"And Onyx I got for my birthday. It was the best birthday of my life."Brock was telling Crystal.
"How nice. Who gave him to you? You know, I don't know if you have any family. Do you have any family? What are your parents like?"asked Crystal suddenly.
"Parents? Oh, um...right, parents. My parents….well, um…"Brock didn't know what to say. "Well, my mother died some time ago. And, my father, well…uh, he died, too."
"Oh, you're an orphan? I'm sorry."she said.
"That's all right."
"You live by yourself, then?"
"Uh, yeah, yeah, I do."he answered.
"How cozy. No one telling you what to do. I wish I could live by myself, but my parents say it's not right for a young lady to live on her own."
"They do say it's a harsh world out there."
"I could take care of myself. Just as long as I have money to pay someone to do the cleaning and stuff for me. But they want me to get married, you know how parents are."
"They have anyone they specifically want you to marry?"he asked, nervously.
"I've never thought of that! I don't know. They just don't like me to be seeing a lot of guys, that's it. But they've never mentioned anything about marrying me to anyone in particular."
"Oh…"Brock didn't know whether to be relieved or not. "Well, what kind of guy do they have in mind for you, exactly?"
"I'm not so sure."
"So, they wouldn't mind?"
"I already told you they will! They do! I'm just going to have to wait until I'm fifty, I guess!"
Mike told David he'd look after the kids while David got some rest.
"You need it."he said firmly.
"You're right on that!"said David.
"You go to bed early, or something, and I'll wait for Brock."
"I have no problem with that."
"Good."
David went to his room, and Mike went back, got on the couch, and began to play his Gameboy Advanced.
"What's that?"asked Billy.
"Something for big kids. You go play with your sisters."
"I don't play with girls."
"You do today. Until your brother gets here."
When Brock got there, Mike was the first to meet him.
"Hi. You know, I was just wondering who you were coming out of the ice cream shop with today."he said as soon as he saw him.
"No fair, Brock. You got ice cream without us. I want ice cream, too."said Cindy, pouting.
"Yeah, Brock, no fair. Me, too."said Mike.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Mike."said Brock.
"Yes, you do. The second you saw me you ran off."
"I've been doing just what I do every single day of my life! At the gym and at Ms.Balmaceda's."
"David told me she's her niece."
"I have no idea just what you're talking about."
"Yes, you do."
"You must have mistaken me for someone else is all."said Brock calmly. "Those video games just aren't good for your eyes, Mike. You must need glasses."
"I don't need glasses."said Mike. "Come on, I promise I won't tell anyone."
"There is just nothing to tell."said Brock.
"Pretty please, with a cherry on top? My brother's done a lot for you? Why are your brothers and sisters staying here, anyway?"
"I can't take them with me. Ms.Balmaceda's niece doesn't like noise."
"What about to the gym? Aha, so you don't go to the gym? Or she goes with you? What would she say if she found out about them?"
"She already knows."said Brock.
"You don't sound so sure."Mike teased.
"Of course she does."
"So you just admitted it! She just doesn't want you to be bringing them with you?"
"Look, Mike, it's complicated. I'm just here for my brothers and sisters. Where's David, by the way?"
"Resting, after all, these kids are a handful. I hope you're paying him well to babysit."
"It's complicated."Brock simply said.
"Complicated how?"
"Simply complicated."
Brock rushed all his brothers and sisters out. It's complicated, all right! And it looks like it's getting more and more complicated by the minute.