It was Saturday and Jeff was coming over. His father had not been home all week. He had been at the agency. His mother had started going in too now that Matty was doing better.

Jeff came over around lunchtime. Matty was excited to see his friend but was a little worried that Jeff was going to be mad at him. Rachel had been Jeff's friend first. Matty had only been friends with Jeff for a couple of months.

Matty was about to beat Death Demon IV when Jeff came down the stairs.

"Hey Stetson." Jeff said as he came down the stairs.

Matty smiled, "Hey Jeff."

Jeff grinned, "Holy crap. You can speak. I mean I knew you could. Rachel told me. But hearing it. That's awesome. I'm happy for you, man."

Matty was worried about what had Rachel told Jeff. Jeff was so nice he probably was here to tell him to stay away from his crowd when he got back to school very politely.

Matty looked at Jeff, "Thanks, man. You talked to Rachel? Look I'll stay away from everyone when I go back to school. Go back to eating in the stairwell. I really am sorry about what happened."

Jeff raised his eyebrow, "What are you talking about?'

Matty spoke, "She didn't tell you what happened."

Jeff looked at him, "Just that you were real sick and she was giving you space. That you could talk now. She didn't say anything bad. What happened?"

Matty told Jeff, "She came over. She started making out with me. But well, I was sick. I got nauseous. I didn't want to puke on her. So, I pushed her off me. She got upset and ran out of the house."

Jeff looked at him, "That is so not cool, man. She just left you like that? She's hot, man. But you could do so much better. I have this cousin. She works in a bookstore. She's kind of shy like you. I think she's way more your speed than Rachel. I've known Rachel since elementary school but she kind of comes on strong when she likes a guy."

Matty was confused. Why was Jeff being so nice? "You aren't mad? It's ok if we still hang out and stuff."

Jeff gave him a look, "What? Yeah of course. I know we haven't been friends that long. But I like you. You are so freaking nice. Plus, you like all the same stuff as me. I mean I'm not as into books as you are. We are cool, man. I am definitely setting you up with my cousin. My birthday is in a couple of weeks. I'm having a party. You have to come. I'll make sure she comes too. Her name is Lacie."

Matty smiled, "Thanks man. I'm terrible with girls though. I have no idea what I'm doing."

Jeff smiled, "So am I and neither do I. You got any girls that aren't Rachel you could set me up with? I'm kind of very single right now."

Matty smiled, "None that are age appropriate. My sister has a crush on you but she's only eleven."

Jeff laughed, "Yeah, no. Even if she was older. Your dad scares me a little. Bobby has told me stories about him."

Matty looked at him, "My dad has no problem with Bobby. It's his old brothers Billy and Benny he has the most problems with. Plus, their dogs are always getting into our yard. If you ever hear my dad, go on one of his rants about the Fergusen's. You would probably think it's hilarious. My dad is really busy at work right now. But when things die down at his job. Maybe you, me and Bobby can go play basketball in the park with him. Then you'll see he is more of a big dork than scary."

Just then Jamie came down the stairs, "Hey Matty and Matty's friend. Are we discussing Phillip? I heard you call someone a big dork."

Matty smiled, "No, I was talking about my dad being more of a big dork than scary. Bobby Fergusen is scared of Dad. He told Jeff some stories so Jeff is a little scared of my dad too. "

Jamie smiled, "Oh Matty's right. Lee's more of a big dork than scary. But he's the coolest dork you will ever meet. I predict you'll like him. He's more funny than scary when he gets mad. Nobody takes him seriously. Bobby's older brother Billy is just Lee's arch nemesis in the neighborhood. Lee doesn't have a problem with Bobby."

Jeff smiled, "You're Jamie King? The artist? Can I have your autograph for my Mom?"

Jamie looked at him, "Seriously Mrs. Kenwood would want my autograph? She knows me. I used to play with your older brother Bobby all the time. He's a little younger than Phillip and I. He used to follow us around when we were kids. We used to always have to kick him out of our tree house because he would go up there by himself when he was like five. