All right, folks, let's get going with this next chapter! Anyway, enjoy!
The beautiful, voluptuous woman that was the mother of Dexter and Dee Dee normally notices the strange occurrences that went on within her household. Even if she did, she'd often dismiss it as the kids just playing around or arguing with one another, as they always tend to do. Still, she couldn't complain, it was all part of being a healthy family. Of course, she wasn't exactly sure what the kids liked... well, Dee Dee was simple and easy, she's always open with her feelings and everything... but Dexter, she could never quite pin down Dexter's likes.
That is, she knows Dexter loves rambling on about science, how he always loved playing games... and when family time always happened, he was there to try to have fun... but it felt like she couldn't quite connect with Dexter, and she had no idea why. Even her husband was a bit clueless about Dexter... which, he did tell he enjoyed the quality father/son time together, and even when Dexter usually preferred to spend his time alone, he at least found time to do the regular things that he always liked to do... watch Action Hank, for example, then have an occasional talk about their day... and though Dee Dee was more open and imaginative when it came to her play time, Dexter's was more... reserved, like he did give details, but not enough for her to understand.
So, to say that she noticed Dexter whispering something to one of Dee Dee's friends was quite noticeable on first glance. She noted Dee Dee and Mee Mee whispering to each other as well as they giggled, pointing over to Dexter and Lee Lee, much to the former's curiosity and annoyance.
"What?" Dexter asked as he turned to Dee Dee in annoyance.
"Oh, nothing." Dee Dee giggled as she rolled her eyes.
Lee Lee shook her head as she went back to her lunch. "Ignore them, Dexter. They're just being... goofy."
"I can't help it. They're just looking at us as if... something strange had just happened." Dexter frowned as he kept his eye on Dee Dee, much to the blonde dancer's amusement.
Dexter's mom paused as she looked a little curious, deciding to drop in on the conversation. "So, uh... kids, anything happening today?"
"Oh, nothing important..." Dexter said, knowing his mother was talking as he resumed his lunch. "Tuna is good, by the way, very exquisite taste."
The orange haired woman paused a bit in confusion, but gave a grin, figuring it was a compliment. "Well, thank you, Dexter. You're always a sweetheart when it comes to my food."
"Hey, I like your food too, Mom." Dee Dee pointed out as she took a small bite of the tuna sandwich being provided. "Mmmmm..."
Mee Mee nodded in agreement. "Oh yes, very delicious Mrs. Cur-"
Lee Lee then started choking a bit before grabbing a glass of water to wash it down. Dexter immediately started to get concerned for a brief moment. "Are you okay there, Lee Lee?"
"Y-yeah. Wrong pipe." Lee Lee said as she looked up. "But yes, the food is good."
Dexter's mom gave a small smile, though she couldn't but notice Dexter's slight change in attitude when it came to addressing Lee Lee. She remembered that in the past couple years that Dexter knew Dee Dee's friends, he'd treat them as he'd treat her... as slight annoyances, but with restraining himself. But no, when it came to Dexter's attitude with Lee Lee in particular, it was different than the last time she visited the house. Still, she put on a small smile as she said, "Oh, well that's great, kids. Oh, Mee Mee, your mother called. She said she needs you home as soon as possible."
"Really?" Mee Mee asked, before looking down in disappointment. "Awww... sorry girls, I'll have to leave after lunch."
"That's okay. I can always keep myself occupied." Dee Dee said with a grin as she turned to Dexter and Lee Lee.
Dexter looked at her angrily, but before he could respond, surprisingly for him, it was Lee Lee who responded for him, "Dee Dee, don't even start. He has his project to work on, and it would be much better if he wasn't disturbed."
"What? Awww..." Dee Dee pouted.
"Look, we can play as soon as I'm done helping Dexter, but right now, he really needs me." Lee Lee pointed out. "Can you at least respect that."
Dee Dee gave one of her big grins, which Dexter immediately shut down. "Don't even try it."
Dexter's mom did not quite understand what they were referring to, but judging from Lee Lee's protective stance against her young boy, the gears in her mind started to work as her eyes lit up. "Wait a minute? Dexter's project? I know what you're up to-?"
Dexter, Dee Dee and Lee Lee yelped as Dexter seemed to be going for something in his lab pocket. "You do?"
"Dexter... Lee Lee... are you two..." Dexter's mom started to lower eyelids seriously... before giving a small smile. "Together?"
Dexter looked relieved as he pulled his hand back from his pocket, breathing a small sigh. "Not exactly, we're just-"
"We're partners for this project Dexter's working on, yes." Lee Lee nodded. "Dexter really needed my help for it, since he needs a second person to help assist him. Of course, I did suggest Dee Dee, but he seems to not trust her."
