Chapter 3
Kimi went outdoors to the recreation area where she discovered Allie sitting under a tree with her knees tucked in. Kimi apologises to Allie while sitting down on the grass.
Kimi apologised, "I should not have snapped at you in that way."
"I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have leaned over your shoulder like that," Allie says as she raises her head to gaze at Kimi.
Kimi inquired, "Are we still friends?"
As they both gave each other fist bumps, Allie replied, "Of course we can still be friends."
"You and I are not that different from one another," Kimi added.
"How so?" Allie enquired.
Kimi chuckled, "We're both tomboys, you more so than I."
Allie laughed along with her and added, "I don't know how many times people have confused me for a boy!"
"You know, Kim, when me, Alex, and Beth first met you, I thought you looked the coolest," Allie stated.
"Thanks, Allie. I thought you wore was pretty neat too! skater girl style?" enquired Kimi
"When we lived in Hilwood, I used to skateboard a lot. I miss the graffiti and the urban vibe at the skate park," Allie said.
Kimi enquired, "Say what kind of music do you prefer. I'm sure there will be a skate park in this city somewhere."
"Underground Nouveau Retro Fusion," commented Allie.
Kimi grinned in bemused phlegm. "You must be kidding, right? I love Underground Nouveau Retro Fusion!" Kimi stated.
"I have stacks upon piles of the genre on CD in my room," Allie admitted.
"It appears that everyone else is busy today, I don't have volunteering at the Animal Shelter, and it's Chuckie's turn to work at the Java Lava. Do you want to come to my place and we can listen to music?" enquired Kimi.
"I won't be able to see Dil tonight because he has paintball practice, but let's hang together!" Allie said.
Kimi leaned in for a cuddle and said, "Great!" but Allie jerked back in answer.
Allie rubbed the back of her beanhat as she embraced her back and apologised, saying, "Sorry, trying to work on that, not used to getting hugged."
Kimi stated as they walked back with her arm around Allie's shoulder, "Let's hurry back to the Cafeteria, the group will be thinking we been in a fight."
"Yes, I would definitely win," mocked Allie.
Kimi gave Allie a playful side bump while saying, "Don't underestimate me, I know a few tricks up my sleeve!"
Meanwhile at the Carmichael residence, Randy arrived back home. He made his way to the lounge area and limped over to his armchair, dropping his suitcase in the centre of the floor carelessly. He then sat down in his chair and stared hypnotically at the wall in front of him.
The school day is over. When Allie and Kimi return to the Finsters' home, Kira exits the kitchen to meet the girls and asks, "Hello Kimi, Hello Allie, how was school?"
Allie said, "Great, Kira."
Kimi said, "School was great, thanks Mom."
Kira remarked, "I had no idea you were bringing Allie back."
"Everyone else is preoccupied, I didn't want to spend after school on my own" said Kimi
"No need to give me a reason sweetie, it's just a lovely surprise" said Kira lightly stroking her daughters hair.
"Are you both going upstairs?" asked Kira
"Yeah we are going to hang out in my room for a while" said Kimi with one hand on the staircase rail and one foot on the steps eager to get to her room.
"I'll bring up some snacks then, you must be both hungry" said Kira
"I am very hungry, some snacks would be very appreciated" said Allie
"Okay then, Allie make yourself at home and you can stay as long as you like" said Kira as she tries to make Allie feel at home.
Allie and Kimi both enter her room, and Allie is amazed by her sense of style: "The Japanese style décor is awesome!" You have great taste, Allie remarked.
"Aw, thank you very much Allie, I do like to be in touch with my Japanese heritage," Kimi remarked.
Allie sat down on the edge of Kimi's bed and said, "In case you didn't know, I'm of Polish descent".
"I sort of thought you would be of Eastern European origin with your last name being Kawalski," Kimi says as she combs her hair.
"Do you want to learn about my family history?" asked Allie
"Sure, let's hear it" said Kimi
"My Great-grandparents came from Poland to New York, where my Grandpa Pip, true name Pavel, was born, and continued in the army as a fitness trainer after serving in World War II."
Kimi remarked, "I think he couldn't escape the army life, eh."
"When he was on leave, he met my Grandma Edna at a nearby diner, and it took him fifteen months to summon the guts to ask her out," Allie explained.
With her eyes darting to the side, Kimi remarked, "I understand how Pip feels..."
"Wait?! Is there a certain someone you have your sights set on? enquired Allie
"No! I'm trying to say that I understand how long it must have felt for him to approach Edna "Kimi immediately conceals her blush as she steers the conversation away from the subject she had wished to avoid.
