Written by KelseyAlicia
While the teens were at Evelyn's Beauty Salon or the SuperBowl, their relatives were occupied with their careers. Jamie's residence was 2627 Third St, a three-story periwinkle domicile with creamy trim. He lived in such a large home because his parents worked for the regional CPS division.
The ground floor had an open concept linking a five-star kitchen, elegant dining room, sizable living room, and small laundry room. They'd top-quality Whirlpool appliances for every essential in their residence.
The second floor had four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a home office, and a linen closet across from the kid's bathroom. Again the interior of the house resembled something the Property Brothers would've accomplished. (Jamie's mother's favorite channel was HGTV. She worshiped all the remolding shows. It served as the source of inspiration when they'd renovated after purchasing the house.)
His parents had converted the third-floor attic into an extra bedroom/playroom while fostering younger children. Simultaneously the basement was where their older foster kids hung out. Plus, they had a massive fenced-in backyard with an abundance of playthings and a swing set for the young kids.
Today Jamie's father, Joel, was laboring from home as he and his wife Jezebel rotated working at headquarters and from home. This way, one adult was consistently home to watch over the kids.
They're only fostering Ruben until they finalize their adoption. Joel was going through paperwork regarding the youths they had fostered in the past. The Ramseys wanted to make sure they were doing well.
Presently the medium-height male with an explosion of freckles was bent over a computer desk. Joel Ramsey kept having to push his untidy fair hair out of his face. However, it remained quite aggravating as his unkempt hair never stayed tidy. No matter what he attempted, he couldn't tame it. Moreover, his slovenly locks made it more challenging to keep track of essential paperwork.
"Ugh, such considerable paperwork and way too many items to fax! Ugh, what a nightmare!" lamented the young man. He glanced at the timepiece on the wall, then groaned loudly. His wife would never forgive him if he didn't complete their paperwork on time. Jezebel, while patient, was also obsessed with time management.
Everything had to be done on a strict schedule, and she didn't appreciate things taking longer then she'd scheduled them to be. Usually, Joel could handle his wife's slight OCD. However, in half an hour, there was a soccer match he didn't want to miss either.
"Okay, Joel, you'll just have to work through it and hope you don't miss too much of the match," he muttered. Then, taking a deep breath, he went methodically through their paperwork.
Thankfully, he concluded with five minutes to spare. He quickly headed to the living room to watch the game on his flat screen. Unlike most people in Peace Valley who worshiped the Packers?
Joel much preferred watching European Football, AKA Soccer. Presumably due to playing the sport as a youth. Plus, he found American football way too tricky to understand.
Midway through the game, his wife returned home. Whether she was on the clock or not, she continuously looked perfect. Likewise, Jezebel Ramsey looked incredible, from her stylish short brunette hair to her well-toned body.
"Honey? Where are you?" she called before he answered. In a few quick strides, she met him in the living room. She frowned a split second due to her husband's informal dress style but shrugged it off.
"Hello, honey. Please tell me you've completed the paperwork before you started watching the game?" she inquired urgently, to which he nodded, which made her sigh in relief.
"That's good. You wouldn't believe the day I've had!" she exclaimed while gradually removing her beige heels to massage her throbbing feet.
"Oh, what transpired today that got you so worked up?" he inquired. He was curious what had her so riled up. His wife let out a sigh before responding.
"Believe it or not, some lady called CPS on her brother because he declined to co-sign a car loan. Of all the ridiculous things to do simply because someone told you no?" she sounded disgusted by this bogus call.
"Ugh! The entitlement of some people is sincerely outrageous—anything else I needed to know?" as he offered her some of his snacks.
She nibbled on a few graham crackers before replying. "Well, if you're going to do that 5K race with the boys, you'll need to take them to get new shoes. However, I'm not confident you can convince Jamie to go with you."
"No, the boy doesn't like running. Which is a shame because we're a running family," her husband replied. However, the family did run regularly. It was an excellent way to exercise while bonding. Ruben didn't mind running, for it benefited his mental health. However, Jamie didn't like it.
"So, where are the boys right now?" Jezebel inquired, to which her husband reminded her causally.
"They're participating in that sibling bowling meet at the Super Bowl. They told us yesterday what they're going to do today."
"Oh, that slipped my mind after getting so aggravated regarding that absurd call. But, honestly, I hope someone can press charges for falsifying a report against the woman.
She claimed her niece was being forced to sleep on the floor. The reality was the girl's bed frame broke a week ago, and they're waiting for the furniture store to deliver the new one."
"We both know deliveries have been delayed considerably given current circumstances. Plus, it ordinarily takes two weeks to a few months to get new furniture."
"Precisely! Ugh, again, I hope she gets charged. I'm going to soak in a nice bubble bath. I need to de-stress after today's craziness."
"Sounds lovely, sweetheart. Oh, before I forget. The postman, not the ghost one, dropped off the new photographic equipment you ordered online."
"Thank god the ghostly mailman didn't deliver it! I spent $300 on brand-new equipment! Photography may be a hobby of mine. Yet it also supports us in putting away additional funds for our kids' university funds."
While Jezebel wasn't a shutterbug by trade, she did it as a side job. Again, more because she found it relaxing, and the extra income didn't hurt either. Kissing her husband's forehead, Jezebel headed upstairs for her bubble bath.
