Family & Friends

Part 4

Family Revelations

By Nick Maro

"It just isn't possible." David didn't know where to look while sitting at the table in the kitchen of the Gabor Manor. "That woman is not our mother, Pizzazz. It may look like her, but it isn't her."

The temperature in the room dropped from the icy glare Pizzazz gave her twin brother. "And just how do you know? Maybe she decided to come back like you did. Bet that little nugget of logic didn't cross your high and mighty mind."

"M-m-maybe you two should clam down a little," said the blue haired woman sitting next to David. "I-I don't like to see you two fight is all." Stormer avoided glare as Pizzazz turned her head to face her.

"Shut up, Stormer. Let them fight it out." Jetta sat back and grinned at the possibility of a brawl.

"Jetta, for the last time, mind your own fuckin' business!" Roxy yelled at the woman. She still hadn't forgiven the raven haired sax player for her comments the other day.

"All of you please let my sister and I handle this." David calmly took a deep breath. "Pizzazz, I know because I have a gut feeling. Just as I knew you were my sister. It's just a feeling. I also have a suspicion that Riot is behind this as well. He might be angry because I broke his nose. He seems the type to get revenge."

"Now you think its Riot who's behind this? Just how in the name of Hell did he know you were a Gabor?! Answer that one. I know Eric Raymond didn't tell him. Know why? Hmmm? Because none of us told him!" Pizzazz shouted at her brother. "Your gut feelings and theories have a lot of holes in them."

David took another deep calming breath to ease his rising temper. "Phyllis," he replied using his sister's real name, "if it is mother, then why didn't she come up to us. We were standing right there in the front row. Surely she'd recognize her own children. Motherly instinct and all."

"There you go again! You and your damned instinct! I've just about had it, David Ikari or David Gabor or who the hell ever you are today. I've fuckin' had it," Pizzazz shrieked at her brother and sat back down.

There was a long moment of uneasy quiet. "She wasn't tall enough," Pizzazz said breaking the silence. She looked at David and the other Misfits. "Mom was about two inches taller." She closed her eyes and let out a sigh. When she opened her eyes again she looked at her brother. "David, I'm sorry for yelling like that. You were right." Her smile faded quickly then turned to anger again. "That fucking Eric Raymond! He set this whole thing up!" She stood up and stormed out of the room causing the rest to follow her out of the room.

"Pizzazz, come back here," David shouted trying to get her to stop.

"No, I'm going to see that pile of crap Raymond!"

David caught up to her before she made it to the front door. "Just wait a minute, okay. Before you do anything stupid, think about this, you said no one told him I was related to you. So how did he know about us?"

"I don't know! Maybe he overheard us talking. I'm no mind reader. How should I know?" Pizzazz felt her temper rise again.

"Just sit and calm down. Yelling at him won't do any good," David tried to calm his sister down.

"God dammit, David, I'm tired of you always trying to be the fucking peacemaker! You don't know me or any of the other Misfits. You come back after fifteen years and think you know it all. Well guess what. You don't!" Pizzazz turned her anger towards her brother again. "You don't know me, so quit acting like you do!"

"If you'd stop acting like a fucking child all the time I would! I come home and expect be greeted by a mature sister and what did I get? I get this big child who whines and cries until she gets what she wants. And if she doesn't get it what does she do? Goes running to Daddy or she tries to ruin another person's career." The limit of David's patience had finally been reached and he lashed out with anger equal to his sister's. Pizzazz and the rest of the Misfits stared at him in a stunned silence. "Here's a bit of advice I'm sure no one has ever given you: Grow the fuck up and take care of things by yourself for a change. By the Gods! You're twenty-three years old and you act like you're still eight. Show a little responsibility."

"David, I-," she started.

"No," he cut her off. "You've had your say, now it's mine. You never listen to anything. I've tried helping you in my own way. I guess that didn't work. So now I'm praying that yelling and shouting at you will work. Stop being so God damn selfish. Because if you don't you'll lose me all over again. I'll go back to Japan right now. I love you dearly but I don't deserve your frustrations and anger at life. No one deserves to be treated the way you treat people."

"Well, I think-," Jetta began speaking in the silence between the siblings.

"It doesn't matter what you think, Jetta!" David and Pizzazz yelled at her at together.

David turned back to his sister. "Think about what I've just said. It just may be the most painful thing I've ever said or done." He turned away from her and walked out to the backyard.

Pizzazz stood there in shock by what had happened. After a few moments, she screamed and punched the wall. She tried to take a few calming breaths while studying the hole in the wall and her hand. Dry wall dust coated the back of her hand while red spots of blood began to appear from small cuts. "fuck," was all she could say. She felt disappointment in herself as David's words hit her hard.

David sat in the yard trying to meditate finding quickly that he couldn't focus. The fact he had lost his temper like that in front of everyone chewed away at his gut. He heard someone come out the back door, he didn't look behind himself. Moments later Stormer sat down next to him. "Penny for your thoughts?"

