It was with determination that they entered the hospital a while later. Kowalski had his brother's shaky hand on one side while the other hand had Rico's in a death grip. Rico didn't seem to mind.
He recited mathematical formulas as a distraction for what was to come. Hearing his name brought him out of this.
"-Kowalski and Kenny Harrison." Jeffery was telling the lady as he signed in. She nodded, gave them visitor stickers, and let them by. They sat in the waiting room.
"Whenever you're ready." Jeffery told his cousin. Kowalski nodded absentmindedly while Kenny pulled out his phone to text Private. School was over and the youngest of the Penguins wanted to check in. Rico's phone buzzed. It was Skipper.
"How ya feel?" Rico read.
"Like I'm going back into a burning building after the survivors have left or returning to the dragon's den and not knowing if it's still there waiting to eat me."
Rico blinked and sent that to Skipper.
"I probably could have also said terrible."
A minute later, Skipper sent that same thing. Rico laughed and Kowalski tried to muster a smile, but it came out a grimace.
"He said...don't rush." Rico said. Kowalski took a deep breath, exhaling forcefully.
"J-Jeffery...could you go first?" Kowalski asked weakly.
"Sure. I do have some things to say to him."
Jeffery got up and walked into the room.
"Private says Allie's doing ok and she's worried about us. All of PARK B is." Kenny said.
"Tell him thanks." Kowalski said. He hadn't had the courage to get his own phone out, something Skipper and Private had predicted. It was in his pocket, no messages-
He felt a buzz and took it out.
Skipper: The sooner you do it, the sooner you come home and leave the past behind for good
"Home." Kowalski breathed.
Kowalski: Yes, sir, and thank you
Skipper: That's what I'm here for, encouragement
Kowalski: I had a panic attack
Skipper: Rico told me. I know you can pull through this
They heard Jeffery's raised voice, then the door opened and he stomped out. The man pinched the bridge of his nose, breathing deeply. His voice was even when he spoke.
"I wish he'd just said he didn't remember me and to get out."
"He knew about you." Kowalski echoed. "He knew..." Kowalski took a deep breath and stood up. "Rico." Rico jumped up and they both looked back to see Kenny's anxious face.
"Skipper said the sooner we do this, the sooner we go home and leave the past behind us for good." Kowalski told his brother. "I think we were both carrying chips on our shoulders. You seem to have let go of most of it at the house. For me, the majority is in that room."
"I feel like I can walk away today satisfied with never seeing him again." Kenny admitted. "I saw a family, a happy family there. It was like they were, I dunno, fixing what made it bad. Since he was forced out of the house, it already started to heal, then nice people live there and they bring life into it. I'm satisfied seeing that the kids are having a childhood and that Darryl said that even if he didn't have his wife, he'd be trying his best to give his kids the best he could. I saw a good dad. I want that to be the memory I leave with and the fact that I'm this close without being afraid is enough for me."
Kowalski smiled. "It's hard for me to break through and see that, but I like your vision. My brain tells me that a house was just a house and it was the people who made it what it was. So, I have to address who made it the hell we lived through."
"Good luck." Kenny said.
"I'd say break a leg but I don't know if that's insensitive." Jeffery said.
"Pretty sure it was Kenny's arm." Kowalski said. "Seriously though, thank you both."
Kowalski's smile faded as he and Rico exchanged looks. Kowalski opened the door and entered, followed by Rico. Rico stationed himself by the door while Kowalski approached the bedridden man.
"I see you don't have the guts to see me alone." Ralph sneered.
A mixture of emotions bubbled under Kowalski's mask. The old fear was less knowing that Kenny was safe away from the man and now that he could see that Ralph couldn't easily reach him. He couldn't get to them...not physically.
"I see you finally learned what a hospital is." Kowalski snapped back. "What do you want?"
"A father can't see his son? I knew your brother was too weak to try."
