A week went by and what a slow week it was. Caitlin got off her punishments due to good behavior and Summer and Seth had a secret bet to see how long she could go with out getting grounded again. It was Monday morning and Summer was in the kitchen, dressed in loose overalls, a baggy short sleeved shirt and her hair was pulled back and a bandanna was wrapped around her head. Summer was only two months pregnant yet her stomach was starting to show – though under clothes you couldn't tell. She was hunched over the sink scrubbing furiously at the piles of dirty dishes in the sink. The twins were in the other room watching tv as they waited for Seth to get ready and take them to kindergarten.
"Summer?" Seth walked into the kitchen dressed in a white dress shirt, red tie and black dress pants. He walked over to his wife looking at her curious as to what she was doing.
"What?" She snapped back at him, dropping the dishes back into the soapy water.
"Nothing…nothing. I just was wondering what you were doing." He grabbed the top of his tie, adjusting it a little as he looked in the mirror to get the tie perfect.
"I'm cleaning dishes, what does it look like I'm doing." She exhaled loudly and got back to scrubbing. Summer looked over her shoulder seeing the answer wasn't suitable for Seth and snapped at him again. "What?"
"I just wanted to let you know that we have something to wash the dishes…. it's called a dishwasher. It's a great invention – you should try it." She flicked her head back to get a piece of her brown hair from her eye.
"I know we have a dishwasher, I just trust think hand-washing gets the job done better. There's always spots left on the dishes and I just wanted everything to be clean. Do you have to comment on everything I'm doing? What is it, national pick on Summer day or something?"
"Hmm, somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Shall we say somebody's a little touchy this morning?"
"Zip it Cohen, I'm not in the mood."
The twins ran into the kitchen and stood side-by-side looking up at their parents wide-eyed. They were dressed in a button up, short-sleeved shirt and khaki pants. The twins go to a private school and instead of uniforms they wear polo shirts and khaki pants. Zachary was in blue and Brady was in white making it easier for everyone to tell which twin was who. They were identical and if they weren't standing next to each other, it'd be difficult to tell them apart. Their sun blond hair was gelled back to the side making it more convenient for them, so their hair wouldn't get in their eyes. They were in need of a haircut, and quickly.
"Mommy, daddy…guess what, guess what!" Zachary yelled getting excited.
"What?" Seth bent down to their level waiting for the answer.
"Did you know that ten plus ten is twenty?" Zachary looked at his father; he was extremely excited that he knew something so 'big' like that. They were only five and in preschool they were learning their numbers, but the shows they watched on tv also contributed.
"Wow Zack, you're so smart! You stumped me, I guess daddy doesn't know that one. Silly me." Seth hit himself on the forehead laughing. Of course he knew the answer but he liked to play along with his sons, they were growing up so fast, learning new things everyday and the more they learned the more Seth wished they were babies again. Though those days were crazy too.
"Daddy, I know what three times six is. Wanna hear?" It was Brady's turn to ask a question. While they wait for their father to get ready every morning, they tune into their favorite shows on PBS and will sit there, staring at the tv until their dad says it's time to go.
"No, what's three times six?"
"Eighteen!" Brady bounced in the air as he clapped his hands.
"Good job guys, you two are so smart! Why don't you go back into the living room and I'll be there in a few minutes to bring you two to kindergarten. Sound good?" He patted their backs as they looked to each other nodding their heads and running back in the direction of the living room. "They're a riot aren't they? And just think, we'll have another one pretty soon." He raised his eyebrows and exhaled laughing as he stood next to Summer at the sink. She was done with all the dishes and they were now drying on the dish rack.
"Yeah they are. Seth could you not, ugh…." She backed away from him, her arms waving in front of her. She wasn't sure if it was the pregnancy or if she was just in a bad mood but she really didn't want to be close with him right now, whether it was a kiss or basically anything.
"Sure, sure, sure. Where's Caitlin?"
"Upstairs getting ready I'm assuming, why?"
"No reason, just curious. This is a big day for her, her first day off restriction – I bet it wont last long." He sat up on the counter top and was soon scolded by Summer to get off…. she just cleaned it and didn't want it to get messy – yeah, like newly washed pants could make this huge mess.
"Morning rents." Caitlin walked cheerfully into the kitchen with a smile on her face, her mood completely different then usual. She hugged her mom from the side and then planted a kiss on her cheek, doing the same to Seth.
"Someone's in a happy mood today, share some of that with your mother." Summer shot him a look and Seth took a sip of his coffee acting like he didn't know what that look was for.
"I've just decided that now that I'm off restriction I want to be a different person, nicer you know?"
"Alright, who are you and what did you do with my daughter?" Seth joked; confused by this happy demeanor. He wasn't used to this – seeing Caitlin smile or even kiss her parents. This was going to take some getting used to.
"You're so funny dad! I guess I just never really saw it until now." Seth sat down on the stool, hunched over and did a double take towards his daughter when she said that. He furrowed a brow, scrunching the left side of his face in confusion.
"Now you're really starting to scare me."