Meanwhile, back at the Duquesne's residence, the girls' father, Carl, watched his youngest daughter and her friend. Carl Duquesne worked as an ER nurse at the regional medical institution where his wife was in charge of the ER. They'd met in medical school and tied the knot after completing school.
Presently he was watering the plants in the family's greenhouse in the backyard. Given the parents' occupation? They're extremely strict
when it comes to eating healthy and getting exercise.
Both parents belonged to the medical institution running group—the 5% Club. The healthcare facility had a variety of groups for the faculty to join. It helped build teamwork and friendships. They consisted of running, craftwork, yoga, cooking, writing, and gardening. Again all to help enhance cooperation, mental health, and make companions.
Carl Duquesne was built like a Packer's linebacker. He'd shaved his head and had a nice goatee. Once he was done watering the plants, he made sure everything was put back where it was supposed to be.
Like Jezebel Ramsey, it seemed Carl had a touch of OCD, given both wanted everything in a highly systematic style. So naturally, he made sure everything inside his residence was as neat as a pin.
He strolled outside the family's greenhouse to check on his youngest daughter and her best friend. The Duquesne was conscious of how narrow-minded people are. How some people believe you should only adopt children who look similar to you or at least the same race. Adopting Danika from Africa had nothing to do with their family being African-American.
They'd desired to rescue a child from dying in a poverty-stricken, war-torn nation. They adopted her because that's what the Lord told them to do. While the Ramsey was Jewish, the Duquesne were devout Christians. However, each family has come to accept people for who they are. Plus the fact God loves us all for who we are.
We're all God's children, and He never makes mistakes. He only provides unconditional love to all who live on Earth. And they should return the favor by leaving more love in the world than when they came into it.
He witnessed the girls playing under an enormous oak tree with their favorite Darcy dolls. Danika's was a jockey, and Felicity's veterinarian doll and each doll represented each girl's dream.
Danika wanted to ride horses professionally, and Felicity desired to be a veterinarian. He smiled cheerfully, watching them play their game with a few toys from their favorite show, "The Adventures of Glitter the Unicorn."
(I envision this cartoon as a blend of MLP and Lisa Frank. Plot and character-wise MLP FIM. With the characters done in Lisa Frank's trademark style!)
He told the girls to go wash up for lunch which they did. He collected a few ripe veggies from the greenhouse before making a nutritious lunch. Shortly after lunch, his wife Kathy returned home from work. She only had to work half-days on Saturdays. He already had some sweet tea ready for her as she sat down at the island in the kitchen.
"Hard day at work, honey?" to which she nodded. Kathy looked like an older version of her daughter Denise except for their hairstyles. Denise had a pixie cut, and her mother wore hers in a lengthy French braid.
"You wouldn't believe the craziness I had to deal with this morning!" she exclaimed while sipping her tea.
"It can't be any more outlandish then what I dealt with on Thursday. Remember that entitled mother who got into a car accident? And she got arrested because no one was buckled or in a proper car seat? Plus the fact she abandoned her baby to go smoke which is prohibited on hospital property."
"Well, I'm sure either Jezebel or Joel will look deeper into that matter since the hospital contacted CPS. But, nope, my morning had a whole other difficulty. One that is positively disturbing!"
"How disturbing are we talking?"
"A man brought in his life-size sex doll for a rape exam! Ugh! I recognize individuals are lonely, Carl. Yet it's ludicrous to fall in love with an inanimate object! Ugh! Do you know how much we wasted on this guy's 'wife'? It took nearly my whole shift to get him out of our hair! I did recommend he seek help at Peace Valley Behavior Health.
I'm more then confident Cornelia Martin could straighten his mind out. Given her and her husband, Randal virtually treats everyone in town. Ever since these ghosts showed up? The therapy clinic has been up to the wazoo in keeping the town's mental health intact!"
"Well, in case you forgot? Denise and Ceci are going on a double date tonight with the Martin Twins. Denise confirmed that they will only go to Waverly Gyros and then see the newest film at the drive-in."
Kathy gave her husband a stern look. "That better be all they're doing. I hate to think she tries something we've warned her about multiple times."
"Don't stress so much, Kathy. Denise has a good head on her shoulders." Her husband inspected the calendar before turning to remind her that Glinda Elementary school band recital was next Saturday.
Their small rural town had three schools. Glinda Elementary, Avalon Jr. High, and Waverly High. Fourth and fifth graders are required to have band lessons. So if they wish to continue in Jr. High, they'd be prepared.
Both Danika and Felicity played the clarinet. Ceci's younger brother played the cello in the symphony orchestra at Avalon Jr. High. The parents chatted a few more minutes before Kathy went upstairs to nap. All in all a typical day for the Duquesnes and Ramseys.
Voice Actors:
Dr. Kathrine Duquesne: Kimberly Brooks: Kathy Duquesne AKA Batwoman: Mystery of the Batwoman.
Nurse Carl Duquesne: Kevin Micheal Richardson: Character of the same name from Mystery of the Batwoman
Mr. Joel Ramsey: Bob Hasting: Commissioner Gordon Batman TAS
Mrs. Jezebel Ramsey: Kyra Sedgwick: Batwoman: The mystery of Batwoman.
Here's a brief positive note for everyone:
Happiness Travels
Happiness happens along the route. But, unfortunately, it's not a stop you can get off at.