Cast List (as of November 13, 2006)
Angelica "Angel/ Acorn" Faith Conlon
Age: 21
Boyfriend: Jack "Cowboy" Kelly
Riley "Dodger" Conlon
Age 21 (twin to Angelica)
Boyfriend: Blink
Sean Patrick Oscar Thomas "Spot" Conlon
Age: 19
Girlfriend: Jessica "Ace" Blackburn
Brittany "Spades" Conlon
Age: 17
Boyfriend: Skittery
Christina "Mouse" Lawson
Age: 16
Boyfriend: Bumlets
Aleisha "Media" Burman
Age: 20
Boyfriend: Mush
Michael "Skittery" Goorjian
Age: 17
Girlfriend: Spades
Trey "Kid Blink or Blink " Parker
Age: 21
Girlfriend: Dodger
Dominic "Bumlets" Lucero
Age: 16
Girlfriend: Mouse
Aaron "Mush" Lohr
Age: 21
Girlfriend: Media
Jack "Cowboy" Kelly
Age: 22
Girlfriend: Angelica "Angel/Acorn" Faith Conlon
Jessica "Ace" Blackburn
Age: 18
Boyfriend: Spot Conlon
Sara "Dreamer" Fairview
Age: 16
Boyfriend: Les Jacobs
Les Jacobs
Age: 16
Girlfriend: Sara "Dreamer" Fairview
David "Mouth" Jacobs
Age: 22
Girlfriend: unknown
A/N: Ok, so I just reallized how long this thing actually is, so yeah, looooooooooooooooong chapter, but lots of fun! Enjoy!
Thank you to, Mouse, Spades, and Dodger for reading and reviewing regularly!
and to ducky who helps keep the insanity alive!
"They did what?" Dodger asked eyes wide open in shock.
"She said tussled, I say full out fight." I said.
"Wow, Media, you're a vicious little one!" Spades added.
"Just don't tell Mush!" Media pleaded.
"Why not Leish?" Spot asked joining our group.
"Because we'd have a dead body on our hands and he'd yell at me." She said.
"Oh, that reminds me Media, we need to get rid of that body in the trunk before we attack the idiot." I said smiling.
"Ah yeah, we'll swing by the river later Acorn." She said playing along.
"Is anyone home?" Mouse called from outside.
"Yeah we're in Angel's room!" Dodger called.
"Ah, watch the eardrum!" I said covering my ear.
"Oh sorry."
"Heya Mouse!" Spot said greeting her as she walked in and plopped on my bed with the rest of us.
"What are you guys doing?" she asked.
"Oh, just recounting Media's power struggle with the idiot yesterday." I told her.
"Who's the idiot?" she asked innocently. I'd forgotten that I hadn't seen her since the breakup.
"Uh, Jack and I broke up." I said solemnly.
"Oh that's too bad. You guys were really cute."
"He ain't cute anymore." Media said giggling.
"Yeah most things aren't after colliding with your fists." I teased.
"You should know."
"And indeed I do." I said rubbing my arm where Media liked to hit me.
"It was a love tap." She said defending herself.
"Would anyone here care to differentiate between a punch and tap?" I asked jokingly.
"Oh shut up." She said tossing a pillow at my head.
"Oh I forgot how much that hurt!" I said holding my head.
"Pillow Fight!" Spades called grabbing pillows.
"Nuh uh, I always get hit in the head and it already hurts."
"Aw c'mon Angel, it'll be fun." Spot said coming after me.
"Spot, don't you dare, stop it, back back you foul beast!" I said pretending to crack an imaginary whip at him.
"Haha." He said pouncing on me and tickling my sides.
"Ah stop it!!!" I screamed. Spot finally stopped tickling me only because he was laughing so hard that he couldn't sit upright anymore. I lay on my back on the floor just laughing and actually having a good time with my family and friends. It had been so long since we had just hung out without someone getting hurt or drama occurring. I enjoyed it when life was this way, simple. Anyway enough of my ranting; a little while later my mom came in to remind us that we were serving at a charity ball that evening.
"Don't forget, black pants white shirt." She said as she left.
"Yes Ma'am!" We all groaned. Tonight was everyone's last night of freedom together, tomorrow Spades, Mouse, Ace, Skittery and Bumlets started back to school, the older ones were lucky, we got a few more weeks, but it was the last night of freedom together and we wanted to celebrate, not waste time serving at a charity ball. Anyway about an hour later we were all ready to go to the ball. It was quite a lovely event; each of us had gone with our parent back before we were old enough to work for it. The staff all turned out to help and serve the vast majority of people who would turn out. We reached the hotel and the crisp scent of winter filled the air as we all stepped inside. Before us were huddled a large throng of people each one in a different hue of color and, since it was a masquerade ball, each person had a mask that was decked out in either feathers, beads, sequins or a combination of all. My siblings and I took our places with the rest of the wait staff, which unfortunately Jack was a part of. Our eyes met for a brief moment when I sent a glare of sheer malice his way. We then set to our task and mingled into the crowd occupying the large ballroom. A few hours into the festivities I headed back into the kitchen to turn in an order, and lo and behold who should show up. None other than the bumbling idiot known as my ex-boyfriend.
"We're running low on the cheese cubes, Joe." Jack said walking in the kitchen.
"Oh, uh, heya Angel." He said when he saw me.
"Hello, Mr. Kelly." I said the coolness evident in my voice.
"Angel what happened?"
"What happened? You want to know what happened Jack? Ok, fine, I'll tell you, I found out that my boyfriend was planning on moving back to New York without telling me. Then when I went to ask him about it, I found out that he had a girlfriend up there waiting for him." I said vehemently.
"Angel, da reason I didn't tell ya was because I wasn't gonna leave. And dere's no oddah goil, I promise!"
"Then who the heck is Sarah?!"
"Sarah, oy, she's an ex-goilfriend a mine, she kept breakin it off and like an idiot I'd take hah back when she asked. I finally got tiahed of it, right befoh I came down heah."
"So what you're gonna stay here forever?"
"I don't know what I'm gonna do, Angel!"
"That's great!"
"I'se sahy, but I don't know." He said shrugging his shoulders.
"I know that I want someone who is honest and isn't going to run off!" I said storming back out to the dance floor.
"So does dat mean I have a chance wid hah?" Jack wondered out loud to no one in particular.
This pretty much went on all evening, Jack would try to talk to me and I'd blow him off. I wasn't in the mood to deal with him at the moment. Finally relief came when the guests began trickling out the door; unfortunately, it took another two hours before we could leave.
