I beg your eternal forgiveness for being away so long…it was torture being away from a computer but I can assure you that I was an absolute demon with a pen on the flights to and from Las Vegas…OK…I won't prolong this so here we go…
Chapter 21
After they all were showered and all traces of paint were gone (except of course in Temperance's case, who sat there grinning while she waited) they tried to decide what to do next. They had agreed that the entire day would be a kind of 'bonding retreat.'
The 'Four Conspirators' (as Jack called them) had already tried to plan ahead but were unable to think of something worth attempting.
As the five debated their next move, Vivian had wandered over to the community bulletin board just outside the complex. A bright red flier had caught her eye from across the grass. She could feel the smile spreading across her face as she read it.
"Hey, Zach! What day is it?"
"Umm…the 30th…why?"
She turned to the group and Seeley was immediately unnerved by her smile.
"Vivian…what are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking…there's a new bar opening in D.C."
"You're too young to drink."
Her grin widened and she turned the flier towards them.
"Not that kind of bar."
The others scanned it quickly and reacted even faster. Jack and Angela both lit up with excitement, Zach and Temperance both looked interested. And Seeley…
"A KARAOKE BAR?!?!?!"
After almost half an hour of debating and another fifteen minutes of persuading they were all driving through downtown D.C. Angela was driving with Temperance and Zach was with Jack, leaving the siblings alone.
"I am not singing, Vivian. Do you hear me? No singing. Absolutely not."
"Why not? You're a good singer!"
"That's beside the point! I'm not gonna go up there, in front of the squints and sing!"
"Come on! If I sing, will you?"
"You're gonna get up there and sing? In front of people? I've never even heard you sing!"
"Exactly, so, no worries, OK?"
He glanced at her as they pulled up to the bar and he saw the innocent smile on her face.
"You're planning something."
"What? No! Why would you think that?"
"Because you're always planning something."
"Seeley…just…trust me, OK? And know that I love you and I'm doing this for your own good."
She hurried out of the car and jogged up the waiting group.
Seeley glanced up.
"Heaven help me…please?"
A/N: MISS ME!?!?!?!?!