Ch 78
The more Joan thought about it, then more it irritated her that Nashville was owned by someone who didn't care about them, and had a manager who thought players didn't need any discipline. She felt she had to do something about that.
Their next game was next week, so they went home to Driftwood. Joan dropped Bob and Allison off, then went home to talk to Dad. he found him in his study, looking at financial figures.
John looked up. "Hey Joan, It looks like your team is doing very good. That last team you romple-stomped."
"They helped." Joan said and dragged a chair up to sit beside him.
"They did?" he asked, thinking that odd.
"Yes, they were horrible! Their quarterback is good, but much of their team sucked. They kept making mistakes and fouls which cost them yardage. One foul they made was brutal. They made 30 yards in the play, but due to the foul, they got set back ten, for a loss of 40 yards! The ten for the foul, and since they had fouled the 30 yards they made on that play wasn't counted. Dad, that's damn near half the field!"
John could see his daughter was worked up about this. "I take it you want to do something about it?"
"Yes! I talked to their quarterback, Kathy. She's tried to get their manager to enforce discipline, and she was blown off! She doesn't know who owns the team, but they don't seem to care either. Kathy is ready to quit the team!" Joan said firmly.
John tried not to grin at Joan's ferociousness. "I see. Just what is it that you want to do?"
"Can you find out who owns them? Maybe get someone to buy the team who actually cares about the game?"
"I know noting about buying or selling sports teams, but I will investigate it," John told her. "At the very least, I'll find out who the owner is and see if they are willing to sell. Until I know more, that's all I can do."
"Thanks, Dad. I wouldn't ask, but there are some good players on that team, but they are hampered badly by the ones who make all these mistakes."
"I understand," John replied. "I'll let you know what I find out, OK?"
"OK," Joan agreed and kissed him on the forehead. "I have to go see if the alligator is being fed." She said and left.
John chuckled. He wondered how Joan sat in one place long enough to drive anywhere.
John found the Nashville Knight's home page and looked through the contacts. He found the owners name, Bristol LLC. Their home Office was in Boston. There was a general contact e-mail, so he sent them an e-mail asking if they would consider selling the Nashville Knights football team.
He got back to what he was doing.
Delilah came in not long after. "So, sweetie, we making money?" she asked and sat down close.
"We're about to top the tax bracket," he told her. "Unless we can find some deductions, We're going to pay dearly this year."
"Did Joan come to tell you about their last game?" she asked with a crooked grin.
"She sure did," he replied with a chuckle. "Joan was upset the other team was so bad. I guess they haven't won a single game in the last two seasons."
"She went on about them, all right," Delilah agreed.
John got an e-mail alert. He looked to see Bristol LLC had e-mailed him back. "Wow, they are willing to sell the Nashville Knights for six million."
"Isn't that rather low for a sports team?" Delilah asked.
"Yeah. I take it they know that team sucks."
"Hey John?" Delilah asked in a purr, "That would be an investment deduction for us, right? Especially of we had to do work to get them in shape?"
"Yeah, it would indeed. Do me a favor, don't tell Joan about it."
.
The Acoustic were having another home game and the sheriff was asked if he could get those buses again. So he put up a few notices around town that whoever wanted a ride to the game, sign up at the Sheriff's Office and he would get the charter company to send the buses. The ten bucks payment in advance so he could pay for them.
The next few days his office had a constant run of people signing up to get a ride to the game. People even came from surrounding town to sign up for a bus ride. So many signed up, he wouldn't have room in his parking lot for all the cars, so he got the grocery store to agree to use their lot, and had the bus people pick up riders there.
He also had to coax a couple men to do traffic and parking control to put the riders cars in the back of the lot so people actually going to the store had a place to park. Women's football was becoming a major event in Driftwood.
The Mayor of Johnson City also called him about getting their own charters for the game. He had over 200 requests for bus service. The sheriff gave him all the information.
Three days before the game, Joan, Bob and Allison left to head for Austin to get their rooms and listen to Coach Baker analyze the Omaha team.
.
Kathy had been working her team as well as she could and also got told she could not make players 'work overtime' for practice. They had a team meeting before they were to play Chicago. She hauled herself into the auditorium, ready for another talking to since she's had the team on the field Sunday, which was officially a day of rest.
