Chapter 14
"You know you girls are asking for trouble, right?" Brian laughed when Steffi told him about the day's events. "Guys aren't usually big on being 'fixed up', to say the least."
"Dallas brought us together and look how well that worked out," Steffi replied. "Besides, if it means getting our son out of his mood, I can go for just about anything right now."
"Any chance Heath knows about your little plan?"
"Actually, it's more of Bryan and Audrey's little plan, and no, Heath has no knowledge of it, at least not yet. But Kellie is an adorable girl and I'm sure things will work out fine."
"When is this girl supposed to be visiting?"
"You're in luck. She'll be here in a few days, right when you're home."
"Ahhh, the timing couldn't be better. I always like to make a point of meeting my kids' possible companions."
"Brian, the girl might be going to the dance with Heath, not marrying him. Good lord."
"Whatever. Got to protect the good family name in any case, you know."
"What good family name?" Steffi teased. "I think you pretty much blackened that years ago."
"Yeah, good point. So how was the big sale?"
"You will be thrilled to know that most people who remembered you from way back when actually paid more for your junk than the intended sale price. I think one person said something about 'collector's items' One person even offered five hundred dollars for some old kick pads of yours."
"Jesus, if I'd known that, maybe I'd put up my underwear for sale too."
"Okay, we aren't going that far. In any case, we cleaned up quite well for the shelter."
"No shit? How much?"
"There wasn't an exact figure yet, but it's estimated at five thousand dollars."
"Someone paid five grand for some of my old shit?"
"Well, not all of it was your stuff, but I'd like to guess at least seventy five percent of it was."
"Still, holy shit. I should clean out my junk more often and include those underwear next time."
"Forget it," Steffi laughed. "I should be the only one subjected to those."
"Don't worry, baby," Brian said. "In a few more days, I'll do you better than that."
Meanwhile:
"You and Bryan are fixing me up with a girl," Heath stated. "Gee, thanks a lot, Sis; it is now official. I am a total loser."
"Heath, you are not a loser," Audrey replied. "And before you get any ideas, it was Bryan who suggested it. I hear Kellie's really nice."
"So how come she can't get her own guy where she is?"
"Maybe because she hasn't met you yet," Audrey managed a grin. "Anyway, she's coming this weekend while Daddy's home, so at least try to be nice. Plus you can have someone to take to your dance after all."
"A mercy date with an out of town girl. Oh, that's nice."
Audrey crossed her arms and sighed. "Will you try to be reasonable for a change? Bryan's going through a lot of trouble for this."
"I don't recall asking anybody to butt in," Heath snorted.
"No, but we're pretty tired of your long face," Audrey countered. "Come on, Heath. At least take her to a movie or something? I'm sure either Bryan can take you guys or Daddy will let me have the car."
Audrey's cell phone then rang. "Hold that thought while I take this."
Heath pouted and shook his head while she took the call. "Oh really?" he heard Audrey say. "Sure, Bry, I'll let him know to get online right now!"
"What was that all about?" he asked when Audrey came back in the room, powering up her laptop.
"Kellie's online and she has her webcam!" she said, excited. "Now you guys can meet each other before this weekend!"
Heath rolled his eyes. "Please say you're joking."
"I'm not," Audrey glared at him as she set up their cam. "At least say hi for a few minutes. Don't be such a killjoy."
Heath sighed. "Fine. I guess I can't humiliate myself any further."
"Good, I'll leave you two alone for a little bit."
Audrey then went downstairs to join her mother. "Did you talk to Heath?" Steffi asked.
"I did. As we speak, Mother, he is on webcam with Kellie right now. Bryan just called to tell me she was online and wanted to talk to Heath."
"Looks like we may make progress sooner than we think."
"Yeah," Audrey nodded eagerly.
"In any case, your dad wants to meet her when he comes home this weekend."
"Oh yes, the ever protective Italian Daddy," Audrey laughed. "Remember the interrogation he gave Bryan before he decided he liked him?"
"Of course, but I doubt he's going to be that rough with Kellie. Daddy seems pretty eager to meet her anyway."
Half an hour later:
Heath eagerly ran down the stairs, seemingly missing every other step. For the first time in over a week, he was joyous and giddy, with a dreamy look on his face.
Steffi and Audrey didn't fail to notice his change of mood.
"I'm guessing the cam meeting went well?" Steffi asked.
"Oh yeah….." Heath said with a sigh. "How come you didn't tell me she was cute?"
"That was a surprise," Audrey smiled.
"And what a surprise it was," Heath answered with a cheesy grin. "Oh and she's going to the dance with me."
Audrey was shocked as Steffi raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You asked her already?" they said in unison.
"Sure, you don't think I'm going to wait on a cute girl like that, do you? Someone might snatch her up while she's here. A man's got to think ahead."
Audrey chuckled. "So I guess this means you're done mooning over Justine?"
Heath gave them a look. "Who?"