Chapter 7
Chapter 7
From the diary of April O'Neil Jones

Monday, November 22, 1999 8:07 p.m.

It has been two days since we've been here at the farmhouse. Two days of some fun and a lot of aggravation. My heart breaks when Casey argues with the guys. It breaks more when he has to be the mean father and give Shadow a stern punishment for something I hardly consider to be a bad thing. Today, was not one of my days I'll remember as a 'good time.' How I long for one of our vacations to be perfect. But no, to be perfect would be something much too hard to maintain.

I did make that chicken casserole and the success of it pleased the entire house whole. Even Michaelangelo, my little helper, proved to be a savior for preparing the side dishes. I sometimes wonder how I'm able to create a big meal without his assistance. For three people back at home, it's a snap. TV dinners are my cheats at times. Counting down to the day of roasting the big bird, I overheard Michaelangelo groan when I was circling my calendar. Thursday is the day, my friend.

April paused typing to see Donatello come walking in.

"Hi, April. I was going to do some surfing if you're finished here. Or, I can come back if you're going to throw lose objects since you don't want me to see anything-"

April cut him off by laughing.

"It's okay, Don. I don't mind you reading my diary. Really. It's not a personal diary. Haven't had one of those for years. Ever since my mother found and read it, I never bothered to write down secrets anymore." She shrugged. "I just like to keep track of our trips and vacations. Someday, I'd like to read back on these and laugh." She looked to the words. "Or maybe cry."

"That's our life, April. In a nutshell."

"Mm, hmm. So, where's the party?"

"Umm, Casey's downstairs arguing over channels with Raph, Mike's screaming with Shadow on the video games, Leo's trying to read in the next room and Splinter is attempting to seek peace by meditating. The usual stuff."

April smiled and shook her head. "And you want to get away from it all?"

"I have a one way ticket to the internet."

"Alright." April moved the mouse to click 'save'. "I guess I'll leave you to enjoy your surfing." Donatello took his seat as she headed out the door. "You know not to stay on too-" He nodded to her. "Yeah, you know. And three a.m. is pretty late to me."

"Did I wake you that night?"

"No, Don. You didn't. I've just been having trouble sleeping. That's all."

"Just making sure."

"I understand. Goodnight, Don."

"Later, April."

April stepped into the hall, clicking on the hallway light. The brightness caused her to blink a few times. Hearing groans and cheers, she entered Shadow's room with a smile.

"Bath time, kiddo."

Shadow looked up, hers and Mike's face casting a blue glare from the screen.

"Now?"

"No, tomorrow. Yes, now! You were out in the snow playing with lord knows what. Come on. The less you complain, the faster it gets done."

Shadow blinked to her as Michaelangelo exclaimed a holler. Looking back, she saw her character was beaten with a fatality death blow.

"Ha, ha! Yesssss! Oh, man! Thanks for the diversion, April! Yes, yes! Jeez, this is too coincidental! Man, April, during our sparring, I caught Donny off-guard in the barn and now I got another left hook in on the game! Aaaaaah, haaaa, haaa!" Shadow looked to April, not amused.

"You're welcome, Mike. Mind if I pull your wounded partner away to get cleaned up for bed?"

"Oh, sure! Go ahead. I'll go watch TV downstairs. I gotta tell Raph about this. Ha, ha, ha!" Michaelangelo stood up, stretched and tapped Shadow's head. "Great game, kid. Real great!"

April watched him almost dance past her and slide down the banister railing.

"Don says their life is in a nutshell. Mike is definitely the nut!" She heard giggling. April said that to herself but Shadow overheard her. "Okay, you. Get some clean pajamas. I'd still like to do some more typing in my diary later by throwing your Uncle Don off his own computer."

Shadow stood up as April headed back into the hall, getting some clean towels from the linen closet. Moving to the bathroom, she flipped the heat lamp on overhead. Next, she placed the towels on the sink top. Finally she moved to the rim of the tub, turning on the faucet. Shadow dragged herself in with her hands holding a two-piece pajama set colored dark burgundy. April took them from her and put them with the towels on the sink.

