Jennifer Hart was at home, working in her office. She was on a deadline, but not her traditional deadline. This was different-she was under the gun to plan something without Jonathan finding out. He knew she was planning a big event, a fundraiser for the orphanage where he was raised. Or at least, that's what he thought she was planning. She had something much more memorable in mind. She spent her mornings planning everything, and contacting vendors like florists, caterers, musicians, the venue, and hiring waiters and bartenders. In the afternoon, she worked on an article in case he came home early so he wouldn't catch on.
She was in the study, working on her article when she heard him come in.
"Jennifer?"
"In here."
He came in and saw her at the desk. "Hi darling."
"Hi," She leaned up to kiss him. "You're home early."
"Yeah, I know. I had a meeting that got canceled so I came home. Why sit behind a desk, when I could be in your arms."
"Well, their loss is my gain."
He held his hand out to her and she took it and followed him to the living room. For most of their marriage, their afternoon routine was to have a drink together in the living room. He made her a martini and poured himself a scotch and soda. Together they sat down on the couch, snuggling into each other's arms.
"Ahhh….this is so good."
"Darling, I was thinking-this is a big year for the company, but it's a big year for you and I as well. Our 20th anniversary is coming up. Why don't we plan an extended trip somewhere?"
"Where do you want to go?"
"What about Switzerland? We can see the Alps, and do some skiing, if you want."
"I would love to see the Alps, but I'm not sure I want to go skiing. You and I aren't exactly spry chickens, darling."
"I realize that. Ok, so skiing is out. What about Monaco? Or St. Tropez? We can do a villa for part of the time and a houseboat for the rest."
"I love that. What about 3 weeks-maybe 9 days in each place?"
"That's doable."
"Perfect. How soon can you go?"
"Maybe in a couple of months. Call Kelly tomorrow and have her put it on my calendar."
"Perfect. I'll book everything and then call her in the morning." She leaned over and kissed him.
"Darling, one question. Who is going to watch Sadie and Jordyn and Ryan?"
"We can hire someone, I guess. Gosh, I wish Max was here."
Max, their faithful houseman and the only father figure Jonathan had ever really known, had passed away a couple years before. It really had an effect on everyone, as he was larger than life and they all loved him so deeply.
"Darling, I miss Max just as much as you do. But you can imagine if we had left the kids with him? They would have developed some very bad habits while we were gone."
"Yeah, that's true. But that's also grandparent privilege."
"Good point. I suppose I can always see if Mrs. Rodriguez would mind staying with them."
"That's a great idea. Where are the kids anyways?"
"They should be home from school any minute."
Right on cue, the front door opened and the kids came inside.
"Hi kiddos. Wipe your feet, please."
All three kids wiped their feet and slung their backpacks to the floor by the stairs before they joined their parents in the living room.
"Mom, it's not fair." Jordyn started as she plopped down on the couch. Sadie took my phone and won't give it back. I need my phone. I cannot live without it."
"Sadie, why do you have your sister's phone?"
"Because she lost my phone. And I didn't even know she had taken it until she had lost it. So until she finds it, I get to keep her phone."
"Jordyn, where was the last place you had Sadie's phone?"
"I can't remember."
"Why did you take her phone?"
"Because my phone was dead, and hers wasn't. I needed to watch a video on Youtube."
"What have I told you girls about taking the other one's phones? And about keeping up with your things? Your father and I are not just going to buy you a new phone every time you misplace yours."
"Mom, you haven't even heard the worst part. She asked me yesterday if she could borrow my new sweater and I said no, because I hadn't even worn it yet. Then at school today, I happened to be in the cafeteria at the same time her grade came in and she was wearing my sweater. So she took my phone and my sweater." Sadie sat back into the couch, her arms folded across her chest in anger.
Ryan walked over and sat next to Jonathan. "Dad?"
"Yeah buddy?"
"I'm glad I'm the only boy".