"After retiring with full honors, Grandpa Pip and Grandma Edna relocated to New York, where he became a successful mechanic, even replacing Elvis Presley's front windows after they were damaged by fans leaping on his car demanding for autographs!"
"Right, yeah. , your grandfather never met Elvis" Kimi murmured as she crossed her arms.
"Sure, I'll show you a photo someday." added Allie.
"Allie, I'll believe it when I see it. Anyway, please tell me more about your family, it's becoming rather interesting!" added Kim.
"Where was I, then? Oh, right, my Dad David, also known as Dave, and my Aunt Ruby and Uncle Nikolai were all born and raised in New York," Allie explained.
You never informed us that you guys had an Aunt Ruby, did you? added Kimi
Yes, I am a maverick, and you will discover a lot more about us in due course, I assure you. Allie cryptically said
"If it weren't for your story being really interesting plus the fact that I like you, I'd be freaking out a little right now..." Kimi said.
"While Uncle Nikolai looked for his wealth in the United Kingdom and Ireland, Dad met my Mom Kat, who was born in Poland and was establishing herself as an attorney," Allie explained.
"What a story, how did your parents meet?" enquired Kimi
"My Dad and his co-workers were working on a job, they were mistreated and went on strike, my Mom represented their case, and they quickly fell in love, of course they had to wait till the case was done before they started dating," Allie chuckled.
"That's amazing and speaking of New York me and the guys went on a road trip to New York a little while back" said Kimi
"Oh really? How was it and what was the trip for?" Allie asked as her curiosity grew.
"This is quite funny" said Kimi as she giggles.
Allie fully concentrates on what she is about too say.
"Me and the gang, Phil and Lils Mom, Tommy's Mom, Susie and her Mom, my Mom and Chuckie did interstate travelling" said Kimi
"You took an RV?" asked Allie guessing correctly.
"That's right, Betty had arranged to hire a state of the art RV with all the comforts for the long trip that was ahead but no… she got a rust bucket that shouldn't have been road legal!" said Kimi
"That must have been fun travelling long distance" said Allie
"Well it was an interesting experience let's put it that way, anyway the trip was too watch Susie perform, she is a very talented singer. The trip was a unique experience and we learned some valuable lessons that day" said Kimi
"If I was travelling I would hide in a train carriage resting on a stack of hay like if I was in a drifter movie, boy would that be sweet" said Allie slipping into a day dream.
"Trust me Allie, it's not as fun as it sounds!" giggled Kimi.
Kimi takes some CD's out from her CD shelf and as she browses.
"This is a brand new CD, have you heard of April Devine?" asked Kimi holding the CD.
"Oh yeah, I'm a huge fan of her" said Allie smiling.
"This is her new album Sk8 Gal" said Kimi
"Let's blast it and do airguitar!" said Allie
"You got it!" said Kimi putting the CD in the CD player.
Kimi and Allie have a fantastic time, rocking out to the music and the end of the song they both stand on her bed, bouncing and playing air guitar to the guitar riff that finishes the song.
They both jump back to the floor.
"It's refreshing to know someone that like's the same music as me" said Kimi
"Me too! I should really get Dil this kind of music" said Allie
"I know you and Dil have become close but I don't want come between your friendship" said Kimi
"Your not, don't get me wrong Dil is my best friend but it would be nice to have another best friend that is also a girl" said Allie.
"Me too! Ever since Dil drifted from our group it's nice to see he has someone he can hang out with on his own but if Dil is ever unavailable, we can hang out" said Kimi
"I will always make time for the both of you and I think we will be spending more time together, don't you worry" said Allie
"I would like that" said Kimi as she smiled.
Kimi turns on the television as Allie does a hand stand on the bed.
"Why are you doing a handstand?" Kimi asked.
"It's how I always watch TV" said Allie
"Okay then" Kimi giggled.
She flips through the channels and an episode of the Dummi bears is on.
Before she flicks to the next channels Allie abruptly says "Stop! let's watch this!"
"Let's watch something on Mikelodian, This show is for babies!" said Kimi nervously clutching her remote trying not give anything.
However Allie is the wiser in this case and sees through her.
"Kimi I know it was you that was wrote that Dummi Bears Fan Fiction story" said Allie as she leaps from a handstand to sitting on the edge of the bed majestically.
Kimi is sweating and tries to further deny "I never watch Dummi Bears and it wasn't me wrote that!".
In response Allie gives her, an awkward stare until Kimi caves in.
"Okay! Okay! Jeez! I confess I was the author that wrote that story and can you please stop giving me that stare, it freaking me out!" said Kimi cringing.