Do you smell that?" She stuck her nose up and inhaled the air and then stopped to look at her parents. Seth and Summer looked at her like she was an crazy. "It's the smell of freedom my friends, no longer am I on restriction…now I'm a free woman and I'm living it up."
"No, no, you're not living anything up. Just because you're not punished right now doesn't mean you can start doing whatever you want. You do something today, or whenever…act up in school, get a detention, do anything you know you shouldn't be doing – back on restriction." Summer took off her gloves and hung them on the side of the sink to dry off.
"Have a little faith mom, I'm not one to screw up…. a lot. Love to stay and chat but I have to go catch the bus. Don't want to be late for school." She grabbed a pop tart out of the cabinet and put it in the pocket of her sweater. She kissed her parents good-bye again and left them stunned, not sure as to what was going on.
"Okay, I don't even know where to begin with that." Summer said sitting down at the kitchen table.
"Yes and whatever it is, it can't be good. She's definitely up to something and just thinking about what she could be planning just…" He shook a little thinking about what their daughter is capable of. He looked over at the clock and seeing it was late he grabbed his lunch from the fridge and scurried out of the room. "I'm late, boys…. let's hit the road, c'mon." He jerked his head to the side and the twins stood up and ran out the door to the car.
"I love you." Seth said leaning into a kiss.
"Ugh, Seth…I'm, not today." She backed away, her face disgusted.
"Uh-huh, I understand. So, I'll call you during my lunch break." The shared an awkward moment and Seth offered his hand while his wife looked at him confused. She shook Seth's hand and he went out the door. He walked over to their blue expedition and unlocked it with his keys. He threw his lunch on the passenger side and ran over to help the twins into their car seats.
"I can do it!" Brady screamed grabbing the straps from behind him and after many failed attempts Seth was growing impatient.
"I know, I know but the thing is daddy's in a big rush and usually I'd be able to let you do it, just today I can't." He snapped his son in and shut the door, then snapped his other son in and shut his door. He was out of breath trying to get everyone ready so he could at least be at his school before homeroom bell rang.
He drove down the road quickly, taking sharp turns and miraculously avoiding accidents. Luckily the boys' school was only twenty minutes from their house and they were there in no time. Seth parked the car outside the school and opened his door, running quickly to get the boys' out. As he tried to unbuckle Zachary the last thing Seth needed was a fight.
"Zack, this is not the time. I'm late for work and you need to go to school." Seth yelled holding onto his son's arms trying to remove him from his car seat. Zack held onto his car seat for dear life, screaming and yelling like he was getting abducted. Other parents who were dropping their kids off from school watched him and Seth could feel all their eyes watching their fight, whispering to each other about what kind of parent Seth Cohen is. He turned around and reassured everybody that there's nothing to see and to mind his or her own business. He was furious.
"Excuse me, is everything all right here?" The boys' teacher asked, watching Seth carefully.
He gave up and placed his hands up by his side. "Everything is fine thank you very much. I'm late for work and I can't be dealing with this right now."
"Here, do you mind if I try?" Seth nodded and she stood next to the car. "Boys, why don't we go inside? Conner's here already and I know he was waiting for you two to get here." Mrs. Taylor said and stepped back, watching Zack hop down from the car looking up at her with a smile. Brady got out of the car too and walked over to his teacher, grabbing her hand. "Mr. Cohen, you're free to go to work now." She started walking towards the door, both boys holding her hands, not even looking back to say goodbye.
"Thanks. Bye Zack, bye Brady. I love you." Seth yelled, no response back. They didn't even turn around to acknowledge him. A second later, Seth raced towards the car, got in and started it. He pushed down hard on the gas sped and took off for his school. He finally got in, he wasn't aware of what time it was and when he got into his classroom, the principal was sitting at his desk watching the students who were all occupied with work.
"Mr. Cohen, I was wondering when you were going to show up. Outside please." Mr. Riley said walking out the door into the hallway, Seth following him.
"I'm extremely sorry, I got a late start and the boys – " Mr. Riley cut him off, he's heard all these excuses before and was sick of it.
"I don't want to hear it. This is the third time in the past two weeks you've done this and it's unacceptable. You took this job because you want to be a teacher, to teach these kids and lately they're seeing more substitutes then they are their own teacher. I'm sick of cutting you slack, I don't know what kind of family problems are going on at home but this is your profession and I think you aren't taking it seriously. If you're having problems getting in on time, leave earlier or have your wife drop off your children – you don't need to do everything. Now this is unacceptable and I will not tolerate this anymore, you're late anymore and there will be consequences." Mr. Riley was an old man, in his sixties at least. He was plump and the hair he had left was white. He was an intimidating man and he didn't like Seth very much and it seemed like he'd do anything to get Seth fired.
"I'm extremely sorry Mr. Riley, it won't happen again." Seth felt like he was in school still, frightened after the mean principal yells at him, threatening him with something big if he screws up again – maybe a detention?
"I hope not, I'll be watching you Mr. Cohen." With that he turned and walked down the hall, his hands behind his back, looking into the classroom and watching the students and teachers. Seth exhaled loudly and walked back into the classroom to start his class.
