Squid's P.O.V

I was woken up by Joey and Max. They came screaming in my room and jumped on my bed and yelled for me to get up, needless to say I was up within a few seconds. I got up and was thrown back down by the two boys. I pushed them off of me and they just jumped back on. They started punching me and yelling things like FIGHT BACK YOU PANSY! And FIGHT LIKE A MAN! Or LOOK AT ME I AM BEATING AN OLD PERSON!

Clearly, they wanted me to fight them so I pushed them off and gave them both wedgies. They yelled and tried to give me one, but I just sat down and they could not lift me. I was safe from some major butt pain. Once they were finished beating me they got up and walked to the door way.

"Mom just wanted us to let you know it was time for breakfast." All of that and all they wanted to do was tell me it was time for breakfast? I looked at the clock next to my bed. It was nine o'clock. I got up put on a shirt and went down to the dining room. Everyone was there except Bruce. I yawned and smiled just the way I like it no Bruce!

"I hope the boys weren't too tough one you. They really wanted to go and wake you up. I told them to be gentle but they don't always listen to me." Jodi entered the room with a large plate of pancakes.

"We were gentle mom! We promise!" Max and Joey ran into the room. They were both picking their massive wedgies I gave them.

"Yah, those little ninja wannabes on speed were plenty gentle." Jodi laughed. Yah, they have been into fighting lately. At least you weren't here when they were in to their construction phase. Your father and I would be woken up every morning to them jumping on our bed and then steam rollering us. Ninja is an improvement. I hope you like pancakes! I made two batches!" Jodi looked around the kitchen. "Alan, I don't see Quincy around here. Do you think you could go and wake her up?"

"Uhh… sure. Where is her room?"

"Oh! Bottom floor all the way down the hall." I walked down to her room and saw her sleeping. I have no idea how to wake up a little kid. So I just sat on her bed and shook her gently.

"Wake-up Quincy your mom wants you to get up for breakfast." Quincy stirred and woke up. She looked around and then walked into her bathroom. I looked around her room. It was pink and it was full of Barbies and pictures of women athletes. There was a softball player, a basketball player, and a soccer player. I didn't recognize any of them but made the connection that Quincy likes soccer, softball, basketball, and Barbies. When she emerged she ran past me and yelled over her shoulder.

"Race ya! I'm winning!"

"I ran after her and got lost on the way. She was far ahead and I couldn't remember which way I came. This was a really big house and it was easy to get lost. When I finally made my way to the kitchen I sat down and saw Quincy laughing at me.

"You're really slow for a big kid!"

"Well, you're really fast for a little kid."

"Thanks!" She smiled as she started eating her pancakes. Jodi handed me the plate and told me to help myself there were plenty where they came from. I was hungry and ate a lot of pancakes. Once Joey, Max, and Quincy were done they went to go change their clothes. As I was getting up to clear my plates Jodi stopped me.

"Alan, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure." I had no idea what she wanted for. I hoped I didn't do anything wrong. It is never a good idea to make the person who makes all the meals angry.

"Alan, I want you to know I am not trying to take your mother's place. I know I am not your mother. I am just trying to take care of you. It sounds like you have not had a lot of that during your lifetime. I also want you to know that I do not think your friends are bad influences. They are always welcome here. Whenever you want to have them over it is fine with me."

"Bruce, told you about my friends?"

"Yes, and I hope you will forgive him. He was picked on a lot when he was little and he associates your friends with bullies, but I bet you have fine friends."

"Thanks!"

"I also want you to know that your girlfriend is always welcome here too. I bet it is incredibly hard for you to be here. I know that once you turn eighteen you will probably return to her back in Missouri and that is fine with me I understand, but if you ever want her to visit she can stay here. You too can always stay here. Even if you are thirty years old, you are still my step-son and you always have a place here." Jodi hugged me and then got up and started washing dishes. I walked back over to her and hugged her back.

"Thanks Jodi. You're pretty cool!"

"Thanks Alan. You know there was some paper work sent over this morning. I just saw that your birthday was a few weeks ago. I was hoping that we could have a celebration for you birthday. Is that alright with you?" I didn't know what to do. I was never one to say no to a party, but Jodi had a lot to do and I didn't want to give her more to do.