He opened his eyes and whispered, "worse part of what had just happened, besides me losing my temper like that," he turned his head to look at her as he continued, "I meant every word but I couldn't find a way to say it calmly. That's what hurts the most."

"Pizzazz can be very difficult, David. It's just her way." She glanced back to the house and saw Pizzazz still yelling in one of the windows. "I guess I'm used to her fits. We all are."

"I'm starting to seriously reconsider staying in America. I could always go back to Osaka, settle down and raise a family of my own." He let out a deep sigh. "But then I'd be like Pizzazz always running away from my problems." David moved to lie on his back and stared at the sky. The light pollution from the city blocked out many of the stars.

Stormer decided to change the subject. "So where did Kimber go after we left?"

David turned his head slightly. "Jerrica needed her at Starlight House. Something about Mrs. Bailey catching the flu." He gave a small shrug. "I'm actually glad she didn't see me like that. I keep thinking I'm on thin ice with her as it is." He smirked and went back to studying at the sky.

"I-I think you're better off than you think. I can tell she likes you a lot."

"How so?"

"The way she looks at you."

David sat up. "Yeah, I guess so." He looked at the grass again.

The back door opened up. "David! Someone is here I want you to meet!" Pizzazz yelled.

David looked at Stormer who only gave her own look of confusion. He got to his feet and held his hand out for her. They walked back to the house together.

Rapture was still laughing. "Did you see their faces when Riot said Evelyn Gabor? I mean Pizzazz is nothing to us but it still felt great to get her too."

"Eric, this is a great way to get back at David Ikari, I mean, David Gabor," Minx said sitting on his desk.

Eric Raymond sat back in his chair and smiled. "I just want to thank Evelyn for agreeing to be your new manager. Without her none of this would be happening right now. This now frees me up to concentrate on promoting the Stingers."

"But what about the Misfits, Eric? Aren't you going to promote them?" Riot asked after taking a sip of his champagne.

"No. You're the real stars now, Riot. I've had enough of the Misfits and their sloppiness. Besides, from what I've been hearing, they're ready to blow apart at the seams as it is. All we have to do now is sit back and watch the fireworks," Eric chuckled as he rocked slightly in his chair.

"But what about Stingers Sound? It's owned by my estranged husband, Harvey Gabor," asked the radiant, mature woman, Evelyn Gabor. "If the Misfits fall apart he may not be interested in funding this company."

Eric met her gaze and flashed a mischievous smirk. "I've taken precautions. I've been embezzling money slowly since the days of Misfits Music. Harvey is so wrapped up in other business affairs that he hasn't noticed. Once the Misfits break up, I'll make an offer to Harvey to buy Stingers Sound. I find it amusing that I'd be paying for it with his own stolen money."

Minx handed Eric a glass of champagne. "That plan is just perfect," she purred.

"Hi, I'm Clash," the purpled haired woman said as she shook David's hand. "Nice to meet you."

"I've heard very nice things about you, Clash. Heard you have a very creative mind."

"I'm just glad to be back here. I was in Mulberry for way too damn long. I was taking care of my dad. Roxy kept me up to date with what was happening. But I had to stay until he got better." She smiled.

Pizzazz walked past David and started up the stairs. "I'm going to bed. It's been a long day. Just lock up when you leave. Good night," she said to the group before her.

"Phyllis, wait," David called after his twin sister. "Dad's been in New York for the past week. Do you know when he's coming home?"

"Sunday," she said climbing up the stairs. "You have until then to leave." She said glaring at him, then turned the corner, vanishing out of sight.

David heard her slam he bedroom and he sighed. "I just wanted to know. Maybe he could help us." He looked at Clash. "It was nice meeting you. Just been a stressful day." He tried to smile as best as he could.

"It's okay. I saw the press conference on TV, so I understand." She gave him her own smile.

David turned to Stormer. "I think it's time we left, too." He then turned to the two other Misfits. "I'm sorry you had to see that side of me earlier. Something I work at keeping under control." He noticed that Jetta and Roxy weren't even looking at one another. He whispered to Clash. "If one of them doesn't have a ride home, could you give them one?"

"you got it," she said just as softly.

Stormer led the way out the front door. David looked back at the mansion. What's happening to us? Was all he thought then continued on his way and drove off with his new roommate.

It was a sunny Sunday afternoon day brightening the studio lot of New World Pictures. David was checking the stunt sheets for the day. Kimber was standing close next to him with her head on his shoulder as he looked the sheet over. "I don't get it," he said softly. "Damn near all of the stunts scheduled for today are canceled. What's going on?"

"Maybe we should find Anthony or Howard, they should know," she said looking up at him. "How are you holding up anyway?" She didn't hide the concern in her voice.

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine. I haven't talked to my sister or Jetta since Friday. I talked with Roxy on the phone before I left to get here." His voice couldn't hide his emotional exhaustion. "I'm just worried about Pizzazz and Jetta. My father gets back later today. I just hope he has some answers."