"He did what he wanted and he won't give you the satisfaction of breaking him again. If there's anything you did, it was making me more resilient to your insults. And we're not your sons. You lost that right the moment you started mistreating us." Kowalski was surprised how calm he sounded. The fear wasn't as big as he thought it would be. No fight or flight. "Why did you call us here?"
"You can be adopted and change your last names, but nothing will change the fact that you two are my sons."
"Biologically, that is true. However, we've disowned you, so blood is irrelevant. The DNA we share doesn't make us family, love and trust do. You never wanted family, Jeffery did. He searched for us for twelve years, he never stopped loving or caring. My friends will never stop caring. If I have to define anyone as my father it would be my friend's." Kowalski had taken George for more of a father figure, the man being closer and the one the teen had been around more. Kenny wanted to have both Private and Skipper's dads for father figures.
"If I never wanted family, I wouldn't have had you or stayed."
"Why did you stay with my mother? Did you even love her?"
"Yes. However, she was freakishly paranoid for no good reason. Can you blame someone for taking her children from her when she was losing it?"
"She was still mentally sound. She was afraid of death especially after her sister and best friend died. She still survived a couple years after their deaths and had Kenny, living for another year after that. She was living for us. She loved us."
"They're the ones who planted all that paranoia in her head. I hear her sister was fine before that woman came along. I bet it was a plot, she wanted your mother and aunt drawn in and dragged down with her-"
"SHUT UP!"
Kowalski whipped around to see Rico breathing heavily, growling angrily.
"Rico." Kowalski said warningly.
"Wait, you're that idiot's kid? The one who married the freak show girl?"
"Rex is not an idiot." Kowalski held his arm out as Rico approached. "Rico, don't. They're just words."
"The only ones who can tell you about those three and their strange friendship are me and his dad."
"Jeffery was a teen, he can tell us too." Kowalski said, turning back to Ralph.
"He can't tell you about the beginning."
"Rex can."
"Just because Rex had kids first, doesn't mean he was there first. I knew Maria for six months before Rex came into the picture. I had time to see Stella for who she was. She was always distant, trying to get your mother and aunt to do what she wanted."
"Stella didn't want to die. They all had kids and families. It was just my mother who was unhappy in her relationship, no surprises there, and who had a strong fear of dying young."
"So you think it's just a coincidence that your aunt and Stella were in the same place and both died in the same accident?"
"Yes. They were literally the best of friends and both lived in Missouri. They both had similar interests in teaching and Stella didn't have a sister, so Talia was like hers. If she 'dragged them with her' then she would have had Mom move and be a teacher even though that's not what she wanted."
"She had an unhealthy obsession with Talia."
"No she didn't. Being best friends and like sisters isn't obsessive."
"You don't know that."
"I do. I got the letters they wrote to each other and Rex Blue told me about them. Rico is living proof that his mother wasn't obsessed with another woman. She was bringing home cookies for her kids."
"She married an idiot, who knows what really went on in that relationship, but she was obviously in control-"
"Rico!" Kowalski had heard the sharp intake of breath and turned to his boyfriend. Rico had his fists clenched. "Hey, I need you to calm down. Again, they're just words, he has no bite now. Rico, you know your dad."
"Does he?"
Kowalski ignored the man. He put his hand on Rico's cheek and the other around a fist. "Rico, focus on me. Nothing else matters right now. It's me."
Rico's breathing slowed. His hands started opening. Kowalski put his hands in Rico's.
"Good." Kowalski said softly. "Are you back?" Rico blinked. Kowalski kissed him. "Better?"
Rico nodded, then looked past Kowalski with an amused expression. Kowalski turned to see Ralph's red face contorted in anger and disbelief. Rico still held one hand and flipped Ralph off with the other.
"You little-"
"I haven't been little in quite some time." Kowalski stated. "I'm eighteen, a legal adult. Though you have forced me to be grown up since the age of four when I became a one year old's guardian."
"Of course it would be the freak show's kid." Ralph muttered. "I always thought your brother would be a freak, not you."
What if we're all freaks, so what? I say let your freak flag fly! Be you and be different! Let go of what they think, and do what you want!