"Last time, you got the floor all wet." April placed a towel out beside the tub, giving her a stern look. "Not to mention, you got me all wet."

"Sorry!"

"Mm, hmm. Get undressed. I'll be right back to help you. Don't let that water get too hot."

Shadow nodded to her. She was getting older to understand. After six, she could bathe on her own but for now, she needed very little assistance. April closed the door slightly and ventured downstairs.

"Hey, you guys. Have you finally decided on a show?" She crossed the room toward the kitchen.

"Casey hid the remote and left it on hockey." Raphael glared at him. "Personally, I was never a sports fan, myself."

"Where's Mike? Didn't he come down here?"

"Here I am, April!" Michaelangelo popped up from behind the couch.

"He's looking for the remote." Raphael informed her.

"You're never gonna find it guys." Casey said quietly. "It's as good as gone."

"Oh, Casey!" April groaned. She entered the kitchen, stopping the microwave from boiling her water. Pouring it into her cup, she crossed back through the living room, rolling her eyes to Mike whom was still hunting around the floor. "So, what's the score, Casey?"

"Go away, April!" Michaelangelo grumbled.

April climbed the steps towards the bathroom. Entering the bathroom, Shadow put herself in the tub and allowed the water to reach it's normal height.

"Oh, good girl. Pretty soon, you'll be doing this on your own, huh?"

April placed her cup on the sink and crouched down beside the tub, taking the soap in hand.

"These guys are not bums! They are trained professional players." Casey was pointing out his favorite players to a bored Raphael. He could think of one bum. And it sat right next to him. Michaelangelo disappeared into the kitchen, sneaking another piece of the cheese-filled crumb cake they had for dessert. A heavy bang caused Mike to jolt. Raphael opened the door to the kitchen, crossing over to the refrigerator. His face was mixed with anger and exhaustion.

"I'm gonna kill him, Mike."

"Really? Or are you just saying that like you always do?"

"He hid the remote somewhere in this house. Usually, I have radar senses on the little gadget but tonight, my mind is in a fog." Raphael pulled out the milk and took a big gulp straight from the carton.

"Does April know you do that?"

Raphael paused to look to Mike, then to the carton.

"Not if someone tells her and you'd better not. Unless you like to have your food processed, it's up to you."

"Cheesecake?" Mike grinned, holding up his plate.

"Yes, it is. I had three slices already. I just had a Got Milk? crave." Raphael put the carton away, looking to the backyard exit. "Come have a smoke with me."

"I'll come out with you but you can do the smoking."

Raphael took his cigarette pack from his coat pocket, giving Michaelangelo a look before opening the door.

"It's not like I'm offering you pot or weed."

"I'm not interested Raph! Feel free to screw up your lungs. I don't wanna smoke."

"Whatever."

Raphael removed his lighter and cigarette pack from his 'smoke pocket' and opened the backyard door slightly. A breeze whipped in on them. Michaelangelo paused and returned to his seat.

"Better yet, I think I'll stay here." His teeth started to chatter. "So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Oh, something that's been a problem with me all day today."

"Which is?"

"Women."

"That would be your whole life, wouldn't it?"

"Don't push it, Mike. You're dangerously close to having a sai shoved up your nose."

Michaelangelo pressed his beak and looked to Raph. He seemed to give a serious expression.

"Don't think it'll fit. Too bad."

"I'll make it fit."

"Soooo...." Mike quickly changed the subject. "What woman are we talking about in particular? April?"

"Nah. A chick that's not taken and may be able to love someone like me."

"I'm all ears." Michaelangelo crossed a leg over the other, leaning forward with interest.

Raphael took a long drag with eyes closed before explaining the adventure he had earlier.

April unfolded another towel to wrap Shadow's wet body in. Placing it on the toilet seat cover, she turned to take a sip of her luke-warm coffee. Shadow unplugged the drain and stood up carefully, holding on to the safety rail. April started to wrap the towel around her but suddenly paused and gasped.

"What's wrong?"

April put a hand onto Shadow's shoulder, twisting her fully around to the back.

"Oh, my- what is that?"

"What?"

Anger and tears started to well up inside of her. April finished wrapping the towel and stood up, looking down to her.

