Back in Los Angeles

Flynn and Andrea spent Friday lounging around the house. Downtown was crazy due to Black Friday, and neither had any interest in the ruckus.

The Loft

Eliza sketched David as he slept. He was all sprawled out, trying to digest all the food he crammed into himself the day before. She loved to watch him sleep. Her sketch captured the strong lines of his back muscles along with the soft lines of the sheets. David in bed was a perfect combination of hard and soft and the scene was very evocative.

Pope's House

Pope took Molly on her first walk through the neighborhood. She sniffed her way around, learning the new landscape. The neighbors were surprised. They never saw Pope walking anywhere these days, and since when did he have a dog.

Estelle's House

Estelle and her beau argued over how much she spent shopping this morning. Simon and Travis ignored them and played x-box. They started with Super Smash Bros. Melee, but Travis preferred NFL Live. His turn would come, eventually.

Kevin's House

Rusty was beat. Yesterday, he got stuffed with food, booze, weed and more food. He needed time to recover. For Kevin's household, being loaded with booze and or weed was normal. They were back to their normal selves while Rusty slept it off.

Back to Atlanta

Bobby and Sharon slipped back into the house. Her hair was a mess and their clothes were all wrinkled. Sharon thought she could get to the bathroom before anyone saw her, but Charlie was lurking around the corner. "Walk of shame," Charlie hissed, giggling as she went into the kitchen. Sharon turned bright red and went into the bathroom. Comb hair, redo makeup, straighten out clothes, deep breath, another deep breath. Get it together, Raydor!

Bobby was a dude. Who cared if he looked a mess? He often did. Fritz went upstairs looking for his wife. He saw Marcus and Hank building a fort, and Katie was in the corner, reading another book. Did she ever play?

He approached Trey's room and was about to knock on the door, when he heard a sobbing sound. He heard his wife and there and turned back around. He'd talk to her later. He was on his way downstairs when he heard a loud row.

"I will not stand for this in my own house!" Clay hollered.

"It's my house too," insisted Susan.

"I don't see why you and your brother can't just," Clay Sr. was trying to negotiate between the two, but it was hard. They never got along.

"Jimmy's going straight to hell, and he's not taking me or my family with him."

"It's not contagious," Susan retorted, and "who knows who's going to hell. It's not like you're an angel."

"Excuse me! I will NOT …."

Fritz shook his head. The Johnsons were ready to implode. Where's Bobby?

Bobby and Charlie were drinking beers. "You know why they're yelling?" Bobby asked.

"Something about Jimmy being gay or whatever."

"Well no SHIT! He's hasn't had a woman in who knows how long. If he weren't gay, I'd be concerned."

"Not to mention his love for fine wines and decorating. He's kind of super-gay. Anyhow, he and Frank are getting married."

"They didn't invite me!"

"Not yet, Dad. I'm sure you're invited."

Sharon returned to the living room.

Charlie had a smirk on her face.

"Shut up!" Sharon said before Charlie could say anything snide.

"So what's that screaming about."

"Clay's mad that Jimmy and Frank are doing it, not that it's any of his business anyhow, and ..."

"Wow Dad. You would have made a great diplomat."

"Oh hush, Child. Anyhow, it's typical Clay Jr. Always judging everyone. Always holier than thou. Never mind all of the ratchet things he's done. Somehow, he's always beyond reproach. Anyway, why don't you grab a beer. This is going to be a good one!"

"You're just going to drink and listen to the screaming match."

"Well boxing matches costs money, so yes, this is our Friday night entertainment." Charlie gave Sharon an I told you so look.

Trey could hear the yelling, and he knew his father would never accept him. Brenda tried to console him, but she could hear it too. He wasn't dumb. What could she say?

"Trey, I know it's hard, but you're not alone. Everyone struggles with trying to get their parents approval."

"Not you. Grandpa talks about how great you are, all the time."

"Especially me. My dad, and I had a rocky relationship for a long time."

"Really? Why?"

"He didn't want me to go to Georgetown. He didn't want me to go to the 'Department of State.' He didn't want me to become a police officer. He wasn't thrilled that I had an affair with a married man.

"You did what?"

"It's a long story."

"I got married and had a bitter divorce. I moved in with Fritz before we got married. Dad stopped speaking to me when he found out. I never had kids, and when Mom and Dad would come to visit, I was always too busy working. It took me a long time to settle in my own two shoes and even longer for my Dad and I to see eye to eye."

"I never would have guessed any of this, not by the way he talks."

"We all have our struggles, but deep down. I know my dad loves me, and I know your dad loves you too." This was a bit of a lie. Brenda wasn't really sure if her brother could love anyone, but who was she to burden a kid with that issue.

"What do I do?"