Caitlin arrived at school and as she took books from her backpack and placed them in her locker, Brittany came to her side, leaning against the lockers noticing Caitlin's happy demeanor.
"Hey smiley. What are you on and where can I get some?" She asked. They both chuckled and Caitlin shut her locker door and locked the combination.
"I'm just happy and plus, I have a reason to be."
"Hmm, maybe because the hottest sophomore in the school asked you out two months ago and now that you're off grounding, you'll be able to go out with him? Yes, I think I'd be happy too." Caitlin rolled her eyes and adjusted the strap of her backpack on her shoulder. She'd been dating Aiden for two months now and their new relationship transformed Caitlin from an angry, fanatical teenager into a happy, loving one.
"Don't worry Britt, you just broke up with Justin a few months ago. You'll get another boyfriend, just give it time." Caitlin's new boyfriend, Aiden Spencer walked up to her locker, a huge smile on his face, happy to see her. His blond hair was spiked up messily and he was wearing a dark blue short-sleeved shirt with white writing on it and blue jeans. He looked extremely hot.
"Hey." He said dropping his bag to the side, his arms wrapping around her waist.
"Hey yourself." She dropped her bag as well and the two immediately began kissing in the middle of the hall. Brittany stood next to them watching them with disgust as students walked down the hallway to get to class.
"Disgusting. And if this is what you two will be doing then I think I'll be getting myself a new group to hang out with in the morning." Caitlin reached her hand over, while still kissing Aiden and hit Brittany on the side of her head. "Ow!" She yelled rubbing her hand over where Caitlin smacked her.
A teacher walked down the hall stopping in front of the two lovebirds and cleared her throat. This didn't stop them from continuing to kiss and she did it again, once more. "Excuse me, Ms. Cohen and Mr. Spencer, get to class now." She waited until they broke apart and continued down the hall to her classroom.
"History first period right?" Caitlin asked picking her bag up from the ground, Aiden nodded at her.
"And math first for you, I'll walk you to class." He held out his hand and Caitlin took his hand in hers and the two of them began walking down the hall. "Brit, I'll meet you in English…and save me a seat at lunch!" She screamed down the hall and then the two turned a corner and disappeared to their designated classrooms. Brittany stood there and sighed, she couldn't believe that this is how her own cousin was acting now that she had a boyfriend. Family before anything right? If this was how it was going to be then maybe Brittany wouldn't hang out with her anymore. She trudged down the hall and went to her first period class as well, angry and upset at her cousin's newly founded romance.
The school day was slow and when the lunch bell rang, Brittany walked in to see her cousin all over Aiden and the two of them sitting at a table full of people Brittany really didn't have any interests with. Football players. Maybe Caitlin didn't mind sitting with them but Brittany hated her schools football jocks especially since half of them insult her and countless others in their school. No, she'd be sitting by herself today at lunch and hopefully tomorrow wont be the same. Caitlin didn't even notice, angering Brittany even more. How could one guy cause this much strain in their friendship, not to mention the fact that they're family. The lunch bell rang and Brittany moaned, knowing English was next.
Brittany sat in the second to last seat in the fourth row; Caitlin's seat was next to her. She saw Caitlin in the doorway, her and Aiden holding hands and then kissing as he departed down the hallway. She walked in, lustrous and elated. To Caitlin, this was the best day of her life.
"Hey, where were you at lunch today?" Caitlin asked taking her seat.
Brittany looked down at her notebook; she was drawing something and showed no happiness towards her cousin when they spoke. "I was there. Sitting by myself, thanks."
"Britt, why didn't you come over and sit with me and Aiden?"
"He's a football player and I don't particularly get along well with football players."
"You still should have come over, I would have moved to your table." Caitlin said gloomy.
"I'll pass." Brittany shut her notebook and collected her bag moving up a few seats next to another friend she had in the classroom, Sarah Collins.
"Britt – "
"Ms. Cohen. I'm starting class now and unless you have something important you need to say, can I continue?" Her teacher asked standing in front of Caitlin's desk, her eyes smoldering as she waited for her students.
"Yeah, sorry." Caitlin looked down at her desk; Brittany was obviously pissed and wouldn't talk to her. So much for the best day of her life.
The bell rang at two and everyone stood for dismissal. Today they went home alone, not hanging out like they usually do on Monday's.
"Caitlin, why are you home from school?" Summer asked walking into the foyer. She was still dressed in those wacky clothes she wore from this morning only now they were dirty.
"No reason."
"Is Brittany here?" Summer inquired.
"No."
"Why not? You two always hang out after school."
"She's just not, alright? God, leave me alone."
"Caitlin, what happened?" Caitlin ran up to her room and slammed the door. Obviously her daughter's good mood disappeared and Summer was left with wondering what happened. Hopefully she didn't get in trouble in school and wouldn't be expecting a phone call from the principal saying Caitlin has a detention for who knows what.
