She had one of his jackets draped over her shoulders, shivering when the wind blew fierce. She was glad she had put her hair into a ponytail that morning instead of leaving her locks to stay messy on her shoulders. Beside her stood her boyfriend, his face unshaven, and his shades resting on his nose. He sniffled and pushed them up higher with his finger, before shoving one hand in his pocket, and using the other to wrap an arm around her. She smiled lightly, still cold from her slumber.

Finally, after what seemed like hours, a smaller woman appeared. Her blonde curls were short and permed, and she dragged a small piece of luggage behind her. She was small, much like Kitty, and wore a distant smile on her face. Behind her, a taller man, carrying too much luggage and struggling followed her. Steven walked over, taking a load off of the man, as did Jackie.

"Why Jackie, look how much you've grown." Bea smiled brightly, but her tone was condescending, as she raked her eyes over the teenager, who shifted uncomfortably. Steven noticed, and opened the back door for her grandparents. "I heated the car up for ya." He smiled, and rubbed his girlfriends arm, who shoved her grandmother's luggage into the bed of the truck.

"I forgot how much she gets on my nerves." She grumbled, and Burt let out a gruff laugh, before climbing into the backseat with his wife. "It's only until next week, Doll." He kissed her temple. She smiled, when he opened the door for her.

"M'lady." He joked. And in that moment, she realized.

He was it.

Eric folded the sheets neatly, and placed them on his fathers pillow. He looked around the room that was a mess just minutes prior, and sighed. He picked up the linens, and walked over to his fathers den, throwing them into the room aimlessly, and shutting the door behind him.

He let out a grunt, storming back into the living room, before the front door opened, and Red entered, shrugging his jacket off. Eric remained wordless, dusting the lights beside the stairs.

"Hello to you too, Dad." Was Red's sarcastic comment. Eric ignored him. "Hello, dumbass!" He called louder. Eric placed the duster on the brick wall, and hopped down.

"I'm surprised to see you back so soon." His response was icy, and his father was taken aback.

"What is your problem?" His father's response was a stupid one. Eric snorted, and Laurie walked into the living area, drying her hands on a towel.

"My problem is you, Dad. Why can't you ever just be pleasant? Or supportive?" He asked.

Imaginary crickets filled the air as his father opened his mouth. "My mother is devastated. All you do is hurt us, and all we do is forgive you." He shrugged. "Mom is hurt. Forget about us. Mom, our mother." He shrugged. "And it's like you don't even care that she's going into the most fragile stage of her life alone. Why do you think I have a problem? Sit with yourself and think Dad before you lose your only friend- your wife." He told him. Laurie placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Eric." She warned. Their father's face was contorted into an unreadable expression. He sniffled.

"No, Kitten. Your brother's right." His voice was gravelly, and he gave a small smile. "I've been a real dumbass, especially to your mother." Eric let out a sound similar to a squeak. "Eric, close your mouth. You look like a fish."

Red made his exit, and walked into the den, closing the door behind him.

Kitty came down the stairs, steps slow, as her heels clacked against the floor. She was wearing a pleated skirt, kitten heels, and her nice house sweater. It was as if her meltdown less than an hour before had never happened. But, that's how it was, wasn't it? Push it down, cover it with make up. It never happened. "Did I just hear your father?" She asked, voice a higher octave. Eric gave a forced smile. "Let's just give him a few minutes. He seems calm." His mother's face was perfectly done up again, as well as her hair.

Red finally entered the living room, and looked at his wife, coughing loudly. The kids moved out of the room, taking the hint.

When the Camino rolled into the driveway, it was around ten o'clock, and the smell of bacon and eggs wafted through the car vents. Her belly growled. She practically jumped out of her seat, and ran into the kitchen. Partly because she was hungry, but also because she couldn't wait to get out of the car.

"Why Jackie, I can't help but notice how you have your hair up in such a... style."

"Steven, I heard your mother leftyou all by your lonesome. How sad your life must be."

"I heard Laurie is on drugs."

The last one had been the tipping point, but she had just smiled and politely told her that Laurie is not on drugs, and was currently enrolled in beauty school.

"Jacklyn, dear, you forgot my luggage!" She called after her grandchild, who already had an apron on, pretending to help her mother in the kitchen. "I've got it." Eric and Steven stumbled in through the door, carrying all the suitcases.

"Eric, take those up to Laurie and Jackie's room." She told the boys. "Mom, no!" Jackie cried softly, and Laurie made an agreement. Before Kitty could say anything, Jason came running through the sliding glass door, and crouched behind the counter, breathing uneven and heavy, hair a mess. "Jason, sweetheart, what has gotten into you?" Kitty asked incredulously, crouching down to make sure he was okay. He put a finger to his lips, peering around the corner.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are, you disgusting little fag!" A male voice taunted from the driveway. Jackie's stomach flopped over, as everyone filed into the kitchen, including her father.

"We just wanna play a game! Isn't that what you're doing with Fez in there?" Another voice called.

Jason moved further into the corner, and looked up at Red, who crouched to his level. "I- I didn't mean to run, sir. But I can't take on ten other athletes..."

Red didn't respond, but he laid a hand on his knee, before walking over to the sliding glass door.