I am happy that I am having a day off, normally I would get the weekends off, but I have worked yesterday. Because of a lot of introduction meetings with new customers, Johnny had asked me to come, he was not able to do this alone with Penny. I switch channels and smile as I watch a new episode from Gossip Girl. Dad sits at the table with mom, she is reading her book and he is reading the newspaper. He looks at me with a smile.

Lisa came inside and flicks her hair. She went to lunch with her friends.

"Daddy?"
"Yes, Lissy?"

I turn my head a little and look at them while I listen to them. I am always curious with what ridiculous thing my sister is coming, or wanting.

"Can I have a new car?"
"But you got a new one two months ago."
"But daddy, it isn't the one I wanted."
"Which one did you want then? Because I thought you told me you wanted the newest Mini Cooper."
"I said I wanted to have the newest Beetle cabrio, you just didn't listen to me."

Marge looks at her oldest and then at Jake without saying a work. Jake looks at her with a frown.

"She did say that."

The three turn their heads to look at me. I smile at them, Lisa's smile went an inch wider.

"You're sure, pumpkin?"
"Yes, I heard her saying so, she wants a pink one with eyelashes, though I don't get why the eyelashes."
"I think it's cute."

Lisa looks back at dad and I look back at the tv. I know she said that this is the car she wanted, but she did not tell dad, so he assumed that the first cute car was the car she wanted. But to avoid a lot of drama for the rest of the day, I help my sister, I know my father believes me quicker anyway. Hey! No judging there, I cannot help it that I am his favorite. And he should be happy about it, let my sister have all the cars she wants, he saves money anyway because I do not have my driving license and I do not want to get it either. Not that dad has to worry about money, he is a millionaire after all.

"So can I get that one?"

I can hear dad inhaling deeply, he lays the newspaper down and stands up. Lisa is making her big innocent eyes again, like she always does, not puppy dog eyes, because puppy dog eyes are way cuter than what she is doing, believe me.

"Oh, alright, we'll go tomorrow."

Lisa shrieks and jumps while she hugs dad as well. I roll my eyes at that. Can you believe that she is two years older than me?

"Thanks, daddy."

And with that she went upstairs to her room, obviously telling all her friends about it. I roll my eyes again. You have noticed that she still calls dad, daddy, right? She does that when she wants something, and that is about 99 percent of the time. Yes, she is truly spoiled.

"You should tryi to say no to her, Jake."

Dad and I look at mom when she said that. Mom normally does not say so much about anything, but I think she keeps her lectures for when Lisa and I are not in the same room.

"You know her, Marge."
"You can't keep giving her three cars a year, have you any idea how much that cost?"
"I know, but I don't know what to say to her."
"Just say it, this is the last car she will get for another five years."

Wow, I have never seen mom being so stern before, but it is obvious that she is the woman behind the successful man. It is what they say, is it not? That behind every successful man stands a woman who makes him successful, or do I sound too much like a feminist now?

"You're right."
"She's spoiled, she needs to learn that money doesn't come so easy, that she needs to do something for it. She should take Baby as example."
"I know, Marge, I will tell her."

I think they have forgotten that I am in the room too. I look at them and cannot help but to admire mom for doing this, and to see dad listening to her as well. I always thought that dad is so stubborn that he always does what he want, and that he did not need to listen to anyone.

My phone went off, making us all jump. Mom and dad look at me, and I can see that dad feels a little embarrassed about it. I look at them as I take my phone.

"Don't mind me, you do what you need to do."

I look at the screen and see Johnny's name, why is he calling me? I answer the call.

"You need anything?"
"You never say hello first?"
"Well, when I see your name on my screen, should I say hello first?"

I could hear him scoff, but his voice does not sound happy. Actually, he sounds kind of frustrated and angry. I hope it is not because of me.

"What's going on?"

I am not paying attention to mom and dad anymore, but they are listening to me. I know they are curious.

"I need a place to hide for a few days."
"Why?"
"Dad just called me to tell me that mom is in town."
"Why do you want to hide from your mother?"

I could hear him sigh deeply. He has not told me anything about his mother.

"When mom and dad divorced, it wasn't because dad is an impossible man."
"You want to tell me why?"
"Only when you can hide me for a few days."

I think, we have a few guest bedrooms here, but I am not sure if my parents like the idea. I look at them and see their curious faces.

"Give me a second."
"Okay, Baby."

I stand up and look at them.

"Is it okay if my boss can hide here for a few days?"
"What do you mean, Baby? Has he done anything bad?"
"No, no, it's something with his mother and he wants to hide from her for a few days."
"Can't he go to a hotel or something?"
"I think his mother will find him there, can we please help him? It's just for a few days."

Mom and dad look at each other. I see mom smiling and nodding. I see dad frowning and not liking the idea, but mom takes his hand and rubs it a bit. He sighs and looks at me.

"Fine, but just for a few days."
"Thanks, dad, mom, for helping."

I see mom looking at me and she smiles, then she stands up and went to the kitchen. Have you noticed that mom never has to say much? I begin to respect her more and more with the minute. The way she handles situations.

"Johnny?"
"Yeah?"
"Come to my place, you can stay here for a few days."
"Really? Your parents don't mind?"
"No, they don't, and you sound very serious about this."
"I'll tell you everything when I get there, your parents deserve to know as well why I need to hide."
"Okay, when will you be here?"
"In about ten minutes."
"Okay, I will see you then."
"Thanks, Baby."
"No problem."

I end the call and sit down again. Johnny is going to be here for a few days, it is not that I would not want him here, the idea is exhilarating, really. It is just, will it be good to have him around for 24 hours a day for several days. Will this affect my job? Or his? What will it do to my feelings? So many questions, I need to stop thinking so much.

"He's going to be here in ten minutes."
"Right, I shall ask Consuela to prepare the guest bedroom next to yours, Baby."

I look at mom and see her smile. What is going on in her mind? I see dad not liking that idea at all. I think it is not a good idea either, besides, that is the smallest bedroom in the house, maybe he wants to have a bigger room.

"The one next to Lisa's is way bigger."
"I know, sweetie, but I want to redecorate it, plus the bed is broken, and the one next to yours had a renovation already."
"Okay."

I look at mom, trying to figure out how she is doing this, she gives me a nod and went upstairs. I look at dad who is letting out a deep sigh.

"I know you don't like the idea, dad, but if it helps him."
"Why is he avoiding his mother?"
"He will explain when he gets here."
"When will he be here?"
"In about ten minutes."

I went upstairs to my room to change clothes. I know I should not care if I am dressed in sweatpants, but somehow I want to look good for him.