I was woken up by Spades running around the house at 6:30 trying to figure out what she wanted to wear; which led to her to knock on my door.
"Angel, can I borrow a shirt?" knock, knock, knock
"Are you even awake?"
"I am now" I grumbled as I opened the door.
"Can I borrow your burgundy peasant shirt?" she asked.
"Bring it back in one piece."
"Aye Aye Cap'n!" she said giving me a fake salute.
"Whatever, just get out!" I said pushing her out the door.
"I need the shirt!" she whined outside the door.
"Here" I said opening the door and tossing it at her.
"Thank you!" she called through the door.
"You're welcome." I said crawling back into bed.
"Stop Shoutin!" Spot yelled from his room.
"Go to bed!" Spades yelled at him as she walked to her room.
"I'm tryin!" he yelled back.
At last peace and quiet had regained the Conlon household with the departure of Spades. I rolled over in my bed and fell fast asleep.
SPADES POV:
Skittery pulled up in front of my house early Thursday morning on our way to school, along with Mouse and Bumlets.
"What is da point a stahtin school on a Thoisday, why couldn't dey just wait til Monday ya know what I'm sayin?" Skittery asked.
"You know Skits, I think everyone who's gone through high school has wondered the same question." I said tossing my book bag in the back seat.
"Ow, watch where you're throwing that thing!" Mouse complained.
"You should just dodge it Mouse." I smiled.
"Ha ha very funny."
"I thought it was."
The trip to school was boring, four teenagers who didn't want to go back to school, yet were being forced to. We all split up, went to our homerooms, and waited until the administration handed out the new class schedules; for the most part they were the same, though for others a few classes had changed.
"Hey Skits, what do you have?"
"Uh, I got, Yeahbook, English IV, Computah, Bible, and Soivice Loinin."
"Let's see, I've got Government, English IV, Creative Writing, Bible, and Health."
"So we got English and Bible tageddah?" Skits asked.
"Looks like it."
"Don't fohget lunch."
"True, we do have lunch together."
Just then the bell rang and we were off to our first class. The day wore on until lunch, when I overheard some freshmen talking smack about Angel.
"Yeah right, it wasn't rape, the slut probably wanted it." Said one punk.
"I heard that she sleeps with some of the guests at her dad's hotel!" replied his friend.
Skittery, overhearing this as well, took my arm as I was about to turn and beat the living daylights out of the two, and tried calming me down.
"Look, it ain't woith gettin suspended ovah, they have dey're opinions, just don't get in a fight." He whispered harshly in my ear.
"But it's my sister they're talking crap about, Skits!" I said trying to bring my boiling blood under control.
"Oh it's not just that one, the whole family's jacked up!" the first kid said.
"The brother belongs in jail!" the second kid said.
"Why's that?"
"Because he's always getting into fights and I heard that he even ruined one of the guests cars."
"Oh, did you hear about the youngest one?"
"The one that goes here?"
"Yeah, well I heard that she's a druggie!"
"NO I'M NOT!!!!!" I yelled at the two fish behind me.
"Well maybe you're not, but the rest of the stuff about your jacked up family is true."
"No it ain't punk." Skittery said turning around as well.
"Well I say it is." The first kid said.
"Well ya bettah be ready ta pay da consequences a ya woids!" Skittery threatened.
"Oh really what would that be?" the second kid mocked.
"That" I said punching him square in the jaw. "No one talks crap about my family!"
I turned when I heard a thump and saw Skittery pounding the first kid on the floor. A crowd had gathered and had begun chanting, "Fight" which brought teachers and the principle running. Next thing I knew Skittery and I were being hauled to the Principles office.
"Now Miss Conlon, and Mr. Goorjian-" the principle started.
"I prefer ta be called Skittery" Skits interrupted.
"Ahem, what seems to be the problem?"
"Well you see Mr. Skaggs, there were these two freshmen standing behind us, and they started talking smack about my family. I tried to just let it go at first but they kept going and called me a druggie!" I exclaimed indignantly.
"The two students, will be questioned, but the fact remains that you still should have come to me or a proper authority to resolve the matter."
"Yes sah." Skittery mumbled.
"We're sorry." I said trying to conjure up my best puppy dog pout.
"So am I, because you are both getting suspended."
"WHAT?!" I shrieked.
"Foh how long?" Skittery questioned.
"The remainder of today and tomorrow. I've already called your parents and informed them of the situation. You are free to go now, I'll see you both on Monday." He said sternly.
"Yes sir." We both replied numbly. My dad was gonna kill me!
"Well on da bright side, we don't have ta be back til Monday."
"Yeah, so comforting there Skits." I replied sarcastically.
"Uh since we didn't get ta eat lunch, can we stop on da way home, I'm stahvin!"
"You are such a guy!" I said. "But yeah, I'm hungry too. I can always wait to get yelled at!"
ANGEL'S POV:
I was downstairs reading a book when I heard a car door slam in our driveway. Curious to see who would be coming by at this time of day, I got up and walked to the window where I saw Spades walking up the sidewalk.
"Spades, what are you doing home so early?" I asked bewildered. "I thought you didn't get out until 2?"
"Under normal circumstances, no, I don't; but I got into a fight and got suspended." She replied.
"Why did you get into a fight?"
"Well, these two freshman decided that they wanted to insult the entire family and Skittery and I both lost our tempers and beat the bloody crap out of them, when the teachers and Mr. Skaggs found out about it, we were both suspended." She said.
"Oh, that's not good."
"No, it's not, now when dad finds out I'm toast!"
"Not to put to fine a point on it, yeah pretty much."
"I'm gonna go hide in my room now." Spades said slumping up the stairs.
Just then a knock sounded on the door. Opening it I saw Mush standing on our doorstep.
"Can I help you?" I asked not sure as to why he was here.
"I hope you can." He said walking inside.
"Uh, you do know that Media's not here right." I said as he walked in.
"Yeah I know, I just got done talking to her, or lack thereof." He huffed.
"Ok, so what can I do?"
"Maybe you can tell me why there are bruises on her wrists and why she's limping." He glared at me.
"I didn't put them there if that's what you're implying." I said trying to defend myself.
"I know you didn't simply because the bruises are to big to be from you."
"What did she tell you?"
"She was kinda sketchy on the details, but she said it happened at the hotel."
"Ok, well, she attacked Jack, who was trying to defend himself rather unsuccessfully I might add. He grabbed her wrists to keep her from punching him, but she ended up taking the idiot down." I gloated over my cousin's victory.
"Why did she attack him?"
"Because he's a blundering idiot." I smiled.
"So in other words she was being protective of you and got into a fight."
"Yeah."