Some of the players had complained about her again, she was sure. Most likely the ones who didn't show up. Seeing the coach on stage and counting heads. When everyone was present, he walked off stage. He came back with a blond woman following him. He stood to one side as she took the podium. She spoke in a stern voice.
"If there is anyone here who doesn't want to play football, get up and leave, now!"
This got everyone's attention.
"This mediocre, at best, performance ends now. I am Delilah Connor, I am now the team owner and Manager. You work for me. Your job is to play football and do your best to try and win games. A score of 105 to ZERO, is unacceptable. Watching your last game, I have to wonder where your heads are. You will get your heads in the game, or you won't be playing. I visited the farm team, we got many girls who are ready to take your place. Begging to even. Shape up or they get their chance."
Delilah looked over the shocked faces and said, "There will be no more missing practices unless you are dead or in critical condition and you can't get out of your hospital bed! When the coach or your quarterback calls for a practice, you will be there or you will be gone! This team will start winning games, starting with the game against Chicago. Their team is decent, and that game is winnable so long as the fouls and mistakes stop. If you make a foul, you get benched. You jump the line, you're out for the rest of the quarter. Do either twice during any game, and you earn a $500 deduction in your pay. Pay is now divided into quarters, not the whole game. If you don't play in a quarter, then that's one quarter of your play bonus gone. This shit will stop."
Delilah motioned to the coach. "Your Coach has information on Chicago you need to listen to before you go out for practice. Do your best out there, I will be watching!" She then strode off stage.
"Yes!" Kathy cried.
.
Back in Austin, the team watched Omaha's last game against Seattle. Watching and analyzing plays, they found Omaha was a decent team, and Seattle was a great team. Their quarterback new how to throw, and hit the receiver every time. Their front line was strong, and near the goal, they literally pushed Omaha's defenders backwards into the end zone. Although Joan knew they were playing Omaha, it was the Seattle team that raised her concern. Seattle also had a few players that played both offense and defense.
Practice was running plays and setups of recovering from a play that did not start out like it was supposed to. The focus was keeping track of the ball and dealing with a run or pass situation that was not going well. Joan practiced her line jumps and a new play, a lateral pass by one receiver to a player right behind her when she was about to be tackled. Seattle had done that play three times and gained yardage on two, and a touchdown on one.
.
Game day three buses let the store parking lot in Driftwood. three more left Johnson City to go watch the Acoustics play. Other buses and many cars also streamed to the stadium to watch the game.
Jack and Jay were standing to either side of a large TV screen showing the stadium filling up.
Jay announced, "Welcome to LFL football! Today we have the Austin Acoustics and Omaha Heart facing off in Austin Texas!"
"Jay, I have to tell you, Austin is really on fire this year!For a rookie quarterback, Joan Connor has come out of the gate at hyperspeed. Her receiver, Allison Young, has also done a fantastic job, catching those 90 mile an hour passes."
"They have both exceeded any expectations," Jay agreed. "I think Omaha will be pleased if they can keep the score somewhat even, and not be shut out as Austin's other opponents have been. Putting the combination of Joan and Allison on the field has murdered any other teams chances of winning against them."
"You have to wonder what is going through Omaha's minds right now. So far, no one has been able to slow down, let alone stop the 'deadly duo' of Joan and Allison. Joan gets the ball in her hands, and it goes straight to the end zone."
"And here they come out on the field!"
.
The Austin team waited for the coin toss. A ref called, "Austin has the toss."
Joan and the offense went out to receive the kick. The kick wasn't that strong. Joan judged the trajectory. "It's going to land on the ten yard line!" she called. She race out for it. Just ahead of her, Allison caught it. Omaha was coming on fast, Joan and Allison had bolted ahead of their team. "Right!" Alison barked. Joan saw the player racing at Allison. She ran ahead of Allison and blocked one player, then bounced off another, knocking the player down. Allison jumped another, then put on speed, seeing clear field ahead. Joan stayed by her. Another player was angling in. Joan moved to bump her and the player tripped just before they met. Joan tripped over her.
After her tumble, Joan shot up and kept following Allison. They were leaving the opposition behind. Allison made the end zone as the crowd roared their approval. Holding the ball up, Allison and Joan did their hip bump dance.
