Author's notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter six of "Turnaround." This chapter has some Podcast/Phoebe. The new darkness will be introduced in the next chapter or so. Stay tuned for chapter seven.
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Chapter 6: Hanging Around/Into the Nursery
Peter, Gary, Callie, and Ray sat at the kitchen table immersed in a poker game an hour later. Peter was seated at the head. Gary and Callie happened to be to the left and right of him respectively. Ray was next to Callie. Each player contained stacks of coins consisting of nickels, dimes, and quarters. He or she had a diet coke as well. Four nickels sat at the table's center. Gary moved one of his cards from the middle to the end. Dana talked with Winston, Podcast, Phoebe, and Lucky near the bar.
"Check," Gary called.
"I bet fifteen cents," Peter said while moving a dime and a nickel forward.
Callie tossed in the same amount. "I call."
Ray put in a quarter." I raise you twenty-five cents."
Gary gazed at Peter before snorting in a soft manner. Callie suppressed a yawn. She tried again with another one, but she couldn't help himself. Ray sighed heavily while looking down.
"I fold," Ray mumbled and put his cards down as he looked up.
"I call," Callie said and slid a dime forward.
"Same here," Gary called, putting the same amount in the pot.
Peter nodded at the remaining players. Gary put three cards on the table, his tongue clicking. He was given two new ones. Callie placed a card down and was handed a new one. She observed her friend discarding two cards and getting two others. All three players moved their cards around.
"I'm betting fifteen cents," Callie commented, tossing in a dime and a nickel.
"I fold," Gary hissed annoyingly. He slammed his cards on the table as he mumbled obscenities in Spanish.
"I see your fifteen and raise you thirty-five," Peter said and slid a quarter and a dime forward.
"I call," Callie replied, putting the same amount in the pot.
Both players examined their cards while running their tongues all over the insides of their mouths. Gary folded his hands and laid them on the table, a loud sigh coming from him.
"It's the moment of truth," Peter said.
"Take a glimpse of this," Callie yelled, laying her hand in front of her opponent. It was a four-of-a-kind containing jacks.
"Talk about a great hand, Callie," Peter admitted with a warm laugh.
"Thanks," Callie said and reached for the pot, but she stopped when he held up his hand.
"Unfortunately, it's close but no cigar," Peter replied, revealing his hand as a straight flush consisting of seven, eight, nine, jack, and queen of spades.
Callie leaned back in her and groaned frustratingly. She ran her hand over her face three times. She got an eyelash out of her eye. She flicked it away. Peter gathered the pot eagerly.
"That's the third hand you've won in a row, Peter," Ray said honestly.
"I am just a lucky guy this morning," Peter commented, a big smile crossing his lips.
"Luck runs out eventually," Gary pointed out in seriousness. "Sometimes, it turns bad."
"Imagine losing every time you play a game with someone one-on-one," Callie said, holding up her hand. "Losing isn't fun, but you should not be a sore loser."
"Let's not forget about sore winners, Callie. They will brag about their wins and put down their opponents," Gary added.
"That is shitty," Callie growled in disgust.
"There are shitter deeds than that," Ray murmured. "If anything—"
As Ray continued to talk, Phoebe opened a box containing a dozen glazed doughnuts sitting on the bar. She grabbed one, her lips smacking twice. She took a small bite out of it and proceeded to chew. She, Podcast, Lucky, and Winston listened to Dana talk about how Vigo pulled Oscar out of her grasp with telekinesis.
"I watched helplessly as Oscar floated over to Vigo's altar," Dana said, moving her hand forward. "I called him a bastard for what he did."
"It is wild how Vigo could do that while he was in his painting," Podcast replied amazingly.
"Gozer and Vigo were the most powerful ghosts we have faced next to Garraka. Vigo wouldn't have had so much power if it hadn't been for that pink slime," Winston explained.
"Who would've thought so much negative energy would bring that slime to the surface?" Lucky added, chuckling in a nervous manner.
"It was so bad that it took bringing the Statue of Liberty to life to get everyone's positive energy out. The beautiful singing outside the museum weakened Vigo," Winston commented.
"The thought of being the mother of that monster sends chills down my spine to this day," Dana admitted. "Despite nearly being possessed, Oscar has never shown any ill effects. He is as healthy as he can be."