"Is he hurt bad?"
"From what I've seen, yes."
"Well that sucks, because now I'm gonna have to wait until I get to beat him up." Mush said frowning.
"Sorry, you gotta wait your turn, I'm next in line." I said with a menacing smile upon my face.
"All right, I'll wait." He nodded standing up to leave.
"Patience is a virtue my friend." I said closing the door behind him as he left.
BLINK'S POV
I was woikin da desk on Thoisday aftahnoon when a couple walked in. The guy was around 5' 6", dahk hair and brown eyes all around a good lookin fella. Da goil dat was wid him had blonde haih tied back in a bow and blue eyes. She looked ta be around 5'4" or 5'5" and had a dreamy look in hah eyes.
"Welcome ta da Hotel de Conlon, how may I'se help ya taday?" I asked.
"Uh, yeah, do you have a David Jacobs registered here?" the guy asked.
"I'se sahy soi, but dat's confidential infohmation." I told him.
"Ok, thank you." He said moving to the lobby area and pulling out a cell phone. Dey was close enough ta where I could heah him talking on da phone, so I ovahhoid da entiah convasation, dough I waddn't poiposly tryin ta eavesdrop.
"Hey David, yeah we're here, um, can you come down to the lobby and meet us? Yeah, okay, see ya in a minute." He said. A shoit time latah dat Davie kid dat Jack knew was down in da lobby tellin me dat he had anuddah poison (person) stayin in his room and he needed a separate room for da goil dat was wid dem.
"Aight, ya got a poison added and da new room is right next ta yois." I told dem.
"Thanks Blink." Davie said as he walked off. As they were heading ta da elavatah, dey flagged down a bellboy dat happened ta be Spot, now dat was gonna be an interestin ride, considerin what Angel had told everyone bout Davie wantin ta take Jackie back ta New Yawk.
SPOT'S POV
I was called ovah ta help some people carry deir bags up ta deir room. Den I saw it was dat scabbah Dave, who wanted ta take Jack back ta New Yawk wid him. Now as much as I don't like Jack, I didn't want him ta hoit Angel in anyway, so when dis Dave charactah shows up and wants ta take him back, that's just what happened. So now I was stuck bein polite ta da lousy scab and his friends because me faddah would ring me neck if I wadn't.
"So have you seen Jack lately?" Da guy standin next ta Dave asked.
"No, Les I haven't seen him for a couple of days actually." Dave replied.
"Is there anyway we can get a hold of him?" Da goil in da bunch asked.
"I don't know Sara, Jack's stopped answering his phone." Dave told hah.
Sara, wadn't dat da name a da goil who was waitin foh Jack in New Yawk? I thought to myself.
"Well, what if we called from Les' phone? Or mine?" she asked, interruptin me toughts.
"Uh, yeah, you could do that Dreamer." Da kid referred ta as Les said, pullin out his phone and dialin. Aftah a couple a rings, dey left a message on da retahds voice mail, tellin him dat dey had "impoitant news ta tell im."
"So why wouldn't he come back to Manhattan?" da goil asked.
"Oh he met a lousy girl that he fell for." David said rollin his eyes.
"She ain't just some lousy goil!" I said angrily.
"What's it to you?" Dave asked wid suspicion runnin rampant in his voice.
"Because she's me sistah, and if ya call hah a lousy goil again I'll soak ya, ya bum!" I said gettin pissed at da scab.
"Uh, sorry?" he said haltinly. Da bum didn't mean it dough, he was just sayin dat so's I wouldn't soak im. Dey finally got ta deir flooh and in ta da room. I was happy ta be rid a da scabbahs, woulda been happiah if I'd been able ta soak em. Aftah I was done wid Dave and his bunch, I went down ta da desk ta talk ta Blink, who was on da phone when I got dere.
"Heya Dodgah," he said. I rolled me eyes, what was wid alla dese guys goin aftah me sistahs.
"Oh, no reason, just callin ta make shoh dat we'se still on foh tanight. Ok, pick ya up round six thoity? Ah, I shoh what's goin on but, Dave's got a lil bruddah, and he's heah, wid a goil. I don't know who dey ah. Yeah I was wonderin da same ting. Yeah, I gotta go aight, see ya tanight. Ok, bye." He said finishin his convoisation wid Dodgah.
ANGEL'S POV
I was sitting in my room talking to Spades and having a moment of sisterly bonding, when a rapid knock came to my door.
"Come in!" I yelled to see Dodger come in. "Where's the fire?" I asked her grinning.
"No fire, yet." She said.
"Yet?" Spades questioned with eyebrows raised.
"Well, Blink just called me." She started.
"And that's what's causing the fire?" I asked sarcastically.
"Would you just forget about the fire!!!!" she said with exasperation.
"I was just playing with you Dodge," I smiled.
"ANYWAY, he told me that there are some new guests at the hotel." She said smirking.
"And this is news why?" I asked not getting what she was implying.
"Because, there is a guy and a girl who know your friend David." She announced triumphantly.
"OOOkay," I said still not getting her point.
"So maybe the girl missed Jack, and was coming to visit from, oh I don't know, New York."
"Sarah?" I asked, my face loosing all color.
"I'm not entirely sure, but it's a possibility." Dodger said.
"You okay there Angel?" Spades asked noticing my paleness.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine." I said mentally slapping myself.
"Who's the guy?" Spades asked.
"It's his little brother." Dodger said.
"Hmm, interesting." Spades commented.
"What are they gonna do, bring down half of New York to get him back?" I asked bitterly.
"Well, if they had to resort to that, it would be obvious that he was staying for something." Dodger prodded.
"Yeah, well, it's not me." I said standing up and walking down to the kitchen to eat something.
Just then Dad walked through the door and he looked irate.
"Hi dad." I said before I noticed the look of anger on his face. "And if you need me, I'll be in my room." I said grabbing the bowl of ice cream from the counter and dashing upstairs before my dad vented his anger.
"BRITTANY!!!! GET DOWN HERE NOW!" my dad hollered from the entryway.
"Oy, I'm gonna get it!" Spades said heading downstairs for the lecture of her life.
I cranked up my music to drown out the fight that I knew was raging downstairs, but I still caught parts of it.
"I'M NOT PAYING ALL OF THAT MONEY TO SEND YOU TO A PRESTIGOUS PRIVATE SCHOOL SO THAT YOU CAN GET IN A FIGHT AND SUSPENDED ON YOUR FIRST DAY BACK!!!!" my dad yelled.
"YOU WON'T EVEN LET ME TELL MY SIDE OF THE STORY DAD!" Spades yelled back. A few moments of silence followed until their next outburst.
