September 2005

Fifteen almost sixteen-year-old Matty Stetson woke up. It was his first day of going to Arlington High School. He was going to be a sophomore. He had a growth spurt the past year. He still wasn't tall like his dad, but he was 5'11 now. He was still thin, but he had more muscles now. He got dressed and went down to breakfast. His ten-year-old sister was sitting at the table.

Leann smiled at him, "Morning bro."

Matty smiled at his sister and signed. "Morning sis."

Leann spoke, "Phillip called he is on his way to pick you up and drive you to school in Vetty. I am so sorry for you right now. He is such a dork when he goes to Arlington High. He is going to embarrass you so bad. Plus, mom is really good friends with the principal. Told her to watch out for you. You are so screwed, bro."

Matty laughed. "It's ok. I don't care. I have never been cool. I am used to other kids calling me a freak and thinking I killed and ate a bunch of people when I was little."

His mother came in the room and kissed the top of his head. "First day of school. You nervous sweet boy? It is going to be better this time. You just need to keep your promise to your dad & I that you will tell us if you start getting bullied again. I am so sorry that we sent you to that awful school. I spoke with Principal Dennis. Now you won't be able to sign up for any sports in the fall because of your surgery at the beginning of October. But you should be ok for tryouts for baseball and soccer. "

Just then two little blonde balls of pure energy burst into the house. "Hi Grandma!" They both yelled in unison and the twins attached themselves to his mother.

"Hi Jimmy & Mandy. Where's your daddy?" His mom asked.

His little nephew Jimmy spoke. "Dad's coming. He is just getting baby Dotty and some stuff for us out of Vetty."
His mom replied "Your daddy drove all three of you in Vetty? You all fit in Vetty?"

Jimmy smiled. "Yeah, he just put baby Dotty on his lap, and I like riding in the little space behind the seats. It's fun."

Phillip walked in carrying his youngest daughter Dorothea Lillian King who was almost two and had a diaper bag on his shoulder. "Hey family."

His mother went over and grabbed baby Dotty. "Hi sweetheart. You had her on your lap in Vetty? That is a little dangerous sweetheart. You could have just taken the Volvo or the minivan. Taken Matty to school in Vetty another day."

Phillip looked at their mother. "It's all about first impressions, Mother. I want the little dude to arrive in style on his first day of school. Besides, we only live a couple of miles away. I got all the little monsters to fit. Speaking of the little monsters, thanks for taking them today. Irene appreciates it too. She will be by after her OB/GYN appointment to pick them up. I sure hope it's not twins again. It was hard enough trying to fit these three monsters in Vetty."

"My grandbabies are not little monsters, Phillip." Then Jimmy & Mandy started growling and attacking Phillip. Baby Dotty started making growling noises at Phillip too.

Amanda laughed. "Ok well, they are not little monsters for me."

Then Mandy came over and sat on Matty's lap. "It sucks you have to go to school already, Uncle Matty. Our school doesn't start until next week. It is cool that we get to go to school with you, Aunt Leann. We are in kindergarten, and you are in fifth grade."

Leann smiled, "That's right, Mandy. It will be the only year we go to the same school. Next year I go to middle school."

Then Mandy turned to Matty. "I can't believe you are having my dad take you. My dad is such a dork. Grandpa Lee is so much cooler. It's too bad he is in NYC right now."

Phillip faked looking hurt, "Is that anyway to talk about your father? I am not a dork. "

Mandy smiled up at Phillip. "Sorry dad but you really are, and Grandpa Lee is cooler than you."

Phillip went over to his daughter and started tickling her. Mandy was giggling. "Ok daddy. I take it back. I take it all back except the part about Grandpa Lee."

Phillip stopped and then looked at Matty. "You ready to go little dude? Runt and monsters we will see you all later. Thanks again for taking care of them, Mom. Love you all."

Phillip's kids all growled at him. He kissed all three of the tops of their heads. Then he hugged Leann and their mom. Matty grabbed his school bag, and they headed out to Vetty.

"You nervous about school? Don't be. Arlington High is awesome. Even Jamie survived and you already had your glow up over the summer. You got hot dude. You didn't have to wait until you went to NYU and have your new artsy fartsy friends give you a makeover like Jamie did."

Matty had no idea how to respond to Phillip telling him that he got hot. He loved his brother, but his niece Mandy was right about him. Phillip was a dork. He kind of wished his dad was not in the conference in NYC or that his mom was taking him to school right now.

They parked in the high school parking lot. They got out of Vetty and headed into the building. "We are early. We don't have to meet with Principal Dennis until eight. Let's go see if Coach Hayes is around."