Doctor's appointment tomorrow so I'm updating today.
Enjoy and review!
NJPNJPNJP
Mercedes was so conflicted Friday morning. She was happy Marcy had her first date but she was also still a little out of it from yesterday. That doughnut messed her up. No more sugar for a while.
She tied her shoelaces and grabbed her stuff before going downstairs. She put her things in the living room then went to the kitchen. Marc was in the way of the fridge while Marcy was laying on the table. "What's going on?"
Both looked at her though only Marc spoke. "We have literally nothing in this house. There's OJ and water."
Marcy sat up. "I want juice."
You might ask why wouldn't she just drink orange juice. When Marcy was fourteen, she caught strep throat. The family didn't know it at the time and she kept complaining of her throat hurting. Rose made her drink orange juice to help but Marcy kept saying it burned.
Finally Rose called Michael and he came over to examine her. He said she had strep and the acid from the orange juice was aggravating the infection. Marcy hadn't been able to drink orange juice since.
"All I can tell you is to drink some water and pretend it's juice." Marc closed the fridge doors.
She stuck her bottom lip out. "Ugh! I'm sick of this! Why don't we just go to the store?!"
"Because we're ridiculously busy."
"I don't have to go to school."
"Yes, you do." Marcus walked in.
"But I already took my finals."
"Did you finish your paper?"
Marcy sulked. "No."
"Then you can't miss school." He would never let her anyway so Mercedes didn't know why he said that.
"What are we going to do for breakfast?" Mercedes asked.
Marcus went to his wallet and gave them all $50 again. "I have to go to a meeting. I can't be late. I'll see you all tonight. Hopefully."
They waved goodbye as he picked up his briefcase and walked out.
"Come on, munchkins." Dwight sighed.
"Bye, guys!" Stevie and Stacie waved goodbye to the foursome as they left with their parents.
"So Sonny told me you have a date." Marc picked up his suit jacket.
Marcy rolled her eyes. "So what?"
"Really think Mal's not going to have a heart-attack?"
"I don't care what he has." She stood up.
"You're doing this on purpose. Just trying to get him to keel over." He put the jacket on and buttoned it.
"It'll solve my problems." She picked up her stuff.
Mercedes pursed her lips. "You should want to date Kenneth because you like him, not because it'll make Mal crazy."
"Shut up. I like Kenneth. He gets me." She walked out and was followed. "He's so deep and sweet."
Marc rolled his eyes heavily. "Puh-lease!"
"Where's your girlfriend?!"
"I wish I would be tied down." He snorted.
"You should be ashamed of yourself." Mercedes fussed. "All you're doing is sleeping with bimbos."
"Banging the pathetic so you won't have to think about Laura with her husband." Marcy kissed her teeth.
"I don't think about Laura!" Marc shouted.
"Sure." She opened the front door.
"She's not on my mind!" He barked.
"Maybe if you say it enough times even you will believe it?" Mercedes said as she went for her stuff.
When she came back, Marc was gone. Marcy was waiting for her at the door. "He got huffy and split."
Mercedes rolled her eyes. "He needs to grow up."
"And admit that the love of his life chose someone else over him? Not likely."
Mercedes put her hand on Marcy's shoulder. "I don't think it's the same."
"I don't see a difference." She walked to her car, where Sam was waiting.
"Where are you going for breakfast?" Mercedes changed the subject.
"I'm going to the store for apple juice and a granola bar."
Mercedes grinned. "Too much sugar yesterday?"
"I almost did a backflip. I know that isn't good for the twins."
Mercedes laughed.
W.O
School was pretty okay. They had a party in every class and then they left like they didn't have to come back the next year.
The girls decided to come over to help Marcy with her date. It was her very first one that they knew about so they had to make it special.
Mercedes came home to find Laura and Quinn in Marcy's closet. "You guys are starting without us!"
"She needs something really cute." Laura said instead of replying to her accusation.
"Momma Rose bought her a bunch of cute stuff but they all still have tags on them." Quinn looked through boxes.
Marcy threw a box. "This is hopeless! I should just cancel!"
"Oh no, you're not!" Laura bossed. "You've waited ten years for this boy!"
"But I can't find anything."
The doorbell rang.
Mercedes waved a hand. "I'll get it." She went down the steps and opened the door. Santana, Brittany, Tina, Lauren, Kurt and Rachel were standing on the doorstep. "Hey. We're in her closet looking through stuff."
"What color is she wearing?" Brittany asked.