Summer rolled her eyes and placed her hand on her forehead feeling searing. She gathered her hair in one hand and put it back in a ponytail, sighing, as she saw what a mess the house was. Summer grabbed some of the twins' toys and threw them in the plastic bin located in the living room. After a half an hour of cleaning just the foyer, she collapsed into the coach feeling dizzy and tired. She closed her eyes and dozed off for a few minutes.
"Summer?" Seth said walking into the house, placing his briefcase on the stairs and walking into the living room. The boys ran into the house and after dropping off their backpacks where ever they felt like it, they both ran past the living room opening and upstairs, yelling about their toy cars.
"Oh, hi. Did you just get home? Where are Zack and Brady?" Seth shook her arm lightly and Summer soon woke up, a little startled.
"Yeah, we just walked in. The boys are in the kitchen playing…are you okay? Would you like me to get you some water?"
"No, no, I'm fine. I was just doing a little cleaning but felt tired and took a little nap. How was work?" Summer asked propping herself up against the pillows.
Seth pulled on his tie, loosening it up and letting it droop from his shoulders. "It was good. Mr. Riley threatened me today about being late again. He said if I kept doing this he'd fire me."
"Oh…Seth – that's awful. We'll just have to work out a new schedule. I can drive the boys to kindergarten, and Caitlin takes the bus, so it's just them we have to worry about getting to school."
"Well I drive them to let you relax and not have to rush around getting them ready, and after what they pulled on me today – it'd just cause stress, and stress is not what you need right now." He leaned in to give Summer a kiss on the forehead.
"Oh? What'd they do?"
"When we arrived at their school, they wouldn't get out of the car. And as I tried to get them out of their car seats, they began screaming and crying, causing a huge scene. I mean other parents were looking at me like I was hurting them or something. So then their teacher had to come out and help me get my own kids out of the car. Of course they listened to her and when I left, they didn't even say I love you back – my own kids don't even love me and like their teacher better."
"Aw Seth, you know they didn't mean anything by it. Their only five, they didn't know what they were doing and you know for a fact that our children love you very much." Summer leaned her head against Seth's chest, as the two sat on the couch talking about their day.
"Yeah well I guess it's a common thing for teenagers to act like they hate their parents but the boys are only five. That's too young to be acting like Caitlin. But anyways, what'd you do today?"
"Let's see. I did some laundry, I talked with Marissa, took a nap, cleaned, ate, went grocery shopping, took a shower…. ate, cleaned the house and then napped again. Oh, by the way – remember the dinner date at your parents on Saturday. Two days okay? So don't go and plan anything."
"I know what this dinner dates about. They're going to talk and fuss over you and Marissa, offer to take you shopping, say we don't see them enough and then persuade us into buying that house down the street. We never should have told them we were thinking of buying a bigger house because now they're going to want us to live closer to them. It's bad enough Ryan and I still live in the same town but the whole point of turning eighteen was moving away from your parents."
"I love your parents and it's great because we save a fortune on babysitters plus the kids love them and they're great help." Summer arched her back and entwined her fingers stretching her arms out in front of her.
"Yeah see, that's their façade…if you knew them like Ryan and I do I'll reassure you, you'd think differently. You need to live with someone to see how they truly are."
"So I've been told. Anyways, I need to go check on dinner. Go tell the kids that dinner will be done in ten minutes…and go talk with Caitlin – she's upset about something. I think her and Brittany got into a fight." She sprung from the couch and walked into the kitchen to check on the salmon she was preparing for dinner.
"Great, I always get the hard job." He walked over to the stairs and bent down a little to grab the briefcase and headed up the rest of the stairs into their bedroom. He took off his suit jacket and hung it on a hanger placing it back on their closet rack. He began unbuttoning his dress shirt and when his chest was exposed, he took the shirt off and threw it in the dirty laundry hamper with his pants as well. He threw on a blue and white rugby shirt and gray sweatpants and moaned as task one was completed and now on to task two.
"Boys, dinner's going to be ready in a few minutes. Could you two go down stairs and help your mother please?" Two blond haired boys turned to face their father and at his request, they did what they were told. Seth stood in the doorway watching the twins march down the stairs and when they disappeared from his sight he moved towards Caitlin's room, knocking first – he now knocked after learning the hard way once.
"Don't come in!" Caitlin yelled from the inside of her room. Seth walked into her room though, not caring about her demands. "Great, too late. And you say I'm the bad listener."
"Hey, I can come into this room whenever I feel like it okay? But before dinner is ready, I wanted to talk with you." Seth sat down on the end of her bed while Caitlin sat at her desk.
"Great, another talk. All we do in this stupid family is talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. I'm sick of talking."
"That's not true."
"Uh-huh. Let me save you the pep talk, if this is about the tv in the playroom…. it wasn't my fault, Zack –"
"No, this isn't about the tv but since you brought up…what about it?" Seth questioned.
"Nothing." She said trying to change the subject. "Why are you here?"
"Are you and Brittany fighting?"
"That's none of your business."
"Caitlin, I'm here to talk to you – you know that." Seth stood from the bed and turned to face his daughter though her back was to him.
"I don't pry into your life, don't pry into mine." She looked at her father, becoming angry.