Allie follows her request and stops awkwardly staring at her "It was quite obvious it was you"
Kimi has her hands over her face in embarrassment "What gave it away?" she questioned.
"It's the very fact you picked KFDummiBear4Eva02 as your username" said Allie.
"I guess it's not the exactly the most original username as it was my initials at the start of my username" said Kimi giggling as lightens up seeing humour in the situation.
"There's nothing wrong with enjoying shows from when you were a little kid" said Allie
"That's true Allie, let's watch this episode and you must swear too keep this between us for now" said Kimi
"I promise" said Allie as they fist bump as the girls make themselves comfortable to watch TV.
After the episode had finished they both reflect.
"The show is getting stale, Randy needs to come up with new ideas" said Kimi.
"Mr. Carmichael as in Susie's Dad?" asked Allie.
"Yep, he's the head writer for Dummi Bears" said Kimi.
"Dude, that is super cool!" said Allie.
As the closing credits are running Kira chaps on the door "Girls can I come in, I have snacks for you!" said Kira.
Kimi swiftly changes channels before saying "Yeah Mom come in".
Kira presents an assortment of Japanese snacks, "Well I thought you would both like something different"
"Wow these looks delicious Kira!" said Allie.
"Thank you Allie, these are snacks that I enjoyed from my childhood" said Kira.
"Mom do you want to stay with us?" said Kimi.
"Yeah, that would be lovely, it would be nice to get to know you better Allie" said Kira.
Allie and Kimi shuffle to the side as Kira seats herself in the middle of the bed.
"Allie, Kimi has told me you and your siblings came from Hilwood" said Kira.
"Yeah, that's where I was from, but I say I like it better over here, I have friends now" said Allie.
"Oh, did you not have any friends over there?" asked Kira.
"Well I had one friend, wouldn't really call her a friend but we would sometimes speak in school, she was blonde and had this unibrow and she was mean to the other kids until she opened her heart to her long-term crush " said Allie.
"She certainly sounds interesting but as they say home is where the heart is and I can see you already have your heart here" said Kira smiling.
"I do, are you from here?" asked Allie.
"No, I was born in Japan but I lived and worked in Paris for a time and that's where this beautiful young lady was born" said Kira as she lightly strokes Kimi head.
"Wow Paris! I've always been fascinated by the Eiffel Tower, so brought you here?" asked Allie
"I met Chas and Chuckie, it's a wild story..." said Kira pushing her glasses up.
"This is interesting please tell more!" said Allie pushing her hands in the bed as her curiosity grows.
"I was the director's personal assistant, and she wanted to marry Chas for the wrong reasons, which he quickly discovered, and we shared our favorite poetry." As Kira recalled their enjoyable time together, she clenched her hands.
"It's a pity I was too young to remember all this, I can only look at photographs" said Kimi.
"Your right, you were too young to remember but it was a crazy adventure we had, we returned to the United States and me and Chas got married and we became a family" said Kira smiling at Kimi
"I wish Uncle Nikolai would find someone, he doesn't have a wife or kids" said Allie
"I'm sure there is someone special out there for him" said Kira.
"How does the poem go Kira?" Allie asked as her curiosity grew.
"Well it goes something like this, Each time I hold my precious child" said Kira cuddling her daughter
"That's all to it?" asked Allie
"It's just an extract,Allie but I think it articulates how I feel as a mother" said Kira giggling.
"Yeah, you're right, but he's so preoccupied with business that he never has time to meet any women and that's a really nice extract of the poem" said Allie
"It certainly is and he simply needs to find someone who shares his lifestyle. Nevertheless, you have such a lovely last name, is your family of Polish ancestry Allie?" added Kira.
"That's right, my great grandparents emigrated to the United States from Warsaw," remarked Allie.
Kimi suddenly realizes, "Allie, why does your uncle have a Polish name and your Dad has an English name?"
"That's a funny story." He occasionally goes by the name Nicky, but my great great aunt Anna demanded that Grandpa and Grandma give him a Polish name," said Allie.
"That certainly explains things, I need to make dinner before Chas and Chuckie return from the Java Lava, Allie you're more than welcome to join us for dinner," Kira remarked.
"Yes, please," Allie replied.
While Kira makes her way back down to the kitchen, Kimi beams.
Randy has remained seated in his chair since getting home, and it is now nighttime at the Carmichael home.
After arriving at the house with Lucy, Susie, Buster, and Edwin, Lucy flips on the light.
"Hello Randy dearest, how was your day at work?" asked Lucy.