"Stay right there, sweetie. Don't move." Walking out into the hall, she cupped her mouth, trying not to cry. "That son of a bitch." She knew she couldn't say that in front of her.

"Hey, April." Donatello stepped out of his room. "I was getting tired and thought you wanted to go back on-" He stopped and looked to her face. "April? April, what's wrong?"

"Oh, I don't know!" She looked to him, letting out a little groan. "I was giving Shadow her bath, and....maybe I'm just seeing things."

"What is it?"

April returned to the bathroom with Donatello following. She stopped and looked to her cup on the sink.

"Oh, this is nasty. Let me spill this out."

Donatello looked over to Shadow whom stood staring at them in the empty tub, wrapped in a white towel. He then looked to the towel he was standing on and gave her half a smile.

"No splashing this time, huh?"

April turned to both of them. "Okay. I was giving her a bath and when I finished I started to take her out when I noticed something on her."

"Like what, April?"

"Like.....blisters. On her backside." Donatello crouched down beside the tub with one hand resting on the rim. "I wasn't going to say anything but I swear, it doesn't look normal to me."

"Well, how bad does it look?"

April crouched down next. "Shadow, turn around for me one more time. I need to show your uncle something."

"My butt?"

Donatello bit his lip.

"Uh, yeah. Just real quick, okay?" Shadow turned around as April slowly lifted the towel above her thighs. Donatello squinted and sucked in a breath. "See anything, Don?"

"Yeah, a backside."

"Seriously, what's that?" April pointed with a fingernail to faint, bubbly lines. Don looked again, then sat back on his legs, releasing a sigh. "It doesn't look normal to you either, does it?"

"Mm, mm." Donatello stood up, placing his hands to his hips.

"I can't see!" Shadow whipped her head around. "What is it?"

Donatello looked to her, then to April. "I don't think it was from riding that horse, either. You should talk with him, April. I really do."

"Yes, I've been thinking about doing that tonight. After I put to Shadow to bed." April rose next, stepping back into the sink counter and knocking over her coffee cup. "Oh, damn! See, why you shouldn't keep beverages in here?" She picked it up and air-dried her wet hands, making Don blink and wipe his eyes. "Let me get rid of this." Donatello went to speak but April was already out the door.

"I want out."

"Huh?" Donatello turned to catch Shadow slowly climbing out of the tub. She started to slip and slide all over. "Ah...ah! Wait, a minute!" Don clutched her sides and lifted her up and out onto the tile floor. He bent down to adjust the towel that started to fall down her chest. "Careful, eh?"

"I'm careful....." Shadow continued to slide, clutching his arms for support. "Whoa...."

"I can tell. Here, step on this." Donatello moved her to stand over the towel. She smiled to him shyly.

"Why is your face is red, Uncle Don?"

"Umm...it's the heat lamp." He told her quickly. "Gets hot in here after awhile. Umm..." Donatello smiled back then turned to pick up her clothes. "Hey, do April a favor and get dressed for bed? She'll be in later to tuck you in."

"Okay. 'Night, Uncle Don." Shadow gave him a quick hug then took her clothes and scurried away to her bedroom.

Donatello stood up, wiping his brow from the sweat. Either it was too warm in there, or, he felt the heat of embarrassment of Shadow having to expose herself to him. She didn't seemed to mind too much of him looking at her. Besides, he has seen more of her little body when he was one of the unlucky brothers chosen to change her diapers. Michaelangelo always offered but if he, April, or Casey weren't around, the fingers would start pointing to other worthy volunteers. Donatello thought back and laughed slightly. Perhaps, if he wasn't the one who got the shortest straw, the opposite side of the coin, and even the defeats of rock paper scissors, he could have gotten away with ever changing her at all! Don finally took a damp towel to wipe his face just as April returned with a look around the room.

"Um, where did she-"

"She's in her room getting ready for bed."

"Oh, okay. I guess I'll just clean up in here then."

"Cool." Yes, cool. That reminded him to step out to the hall or he'll roast. "If you need me, I'll be at my computer." Where it's safe.

"Alright, Don. Thanks for the second opinion."