The first quarter went like Joan expected. They got the extra point, and Omaha fought their way slowly down field. A shotgun and pass, Omaha went for a long pass. Allison was close by and jumped to grab it. The Omaha receiver also jumped at her. Allison got the ball, and feet off the ground, she was immediately tackled.
It put the Austin offense down field at the 27 yard line.
Coach Baker clapped Joan on the shoulder. "They are ready for us, use the shotgun, then run the ball, and not over the line."
Joan nodded and went out. In the huddle Joan said,"Set up for the long bomb, I'll run left instead of throwing. Allie, cover me. Let's go!"
Coach Baker was right. A soon as Joan took the shotgun, the safeties moved way back. A couple linemen also moved back. They were expecting a long bomb or a line jump. Joan hiked and ran at the ball, catching it. The Omaha line didn't come forward but braced themselves and moved back a bit. Joan's line ran ahead and pushed them back on the left as Joan turned and ran behind the line and out the left side hole. By the time Omaha realized what was happening, Joan was past the line and angling towards the center as the safeties closed in. Allison moved over and bumped the left side safety, Joan angled left and ran past. The right side safety tried to catch her, and fell behind. Touchdown, Austin.
For the extra point, Joan did a line collapse, with the center keeping the ball as Joan ran back. The Omaha line missed the sneak and charged after her while her center raced into the end zone.
14-0
On Omaha's next try, they did a short pass behind the line of scrimmage, then a lateral pass a half second before Patty took down that receiver. The new runner broke free of the line. Allison chased her down and tackled her at the Omaha 23 yard line. They got a first down.
Using short passes, a sneak and runs, Omaha made it down to the Austin 19 yard line. There, Omaha got in the shotgun and they did a line collapse. Patty ran at the quarterback, the safeties covered the receivers, and the rest of Allison's line stayed by the Omaha players.
At the last second the Omaha quarterback ducked and twisted. Patty, who was about to tackle her missed and stumbled on a few steps. The Omaha quarterback saw a player open and passed. It was caught. The player was taken down at the 3 yard line.
First and goal, Omaha.
A run for two yards put the teams right at the goal line. A sneak and the center dove over the line. Touchdown, Omaha. They tried to get an extra point and were stopped.
14-6
"They're primed, do a line Jump," Coach Baker told Joan. Joan did, and sailed over the line left of center. She ran hard, a Omaha player tried to tackle her and had a good hold around her waist. Joan pressed on, but was slowed down. The teams converged on her. Seeing Allison to her left, she threw the ball, then slipped and fell as to other players piled on her. Allison caught it and raced down field making another touchdown. Again, they got the extra point.
The first quarter ended 21-6 And Joan had gotten tackled successfully her first time. Omaha was behind, but happy they were the only ones who'd managed to tackle Joan Connor.
The second quarter went pretty much the same. Omaha struggled downfield, then Austin would get the ball and make a touchdown. The difference was, Joan had to think hard and keep mixing up the plays. When she could, she made the long bomb that was hard to stop. Omaha also mixed up their plays and made yardage most of the time, but only once in another surprise play, made the end zone.
The second quarter ended at 34 to 12, Omaha was doing better against Austin that anyone else had so far. Joan didn't mind this, they were making her work for touchdowns. It was fun.
The third quarter, Omaha was beginning to slack. They got halfway down the field and had a turnover on downs. Austin offense came out and racked up another touchdown and extra point. Having the ball again, The Omaha quarterback faded back and didn't see a receiver open. Patty charged, and the quarterback tried her duck and twist, but Patty tackled her for a 4 yard loss.
The little failures here and there added up. Omaha changed out players, but they could not make another touchdown. With the score 56 to 12 at the end of the third, they were still doing the best anyone had so far against Austin with Joan as quarterback.
Joan had seen this before, the Omaha offense was on the field the loin's share of the time, and they were getting tired. Coach Baker was shifting defensive players, but their line was still solid. In the fourth, Patty sacked the Omaha quarterback twice in a row, causing them a turnover on downs again. Austin made another goal, then Omaha managed to get down to the Austin 24, then Carla caught the pass meant for the receiver and ran it back for a touchdown.
Omaha kept trying hard, but the wind was taken out of their sails. At their last possession, Joan noted 45 seconds on the clock left in the game. She ran the timer out. 81 to 12 as a good win.