Mercedes shut the door behind them. "I have no idea."
They followed her upstairs. "Your house is crazy!"
"Thank you?" She led them into Marcy's room with the dark green door.
They eyeballed her room as they took off their jackets and put them on her bed. "Whoa!"
"Come on, guys." Mercedes waved them on. They went into the closet.
Laura held up a sweater shirt. "This is cute."
"It's also too hot." Mercedes said.
"What's the temperature for tonight?"
"It's supposed to be in the sixties." Quinn picked through bottoms.
"You'll bake." Laura threw the top.
"What color do you want to wear, Little Diva?" Kurt asked.
"I don't care. I just want to wear something comfortable." Marcy sighed heavily.
"This is your first date; you need to wear something alluring." Laura picked up a yellow shirt. "How about this?"
"It's night." Quinn wrinkled her nose.
Laura balled up the shirt and threw it. "Fine! You pick a top!"
Quinn stood up and went through the racks of hangers. "Are we trying to hide the twins?"
"Yes!" The girls yelled.
"Does he know you're pregnant?" Tina asked.
Marcy shook her head. "No."
"We should probably put you in black so he won't be able to tell."
"But she'll be too hot." Rachel brought up.
"That means we'll have to find her something sleeveless." Laura went through the clothes on the floor, trying to find a black top.
Mercedes suddenly realized Laura didn't know any of her friends. "Lady? This is Santana, Brittany, Tina, Lauren, Kurt and Rachel. Guys, this is our big sister, Laura."
They waved to her and she nodded. "Nice to meet you. Marcy, put this on." She handed her a top.
Marcy took off Mike's jersey and put the shirt on. It was sleeveless with skinny ties to make the straps. The sides had the same and cinched. On the front was a white outline of Japan. It showed cleavage but not that much.
"Now we have to find something that matches it." Mercedes searched through her bags and boxes for a pair of bottoms.
"Is she going to wear a skirt or a pair of pants?" Brittany brought up.
"She should wear a skirt." Laura frowned.
"She doesn't have many skirts." Quinn pointed out.
"I know. Everybody fan out and find a skirt. Any skirt."
They each looked through her stuff and tried to find a skirt. When they each had one, Laura looked them over.
"Too short. We're not trying to give him a show. Too thick. She'll roast. This doesn't match. This doesn't match. Aha!" Laura pointed to the one Kurt held. "That is the one!"
Kurt handed Marcy the long flowing thin skirt with chimes on the bottom. It was black but kind of sheer. "Here you go."
"You need underwear. You should still have some good stuff from Madison's a couple months ago." Mercedes went to her drawers.
"Wear this perfume." Laura picked up a bottle.
"I don't wanna wear perfume." Marcy hated perfume.
"You're wearing perfume. And makeup." Laura raised a brow as if preparing for this fight.
"No!"
"Yes, you are! You're going to be a girl if it kills you!"
"I'm not wearing makeup and that's final!"
W.O
Kurt put the finishing touches on Marcy's face. "You look good."
The look she gave him wasn't nice.
Tina finished brushing her hair. They had Marcy take a bath and wash her hair. Instead of doing anything to it, Tina just brushed it. It would have taken hours to do anything else.
"Here's your shoes." Lauren gave her a pair of red ballet flats. Her only pop of color.
Marcy, who put on lotion and body glitter, slipped into the shoes. She stood up from her vanity. "Am I done now?"
"Here's your purse. You have your keys, wallet, phone and gum." Laura handed it over.
Marcy snatched the bag. "I hope he gets here soon."
"Let's take a picture." Mercedes said. "You look good."
Laura adjusted Marcy's hair then her rosary. Marcy never took it off so they'd had to go around it when planning her jewelry (a necklace and tennis bracelet).
She had three holes in her ears. She got her first set when she was three months old, the second when she was ten and the last when she was fifteen. She usually wore diamond studs to keep them open but Laura exchanged the bottom ones for diamond hoops.
"What time is he coming?" Santana asked.
Marcy checked her phone. "Eight."
"It's seven forty five."
The doorbell rang. Mercedes waved her hands. "I'll get it! Make an entrance when I give the signal!"
"What's the signal?" Brittany wanted to know.
"I'll say, "Boy, you sure look nice tonight!". Then you come out looking amazing."
Marcy held up a thumb. "Got it."
W.Oish
Puck leaned on the doorbell again. Mike had said to meet him there. Is nobody home?
