Chapter Two - Unfortunate Dinner Plans
"Pop!" Kimmy Gibbler yelled, entering the Gibbler house and slamming the door behind her. She had been in the middle of shampooing her hair, when the pipes had given an unexpected groan, and following several sharp spurts of water the water had ceased altogether. Kimmy's mother, Carol Gibbler, barely glanced up from the game show she was glued to, as Kimmy raced past to try the shower in the main bathroom. Finding no water there either, Kimmy gave a frustrated shout, and returned to the living room, hands on her hips.
Realizing that her daughter had no intention of leaving her in peace to watch her show, Carol muttered, "What is it dear?"
"Mom, there's no water! I was in the middle of showering!" Kimmy indicated to the bathrobe, and shower cap she was wearing, the later, in an attempt to keep soapy water from dripping down her face. "I have this really important business dinner that I need to get ready for – it's with Jesse's boss from the Radio Station. Where's Dad?" Kimmy finished urgently.
"What's all the noise about?" John Gibbler suddenly materialized in the doorway, carrying a screwdriver.
"Something's happened to the water Pop!"
"I know. I turned it off."
Kimmy looked incredulous, "What! Why?"
"I decided that some home renovations were long overdue," John crossed his arms across his chest.
"Dad, please turn the water back on," Kimmy begged, grabbing his arm. "I'm going out in an hour."
"No can do," John informed her cheerfully. "I will never be finished otherwise."
"Finished! You haven't even started!" Kimmy practically shouted. "Pop, you've never shown any interest in home renovating in your life." She indicated the shabbiness of the living room.
"What's the big deal? Shower next door at the Tanner's. Hey, maybe you and your boyfriend can share a shower, eh!" He winked at her.
"I really don't think Mr. T. would appreciate that," Kimmy muttered. "But fine, you don't really leave me much choice. Some warning would have been nice though Dad."
But Kimmy's father had stopped listening, now engrossed in the same show his wife was watching. With a defeated sigh, Kimmy left the room. So much for the 'home renovating' Kimmy thought, as she raced across the Gibbler drive to her apartment above the garage. Once inside she quickly grabbed the toiletries she would need for her shower, and ran back outside. Her scalp felt itchy, and she hoped the shampoo hadn't set into her head. The last thing she needed was a bad hair night. Thank god she hadn't been dying her hair, when her dad had 'decided' to switch the water off. Entering the Tanner yard, she closed the gate behind her, cursing as her bare foot connected with a sharp stone on the grass. She hadn't thought to put on shoes. Balancing various bottles, a bath sponge, and a hairbrush against her chest she opened the back door. Danny was peeling potatoes over the kitchen sink. He looked up when Kimmy entered the house.
"That's an interesting look for you Kimmy," he said dryly.
"I need to use your shower. Pop switched the water off." Kimmy didn't wait for permission; she was already halfway up the stairs. Typically luck was not on her side, Stephanie just happened to be hanging around in the hallway outside her room.
Stephanie burst into laughter when she spotted Kimmy, "Trying out a new fashion style Gibbler." She paused for a moment pretending to think about it, "Actually, now that I think about it, it's an improvement over what you normally wear."
"I really don't have time for this right now Blondo," Kimmy hissed.
Footsteps were heard on the attic stairs, and Jesse appeared around the corner. He gave a start when he saw how Kimmy was dressed, "Er, that's not what you're planning on wearing to dinner is it?" he said, only half-jokingly, he wasn't always sure when it came to Kimmy.
Kimmy whipped the shower cap off her head, "No Jesse, I thought I would go like this!" Shooting him a final look of disapproval, she slammed the bathroom door behind her.
"Ouch!" Stephanie patted her uncle on the arm, giving him a sly smile. "She's not happy with you."
Jesse looked both grim and apologetic, "It's this dinner. It has everyone on edge."
"Hi Stephanie." Regina's voice trilled down Stephanie's private phone line. It was early evening in the Tanner household.
"Oh hi Regina," Stephanie hoped her tone didn't sound too unenthusiastic.
"The reason for my call is to check that you are definitely coming over for 'Girl Talk' practice after school tomorrow?"
"Yeah, definitely. We decided on Tuesday's and Thursday's right?"
"That's right."
"We need all the practice we can get," Stephanie joked.
"Oh, you don't Stephanie," Regina complimented. "You are so talented already."
"Um, thanks." Stephanie twirled a section of the phone cord around her finger.
An uncomfortable pause in the conversation followed. Stephanie was unsure what to say next as she had spent most of the day with Regina, and they really didn't have anything in common outside of the band and school.
It seemed like a lifetime before Regina broke the silence, "Do you think we are nearly ready to perform at the Smash Club?"
Stephanie considered, "Maybe. I was thinking we could play for Uncle Jesse first, see what he thinks." Jesse had initially managed 'Girl Talk', and while that hadn't worked out, Stephanie still valued his opinion.
"Stephanie, you always have such good ideas," Regina praised.
Seated at her desk, Stephanie shifted uncomfortably; she found Regina's constant admiration off putting. "Well … I'd better be going. I hear my dad calling that dinner's ready," Stephanie lied. "See you at school tomorrow."
"Sure, Stephanie. Bye."
"Bye." Stephanie leaned over and placed the receiver in its cradle.
Stephanie jumped, when a voice from the doorway said, "I didn't know dinner was ready!"
Stephanie frowned at her sister, "It's not. I just needed an excuse to get out of speaking to someone."
Michelle's interest was evident. "Who?"
"Regina Powell!"
Michelle moved further into the room and perched herself on the end of Stephanie's bed. "Why? Isn't she a friend of yours?"