Later on, Joan was looking at the scores of other teams and got a pleasant surprise. Nashville Knights had beat Chicago. The score was 21-20, a win by the skid of their teeth, but they had won a game. Good for them!
To no surprise for anyone, Austin made the Eastern playoffs. In two weeks they were going to play Denver to see who was going to go to the Cup. Also no surprise, Seattle was playing Las Vegas in the Western playoffs. That was one game Joan wanted to watch.
.
Daniel could not stop thinking about Jackie. He kept looking at the framed pictures he had of her on his wall. Yes, Jackie was sexy, very sexy. But that was not all she was. Gazing at the picture of her holding the fencing trophy, he knew Jackie was talented to. When she decided to do something, she put all her effort into it. She got a mermaid tail and swam like a fish herself, doing things he hadn't thought were possible. Going out to hunt for pigs, she annihilated them. She was interested in fencing, and showed she was better with a sword than anyone. Yes, Jackie had beauty, she also had substance. To find both in any girl was rare from what he's seen.
By their financing Barnabas and other projects he'd heard about, the Connors were well to do, but Jackie didn't have her nose in the air. She had her feet on the ground and dealt with others fairly and with no snootiness. Unheard of from any other girl he'd met that had money.
God, how he loved her.
Jackie had done a karaoke song for him that was great. He needed to do one for her.
.
Jackie got a package in the mail. Seeing it was from Daniel, she eagerly opened it. Inside was a letter and a thumb drive. The letter was short, just telling her how he was improving in his fencing and doing good in his studies. All he said about the thumb drive was, 'I sang it, hope you like it. I mean it.'
Jackie went to the downstairs computer and plugged the thumb drive in. She opened the file that read 'For Jackie'.
A video came up. Daniel was wearing a nice sweater/vest combo as he sat at his computer. He smiled and turned on music which he sang to. (Rod Stewart's 'Your in my heart)
I don't know what day it was
when you walked into the room
I said hello and noticed
You said goodbye too soon.
breezing through the clientele
spinning yarns that were so lyrical
I really must confess right here
that the attraction was purely physical
.
I took all those habits of yours
that in the beginning were hard to accept
Your fashion sense, boots and pants
I put down to experience
this fancy lady with a dutch accent
tried to change my point of view
Her ad lib lines were well rehearsed
but my heart cried out for you
.
You're in my heart, you're in my soul
you'll be my friend should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend
you're in my soul
.
My love for you is immeasurable
My respect for you immense
You're ageless, timeless.
grace and fineness
your beauty and elegance.
You're a rhapsody, comedy
you're a symphony and a play
You're every love song ever wrote
but honey, what do you see in me?
.
You're in my heart, you're in my soul
you'll be my friend should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend
You're in my soul
.
You're an essay in glamour
please pardon the grammar
but you're every school boy's dream
You're Celtic, united, but baby
I've decided
you're the best thing I've ever seen.
and there have been many of girls
many times they want me to leave
but I bite my lip and turn around
Cause you're the warmest thing I ever found.
.
You're in my heart, you're in my soul
you'll be my friend should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend
You're in my soul
.
You're in my heart, you're in my soul
you'll be my friend should I grow old
You are my lover, you're my best friend
You're in my soul
Jackie watched Daniel blow her a kiss, then the video ended. She sat back and smiled. She wiped a tear from her eye. That was really sweet.
.
Joan was going out pick up Bob and Allison for a day out together. Jackie caught her before she left and asked her to mail a package for her. Joan took it with her. Going around the lake, Joan collected Allison then Bob for their day out. Stopping at the diner, Joan remembered the package.
"Guys, I have to go mail this for Jackie, be back soon, save me a seat."
"What do you want for food?" Allison asked.
"Nothing fancy, burger and fries," Joan replied and ran off to the post office.
"There goes the Energizer bunny," Bob noted and opened the door for Allison.
Following Allison to a booth, Bob sat across from her. The waitress was right there to get their orders. Bob and Allison decided on burgers and fries, with root beers, and got Joan the same.
Sitting here with Allison, Bob realized something. He was falling in love with Allison. All the time they spend together, she was like part of them. He also didn't want Joan to find out. Yes, he did love Joan with everything he had, but wasn't this like cheating on her? They had a great time together, there was no doubt about that, but would it be the same if he told Joan, or Allison about it? Would they suddenly start not liking each other? Joan and Allison did everything together. They were 'besties' and self proclaimed sisters. He did not want to ruin that for them.