"WHY ARE YOU GROUNDING ME?!" Spades screamed.
"DON'T LOOK AT ME WITH THAT TONE OF VOICE!" my dad countered. I then heard Spades running up the stairs to her room and slamming the door. At that moment, I decided that I needed some fresh air. So, I quickly changed into some old and somewhat holey clothes before heading out to the nearest stable to ride a horse through the countryside surrounding it. I picked up the gear and headed over to Shoni's stall.
"Hey there boy." I said rubbing his nose when he came out to great me. He nickered happily when I held out an apple half in my hand.
"Did you miss me?" I asked starting to groom him. After I finished grooming him, I put his tack on and mounted up. I clicked my tongue at him to start him in a good paced trot around the barn just so that we could get used to each other again. We picked a trail that lead away from the stable and began following it. My mind was filled with thoughts, much to my dismay they were mostly about Jack.
Gah, he was such an idiot! Of course so was I, wait no I wasn't…I mean he never actually lied to me. Although he definitely didn't tell me everything, but then who could blame him, I mean ex-girlfriends aren't exactly a welcome subject in a new relationship. Of course when that ex-girlfriend shows up to take him home, it tends to complicate things. Speaking of which, why hasn't he left yet? I mean his friends are here, they're nagging him to go, and then more friends show up still nagging him to go, and yet he stays, grr. Why is he staying? And no, stupid it's not because he likes you or loves you or anything like that. He's probably still getting money to pay my dad back, yeah that's it! Of course he would probably make more money back in New York and just send it to us. Then you have the mail service, and stuff gets lost in it all the time. So, hypothetically speaking, maybe he does still like me, just a little bit. But what chance do I have with "Sarah" here. Stupid clinging ex-girlfriend, can't let him be with a new girl, noooooo. Gah, crap does that mean that I still like him?! My thoughts were interrupted by my ringtone, I'd forgotten that I had my cell with me. It was my mom, why was she calling me?
"Hello?" I answered.
"Hi honey" came her overly cheerful voice over the line. "Just calling to see where you were, it's going to be getting dark soon and I was starting to worry."
"I'm out riding Shoni. I haven't been riding in a while and I needed to get out and clear my head, mom."
"Is everything okay?" the "please let me help" voice taking over.
"It will mom, I just need time to think okay?" hoping that my pleading tone was coming across.
"All right hon, just don't ride too far." She cautioned before hanging up.
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JACK'S POV
Da past few days were kinda annoyin so I was glad I was woikin ta get me mind offa tings. It got even bettah when I saw dat Les had called me, but it got woise when I listened ta da message. I don't wanna talk about it!!!! Dere's a reason dat I stopped answerin Davie's calls. I thought ta meself. On me break I went over ta talk ta Blink.
"Heya Blink." I said walkin up ta da countah.
"Heya Jackie." He replied.
"How's business?"
"Ah busy!"
"Any annoyin customahs?"
"Well, dere was dis one add on, but oddah dan dat's it's been nohmal."
"Add on?"
"Yeah, actually it was ya pal Davie, seems his kid bruddah showed up wid some blonde haihed blue eyed goil."
"I knew Les was heah, but Dreamah's heah to?"
"Ah, dey maybe heah, but I don't know how healthy dey ah."
"Why's dat?"
"Spot took dere luggage up."
"Oh."
"Yeah"
"Is Davie still alive?"
"I tink I saw im walk by a while ago."
"Was he limpin?"
"No"
"At least Media didn't get ahold a him." I laughed.
"So do dey want ya ta go back ta New Yawk Jackie?" Blink asked.
"Yeah" I said sullenly.
"Ya don't sound too happy about dat."
"I wanna stay heah."
"Why, everyting ya know and love is back in New Yawk."
"Yeah" Just den a group a tourists pouhed inta da lobby and headed towahd da desk almost tramplin me in da process. I left Blink ta deal wid dat and headed ovah ta da restaurant, ta settle tings once and for all wid Davie. I was walkin ovah ta da table where dey was sittin when Les got up and met me halfway. Man da kid had grown!
"Hey Jack!" Les called as he ran toward me.
"Hey!" I said as we hugged briefly and rejoined da table.
"Heya Jack." Dreamer said when I had taken a seat.
"Heya Dreamer." I said smiling.
"Did you know that Angel's brother works here?" David asked.
"Spot? Yeah I know, hah sistah woiks heah too." I replied.
"Huh. Anyway, Medda gave Les and Dreamer, a new proposition for you."
"Dave, we talked about dis." I stahted.
"Just hear them out." Davie said.
"Aight, whatcha got?"
"Well, Medda wanted to tell you herself, but since that doesn't seem to be happening we came here to tell you ourselves." Les said.
"Medda decided that you'd be better off as a partner than a performer. Not to say that your performances are bad, but, she thinks you can do better as a partner." Dreamer said.
"Partner in what?" I asked thouraly confused. Les and Dreamer smiled at each other and Les said, "Medda's planning on opening up down here and she wants you to run it."
"Is dat so?"
"Yes."
"So, I'd stay heah?" I asked a bit skeptical.
"Yeah, she's been wanting to branch out for sometime." David said.
It took me a second ta undahstand what dey was sayin, but den I realized dat it was da poifect answer. I could stay heah, and still do what I loved ta do. I felt a smile spread across me face, which prompted Dreamah to ask, "Is that a yes?"
"Yeah, it's a yes." I said wid a sigh of contentment and relief.
"GOOD!" Davie said. I stood up ta excuse meself and went off in soich a Blink.
I saw him checkin in some goil. She had a weiahd accent, French maybe.
"Bonjour." She said as she walked up ta da countah.
"Bonjour Mademoiselle." Blink told hah, "Welcome ta da Hotel de Conlon. How may I help ya taday?"
"Oui, J'ai um rent?" She said tiltin hah head ta one side.
"Ya wantin ta check in?"
"Ah, oui oui! Tu as intelligent."
"Uh, okay." He said soundin very confused as he went trough da checkin in process.
"Tu as seul? Tu as mignon garcon."
"Uh, I caught da garcon paht." Blink said lookin at da goil like she was insane.
"Je suis desole. Je ne cest pas tu n'aime parle le francais."
"Room 1814." Blink said handin hah da keycahd.
"Merci mon petit chou." She said takin da cahd and headin off ta da elevatah. I waited foh a second until she disappeahed befoh talkin ta Blink.
"Heya Blink." I said walkin up ta da countah.
"Heya Jackie Boy." He said still lookin a bit confused.
"What's goin on?"