"Sure, sure." Donatello headed out to his room, stopping over the railing to hear if anything was going on downstairs. A hockey game. Casey must have hidden the remote from Raph again. An interesting display of brick wall mazes flashed on the screen when Don returned to his computer. "That took me ten minutes? Someone must have been messing with the timer on the screen saver." He sat there, but his mind was occupied with something else. A sudden disturbance reaching out to him. He wondered if he was finally learning what Splinter can do. That sixth sense he's been trying to focus on. The computer would have to wait. The shut down menu appeared and he clicked it, sitting back in his chair with arms folded over his stomach. In deep thought. He had to find out.

"Hey, Don. What's wrong?"

"Splinter, Leo? We need to talk." Donatello looked to both of them in the doorway. They blinked to him but knew whatever was on his mind led to future occurrences.

"So, if you had it your way, you'd be in bed with that Kate person now."

"If she gave me the time of day."

"I could give you the time of night. It's already going on-"

"Shut up, Mike! You know what I mean."

Michaelangelo wished he brought a coat with him. Raphael kept his on, knowing he'd be making several smoke trips. April would not allow him to smoke in the house so the door frame worked just fine for him. He'd get the warmth of the inside and flick his ashes on the outside. Mike suddenly got a chill, doing a quick shiver.

"It's cold for November wouldn't you say?"

"No. It's not cold enough. This is mild compared to the harsher winters that go on in this state. We're having a heat spell, believe it or not. This is not cold at all."

"The cigarettes must keep you warm. I'm friggin' freezing!"

"And you're only sitting at the table. Come stand closer to the door and you'll feel the difference in temperature."

"I'm thinking of going to bed early tonight. I'm really exhausted. I have to start going to bed earlier because on Thursday, I have to be up before 6 to help April with the feast." Raphael started to chuckle, then gave a hearty laugh. Michaelangelo couldn't help but smile because the sound of his laugh was genuine. He then frowned to him. "Have I said something humorous?"

"You always do say something to that effect. You poor, poor guy. You, get up at six? This was April's idea, right?" Mike nodded. Raph laughed more, now coughing on the smoke. Looking down, he flicked another ash onto the ground. "Glad I'm not bunking with you this year. Let's see, what happened last Thanksgiving?"

"Raph-"

"Oh, wait! I remember now. We went to Casey's mother's house and-" He kept laughing. "-um, that was the time, the turkey was so big, as you were putting in the stuffing, you got your head stuck in it's ass! We couldn't get you to lift it up onto your shoulders like Mr. Bean did in that one episode. April had to leave the kitchen or else she was going to bust a gut."

"Raph-"

"Then, Leo had to come in and cut you out of there with his katana! It took him an hour to get you out. The first half hour was spent laughing!"

"Alright, Raph! The joke was on me that year!"

"Wrong! The turkey was on you that year!" Raph busted out laughing, the most he ever done in a long time. If one thing Michaelangelo was good for, it was always a laugh.

"What the fuck do you want from me?! Goddamn it, I'll go then!"

"Then fine! Get the hell out! I don't want to look at your sorry face!"

Raphael and Michaelangelo froze to hear the happy couple yelling in the next room, followed by doors slamming.

"Sounds like trouble in paradise."

"Should we go check it out, Raph?"

Raphael raised a hand to silence him. Followed by flicking his cigarette out onto the snow. He wiped any ashes that might have fallen on his coat and quietly closed the door. Him and Mike peeked through the kitchen door, seeing April's reflection from a glass mirror that hung in the hall way. Casey was nowhere to be seen but she was tossing things left and right. Finally, she collapsed on the sofa, sobbing quietly. That was the cue.

"Yo, April." Raphael was at her side within seconds. "Hey, babe." He said more calmer as he pulled her close. "Hey, hey, shhh. Don't cry, okay?"

"I can't help it." She whispered in a sob. "I can't stand him when he's like this. I love him but I also hate him at the same time."

"What happened in this episode of Moonlighting?" Raphael was making an attempt to see her smile which she faintly did.

"It's always something, isn't it?"

"Well, how many seasons did that show have?"

"Too many. I threw him out. He's going to sleep out in the mini-van."