The door opened and Mercedes was there with a bright smile on her face. She saw it was him and she pouted. She turned around and yelled, "False alarm! It's just Puck!"
Ouch. "Nice to see you, too Mama." He kissed her.
She waved him inside. "I'm sorry, Noah. We're just waiting on Kenneth."
He shrugged. "No worries. Where's Mike?"
"How should I know?"
"He told me to meet him here."
She frowned. "Mikey?! Are you here?!"
Mike came from around a corner. "I was washing my hands."
The boys slapped hands. "What's up?"
"Nothing. We're in the dining room."
"We? Who's we?" Mercedes put her hands on her hips.
"It's just me, Sam and Trey." Mike shrugged.
"What are you up to?" She squinted at him.
"Why do I have to be up to something?"
She narrowed her eyes further and stepped forward. She pointed at him and moved her finger. "I don't trust you. But I can't prove anything. Do something bad and I'm telling Laura on you."
He pulled a face. "Just go back upstairs."
She stomped up the steps. "Laura! Mikey's being bad!"
"Man, sisters are a nightmare." He turned around and left.
Puck laughed and followed him to the dining room. He knew he felt like that about Nic on several occasions.
Marc looked up as they entered. "What's up, Puckerman?"
"Sup?" Puck slapped hands with him. "Sam."
Sam slapped his hand. "Hey, Puck."
"I ordered pizza while you were gone. I don't think Dad's going to be home anytime soon." Marc told Mike.
"At least he can't cook. Mom said she was thinking of sending her tofu stew." Mike said.
Marc grimaced. "Aw hell!"
Mike chuckled. "So Puck, we're playing Blackjack. Whatcha got for us?"
Puck sat down. "What do you mean?"
"We can play for money or we can play for favors."
"Favors? What kind of favors?"
"The way Marce tells it; the kind that get you outta jail." Marc snickered.
Puck raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"Marcy came up with playing for favors when we were younger." Mike explained. "We were always in trouble and gaining favors got you out of it. People from all walks of life owe that girl favors."
Puck grinned. "Alright. Let's play."
W.O
They're freakin card sharks! Puck lost each and every hand. "You're cheating!"
"You just suck!" Mike grinned. He tallied up the score. "You owe me sixteen favors and Marc eleven."
"This is crap!" Puck sat back.
"You're doing better than me." Sam pouted.
"Want to play again?" Marc took the cards and split them.
"No!" Puck sulked.
Marcus walked in. "Boys. What are you doing in here?"
"Just playing Blackjack." Marc said. "How'd your meeting go?"
"Good. Yours?"
"Good." He nodded.
"Did you eat?"
"We have pizza on the way."
"Where's your sisters?"
"Upstairs helping Marcy get ready for her date." Mike said.
Marcus' whole face turned. "Date?!"
"Oh yeah. Marcy has a date."
"With a boy?!"
"Yep."
"Over my dead body!"
"That's what Mal said." Mike grinned.
"Why isn't he here?" Puck asked.
"Mom grounded him so he wouldn't mess it up for her."
"Jeanette!" Marcus clenched his fist. "When is this little punk supposed to be here?"
Marc shrugged. "I don't know. I just know he's not here yet."
The doorbell rang.
"That can be either him or the pizza."
Marcus stormed off, the guys followed him closely. He snatched open the door. A kid with short curly hair (who looked a little like Bruno Mars) stood there. He was wearing a white t-shirt and jeans but also a sweater with patches on the elbow. "Good evening, sir."
Marcus narrowed his eyes. "I don't know who you think you are,-!"
"I'm Kenneth Dandridge. I'm here for Marceline Anne."
Mercedes came flying down the stairs and pushed her father back. "Hi, Kenneth! You probably don't remember me-"
"Mercedes Catherine. As beautiful as the last time I saw you." He smiled.
She giggled. "Stop!"
Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Who is this kid and I will kick his ass! Puck snarled internally.
"She moved." Marc picked Mercedes up and moved her out of the way.
Mike waved as he shut the door in the kid's face. "Have a nice life!"
Laura was there suddenly and snatched the door back open. "Sorry about that, Kenneth. Here she is."
Marcy walked down the stairs and she looked pretty. Not that she wasn't usually but she wore jeans and big shirts. She was in a skirt now. It was weird to the men.
"Marceline Anne." Kenneth held his hand out.
Marcy took it. "Bye, Daddy. Bye, guys."
"You better be back in this house by eight o'clock!" Marcus shouted.
