Chapter 14
"Since you're going to be home all day today, think you can pick our tribe up from school this afternoon too?" Briana asked the next morning. "I have a dentist appointment."
Brian nodded. "Sure."
She gave him a look. "No personal gas lighting and no side trips to McDonald's before dinner."
"Oh gee, I didn't know there were going to be rules."
"I mean it, Brian. After school snacks when they get home are fine, but Happy Meals before dinner just don't cut it. Just because you can gorge ten meals a day doesn't mean they can."
"Not even ice cream."
"After dinner if they behave at school."
"Fine. Jesus, you're a killjoy. Oh well, I need to go to the gym anyway. I'm getting a gut from hanging around Paul's lazy ass too long."
"He's starting to spread out a little himself. Someone needs to lay off the burritos."
"And the beer," Brian nodded. "I'll drag his ass with me. He needs to get out and get the stink blown off of him anyway."
"You know, you aren't really that big. The little extra is kind of cute and you could use it."
Brian scoffed. "Tell the bosses that, sweetheart. But thanks for the reassurance."
"Well, you could stand to be a little 'fluffy', like you tell me all the time," Briana laughed.
"Anyway, I need to put some clothes on if I'm taking the little darlings to school. I don't want to traumatize their classmates."
"They should be ready," Briana nodded, "let me go check on them."
As she checked on the kids and rushed them downstairs, Brian hurriedly dressed and followed suit a few minutes later, ushering the three of them out to the car and heading toward school. It was a long day ahead and things needed to be done.
"Behave yourselves," he warned them when they got out. "Mom and I better not get any notes or phone calls from any of the nuns today."
That afternoon:
"Great," Brian groaned when he and Paul had gotten back from the gym. "I have a slow leak in one of these tires and haven't had time to get the spare fixed. Bree's at the dentist and I have to get the kids from school later. Guess I'm going to have to go to one of those one-hour garages for a quick fix, at least for now."
"Or you could borrow mine to go get the kids," Paul offered, tossing him the keys. "I can take your tires and get them fixed while you're gone this weekend."
Brian smiled gratefully. "Thanks, man. I appreciate that. You may have gotten me out of a jam. None of those half-assed places, though."
"And one hour garages are any better?" Paul raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, I was going to go to my regular guy. He's pretty reasonable."
"In that case, it works for me. Come on, I need some water. I have an hour to get the cobwebs out of my brain before I have to pick up the kids."
"Got any beer?"
"Dude, no offense, but you're expanding a little there. If you're going into acting, you might want to watch that."
"This coming from the guy with a bubble butt."
"I will have you know both girls and guys dig that ass, so fuck you," Brian retorted, tossing Paul a bottle of water
He then held up a bag of Doritos. "I guess indulging one last time won't hurt, though."
"Now you're talking," Paul grinned as they plopped on the sofa and Brian flipped on the TV.
They munched on Doritos and aimlessly went through channels, stopping to watch programs here and there. Paul soon let out a loud belch, earning a dirty look from his longtime best friend.
"Fucking pig. And you wonder why you're still single," Brian shook his head.
"Look who's talking," Paul said. "I'm not the one who was teaching my kids how to light farts."
"Who the hell…." Brian began, and then stopped. "Have you been talking to Bree?"
"She filled me in. Damn, I wish I had a pops like you." Paul began to laugh.
"Yeah, I have to admit it was fun," Brian chuckled. "As you know, Mama wasn't as amused, though."
"If it involves fire, they usually aren't," Paul agreed.
Time had gone by with their goofing off before the phone rang. Brian grabbed it on the second ring, finding Brady on the other end.
"Daddy! Did you forget about us or what?" he asked.
"Oh, Jesus. I'm sorry, buddy; I must have lost track of time. You guys stay right where you are. I'll be down in a few minutes in Paul's car."
Brian hung up. "Holy shit. I didn't realize what time it was. I should be back in about half an hour."
Paul nodded. "No problem. I'll let Bree know about the tires and that you have my ride if she gets back before you do."
Later:
When Briana came home, she had expected to find Brian and the kids; instead, Paul had been there, parked on the couch.
"Where is everyone?" she asked after Paul had told her about Brian having his car.
"Your guess is as good as mine," he answered. "He said he would be back in half an hour and that was an hour and a half ago. I tried his cell, but all I got was the voice mail. Called the school and they said he'd already picked up the kids."
Briana gave an annoyed sigh. "He had better not made any side stops or I will rip him a new one when he gets back here. I specifically told him this morning not to take the kids anywhere before dinner."
"Yeah, and we know how well Brian listens."
Just then, the phone rang. "Let me get this," she said. "Someone is about to get hell if it's who I think it is."
Briana spent a few minutes on the phone, soon growing quiet before hanging up. She then turned back to Paul.
"We need to go to the hospital," she finally said. "There's been an accident."