They finished their meal and went back to Julie's hotel. Julie grabbed the bag with her roller blades. She then changed into shorts and a tank top. She put her clothes in one of Portman's bags. They then grabbed all of his bags and took a cab to his house.
"Hey Mom, I'm back," Portman said as they walked through the door.
"I'm in the kitchen," she called out.
Julie and Portman walked into the kitchen, "Mom, this is Julie Gaffney"
"You're one of the goalies, aren't you?"
"Yes"
"Guess what Mom?"
"What?"
"You can get off my case about getting some new clothes. Julie and I went to Macy's."
"So, what are you two up to?"
"We're going to go blading on Lake Michigan."
"Are you going to Navy Pier tonight?"
"No. Dad go us tickets to the Cubs."
"That's right."
"So what are your plans for tonight?"
"Your sister and I are going shopping."
"I'm sure Kate will love that. I'm gonna go change," Dean said, then left to go to his room.
"So Julie, how do you like Chicago so far?"
"I've loved everything I've seen so far."
"That's good. Are you ready to go back to Eden?"
"Yeah, I actually managed to get a single this year. I always ended up with the worst roommates."
"They couldn't have all been that bad, could they?"
"Actually," Dean said, coming in wearing a pair of long jean shorts, a white tank top, and a black bandanna on his head, "the last one would go postal whenever anyone came over."
"And she was one of the better one," Julie added.
"Well," Mrs. Portman said, "I couldn't possibly see how my tattooed Bash Brother of a son could freak anyone out."
"Thanks Mom," he replied, equally sarcastic. "So shall we?"
"Let's do it. It was nice meeting you."
"You too."
"So," Julie said while they were skating down the lake shore, "How'd you guys get paired up this year?"
"Russ and Luis have one, Dwayne and Ken have another."
"So you're getting a non-Duck."
"No, I got a single."
"Wow, we both got singles."
"Cool. I can finally put up all my posters and play my music anytime."
"Exactly!"
A while later they re-entered Portman's house. "Hey Mom, we're back."
"I don't think she's going to answer you."
"Why?"
"Well, for one thing, the note she left says that she and your sister left for the evening."
"You're right, she probably won't answer. You want something to drink?"
"Sure."