"I'm hurt, Dexter. You know I am." Dee Dee whimpered like a small puppy.
Dexter rolled his eyes. "Oh, ha ha."
"But yes, Dexter and I ARE together... for partners for his science project." Lee Lee said. "If you understand what I mean."
Dexter's mom put her gloved fingers on her chin, looking a bit suspicious... before giving a grin. "Oh, that's so sweet. Well, I won't keep you two."
Dexter gave a small sigh of relief as he finished his sandwich and was about to go up. "Thank you for the meal, Mom, quite delicious. Can I be excused, please?"
"Of course, Dexter." The orange haired woman nodded as Dee Dee, Mee Mee and Lee Lee were getting up, Dee Dee deciding to go outside for a while, Mee Mee heading for home and Lee Lee about to follow Dexter when Dexter's mom stepped in front of her. "Of course, if you don't mind, I'd like to keep your... "partner" with me for just a few moments."
Dexter raised an eyebrow as he gave a nod. "Right. I'll give you two some privacy."
"Thank you, honey." Dexter's mom grinned as she watched Dexter leave before giving a giggle. "Oh, Dexter. Always leaves whenever he wants to do anything important..."
"Well, yeah. But what else can you expect?" Lee Lee shrugged before turning to Dexter's mom in curiosity. "You wanted to see me about something?"
Dexter's mom nodded as she turned to Lee Lee with a serious expression on her face. "Yes. Listen, Lee Lee. I know you're a trustworthy friend, and you and Dee Dee always love to have fun. And don't think I haven't seen you speak for Dexter, either."
"Uh... have I?" Lee Lee said in confusion.
Dexter's mom gave a slight nod. "Oh yes. His father used to speak for me most of the times during the days we met." She gave a slight frown. "Much to my annoyance."
"Oh... well, I just wanted to make sure he didn't say anything bad to Dee Dee, that's all." Lee Lee looked down.
"But he didn't reprimand you for it. And that's okay." Dexter's mom giggled, before pausing. "You know, Dexter was always... smart, but very reservative. Always kept to himself most of the time, though he still enjoys the quality time with his father, Dee Dee and I. The only time I ever saw him with school friends was when he usually plays board games with them, but other than that, he's always been..."
"Alone? Never wanting to interact with anybody and anything? A reclusive person who often spends time in his room?" Lee Lee guessed.
Dexter's mom blinked twice. "I was going to say he keeps to himself. But seeing him with you, just now, he seemed to act like a... different person."
"Really?" The Asian girl asked, cocking her head in confusion. "Because he looked normal to me."
"Believe me, I know my own son and the dependence on his attitude. It all depends on the tone of voice. When he was with you, he looked soft-spoken and concerned when he talked with you." Dexter's mom said.
"Oh. I... didn't notice." Lee Lee paused.
Dexter's mom laughed a bit. "Well, that's what happens when you've raised two kids. They experience different attitudes. But Lee Lee, if I may ask a small request when you go back to Dexter?"
"Uh... sure. What is it?" Lee Lee asked, looking to the woman.
"Open up to him, appeal to his personality. Don't be afraid to show him that you're as smart as people say you are... and don't let anybody say otherwise." Dexter's mother explained, before smiling. "You know, when I first met my husband, he wasn't exactly the clean-shaven man I've met, but then again, if he hadn't cleaned up his act to prove to me he can be a better person, I wouldn't have fallen in love with him... and I wouldn't have gotten my yellow gloves."
Dexter's mom sighed happily at the small memory, leaving Lee Lee confused. "Wait, you wear those rubber gloves all the time because..."
"I'm a germaphobe, yes. I'm not quite ashamed to admit it. Heck, I think that's the reason Dexter wears those purple rubber gloves of his. I figured he has the same fear I do." She said with a smile.
As much as Lee Lee wanted to point out that the reason Dexter wore the gloves was because it was part of the scientist's outfit for his lab, she kept silent as she just simply nodded. "I'll... remember that for Dexter. Thank you, Mrs. Cu-"
"Lee Lee, can you come up here, please? I could use a little assistance here!" Dexter's voice called from upstairs.
"I'll be right there!" Lee Lee called before turning to Dexter's mom. "Thanks for the talk, but I feel I need to help Dexter with that project."
"Oh, it's no trouble, dear." Dexter's mom grinned as she watched Lee Lee leave. As soon as she was gone, she couldn't help but open her eyes happily. "Oh... young love..."
And that's the fourth chapter done! How'd you guys like it? Next time we come back to this, we'll be going to the day of the science fair and see what happens when Dexter and Lee Lee show off the project... of course, it'll be undermined soon enough by another invention... but whose? We'll wait and see. Anyway, read, review, criticize and suggest, folks!