After what seemed like hours, the 3 finally pulled into a small, run down, diner. The blue and red "Open" sign flashed brightly, illuminating the small window it sat in. The three exited the car, and walked to the entrance, just before they went in Bustopher stopped them.
"Would you two mind waiting out here for just a second? I want to make sure our reservation went through."
"This place takes reservations?" Michael said complexed. Bustopher's face flushed, "Uh, just please wait out here. It'll only be a second."
"Okay?" Michael and Victoria looked at each other in utter confusion.
"What do you think he's doing?" Victoria questioned, scratching her head.
"I have no clue, but he's been acting really weird all morning. I just thought it was dad being sad because I was going off to college, but this seems really extreme."
"Well do you think he really made a reservation?"
"Tori," Michael sighed, "it's an almost vacant diner, I don't think they take reservations."
"I was just asking!" Victoria pouted.
Bustopher came back out, "Alright, we're all set. Come on in" He gestured for the two to follow him. They followed their father into the diner, not really knowing what to expect. Their father led them to a table that was set for four. "There's only 3 of us." Victoria stated matter of fact like.
"I think you've miscounted." A familiar voice said from the back. In sync the siblings spun around, only to be greeted by their old nanny, Julia. Their eyes widened and they just stood there in awe, Julia came closer to them and extended her arms out and embraced the two of them warmly. She sighed, "ah, where has the time gone? You've both got to stop growing!" She released them both, and smiled, "Well say something!"
"Hi." Michael said, his voice breaking. Victoria was so over come with emotions that she just remained silent. Julia wrapped her arms around both Victoria and Michael, "Well," she said warmly, "shall we take a seat?" Every shuffled into the booth, Michael and Victoria on one side and Julia and Bustepher on the other. The four looked through the menus, Julia cleared her throat, "It really is so nice to see you two, I've missed you both terribly!"
"Oh, Julie, we've missed you so much too! I can't speak for Tori, but I was certainly not expecting to see you." Victoria nudged Michael, "I didn't expect to see you either."
"Well you've got your father to thank for that, he planned the whole thing!" Julia smiled and nudged Bustopher. Bustopher softly chuckled, "I just wanted our last few hours together to be special, so I figured I'd get the whole family here." The table fell silent due to an overwhelming wave of emotion that just smacked them all. Michael inhaled sharply, "Well, thank you for planning this, dad, and thank you Julie for coming!" He gave a half witted smile. Victoria, looking around the room searching for some idea of how to contribute to the conversation, "So Julie," she said softly, "how's the husband and your father?"
"Well," she chuckled, " they're doing just fine. Gus just got a job at the library, so his days are often busy. As for my dad, he's doing well, he'll still tell anyone who's willing to listen about his time in the Theater." Her face lit up, "What about you Miss Victoria? What's new in your world?"
Victoria blushed, "Oh, not much, I'm still in the top of my ballet class. That's really about it." She looked down.
"Well, I'm very proud of you. Maintaining something like that along with school is very difficult." Julia shifted her attention to Michael, "Mister Micheal, what about you? What has been going on with you?"
Michael light up, "Well aside from getting into my top school, on my first try, and with the Jelicle dance scholarship, I'd say things are going pretty good!" Julia shrieked in delight, "Oh Michael that's wonderful!!! Oh I'm so proud of you! I'm so proud of both of you!!" As the table roared with excitement, the waitress came over.
The four chatted for what felt like hours, talking about memories, and plans for the future. Even after everyone had finished eating, they all just sat there and talked, it was as if time was endless and they had no place to be. All of them were so caught up in the moment that the only that brought them out was Michaels phone ringing, he picked it.
"Hey Michael, it's Jackson. Um my dad and I hit a little hitch in the road, so we're gonna be late. Uh, if you get there before us don't hesitate to set up or anything, I'm not really picky about beds or furniture placing. Uh, yeah. Sorry I'm calling you, I just figured it be easier to just verbally tell you all this than to like to like text it to you."
"Oh, no, it's totally fine!" Michael cleared his throat, "my family and I kinda lost track of time. So we're gonna be late too."
Jackson chuckled over the phone, "Alright man, sounds good. See ya in a bit." Click.
Everyone at the table looked at him, his face turned bright red, "Sorry, it was my roommate, he just called to me he's going to be late, I just told him we're going to be late too." Michael looked down, "Sorry, I know it's super rude to take calls at the table, but it is getting fairly late, and setting up is going to take some time." Michael squinted, waiting for his fathers reaction. Bustopher cleared his throat, "No, you're right Michael,it's getting fairly late and we should start wrapping up." Julia smiled and nodded in agreement. The four slid out of the booth and started to head towards the entrance. Bustopher quickly payed the bill and they were all on there way.
"Well," Julia inhaled sharply, "it was so nice seeing you both." She grabbed both of there hands and pulled the hands close to her chest, "Until we meet again." She gave them both a strong hug and kissed both of their cheeks. "Have fun college, kiddo." And with that she waved goodbye to the two teary eyed siblings, they waved back and scurried back into the car.
"Alright, kiddies, next stop C.A.T!"