"Um still tryin ta deciphah what dat goil was tryin ta say ta me."
"She was hittin on ya Blink."
"How d'ya know?"
"Trust me, I know goils."
"So anyway, whad's up wid ya?"
"Ah well, it looks like I'm gonna be stayin heah, poimentantly." I said smilin again.
"Really? Why's dat?"
"Well, toins out dat Medda wants ta open a theatah down heah and she wants me ta run it."
"Dat's great!" Blink exclaimed.
"I tought so!"
"Ah ya gonna tell Angel?"
"I want ta, but da goil won't talk ta me, and even if she was talkin ta me, Media wouldn't let me widin 10 feet a hah." I said.
"Media may not be ya problem now, ah biggest problem anyway." Blink said.
"Huh?"
"Well Mush ain't too pleased dat ya bruised his goil."
"She attacked me! I'se woise off den she is!" I vented.
"Yeah, you knows dat an I knows dat Jackie Boy, but he don't know dat."
"Oy Vey!" I said tossin up me hands in da aih.
"Oh, hey, a group a us is gonna go play putt putt, ya wanna come?"
"Yeah, dat sounds like fun."
"Yeah ya can bring along ya friends too."
"Oh Davie, Les and Dreamah?"
"Yeah."
"Aight, I'll go tell dem. Bye Blink." I said walkin off ta go tell Davie, Les an Dreamah dat dey was invited ta go play putt putt."
ANGEL'S POV
I rode around for another hour without being interrupted by my mother calling. And I did start to notice that it was getting dark fast, so I turned Shoni around and headed home. We were moving at a fast pace when we came upon a low branch. I ducked down so that I wouldn't hurt myself and did anyway when the stupid branch hit the top of my head. Thankfully I didn't fall off, stupid tree! A short time later, we came upon the barn. I rubbed Shoni down and headed to the house. I walked inside and heard loud talking coming from my dad's office, I wonder who's getting yelled at now. I asked myself as I walked down the hall.
"It is not appropriate for you to visit my daughter when she is grounded." My dad sternly told the visitor.
"But I didn't know she was grounded, Mr. Conlon, honest!" Skittery's frightened voice said.
"Well now you have been informed."
"Aight soi, I'se just gonna go now if dat's okay wid you." Skittery said trying to slink toward the door.
"Hold it."
"Yes soi."
"Are you in any sort of trouble with your parents about that incident?"
"Uh, well, I'se got an eahly cuhfew."
"Oh and what time would that be?"
"Uh 9:30"
"Well, you may go."
"Since I got a couple a hours can I just stay heah?"
"No"
"Aight, I'll be goin now."
"Very well, and no talking on the phone past 10."
"Aight, dat's faih."
"Goodnight Michael."
"G'night Mr. Conlon."
"Hey Skits." I said as he came out of my dad's office.
"Heya Angel, listen will ya tell Spades dat I'll call hah as soon as I get home?" Skittery asked.
"Yeah, bye Skits." I said before heading up to give Spades the message. After I told her, I went into my room to shower off the horse grit before dinner. Dinner was the usual aside from Spades being a little bit cold towards Dad, but that was understandable. I was a little zoned off when I heard Spot ranting about all the annoying New Yorkers that were staying at the hotel.
"You didn't fight with them did you?" Our dad asked.
"Nah, I didn't wanna get grounded again." Spot answered. Spades glared at him for that comment.
"Dad, can Brittany come out and play putt putt with us tomorrow?" Dodger asked.
"No, what part of grounded does no one understand?" My dad fumed.
"Well if you let her go tomorrow then you could just lengthen her punishment, and if she stays, you could shorten it." My mom said proving to be the diplomat of the family.
"Fine!" my dad said appearing to tire of fighting a losing battle.
"How big of a time change are we talking about?" Spades asked eagerly.
"Why does she get spoiled? I didn't get dat option when I was grounded." Spot protested.
"Sean, it's in the past, let it go!" My mom said.
"Yes ma'am." Spot said reluctantly admitting defeat.
"If you go it will be two weeks, and if you stay you'll only be grounded for four days." My dad stated.
"Well, putt putt sounds like fun, but there will be other times, so I won't go." Spades declared.
"Good girl." My dad said.
"Oh yeah dat's common sense ta take da shohtah a da two." Spot said.
"You're mouthy tonight Spot." Dodger said.
"Tonight?" I asked.
"Shut up shohty!" Spot said.
"After dinner, it's on!" I whispered harshly.
"Bring it shoht one."
"No mumbling at the table." My mom scolded.
After dinner Spot and I made our way into the den and our little wrestling match was going evenly when I hit my head on a chair in the same place that it had been hit by the tree branch earlier.
"OW!!!!" I cried out in pain.
"I barely touched ya!" Spot protested.
"Not you genius. I hit my head on a tree branch earlier and I just hit it on the chair!"
"Oh, hehe." Spot laughed.
"Don't laugh at me, that hurt!" I said holding my head.
"It ain't my fault that ya always hittin ya head!" Spot said poking me.
"It's not my fault that things are attracted to my head, I swear, I have a magnet in my head!" I said bitterly.
"Yeah do tend ta attract stupid, er nevah mind!" Spot started to say.
"What?" I asked in my constant state of confusion.
"Nevah mind Angel, it ain't impohtant." He said hitting me in the arm.
"Whatever you dork." I said hitting him back before standing up.
"Ya callin it quits?" Spot asked.
"Yeah for now, I'm tired." I said turning to head towards my room.
"Night shohty." Spot said smirking.
"Night yourself, weakling!" I said also smirking as I left the room.
"I ain't a weakling!" Spot yelled from the family room.
I slept well that night and awoke Friday morning. Spades had been put on house cleaning duty since she wasn't at school that day. We went into the kitchen and started making breakfast since she hadn't eaten yet. Dodger came tripping into the room looking quite sleep deprived.
"What's wrong with you?" I asked as soon as she set foot in the room.
"Late night with Blink." She yawned.
"OOOOO" Spades and I teased.
"What are you two in 3rd grade?" she asked.
"No we're in sister mode." Spades smiled.
"You did it to me on my first date with the idiot!" I countered.
"Yeah except that wasn't our first date, and I didn't try to beat him into a bloody pulp the first time I met him." Dodger said.
"Well, no, but…" I trailed off.
"Ha, I win!" Dodger declared.
"What are you, Dodger, in the 3rd grade?" I mocked.
"MMM" she stuck her tongue out at me.
"And that would be a yes." Spades said.