"Me too". They shared a high-five as they left the battle zone to go toss a football around in the backyard.
"Darling, not too rough. He's in his school clothes". Jennifer focused her attention on the girls again. "Jordyn, do you have Sadie's sweater?"
"It's in her backpack."
"Go get it."
Jordyn got up and went and got the sweater and came back. "I want my phone back before you get the sweater back."
"Not happening."
They started yelling and Jennifer had an instant headache. "Ok that's enough. Now I have had it with this arguing between the two of you. It's constant and it needs to stop. Here's what we are going to do. Jordyn, how much homework do you have?"
"None."
"Perfect. Then you are only allowed to do one thing, and that is to find your sister's phone. At which time, she will give me your phone and I will hold on to it for a few days. Maybe that will teach you to keep up with your things. As for you taking your sister's sweater, tomorrow I will drop this off at the dry cleaners and the cost of cleaning the sweater will come out of your allowance."
"That is not fair!"
"Yes it is. Now get busy."
"Fine." Jordyn stomped off upstairs to start looking for Sadie's phone.
"No stomping feet, please." Jennifer yelled after her.
"Thanks Mom." Sadie leaned down and kissed Jennifer on the cheek.
"Not so fast. I want to talk to you, too."
"What about?"
"You're the older sister and maybe every now and then when Jordyn asks if she can borrow something, you should say yes instead of no."
"I hadn't worn it yet. If she had asked about any other sweater, I would have said fine. But this isn't a sweater you and Dad gave me. It was the sweater I saved my allowance for and bought with my own money. Plus, she asked me and I said no, and she deliberately took it anyway as if my feelings don't count."
"I understand that. I just think overall if you were more generous, she might not be so sneaky."
"And if you'd let me switch rooms with Ryan like I want to, maybe she'll borrow from him more than she borrows from me."
"I promise, I'll talk to your father about switching the rooms, alright?"
"Thank you."
"Your father and I are thinking of taking a trip in a couple months for our anniversary. While we're gone, we are going to ask Mrs. Rodriguez if she would mind staying with you guys, but we need you to help out some. Alright?"
"Fine." Sadie suddenly got an idea. "Can we go driving this weekend? I am 16 you know. I am ready to get my license".
"Yes, we can go practice. But I have to talk to your father about you getting your license".
"Promise you will talk to him?"
"I promise, I promise".
"Thanks Mom".
Sadie headed upstairs so Jennifer took her drink outside to the back patio and sat on the swing. She was watching Jonathan and Ryan toss the football back and forth for a bit. It warmed her heart that she had been able to give Jonathan a son. Not that he would have complained if they had three girls, but she was happy that he had someone to pass down all of his fatherly advice to. Spotting her on the patio, they came over and sat with her.
"How was school son?" Jonathan asked as he ruffled Ryan's dark hair.
"Fine. Well, mostly fine. I hated P.E."
"What? You love P.E. What happened in P.E.?" Jennifer was taken aback.
"We had a substitute and she told us to play dodge ball but she wouldn't let us play it right. She would only let us catch the ball, not hit each other with it."
"That's no fun".
"I agree. I even told her my dad's company would buy all new equipment but she didn't budge".
"Son, you can't just promise my company is going to fund your school to get your way. But I will give you points for creativity".
"Mom, Dad, do you think maybe tomorrow I can stay home from school?"
"Why would you need to?"
"Because Mrs. MacGruber is teaching us about manners and junk all week and I thought today was going to be the worst. But then I found out it's tomorrow."
"What was today?"
"She had a pretend table, and we had to sit with kids in our class and use manners. It's ok, though. I got out of it."
"How?"
"I burped and blew bubbles in my milk".
Jonathan smiled, but when he saw his wife's irritation he hid it behind his hand.
"Ryan! That is awful. Tomorrow, you will apologize to Mrs. MacGruber and reassure her that you have manners and that you will use them. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, you do. But can I have the same deal Dad gave me?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Points for creativity."