"You look deep in thought," Allison said with a smirk.
Bob focused on her. "Some," he admitted. "Just thinking."
"About?" she prodded.
Bob shrugged. "Nothing important."
Allison giggled. "Yeah, right. Come on, out with it. You don't look that intense for no reason."
Bob shifted his gaze out the window. "No, really, it's nothing to worry about."
Allison grabbed his hand and tugged on it, making him look at her. "So, does that mean we wait for Joan to get back so we can force it out of you?"
"Allie," he said in a moan. "It's nothing really."
"Bullshit," she sang.
Thinking of something to say, he said, " I was thinking about getting a car, OK?"
"Then we can go visit dealers. That's nothing to brood about."
"I wasn't brooding."
"Yes you were."
Looking down, he saw they were holding hands. He knew he should pull away, but he didn't want to.
This isn't about money, is it?" she asked.
"What?" He looked at her. Where did money come into this?
Intently, Allison said, "You know Joan and I do really good playing football. It's much more than the $15 an hour you make. Is that bothering you?"
"No, I haven't even thought about it," he said honestly.
"OK, so it's not money. Can you give me a hint?" she prodded.
"No," he said automatically.
Allison giggled at him. "Why not?"
Bob shifted in place. "Allie, let's just drop it, OK. It's really nothing to worry about."
"Your mom didn't get on you for all three of us living together, Did she?"
"All I told Mom was I'm a camera man for the games. And yes, I do like doing that, It is fun and I get to be with Joan and you. That is what concerns me," he told her.
Allison paused and raised an eyebrow. "That concerns you?"
"I mean that is what I focus my energies on. What I care about," he explained.
Allison grinned a devilish grin. "And we like you focusing your energies on us."
The way she said it made him grin. "I love your attentions as well," he replied and gave her hand a light squeeze.
Right after he did it, he realized maybe he shouldn't have. He let out a sigh.
Allison pursed her lips. She'd talk to Joan an they would gang up on him to get him to confess.
.
Joan mailed Jackie's package to Daniel thn stopped by the sheriff's office. The sheriff wasn't in but the demon was.
"Hi" Jon beamed, "Guess what, we're going to the playoffs! Then if we win, we'll be going to game to play for the Cup to be the best team in America!"
"That's great," Aliana replied. She then got up and waved Joan over. Meeting her on the side of the desk, Aliana hugged her and said, "Thank you."
"For?" Joan asked tentatively.
Pulling back, Aliana said, "Me and Connor are getting along wonderfully now, and it's because of you. If you ever need anything, don't be a afraid to ask. You straightened us out. I'm happy now and so is he. I can never thank you enough."
Joan smiled, "I'm happy it's working out for you two. Makes sure the sheriff knows about the game, we're playing Denver in Denver."
"I'll be sure to tell him."
The sheriff came in just then, so Joan stayed to tell him herself, including day and times. She then headed back to the diner. going in she found Bob and Allison in booth. Their food was already here. Plopping down beside Bob, she chimed, "Package mailed! And the sheriff knows we're going to the playoffs."
Bob chuckled. "Hon, I think everyone knows." He pointed to a card on the condiments tray that told of their championship match.
"oh. Well, it was fun telling him. and He and his ... secretary are getting along really well."
"He's getting it on with his secretary?" Allison asked with a grin.
"Why not?" Joan asked. "He's a man, she's a woman. They should fit together well enough."
"If they don't they need to see a doctor," Bob said.
They chuckled. Now that Joan was here, everything seemed to be OK now.
.
Dana was resting on her couch, not really sleeping, just relaxing. Chomper decided to relax with her, he managed to crawl up on the couch and laid on her torso. She opened her eyes and looked, His eyes were shut. She smiled and closed her eyes again.
The phone rang.
With a grumble, she reached over and answered it. "Dana."
"Dana, this is Professor Jeffries with the Florida Marine life institute. I got this number from the DNA center. We need to know where these Homo Aquaticus live."
"No, you don't. Until I hear differently, that is classified information. They are a protected species."
"We are a national organization that studies marine life. We have the authority to study all marine life. Who is it that classified this species? Is it the army?"
"I'm sorry, who it is, is not your business. If there is something you want to know about them, I can tall you. as far as where they are, and who is watching over them, I'm not allowed to say."
