The day finally arrived for both Mama and Johnny to head back home. Their adventure of Johnny's birthday in Milwaukee was coming to an end. They were hanging out in the kitchen with Marion for a while in the morning.

"Mama?"

"What's that, Johnny?"

"Do you know who will be giving us a ride back to the house when we arrive?" asked Johnny.

"Carl told me he wouldn't mind doing it," she told Johnny.

"That's fine with me. I'm sure you're going to tell him all about my birthday here in Milwaukee."

Marion was listening to their conversation.

"Bunny, who is Carl?" asked Marion.

"A friend of Johnny's," answered Mama.

"I'm sure he would be happy to hear all about your stay in Milwaukee, Johnny. You can probably tell him about meeting us," Marion told him.

"Maybe. I'm letting her tell Carl," Johnny told her as he looked in her eyes.

"I might tell him some of it, Johnny. Since it was your birthday, you're the one who is going to tell him. He would like to hear about hanging out with Joanie alone."

"I might tell him. I never tell him I would run into a chick from another state in this country."

"What does Johnny mean by the word 'chick'?" Marion asked.

"It's Johnny's way of saying 'woman, Marion."

"I see. Do you want to do some laundry before you leave tomorrow?"

"We might wait until we get back home, Marion, but thank you for your offer."

"Just trying to be helpful."

"I know, Marion. I just don't want you to wash our clothes for us from us during our visit."

What Mama just said is true.

Even Johnny agreed with his own mother.

"Mrs. Cunningham, I agree with her. I'm old enough to do my own laundry."

"He does it all the time when he runs out of clothes. I'm very happy for Johnny," she told Marion.

"I know you are, Bunny. I'm proud of my family as well."

"That's what most mothers do best."

Marion nodded, and Johnny saw that for himself.

"do you plan to call Carl from here to let him know we'll be on our way to the airport?"

She shook her head.

"That's not necessary, Johnny. Carl doesn't need to know the Cunninghams' telephone number."

Johnny nodded, and agreed with what she just told him.

"Okay. May I spend some time with Joanie before we go, Mrs. Cunningham?" he asked.

"If she's available. I'll ask her when I talk with her. Maybe I'll invite her to dinner tonight so that way you can spend some time with Joanie, Johnny. I'll tell her that."

"Thanks, Mrs. Cunningham."

Johnny was only doing his best to be as polite as he could to the Cunninghams, and Mama really appreciated that. He was her only child.

"You don't need to keep calling us Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham, Johnny. It's only Howard and Marion. Richard and Joanie's friends call us Mr. and Mrs. C for short. You're welcome to do that."

"I think I'll keep that in mind the next time I talk with you. May I go out for some fresh air?" he asked.

"You may go do that, Johnny. We're taking the red – eye."

"I don't like those kind of flights."

"Nobody does. Howard's going to take us after supper. We'll both start thinking about packing when you get back."

"Okay. I'll see you soon."

"While you're doing that, Johnny, I'll go call Joanie now and invite her and Chachi for dinner tonight."

Before Johnny headed out from the kitchen, he asked, "Who the heck is Chachi?"

He didn't hear much about Chachi during the visit here in Milwaukee.

"He's only Joanie's boyfriend. They live together," Marion told him.

"Okay."

Now that's when he was out of sight. He wasn't very far when he heard Mama ask, "What does Joanie teach, Marion?"

"English. The high scholars really like her."

"That's good to know. And what about this Chachi person? What does he do?

"He's a private investigator."

"I had a cousin who had that career, remember?"

"I do remember that, Bunny. Is that cousin still around?"

"I usually don't keep in touch with him, so I really don't know how to answer that."

"My guess would be retirement."

"You're probably right, Marion. I hardly ever think of him anymore."

So both of them talked about other things until he was ready to come back in the house. Marion had already called Joanie at her lunch break and gave her Johnny's message.

"He wants to see you one more times before they head back home tonight, Joanie. Are you and Chachi available?"

"I remember Chachi telling me this morning he won't be able to join me for dinner tonight. He has dinner plans with his client instead," Joanie answered, and added, "I'm available."

"Good. Richard and Lori Beth probably won't come since Richie Jr. and Sara have one more school night before the weekend comes," Marion told her daughter.

"Okay. Maybe you and Dad will probably see them over the weekend anyway. What time do you expect me to show up?"

"When you're done for the day."

"See you then, Mom."

"Joanie's able to come and have some time alone with Johnny when school is out."

"When does school end?" Mama asked.

"About 3:10 if I remember right. Howard should be here some time after four."

That's when both of the ladies saw as Johnny walked through the front door already.

"Is it time for lunch yet? I'm thinking about food already," was his greeting.