Seth looked at his daughter frustrated. He was trying to help her, why does his kid always block him out of her life. He never really understood how much his parents really tried to help him until Caitlin turned into the teenage Seth…and Seth turned into his parents.
"Dinner!" Summer yelled from downstairs.
"Cait, just listen. Whatever this fight is about just know that family is more important. Family is forever and I hope that you look at how close you are with your cousin, and apologize for what you did and just move on. Your uncle and I are very close and believe me, we've had our share of fights but we always made up in the end. Same thing with your aunt and mom. It seemed like they'd have fights every other day and look at them now. Remember that." Seth placed his arm on Caitlin's shoulder as they both stood to abscond to Summer's calls.
"Wow dad, this parent advice is really kicking in. For a second there I couldn't believe this is the same person who still, after like eighteen years, plays video games. Not to mention wears boxers with cartoon characters on them. You were a totally different person there – don't do that again." She said slapping his arm. She was the queen of sarcasm and her father's advice clearly went in one ear and out the other, like most of the stuff her parents say.
"I play video games because your brother's happen to like them too." Seth turned off the lights to his daughter's room and shut the door behind him, running behind her. "I know something happened between you and Brittany and I know how at this age if someone betrays you then you automatically shut them out and never talk to them again…. there's a trait your mother chipped in on."
"Dad, stop alright because I'm not listening. You think you know everything. You and mom think you know everything that goes on in my life but you don't. You have no idea and so stop trying to act like you care or even have any interest in it because it'd be easier for all of us." She stormed down the steps now angrier then before leaving Seth flummoxed on the top of the steps.
"You're going to see her on Saturday." He cupped his hands to the sides of his mouth and yelled down behind her, knowing that she more then likely didn't hear it anyways. Walking down the steps he passed through the living room and into the kitchen.
Summer was in the kitchen setting the table and finishing up the dinner for her family. Steamy salmon was set on a glass plate in the middle of the table, place mats set at every chair, along with silverware. Summer gave both the boys a half slice of salmon and an equal portion of mashed potatoes served as a side dish. The boys were digging into their food already and by the time Summer came to sit down and begin to eat, their mashed potatoes were finished.
"Boys, eat your salmon before it gets cold." She said grabbing her fork and beginning to eat.
"But I don't like it." Zachary said leaning on the table, his head rested on his hand.
"Eat." Summer placed her napkin on her lap and noticed Seth walking in with a distressed appearance. "And? Did you get her to spill?" She asked her husband, watching him sit down and begin to eat.
"No of course not, and the talk just made her angrier at me then she already is."
"I'll call Marissa and see if she knows something. I hate to see them fighting, they're each other's best friends."
"Summer just leave it alone. Caitlin's not a baby anymore and we don't have to come running to her side every time she has a problem." He shoveled some salmon into his mouth and washed it down with a sip of water. He looked at the boys who were now throwing bits of salmon up into the air and trying to catch it in their mouths. Rarely making it. "Boys, stop." Zachary and Brady's eyes met Seth's and his seriousness caused the boys to stop their idiocy.
"Since when have you thought like that? We're her parents and we're suppose to help. Just because you two got in a fight doesn't mean you have to take it out on me or the boys." Summer bellowed back at Seth.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry. Do what you want." Seth took another bite of his food and pushed his chair back, standing up. He ambled towards the sink and placed his food in, exiting the room. Summer looked at the doorway not really sure what happened.
"Are you and daddy fighting mommy?" Brady asked looking at his mother.
Summer was still staring at the doorway and surfaced from her daze to answer her son's question. "No sweetie it's just…. finish eating alright?"
Brady nodded his head and Summer sat there in her daze. What was happening to this family? Everyone seemed to be fighting, her and Seth's marriage hasn't been going to well and their daughter hates them.
Caitlin walked in, her eyes red like she had been crying. She stroked her hand below her eye and sat down.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Summer questioned.
"Nothing." She sat down and took a bite of her salmon, it was cold now and wasn't too appetizing. "This sucks."
"If you came down when I yelled that dinner was ready, it wouldn't be cold. Warm it up in the microwave."
"I didn't ask for dad to come in and give me a talk which I must say sounded oddly familiar – something along the lines of what you would say."
Summer rested her arms on the table, folding them in front of her. "I don't know what you're talking about and I didn't tell your father what to say so whatever you two talked about had nothing to do with me."
"Yeah sure. I would just love one day with out one of you coming up to me and asking what's wrong, just one day. You have two other kids, bug them!"
"You are our daughter and we will do whatever we want, when we want is that understood?" Summer stood up from her seat growing tense by this conversation.
"No, it isn't clear. It's like you bug the hell out of dad until you two get into a fight and then I'm your next choice. Pick on Zack, there's plenty of things going on in his life even though he's five. Did he tell you that he failed that math test and needs you to sign it?"
Zack looked at Caitlin upset that she told. "Hey! You weren't 'pose to tell!" Zack yelled back, Brady giggling in his chair.
