AN: Guys, I'm so sorry that it's been taking me two to four days to upload these chapters. I've been so busy trying to find time to write in between college and work. I just want to stay home in my Grinch pajamas and write fan fics all day, :/
I hope I didn't loose any readers. It's hard for me to tell sometimes. You guys have got to "make some noise." Let me know you're still here in the reviews.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Horton Hears a Who or any of the characters involved in this story.
At last Ned and Tallulah had made it to Tallulah's house. Tallulah held Ned's hand as he strolled the unicycle along side. Ned kept his suitcase tucked under his arm just in case of another accident.
"I'll wait for you to get inside," Ned said.
Before her foot reached the front porch steps, Tallulah slowly turned on her heels to get one last look at the Mayor. Her lips pouted and her breathing became heavy. She looked very unhappy about having to go home.
"Can't I just stay with you forever and ever and ever?" she asked, practically begging.
Ned chuckled. He placed a palm on her shoulder. "Won't you miss your family?" he asked.
"Maybe Mommy," Tallulah answered. But I certainly won't miss Stacey. He's my step-dad. I hate his guts. It's always rules rules rules with him."
"Tallulah, I'm sure your step-father loves you very much," Ned said encouragingly. "He probably doesn't mean to be a stick in the mud. I'm sure he just wants you to be safe."
Tallulah folded her arms and huffed. She didn't seem too convinced.
"Just try to be nice. Some day you might need his comfort," Ned said.
"Okay," Tallulah said through a long sigh. "But on one condition."
"And what might that be?" Ned raised an eyebrow.
"Can I give you a big, warm hug?" Tallulah flared her arms out.
"Of course!" Ned replied. He crouched down and let Tallulah seal her arms around his body.
She held on to him for quite a while until Ned finally had to break free. It was getting later.
"You'd better go," Ned said.
Tallulah started up the steps with Ned looking after her. Suddenly the screen door swung open. Mr. Gristmel barged outside, aiming a furious glare at Tallulah.
"There you are! Do you have any idea what time it is?" Mr. Gristmel barked.
"No," Tallulah replied. "But it's okay. Mr. Mayor walked me home."
Mr. Gristmel glanced at Ned and then mumbled, "Isn't that like JoJo to push his responsibilities off on other whos."
Ned heard the snarky remark about his son and he didn't appreciate it one bit. "Excuse me," he spoke up. "But it isn't JoJo's responsibility to make sure that your little girl gets home before dark."
"Just like it's not my responsibility to make sure that your little boy gets a good night's sleep," Mr. Gristmel fired back.
Ned was taken aback. "What are you talking about? JoJo gets plenty of sleep. His bedtime is 9:45," he noted with pride.
"Well, I'm not convinced. Just like I'm not convinced that Tallulah will pass her spelling test," Mr. Gristmel said, firmly folding his arms around his chest.
"JoJo is working very hard to help Tallulah," Ned replied. "I'm proud of his volunteerism."
Mr. Gristmel raised an eyebrow. "Volunteerism? JoJo didn't volunteer out to help Tallulah out of the kindness of his heart."
Mr. Gristmel explained JoJo's frequent sleeping in class. He told Ned about their deal that Tallulah pass her test otherwise JoJo face detention. Ned felt so foolish. He couldn't believe JoJo lied to him. He'd spent the past few days believing that JoJo wanted to help others because it was the mayoral thing to do; because he wanted to impress his dad.
"Get inside right now, Tallulah!" Mr. Gristmel ordered.
Before she left, Tallulah bared Ned a goodbye by flinging her arms around his wide waste as usual. Ned abscently returned the gesture as he thought of an appropriate punishment for JoJo's dishonesty.
JoJo sat down next to Sally on the couch. She was busy clipping coupons, sorting and separating them in sandwich bags.
"Hey, sweetheart," Sally said not bothering to look up from her scissors. "Your father just walked in. He wants to talk to you."
JoJo cringed. His dad usually only wanted to talk about two things: being mayor, and anything related to JoJo's future as mayor. He was probably going to gush about JoJo's "volunteerism" again.
Sally finally looked up just in time to see JoJo's pleading expression. "You might get inspired," she said. She knew about JoJo's surprise song for Ned's ceremony.
JoJo's face lit up. Tommorow was Sunday. He could spend the whole day in the observatory writing his dad's song.
JoJo hurried down the hall. He knocked on his dad's study. Ned answered after the first knock. He didn't look happy at all. JoJo swallowed. Something told him that this wasn't going to be another lame mayor-related talk.
"Hey, Dad!" JoJo said gently. "Mom said you wanted to talk to me."
"Come in," Ned said.
"Am I in trouble?" JoJo dared to ask.
Ned didn't answer. He grabbed JoJo's wrist and dragged him inside. JoJo sat down in front of Ned's desk. He kept his head low as Ned took his seat.
"JoJo, we have a serious problem," Ned began. "What time is your curfew?"
"9:45," JoJo answered. It came out sounding more like a question.
"Okay. Now tell me, why is it that you've been sleeping in class?" Ned asked.
JoJo stiffened. He couldn't tell Ned about the surprise. That would spoil everything. "I...I um..." he stuttered.
Ned sighed. "You've been lying to me this entire time. About volunteering, about detention, about sneaking out of the house after curfew. What's really going on with you JoJo?"
JoJo remained silent. He bit his tongue as hard as he could to keep from slipping out the truth, but he was terrible at keeping secrets.
"You're grounded for lying to me," Ned said firmly. "No more trips to the observatory for a while."
"But Dad!" JoJo protested, nearly on the edge of the chair. "I need to go to the observatory. Please! It was just one little lie."
Ned folded his arms and looked away, glumly. "Get ready for bed," he ordered.
"Dad?" JoJo begged.
"You have until the count of three," Ned snapped.
JoJo slid out of his chair and headed for the door. He couldn't believe how unfair his dad was being. If only he knew the motive JoJo had behind his dishonesty. None of it mattered anymore. The ceremony was this Friday and without his observatory, JoJo had no inspiration or time to finish his song.
Suddenly JoJo turned on his heels. He looked over his shoulder at Ned bitterly and cried "You always ruin everything!"
Ned looked stung. "Tallulah had better pass her spelling test," he warned.
JoJo gave an exaggerated groan and then slammed the door as hard as he could.