"You just be who you are. Find what makes you happy. Enjoy life and all that it offers. You can't change your father."

Trey hugged her. "Can we keep this talk between the two of us?"

"Of course. I won't tell anyone."

Fritz wondered into Hank's room. "Is your father always like this?"

"Like what?"

"I think my dad meant the yelling."

"Usually, he's not here. There's only yelling when he is here."

Fritz shook his head. He knocked on Katie's door.

"Enter, if you dare," She said as she removed her earplugs

"Hey Katie. How are you holding up?"

"Fine, just fine."

"Do you always read with earplugs?"

"Only when my dad is yelling, which is every time he doesn't get his way."

"Does the screaming every bother you?" Fritz's dad was a yeller. It wasn't the greatest of childhoods.

"Here's the deal. Dad yells all the time because he's perfect and everyone should do what he says when he says it, that is when he bothers to come home at all. Mom is exhausted from trying to cater to everyone else, and she never makes time for herself. She acts sweet and bubbly, but she resents us all because she feels trapped. Trey deals by locking himself in his room, blasting loud music and making snide remarks as soon as he's forced to interact with anyone. Hank plays dumb, so people will see him as a baby and pay attention to him because he's afraid of being abandoned, and I sit here, reading my books, learning about places far better than here, ignoring everyone, so I won't feel the sting when I look up and realize they don't notice I'm alive. Happy! I charge by the hour, btw."

Fritz was stunned. Katie was definitely a very observant and self-aware child. "Have you ever tried talking to your parents about this?"

"My dad isn't a talker. My mom, bless her soul, is too fragile. She's barely keeping it together as she is. I just stay out of the way."

Katie went back to her book. Fritz wondered downstairs. "How can you all put up with this?"

"Clay's always been like this," said Bobby. "I only came here to see Dad."

"I only came here cause it was warm," said Charlie. Everyone looked at her. "And free booze. I forgot to add that."

Sharon sighed. "I don't get it either. Are all of your family gatherings like this?"

"No. Sometimes Clay has to work, then they're awesome."

"I don't mind the arguing, so long as I'm not the subject." Charlie opened a new cold one. "Speaking of, where's Aunt Brenda?"

"She's upstairs with Trey, and what do you mean speaking of?"

"She inspires plenty family arguments. Why are you always visiting her and giving her money? Why didn't she have us at her wedding? How come she can't remember my kids' names? Blah! Blah! Blah! No wonder she never comes to holidays. Who could blame her?"

"She's here now."

"Missing in action. I wouldn't be surprised if she was hiding out in riot gear, getting ready for the inquisition."

"I'm not hiding," Brenda said as she emerged from Trey's room.

"Join the family fun. I say we take bets on what happens next."

"Charlie!"

"Fine. Let's just drink." Charlie opened another cold one. The brownie wore off and she wanted to save the rest for Saturday. Uncle Jimmy had most of them at the hotel. Charlie hid two in her backpack.

"You're just going to drink through this?" Fritz asked her.

"Yep!" She started to chug.

The screaming continued.

"Jimmy is no brother to me!"

"Do you ever think of anyone other than yourself?" Susan yelled back. "Did it not occur to you that you have a whole family, none of whom are interested in picking sides. "Your brother has done a lot for this family and for you to cast him aside, it's just so selfish!" Susan slammed the door and left. Jimmy was there when she had a difficult pregnancy with Hank. He was there when she needed someone to talk to or someone to watch the kids, when Clay went away on business. She thought of him as a brother.

"Are you happy now, Dad?"

"Am I happy? Don't blame your failing marriage on me. Maybe if you spent some time with your wife instead of holing up in that office of yours..."

Clay Sr. left, exhausted and exasperated with his son.

It was clearly time to go. Fritz rounded up everyone, and they said their goodbyes. They all crammed into the car, not speaking on the drive home.

"Can you put on the music Dad," Marcus asked him, the silence driving him mad. Fritz put on the radio and continued to drive.

They got back to the hotel. Charlie and Bobby were wrestling. The beer brought out the rowdiness in them. Sharon lied down and called her children. She wanted to tell them how much she loved them, and she hoped their relationship would never look like this mess.

Fritz called his sister. Brenda sat down with Marcus.

"Sorry the Johnsons are such a ratchet mess."

"It's not your fault. I think some of them are fun, but why is your brother so angry?"

"I don't know. For as long as I can remember, he has had a chip on his shoulder. Look at him the wrong way or say the wrong thing, and he goes off."

"Will he and Jimmy ever talk again?"

"I'm sure they will. I don't know if it will be a pleasant conversation.

"I'll tell you one thing. I'd much rather be a bastard than grow up in that house."

Brenda bust out laughing. "I should have asked earlier. Did you want to call your grandparents?"