"Zachary Daniel, you failed your math test? Math's your best subject and we studied for that one. Since you're done with dinner, you and Brady go up to your room…. I'll be there in a few minutes to talk with you."
"I don't know why you're laughing Brady… his teacher sent home a letter saying how he and another kid got into a fight. And in the letter it requested a meeting." Caitlin lifted her eyebrows and snickered evilly to her brother.
"Brady? A fight? I can't – I can't believe this. And how do you know this and I don't? Their own mother?" Summer rubbed the side of her head.
"Hmm, I wonder. You know all about my life and have no idea what your precious little angels are doing – if you spent as much time trying to understand every aspect of my miserable life and spent it on the boys…all our lives would be better."
"Yeah well look what Caitlin had in her bag." Zachary hopped down from his chair and handed a white piece of paper to Summer.
"A detention? Great another one? You just can't go a day with out getting a detention, can you? They're like air to you."
"You two went through my bag? I'm going to kill you!" Caitlin got up from her chair and charged at her brothers who were running for their lives in front of her.
"Stop!" Summer screamed at her daughter. "You are not to touch them. All of you go up to your rooms, I just can't deal with this right now."
"Mommy – " Brady somberly said.
"Just go!" She yelled back at them. They all left the kitchen and with the sounds of footsteps from the upper level, Summer sank back into her chair and began to cry.
Seth relaxed in bed, his hand resting behind his head and the other on his stomach. He was sleeping, trying to drown out the day's problems but was woken up by the screaming from downstairs. He walked into the twins' room seeing that both were on their beds, crying.
"Boys, what's the matter?" He asked squatting in between their beds.
"Mommy yelled at us." Zachary said, wiping a tear from his eye.
"Did she have reason to?"
"No." Seth raised an eyebrow to Brady and he soon changed his answer. "Yes."
"Look guys, mommy's going through a tough time right now. Do you know all the stuff mommy has to do everyday?" The boys shook their heads. "Well, she has to get up everyday, get me up, get you two up and get Caitlin up. She has to make breakfast for all of us, make your lunches and sometimes she has to bring you to school when I can't. She has to clean the house, make dinner, run errands all day while we're out and on top of that, mommy's having a baby which makes it more difficult."
"She does all that?" Brady asked.
"Yes, and it's a hard job. I know you two are sorry for what you did, just be good for us all right? That's all mommy and I ask for. Just tell mommy you're sorry and next time, and be good boys okay?"
"Okay. Sorry daddy." Zack said, followed by Brady's 'sorry'. Seth stood and grabbed the pajamas that Summer had out already.
"Time for bed." He got the boys changed for bed, tucked them in and then stood outside their door physically exhausted.
"Are they sleeping?" Summer asked standing next to Seth.
"They will be shortly. I got them changed for bed and they're tucked in so they're all set. By the way, I don't know what they did but they are sorry…. so am I."
"Seth – "
"No, just listen. Today was just tough and I was angry, and tired, and I took it out on the wrong people. I had no right to yell at you and I'm sorry." He wrapped his arms around his wife and the two embraced in a hug.
"Apology accepted." Summer rested her head on Seth's shoulder covering her mouth with her hand from an oncoming yawn.
"Tired?" He dumbly asked looking down at his wife. She nodded and yawned again, rubbing her eyes afterwards. "Let's go to bed. Sound good?"
"The best thing you've said all day. Race you." She turned around running down the hall leaving Seth standing there stunned. He ran after her and shut the door jumping into bed next to his wife.
The next morning Seth awoke to the sounds of Summer and Caitlin arguing in the kitchen and footsteps running outside his door to around the house. He hung his legs over the side of the bed and rubbed his eyes looking at the clock and seeing he should have been up twenty minutes ago. Seth began to panic and ran into the bathroom, taking a quick shower and within fifteen minutes he was downstairs, dressed and eating.
"Summer, did you turn off the alarm?" Seth asked tying his tie while using the other free hand to scoop cereal into his mouth.
"No. Did it not go off? I was wondering why you were sleeping so late." Summer was standing behind the kitchen counter, making sandwiches for the boys' lunch.
"Yeah I have a feeling who did it…. where's Caitlin?" Seth looked around the room noticing the vacant chair across from him.
"School. She left ten minutes ago but Seth, I doubt she'd do that just to get back at you for last night."
"Well when she has a motive. That kid will do anything." Summer placed the sandwiches in the boys' lunch boxes and sat down next to Seth grabbing the tie out of his hand.
"Will you stop." She looked Seth in the eye and finished tying his tie, smoothing it out against his shirt
"I know her and Brittany are fighting but the two of them better get over it because I'm sick of the way she's acting. Not to mention with this dinner party at my parents tomorrow, if Caitlin causes a scene I swear she'll be grounded until she's thirty." Seth was stressed out, the fight with Caitlin, work and that party tomorrow night weighed heavily in his mind.
"Those two are inseparable, it's probably just a stupid little fight. They had their day apart and I bet they're best friends by the end of the day. What are you worried about them starting a scene for? They're our family and it's not like they haven't seen the two of them fight."
