Chapter 15
The time was 6:00 p.m, and night had once again cast it's shadow over Rethink Avenue. The night was unusually cold, even for this particular time of the year, and as such the cul-de-sac was devoid of almost all life.
Double Dee and Ed had spent the last few hours watching a few classic television Christmas specials in Ed's basement. The lovable oaf enjoyed the holiday specials immensely, and had carefully planned his watch schedule. Unfortunately, Eddy was not able to join the boys due to promising his father that he would assist with his yard work.
The Ed's had agreed to meet in front of Eddy's house five minutes ago, and travel to the Kankers house together for ballet practice. Double Dee and Ed were currently waiting patiently on Eddy's front doorstep, awaiting their friend to join them.
"I surely hope Eddy is in a better mood this evening," said Double Dee, "Eddy's emotions have been highly variable over the last few days, due to lack of sleep as well as these new circumstances involving Lee's demand for his involvement. If these issues don't stabilize soon, we could find ourselves facing the same problem we did two summers ago. I certainly don't want a repeat of Eddy falling into another delirious state as he did when that terrible epidemic befell the cul-de-sac and Eddy ran out of kids to scam."
"Eddy was funny when he was crazy," said Ed as he giggled, "Can we get him to try to eat a mailbox instead of a fire hydrant this time?"
"I most certainly hope that this does not lead to Eddy attempting to eat a mailbox." said Double Dee, "While, I truly believe that Eddy has changed for the better, one of his largest flaws of character is making questionable decisions. I believe that attempting to drive Lindsay away via childish tricks, not to mention using Rolf as a vehicle for the pranks, is a disastrous idea."
Double Dee paused.
"I am quite the keen observer, and Marie has, on several occasions prevented others from becoming involved in Lee's quarrels with Lindsay, despite their attempts to assist in defense. This can only mean that it is Lee's wish to handle these issues herself, for whatever reason, and Eddy's interference would be detrimental that that goal. In addition, Eddy's plans are often poorly executed, and could become a source of tension between he and Lee."
Double Dee glanced towards Ed.
"Do you have any suggestions as to how to handle this situation, Ed?" asked Double Dee
"Lee good, Lindsay Bad!" said Ed in a loud booming voice, "That's the slogan me and May agreed to use for Lee's ball queen campaign."
"I wish I could live in as carefree of a world as you do Ed," said Double Dee, "I am glad to see you are looking on the bright side in your own way."
At that moment, the front door to Eddy's house opened, and the young man emerged. As usual, he was wearing his yellow zip up sweater, accented with a horizontal purple stripe. On his hands were a pair of red gloves, as an unenthusiastic frown adorned his face.
Double Dee and Ed stood up and turned around to face their friend.
"Greetings Eddy," said Double Dee, "Are you ready for another fun-filled evening with our lady friends?"
Eddy closed his door and descended the front stairs, after which he walked past his friends without saying a word. Double Dee watched his friend walk a few paces, then began jogging to catch up to him, his elbows flared out as he always did when running.
"Come now Eddy," said Double Dee, "How can you not be excited? You are about to embark on a wonderful journey. A journey in which you will learn to appreciate a beautiful, ages old art form consisting of impressive physical movements that have the ability to bring whimsical stories to life. I sure wish I had the opportunity to learn the complex maneuvers required to execute virtuoso ballet technique."
"What's there to know?" said Eddy, "You just gotta jump and spin. Any idiot can do that!"
"I wouldn't be so overconfident Eddy," said Double Dee, "The male dancer, or in ballet parlance, the danseur, is often required to not only support the weight of the female dancer while she is executing ground maneuvers, but also must be able to lift the female dancer multiple times during a single performance. I do not mean to play devils advocate, but Lee is roughly ten pounds heavier than you, and does have around six inches on you. This may create some difficulties for you, but I am sure with perseverance you will overcome it."
"Eddy's like the tea pot short and stout," said Ed as he grabbed Eddy's arm and raised it above his head, "Here is the handle and here is the spout!"
Eddy batted Ed's hand away, as Ed giggled slightly. Double Dee attempted to hold back a giggle himself.
"Shut up both of ya," said Eddy, "I've seen ballet before, and if these wimpy sissy tight wearing guys can do it, this stud's got this in the bag."
