The hugging ritual was still going on when Kimmy stepped into the room.
"Hey Tanneritos! What gives?"
"Look, here's Kimmy." Danny said. "Well, I'm going to clean… something."
"Yeah and I have to work on my comedy stuff." Joey said. "I don't have any shows scheduled for months, but hey, there's always something funny somewhere."
"I'll go work on a song or two." Jessie said.
"And I'll… go have some ice cream." Stephanie announced.
"Hey! It sounds like you're all leaving me!" Kimmy said, causing everyone to speak at once.
"No!"
"Not at all!
" We're just busy!"
"Nothing like that!"
"It's okay. I'm used to it. I'll go home if you want, but is it okay if I talk to DJ for a minute first?"
Danny smiled. "That's a great idea. Are you okay, DJ?"
"Yeah, I'm better. Thank you. I love you guys."
"We love you too."
Kimmy walked over to where DJ was sitting on her bed. "What gives? Why'd you run out on me like that? Did I do something to make you mad?"
"No. I'm sorry. I was just upset."
"But that's what best friends do. Make each other feel better."
"I know, but when Robert walked into the hallway and started saying all of that stuff to me about my essay and my family, I-."
Kimmy's eyes lit up.
"What?"
"That explains a lot. DJ you missed it! Robert is in major trouble! Mrs. Fitzgerald heard Robert in the hallway and told Mrs. Cornell. Then Principal Larabee came
and got him! He's in big trouble."
"Good."
"What did he say to you?"
"That my family wasn't real. Kimmy he really hurt my feelings. I can't help it if I don't have a mom."
"I know. But you have the coolest family in our class. You have Jessie and Joey and two younger sisters. No one else has an Uncle Jessie and a Joey."
DJ smiled. "I have you too."
"But I'm not your family."
"Yes you are."
Kimmy walked over to DJ and the two best friends hugged.
"Thanks, DJ."
"I'm sorry, Kimmy."
"I'll always be there for you, even when that jerk Robert tries to bother you. But we won't have to worry about him for a while. He might get expelled for the
way he was talking to Mrs. Cornell and to you."
"Good."
They laughed and hugged again.
"DJ, dinner's almost ready!" Joey's voice floated from downstairs.
"Well, I guess I should go. You probably want to eat with your family."
"You're family too. I'll ask my dad if you can eat dinner with us. I'm pretty sure he won't mind."
Arm in arm they made their way downstairs where everyone was in the kitchen getting ready for dinner.
"What can I do to help?" DJ asked.
"You can set the table if you want. Thanks Deej." Danny replied.
"Dad? Can Kimmy stay for dinner?"
Kimmy looked at DJ and her smile disappeared. "Actually considering the circumstances, maybe I should just go home."
"Why?"
"Because you want to be alone with your family."
"Kimmy, I already told you, you're my family too."
"Really? You really mean that?"
Joey, Jessie and Danny looked at each other reluctantly and even Michelle groaned. But then Danny smiled.
"Of course she is. She's been there for you since you became friends. Anyone who's there for my daughter is family in my book."
Kimmy shrieked and ran over to Danny, giving him an unwanted hug and then hugged Jessie and Joey as well.
"Um, we love you too, Kimmy." Joey said.
DJ stopped setting the table for a second to look around at those she loved. She had the best family a girl could ask for and she wouldn't trade them for
anything in the world.
~THE END~