"No, you really don't have to. Its fine don't worry about it."

"No really I want to. You are a part of this family and you disserve to have a celebration for your birthday. You could invite all your friends over if you like!"

"Well, ok if you're sure it isn't too much work for you!" I looked at my shoes. The only person who had ever thrown me a birthday party was Kandy.

"Alan, its fine." She smiled and I helped her wash dishes.

2 weeks later

Today we are having my birthday celebration. I called all the guys and they are coming over. I called Kandy but she was not home. The guys will be here in an hour and I really wanted to talk to Kandy. I haven't talked to her in a few days. The last time I talked to her she seemed very secretive. I hope she isn't keeping something from me.

1 hour later

The door bell rang and I went to go answer it, but Quincy beat me to it.

"Are you Alan's friends?" Caveman bent over and smiled at her.

"Yah, we are Alan's friends." I walked up and greeted all the guys.

"Alan! Come in the kitchen! It is time for cake!" The guys followed me into the kitchen and we all sat around the large table. Jodi had a huge cake for me. It had a giant squid on it. She laughed when I saw the cake.

"It was Quincy's idea. She thinks it is funny when your friends call you Squid." Everyone laughed; except Bruce he was less that happy once the boys entered his house.

"Alan, hold on one second we have a surprise for you! I guess you can call it a late birthday present." She walked around the corner and when she came back Kandy was close behind her. I was in shock! Kandy was standing in the kitchen! That is why I couldn't get a hold of her! She was coming here as a surprise. She ran over to me and hugged and kissed me.

"Yuck!" Joey made a face when we kissed.

"Kandy, how have you been?" She hugged all of the guys and then came back and put her arm around me. This was the best present I have ever gotten. We ate cake and opened presents. All of the guys got me funny gifts, and Kandy got me another toy squid just like the one I had at camp, only this one had a bow on the top of its head.

"I thought your squid might want a lady friend." I laughed; Kandy always knew what to get me. Once we ate cake and opened presents Jodi, Bruce, and the little ones all left and let us talk and watch movies. We did that until almost two o'clock. By then Jodi came in and said we should get some sleep. She took Kandy and let her stay in the guest bed room. The rest of the guys went and slept on the floor in my room.

While everyone else is asleep:

"Jodi, what were you thinking letting all of those delinquents into our house? Have you gone mad?"

"No Bruce I have not gone mad! Alan misses his girlfriend and friends! I thought it would be a good idea if he got to see them!"

"This is not a good idea! He is going to end up right back in jail! These are bad kids!"

"They are not bad kids! They are all very sweet! Especially Alan's girlfriend. Didn't you notice how happy he was? This is the first time I have seen him truly happy since he got here! I still don't understand why you had to bring him here! He is clearly not happy!"

"He is fine! I think I disserve time with my son!"

"I do not think this is the best way to spend time with him! You just showed up and took him away! You are making that boy upset and you are not being a very good father!" Bruce looked like she was going to kill someone.

"I am a good father! This is why I am doing this! You have no idea what he was going through before I came and got him!"

"Oh you are right! He was living in a fine place with his mother and he was with his girlfriend, I am so glad you took him from there." Jodi rolled her eyes. She hated when her husband got like this. He was not listening to anyone.

"His girlfriend is a stupid criminal whore! We do not even know what crime she committed!"

"She got in trouble for something she didn't do!"

"How do you know?"

"Alan told me!" Bruce laughed and looked at Jodi in disbelief.

"You believe him?"

"Yes I believe him! I have no reason not to believe him!"

"He himself is a criminal! I would never believe a criminal!"

"I can not believe what you are saying! He is your son!"

"I am trying to turn his life around!"

"His life was turned around! He is a great kid and he is being very mature about this whole situation! I just wish I could say the same for you!" Jodi stormed out of the room and went to bed. She began to cry. She hated fighting with Bruce, but she felt that she needed to stick up for Alan. Bruce was not giving him a fair shot. He was a good kid she wished she could make Bruce see that. She felt bad for Alan, even though he had only been there a few months she felt like he was one of her own children. She took care of him and tried to make the best of the situation. Jodi tried to imagine the things he had been though but couldn't come up with anything. She was frustrated with Bruce and everything he was saying. More tears came from her eyes. She eventually cried herself to sleep.