"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, I'm… I'm certain." Rev held the phone in his hand, unable to keep entirely still. He could feel the beat of his heart pounding far faster than it had a moment ago. The number he had brought up on screen was that of his patents. Both he and Tech had sequestered themselves in the lab, wanting privacy for whatever was coming next.
"If you want, we could just text them or something" Tech suggested.
"No, no it's best that I just call them." Ever since having dinner with Tech's mother and Rip, Rev had battled with the idea of trying to repair his relationship with his own parents. It was easier said than done, but it was something he felt he needed to do. The thought of Rip having all of the pressure which was originally Rev's own shoveled onto him was just too much to bear. Besides, what other options did he have? Was he just supposed to let the two people who raised him be cut off forever? He needed to at least try and make the first step. If nothing else, he knew he had Rip's support, and although his mother was old fashioned, she seemed to be a bit more open minded. It was his father who would be the most difficult.
The other aspect which had been weighing on Rev's mind was the interview coming up with Misty Breeze. They were going on television to defend themselves, and Rev was certain the questions asked would get very heated. Both he and Tech had nothing to hide, but at the same time, it would be so much more satisfying to go out there and say that all was well and good. He wanted so desperately to just say that he had patched things up with his parents. Sadly, even if he could say that one day, there was no possibility of it happening in the three weeks before the interview.
"If that's how you feel, then just know I'm here for you" Tech placed his hand against Rev's cheek. The roadrunner smiled, took a deep breath, then dialed. They waited for a moment.
"Ralph-Runner-speaking" answered a plucky voice on the other end. It took Rev a few seconds just to muster up a sound.
"It's-me."
What followed was dead silence. Rev could only imagine what reaction his father was having on the other end of the line. Was he also nervous, or was this simply him bottling up all of his anger? A part of Rev wished that Ralph would just yell, at least then he would know where they stood.
"What-is-it?" His father's words were sharp and succinct. Any warmth which had coated the earlier greeting had been completely stripped away. What was left was merely the desire to get the information out. There was no inkling of joy, nor sorrow.
"I-just-figured… I just want to talk" Rev said.
"We're-talking-now."
"I want to have an actual in person talk with you and Ma. C'mon Pop, I know there must be some part of you that wants to bury the hatchet as much as I do."
"That-depends. Have-you-escaped-the-clutches-of-that-coyote?"
"I'm not in anyone's clutches Pa. He's my boyfriend. Can't you just give the two of us a chance and let us all talk this out?" Rev could feel the distain seeping through the phone line from his father. He was still unsure where he stood. For all he knew, this was great headway. Suddenly, another voice could be heard at the other end.
"Who-are-you-talking-with-dear?" It was Rev's mother, Harriet.
"No-one-honey, now-let-me-finish-this-phone-call."
"It's-not-Rev-is-it?" A twinge of hope could be heard within her voice. It was as if she so desperately wanted it to be the case, but had been let down one too many times.
"Hi-Ma!" Rev quickly called out before his father could say anything in response.
"Oh! Rev-is-that-you?" Her voice was far clearer this time. It was evident that she was now much closer to the phone; from the sound of things, right next to Ralph.
"Harriet-please! I'm-trying-to-end-this-call!"
"I'd-love-to-have-you-over-to-dinner-sweetie! Does-tomorrow-evening-work-well-for-you?" It was now clear that some sort of struggle was occurring on the other side of the call.
"Sure-thing-Ma-I'd-absolutely-love-to!" Rev blurted out as quickly as he could before the call abruptly ended. He could only hope that she had heard him before he had gotten cut off. He then turned to face Tech, who wore a very supporting smile.
"So, is this a…success?" He asked tentatively.
"That's yet to be seen, but one thing's for certain, we're going to have dinner at my parent's house tomorrow evening."
"We?" Tech pointed to himself, a might bit confused.
"Yes, we" Rev repeated as he wrapped his arms around the coyote, "You did say you were here for me after all." He then planted a brief kiss on his lips. Suddenly, a knock was heard at the door. The two craned their heads over, wondering who on earth could be so eager to see them as to knock at the entrance to the lab. Rev unfurled himself from Tech, speeding up to the handle. He pulled it open, revealing Duck to be the one who had knocked on the other side. They both looked at him, a bit confused.
"Duck?" Tech asked, "Is… is there something we can help you with?"
Duck stood there awkwardly, "I just wanted to remind you two about movie night." Rev looked back to Tech, the both of them bewildered as to why Duck was being so insistent about movie night of all things. Ever since the crime in Acmetropolis had slowed down, the Loonatics had gotten together to watch a movie once a week in the common area. They were fairly informal affairs, with people sometimes checking in and out, or not even bothering to show up on time.
"Well Duck, we uh, we were kind of in the middle of business here" Tech scratched the back of his head, "We figured no one would miss us if we showed up a bit late."
"A bit late!" Duck scoffed, "Nonsense! What would we do without our favorite coyote/roadrunner duo to complete the mood!" Before either of them could ask what exactly was going on, Duck had already begun shoving them out into the hall. Not knowing what all this was about, both Tech and Rev decided to keep their mouths shut, knowing that sooner or later, everything would come to light.
They soon found themselves in the common area, where Lexi, Ace and Slam awaited them, looking just as confused as Tech and Rev were. Duck shoved them onto the couch. They all looked up to Danger, awaiting some kind of explanation.