"We're not eating lunch, Johnny. We're only having snacks. We have to think about packing right now," she reminded him.

"Would you like fruits and vegetables?" Marion asked.

"Okay. See you shortly."

He watched Marion find some fruit and vegetables for the Bravos to snack on.

"Do you like ranch dressing to go with the veggies, Johnny?"

"That sound likes a good idea. I'll bring up the plate with me so Mama can have something," Johnny told Marion.

"All right."

Marion took the top off to pour some dressing for her guests.

"Does that look good enough?"

"Yes, thank you. I'll go join the packing party upstairs. I'll be down again with me when we're finished."

"All right."

Then he headed upstairs and joined his mother.

"Mama, here I am," Johnny said when he stepped into her room.

She was already organizing her clothes on the bed when he walked in.

"You better do your clothes now, Johnny."

She saw he had the plate of fruits and vegetables in his arms.

"She added ranch dressing."

"Thank you, Johnny. Just leave the plate on the dresser."

He did what he was told. Johnny ate a few slices of an apple and banana. He also had carrots as well. She did promise him a birthday cake when they returned home, even though his birthday was already over. He didn't want to remind his mother about it. Mama didn't even bother to watch him walk over to his bedroom because she was still focused on organizing.

"I'll be right back, Mama. I'm going downstairs again for a glass of water. I'm thirsty again."

"Just take your time, Johnny. I'll be in here when you come back."

He left her room and headed down the stairs to the kitchen. Marion was nowhere to be seen, so Johnny helped himself to a glass. He did gulp the water down until there wasn't a drop left. Then he rejoined his mother.

"That feels a lot better. I'm going to pack up my junk as well."

Mama stopped what she was doing and looked at him.

"Johnny, clothes aren't junk."

"I know, Mama. I wasn't thinking."

She did see that for herself, but didn't bother saying anything at all. Then he left her. He decided to start off with his underwear. He usually does this first.

They both heard Marion come back into the kitchen. She headed up the stairs and went to see how Johnny and his mother were coming along with their packing. She decided to stop by Bunny's room first.

"Hi, Bunny. Do you and Johnny need any help?"

She turned to find Marion in the doorway.

"No thank you, Marion. We can do this on our own."

She was almost done with her packing, Marion noticed.

"Joanie's still coming over. I was only double – checking."

"How about this Chachi person you told me about?" Bunny asked.

"No. He wants to get his case closed. He's almost finished."

"Well, maybe next time he can join us."

"Maybe. Howard is on his way home," Marion told her.

"Sounds good. You don't need to check on Johnny. He's doing the same thing," she told Marion.

"All right. Tonight we're having spaghetti, peas, carrots, apples and also kiwi."

"That sounds delicious, Marion. Johnny and I will look forward to seeing you downstairs when he's finished."

"No rush, Bunny. See you then."

Johnny was almost finished. Bunny did peek in on him, but he never really saw that she was there. When they pack for a trip, she usually likes to sort the clothes by color, so that's what she was doing when Marion walked by. Once she closed her suitcase, she joined Marion in the kitchen.

"May I do anything, Marion?"

"You're not going to help, Bunny. Johnny isn't going to help either. You're both guests."

"I was only offering to help out."

"Is Johnny almost finished?"

"I'd like to think so, Marion. I can't speak for him on this one."

There were going to be an only argument between the two friends. Then that's when they both saw Howard drive into the driveway.

He finally walked through the front door.

"Marion, I'm home!" he called when he slammed the front door.

That's when Johnny walked down the stairs.

"Hello, Mr. Cunningham," Johnny greeted him.

Howard recognized Johnny who was heading his direction.

"Hello, Johnny. Where's Marion?"

Johnny shrugged his shoulders.

"I haven't seen her in a while. She might be in the kitchen."

"Thank you," Howard said as he went straight to the kitchen.

Marion was indeed in the kitchen like Johnny had told him.

"Hello, Howard. How was your day at the hardware store?" asked Marion.

"It was good, thank you, Marion."

Howard then noticed Mama was in the kitchen with them.

"Hello, Howard."

"Hi, Bunny. I didn't notice you were here in the kitchen with Marion."

"I've been here for a while. By the way, Howard, both Johnny and I already packed up our things."

"You don't need to tell me, Bunny. It was nice of you and Johnny to find the time to come out here in Milwaukee."

"We usually are flexible on time," she told him.

"That's good. Do you want to have Johnny here in the kitchen?"

"He's fine where he is," was the answer.

"Joanie is coming over to join us at dinner tonight," Marion told Howard.

"Thanks for letting me know, Marion. Is Chachi able to join us tonight?"

"Joanie said he can't this time. He wants to finish a case he's working on."

