July 23, 2016
1:30 PM PST

Marlene was whistling happily, as she and Marty Jr were putting the finishing touches on the dinner that they had planned for their father, when as he returned home from the hospital. Marty Jr felt that they should make stuffed shells and garlic bread. Marlene did like stuffed shells - but she insisted on making tossed salad, too. Marty Jr did agree. Marty Jr had wanted to make some kool-aid, but Marlene decided that fruit juice would be healthier.

Then they heard the electronic voice at the front door saying, 'Welcome home, Marty. Lord of the manor. King of the castle.'

'Hey, kids!' called out Marty. 'Dad's home!'

Marty Jr and Marlene ran up to their father, to embrace them. Marlene saw that Marty Jr had tears streaming down his face, as he wept with joy.

'Aw, my son,' murmered Marty, as he gave his son a tight squeeze.

'Dinner is on the table, now,' Marlene said, cheerfully. 'We made stuffed shells, garlic bread, and tossed salad.'

'The tossed salad was Marlene's idea,' explained Marty Jr, as he wiped his face. 'I kinda like tossed salad myself, although it's not my favourite.'

'Yeah, but it's healthy for you,' Marty said, softly, as he tousled his son's hair a bit.

'Yeah, very true, Dad,' Marty Jr said, smiling.

'Well, everyone,' said Jennifer, as she took her seat at the dining room table, 'let's go have dinner, now, shall we? Wow! It looks like you kids really put a lot of thought into this dinner.'

'Thanks, Mom,' Marty Jr and Marlene replied, simultaneously - as they sat down at the table, and served themselves some stuffed shells.

'We felt it was worth it,' explained Marlene, as she poured herself some juice. 'One thing is certain. You are one very special person, Dad. I love you with all of my heart. I am so happy that you are well, again. Maybe we could all head out to the lake tonight.'

'Yeah, I would love to spend some time at the beach tonight,' said Marty, as he joined the rest of his family at the table. 'I really hated being cooped up in the hospital the past few days. I could certainly certainly use some nice fresh air.'

'Hey, let's put something on this scene screen, shall we?' suggested Marlene, as she walked over to the living toom. 'How about this lovely sunset at the lake, with ducks swimming? I think that would set such a soothing atmosphere.'

'I love it!' gushed Marty, smiling - as he beamed cheerfully at the scene screen.

'It's beautiful!' gasped Jennifer. 'It won't be quite the same thing as spending time at the beach, though. It's better than just looking at the sight of our neighbour's house, though. No offence to our neighbours, of course.'

'Right, exactly,' said Marty Jr, 'when you can actually jump in the water, and go for a swim. I much prefer swimming at the lake, than swimming in a pool. It just feels more natural - and you don't get all that chlorine smell in your nose.'

'I like to just float on my back,' added Marlene. 'That's always nice and relaxing.'

'So, then,' Jennifer said, cheerfully, 'should we go put something on the stereo? We could certainly use some nice music at the dinner table.'

'Yeah, hey, how about listening to Bad Company?' suggested Marlene. 'Now here is a band I think all of us can agree on. They kinda blur the line a bit between rock and pop, if you know what I mean.'

'Yeah, I like Bad Company, too,' Marty Jr said, smiling. 'They're one of my favourite groups from the '70s - well, after Led Zeppelin. How about putting on Straight Shooter? That has got to be my favourite album by them.'

'Oh, yes,' agreed Marlene, nodding, 'that's the album that has Feel Like Making Love on it, right? That's my favourite song by Bad Company. It has a nice beat to it.'

'Yeah, I really love that song, too,' replied Marty Jr. 'Shooting Star is a great song, too. Well, I'm glad we can all agree on Bad Company.'

'Yeah, well, I'll go put the CD in right away,' Jennifer said, smiling - as she walked over to the stereo, and searched for the CD.