"Daddy, it is eight o'clock!" Mercedes hissed.
"Then come right back in here!"
Laura rolled her eyes. "Have her back by eleven."
"Eleven?!" Marcus, Marc and Mike yelled. "No way!"
"Eleven." Laura repeated as she closed the door slowly.
Marcus started shouting in German.
"Pop!" Laura put her hands on her hips. "That's so unfair! She's already pregnant; what's he going to do to her?!"
Marcus picked up his briefcase and stormed around the corner, muttering in German.
"Eleven?!" Marc put Mercedes down and yelled at Laura.
"Yes! Eleven! She's a good girl! She's not going to do anything!" Laura stomped upstairs.
Marc acted like he was strangling her. The doorbell rang. He snatched open the door. "What?!"
The guy on the stoop leaned back. "Uh… pizza?"
W.O
Ellen got off the bus and began walking down the street, hoping she wouldn't get lost. She'd used Google Maps and the bus schedule to pinpoint where she was going but she wasn't too sure. She'd never been in the Adjacent before without Mal.
She walked down a few streets before coming to Oak Ridge Drive and took a left. She walked down until she came upon a bright blue house. She checked the paper in her pocket and saw she was at the right address. 1916.
She rang the doorbell and waited. She didn't have to wait long until Mercedes opened the door. "Hello."
Ellen smiled. "Hi. Does Marceline Anne live here?"
"Yeah. Hold on." She shut the door and Ellen could hear her screaming for her.
Seconds later, Marcy was standing there. She looked at Ellen with dark green eyes and the redhead shivered. She reflected that Marcy had stormy eyes that looked right through you. The kind you could get caught in and swept away in passion.
Maybe that was why Mal picked her? "Hello." Ellen waved.
Marcy just looked at her.
Ellen swallowed. "I know our last meeting didn't go well and I want to apologize for that. For ambushing you at your job like that. It was rude and childish and I'm sorry."
She wrung her hands together. "I just don't know how to act. I've never been cheated on before. Actually Mal was my first boyfriend. I never thought about how you might feel or what you're going through. I'm sorry. How- how are you feeling?"
Marcy blinked. Her face was completely blank but her eyes were expressive and Ellen feared they told her she wasn't done jumping through hoops.
Ellen gulped. "Do you know what you're having?"
Marcy blinked again. "Twins."
Ellen smiled slightly. She liked her voice. It was soft and raspy but high and clear as a bell. Ellen had noticed it when she was chewing her out earlier that week. "That's cool."
Marcy's extremely long and curly eyelashes hid her eyes from view as she blinked again. Then something changed. She looked Ellen up and down slowly.
It was like she'd undressed her and was caressing her with her eyes. They even lightened so they looked like sparkling emeralds. Ellen wasn't sure why Marcy was looking at her like that but she liked it.
"Apology accepted." Marcy finally said. "It's a difficult situation. There's no guarantee I'd be better."
"The person who should be feeling bad is Mal." Ellen lifted her chin.
"I bet he doesn't."
Ellen scoffed. "Boys!"
Marcy inclined her head. Ellen took another look at her and was blown away by how pretty Marcy was. Her body was thick and curvy and her face was soft and round. She had her eyes going for her but also her mouth. It was pink and pouty and perfect.
She had a small round nose and no blemishes except for a beauty mark by her mouth. Her skin was even. Even her eyebrows were perfect.
I would have cheated on me, too.. Ellen bit her bottom lip. I was made for study dates at the library. She was made for sin. I'd kill for sex appeal. She has it in spades. She sighed. "My friend says her little brother loves you. For reading at the library?"
Marcy smiled and showed off perfectly even white teeth. It transformed her face from a serious, intense picture into something like a flower unfurling. It made her look better.
Drats… Ellen thought.
"I enjoy all the children there."
"Do you get paid for it?"
Marcy shook her head and her long bangs fell into her eyes. "No. It's volunteer work."
"How many hours do you have?"
She shrugged. "I don't know. I don't keep count."
"Then how are you going to get credit for them?"
"I don't do it for credit. I do it because I enjoy it and so do they."
Is she a good person, too?! No fair! "Why don't you volunteer at a hospital?"
"Mal does that. I volunteer at the library, the homeless shelter, the animal shelter, a woman's shelter and the veterans home."
Ellen's eyes widened. She does all that volunteer work?! And I didn't know Mal volunteered at all! He was hiding a lot. "I've never been to a shelter."