"Shut up you." Dodger said. The rest of our breakfast we joked around with each other until I remembered that I had to go run some errands. I got up, said goodbye to my sisters and headed upstairs to get dressed. I went to the garage where Purity had been taken after the wreck to see how she was doing. I found out that the frame had to be repaired, the door had to be replaced as did the windshield and the passenger seat, the airbag had to be replaced along with the dashboard.
"My poor baby!" I said when I found out the damage.
"We just ordered the parts so it'll be a while before they get here." Said the mechanic.
"Ok, thank you." I said before walking out to my loaner car. I drove to a nearby park to sit and think some things through, because seeing Purity's beat up frame reminded me of Jack. So I got to the park and sat on a bench sorting things out in my head when an elderly lady came and sat next to me.
"Beautiful day isn't it?" She asked.
"Yeah, it's one of the rare sunny days in winter." I said distantly.
"Ah some of my best childhood memories are from this park." She said.
"Really?"
"Yes, I actually grew up in this neighborhood."
"Wow, I sort of did, we moved here when I was 4."
"Oh where did you move from sweetie?"
"New York, Manhattan."
"Oh my, I've heard it's such a lovely place!" She said with a twinkle in her eye.
"I don't really remember much about it. I've visited a couple of times but it's not the same as living there, you know?"
"Yes, it is important where we plant our roots."
"I guess so." I said not really pausing to think about that before.
"I moved back here a few years ago as well."
"What made you come back?"
"My mother"
"Oh?"
"Yes, we'd fallen apart through the years then I'd heard that she had passed away, so I came back."
"Why did you fall apart?"
"Oh we had a silly disagreement, and never talked it out."
"That's too bad."
"Yes, what's even worse though is that I never had the chance to apologize. And I see so many people, young and old, holding grudges and allow a simple misunderstanding to ruin their lives."
"Yeah, it happens too much doesn't it."
"Mm-hm." She nodded.
"Well, it's been nice talking to you, but I have to go now, my family is waiting for me." I said standing up.
"Young lady, do not let the troubles of your past dictate your future. You have a nice day!" she said. I walked back to the car, got inside and sat there for a second.
"God, is this your way of telling me to get over myself?" I prayed, and then remembering that sometimes we entertain angels unaware, and somewhat convinced that I just had.
I drove around town, wasting time until it was time to start picking people up to take to Mountasia. I started by picking up Ace and then Mouse and Bumlets. Then I remembered that I had to go get Spot from the hotel. I walked inside and saw Jack in the lobby getting someone's bags. I quickly looked around for Spot so that I wouldn't have to talk to Jack, but wouldn't you know, the one time I want him to be around he can't be found! Jack glanced at me a couple of times before walking over. Stop, stop right there, don't come any closer!!!!!! I was pleading mentally.
"Heya Angel." He said.
"Hi" I said avoiding eye contact.
"Ya probably still mad at me huh?"
"Uh…"
"I don't blame ya, it's just if ya don't want me ta talk ta ya, I won't." he said.
Oh great, I thought, here we go. "It's not that Jack, I just, I need a little time, ok?"
"Yeah, time ain't an obstacle."
"Huh?" I asked tilting my head to one side.
"Oh, I just ain't rushin."
"Oh, ok, um well if you'll excuse me, I need to find Spot." I said trying to get out of there before I did something that I would regret later.
"Aight, I'll see ya round."
"Ok, bye." I said running off. I was going to kill Spot! I checked the break room and a couple of other places before I finally found him.
"Where were you?" I asked as soon as I found him.
"Uh, heah." He said bewildered.
"We were supposed to meet in the lobby!"
"Yeah, not for anuddah 10 minutes!"
"Oh."
"I'll meet ya outside in 15 minutes aight?" he asked.
"Yeah, that's fine. I'm in the loaner car."
"Aight."
I walked outside to find Bumlets attempting to entertain himself as well as Ace and Mouse by juggling his shoes. This continued for the next 15 minutes until Spot finally appeared.
"I ain't sittin in da back wid da stinky footed weahdo!" Spot announced.
"I don't blame you." I said looking at Bumlets like he'd lost whatever sanity he had.
"My feet are not stinky, my socks on the other hand are another matter."
"That's your boyfriend, Mouse, your boyfriend." Ace said.
"Yeah, sometimes I wonder why though." Mouse replied.
"Are we meeting everyone else there?" Ace asked.
"Yeah, I know we're meeting Blink, Dodger, Media and Mush there, I'm not sure who else is coming." I said.
"It's cool." Ace replied.
We drove along to Mountasia, the majority of the trip was filled with horseplay and Bumlets kicking the back of my seat because Spot was trying to hit him from the front seat. Finally we pulled into the parking lot and piled out of the car. We made our way inside and found the gang plus a few new members waiting inside.
"Who are they?" Ace asked when she saw the three new people.
"Uh, one of them is David Jacobs, he's a friend of the idiot." I told her.
"The uddahs ah from New Yawk too. The goil is Sara, and da oddah one is Dave's lil bruddah." Spot finished.
"Ah the more the merrier!" Bumlets exclaimed.
"WOW!" I said giving him an I'm-ashamed-to-know-you look.
"Finally the slow pokes showed up!" Media exclaimed.
"Oh shut up." I said glaring at her.
"Cut the chatter and let's play!" Mush.
"Someone's impatient!" Mouse chimed in.
"Yeah well." Mush said glaring at Jack.
"I'm sensing some hostility." Ace said.
"Which is why we need at LEAST two teams." Media said.
"Ok, you guys decide, I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail." I said running off in search of a bathroom.
"Well, I think it should be me, Blink and Jack." Dodger said trying to jumpstart the activities.
"Well, I wanted to be with Jack." Said Les.
"I'm following him!" declared Dreamer.
"Ok, so that's 5, we've got room for one more."
"What about Angel?" Blink commented.
"Ok, that's it then. So it's me, Blink, Jack, Les, Sara, and Angel." Dodger confirmed.
"Is dat wise?" Jack said looking worried for his own well being.
"It could be woise." Spot said menacingly.
"Ya right, it could be woise." Jack said still looking scared.
"So that leaves, me, Mush, Spot, Ace, Mouse, Bumlets, and David." Media said surveying the remaining people.
Just then I came back from the bathroom to find that I was on the same team as Jack. "Is this some sort of punishment?" I silently asked God as we walked up to the counter to pay. A few minutes later we had gathered outside and began playing, the team I was on going first. My team completed the first hole and moved onto the second where the fun began. I had already putted, followed by Les. Next it was Jack's turn, he stepped up, swung and hit the ball too hard sending it catapulting to the next hole.
