Lee and Kenny managed to get a fair amount of boxes out of the van and into the house. Eventually, the moving men arrived and dealt with whatever was left. It took about three hours to get everything unloaded. During that interval of time, Carley got to know Katjaa just as much as her husband had gotten to know Kenny. Once they had returned to their respective homes, both couples concluded a genuine fondness towards their new neighbors. The only person who didn't show much enthusiasm was Duck, disappointed to hear that the Everett's didn't have a child of their own.

Meanwhile, Lee offered to have a pizza delivered so that Carley wouldn't have to cook, which also meant reminding her that the last time he tried to make dinner, he almost set their apartment on fire. After dinner, the couple finally had a chance to settle down on their couch, admiring how much space they had in the new house compared to their old, shabby apartment. They began to discuss general things regarding what the room needed to make it look the way they wanted. Carley shifted closer to him and the man instinctively wrapped his arms around her. After gently kissing her forehead, Lee rested his forehead hers, "I can't believe you're my wife."

"What, regretting it already?" Carley joked.

Lee chuckled, "No Car. It's just amazing that I was able to find someone so perfect."

"I'm nothing close to perfect." the woman shook her head.

"You are according to my definition."

"You're a history professor, not a dictionary."

"I'm your husband...and you're everything I could ask for in a wife."

The woman blushed, unable to conceal the smile that formed on her face. "Guess I just got lucky."

Lee raised an eyebrow, "Why do you say that?"

"You could get any woman you want, yet you chose me."

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

Carley leaned in closer and the space between their faces closed as she put her lips against his. Lee deepened the kiss, pulling the woman into a tight embrace, wanting to share his body's warmth with her. Their tongues wrestled for several moments and it intensified the passion they felt for each other. Then the phone rang, snapping them out of their lustful desires.

"Well, that killed the mood." Carley muttered.

The man let out an agitated growl, "Goddamnit."

"I'll get it." she started to get up but Lee took his wife by the waist and gently pulled her back down beside him, "I've got it. Probably my dad anyway."

"Never saw you so eager to talk to him." Carley said dryly.

Lee's expression went stoic at the mention of his old man. "Yeah, just ecstatic."

Reluctant yet determined, Lee made his way to the kitchen, picked the phone off the hook and stepping out on the backyard porch deck. Although he had offered to get the phone, Lee wasn't any less afraid of having to talk to his dad. The last time he'd spoken to his father was during the wedding. Lee was trying to make things right, but his father kept doing things that made his efforts difficult to achieve. Avoiding his father's phone calls would only cause more trouble and wouldn't help the tension that had accumulated amongst the family those past several months.

"Hello?"

"Lee?"

"Speaking."

"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"

Lee scowled, "No, Dad. I was just about to call you."

"That's what you always say." his dad muttered, "How'd things work out for you? Did the moving men find the place alright?"

Lee bit his lip, "They were late."

"How late?"

"It's not a big deal, Dad, I-"

"It is though!"

Lee wouldn't allow himself to get dragged into another argument with his father. They were always so obscure and never led to any form of resolution. "How's mom?" Lee asked, wanting to change the subject of conversation.

"Went to one of those damned book club meetings."

"Alright." Lee waited for what else his dad planned to bring up. Most of the time it was finding things to criticize him about; but for one reason or another, that vibe was absent.

Just when he thought his dad was starting to come around, the old man began to complain about things wrong with the pharmacy; problems with the electricity, worn out interior- the list went on and on. Lee's brow furrowed and took a seat at the table on the back porch, forcing himself to endure his father's pessimism.

Kenny entered through the backyard, showing up just when Lee was beginning to raise his voice during the phone conversation with his father. The man saw Kenny and motioned him to come up onto the porch. Embarrassed and feeling intrusive, Kenny smiled weakly and climbed the steps. Lee knew he needed to end the fifteen minute phone call that had done nothing to improve the ensuing conflict with his father.

"...I'll see what I can do, Dad. Alright?" Lee said, trying to avoid any hint of hostility in his tone.

Mr. Everett grumbled to himself, "Yeah, yeah..."

Despite how frustrated he was, Lee didn't have the heart to show disdain towards his father; "Take care, Dad. Talk to you soon."

"Night Lee."

Lee shook his head, realizing how distant he had become with his dad. They shared common traits, but they were the type of characteristics that clashed. Setting the phone down on the table, he let out a deep breath, forcing a weak smile at Kenny.

"...ya' know, I could always come back later if you're busy."

"No, it's okay." Lee reassured, "Really."

"Well...looks like you could use a drink." Kenny placed a bottle in front of him.

Lee chuckled, but his eyes remained doubtful. The man wanted nothing more than to reconcile with his father, but neither could ever seem to find common ground. Ever since Lee had stepped down from the responsibility of managing the family pharmacy, Mr. Everett hadn't been easy on him. The vision his old man wanted wasn't the direction Lee wanted. There was no way of knowing what it would take to earn his father's respect.

"Thanks, man." Lee took the alcoholic beverage.

"Don't mention it." Kenny started, taking a swig of beer himself. After what felt like a full minute, he broke the silence. "I know it ain't none of my business...but everything alright?"

"My dad." Lee answered sullenly, having nothing to hide, "Him and I...never really on the same page."

"Oh...uh...I-I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Lee reassured, "Every family goes through it."

"I guess."

Lee wanted to change the subject; "So how long have you lived here?"

"I'd say about 9 years at the most. Moved from Texas. We had the opportunity to buy a house on the open prairie...but it wasn't for us." Kenny shrugged, "Katjaa and I were always fond of modern houses in towns such as this. Plus, most of the folks here are real damn friendly."

"Sounds like a small community." Lee remarked with a smile, "That's what made Carley and I interested in looking at property."

Kenny nodded, "Well it sure is nice to have some decent neighbors like yourselves."

"Why– are the rest of the neighbors not so decent?" Lee joked.

Kenny grimaced, knowing it would be best to warn his new neighbor about someone he had yet to meet- someone who thought she was dictator of their town's 'small community'.

"Uh...listen Lee," Kenny started, "Before ya'll go start greeting the neighbors 'round here, there's one crazy bitch that-" His sentence was cut short by a loud clanking of trash cans, followed by a driver beeping their car horn profusely. "Aw shit." he muttered, shaking his head, looking at Lee, "Lilly's back."