They got home and his dad was in the kitchen. Matty ran up and hugged him. His dad smiled and ruffled his hair. Then his dad walked over to his mom and kissed her passionately.

His parents broke their kiss, "I thought you were not coming back until later tonight."

"I snuck out of the conference early. I wanted to go home. Although it was nice catching up with Jamie. That is the only good part when I have to go to these mind numbing conferences in NYC. Speaking of Jamie. Matty, that bag on the counter is for you. They are more books that Jamie bought you."

Matty went over to the counter and opened the bag of books. He loved that Jamie always bought him books.

Then his dad said, "Where is everyone? "

His mom spoke, "Well Leann and Joey went to the park. We have Joey for the night. Mother is out on a date with her senior yogalates instructor. And well I just picked up your son from his first date."

His dad grinned at him, "First date with a girl? We should have put you in regular school a long time ago. How did it go? You got her flowers right?"

His mom made a face, "Oh well, it was a coffee date after school. I should have thought of the flowers for her. You will have to bring her some on your Goofy Golf date on Sunday."

His dad grinned, "You got a second date with her, too? Very nice, kid. She must be something if you got up the nerve to ask a girl out."

His mom spoke, "Well actually she asked him out. Thinks he has nice eyes and that he's cute. She kissed him too."

His dad smiled, "That's great. I can't wait to meet this girl. What's her name? Do we know her?"

"Oh god please don't say her last name, mom." Matty thought to himself.

His mother smiled mischievously. "Yes. Her name is Rachel. Rachel Gilstrap."

Here it comes. His dad was going to get mad. But he didn't. His dad just started laughing and said, "Figures. One of the Gilstrap girl's, kid? Really? But I remember little Rachel. She was quiet like you are. Always reading. I can see it. Good for you, kid."

Matty went over and tapped on his dad, "You aren't mad?"

His dad grabbed him and hugged him. "Why would I be mad? I think it's great that you went out on a date. That hopefully you are going to have a better high school experience."

His mom spoke, "He also made a couple of friends. Davy Ferguson from next door. You really need to be nicer to the Ferguson's, Lee. So that Davy will come over."
His dad responded, "I'm nice to the Ferguson's as long as they keep their dogs out of our yard. I never had a problem with Davy. It was Billy Ferguson that was trouble."

Just then the door opened, and Leann and Joey walked in. Leann didn't look happy. They looked shaken up about something. She went over to their dad and hugged him.

"Daddy, I am so glad your home. There were these two weird guys at the park. I think they were taking pictures of Joey and me. They started following us home, but I took the long way and lost them. I think."

His dad got a serious look on his face. "You three. Basement now. Amanda, call Phillip. Have him bring the grand kids over here. I want them in the basement too. Until I know what is going on. I am going to go to the park and see if I can get a copy of the surveillance video. You three do not leave the basement. Until I give you the all clear. Amanda, turn the cameras and security system on."

His mom went to the phone and called Phillip. Leann, Joey, and he all went down to the basement. His mother came down. She went into the office. Matty followed her. She was switching everything on.

"Can I help? Is there anything I can do?" Matty wanted to do anything. He did not want to feel helpless.

His mother turned to him, "Watch Leann and Joey for me. Try to keep them calm. Can you do that?"
Matty nodded yes.

He went into the game room. Leann and Joey looked scared.

Leann looked at him, "Do you think the bad men are back? They might have thought Joey was you, Matty. Joey does not look like you but you both have dark hair. We were doing sign language with each other. Just because it is fun when people don't know what we are saying to each other."

Joey nodded, "Or maybe it's Irene's family. That might be why Uncle Lee wants Phillip's kids in the basement too. Oh man, my mom is never going to let me come over again."

Leann looked at Joey "Aunt Carrie will get over it. She will just blame Phillip for everything. Especially if it is Irene's family."

Joey sighed, "My mom was just starting to soften up a little too. This is not going to be good."

Notes:

Uh oh I have a bad feeling about this.

Next chapter - We will find out who was following Leann and Joey in the park.