The boys reached the Kankers doorstep, at which point Eddy rung the illuminated doorbell button.
"Eddy McGee isn't doing any heavy lifting tonight!" said Eddy with a cocky smile.
As Soon as Eddy completed his last sentence, the Kankers door flung open, causing the jingle bells mounted on the wreath hanging on the exterior to sound. Behind the door stood Marie Kanker, dressed in her blue sweater/white pants combination. She was smiling lovingly while holding a steaming mug of hot chocolate.
"Hey boys," said Marie, "Come on in, you're just in time!"
Marie stepped out of the way, allowing the Ed boys to enter the home. Ed entered first, giggling as he ran through the living room towards the kitchen, his body leaned back and flailing as typical. Eddy entered at a much slower pace, and took a seat on the couch in front of the Kankers television. As Double Dee entered, Marie placed her arm across the threshold of the door to block his way.
"Uh uh sweetie," said Marie with her characteristic amorous cackle, "You gotta pay the toll!"
Marie smiled as she pointed her index finger towards the ceiling. Double Dee glanced up to see a piece of mistletoe hanging over the doorway.
"Marie it's your lucky day," said Double Dee, "I am never one to squander debts!"
Double Dee pressed his lips to Marie's and held their kiss for a few seconds. Eddy took notice from the couch.
"Jeez get a room you two!" said Eddy, after which he laughed. Double Dee pulled away from Marie, placed his hands behind his back with a smile as his face turned red. Marie remained focused on Double Dee with a smile of her own, giggling at her boyfriends shyness.
At that moment, May leaned around the kitchen doorway. Her two pigtails were secured by red bows, and hung towards the floor perpendicular to her neck.
"Hey guys!" yelled May, "Come on out, I made some hot chocolate! Me, Ed and Marie can't finish it all ourselves ya know!"
"Come on cutie, come have some." said Marie as she began walking towards the kitchen.
"How delightful!" said Double Dee.
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" said Eddy as he rose from the couch and began making his way towards the kitchen. "Maybe this whole thing ain't that bad after all."
"Oh before I forget," said Marie as she leaned her head around the kitchen door, "The piano is up here in the living room, and we kind of need it moved downstairs to my moms ballet room in order to practice. Can you guys move it down there after we finish our hot chocolate? Thanks!"
Marie darted back behind the kitchen door as quickly as she appeared, leaving a perplexed look on Double Dees face and and annoyed expression on Eddy's.
"Well Eddy, I suppose you will be doing some heavy lifting tonight." said Double Dee.
Eddy said nothing, but merely groaned, after which he began walking towards the kitchen.
Upstairs, Lee was currently in her bedroom. The room was relatively plain; the walls were a bright shade of red, and a golden ceiling fan was suspended from the white ceiling. There was a single walk-in closet situated next to her twin bed, which was complete with a wooden headboard. On the opposite wall was a wooden desk where Lee concentrated on her academic studies in secret. Next to the desk was Lee's vanity, complete with a mirror and several drawers inside which she stored her beauty supplies. One of the drawers happened to be open, the only one which required a key to unlock.
While Lee had entered the room to get changed into her leotard for practice, she was currently sitting on the edge of her bed, still dressed in her pink shirt/blue jeans/black boots combination. In her hands was a piece of white paper, which had appeared to be torn in half, her eyes glancing upon it from behind her black glasses. Lee's face appeared genuinely disheartened as she gazed upon the contents.
Lee's thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Lee!" yelled the voice of May, after which she knocked again, "Lee! Get your bubble butt out her, our men are here for practice and we got hot chocolate!"
Lee quickly jumped up from her bed, placed the piece of paper inside the vanity drawer and closed it. She proceeded to lock the drawer, and hide the key underneath her mattress.
"Hold your horses May!" yelled Lee, "Geez, can't a girl get more than thirty seconds to get ready, and as for the bubble butt comment ya gotta have it to show it!"
"Well excuse me!" said May playfully from outside the door, "Get down here, Eddy's waitin' for ya!"
Lee listened to the sound of May's footsteps running down the hallway, after which she proceeded to remove her shirt to change into her leotard for ballet practice.