"That makes sense."

Howard kissed his wife. Marion returned the kiss.

"I miss doing that with my husband."

"Have you thought of getting married again, Bunny?" Howard asked.

"I've often thought about it, but I'm happy with Johnny. He's the only man I've had since his father died several years ago."

"You and Johnny are pretty close then."

"Yes, Howard. What time did Joanie tell you she was joining us tonight, Marion?" asked Bunny.

She told her.

"I already know what we are having for dinner," Marion said.

"What's that?" Howard asked.

Johnny was still in the living room, but couldn't catch every word in the conversation except Marion had pointed out what tonight was going to be.

"What's that, Marion?"

"We're not doing meat tonight, Howard. We're having meatless spaghetti."

"I do the same thing with Johnny once in a while," she replied.

"That's good, Bunny. What time do you need me to take your to the airport tonight?"

He seemed to forget she and Marion told him before, so he was only asking for a reminder. She told him what she told Johnny.

"We better leave a couple minutes early so you and Johnny will have plenty of time to go through security and everything," he told her.

"I had that in mind, anyway, but thank you."

That's when Joanie drove in the driveway. Marion was able to get out the pots and pans. Joanie walked through the front door and found Johnny in the living room.

"Hi, Joanie."

She closed the door and said, "Hello, Johnny. Where are Mom and Dad?"

Johnny answered, "They're in the kitchen."

"Thanks."

Johnny didn't say anything after that. All he did was nod his head. The three adults turned to look and found Joanie.

"Hi, Mom and Dad.'

"Hi, Joanie, dear. You may get out in the living room and keep Johnny company."

"All right. I'll go do that. Hello, Mrs. Bravo."

"Hello, Joanie. He's been asking to have some time alone with you before he and I go to the airport tonight."

"I almost forgot when you were leaving."

After Joanie said that, she rejoined Johnny in the living room.

"Johnny, Mrs. Bravo just mentioned that you are leaving tonight."

He nodded.

"We are. It feels like we just got here to Milwaukee and now it's time to go back."

"I know. Do you need help on packing your clothes?"

"No. I have already done that, but thank you for offering."

They hung out in the living room.

"I'm sure you must be looking forward on telling your friends about your birthday visit to Milwaukee."

"Not really. I have a few friends back home. I'm sure she'll probably tell them anyway."

"I won't be staying here for very long, Johnny. I'm going home after dinner. I need to get started on getting ready for a test for my students."

"What do you teach?" Johnny asked.

She told him.

"Oh. I did okay when I was in school. I wasn't too crazy about it."

Joanie never bothered asking him any questions since it was none of her business since they don't know each other very well.

"How long have you been doing this teaching job?"

"A couple years now. I like it."

"That's good."

The two of them kept on talking until Marion called them in. Mama was still in the kitchen, but it was mostly conversation. Howard even set the table.

"Thank you, Howard."

"You're welcome, Marion."

"Is there anything I can do to help out?"

"No, Bunny. You're the guests," Marion reminded her.

"I don't need to be reminded, but thank you anyway."

Howard peeked through the living room.

"Joanie, Johnny, we're ready to eat."

"Thank you, Dad. We'll be right in."

Johnny let Joanie go in first. At least he knows it's ladies first.

"Mom, I was telling Johnny I'm not staying for very long. I have to start preparing for my students' test tomorrow."

"That's all right, Joanie."

There wasn't much to say during the meal, and that was fine too. The five of them only shared a couple words, but it was enough for small talk as they would put it. Joanie only stayed for dinner and not dessert, which was all right. Marion didn't bother on planning for dessert tonight anyway since the Bravos were almost done with their holiday here in Milwaukee.

When they all sat down to eat, Johnny scratched his head a couple times. He felt better than that. Dinner ended a few minutes sometime when they were finished with the meatless spaghetti that Marion had made. Joanie offered to help clear the table.

"Thanks for having me, Mom. I have to get going. It was nice talking with you, Johnny. You get home safely, okay?"

"Okay."

He offered to walk Joanie to her car.

"I like your car," he told her.

"Thank you, Johnny. I hope both of you can come to Milwaukee again soon."

"Maybe. I'd like that. Too bad I couldn't meet any of your friends while I'm here for my birthday."

They both said good – night once more and she drove off. That's when he was able to come back to the living room.

When he walked in the house again, he was able to find all of the adults sitting on the couches.

"Joanie's gone," he told them.

"We know, Johnny."

"I think we should start double – checking our things and see if we have everything, Johnny. We are flying back tonight," she reminded him.

And then the Bravos were in their rooms. This would be the last time they would see the Bravos until Howard is ready to drive to the airport.