"It can be depressing when you see what people have been through. Even though the animals can't tell you their story, it's just as sad."
"What do you do there?"
"Where?"
"At the shelter?"
"Which one?"
Marcy's face was the same but her eyes were lighter.
Is she mocking me? "The women's shelter."
"I help them fill out job applications or applications for government assistance. I help stock supplies and I cook and clean."
"You do all that and you're pregnant?"
"I'm not dead."
Yeah, she's definitely mocking me. "You've never answered my question."
Marcy's head cocked to the side.
"About how you're feeling?"
Her head straightened and she looked Ellen over again. It didn't feel sexual to the redhead this time. It was like Marcy was able to see to her soul and see how good a person she was. She felt very vulnerable and wanted to hide behind something. "I feel fine. Now."
Ellen blinked. What does now mean? "That's- that's good."
The corner of Marcy's mouth kicked up.
Ellen took a deep breath and realized there was no reason for her to still be there. She'd apologized and Marcy accepted. Ellen should leave. But she didn't want to. "I like your hair."
Marcy put her hand in it. "Really?"
"Yeah. I like curls." Ellen touched her own.
Marcy licked her lips and Ellen found herself watching her pink tongue trace their fullness. "They suit you."
Ellen smiled. "Do you really think so?"
Marcy nodded.
Ellen just stood there smiling at her until she realized she was staring. But it wasn't uncomfortable though. Marcy just let her look. "I should go."
Marcy nodded again.
Ellen stood there for a moment before turning to go. Marcy spoke so Ellen turned back. "Excuse me?"
"I said you're pretty." Marcy smiled before going inside and closing the door.
Ellen blushed. The sex pot thinks I'm pretty? She smiled all the way to the bus stop.
W.Oish
Marcy came into the kitchen. She sat at the table. "Who was that?" Mercedes asked.
Marcy just smiled mysteriously. "Are we leaving or what?"
Marc wanted them to go out to lunch and because they didn't have any food for breakfast, they were starving. Mercedes looked to him. "Are we?"
He checked his watch. "Yeah. We can go."
Stevie and Stacie cheered.
Quinn pulled Marcy to her feet. "I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse!"
"Have you ever eaten horse?" Marcy teased. "It's gamey."
They all laughed as they left the house.
W.O
Puck went through a couple shirts before he just decided on a tank top and a red plaid shirt. They were some of the few unpacked and clean.
"Are you ready, Nic?!" He yelled.
"Yeah!" She screamed back.
"You better not be watching TV!" He ran a brush over his Mohawk and picked up his wallet and keys. His phone rang. It's probably Mama wondering what's taking us so long. He answered. "Hey?"
"What's up, bro?!" It was Artie.
"Hey, man! What's going on?"
"Nothing, man. Except San wants everybody to come over to her house this afternoon."
"Man, I don't know. I'm hangin wit Mama and her people. We're going out to lunch."
"It's like eleven thirty. Swing through about one. You can't eat all day."
"True that. I'll see what she says."
"You seem to be stuck to her these days."
Puck smirked. "That's my lady!"
"That's what's up. Go after what you want."
Puck snickered. "Alright. I'll convince her to roll through. But I gotta go. I'm late."
"Alright. We'll see you soon."
"Alright. Bye." Puck hung up. "Nic, you better have your shoes on!"
"They are!" She shouted.
"I'm coming down the stairs!" He did as he said and came downstairs.
She was scrambling to put her shoes on.
He looked at her. "Mmm hmm."
"I'm ready!" She tied her shoes.
"Come on, girl! Mama's gonna think we can't tell time!"
"I'm coming!" She tied her last shoe then stood up. "I'm ready."
"Come on." He waved a hand. She walked to the door and opened it. He followed her out to his truck after locking the door behind them.
They got in and buckled up before he started driving towards Lima and the restaurant they were going to; Sally's.
He found a parking space and they got out and went inside. Mercedes and her family were at a big booth in the back. Nic and Puck walked there.
"Hey!" The others waved.
The Puckermans waved back. "Hi!"
"Sit." Mercedes waved them over. "We haven't ordered yet. We were waiting on you."
"I hope you weren't waiting too long." Puck slid in next to her.
"No, we just got here. Marcy had a visitor so we were late, too."
"Cool."
A waitress walked over. "Hey! What can I get you?"
Before anyone could say anything, Marc smiled at her. "Philly cheesesteaks all around."
The waitress wrote it down as they all looked at him like he lied. "What kind of fries do you want?"