"He eats like a hyena sometimes, Dana," Peter called, looking toward her along with Gary, Callie, and Ray.
"Oh, shut up, Peter," Dana said, shooting him a mock glare.
"No, you shut up," Peter blurted out in mock anger.
"If you two don't shut up, I will put muzzles on both of you," Winston threatened playfully.
"Okay," Dana said, holding up her hands.
"We'll shut up," Peter added.
Winston nodded in satisfaction. Callie peered over her shoulder at Phoebe, who swallowed with a gulp. She observed her taking another small bite out of the doughnut. She chuckled, causing her to look at her. Phoebe started to chew.
"You got sick just before breakfast ended. Now, you are eating a doughnut!" Callie commented.
"I was craving one, so I might as well satisfy it," Phoebe replied and swallowed. "Besides, my stomach is settled down now. There is no harm in eating something."
Callie furrowed her brow. "You still need to take it easy."
"Of course, Mom," Phoebe said, an annoyed groan leaving her mouth. "I am not stupid."
"You can still act—" Callie started.
Phoebe hissed frustratingly. "I know I can act stupid! I don't need to be reminded!"
"Okay!" Callie yelled. "You didn't have to bite my head off!"
Callie looked away, her hand going to her forehead. Phoebe began to feel guilty. She wiped away a tear that fell down her cheek. She sniffled in a quiet manner.
"I am sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to—" Phoebe started.
Callie held up her hand after turning to her. "It's okay, darling. You were having a bad mood swing."
"That still doesn't excuse it," Phoebe pointed out.
"It may not, but at least you are remorseful every time," Gary responded gently.
Podcast exhaled. "You could put a doughnut in someone's mouth if they—"
Phoebe stuffed the doughnut in her boyfriend's mouth. This caused the others to break into a fit of laughter. He blinked three times before placing his hand on the back of his neck.
"Now, that is what I call a mouthful of doughnut," Lucky quipped.
"It sure is!" Peter agreed.
The entire group quieted down after ten seconds. Podcast grabbed the doughnut and took a bite out of it. He proceeded to chew, another smirk forming on his face.
"That is a damn tasty doughnut," Podcast admitted with pride. He eyed his girlfriend mischievously. "Thanks for giving it to me, Pheebs."
"No problem," Phoebe replied, grabbing another doughnut and taking a bite out of it. She proceeded to chew. She closed the box before putting her arm under her elbow. "That allowed me to get another."
"We better not eat too many doughnuts, or we will turn into them!" Podcast joked and swallowed.
"I bet you will turn into one before me," Phoebe said, turning to him and swallowing with a quiet gulp.
He shook his head. "No."
She nodded. "Yes."
Podcast ruffled Phoebe's hair while speaking gibberish. He laughed at her doing the same to his. They bit into their doughnuts. They started chewing at a steady pace.
"It is amazing how technology changed as I grew up in the eighties and nineties. I had to turn a dial on my TV if I wanted to change the channel when I was a kid. I can speak into a remote to get the channel I want as an adult," Callie said, propping her head up with her elbow.
"Sometimes, you accidentally speak funny things into such a remote. It may come upon with a wacky message," Gary said, smiling as he remembered all the times that happened.
"I once said 'Fuck' into the remote to see what would pop up. I got a message of 'Sorry. I don't read that language.' It was so hilarious," Callie whispered, stifling a snicker.
Winston let out a long exhale. "I heard Perry say that word when I was visiting him and his parents a year ago. I asked him where he heard that. He admitted it was from his parents. I told Alan and Brittany to watch their language. They agreed to do so. They grounded him for three days."
"Kids should be punished for bad behavior," Ray said honestly. "However, discipline can go too far sometimes."
"Making a kid stand in the corner and not allow him to go to the bathroom for hours is one example. Grounding a kid with no TV for a week because he was caught with a piece of candy at school is another," Peter muttered, shaking his head in disbelief.
Lucky snorted. "One thing is clear. The punishment should fit the crime."
The others voiced their agreement in a loud way. Peter gathered the cards and proceeded to deal them.
00000
Phoebe scrubbed her face with soap as she stood in front of the circular-shaped mirror in the small third-floor bathroom forty minutes later. She rinsed her hands of it under the water. She cupped them, a shape exhale coming from her. She filled them with water. She closed her eyes before splashing it on her face to wash the soap off. She turned off the water. She grabbed the towel hanging next to the door. She dried her face with it.