"Let's go find Anthony now." Kimber led him by his hand to go search. He slowly followed with his mind wandering over the past few days. They rounded the corner and ran into Sean Harrison.

"Hullo, Kimber," he said cheerfully, he noticed Kimber holding David's hand. "I see you moved on quickly, David. Are you always this quick to pick up other men's women?"

"We're only friends. We enjoy each other company. Nothing more," David said calmly and began walking away. He felt Kimber let go of his hand as she followed him.

"It looked like more than that when you were reading the sheets," he said with smugness in his voice. "Kimber sure looked like she wanted you."

"Shut up, Sean. You're the one who messed up our relationship! It boggles my mind at how you could even think you could get away with cheating on me," Kimber yelled at her former boyfriend. "I loved you! And you betrayed that love by sleeping with another woman. Or maybe that's how you show that you love me." Kimber started to walk away again when Sean grabbed her arm. "Let go!" She yanked her arm out of his grip.

"Kimber, I just want to talk, luv." He softened his tone, knowing how she liked it when he talked to her like that. "I'm sorry for what I did. Can't you tell?"

"You don't have to go."

"She doesn't need you speaking for her, Ikari!"

Kimber slowly walked up to Sean. "Okay, let's go talk," she said getting closer. He took her arm and started leading her away from David. "Sean," she started, "I don't need you to guide me, okay." She felt him tighten his grip. "Okay, I warned you," she said as she spun and punched him as hard as she could in the solar plexus. He let go and doubled over gasping for air. She then brought his head down onto her knee. She heard a soft pop as his nose broke. He crumbled to the ground and Kimber ran over to the stunned David. Holy shit! That actually worked! She thought as she smiled innocently at him. "I had a good teacher for dealing with creeps like that." She took his hand again and held it tightly. David held her hand just as tight.

"Let's just get out of here," David said only loud enough for her to hear.

The private jet of Harvey Gabor glided down to the landing strip. It taxied to a stop by a long black limo. He was greeted on the tarmac by his daughter, Phyllis. "Thank you for meeting me here, honey," he said gently. "Call your brother and tell him to meet us at home." Pizzazz nodded and pulled out her phone.

"It's no use to keep beating yourself up about it, David," Kimber said to him across her dining room table. "It isn't your fault the production got scrapped. Howard even said that these things happen."

David swallowed the mouthful of food he had. "I can't help but feel that explosion helped shut down the movie. But you're right it's not my fault. It's another one of the ways Eric and Riot are getting back at me." He sighed trying to hide his look of defeat. "Sorry about dinner. But ramen noodles were all I could make on such short notice."

Kimber smiled at him. "It's okay. It's only you and I anyway. After Howard announced the shutting down of the film Jem and the rest took the Starlight Girls to Universal Studios. So this gives me more time with you." She winked at David then giggled when he blushed.

"Well, at least there are leftovers. They can reheat that. I'm just sorry I won't be seeing you at the studio everyday anymore." David was unable to hide the sadness in his voice.

Getting up from her seat Kimber walked over to him. She leaned over and looked him in the eye and whispered, "I can fix that." She leaned in closer to kiss him. Her lips were just moments away from his when the phone rang. "dammit," she cursed quietly. "I'd better get that. And it better be important," she said walking annoyed to the phone. "Like someone dying or dead. Because they will be if it isn't."

While taking a drink from his glass, David looked up to find Kimber was standing there with the phone. "For me?" he asked confused as she nodded. He put the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"David, it's your sister. Daddy wants you to come over. He says he has something to say to the both of us." Her voice was without much emotion.

Trying not to sigh loudly, David nodded and answered. "Okay, I'll be there as soon as possible." Pizzazz hung up without saying good bye. He stared at the phone for a few moments then turned to Kimber. "My father wants me to come over. Pizzazz said he has something to tell us. Can you give me a ride? You're more than welcome to wait with me."

Kimber ran off to the kitchen where she scribbled a short note and grabbed her keys "Why are you still sitting there? Let's move it!" She smiled as he quickly followed her as they headed out the door.

The doors to Harvey Gabor's study finally opened. Kimber stopped pacing while Roxy looked up from studying the floor tiles. Stormer stopped writing the song she was composing. She nudged for Jetta to wake up. Pizzazz walked out first and stared a longtime at Stormer before bolting up the stairs in tears. David came out next looking somewhat perplexed but happy. "Mary," he said quietly, "Harvey asked me to tell you this. But I need your permission to say it in front of everyone."

Stormer moved forward, "O-o-okay. S-s-sure," she nervously stammered. "I don't have any secrets from my friends."

"Mary," David began slowly as he knelt to one knee before her and taking one of her hands, "Harvey Gabor is your biological father. Phyllis is your half-sister and I'm your half-brother."

Stormer dropped her notepad in shock, while the three other women gasped softly.

TO BE CONCLUDED IN "THE MISFITS BREAK UP!"

PART 5 OF "FAMILY & FRIENDS"