It was 5:20, and Randi was standing in the living room of her house like a drill sergeant, n front of her family, who cowered on the couch.

"Now listen," Randi said, pacing back and forth, "You are not going to embarrass me. I don't ask a lot, but I am going to ask that we follow a few rules."

"Rules?" Rick asked.

"Rules," Randi verified. "First, no embarrassing stories of me as a kid. Second, do not hound Teddy about how he plans to support me or anything like that, Dad," Randi added for emphasis, glancing at her father.

"I never did that," Rick objected. Rudy laughed.

"Remember the time you grilled Mouth about what his plans for the future were until he was on the verge of tears?" Rudy recalled.

"It's not my fault he cries easily," Rick said in his defense.

"Dad, he was ten!" Randi cried.

"Fine, I won't say anything," Rick grumbled.

"Third, don't ask him a million questions about his life and childhood," Randi looked at Tina.

"Sorry," Tina giggled, "I'm just curious."

"And you," Randi said, stepping in front of Rudy, "Just stay awake," she pleaded.

"Will do Lieutenant," Rudy saluted.

"Thank you," Randi smiled. "Now let's go or we'll be late."

Tina, Rudy, Randi and Rick walked over to the Duchamp's.

Tina rang the doorbell, and Teddy's mom answered.

"Hello Tina," she said. She had light brown hair, and the same big brown eyes as Teddy.

"This is Rick, his son Rudy, and his daughter, Randi," Tina introduced.

"I'm Patricia Duchamp," Teddy's mom said, shaking their hands. "I've heard a lot about you, Randi," she smiled.

"Hopefully nothing about my felony record," Randi grinned. The adults laughed politely, and Mrs. Duchamp invited them inside.

"Hey, where's the Mr-" Rick was ct off by a swift kick from Randi in the back of his leg. "Ow!" he cried, gripping his leg.

"Are you okay?" Tina asked worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just had a...leg cramp," Rick glared at Randi, who seemed to be pre-occupied with studying the ceiling.

"I'll go get Theodore," Mrs. Duchamp said, walking to the steps. It took Randi a moment to realize she meant Teddy. Rick took Mrs. D's absence to immediately ask why he had been kicked.

"Mr. Duchamp's at a mental institution," Randi hissed.

"Oh, thanks for stopping me," Rick said softly.

Just then, Mrs. Duchamp came down the steps with Teddy.

"Hey Randi, Rudy," he nodded to them. "Hello Mr. Riverton,," he said, shaking his hand. "And Miss..."

"Lewis," Tina supplied.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he took her hand and kissed it.

Randi stifled her immediate instinct to laugh. Tina blushed.

"Oh Teddy, you have something on your face," Mrs. Duchamp sighed, and spit on her finger and tried to wipe it off.

"Mom, get off!" Teddy turned red, and squirmed out of his mother's grip.

"Suave," Rudy muttered, so only Randi could hear. She gave what sounded like laughter concealed by a cough, and Rudy whacked her on the back.

"Whoo...thanks Rudy," Randi gave her brother a huge phony smile.

"Why don't the adults have coffee in the kitchen," Mrs. Duchamp suggested.

"Excellent idea," Tina said quickly, still recovering from Teddy's "manners".

Randi and Teddy plopped on the couch, and Rudy, unsure of whether he was an 'adult' or not, finally just sat in a chair with the kids. Randi couldn't suppress her laugher any longer as she playfully slapped Teddy. "I can't believe you kissed her hand."

"What can I say, I'm French. The French kiss everybody," Teddy said matter-of-factly.

"Oh, thanks," Randi said, pretending to take offence.

"No, what I uh, meant was..."

"I'm teasing you Teddy. Christ, lighten up," Randi rolled her eyes. "You still awake?" she asked Rudy.

"Barely," he replied.

Teddy laughed. "Yeah, visitors to the Duchamp home often feel that way...yet my mom keeps inviting them," he stroked his chin, as though pondering it.

"You are such a freak," Randi laughed, and Teddy joined in, with his squeaky high-pitched laugh.

"Kids," Mrs. Duchamp called, "Dinner's ready."

They sat down to the table. "This looks really good Mrs. Duchamp," Randi smiled sweetly.

"Why thank you," Mrs. Duchamp said. Teddy grinned at Randi.

'Good job,' he mouthed to her. She batted her eyelashes, and Teddy snorted, causing Randi cover her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing.

"So, Teddy," Rick said, while Randi inwardly groaned, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Teddy swallowed, "I plan on joining the service as soon as I come of age, sir."

"The Army, eh," Rick said approvingly. "That's a position of honor."

"One I hope to fulfill," Teddy said. Randi smiled to herself. Teddy was totally scoring bonus points with her dad. Though her father wasn't really a tough guy, (he was an English teacher for Christ's sake), he had great respect for the men who served our country.

"What do you want to be?" Mrs. Duchamp asked Randi.

"I hope to be a writer."

"What sort of things do you write?"

"She writes poetry, Mom," Teddy smiled at Randi. Randi smiled back, but was slightly irked. It pissed her off a bit when people finished her sentences. Unless it was Mikey...he's the only person that knew her well enough to do that.