"I called them from Dad's phone after dinner. They said they were going to take me to a festival for New Years."

"I'm sure it will be great." Brenda didn't tell him that his grandparents were coming to LA for Christmas. She thought it would be a great surprise.

"So what's going on with this museum tomorrow?"

"Well there's other museums and a park nearby. So I thought we could do a walk through of the history museum and after lunch, we could see what people wanted to do."

Fritz came back to the room. "Do you ever worry about your brother's temper?"

"Clay? He's all bark and no bite."

"I know that, but all that yelling isn't good for kids."

"I'm sure it's not, but Clay does what he wants to do. He won't listen to reason. I'm just glad Dad is there to help with the kids. They have taken quite a liking to him, and I know they mean a lot to him."

Fritz smiled and kissed his wife on the forehead. Her tummy growled. "I wonder if Charlie has more cookies." Brenda went down the hall to investigate.

Charlie was tickling her father. "HAHAHAHA! OH STOP HAHAHAHHA!" She was quite a tickler. He eventually got her in a headlock and pulled her away.

"Be careful, you too!"

"Yes Mom!" They yelled in unison. Bobby put her down. They heard a knock on the door.

"Who goes there."

"It's Brenda. Charlie, do you have any cookies?"

Charlie giggled. She opened the door. "You are such a sugar whore."

"Charlie!"

"What! She is." Charlie handed Brenda a stack of cookies.

"You're amazing." Brenda nibbled on one.

"Don't you forget it."

"Well, hopefully, the museum will be fun tomorrow. Good night."

Brenda went back to her room.

Marcus took a cookie. Fritz slipped his arms around his wife.

They eventually all fell asleep.

Saturday

Marcus woke up first. He was ready to eat. He looked over. Brenda was out for the count. Dad was too. Marcus took a shower and got dressed. He also looked in Brenda's purse for candy. She had some. Yay for chocolate.

Brenda rolled into her husband. "Good Morning," she murmured into his ear. He rolled over and kissed her. They seemingly forgot Marcus was in the room until ….

"Can we get breakfast now?"

The kiss broke. Brenda couldn't wait until they had their own bedroom. Brenda crawled into the shower. Fritz joined her. He started to wash her back.

"Don't tease me," she started. "I want you in the worst way possible." He smiled. He pulled her towards him, aggressively kissing her as his hands found her ass. Her hips began to grind against his leg, and she was quite wet for him.

"Can you be quiet?" he whispered as he rubbed her clit.

She stifled a moan and nodded, "but I might need to bite your shoulder."

He pulled her close and began to kiss her neck. She started to stroke him and she guided him inside. They looked into each other's eyes and went hard and fast. Brenda ended up biting his chest to avoid screaming as he thrusted into her. Her legs wrapped around his hips and he had her pressed into the wall. Her nipples ached as they dug into him. "Fuck me," she hissed into his ear. He obliged, and he held her as she shook violently. He came inside of her. They dried off and got dressed.

Brenda called her brother's room. Charlie was passed out still. Sharon just got out the shower. Bobby was watching sports center. "Breakfast. I'm starved." He looked at his sleeping child. He slapped her stomach. "Wake up, Charlie!"

"Dad! I need to sleep."

"You drink too much beer yesterday! Too bad. Time to eat."

Charlie was a little hung over. "I can't deal with light."

Sharon took out her sunglasses and put them on Charlie. "Here you go."

Charlie sighed. She took a quick shower and got dressed.

Charlie felt better once there was coffee and food in front of her. Bobby ordered an Irish coffee. Charlie stole it.

"That's mine."

"I need this." She started to chug.

Fritz shook his head. Marcus and Brenda stuffed their faces, stuffed French toast, sausage, eggs. They were in heaven.

After breakfast, they drove to the Johnson house. Susan drove Clay Sr. and the kids and they all went to to the museum, except for Clay Jr. Jimmy and Frank met them there, and they all went to explore the history museum. Katie snuck off by herself. Hank followed around Marcus. Trey and Brenda and Charlie went one direction. Sharon and Bobby went another. Jimmy and Clay Sr. started at the top and worked their way down. Frank, Fritz and Susan found themselves together.

Charlie ate a brownie before they got there. She was in a chipper mood. Brenda didn't ask why. Charlie was their tour guide, pointing out things she learned from class and telling stories, mostly true about the events that the exhibits represented.

Sharon was excited to explore. Bobby was excited to be alone with Sharon. "Want to ditch this place and make out?"

"Bobby!"

"We could do more, but I thought making out was a good start."

"This place is fun."

"Not as fun as your mouth or your …."

"You nasty boy," she chided playfully.

He wrapped his arm around her. "Alright, let's explore this place."