"Look out!" I yelled since I was standing closest. The family that was ahead of us picked up the ball and tossed it to me, I then chucked it at Jack and hit him smack dab in the kneecap.
"OW!" he protested.
"Oh come on it didn't hurt that bad!" I said as the ball rolled off the course and into the pond. I could hear Media in the background keeling over with laughter.
"That wasn't nice Angel." Dodger scolded.
"I didn't do it on purpose! He needs to learn to catch better!"
"Jack go get a new ball!" Blink said.
"Ya didn't hafta hit me in da knee!" Jack said.
"I didn't mean too, I was aiming for your hand, it's not my fault I have bad aim!" I retorted.
"She's telling the truth!" Media shouted from behind us.
"Media shut up!" Spot said.
"I'm telling the truth, you live with her you should know!"
"Dat is true." Spot admitted.
"I am not feeling the love here!" I said.
"Neither is Jack!" Dodger reprimanded.
"I didn't mean to hit him!"
"Just because you're mad at him doesn't mean that you have to stoop to physically maiming the boy!"
"I disagree!" Mush yelled.
"Oh shut up, you're just mad because your girlfriend got to beat him up and you didn't!" Dodger told him.
"Actually-" Mush started when Media cut him off.
"Let's not start this, there are young children present, let's not taint them." Media said.
"Sounds good." Everyone agreed.
Finally Jack came back with a new ball and the game progressed. Though throughout the length no one would let me forget that I had hit Jack with the golf ball. Around the 17th hole, Blink's ball careened off course and plinked into the murky depths known as the pond.
"Dang it! Now I'se gotta go get a new one!" Blink said.
"Join da club Blink." Jack said smirking at me.
"For the last time, I didn't do it on purpose!" I said picking up my club and holding it like a bat.
"Can we get the men in white jackets please?" Les said.
"I'm insulted Les!" I said feigning shock.
"Why, it suits ya!" Jack added.
"Do you want me to hit you on purpose?" I asked walking toward him.
"No, dat's aight Angel, ya woise dan Media." Jack replied.
"I know"
"I taught her everything she knows!" Media bragged.
"Hey don't fohget me, I taught hah stuff too!" Spot added.
"Don't forget the Conlon fighting gene!" I yelled back at them.
"Ok, we've established she can fight. Now Bumlets, get out of my way!" Mush said irritably.
"I'm not doing anything!" Bumlets replied.
"You're standing on the flipping hole!"
"Oh,"
"This has been a long game." Mouse said.
"That's what makes it fun!" Media said.
"This is fun for you guys?" Dreamer commented.
"We've had worse." I said, no longer feeling threatened by her.
"I'll say, like da time Angel got drunk." Jack added.
"Can we NOT talk about that!" I said feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
"What's wrong Angel, ya not ashamed a dat ah ya?" Jack asked.
"You know what," I said walking toward Jack to push him into the pond.
"No, he rode in my car, and ew!" Media intervened.
"And once again, Media interrupted my plan!" I said throwing up my hands in frustration.
"Sorry nutter butt, that's my job."
"Nutter Butt?" David asked.
"It's a long story." I said. "Ya know Media, if you hadn't messed up my plan the FIRST time, we wouldn't be in this predicament!"
"Yeah we would, it would just be more memories." She countered.
"I'se definitely not feelin da love heah!" Jack exclaimed.
"Shut up" I snapped.
"You're staying away from home for a girl that doesn't even like you?" I overheard Les asking Jack.
"I'm hungry!" Dodger said drowning out Jack's answer.
"Aight let's go get some food!" Blink said, apparently he'd come back during the vast argument.
We piled back into the cars and headed for Cici's pizza. As we walked to my rental car Dreamer asked, "If that Mush guy doesn't like Jack, why are they riding in the same car?"
"Spot and him are having a bet to see who can last the longest without getting in a fight" Dodger said irritably.
"Why is everyone so mad at Jack?" Dreamer continued in her questioning.
"Um, there were some disagreements, between Jack and a number of people here." Dodger explained.
"Oh, over what?" Les asked, then recanted his statement at our glares, "Or not."
"Um I forgot to get gas earlier, so I'm not gonna be able to make it to Cici's." Media said.
"Why don't we just head ovah ta me house and we can ordah pizza." Blink suggested.
"That sounds good and that way we won't swamp our parents with 13 people suddenly invading the living room, plus it wouldn't be fair to Spades." Dodger said.
"Aight, so we'se goin ta Blink's?" Spot asked.
"Yeah, weren't you listening?" I asked him.
"Not exactly." Ace answered.
"OOOO" Dodger, Media and I chirped.
"That was creepy." David said.
"If ya tink dat was creepy ya ain't seen nuthin yet!" Jack told him.
"Yeah remember when we went laser tagging and they were being all weird!" Mouse chimed in.
"Media was the one who was tickling me!" I said trying to defend myself.
"I needed entertainment!" Media added.
"See what I mean?" Jack asked David.
"Yeah." David answered.
"Ok, I'm cold, so I'm getting in the car, if you're riding with me, you might want to get in now." I said.
"So impatient Acorn!" Media teased.
We all climbed into the cars and raced off to Blink's house. After we all settled into his living room, the debate over what should be on the pizza began.
"I want pepperoni." Mouse said.
"I want mushrooms." Media said.
"I want Canadian Bacon!" Spot said.
"Anything but pineapple!" David said.
"How about just double Cheese!" Mush chimed in.
"Ew no, let's get red peppers." Said Bumlets.
"How many are we getting?" Dodger asked.
"Uh, three four, I don't know!" Blink said.
"I just don't know!!!!" I cried, flopping dramatically on the floor.
"Drama Queen." Jack said.
"You didn't seem to mind it three weeks ago!" I said bitterly.
"I ain't sayin that I mind it now, I'se just pointin it out."
After several more minutes of the pizza debate, we finally decided and popped in a movie to pass the time.
"I still think that we should have watched Batman!" Media said.
"Media, love, I don't think Blink would appreciate you drooling all over his carpet." I said poking her.
"I don't drool all over Batman."
"No, just the carpet."
"Ok it's on, tickle fight!" She yelled.
"Aight Dave, dis is where it get weahd." Jack said as Media and I grappled on the floor.
"RED MOSQUITO!!!!" Media yelled.
"Ah, no!" I said trying to tickle her in vain. She pinned me face down into the carpet.
"Pizza's here!" Mouse called.
"Pahch!" I said moving my head out of the carpet. Once again we settled down to watch Spiderman as we ate out pizza. A scene came up where Spiderman was fighting with the Green Goblin and punched him into a wall.