After listening to Tina carry the conversation for about an hour, Randi and Teddy excused themselves and went outside.

"Tina talks too much," Randi apologized, as they walked around.

"It's okay. It was less any of us had to..." Teddy said quietly.

"I could tell my dad was very impressed," Randi imitated Teddy, "One I plan to fulfill sir," she saluted. Teddy hit her playfully.

"Well, I think my mom likes you," Teddy said.

"Good," Randi took Teddy's hand.

Randi felt some water on her head. She looked up and saw a bolt of lightning.

"Oooh thunderstorm!" she cried happily, as the rain started coming down.

"Quick, the tree house is closer," Teddy's voice rose. He grabbed her hand and ran.

"Slow down!" Randi called, but he scrambled up the ladder. She went up after him slowly, and when she got up, she saw Teddy huddled in the corner, his head in his hands.

"You okay?" she asked cautiously.

"I'm fine!" Teddy snapped.

"Teddy..." Randi asked gently, "Are you afraid of storms?"

"No!" Teddy insisted. There was a clap of thunder, and he jumped. "Oh God," he mumbled.

Randi's eyes widened. He was seriously sacred shit-less.

"What's going to happen when you're at war, stuck somewhere in a foxhole and it starts thundering?" she asked sternly.

"I don't know, that's later...I don't want to think about that right now," Teddy whined.

Randi sighed, and crawled over to him. "Hey," she whispered, "Hey," she pulled his hands away form his face. "I'm here, okay?" Teddy swallowed and nodded. She brushed a lock of hair away from his face. "It's okay," she whispered, and kissed him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He gently pulled her into his lap. They continued to kiss, until a crash of thunder startled Teddy.

"Jesus!" he cried, hitting the back of his head against the wall of the tree house. Randi laughed, and kissed the base of his neck. Teddy put his hand on her waist, and slowly began to move it upward. Randi was practically in a daze, but managed to let out a small laugh.

"Teddy...I really don't want to have to slap you."

"Sorry," he said sheepishly, moving his hand back down to her waist. Randi gently pulled back, slipped off his lap, and sat next to him, with her back against the wall. A thousand thoughts were running through her mind. Was she wrong to stop him? Was it to early to go that far? Was she leading him on without even thinking about it? She didn't know any of the answers to those questions, unfortunately. She wasn't good with that kind of thing. She'd have to ask Gordie. Not that he was much better, but two heads are better than one. Gordie...she wondered what he'd say...

"What are you thinking about?" Teddy asked, derailing her train of thought.

"Gordie," she said simply. "What are you thinking about?"

"You," Teddy said, putting his hand on the side of her face. She turned away form him. She felt almost guilty somehow, like she shouldn't be thinking about Gordie if she was with Teddy. She bit her lip uneasily.

"We should probably go back," she said, looking out at the rain.

"It's still raining," Teddy objected.

"It's not raining as hard as it was," Randi pointed out.

Teddy looked out the window, "Okay," he agreed reluctantly, and they both climbed down.

"Get ready to run," Randi said, holding Teddy's hand tightly. They took off, and ran as fast as they could back to Teddy's house.

They stood on his porch for a moment, trying to dry off.

"Hey, What happened to your hand?" Teddy asked, turning her palm upwards.

"I cut it," Randi said quickly.

"How?"

Randi paused, "I was uh, just cutting bark, and my hand slipped..."

"Are you okay?" Teddy kissed her hand.

"I am now," she smiled. She ran a hand through her damp hair. "Ugh, I probably look like a wet rat."

"You look pretty," Teddy assured her.

"Whatever you say," Randi rolled her eyes. Teddy kissed her, and the front door opened.

"Ahem," Mr. Riverton said. Teddy and Randi pulled apart, and looked at Rick with sheepish grins. Rudy, Tina, Mrs. Duchamp, and Mr. Riverton were standing in the doorway. Rudy was looking at the floor, trying not to laugh, Tina was wearing a light-hearted smirk, and Mrs. Duchamp looked a bit taken-back.

"You ready to go, Randi?" Rick asked.

"I think so," she said, "Thank you, Mrs. Duchamp, for the food, for the hospitality, and for giving birth to Teddy," she put her hand on his shoulder, "a fine young gentleman." Randi grinned broadly. She never let anyone know when she was embarrassed if she could help it. "I'll see you later," she gave Teddy the 'wink-and-the-gun'. Teddy was staring at her like she was crazy.

"Well, goodnight," Randi flashed them a huge fake smile. She started walking, her hands in her pockets, whistling happily. Rudy caught up with her.

"That," he said, putting his arm around her, "Was the funniest thing I've seen in awhile."

"That, my friend, is life at it's best," Randi grinned.

"You've got mom's optimism and sense of humor," Rudy chuckled.

Randi glanced up at her brother in awe. "You remember her?" she asked, her throat thick.

"A little. She was so funny, and cheerful. She never let anyone bring her down. She never let anyone get the best of her. Just like you, Rans."

"Thanks Rudy," Randi smiled, "Thanks."

*****************************