She opened her eyes before hanging the towel back on the rack. She picked up her glasses to put them on. She grabbed the brush and brushed her hair. She laid it on the counter next to the sink once she was finished. She ran her tongue all over the inside of her mouth. She spotted an eyelash in the corner of her left eye. She used her pinkie to get it out. She flicked it into the trashcan. She nodded in much satisfaction.
She let out a long yawn and smacked her lips. She looked down at her stomach. She touched it with both hands. She ran them all over it in a slow manner. She hummed a beautiful tune. She giggled when the baby moved against them. She grew louder at its kicking. She gave her stomach a gentle pat. She squeaked at its kicking again.
"You are so active this morning, darling," Phoebe whispered in great warmth. "Your daddy and I can't wait to hold you. We will love and cherish you with every fiber of our beings."
Phoebe eyed the mirror. She opened the door before turning off the lights. She headed out of the bathroom, turning right. She came to the nursery. It happened to be the second room on the left. She stepped into the medium-sized room. She looked around at its light pink unicorn wallpaper, cradle, and pine dresser. Blue carpet covered the entire floor. A rocking chair sat in front of the window, facing it. A changing table was near the dresser. A diaper disposal pan was next to it.
She approached the cradle carefully. She focused her attention on the small green stuffed unicorn sitting in the middle of it. She picked it up to flick each of its ears and its horn. She returned it to its spot. She started to rock the cradle. She smiled warmly. She didn't doubt it would lull Gabrielle to sleep. She was looking forward to switching the cradle for a crib after her daughter turned four months old.
She stopped rocking the cradle. She shifted her attention toward the window. She observed the wind chime hanging outside it moving in the wind. She listened to its chimes. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths. She jumped frightfully at a hand touching her shoulder. She opened them and looked at Ray. She emitted an annoyed scoff.
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Ray?" Phoebe asked.
"I'm really sorry, Pheebs," Ray apologized with much guilt. "I didn't mean to scare you."
"I wasn't paying attention at all," Phobe admitted as she shot a glance at the wind chime. "I was too distracted imagining myself as a wind chime."
"I recall it was your idea to get the wind chime," Ray pointed out honestly.
"It was. Everyone liked it just as much as I did," Phoebe commented, a giggle leaving her mouth.
"Yes," Ray said truthfully. "I want to tell you that you have no right to blame any of us if the wind chime comes to life and enters the nursery to do a dance for your little girl." He formed a big smirk on his face.
"What a goofball you are," Phoebe said while slapping him on the shoulder somewhat hard.
"I know you are, but what am I?" Ray asked.
"A goofball," Phoebe retorted playfully.
"I know you are, but what am I?" Ray replied with a snicker.
"A goofball," Phoebe said while flicking his nose.
"I know you are, but what am I?" Ray commented, his brow furrowing.
"A goofball," Phoebe said and made a funny noise
"I know you are, but what am I?" Ray hissed.
"A goofball," Phoebe responded and spoke gibberish.
"I know you are, but what am I?" Ray whispered and pinched her cheek.
"A goofball," Phoebe said and emitted a loud huff
"It takes one to know one!" Ray yelled delightfully. "Yes, yes, yes."
Phoebe punched Ray in the shoulder lightly. He ruffled her hair while singing nonsense. He pinched her cheek and spoke baby talk. She grabbed his wrist, an annoyed groan coming from her. She pulled his hand off to put it at his side. They turned toward the cradles.
"Talk about it being so sweet in here," Phoebe whispered, her voice showing much amazement. She laid her hands on her stomach. "I never imagined I would be standing in a nursery for my child at sixteen years old."
"It feels like only yesterday when your father and Podcast started working on it. They did an incredible job," Ray replied, chuckling to himself.
"Before then, this was Dad's room. He moved in with Mom after they married," Phoebe pointed out while running her hand over her face.
"Podcast was content with sleeping in this room. Your parents insisted he stay with you in your room," Ray pointed out.
Phoebe smiled while returning her hand to her stomach. "I am very grateful they allowed him to do that. Most parents wouldn't like boys staying in their daughters' rooms after they impregnated them."