"Jonathan, do you see what you started?! And, No sir, you may not."
"Fine."
"What's tomorrow?"
"She's going to make us dance. She said we have to dress up and junk, and wear a shirt and tie. The girls have to wear dresses, and then when we protested she said we could wear dresses and the girls could wear ties."
"It won't be as bad as you think. A dance isn't really that long." Jennifer's whiskey and gold eyes met Jonathan's blue ones in a loving gaze. "And sometimes, a dance isn't long enough".
"Son, do you have any homework?"
"Just math and science. But I can do that tomorrow before the bell."
"Or, you can go do it right now." Jennifer gave him a stern look.
"Fine."
Jennifer gave him a hug and kiss and noticed he smelled like a locker room. "And for heaven's sake, please take a shower before dinner."
When it was just her and Jonathan again, they enjoyed the peace and quiet for a few moments.
"Well I don't hear any sirens, so I guess the girls aren't fighting."
"More like they aren't speaking to each other. I told Jordyn she was to do nothing else tonight but find Sadie's phone and when she does, Sadie will give me Jordyn's phone for a few days. But I do want to talk to you about Sadie for a moment."
"What about Sadie?"
"She's aggravated with Jordyn constantly borrowing her clothes and taking her things and losing them or not treating them nicely. I agree and understand how she feels. She mentioned trading rooms with Ryan,, and I think it's something we need to think about. She's older. She deserves her own room, and I think we need to either let her switch with Ryan or come up with a compromise."
"What sort of compromise?"
"Well, maybe we can let her have the bathroom to herself and lock the door that goes to Jordyn's room from the bathroom. Jordyn and Ryan can share the other bathroom. Or we can leave Jordyn where she is, leave Ryan where he is, and let Sadie switch with the guest room. Or we can have Jordyn switch with the guest room."
"I vote for a lock, but it's on Sadie's door, not Jordyn's."
"I think that's fair. And the other issue is her license. She's ready, darling. She wants to get her license and she is 16. We told her she had to take the driver's education courses, and she did. She passed with flying colors. I drove with her the other day and she did pretty well. I think we need to at least let her get her license."
"I suppose we can let her get it. But just because she gets her license that doesn't mean she gets a brand-new car. I think she should start out with a newer car, with a warranty, and I want us to set some boundaries as to where she's allowed to drive and with whom."
"What if we give her a price limit and the entire car, plus title, tags and registration has to fall within that price range?"
"Fine. But if it's a sports car, we need to set some boundaries about how many people she can drive around."
"I will agree to that. Now, I'll take her to get her license, if you handle buying the car. I just want you to promise me two things. One, that you will ask her what she wants. If she's going to drive it, I want her to at least like it. But don't go overboard. Two, it has to be safe in the event that she drives her brother and sister anywhere."
"I promise, it will be. If she gets the license, I'll take care of getting her car."
"Deal."
They were locked in a deep kiss when Ryan came back outside. "Mom, can I do my homework in your office?"
"What's wrong with your room?"
"It's too close to the war zone the girls have created upstairs."
"They're fighting again?"
"Yep. And very loudly."
"Ok, let's go."
"Both of us?"
"Both of us. And make sure you back me up."
"Ok, let's go. Ryan, do your homework in the kitchen."
"Fine."
Jennifer and Jonathan headed upstairs and found the girls screaming and pulling each other's hair.
"Ok, that's enough. Stop it!" Jonathan stepped in between them and separated them. "What is the problem now?"
"She came upstairs and cleaned up her room, like you told her to. But did she find my phone? No. Instead, she knocks on my door and brings me this pile of clothes that she borrowed that I had no clue she had taken. You see this top? I used half of my babysitting money to buy a new one because I thought I lost it when she had it the whole time."
"Did not!"
"Did! And when you saw me wearing it, you still didn't say anything!"