"Yeah but still, it's embarrassing. I know what they'll say behind our backs, 'that Caitlin is crazy, must be something she inherited from her parents. She's just a wild teenager, they can't even control their kid and look at that, they're having another one? Poor, poor kids.' I don't want them saying that about our children, I can control my own kids and I don't want them judging us on our parenting skills because you know they are. They're judging us to see how fit we are as parents, just examining us for the tiniest little flaw and then jumping on it…I'm sick of it."
"Seth what is this all about because this isn't about the kids is it?" Summer stared into Seth's eyes sensing the real issue behind his grief.
"I don't know, it just…." He turned his head towards the doorway postponing the answer.
"Just what Seth?"
"I don't like the fact that I always feel I have to live up to my parents. For the longest time my dad wanted me to go to his college and after I graduated, join him in his job. I was their perfect kid and then that all went down the drain when you found out you were pregnant. All of sudden they looked at me different, not the kid they thought they had, but a disappointment. They always talked about everything I could be when I got older and look at me now; I'm a third grade teacher. I went back to college three years after I was suppose to but no, that doesn't matter to them. They just never let me grow up, and even when Caitlin was born they continued to supervise me…you know, ready to jump on us every time we didn't support her neck just right, or if the bottle was just a little two warm – it just gets old. I mean they didn't even let us breath until the twins were born, but even then they were always there. And I know I'm just complaining but this house thing is just their way of being able to keep an eye on us. I just want us to be able to raise our children the way we want to with out them constantly disapproving or saying we're raising them wrong."
"You know that's not what they're doing. I knew at seventeen we couldn't raise a baby by ourselves but with the support from our family and us sticking together and working as a team, I think we did a pretty good job. Your parents just want us to live closer to them; I bet they're doing the same thing to Ryan so just stop with the complaining. You're just tired and stressed out – I know things have been a little crazy around here lately but I promise that you and I will have a night alone…kid free, sound good? Now stop all this complaining, you're starting to sound like Caitlin. And I can't stand to have another Caitlin in the house, I think I'd go insane."
"I think we're already past that point. But a night out sounds great, and I'm going to hold you to that offer – I know where you live." Seth looked at the clock next to the phone and saw he was late again. "I have to go. I'll be home at five. Love you."
"Love you, and don't worry – I have everything under control. I'm fully capable of getting the twins to their schools, just remember be home by five thirty so we can be at your parents by six." Seth waved goodbye, took his briefcase and walked out of the door accidentally getting his jacket caught. Summer covered her mouth trying not to laugh and after he figured it out, he reopened the door, waved good-bye again and left.
At school, Caitlin walked down the hall to her locker, opening up her backpack and emptying her stuff into it. She saw Brittany out of the corner of her eye; talking with some girls she once told her she'd never have anything to do with. Obviously doing it to make Caitlin jealous, which she wasn't…. maybe a little. Caitlin walked in the direction towards her cousin, her mouth ajar ready to apologize for her idiotic behavior.
"Hey Cait, ready to go to class?" Aiden said stopping her just inches away from Brittany. Brittany looked Caitlin straight in the eye, scoffed and walked away with her new clique. Caitlin sighed in defeat. This was going to be harder then she thought.
"Yeah, I'm ready." Caitlin looked up to her boyfriend, smiling. He held out his hand and Caitlin took it and the two headed towards their first period class. She decided she'll talk to her at lunch, Aiden wasn't going to be there so she'd have no excuse not to. When the two arrived at their Spanish class, the teacher rolled her eyes as the two kissed right outside the door.
She crossed her arms and cleared her throat, "Excuse me, this is a place for learning not for showing public affection."
"Sorry Mrs. Tanner, it wont happen again." Caitlin hated this teacher just as much as Mrs. Tanner scared her. Aiden walked into the classroom first and sat down in his seat and as Caitlin was about to do the same, Mrs. Tanner stopped her.
"Another thing Ms. Cohen, if you spent as much time kissing your boyfriend and applied it to your studies, you'd for sure have an A in this classroom. Take your seat." Mrs. Tanner shut the door after Caitlin took her seat and got her grade book out to check off homework.
"What was that about?" Aiden asked turning around in his seat to talk with Caitlin.
"Nothing, just that the bitch is sour about being over fifty and not being married. So anytime she sees any display of public affection she can't stand it so she breaks it up. Poor thing, I guess I would be to if I knew I was going to live the rest of my life, alone." that laughed and turned around as he saw Mrs. Tanner standing next to his desk.
"What was that Ms. Cohen? Something you'd like to share?" Caitlin looked around at all the pairs of eyes staring at her and quickly shook her head.
"No. I'm good."
"I don't have to ask whether or not you have your homework. I'm assuming you don't. Correct?"
Caitlin bit her bottom lip, rummaging through her backpack pulling out stray papers giving the impression that she did. "Um, you know what…I must have left it in my locker, can I go get it?'
"That excuse gets old Ms. Cohen and last time I let you do that I saw you writing down answers in the hall."
"No, but seriously I have it."