Ray huffed. "Not your parents."
Phoebe and Ray approached the dresser. She opened the first drawer. She reached into it. She pulled out a white onesie meant for babies age zero to three months. She laid it on her stomach. He tried not to chuckle, but he couldn't help himself.
"Your mother said she put onesies on her baby bump throughout both of her pregnancies," Ray said while putting his hand on top of the dresser. "She said everyone thought she looked so cute doing that."
"It is hard to resist doing this," Phoebe replied as she returned the onesie to the drawer. She closed it with a snort. She opened the second one. She pulled out a pair of pink socks with white stripes at the top. They were meant for newborn babies. "It was fun going baby shopping with Mom last week. I may have gotten a lot of clothes at the baby shower, but she said I could always use some more."
"The bright side is they weren't that expensive. The most expensive item you got was a stroller, but it was on sale," Ray commented happily. "It is in the garage right now."
"Many shoppers looked at me scornfully, but I didn't care one bit," Phoebe replied, wiggling her eyebrows. "I was baby shopping, regardless of what they thought of me."
"You and Podcast have been so brave in the face of adversity," Ray said, proudness lining his voice. He smacked his lips. "You two won't let anyone knock you down."
"We will never let anyone knock us down," Phoebe said in much determination. "That's the truth."
Phoebe placed the socks back in the drawer. She closed it with a slam. She laid her hands on her stomach again. She felt the baby move against them. She went over to the rocking chair and seated herself. Ray came up beside her, putting his hand on top of it.
"This may not be the best view, but at least I can watch birds sit on the windowsill," Phoebe said honestly.
"Many bird species will make nests on windowsills and in the nooks and crannies of buildings," Ray replied. "If you are lucky, you might catch a falcon."
"I would love to see a falcon there," Phoebe said eagerly. "It is such a beautiful bird."
"It's a very powerful one too. It often uses the tops of tall buildings to scan for prey. Once it spots its prize, it swoops down at two hundred miles per hour to catch it," Ray said, moving his hand downward.
She exhaled. "That is really fast."
He nodded in agreement. "Yep."
Ray narrowed his eyes at the window as Phoebe leaned her head against the pillowing of the top of the chair. He could see house sparrows flying by it. He listened to their chirping as the wind chime moved slightly in the wind. He sighed contently.
"Of all the original Ghostbusters, I am the only who never had my own child. I had several girlfriends, but they bailed on me when I told them I desired children," Ray whispered sadly. "I began to feel jealous of the others. Then Podcast came to stay with me after he fooled his parents into thinking he went to space camp last year. I started to think of him as a son as the summer dragged on. I was pissed when I learned they disowned him. No one has the right to do that to a kid, but the police won't do a damn thing about it. Now, he is living here and preparing for fatherhood. I think of myself as a grandfather now. Wouldn't you agree, Pheebs?"
Ray became confused when he was greeted with silence. He looked down to see Phoebe asleep. He watched her chest rise and fall with every breath. He pressed his lips together before going over to the closet. He opened it, grabbing a gray blanket. He returned to her after closing it. He laid the blanket over most of her body. He walked out of the nursery carefully. He closed the door quietly as Winston came up behind him.
"Hey, what's—" Winston started.
"Shh," Ray whispered while turning to him and putting a finger over his lips. He gestured toward the door. "She's asleep."
"The old falling asleep due to pregnancy," Winston replied with raised eyebrows.
"Yep," Ray agreed.
"Heidi did that often during all three of her pregnancies. So did Brittany with hers," Winston admitted, folding his hands and placing them against his lap. "Once Gabrielle is here, Phoebe will get even more worn out."
"Let's not leave Podcast out of this. He will get worn out too," Ray pointed out truthfully. "You got worn out after each of your kids arrived."
"I can't deny Alan got worn out after Perry's arrival as well," Winston murmured and let out a loud snort. "The firstborn is a bit stressful. The parents are learning to take care of their kid. The second-born is less stressful. They know what to do."
"Yeah," Ray said, nodding. "You want to go back to the kitchen and have some coffee?"
"Sure," Winston whispered, smiling slightly. He pointed his finger at him. "Just don't let it get too hot."
"Of course not," Ray commented. "Let's go."
Ray and Winston went down the hallway. They reached the stairs and proceeded to go downstairs.