"Mini-van's locked." Michaelangelo crossed his arms.

"He took the keys."

"Darn!"

"Mike!"

"I'm kidding, April." He joined the two on the couch on the other side of April. "Just a joke. Ha, ha, remember?" Now, they were getting her to smile wider. Raphael didn't stop yet.

"Hey, Mike. Wanna tell her about what we were rehashing in the kitchen?"

Michaelangelo corrected him. "You mean what you were rehashing, Raph. I'm still trying to forget but you keep bringing it up."

April continued to smile. "What, Raph? Tell me."

"Remember what happened to Mike last Thanksgiving with the turkey?" April started to laugh with tiny squeaks. Raph pointed to her. "She remembered, alright!"

"Come on, guys! It was a painful experience. I couldn't stop smelling like stuffing for a week. No matter how much I showered." Both laughed hysterically now to him. Mike pouted.

Footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. Leonardo and Donatello emerged, looking around at the room.

"April? What happened?" Leonardo rushed over to the sofa with a hand falling behind on her back.

"Sorry, Leo. You missed another episode of Dallas. Or was it Moonlighting?" Raphael pointed to April whom just smiled.

"Not to mention my turkey story." Michaelangelo sulked. April squeaked quietly again.

Leonardo stood upright, shrugging to Donatello.

"Uh, okay. So, what was the yelling about? Fighting over soap operas or a cooking show?" The three on the couch laughed liked hyenas. Donatello placed a hand to his head.

"I hate coming in at the wrong time, Leo. Really, really do."

April got sober again. "Casey and I got into an argument, I threw him out, I got a little emotional and these two goons came out to cheer me up. That simple."

"And yet so complicated." Donatello added.

"Guys, I appreciate your concern, but I handled the situation. Not that I wanted to, but he left me no choice." April stood up, stepping over toward the stairs. "We will discuss this later. Mike, Raph? Thanks for cheering me up. Leo, Don?" She let out a small laugh. "Sorry, if we seemed confusing. If you came in a little earlier, you would have known what was going on."

April found her way through the dark hallway up to Donatello's computer. She sat down and opened her letters once more.

I overheard Michaelangelo groan when I was circling my calendar. Thursday is the day, my friend.

"Okay, that's where I left off." April rested her hands lightly on the keys, thinking hard.

The evening would have gone swimmingly had a few turns for the worst hadn't come up. While giving Shadow her normal bath, I noticed something very abnormal on the back of her. With two opinions, it came to an agreement that it was blisters that had formed there. I'd like to say they appeared from her riding a horse, but,

Donatello re-entered and came around to stand behind her.

"Still working on your diary?"

"Mm. I'm adding tonight's events. Don't know why. You take the good with the bad, I guess." She felt him starting to massage her shoulders and she closed her eyes. "Thanks."

"Your muscles feel very tight. Maybe you should go to bed early."

"You want me to leave, don't you?"

"Aaah, no, I didn't say that-"

"You want to get back to surfing, don't you?"

"I might." His voice drifted off.

"Uh, huh." April didn't want to move, though. She felt so comfortable sitting there. A low breeze from the desk fan hit her face off and on, the massage was loosening her muscles-

"April?" Now, what? "You have to see this." Looking behind her, she saw Donatello anchoring himself to stare out the window. She turned in the chair and looked down to where the mini-van was parked. Outside the mini-van were dozens of wolves surrounding it. Some sat, some laid down but all were very close to it. "Leo kept his word on your little secret to him. I was the one who found out when I overheard you both in the kitchen." April remained quiet, staring at the sight. "But, secret or not, if it's true, we're going to have act fast and do something about it. I didn't know if you realized it, but, tomorrow there's going to be a full moon out." He heard her starting to sniffle. In the window's reflection, he caught her expression breaking down. "Aw, April." April finally burst into tears and turned inward to him.

"I need your shoulder for the moment." She whispered. Donatello lowered himself and placed an arm around her, allowing her to cry on his shoulder. Raphael knew it and the others were now feeling it. Each were in pain. Each were hurting somehow.

"It's okay, April. Don't worry." Donatello looked up wide-eyed and teeth gritted. Who was he fooling?

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