"Alright, that's everybody" he said to himself. Suddenly, the ring of a doorbell chimed throughout the room. Somebody was at outside.
"I'll get it!" Duck exclaimed as he ran to the door, as if anyone else was about to swipe this opportunity away from him. He swung it open, revealing a female duck, with pale feathers, chewing on a wad of bubble gum with a distinct lack of enthusiasm.
"Hey" she said, rivaling Rip for the most monotone voice. The group all gave a hello, before looking over to a very smug Duck.
"Hope you guys don't mind that I invited my girlfriend to our movie night" he bragged.
"I mean, we've been on like one date, but sure, I guess I'm ok with that title" Nina added, taking a little bit of the wind out of Duck's sails, "Anyway, if it's alright with you guys I gotta take a piss."
"Bathroom's right down the hall" Lexi pointed, Nina gave her a thumbs up and followed suit. Upon hearing the bathroom door shut, the tone in the room suddenly changed.
"Duck, was Nina being you girlfriend really all you had to announce?" Tech asked, not sure whether to be disappointed, relieved, or annoyed.
"Yes!" Duck exclaimed, "I mean, none of you have a girlfriend! I'm the only one!"
"Well-can-you-blame-us-I-mean-who-would-want-one?" Rev joked, resting his legs on Tech's lap.
"You just watch it, blabber-beak!" Duck warned, "You're no longer the only member of the Loonatics with a dating life now! Before you know it, the press will be flocking to cover my love life!"
"Duck, you better not be dating this girl just for the attention" Lexi frowned.
"Of course not" Duck said, "Even I'm not that shallow, but as long as I am dating someone, then I figured I couldn't not rub your faces in it." It was then that Nina re-entered, drying her hands on the sides of her pants.
"So, we watch'n a thingy or what?" She asked as she sat down. Duck quickly took a spot next to her. The rest of the Loonatics seemed to give a simultaneous eye roll, before starting the film, deciding it was best not to say anything.
/
Ralph Runner let out a laborious sigh as he sat on the edge of his bed. Why on earth had he been the one to be dealt this fate? For a great many years, he was a happy father. Sure, his children were not perfect, but they were by no means the worst. At least, that was what he had thought. Rev always seemed like the perfect child, well, maybe the almost perfect child. Ralph had always known in his heart of hearts that if Rev had just let go, and gone into the family business like he wanted, then everything would have worked out fine. Sadly, this was not what he did. Instead, his son had chosen to become a super hero. And to be fair, it wasn't as if that was the worst job in the world. It could have paid better, but still, Ralph figured Rev would do the super hero thing for a few years, and then when he was a bit older, he would settle into the business. After all, he had been the same in his youth, wanting to try new things and see what worked out best. As it turned out, however, Rev did not have this same plan in mind.
To think, out of nowhere, he had become amorously involved with some flea-bitten coyote. The nerve! It was as if the boy was doing everything he could to go against all of the principles and values Ralph had attempted to imbue in him over the years. Compounding all of this was the fact that his wife, Harriet, had now invited the two of them back into their home.
"You-know-dear, you-really-don't-need-to-be-so-down-in-the-dumps-about-Rev-coming-over-tomorrow" she said while adjusting the rollers in her hair. She was standing in the bathroom, facing the mirror with the door open so that they could talk.
"Well-how-else-am-I-suppose-to-take-it?" Ralph moaned.
"This-is-your-chance-to-reconnect-with-your-son. You-might-not-get-another-opportunity-like-this. Besides-if-nothing-else-then-this-provides-everyone-a-moment-to-give-their-perspective." She was now removing her eye lashes.
"Oh-please! Do-you-really-think-he's-going-to-listen-to-a-word-I-have-to-say?" Ralph scoffed, now pacing back and forth across the room, "He's-just-going-to-give-me-the-same-old-schtick-about-how-I'm-an-old-man-caught-up-in-my-ways-and-how-I-don't-know-what's-best-for-him!"
"Now-dear, try-and-see-this-from-Rev's-perspective" Harriet advised, attempting to remove her eyeliner, "To-Rev-this-is-a-legitimate-relationship. He's-in-love-with-this-coyote."
"Harriet, don't-go-telling-me-that-your-all-for-this-unholy-arrangement."
"Of-course-not-dear" Harriet reassured as she stepped out of the bathroom, "I-don't-like-Rev-dating-a-coyote-any-more-than-you-do, but-at-the-very-least-I-want-my-son-back!" The two climbed into bed together, Ralph still being in a rather irritable mood.
"So-what? We-just-pretend-that-a-roadrunner-dating-a-coyote-is-ok? There-are-certain-principles-I-try-not-to-waver-on-Harriet, and-this-is-one-of-them."
"I-know-dear, but-maybe-this-is-just-a-phase. We-don't-even-know-how-long-this-relationship-could-last. For-all-we-know-if-we-let-it-take-its-course-it-might-crumble-naturally." She reassured, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Still, I-don't-understand-why-we-have-to-go-catering-to-them. I-mean, why-can't-things-be-the-same-way-they-were-when-we-were-young? Back-then-the-very-idea-of-a-roadrunner-and-coyote-getting-cozy-together-was-unheard-of, and-this-isn't-even-touching-upon-the-fact-that-he's-dating-a-guy!"
"I-know-dear" Harriet said sleepily. She clicked off the light by their bed, hoping that her husband would be less worked up by tomorrow evening.