Chapter 8

While May and Marie were spending time with Lindsay planning and discussing Lee's surprise party, the Rethink Avenue cul-de-sac was relatively quiet. Rolf was busy tending to his Nana's sheep, Kevin was working on his bike, Nazz was doing aerobics, Jonny was working on some comic book hero (and getting used to life without Plank), and Sarah and Jimmy were playing together at Ed's house.

Speaking of Ed's house, Ed was in his room with Double Dee and Eddy. The trio had not spent much time as just the three of them since they started dating the Kanker sisters, so this was an opportunity for some long-overdue "Ed bonding". Accordingly, the three Ed boys were spending time doing homework, drinking cola and playing video games (not necessarily in that order).

However, Ed's bedroom had changed drastically since the Eds and Kankers had become an item. While the walls were still plastered with posters of various monsters, Ed had taken to cleaning his room once a week, much to Double Dee's delight. Additionally, Ed started caring more about personal hygiene, as evidenced by his use of deodorant. Even his bathtub full of gravy now only held bath water, as painful a step that was for Ed. All this, of course, was done to impress May. Although May possessed plenty of odd and even disgusting habits of her own, Ed wanted nothing more than to make his beautiful pony-tailed girlfriend happy.

The boys were currently playing Crash Team Racing on Ed's console. Eddy, as usual, was losing horribly. He had finished last three games in a row and was on his way to losing a fourth. Sure enough, Eddy lost yet again, after which he vented his frustration.

"Stupid damn controller!" Eddy yelled out. "I could have won if the buttons didn't stick!"

"Eddy, you've finished last in all four races so far," Double Dee remarked. "Not to mention you finished last in all our races the last time we played this game!"

"Geez, you don't have to rub it in!" Eddy said. "It's bad enough your 'Angel' busted my balls for not knowing Lee's birthday is coming up, now I have to get my ass handed to me in Crash Team Racing!"

"Eddy!" chided Double Dee. "You don't know your own girlfriend's birthday?"

"For shame, mister!" Ed chimed in.

"Oh c'mon Ed," Eddy teased. "You probably don't even know May's birthday!"

"September 3rd," Ed answered.

"And Marie's birthday is July 23rd," Double Dee chimed in. "I must say, Eddy, for someone who claims to love Lee, it's rather surprising you wouldn't know when her birthday is!"

"Alright, alright," said an annoyed Eddy. "I get it-Lee's birthday is January 22. It was just a joke. It ain't my fault if Marie can't take a joke! Anyway, I need your help! May and Marie want me to stall Lee next friday while they and Lindsay plan a surprise party! Any suggestions on where I should take her?"

"May I suggest going stargazing?" posited Double Dee. "Taurus and Orion are wonderful to see at this time of year!"

"Geez Double Dee, with a suggestion like that, I'm surprised Marie even fell for ya!" Eddy retorted. "That stuff puts me to sleep. Besides, May and Marie gave me some moolah, so I'm thinking of dinner and a movie-the tried and true way!"

"Ooh Eddy," Ed volunteered, "You should take Lee to see 'I Married a Mutant Space Creature!'"

"Ed, you have horrible taste in movies," Eddy retorted. "Besides, Lee doesn't like monster or alien flicks! I'll probably just take her to that swanky Italian restaurant we went to after the Christmas pageant. Nothing like good food to sweep a lady off her feet!"

Eddy paused for a moment before an idea popped into his head.

"Hey, why don't we help the girls throw Lee a surprise party? I'll stall Lee, and you guys can invite all the kids from the cul-de-sac! It'll be the swingin-est sweet 16 party Peach Creek has ever seen!" Eddy exulted.

"I don't know, Eddy," Double Dee countered. "As much as I enjoy getting together with our girlfriends, I have a feeling that going behind Lee's back can only have disastrous results!"

"Aw come on, Double Dee," Eddy appealed to his friend. "When have I ever steered us wrong? Don't answer that!"

"Fine, Eddy, but I'll go on record for the umpteenth time as saying I don't like this idea. This could blow up in all of our faces!"

"Awesome, Double Dee!" exclaimed Eddy, oblivious as always to his friend's warning. "I can always count on you! How 'bout you, Ed! There's bound to be lots of food!"

"Your wish is my wisdom tooth, Eddy!" replied Ed, who could never turn down free food. "I hope they make those Kanker burgers!"

"Ah, the Kanker burger...the cure for the common meal!" said Double Dee, strangely entranced.

"So it's a done deal. Lee's gonna get the best party we can give her!" said an enthusiastic Eddy.

The trio then continued playing and talking until around 5:30, when a series a loud knocks sounded on Ed's door.

"ED! It's time for dinner! Tell your stupid friends to go home!" yelled Sarah from behind the door.

"Coming, baby sister!" a suddenly panicked Ed replied, as Double Dee and Eddy climbed out through Ed's window.

"If you're not there in five minutes, I'll tell Mom what you and your idiot girlfriend have been doing in your room!" Sarah continued yelling.

Ed may his way upstairs to the dinner table at top speed, eager to stop Sarah's tattling.