"Let's go check out the food shall we?" Tommy smiled and nodded. In the yard, Dave was putting the frankfurters and burgers on the barbecue. When he saw Alvin and Tommy join them outside, he smiled.
"Right guys, the food should be all done in about an hour, by which time the few remaining guests should arrive." Dave was right, first came Sy, their record producer, then their friends from the Eternal Youth Spa, and finally their grandparents.
Everyone gathered around in the garden, the hot dogs and burgers were all in rows on a table next to the barbecue with a large bottle of Pepsi Cola. Dave poured some into a red party cup and lifted it up.
"I would like to thank all of you for coming to support us. This has been a hard time for us all. Our family bond has never been testing as much as it has these past few weeks. And through it all, you, our friends and family, have stood by us, in the past and now. I have been so terrified about losing my boys, and I couldn't have done it without you. But above everyone else, it is the boys who have suffered the most. They have had to witness their parents shouting and being horrible to each other. They have had to face the fear of losing one of their parents and each other. They will be forced to live apart from one another. And through everything life throes at them, they just keep calm and carry on. So, I'd like to propose a toast to my boys, my sons, my crowning achievements. May they always be the single reason I wake up in the morning and know my life has meaning. To Alvin, Simon and Theodore!" Everyone raised their red cups, now filled with Pepsi Cola.
"To Alvin, Simon and Theodore!" Everyone drank from their cups, then then broke into a roaring applause.