Julien had a point, though his wording could probably have been better.
"You still would have hated me supporting him." Kowalski said. "And I don't care what you think. I'm done with you. I don't care what you wanted anymore. All you are is as miserable and pathetic as you've always been. You've lost your power. You have no more hold over us."
Ralph spluttered in response. Kowalski rose a brow and rolled his eyes, then he turned and walked towards the exit.
"You'd let my death be on you?" Ralph finally said as Kowalski's hand was on the handle.
Kowalski gave a half turn back to him. "Your death is on you." He said. "You're reaching at this point. But there's nothing to reach for. You lost your family the moment you killed my mother." He exited, taking Rico along. Ralph called his name, but the teen ignored him.
Jeffery and Kenny waited for them to speak. Kowalski gave his cousin a half smile and gestured for them to all leave.
"Rico, are you alright? I heard you yell." Jeffery asked.
"Yeah." Rico responded.
"He was insulting Rico's parents." Kowalski said. He proceeded to explain the conversation that went down and how it led to Rico almost becoming physical, then the unplanned reveal of their relationship which Rico found highly amusing.
"My mom never really stopped mourning my dad." Jeffery said. "They were in love and Aunt Stella was there for us. I knew Stella for thirteen years, she was as kind and caring as Rex said and they really did want to both be teachers. They also carpooled to work using my mom's car. My mom had called me to say she was bringing home some cookies the day she died and to not eat too much junk food. I remember it clearly because I was tempted by leftover candy from a friend's birthday party. If anyone in their trio was 'in charge' it was my mom."
"Would Mom really have accepted me?" Kowalski asked.
"Absolutely without a doubt." Jeffery said. "When I was six, I played dress up a lot and I liked a specific sequined top my mom had. She didn't know I brought it to school one day, I got beat up by some fifth graders and they had to send me home. We had a tough conversation about how sometimes life just wasn't fair and you just have to be confident in yourself and all that. I asked if it was weird that I liked it and she said no. She said that she loved me no matter what. When I was around twelve I had a crush on a girl and she was surprised because she wasn't sure if I was straight. She said however I identified was fine with her as long as I was still her child."
"How do you know our mom felt the same?"
"I wore that top to Rikki's first birthday party. Aunt Maria had come and she complimented my shirt. Stella said it looked better on me."
"Dad?" Rico asked.
"Rex was glad to have a break from the baby since Rikki wanted to feel the sequins." Jeffery said. The teens laughed. "Seriously though, he was also as vocal about being supportive as he is now."
"Your dad?"
Jeffery let out a puff of air. "Yeah, I don't know, he died before I was born and had no compulsion to write a letter or anything like Aunt Maria did. I don't think that was ever a conversation between him and my mom. My mom told me she was sure he would have been and she never noticed anything that would indicate otherwise. I like to think he would. He was definitely excited to be a father."
The four of them walked out of the hospital, feeling the sun warming them. The hospital had been a bit chilly. They drove around town, taking in the sights.
"The town feels lighter." Kenny remarked. "Not just because it's sunny out, but it feels like...a good place."
"It feels like it isn't a prison." Kowalski said. Kenny nodded. "Hey, could you stop at the school?" He asked as Jeffery turned onto a familiar street.
"Oh, okay." Jeffery parked in an available space and they got out.
Kowalski took a deep breath. "The last time I was here, I was basically homeless and it was the last school I went to before New York. I lied on my application that I lost my middle school transfer papers." He added the last part for his cousin. He eventually had told Principal Petrie the truth and she said it happened too long ago and his grades were excellent so she wasn't concerned.
The school day was over and not many people were left. They stared at the building, attracting odd looks. One woman asked what they were doing, Kowalski said reminiscing and she shrugged and left.
They were about to leave when a voice rang out.
"Kenneth Taro, is that you?!"
Kenny cringed at the use of his old last name. He turned to see his second grade teacher walking towards them, waving.
"Oh, Kowalski, what did you to do your hair?" The woman asked. "I barely recognized you."
