Chapter 2 "Watch the road!"
Michaela took a deep breath as she prepared to go down to the kitchen, where all the family was. Why it couldn't have been a weekday, instead of Saturday, and they'd all be somewhere, she didn't know. What she did know is that she was on her way to saving her parents the cost of a therapist....
Everyone quieted down and looked up when she walked in. It was confusing until she realized that Lucy and Ruthie must have mentioned her crying. Normal people might think maybe she wanted to keep it to herself, but these were the Camdens, and normal rules didn't apply.
"Just take a picture", she muttered as she went to get a drink. They all continued to stare at her silently and goose bumps broke out on her arms. She tried to drink her orange juice but those creepy eyes wouldn't leave her so she slammed her cup down and everyone jumped.
"Is something wrong hunny?" Annie asked, twisting her mouth.
After a short debate of whether it was worth it even to explain, and deciding against it, she just turned around and walked out. Yes, she wanted to vent, but the stupidity of the situation had her running for cover. She was on her way out of the front door when she saw Happy and was overcome by sympathy. "Hey girl", she pet her, "You poor thing, you're the best member of this family, aren't you? I just got here, but you have to spend forever with them", the thought made Michaela shudder. With one last sad look at Happy, she walked out. Part of her wondered if when she got to the limits of 7th Heaven world, the road would just end and she'd plunge into nothingness. To be honest, that sounded better than facing the CamClan again. "It's like a freakish cult", she pondered out loud. Actually, the neighborhood was quite nice. She felt bad for the people that had to live there though, they must have people staring in their windows and trying to fix imaginary problems of theirs all the time. A car came up behind her and slowed down. Although she was nervous at first, she reminded herself that she was a "Camden" (ugh) now and things like kidnappings didn't happen to Camdens, they just helped the kidnappees. Turning around, she discovered it was Matt in the car, and he didn't look too pleased. She briefly wondered if it was because he had finally found a mirror. Sighing, she walked up to the passenger window, which he had rolled down, "Want something?"
"Yes, get in the car", he said sternly.
Michaela laughed out loud, oh yes, she had somehow forgotten that Matt saw himself as a second father. Major power complex. She couldn't count the number of times she had yelled at Mary and Lucy on the TV that he was just their brother, they didn't have to listen to him. Then she would be cursing Annie and Eric for letting him be his "I'm-the-oldest-boy-so-I –rule" self. Now it looks like she was going to get a chance to duel it out. She leaned on the window, "Why?"
"Because I want to talk to you."
She raised an eyebrow, "Then make an appointment", she turned and started walking again, trying to conceal her laughter. She could see his face in her mind, sputtering at her 'defiance'. The car came to her side again and he looked even angrier, "Get in the car, now."
"Anyone ever tell you that you have definite controlling issues?" She called out without stopping. She heard the car turn off and his footsteps running behind her. He took her arm and turned her around to face him, "What do you think you're doing?"
"I thought I was taking a walk... but you, as a man, surely know better, so tell me, what was I doing?" She couldn't hide her smile as he looked dumbfounded, then laughed as she realized that wasn't at all unusual.
He scowled at her amusement, "What you're doing is not listening to me."
"Oh good, I was kind of afraid you'd get the wrong impression and think I cared. Glad that's cleared up", she pulled out of his hold and resumed walking.
After a moment of hesitation, Matt ran up behind her again and took her arm, "Wait, I want to talk to you."
"Yeah, you mentioned that."
"Then let me!"
Michaela sighed impatiently, "Damn, if it'll make you go away", He glared at her, eyes widening at the "damn" and she laughed, "Oh I'm sorry, soiling your virgin ears am I?"
"Just get in the car."
She rolled her eyes, "You guys need a serious boost in the humor department", and sat in the passenger seat, "So, where are we going?"
He seemed more relaxed now that he'd gotten his way, "Just around, I want to talk."
She nodded, "We've established that. Now, you couldn't have waited to talk to me till I got back? Or on the sidewalk? Or in the backyard? Or anywhere else? You feel the need to drive in circles, wasting gas, to talk. Yup, makes perfect sense."
He looked at her, "Drop the attitude".
She smiled sweetly at him, "Only if you keep your eyes on the road. I refuse to die here", he glared some more then turned back to the road and it was silent for the next couple of minutes until Michaela spoke again, "Well? You wanted to talk? Speak, boy."
His tone became that of what Michaela had always called his "I'm-an-asshole-patriarch" lecture voice, "I want to know what's going on with you lately. You've been talking back non-stop and this morning, Lucy tells us you were crying. Then, mom asks you a question and you just walk out. You have no respect. Are you listening?"
Throughout this, she'd been wondering if she could have a unicorn in this dimension. Hey, it wasn't nearly as outrageous as some of the things that had happened on 7th Heaven and she'd always wanted one. She heard Matt ask her something but wasn't sure what it was so guessed and said, "Yes", that seemed to please him and he continued, "Now, mom and dad are the parents but I still feel the need to butt in and act like it's my business so I'm telling you to stop your behavior. As you know, my word is law, so you must listen. Understand?"
...Or maybe she'd get a monkey, a cute spider monkey. She'd name it Alex and have it sit on her shoulder and go everywhere with her. If she was lucky, she could train it to bite the people she didn't like. She smiled happily, imagining Kevin writhing on the floor in monkey-induced agony. Oh, damn, he'd asked her something again. Well, yes had worked last time so... "Yes Matt". He seemed appeased again and looked at her, "I'm going to keep an eye on you". She wasn't able to block out that line and sighed, "I'd really much rather you keep an eye on the freaking road."
His eyes went big again, "Your language is another thing."
Ugh, she was seriously trying to keep her rant in until they were out of the car. She really didn't want to create conflict when the genius over there had control of a vehicle she was in. But, it was tempting... "Oh, lighten up. What? Simon can want to have sex and Mary can fall in love with father time but I can't say a few words?"
"I told you, I want respect".
"And I want a monkey named Alex, we don't always get what we want Matt, get over it."
"Michaela", he began sternly.
"No, enough", she cut in. Screw the car, she had reached her bull limit, "You listen to me now. You are not a father, and god willing you'll never, ever reproduce, but, in any case, you are most certainly not my father. You are a brother, deal with it. You have no power, read my lips. You cannot tell me, or any of us for that matter, what do to", she remembered the episode when Mary started dating, "Or when to date, or anything. I'm sorry if this crushes your dream, but deal. I will say what I want, do what I want and you have no say at all. Are you understanding? I know you're slow so I'm trying to be accommodating but you're working on my nerves", in his shock, he had pulled the car to the side of the road, "You are a sexist empty headed idiot", she stepped out of the and yelled before she slammed the door, "And do something about your damn hair already. You're supposed to be a heartthrob for god's sake."
She began walking quickly and after a considerable amount of time, looked back and could still see the car sitting there. She imagined he still had his mouth hanging open. "Moron", she muttered and continued on her way.