"I can have a court order made to force you to tell."
"Have fun," she said and turned her phone off. Seeing Chomper looking at her, she said "It's nothing, go back to sleep."
Not happy, Mr. Jeffries looked for a private investigator to find out who this 'Dana' was, and where she was.
.
Another PI was working on a different case. Walking into the restaurant where his client said to meet, he found the China man and sat down.
"You have good news?" the Chinese man asked.
"Nope," he said and pulled his notepad out. "This girl you claim is using a false identity? Wrong. Allison Young is who she claims. I found her records all the way back to her birth certificate. She is currently playing football. She is not this Cameron Connor you thought she was. I did some research on Cameron Connor also. This is a broad you don't want to screw with. There is little solid information on her, by what I have learned she's what's called a Terminator. Solid metal on the inside, bullet proof, and she can kill you in a heartbeat. Word has it she's worked with the military a few times and always gets the job done. Basically, she's a walking tank, and she's not alone."
"Where is she?"
"Don't know, and from what I found, it's bad news just asking about her," he said firmly.
"We will pay in American dollars whatever you ask. We need to find her."
The PI shook his head. "You've yet to pay me for services rendered."
"You get paid when we know the location of Cameron Connor."
Th PI smiled briefly, then asked, "See you in court then?"
"That would be a big mistake,"
The PI pulled a tiny mike up out if his collar. "Tell that to my partner and the FBI."
The man itched his temple and said, "You should go now."
"So you refuse to pay me?" he asked.
"Go, now."
"In court then," the PI said and got up. He got partway to the door and a man came out behind him and whacked him over the head with a pipe. He dropped limp.
The Chinese man ran over and pulled the mike out, looking for a recorder. It was on his side, and it had an antenna. "Evacuate!" he snapped.
The front door burst open, FBI Agents in body armor and pointing guns.
"On the floor face down, NOW!"
The men rushed to flee out the back and faced more agents. The man with him pulled a gun. Tazers fired, the Chinese man and the one with him screamed, collapsed and shuddered on the floor as they were handcuffed.
.
John got the report that a third spy looking for Cameron had been found and was in jail for murder. He contacted Barnabas, he wanted to hire six Terminators for guards as soon as they were ready. General Watson didn't think that would be soon enough. He reassigned ten of terminators under Colonel Southworth to go to the Connor house for guard duty.
.
Since it was no secret by now that Joan. Bob and Allison were all involved with each other, Cameron didn't mind Bob and Allison 'sleeping over' with Joan. John grumbled a bit, but Cameron and Delilah reminded him they were adults now.
"But ... This is our baby girl," John whined.
Cameron kissed him and said, "She's not a baby any more."
They did try to be discrete, but Jackie saw Joan and Bob going in her room together. "Have fun!" Jackie beamed.
Joan grew a crooked grin. "We will."
"Not fair," Jackie grumbled and went on her way.
Allison was already inside and in her sheer nightgown. She and Joan had made a plan.
First was to wear Bob out with sex. They did everything to get him excited then took turns riding him while the other kissed him and he sampled and fondled both their breasts. They kept him going until he passed out with one of Joan's nipples still in his mouth.
Once he was out, They laid on either side of him and whispered to him.
"Bob, what are you worried about?" Joan asked softly. He frowned a bit.
"Bob, please tell us," Allison pleaded softly.
"It's..." then he snored.
"It's OK Bob," Joan coaxed.
He moved slightly and pulled them both close. "Ahh, Not right," he mumbled.
"What''s not right?" Alison asked quietly.
"ove you both." he mumbled. "Can't ... cheat ... Joan."
Joan grinned. "Bob, you love me and Allison?"
"Yeeh, didn't ... mean to. Don't want ... a fight.. you mean too much to each other," he mumbled.
Allison bit her lip and grinned widely.
Joan grinned back at her. "Bob, it's OK, I love Allison, It's OK if you do too."
"I do love you too, Bob," Allison whispered and kissed his cheek.
He hugged them tighter briefly. Joan and Allison tucked themselves under his shoulders. With a wide grin, Joan asked quietly, "Allie, still want you own guy?"
Allison clasped her hand. "I want to stay with you and Bob. I feel I belong here"
"I do too," Joan assured her.