Susan was actually a quite interesting person. She was the local manager for a successful burger chain and she used to travel extensively. She told Frank and Fritz about her days in Europe. Once, she got so drunk in Amsterdam that she woke up in Brussels. She didn't know what to do, so she just went to a cafe and ate and ate until she could come up with a plan. Apparently, her drunk self thought train hopping at night was a good idea. She longed for those days, but once you're married and with children, everything changes. "You still got your golden years," Frank said. "You could travel again."

"I hope so."

Clay and Jimmy spoke mostly about normal stuff. They kept looking at each other, wondering if one of them was going to bring up the subject that was on both of their minds. Neither of them did though. No one wanted to kill the moment.

Brenda was a little bored. She could use an enhancement of her own. She whispered to Charlie, "got any booze?"

"Flask is in here." Brenda took it and hid in the alcove. She took a couple of shots.

"Aunt Brenda," of course, Katie found her.

"Busted. What's up sprout?"

"Do you always drink in the mornings?"

"Only on Johnson family holidays."

"Touche. Is it good?"

"I prefer tequila to bourbon but it'll do. Do you always hide from the family too?"

"You could say that."

Charlie and Travis ditched the exhibits and just started to chat.

"What's it like, being in college?"

"It's great. You can drink whenever you want. No parents to tell you what to do. You're finally treated like a grown up."

"What about dating?"

"I'm probably not the best person to ask. My boyfriend cheated on me, so I dumped him earlier this month."

"That's too bad."

"I'm actually glad to be rid of him. He was way too moody anyway."

"Any new guys on the horizon?"

"Not yet. I'm going away for the semester. Maybe when I get back."

"I bet California will be great. I wished I lived there."

"It's pretty chill. In and Out Burger, really great weed. You didn't hear that from me."

"I'm from Florida. Kids here do coke in the bathroom during lunch."

"Damn! I thought Atlanta was bad."

"Nope!"

They laughed.

Brenda and Katie appeared.

"You actually found her. I'm surprised she didn't run off to Narnia."

Katie sighed. "Somehow, I can never escape."

"You found me, remember."

"Yeah, being a lush."

Charlie laughed at that. "Speaking of," Charlie finished her flask.

"Someone might see you," Brenda hissed.

"What are they going to do? Kick me out of a free show."

Brenda shook her head. She looked over. Hank stole a spear from an exhibit and was chasing Marcus with it. "Hey boys, stop that!"

The others were cracking up. Bobby saw the fray and he thought it was funny, too. Sharon tried to stop the boys. Marcus found a spray bottle and began to spray Hank with it. Hank was now running through the exhibit.

Trey found a big mask and put it on. "I am Prince of Plenty. Give me all your snacks."

Katie and Charlie were cracking up.

Clay and Jimmy saw the mess, but couldn't see who it was. "Those kids are behaving terribly."

"Where are their parents?"

Susan had gotten coffee from the cafe. She returned to see a security guard scolding her son.

"What's the problem?"

"Is he your son?"

"Yes."

"He was playing cowboys and indians and running around with a spear."

"Hank!"

"Sorry, Mom."

"I apologize. He will not do it again."

They both saw Trey chasing Marcus in a mask. Charlie and Katie were laughing and doing some type of dance.

Brenda got tired chasing them. She was also a little tipsy. She sat there doing nothing. Fritz and Frank took all of the kids out before they got thrown out.

"What were you thinking, wearing a tribal mask?"

"I am Prince of Plenty. Feed me or you will be sacrificed."

All of the kids bust out laughing. It was good to have Trey back.

Fritz shook his head. "Brenda, I thought you were watching them."

"I was, but they're fast, and I got tired." She was a little drunk and giggly.

Bobby and Sharon were still in the museum. They looked outside and saw the group. "What happened?"

"Uncle Fritz made us leave," Hank said.

"You were all going to get kicked out."

"For stealing a plastic spear?"

"You saw them."

"That thing is obviously fake. What's the big deal?"

Charlie cracked up. Her father was ridiculous.

Fritz sighed. Maybe we should go somewhere else.

"The aquarium," said Hank.

"Just don't steal any fish," said Brenda.

Everyone laughed at that. To the aquarium they went. Bobby asked Charlie for a brownie. He shoved it in his mouth clandestinely. She went to Jimmy for a refill.

Brenda saw her. "Tisk, tisk."

"Do you want one?"

Brenda looked at her.

"You had fun last time. I know you did."

"I can't risk my job."

"Oh yeah. You work for the man."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"It's not. It's just, different."

After the aquarium, they went for lunch. Hank wanted a chili dog. Trey wanted pizza. Katie favored the fried mac and cheese. Luckily, the food court had it all. Bobby and Charlie came back with a mountain of food.