"Actually I want onion rings. With a strawberry soda and vanilla shake." He looked to Mike, who looked dumbfounded.
"I'll take steak fries." Mike said. "And grape soda with vanilla shake."
"Ooh! I want tator tots with a strawberry soda and strawberry shake." Mercedes gushed.
"I'll take onion rings with a black cherry soda and strawberry shake." Quinn said.
"I want curly fries." Marcy piped up. "With cheese and bacon and green onions and sour cream. And I want this orange creme soda with a vanilla shake."
"Can I have waffle fries with the orange creme soda and chocolate shake?" Maddie asked.
"Sure." Laura said. "I'll have crinkle cut fries with this blue raspberry soda and vanilla shake."
"I'll take steak fries, orange soda and vanilla shake." Mal snuck peeks at Marcy.
Sam went next. "Steak fries for us three with root beer and vanilla shakes."
Nic and Puck looked at each other before shrugging. "Coke and vanilla shakes for the both of us. Steak fries."
"Anything else?" The waitress wrote it all down.
"No peppers on mine please." Marcy said.
"Extra cheese on mine." Mal went next.
"Extra onions on mine." Mike went on.
"Extra everything for me." Marc finished, flashing her a smile.
She blushed. "Got it." She hurried away.
"Do you have to flirt with every woman you see?" Laura kissed her teeth.
"Yup." He grinned.
"Aww geez." Marcy rolled her eyes.
"These guys don't need to see that." Laura fussed.
"Here we go." Mike muttered.
"You act like I threw her on the table and defiled her." Marc rolled his eyes.
"What's "defiled" mean?" Maddie wanted to know.
"Good luck telling her!" Laura pointed.
Marc pulled a face. "It means to make something dirty."
"Oh. Why would you make that lady dirty?" Maddie questioned.
"Remember when Marcy gave you the talk?"
She nodded. "About what sex was?"
"Yeah. Sometimes having sex is dirty."
"What's "sex"?" Nic asked.
Puck almost died. He started coughing and choking and he couldn't breathe.
Mercedes whacked Puck on the back. I think we've killed him. "Are you alright?"
He shook his head.
Nic looked at all of them. "What's wrong with Noah? And I want to know what's "sex"?!"
"Me too!" Stacie piped up.
Sam nearly died.
The people next to them turned around and stared.
"Can we help you?!" Marcy snapped. They turned around quickly. She looked at Nic. "Ask your mom."
"What if she won't tell me?" Nic pressed.
"She'll tell you something."
"Okay."
Puck wheezed. Mercedes rubbed his back. "You're okay. Just take small quick breaths."
He followed her instructions and breathed fast, shallow breaths. He was looking a little better so she just rubbed his strong back.
"That threw you for a loop, didn't it?" Mike teased.
Mercedes elbowed him. He was so bad. Nobody would believe it but Chang had a dark streak.
Puck nodded. "Can we talk about anything else?"
"Our food is coming." Quinn pointed out.
Mercedes looked over and it was true. A couple waiters were bringing their food out. They set red baskets in front of them with bottles of soda and glasses of shakes.
"I hope we don't get sick from this." Laura said.
"Would you lighten up?" Marc rolled his eyes.
"Why would you get sick?" Nic asked.
"This has processed cheese and it's bad for you." Laura told her.
"But it's oh so good." Marc ate an onion ring.
"And fried sides have a ton of grease. Soda and shakes have a ton of sugar." Laura ignored him.
"So we shouldn't eat this?" Nic asked.
"Shouldn't? no. But we are. If we get sick, we'll just blame MarcD."
"Okay."
"Dang." Marc grinned.
Nic and Stacie giggled.
"Can we have less talking and more eating?" Did I mention Mike was also fat?
"It smells so good." Marcy sniffed the air above her sandwich.
"Then let's dig in." Marc said a prayer before they… dug in.
They ate like somebody was going to take their food away. When they got done, Mercedes looked around and noticed they had food all over their faces.
Mabel, the owner of Sally's, stopped by the table. "Ooh! Look at you! You were so hungry you tried to push the food through your faces!"
They grinned at her.
"Child, I could wipe your face and feed the towel to a starving country." She told Marcy, who was closest to her.
Marcy blew her a kiss. "You know you like it."
Mabel blushed. "Stop it!"
"Yeah, stop it, Marce." Marc scolded before grinning. "She wants me."
Mabel waved him away but her cheeks were pink.