Randy remains silent as he stares at the walls, "Randy?" As she gets closer to him, Lucy preliminarily asks.
"I think Dad is broken..." Buster said
"I suppose Buster could be right..." Edwin scratched his chin.
"Buster, don't poke Dad like that!" Susie said, not impressed.
"You leave your father alone! He's probably just worn out from working!" Study in your rooms while I prepare dinner, replied Lucy.
Susie, Buster and Edwin move up the stairs to study, Lucy lays her hand on Randys shoulder "Dinner will in an hour honey".
Back in the Finster household, Allie is watching television with Kimi, Chas, Kira, and Chuckie when a news flash appears out of nowhere.
While shaking his scripts off the desk and appearing angry, a news presenter sitting at his desk announces, "This just in! The Dummi Bears, a beloved children's program, has been cancelled after eleven seasons!"
As the news anchor goes on, the shock hits them all.
"The Network is declining to renew for a new series in favor of new shows tailored for today's young audience. We have contacted the Dummi Bears creator Paul Gatsby, who has declined to comment. We will provide you an update when fresh information is available."
Allie becomes distressed, sobbing in Kimi's arms, and Kira and her try to console her.
"This is a matter of national emergency! I'm calling Stu and Betty," yells Chas as he slams the remote to the ground.
Chuckie remarks, "That was my childhood show, today's little children won't get that enjoyment the way we were privileged too"
Chas rushes into the kitchen to get the phone.
All four of them hug while Chuckie, who experiences empathy, leans into Kimi's other arm to contemplate what he just heard.
"Stu I have got bad news for you, I've watched the news and Dummi Bears has just been taken off the air!" said Chas.
Stu answers, "Chas, tell me this isn't real!" from the other end of the line.
"I wish it weren't true, but it is, wait on while I call Betty," Chas remarked.
He dials Betty, who replies loudly, "I've seen the news Chazzy! Betty screams, "This is just a disgrace, they can't cancel the show!" as Stu and Chas put their phones down for a moment.
"There's a knock on the door," Stu said.
After Didi opened the door for him, Dave enters the kitchen.
"Stu, have you heard the news?!" Dave paced rapidly into the kitchen and muttered.
"Dave, I've seen with my own eyes!" remarked a distraught Stu.
"It's Dave," Betty said.
Chas said, "Tell Dave I said Hi."
"Chas says hello," said Stu.
"Tell Chas I said hi" said Dave.
"Dave says hi back" said Stu.
Dave proposed, "Stu, tomorrow let's all get together and protest outside the Dummi Bears studios."
"That's a terrific idea!" exclaimed Stu, who was trying to hold three conversations at once.
"What a brilliant idea!" Betty inquired while Chas listened in.
"Dave recommended that we stage a demonstration outside the Dummi Bears studios!" added Stu.
"What a brilliant idea!" I'll have Howie paint some picket signs for us!" said Betty.
"I will make a start!" said Howard who could be heard through her telephone.
"If we are going to protest against the Dummi Bears cancellation, then we need to do it peacefully and within the confines of the law," Didi enters after overhearing Stu and Dave talking.
Dave reassured Didi, "I'll ask Kat to look over Californian protest legislation."
Didi remarked, "I'm coming over tomorrow to have coffee with your wife, so we can talk about this issue further."
"Wonderful, it will be great to have you here, and I agree with Didi, we need to proceed with caution while sending a message to the big boys at the network that we will not back down!" Dave said, striking his hand with a clinched fist.
Stu pointed to the air and declared, "I won't stop until the Dummi Bears is back on the air!"
Betty cut off stu's animated speech, "Stu you do realize we are both still on the line!"
"Stu, please tell Dave. "I'll walk Allie back home," Chas responded.
Stu said, "Chas said he'll walk Allie home."
Dave said, "Tell him that I'd appreciate that."
Meanwhile back at the Carmichael household, Randy still has not moved a single muscle on his armchair since he came back in earlier that day.
"Randy, you haven't moved a muscle in hours, Salmon Soufflé is your favorite!" Lucy noticed something was wrong when Randy hadn't even joined them for dinner after the Carmichael's had finished.
When the final news report of the evening airs on television, the same news presenter that appeared on the Finsters' television announces, "Today's top story popular long-running children's television show Dummi Bears has been cancelled!".
"Oh my word!" Lucy exclaimed, her hands on her face in disbelief, as Susie, Buster, and Edwin rush in to comfort her, cuddling her as she puts her head on Susie, tears streaming down her cheeks suddenly realising that Randy is now out of a job…
End of Chapter 3