"Seem familiar Jacko?" Media asked being her smart mouth self.
"Ya bettah watch it." Jack cautioned.
"Yeah Media, he might punch you instead of just tripping you." Bumlets said joking with her.
"Excuse me." Mush said as he walked away annoyed.
A moment later Jack slipped out, following Mush. Jacked walked along silently to find Mush standing in the bathroom with the door cracked open.
"Ya doin anything in theah?" Jack asked walking up.
"Yeah, this." Mush said slamming the door in Jack's face.
"Will ya open da dooh?" Jack asked.
"Why do you have to do something?" Mush asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Ya I gottah talk to you and I'se rathah do it face tah face." Jack said growing defensive. "So open da dooh."
"Jack, if I open this door I'll come out swingin." Mush warned.
"Hows bout if yah don't come out till I say so den?" Jack asked mischievously.
"What do you mean?" Mush asked growing concerned.
"I mean, dat I'se comin in, and ya ain't comin out til I'se let ya!" Jack said walking in and locking the door.
"You really want to do this in here?" Mush asked surveying the bathroom with a look of vengeful anticipation spreading across his face.
"Dat's up ta you, Mush." Jack said preparing to defend himself from Mush's attack if need be.
"Well considering the way thins are, I don't see any other way." Mush said taking a fighting stance.
"Oh would ya just calm down foh a sec! Gah, you an Media ah a poifect match foh each oddah, ya bot so violent." Jack said.
"Well that's what I do like about her. But back to the subject at hand." Mush said smirking.
"What's ya problem wid me anyway?" Jack asked getting annoyed.
"You left 5 inch bruises on my girlfriends arms!" Mush said getting angry.
"She attacked me, I was just defending meself!" Jack said, trying not to provoke a fight.
"She said she hit you first because it looked like you were tensing up to hit her!"
"I'll admit I was angry, but I don't hit goils, evah! Not even in a fight, even dough she got me numerous times!"
Mush was quiet for the first time that day, it looked like he was contemplating. Jack took this opportunity to keep talking in order to calm the atmosphere.
"I have no problem wid hah or you, or even Angel even dough it seems like everyone else seems ta tink dat I do, but dat's beside da point."
"Actually it seems to me that you're trying to get back with her." Mush said seemingly calming down.
"If she'd let me I would."
"Do you really blame her?"
"I can't really say dat I do. I was gonna tell hah befoh I just left, but I wadn't gonna leave just yet."
"But you are leaving." Mush asked suspiciously.
"Not anymoh."
"Angel's stubborn, but if you keep pursuing her, she'll let you in."
"Yeah, how long will dat take dough? And den dere's Spot who also hates me."
"Spot will probably always hate you, just because he's her brother, it comes with the territory. And as for Angel, that depends on a lot of things."
"Such as?"
"Such as, you, Spot, and Media."
"Da tree dat hate me!" Jack said hopelessly.
"You cannot tell anyone that I'm telling you this, but Media will support Angel if she goes back to liking you, it's just a protective thing that she's doing right now, so it appears that she hates you."
"Dat's comforting."
"It should be, because when she uses her claws, wow, it hurts."
"Dat sounds like da voice a experience." Jack laughed.
"Yeah, I still got the scars on me."
"So ya not killin me."
"Nah, it was just miscommunication."
"Dat's good ta know. Now what else would be good ta know is ta convince Angel dat I ain't gonna leave."
"I think before doing that, just start talking to her normally, to get back to square one."
"Well square one was when she tried ta hit me!"
"And today she tried to push you in a pond, so you're already on your way."
"Yeah, I guess so, I just hope it won't take a re-run a da Delancy incident ta get hah on friendly toims again." Jack said with a sigh.
"I'd hope not."
"I hated seein hah like dat."
"We all did."
Just then Blink knocked on the door.
"Please tell me you're both alive." He said.
"Yeah, we'se alive." Jack said.
"Any broken bones?"
"We're fine Blink!" Mush called.
"Aight, everyone's wonderin where ya went, so I thought I'd make shoh ya hadn't killed each oddah."
"Good to know." Mush replied.
"We probably oddah get back downstahs." Jack said.
"All right."
Jack moved out from in front of the doorknob to let them both out. They headed back down to where the rest of us were gathered.
"Wow, what took you so long?" Bumlets asked.
"Nothing." Mush answered.
"I don't see any bruises." Ace observed.
"We wasn't fightin, Ace." Jack said.
"If we had been you would have heard it." Mush commented.
"Of that I have no doubt." I said.
Jack gave Media an I-know-what-you're-up-to smile which caused her to frown at Mush.
"So next movie." He said avoiding her eyes. "May I suggest Batman Begins." In an effort to appease Media's temper.
"I know you did something Mush, but it's okay, so long as it stays with the people that already know." She said giving Jack an I'm-gonna-kill-you-if-you-open-your-mouth look. To which Mush said, "Scars Jack, remember, claws are worse than fists."
"I see ya point." He said eyeing Media with caution.
"Uh whatever that was." Les said.
"Yeah let's put in a different movie." David added.
"I'm thirsty." I said getting up and going into the kitchen.
"Me too." Dreamer said following me.
Great, now I have to deal with this. I thought as I walked into the kitchen.
"Hi, I don't think I've properly met you." Dreamer said holding out her hand.
"I'm Angelica," I said eyeing her suspiciously, thinking she was a cheerleader clone who was going to kill me for having dated Jack.
"I'm Sara." She said.
"Yeah, Jack's told me about you." I said.
"Really, why?"
"Oh, I don't know, possibly because you dated." I said.
"No we didn't."
"Aren't you 'the Sarah'?" I asked.
"Oh you mean the Sarah that he's been dating off and on for years? No."
"Oh" I said giving an embarrassed chuckle, thinking Open mouth, insert foot, chew vigorously.
"So that's why you've been avoiding me all day." She said when the realization hit her.
"Sorry about that." I said.
"No, Jack worked at the theater with David, Les and me."
"Oh, that's interesting. So what brings you to Dallas?"
"Well, Medda, the lady who owns the theater we work at, wants to open a branch of the theater down here, and she wants Jack to run it. She was going to tell him when he got home, but since he couldn't leave, she sent Les and I to tell him."
"So, he's staying here?"
"Yeah, we're all really excited!"
"That's interesting, very interesting indeed." I mumbled half to myself.
"We're starting the movie!" Media called from the living room.
"We'll be there in a second!" I called back.
"We're not gonna wait for you!"
"It's not the first time I've seen it, I'll live!"
"If you say so!"
"Balehead," I said under my breath.