"I dyed it, Mrs. Stern." Kowalski responded coolly. "And our last name is now Harrison."
"I hear your father's in the hospital, have you been to visit him?" She asked.
"We were just there."
"Oh, you poor boys, I do hope you're working through it."
"I'm fine." Kenny said.
"I feel great." Kowalski said, maintaining his tone.
"That's...odd. Is everything alright?"
"Hmph...like you'd care." Kenny said, rolling his eyes.
"Excuse me?" She looked offended.
"No." Kenny said angrily. "I told you. I told you about what he did to us and you didn't listen to me."
"I did, I called your father." She said with a hurt expression. "You were a bit rowdy-"
"And he blamed it on not having our mom around." Kowalski said. "The summer we left for good, I almost died because of him. He was abusive and I'll be glad when he's gone." He turned on his heel and strode to the car, Rico following.
They saw Jeffery put his hands on Kenny's shoulders as the woman kept talking. They were trying to get away from her. Jeffery shook his head and guided Kenny away. Kenny let some tears fall once they entered the car. Kowalski hugged his brother.
"I told her she was the reason I almost didn't trust Mr. Campbell." Kenny mumbled. "He listened to me, he was concerned and wanted to help...all she did was tell me to be quiet and stop lying like she did to you when you were in her class."
"She seemed concerned when I was in second grade because you were so young, but stopped wanting to hear it. I suppose by the time you went to her class, she already decided we were liars."
"What second grader lies that easily?" Jeffery asked.
"No idea."
They returned to the hotel and watched tv.
Once they were back in New York, Jeffery got the call that Ralph had died. Kenny wasn't shocked, he wasn't sure if he felt entirely happy either. Kowalski said he felt fine, didn't want to talk to his cousin over the phone about it, and shut himself in the lab.
Skipper gave him space. Rico didn't want to leave him alone for that long, wanting to be supportive, but also respected the need for Kowalski to process.
A few days passed and Kowalski was ready to talk to his team.
"I cried." He admitted. "Not over him, I'm glad he's gone. Just over the fact that I can never have my childhood back again. I grew up too fast and so did my brother, despite all my shielding. He at least gets to enjoy being a kid longer, but it's too late for me and that hurts a lot. I tried to be a 'normal' teen, but I can't. I've come to terms with that. Thank you for allowing my brother the chance to be a kid."
"Is it too late if you're still in high school?" Private asked.
"I'm afraid so. I'm eighteen and I don't have much of high school left."
"You have prom." Skipper said. "Maybe you can't be a kid, but you can still be a high schooler and go to the defining dance of senior year."
"Yeah." Rico agreed.
"Nah, I'm not much of a dancer."
"But are you a singer?" Skipper asked with a huge grin. Private's jaw dropped, but Skipper waved him away. "If you are, we have a completely teenage task that will make you feel ridiculous, high school kid."
"Oh boy" Kowalski sighed. "What is it?"
"We are helping Julien apologize to Josie in song."
"What's wrong with him just going up and saying 'I'm sorry'?"
"Nothing, but he says it's 'their song' and he wants our help because he found out I can play guitar. I have less than a month to learn the chords."
"Uh, can I say no?"
"You can't, actually." Private said. "We've agreed on your behalf."
"Of course you did." Kowalski shook his head. "Alright, let's do this."
…
Josie and Julien had been caught kissing by Hunter and Nat at the beginning of May. Soon enough, the school knew the two of them were back together. Marlene squealed happily when she heard and both of them chatted happily about their boyfriends.
Skipper asked Marlene to prom, it wasn't a huge thing, which she was thankful for. She really didn't feel much like surprises or anything. She was content just being with him.
Josie would be fine with just being asked, but had a sneaking suspicion that Julien was up to something. He had been meeting with The Penguins a lot. All Marlene would tell her is that she discovered Skipper's secret talent for playing guitar. After having teased Marlene lightly about wording, Josie wondered if Julien was learning guitar. He did have a Keytar and loved music.