'I've always felt that Paul Rodgers was a great musician,' Marty said, smiling. 'I know Bad Company was the first band to be added onto Led Zeppelin's Swan Song record label. Peter Grant, who was Led Zeppelin's road manager throughout the whole time they were together, had also managed Bad Company for awhile.'

'Yeah, these connections between Led Zeppelin and Bad Company are really interesting,' commented Marty Jr. 'There was also the time that Jimmy Page and Paul Rodgers had formed a band together, called The Firm.'

'Say, Marlene,' said Jennifer, 'have you ever heard The Honeydrippers before? It is a band that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant had form in the '80s, with Jeff Beck and a few others. They're a little more like rhythm and blues, though - then they are really straight out rock. You might like them.'

'Do you have the CD, Mom?' asked Marlene. 'I'd be willing to check them out.'

'Well, I'm sure I have the CD stashed up somewhere,' replied Jennifer. 'I'll either look for it tonight, or I'll try to find it tomorrow.'

'That sounds cool, Mom,' Marlene replied. Then, turning to Marty, she asked, 'So how do you like your dinner, Dad?'

'It's very scrumptious,' Marty said, admiringly. 'I must say, you kids are very good at cooking. You have culinary skills.'

'Well, actually,' Marlene said, softly, 'my brother did most of the cooking. I mostly just did the garlic bread and the tossed salad, and I stirred up the juice.'

'You kids really set the table up nicely, too,' Jennifer said, admiringly.

'Thank you,' replied Marty Jr. 'It was pretty much our way of celebrating the fact that you're now home from the hospital. I must say, it's been a very scary experience seeing you in the hospital. I was so worried that you might not make it.'

'We made dessert for you guys, too,' Marlene explained. 'How does some strawberry shortcake sound to you guys? We added a lot of strawberries and whipped cream.'

'That sounds wonderful,' replied Marty, smiling.

oooooooooo

Later on that night, Marlene was relaxing on her bed and listening to Seals and Croft, when her phone ring. She checked to see who was calling, and it was Lila

'Hello, Lila,' replied Marlene, as she picked up the phone. 'What's up?'

'Well, I'm a little bored right now,' sighed Lila. 'So your dad is back home, now.'

'He certainly is,' Marlene said, smiling. We had a lot of fun together today. It's been real nice spending time with the family. My brother and I cooked dinner for Dad, and then we went to the beach for awhile. I have some good news for you.'

'Oh, what is it?' asked Lila.

'Harmony told me that she was going to quit protesting the beauty pageant,' Marlene explained. 'She still disapproves of the pageant, but she realizes that preventing us from doing something we enjoy goes against her usual anti-censorship stance. I was finally able to reason with her this evening.'

'Oh, good,' breathed Lila. 'I'm so glad to hear it. I mean, all along, I was thinking of how this is so unlike Harmony.'

'Well, anyway,' continued Marlene, 'I just got home not long ago, and I think I'll just hit the sack right away. I'm tired.'

'I suppose I'll just head to bed soon, myself,' replied Lila. 'I'm not really tired, but I can't think of what else to do. You know, I sometimes wish I had a family more like yours. I sometimes wish I had a brother or a sister. Well, just think of how lucky you are. It's nice that you and your dad were able to patch up your relationship. When I get married and have kids, I'll be sure to spend plenty of time with them.'

'So how are you and Mitch doing?' asked Marlene. 'Are the two of you still going out?'

'Oh, you bet,' gushed Lila. 'He's such a sweet guy - and we have so much in common. The future certainly looks very bright.'

'Ah, yes, the future,' sighed Marlene. 'It's always good to plan for the future, and to look ahaid.'

'Well, Marlene,' said Lila, 'I guess I'll let you go. Good night. Maybe we can meet after church tomorrow.'

'That would be great, Lila,' replied Marlene. 'Good night!'

'Have a good rest,' said Lila, as she hung up.

Marlene then hung up the phone, slipped into her pajamas, and hopped into bed. She fell asleep, as she was smiling. The future did indeed look bright.