Marcy and Marc began arguing over who she really wanted. Puck leaned over. "What's going on?"
"They always flirt with her." Mercedes whispered. "It makes her feel good."
He nodded.
"Go wash your faces!" Mabel waved her towel and left.
"She's right." Laura said. "We need to wash up. Come on girls."
Marcy looked at Mal. He stared back. She frowned. "Move!"
He sat back.
She pushed him out the booth and got out. "You're so effin weird!"
He climbed to his feet and shook his fist at her back.
Quinn, Maddie, Stacie and Nic giggled as Laura sighed and shook her head. "Come on."
The girls slid out of the booth and walked to the bathroom, where Marcy was cleaning cheese out of her hair.
Laura helped her and washed her face then Maddie as Quinn helped Stacie and Mercedes helped Nic then they did their own faces.
W.Oish
"I think we should clean up." Marc frowned. "I have cheese on my pants."
Mike laughed. "I have a spot on my shirt."
"I've got you both beat. I dropped some on my chest." Mal boasted.
"Yeah right!" They didn't believe him.
He tugged his shirt down. A glob of cheese was stuck to his chest. They all fell out laughing.
"Come on." Marc slid out of the booth. They went to the bathroom and started scrubbing. Their faces were cleaned easily enough but the clothes were hit.
They shrugged it off and went back to the table. The girls were back and the boys just slid in.
"So Marcy." Laura leaned on the table. "How'd your date with Kenneth go?"
"You went on a date?" Maddie looked at Marcy.
Mal scowled at Laura, who didn't give a damn.
Marcy smiled. "He was kinda amazing."
"What?!" They all shouted.
"He's really in tune with the universe and his place in it. I told him I was pregnant and he was super chill about it."
Puck's mouth was hanging open.
Sam kept his mouth shut.
"I'm so happy for you!" Mercedes clapped.
"Me too!" Quinn smiled. "When's your next date?"
"Sunday night." Marcy beamed.
Holy fuck. Puck looked at Mal, who was twitching. He did not look happy.
"What are you doing?" Laura asked.
"We're going bowling." Marcy told her.
"Where'd you go, what'd you do?" Mercedes wanted to know.
"We went to a cafe with an open mic night. We talked about poetry all night and he told me about how his family's doing. We got caught up."
"How did the subject of the twins come up?" Quinn seemed confused.
"He leaned on me and brushed my stomach. I figured I should tell him so he could run now but he was so amazing. He said he understood that things didn't always go according to plan but that I was no less stellar."
Uh oh. Puck could tell she really liked him.
Maddie frowned. "But you and Mal are supposed to be together."
"Honey, that's not gonna happen." Marcy shook her head.
Maddie's eyes filled. "But you're meant to be!"
"Maybe I'm meant to be with Kenneth? He's smart, handsome, insightful, soulful, deep. I need someone like him."
Maddie started crying.
Laura rubbed her back. "It's okay, Maddie. Sometimes things don't work out the way you want but that doesn't mean they're bad."
"That's what you said about Robert!"
Puck almost started laughing. He had to catch himself. He looked down at Mercedes and saw her biting her lips. She wanted to laugh, too.
"I know, sweetie but it'll be okay. I promise." Laura went on.
Maddie continued to cry.
Nic pulled on Marcy's shirt. When she leaned down, Nic whispered in her ear. Marcy straightened. "Something like that."
"Oh." Nic said before leaning over to rub Maddie's back. "It's okay, Maddie."
"Let's leave before people think we did something to her." Marc sighed.
"Where are we going?" Mike asked.
"Wheels invited us over to Satan's house." Puck spoke up.
"For today?" Mercedes wrinkled her nose. "Tana didn't tell me anything about that."
"Wheels told me to tell you."
"Great job waiting until the last minute." Quinn rolled her eyes.
Puck narrowed his.
Mercedes patted his chest. "We can go."
"As long as you come to the festival by three." Laura bossed.
"Yeah, yeah." Mike played with Mercedes' arm. "Let's go."
Mercedes slapped his arm. "Stop playing with my fat!"
"But it's so jiggly." He kept going.
She slapped him again. "I'm tired of you!"
"Love you, too Mercy."
"Big brothers are a curse."
"Yeah!" Nic agreed.
Puck glared at her. I changed that Runt's diapers and she got the nerve to say I'm a curse?!
Stacie nodded sagely.
Sam and Stevie were very offended.