She found out in the lobby of the apartments, Alice having been sent on an errand to chase down Mort. He'd been given twenty bucks to distract her.
Josie rose her eyebrows as she saw them. Julien cleared his throat and Skipper began playing a familiar tune as he did the keytar. She grinned and listened as they sung. Rico had a lyric video playing in the background so the boys could try to stay on tempo.
They were getting into it when a loud voice interrupted them.
"HEY!"
They stopped as Alice's angry face rounded the corner, her hand pulling Mort along. He gave an apologetic look.
"Why was he trying to get on the roof?!" Alice demanded of them. "And who said you could have a party in the lobby?"
"It's not a party, it's just a song." Julien said. "I own this place now, I can do what I want."
Alice visibly struggled with this for a moment. Julien was technically eighteen and did, in fact, own the building. But then again, He was still a student and this job was Alice's to make sure chaos doesn't unfold.
"I've been here for years; don't think I didn't notice your 'work ethics'." Julien said. "I kept you on because I didn't think you have anywhere else to be going."
Alice's face turned red. Mort winced as the hand around his arm clenched.
"Let go of Mort." Julien said.
Alice released him as if scalded. Mort hurriedly ran to Josie who put a comforting arm around him.
"I don't want trouble, Alice." Julien continued as Alice breathed heavily.
"The dragon has been poked." Skipper said.
"More like jabbed." Private said.
"Those four don't live here anymore. I'm tired of people bringing in friends whenever."
"Sometimes they had to study, this lobby is big enough for everyone."
"Not once the demolition starts."
"That's been canceled for over a year." Julien stared her down. "So, really, I should have put my foot down. You can either do the job you are meant to be doing or you can-"
"Fine. I quit." Alice snapped. She stomped into her office and slammed the door.
"I didn't mean-" Julien sighed. "Well there goes ruining two things."
"You ruined nothing with me." Josie said. "Was this meant to be your promposal?"
"The what?"
"Asking me to prom."
"Yeah..."
"So let's finish the song." Skipper said. Julien looked around at him in surprise. "I didn't listen solely to this song for the past month trying to learn it for you to just sing half of it, if that was half." The boys nodded and made noises of agreement.
"Well okay." Julien said.
They concluded the song, the cheers went up again, then people dispersed.
"Alright boys, mission accomplished. I now have this song stuck in my head-Private stop humming it!" Skipper shook his head.
"Sorry, sir, it's just catchy." Private giggled.
"Come on, boys, we got preparations to make. You good, Julien?"
"Yeah, next I just have to figure out what to do with Alice." Julien sighed. "My dad would have known what to do..."
"We could use someone who actually wants to supervise students." Kowalski said. "She doesn't have to leave, just get someone to help her out."
"Smart as usual. Thanks!" Julien said brightly.
No one had any idea how he did it, but Julien managed to get Alice to stay, hiring an assistant for her. The assistant did all the work but she said she didn't mind. He hadn't realized until he met her for the interview that she was Celia, Alice's sister. Alice was less than happy about her sister being here, but it made for bouncing ideas around much easier. And Celia was very personable.
...
Rico, Kowalski, and Private were stationed outside for prom night with instructions to let Skipper know, through earpieces, if they saw anything suspicious. Luckily, everything seemed normal. Marlene greeted Josie and Julien who were walking towards them.
"Hey guys, were y'all waiting for us?" Josie asked.
"They're planning to stand guard out here while Clover's inside." Marlene explained.
"And Rico and I aren't much for dances." Kowalski added.
"Unacceptable." Julien huffed. "There is no way I'm letting you skip this after you haven't gone to a dance since freshman year."
"I told you I agreed with him on this." Skipper told his teammates.
"But-" Kowalski said.
"Okay." Rico piped up.
"Really?" Kowalski breathed.
"Really." Rico replied.
"But a ticket, I-"
"Leave that to me." Julien piped up. He winked at them.