"Jordyn, what have we told you about respecting other people's things?"
"If I ask her, she says no. That's not my fault."
"They are her things. She has the right to say no."
"Mom, I'm serious. I want a different room, away from her."
Jennifer looked at Jonathan. He nodded. "Ok. Fine. We will move you this weekend. You can take the guest room and bathroom, and this room will become the guest room."
"I have a better idea."
They all looked to Jordyn.
"What's that?"
"Can she move to the guest room and I move to this side?"
"Yes, that's fine. But we are moving her first, understand?"
"Yes."
"Now, you are in charge of washing all of the clothes that you took from her closet without asking. And you still have to find her phone."
"I understand."
Jonathan and Jennifer headed downstairs and into the kitchen.
"Ryan, it's safe to go back upstairs."
"Yay."
"Darling, what do you want for dinner?"
"Let's go out."
"Are you kidding? The way the girls are acting, they're liable to stab each other with the silverware."
He nuzzled into her neck. "Let them burn the house down. I want time with my wife."
"Jonathan, the kids can walk in at any minute. I promise we can go out tomorrow night."
"Well, what are my options?"
"We can grill some chicken and I can roast some vegetables or we can make some spaghetti and a salad."
"I vote for spaghetti."
"Agreed."
Jonathan made the meatballs while Jennifer cut the veggies and boiled the noodles and made the sauce.
"Dad, can we go to the Lakers game this weekend?"
"Sure. I'll reserve the box."
"Cool."
Sadie came into the kitchen. "Mom, Dad, I have a favor to ask. And I want you to hear me out, and promise to have an open mind."
"We promise."
"Would it be ok if tomorrow night, being that it is Friday and all, if I were to sleep somewhere other than here?"
"Like at a friend's house?"
"Not exactly."
"You want to sleep at the home of a serial killer?"
"Dad! Be serious! I don't want to sleep at anyone's house. I just won't be sleeping here."
"Where exactly will you be sleeping?"
"Well, there's a concert coming and I want to go to it and the tickets go on sale but they sell out so fast every time. A bunch of my friends and I are talking about going and getting in line tomorrow after school and spending the night in line to wait for the tickets."
"Absolutely not. Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"
"Mom, just think about it. Open mind, remember?"
"Sadie, that's incredibly dangerous. I have no problem if you want to have a friend spend the night here or even a few friends spend the night. I have no problem if you want to spend the night with a friend. But, I will not let you spend the night on the streets of Los Angeles waiting for a ticket box to open."
"Dad….help."
"Don't look at me, I completely agree with her."
"You guys, this is not fair! Put yourself in my shoes. How would you feel if everyone you hung out with on a regular basis got tickets to something and you didn't?"
"I would be upset, but I wouldn't put my life at risk to get the tickets."
"Mom, please-I promise, we'll be careful".
"What if you and your friends spend the night here and we all get up really early and go down and get in line for tickets then?"
"Then we'll be at the back of the line and the good seats will be gone. The only way this will work is if we get in line tomorrow night."
"You're not doing that and that's final."
"I have a better idea. Where is the concert being held?"
"The Forum."
"Great. The company has a box that seats 20. If your friends' and their parents will agree, I will reserve the box, get 20 tickets, and your friends can pay me for the tickets."
"Dad, you're the greatest! Thank you! You're my favorite parent, because you remember what being a kid was like". She tossed an angry look at Jennifer.
"You're welcome. Now wash up for dinner."
"Oh, I don't have time to eat. I have to call everyone and tell them what the plans are."
She dashed off upstairs to call all her friends while Jennifer and Jonathan stayed in the kitchen.
"I cannot believe that she said that."
"Calm down darling, I'm sure you'll be the favorite the next time."
"Did you ever think we would be dealing with these issues with our children?"
"Issues or not, there's no one else I would rather parent with." He leaned over and kissed her. "I'm starving. Let's eat."