"It's not here for me to check off and it's not prepared to go over in class. Sorry but you are not going to your locker either. Zero." She wrote a zero down in her grade book and continued with the rest of the kids.
"It's okay, just her loneliness talking. Sorry you bitchiness deprives you of any social company." Caitlin muttered under her breath.
"That is entirely inappropriate. Just get out of this classroom." Mrs. Tanner screamed hearing what Caitlin said and was so upset she was trying to fight back tears.
"It'd be my pleasure." Caitlin got up, grabbed her backpack and went into the principal's office. She sat down on the bench next to the other kids who were waiting.
"Caitlin, long time no see. How have you been?" The secretary asked, looking up from the computer. Caitlin got up and stood at the counter talking with the secretary.
"Been good, I got off restriction two days ago but I guess this is the end of freedom. How about you? How's the ankle?" She knew that Mrs. Jacobs had surgery on it a few weeks ago but just came back to work a few days ago and because Caitlin was staying out of trouble, she hadn't seen her.
"It's sore, but other then that I'm fine. I got off crutches a week ago and they put me in a cast that's easy to walk in, so now I can be on my feet. So, what'd you get called down for?"
"Mrs. Tanner, I hate her so much…I did my homework, for the first time basically all year but I left it in my locker. I asked if I could go get it in my locker but she wouldn't let me go so I said something about she's just a bitch because she's alone."
"That lady is something…you wouldn't believe how many kids come down here from her class every day. But still, I can't believe you said that to her." Mrs. Jacobs was in her late twenties, married with a two year-old son.
"Well I didn't say it to her, I kind of muttered it and she kind of heard it and she kind of sent me down here."
"I see." Mr. Brody, the principal, came out of his office and cleared his throat to get their attention. Mrs. Jacobs jumped startled and continued typing.
"Caitlin, in my office please." Mr. Brody waited by the door, his hands hanging by his side and a tedious expression upon his face.
"Right. And by the way things are going I doubt this will be our last meeting today but if not, I hope the ankle feels better."
"Thanks, and good luck with surviving the rest of the day." Mr. Brody cleared his throat again, raising his eyebrows impatiently.
Caitlin walked into the office and Mr. Brody shut the door behind her, sitting in his leather chair and flipping through her file.
"I see we have a little problem with our language…. especially to people of higher authority?" Mr. Brody sat back in his chair, folding his hands on his stomach.
"You see this wasn't my – "
"Ms. Cohen, how many times to I have to tell you that cursing at your teachers is not tolerated in this school. I don't know what is allowed at your house but when you are here, in school, there is to be no foul language used to and or about anyone, understand?"
"But – " Caitlin tried to get her story in but obviously what she had to say wouldn't change what Mrs. Tanner already reported.
"Understand, Ms. Cohen?" She nodded her head and slinked back in her chair, rolling her eyes. "Now the punishment is as followed, three days detention and if you fail to show up to these detentions, you will be given another one. And as usual a day of in school suspension."
"Yes sir." She said looking out the window, clearly ignoring what he was saying.
"Alright then, wait in the main lobby until the bell has rung and then go to the next class. Do you think you can handle not getting in trouble for the rest of the day? As much as I do love these daily meetings, I wish that you could learn to control yourself."
"Sure, whatever. Oh, by the way, do you think there's any chance you won't tell my parents about this?" Caitlin stood up from her chair looking at the principal eagerly.
"Your parents need to sign the detentions. And if I find out that you forged your parents signature…you will be in deeper trouble." Caitlin rolled her eyes and walked out of his office, luckily the bell rang and it was off to her next period class. Aiden met Caitlin at her locker for the brief second she was there to switch books.
"So what's your doom?" Aiden asked leaning against her locker.
"Three days detention, the usual."
"Shit. Cait, this means we wont be able to go out this weekend."
"Don't worry, I have it under control." The bell rang and the kids in the hallway began to fill into their classrooms.
"Walk you." Aiden held out his hand and Caitlin held it in hers. They walked to English and with a quick kiss good-bye, Caitlin entered. She took her seat, behind Brittany and thought this was a perfect chance to try to talk to her.
"Britt look, I'm sorry please – "
"Ms. Cohen, class started two minutes ago and already you begin talking."
"Sorry." The teacher shot her a look and continued on with her lesson.
"Britt…" Caitlin whispered over her shoulder. She was hunched over, leaning on the table as she tried to get her cousin's attention.
"I have nothing to say to you." She said, whispering back over her shoulder.
"Yeah, well I have something to say to you. I'm sorry." Brittany didn't care for her apology and continued to ignore Caitlin the best she could.
"Ms. Cohen. Second warning, if I hear you talking once more you'll be down in the principal's office. Clear?" Their teacher said goaded.
"Crystal." She sat back in her chair and began doodling on the piece of notebook paper, blocking out her teachers stupid lecture on the book they were currently reading.
A/N: The next chapter is a continuation of this day so this chapter and the next all take place in one day. I had to end this chapter because it'd be like twenty pages – and I didn't want to do that to everyone. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and I'll try to update as soon as possible. Enjoy! And please review.