"But-"
"Kowalski. I literally owe Rico my life." Julien said, seriously. "This is one of the things I can do to repay him. Josie, do you mind hanging here for a sec?"
"Not at all." Josie said.
Julien went to the ticket check in table.
"Er...what shall I do, then?" Private asked.
"Easy, inside supervision." Skipper said. "I'm not letting you fly solo yet."
Private tried to hide the relief on his face. Julien had a triumphant smile as he returned with a ticket for Rico and sticker for Private.
"Would they let me in?" Private asked.
"I kinda guessed they wouldn't want you standing around by yourself so I got permission for you to come in." Julien said. "You're Clover's unofficial date. She's already inside."
"You're awesome!" Private cheered. "I'm definitely voting you for prom king."
"Oh that's definitely happening." Kowalski said. Everyone looked at him. "What? Perk of working in the front office. Literally everyone's been talking about the Josien comeback and they like the new and improved Julien. He's winning popularity honestly this time."
"Perfect." Skipper said, offering an arm to Marlene. "Shall we enter?"
Julien bowed to Josie and offered his arm. She giggled and took it. Kowalski and Rico linked arms while Private brought up the rear.
The youngest team member found himself a seat somewhere, watching the crowd and keeping an eye out. He had Rico's backpack which had gas masks in case they needed them again. He also texted Kenny some pics and chatted about their future prom. Clover was next to him, keeping an eye on Julien.
Julien and Josie got lost in each other's eyes. They glided across the dance floor. they would pass by Marlene and Skipper, mainly staying in proximity to either them or Rico and Kowalski. Neither Rico or Kowalski was particularly great at dancing, the former never learning how to formally dance and the latter getting flustered and forgetting the steps. Neither minded really.
Then came the time to name prom king. Julien won as there weren't any others nominated and he happily accepted the crown. Josie had some competition, though. There had been several girls vying for Julien's attention since they found out he'd become head of the company, completely dismissing the fact that he lost his father tragically. Three of them were on stage with her.
"Your prom queen is...Josephine Caldwell!"
The three girls behind her burst into tears. One person tried to lunge for her, but Clover was in the crowd and stopped her.
"I'm not just danger, y'know..." Clover said to the girl. "I'm danger in a dress." She motioned for the DJ to keep going.
"Our King and Queen will have the next dance."
"King Julien, I do believe it's time for our number." Josie said, holding her hand out.
"I would be honored, Queen Josie." Julien said, kissing her hand and leading her in dance.
They danced for a while, taking in each other while the music played. Then everyone else and their partners started slow dancing. Skipper and Marlene were conversing nearby, some kisses exchanged. Rico and Kowalski seemed to be having a fun conversation, trying not to laugh too loudly.
…
Marlene's room was too small for the group of studying seniors who'd gathered and the Penguins didn't want their house used, so they stayed at the school. Kowalski was deep in writing, having felt satisfied with his studies for the moment. He'd been chosen as this year's valedictorian, so he worked by himself, covering the page every time Izzy or Julien tried to see what he was writing.
"Izzy, come back here or you won't make graduation." Nat said.
"My grades are good." Izzy told her.
"Mostly." Marlene said pointedly. "Your pre-calculus grade can drag you down if you don't pass the final."
"How'd you know about that?" Izzy pouted.
"I told her." Kowalski said, not looking up from his papers.
"Why?"
Kowalski didn't respond.
"We make it our business to know." Skipper explained, looking up from his science book. "That and you came here for a reason. Now, go join Manfredi's group, he's doing better than you in pre-calc."
"Rude." Izzy huffed.
"It's true though." Nat chimed in. "He's actually listening to what Josie has to tell him and not acting like everything's chill all the time."
"You want me to be anxious?"
"We want you focused, now get over here." Josie called.
Izzy sighed and joined them. Marlene went to help Julien and Mikayla with history. The rest of the students, who had looked in amusement, resumed their work.
A/N: I didn't know what song to pick, so I've decided to leave it to your imagination. I also wanted to end this chapter on a more uplifting note.