Daphne shut off the engine and turned to Niles.
"Wh-why are we stopped? I wanted to hear that song again!" He cried, staring at the radio.
"I'll put it back in again when we leave, okay?" Daphne said in the same soothing voice that she used on her son.
"Promise?" Niles whimpered.
"I promise. Now come on and let's go get David."
Niles jumped out of the car and hurried up the sidewalk past his wife. When he got to the door he rang the doorbell repeatedly until it was opened.
"DAD!"
His father appeared in the doorway.
"What in the hell? Niles? What do you think you're doing? I'm trying to watch the game!"
Niles grinned sheepishly and hugged his father fiercely. "I'm sorry, Dad! I'm just so happy to see you!"
"Hey, let go of me!" Martin said pushing Niles away. "What's gotten into you? Are you drunk or something?"
"Yes, Dad. I'm drunk, all right. I'm drunk on life!" Niles yelled. "In fact, I'm so happy right now that I can't stand myself!"
"Yeah, well that makes two of us because I can't stand you either and it's not because I'm happy!" Martin retorted.
"Martin, are you completely oblivious to the fact that your son is acting unusually strange?" Daphne asked as she smoothed Niles hair. "I'm starting to worry."
But Martin shrugged her off. "He'll be fine. He probably had too much wine. But why anyone would drink that stuff at this hour is beyond me. I guess I'll never understand my sons. I just hope David doesn't follow the same path."
Annoyed with her father in law, Daphne opened her mouth to make a sarcastic comment.
Niles raised his head; his face lighting up like a Christmas tree.
"Did you say wine?"
"Yeah, I said it, but that doesn't mean that I'm letting you have any!" Martin snapped.
A muffled cheer could be heard from the living room and Martin ran toward the television.
"Damn!"
"What's wrong, Dad?"
"Now look what you've done, Niles! You made me miss the greatest touchdown ever!"
"The Mariners are playing?" Niles asked. "I didn't know it was basketball season already!"
Martin shook his head in disbelief.
"You know how your father loves his sports." Daphne said, guiding Niles to the sofa. "Now why don't you sit here and watch it together while I go get David?"
Dutifully Niles sat down, smiling when his father settled himself into his beloved chair and pushed it open.
"Okay, Niles. I'll watch the game with you but just sit there and shut up, okay? And no stupid comments or questions about what they're doing. This isn't one of your damn sessions!" Martin warned.
"Sure, Dad."
Martin cheered and yelled at the television, ignoring his son's confused look.