"That's not true, Mercy." Marcy shook her head. "Brothers are a curse."
Okay, I'm offended. Puck thought. Especially when every girl said "Amen". Even Maddie.
"You know what?!" Marc snapped. "Sisters aren't any easier! Especially the ones that keep getting pregnant!"
"That was one time!" Quinn yelled.
"You're just mad you didn't knock up Laura before she met Robert." Marcy narrowed her eyes.
Marc turned red. "Get out."
Laura blushed, too. "Please go to your friend's house."
"So you two can screw?" Marcy blinked like she was innocent.
"Marcy, get out!" Laura pointed to the door as Mike and Quinn laughed.
"I would never!" Marc sputtered.
"Uh huh." Marcy looked at Mal, who was smiling like he was trying not to. He looked back at her. "Not this again. You know I want you to move."
"Why don't you ask?" He said in a pleasant voice.
"I hate you."
"That's not the right words."
"Would you please move?" She tried. They had to give her that.
"What'll you give me?"
"A black eye; move your ass!"
"You'll catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."
"You're about to catch a case!"
"You love me. Just admit it."
She pushed him onto the ground and stepped over him.
Mike and Marc were cracking up. Quinn, Maddie and Laura were giggling. Sam's and Stevie's mouths formed "O"'s. Nic and Stacie looked super confused at them while Mercedes was frowning. "Marcy!"
Mal got up. "That's okay, Mercy. She'll come around."
Mercedes looked at Puck. He stared back. "Are you serious? Puck, get out."
He jumped and moved. I didn't know she wanted me to move! He helped her out of the booth.
She went to Mal and hugged him. "We'll see you in a couple hours. Hold your head up."
"I thought you liked her with Kenneth?" He sniffed.
"You know I want my babies together." She cupped his chin.
"I can take Nic home, Puck." Marc said.
"Thanks." He inclined his head. "I gotta get gas anyway so I'll meet you guys there."
"Can you drop me off somewhere please?" Mal asked.
"Uh… sure."
They went outside and found Marcy talking on her phone. She was smiling and giggling.
Puck looked at Mal and the father-to-be was pissed. "Come on. Where you want to go?"
"I can give you directions. There's a gas station by it." He stared at Marcy the whole time.
They said their goodbyes and Marc, Laura, Maddie, Stevie, Stacie and Nic got in Suzy, Mike, Mercedes, Quinn, Marcy and Sam got in Rhonda and Mal and Puck got in Puck's truck.
Puck took his step by step directions to a gas station. He pulled inside and got out. He was surprised when Mal did, too. "Hey, I can drive you the rest of the way."
"That's okay. I can walk." Mal waved before taking off.
Puck wondered where he was going so he watched him as he went across the street and into a bar. He was fifteen! What was he doing in a bar?! So Puck followed him.
Nobody paid attention to him as he walked inside. Probably because it was daylight. There wasn't even a bouncer. He had to wait for his eyes to adjust to the darkness then tried to find out where Mal went.
He almost passed him at the bar. He stayed in the shadows and watched as the bartender poured Mal something in a mug.
"She went out with this jackass!" Mal was saying. "He was the most pretentious prick in the first grade! I hate him! Why is she doing this to me?!"
"Come on, Mal." Devin slapped his shoulder. "Sometimes you got to take a few knocks. You and Marcy will end up together. Just believe it."
Bubba snorted. "You better knock this guy out before he's raising your kids!"
"I'll kill him." Mal was so serious.
"You gotta stake your claim. Tell that dude to his face that he ain't got a leg to stand on. That's your woman and your kids!"
"Really, dude?" Devin looked at him like he was stupid.
Earl laughed. "Marcy has her own mind. She's going to do what she wants to do."
"Ain't that the truth?" Mal snapped.
"Just calm down. You'll have the whole summer to woo her over." Devin said. "Don't listen to Bubba. He'll have your ass in jail."
Mal sighed. "That's her job."
Bubba frowned. "I would not!"
Devin waved him away.
Mal sat up straight. "I just need to talk to her. Explain my side of things-"
"What?!" The bartender looked at him like he was crazy.
"Earl!" Devin scolded.
Earl threw up his hands.
"I know I messed up, Earl." Mal said. "I have to find a way to make it up to her."
People in the bar started giving tips on how to get her to thaw out. Puck slipped out quietly and walked across the street to the gas station so he could fill up but he was thinking over what he'd just learned.
Since when did drunks give teen dads advice? And where was it when I needed it?