Stephanie sighed, "Yeah, I guess."
A loud crash sounded from overhead, causing Stephanie and Michelle to glance up at the ceiling.
"Uh-oh … I'd better check that out," Michelle said worriedly. "I think Alex has that magic set out. Uncle Jesse specifically told him 'no', not unless Joey was supervising." She hurried from the room yelling her cousin's name.
The phone rang again, and Stephanie stared at it for a second praying it wasn't Regina calling back.
She snatched up the phone, "Hello."
"Steph!"
"Hey Dean." Stephanie smiled to herself. Now this was more like it.
"How was your first day as a junior?"
"Pretty good. My classes all went well so far, although it's difficult to tell being the first day. What about you? How was work?" Dean had spent the summer assisting his uncle in construction.
"Same old, same old. Uncle Ethan is working me to the grindstone. Trying to get as much mileage out of me as possible before classes start."
"Oh, poor over-worked Dean," Stephanie playfully teased, all thoughts of Regina Powell temporarily forgotten.
"How long do you think we can hide out in the bathroom before anyone misses us?" Carmen Sutherland asked Kimmy. The two women had excused themselves from the table claiming to need to touch up their makeup. Luckily the dreadful wife of Jesse and Joey's boss hadn't decided to join them.
"Even the guys look bored, and they at least have work to discuss," Kimmy said rubbing her face tiredly. She was still feeling a little frazzled, following the 'water' debacle. After her shower at the Tanner's she had hurried home to dry her hair and get dressed. Luckily her father hadn't decided to switch off the power as part of his home repairs.
"I don't know how much longer I can keep smiling for," Carmen complained. "My face aches."
Kimmy's tried to look sympathetic, but she was feeling way too sorry for herself. Throughout dinner Carmen had looked perfectly poised, smiling when appropriate, and answering the few questions the couple had aimed at her flawlessly. Kimmy on the other hand had given a clumsy response to the one question asked of her and had spent the remainder of the dinner feeling like an idiot, hoping the restaurant floor would open and swallow her up.
There was an attractive blonde standing at one of the sinks, reapplying her lipstick, when Kimmy and Carmen entered the bathroom.
"Carmen, you looked so confidant throughout dinner," Kimmy said wistfully.
Before Carmen could reply, the blonde at the mirror shrieked, "Gibbler!"
It took Kimmy a moment to recognize her, and when she did, she almost groaned out loud. "Kathy Santoni! How are you? Sorry I can't remember your married name."
Kathy Santoni sniffed, "No matter! Carl and I divorced two years ago, when I was nineteen." She waved her lipstick tube in the air. "I've spent the past year modeling in New York. My son, Logon and I will then be off to Paris. I'm just passing through San Francisco, visiting my parents. How about you? How's DJ?"
"DJ's at Dartmouth – you know the college in New Hampshire?" Kathy nodded indicating that she did. Kimmy took a deep breath, "I'm attending the local Community College, and still waitressing at the Smash Club."
The look on Kathy's face conveyed all; she definitely wasn't blown away by Kimmy's life. "How nice!" she simply said.
Carmen cleared her throat, waiting to be introduced.
"Oh I'm sorry. This is Carmen Sutherland, Joey Gladstone's girlfriend. You remember Joey right?"
Kathy nodded again, "Nice to meet you."
Carmen smiled, "Hi."
"DJ, Kathy, and I went to school together," Kimmy clarified for Carmen's benefit.
"Gibbler," Kathy was now asking. "Are you still – um – dating the toilet guy?" She wrinkled her nose in distaste.
Just like that Kimmy felt a hundred times better. "Actually!" she said her smile triumphant. "I'm seeing DJ's uncle – Jesse Katsopolis."
Kathy's mouth flew open, "You're dating Jesse Katsopolis!" Her eyes drifted unbelievably to Carmen for confirmation.
Carmen decided to help Kimmy out, "It's true. Joey and Jesse are out in the restaurant."
Kathy gave Kimmy a small smile, but her eyes were sparkling with jealously, "I'm happy for you Kimmy," she said insincerely. "Of course I mix with male models on a daily basis, so I always have my pick of hot looking guys."
Kimmy returned her smile, "Just not the hottest though."
Carmen put a hand over her mouth, fighting back the laughter. Kimmy was good.
Kathy's eyes narrowed, "It was so sad when Jesse Katsopolis' wife died. She was so gorgeous and talented wasn't she?"
Eek, Carmen thought. That was pretty low. Deciding she'd better intervene, Carmen placed her hand lightly on Kimmy's arm. "We really should be getting back. The guys will be wondering where we are."
Kimmy nodded, but her eyes were still fixated on Kathy.
Ignoring Kimmy's glare, Kathy picked up her purse. "Well I'd better be going. My date is waiting for me. Say hi to DJ from me." And with that final comment she sashayed out of the bathroom.
Carmen raised an eyebrow, "Close friend of yours!"
Kimmy shrugged, "Not really. I think she only even talked to me because I was DJ's friend. You know the type – every school has one. She's beautiful, popular and all the guys want to date her!" Kimmy looked Carmen up and down, "In fact, you were probably the one in your High School?"
Carmen laughed, "Naw! I was never 'bitchy' enough."
Kimmy laughed along with her. She was starting to warm to Carmen more and more, which she guessed was a good thing, since Jesse and Joey hung out a lot.
"Well," Carmen proceeded to the door. "That filled in a bit of time. All we need to do now is get through coffee and then we are out of here."
"Sounds like a plan," Kimmy said, following her out of the bathroom.