Disclaimer: This story is based upon characters created by Bob Schooley and Mark McCorkle for Disney. Since this story is set 25 years later, all the characters under twenty-five years of age are mine.
Don listened carefully as Anne tried to explain trinomial equations and graphing. Bill stood on his notebook and wrote the main points of what Anne said, allowing Don to listen and read what she was saying simultaneously.
Don noticed a monkey wearing a gi come into his room carrying several folded shirts and put them in his dresser. He ignored it and tried to concentrate on keeping his attention on his math.
The monkey left Don's room as quickly as it came, went down the hall to the living room where a large number of small, hairless rodents were gathered around the television set. Some were playing a video game, most were cheering on those that were playing. Still more were polishing furniture, picking up discarded wrappers and eating snacks. In a corner, on a converted basinet, sat Rufus.
Rufus surveyed the room from his perch like a king surveying his kingdom. After all, behind him under the basinet's cover was Missy, his queen.
Rufus wasn't quick anymore. Being thirty years old can slow a naked mole rat down. He was still sharp though and he had a fine family who was cared for very well, thanks in part to his best friend, Ron.
The living room was just off the kitchen, and the monkeys often helped with some cooking when the humans were out. Besides many of his children preferred raw vegetables.
The entertainment center was well stocked for the ones that took after their father. The Everlot tournament that Joan was winning now demonstrated that.
There were also plenty of pillows couches and other places to rest, the finest being this basinet where Missy laid waiting for another litter of pups to come. Rufus stroked her head as she slept.
At the other end of the basinet was a tube that led outside and underground into the network of tunnels dug by his family. Most of them preferred to stay there. Not all of them were as smart as their father.
Rufus turned on the handheld computer he kept in the basinet. To someone his size, it was practically a wide screen mainframe. He accessed the local network and opened the Everlot software. Time to show the kids how it is done.
The following morning, Ms. Possible was mixing pancakes while Anne helped Don with a last minute review. "You all right, Mom?" asked Anne.
Kim was staring down at the mixing bowl as the automatic mixer spun the beaters. "What?" she seemed to wake up from some sort of dream state. "Sorry, mixer flashback." When she saw the kid's perplexed faces she added, "Don't ask. It's probably just stress." She started pouring portions of batter onto the griddle. "I'm meeting with Flo about the new threat after lunch."
"Great!" said Don. "I'll meet you there after my test."
"No, you won't." Mom didn't have to raise her voice, but Don knew any other parent that was wanted to be as firm would have yelled.
"Bu-"
"You will attend all your classes today," Mom told them both. "You can come to work right after."
"O.K," the twins happily said in unison.
"We're going need all the help we can get," Mom said as she served the first plate to Anne.
"You want some monkey mojo on this one?" Dad said, walking in.
"Syrup would be tastier, Dear" she smiled.
"You know what I mean," Mr. Stoppable gazed into her eyes.
"Yes, I do." She thought for a moment. "Maybe at a later stage."
Ron sat down. "Just say the word," he said around his first bite of pancakes.
A mole rat ran up onto the table and held up a phone in front of Mr. Stoppable, "Foryew."
"Thanks, Ted." Ron took the phone and spoke into it.
"Bye, Mom." Anne hugged Kim.
"See you after school," Don gave his mom a peck on the cheek.
Ron hung up the phone, "Deliveries arriving early." He gave her a kiss on the lips, "Gotta keep the Pellone Allegre!" He rushed out.
Kim let one of the monkeys finish the dishes and took the tube transport in the hall to HQ.
Special thanks to my children, Kathleen and James for some of the ideas used in this story.