Thanks for your reviews, YFWE and CelloSolo2007. I must say, this is the longest chapter I've ever written. If someone sneaks in during all this, don't blame me. Anyway, here you go...
Chap 13 (Dun dun dun!)
Inside Kaleb's apartment complex
"It's the second one on the left," Kaleb said, "down this way." He was showing Grandpa and Jake the way to his apartment so that they: one, wouldn't get lost and two, would be able to find him if they ever need to get him for something.
He still felt uneasy about what he was doing, though. He still couldn't believe all he had done that night, but still. Telling his family? This was something he might not be able to do. But, at least he had Jake and his grandfather to help out if anything went wrong. Which shouldn't happen, right?
"Here it is," Kaleb announced. "Apartment B-204. It's a little cozier than yours, Jake, but it's probably only because we haven't actually unpacked yet."
He knocked on the door, to which his mother, Mrs. Black, answered. She looked at him for a moment, then squealed happily, "Well, come on in, Kaleb, you're back just in time for dinner."
Thinking to the dinner he had had with the Longs, he guiltily stepped inside, but then told his mother that he had brought friends along.
"Oh sure," his mother replied. "They can come eat with us as well. I've made enough of a meal to feed a classroom of hungry teenagers."
Sheepishly, Kaleb motioned Jake and Grandpa inside. After introductions were made, Mrs. Black told them that she'd meet them in the dining room for dinner in a few minutes. Then she walked off towards the kitchen, most likely to finish up cooking the meal.
"Yep, that's my mother." Kaleb said matter-of-factly.
"So," Grandpa asked, "is there anyone else from your immediate family that will not be at dinner tonight?"
"Nope," Kaleb answered. "Tonight was supposed to be a 'celebration' for our first night in NYC."
"Looks like dinner will be the best time as any to tell them, then," Jake interjected.
"Tell who what?" asked a small mousy voice.
The three of them jumped, and then looked around. Only Kaleb saw who the speaker was.
"Stacy, get out from under there," he said. She complied, revealing a small, blonde-haired girl. "Why were you eavesdropping on us?"
"Well, you usually get home early from school," she answered in a small voice as if she was innocent of something. "I was just worried that you had gotten into trouble or something."
"No, Stacy, I hadn't and haven't," Kaleb replied. "So, how about you go help mom?"
"Oh, fine then." Stacy grumbled. She turned toward the kitchen and then stomped off.
"snickers Reminds me of Hayley. They should get together sometime." Jake surmised.
"Well, might as well go help set the table." Kaleb grumbled. He still wasn't looking forward to what he had to do. "You guys want to help?"
"Well…" Grandpa now had second thoughts whenever someone said "set the table." You see, Mr. Long had ended up winning the argument and so set the table his way. Grandpa had a huge blow to his pride about it ever since.
"Sure! Come on, G, it can be part of your dragon training!" Jake laughed. He had known how to set the table since he was nine; however, he rarely used the skill until now because of how much he disliked housework.
"Ugh." Kaleb left the two alone and headed for the kitchen.
Dining Room, dinnertime
The entire immediate Black family, and Jake and Grandpa, were all seated at the wonderfully set table in the dining room.
"Thanks so much for setting the table, Kaleb," said Mrs. Black.
Of course, Kaleb had helped immensely with housework over the past few days, so this compliment seemed like a little token. However the token was enough to please him.
"Thanks, mom," he replied. "May we please eat now?"
"Of course!" she answered."
All of them then proceeded to pass around the dishes to the meal and to stuff their faces (For those that are wondering the meal was turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and regular kernels of corn). As they ate, Kaleb, Jake, and Grandpa kept glancing at each other, knowing that they'd have to speak out sometime or another.
Usually after a few minutes of "chowing down", the Black family talked about their day.
"Well, kids," Mrs. Black asked. "How was your day at school?"
"I didn't like the other kids," Stacy simply put. She was the most adamant about not moving because she had many friends in Seattle and couldn't bear to leave them. "But, I liked the teacher."
"That's good." Mrs. Black beamed. "What about you, Jessie?"
As it turned out, Kaleb also had a slightly older sister that he didn't tell Jake and Grandpa about. She was a very beautiful creature, with long blonde hair, a tall, sleek physique, and a face that would beat even Rose's. She was also very athletic, although she never went on any of the school or community sports teams. For the most part, though, she kept to herself; always going to the library after school and coming home close to the time for dinner.
"School was ok," she replied. No one was really surprised at her answer. She didn't really like to talk much about anything; as far as anyone knew.
"Ok…" Mrs. Black moved on. "And how was your day, Kaleb?"
Kaleb fidgeted, then recounted a little of his school day again for the family. After all, he thought. I can just tell them once I reach the part about the Longs.
"Well, good." Mr. Black surmised. He was usually pretty quiet because of his eating style: fast and mouth-stuffing. "It's nice to see everyone have a good time here in New York."
Grandpa and Jake kept glancing back at Kaleb, giving him an ok-time-to-tell-them look. He nodded back, then cleared his throat a little (Like Professor Umbridge, but not so girly).
"Uh, guys," Kaleb started. "There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?" Mrs. Black asked. Jessie suddenly looked attentive to the situation at hand.
"Well, you know how I've been acting kind of, well, strange the past four years?" Kaleb asked.
"The disappearing acts?" Mr. Black wondered.
"Flashes of blue around you?" Stacy inquired.
"Why I can't talk about dragons with you?" Mrs. Black queried. Everyone, except Kaleb, Jake, and Grandpa, looked strangely at her at that.
"Exactly," Kaleb continued shakily. "It's because, well, I'm a…" here he turned into his dragon form, somehow minus the horns and tail blade, "dragon."
Long one, I know. Yes, I know I promised a shocker. Please bear with me. It's in the next chapter.
Random Vulcan: Live long and prosper.
How did you get in here?
RV: Door was open? (Guards at front door knocked unconscious)
Get back here! I'll get that next chapter in a minute!
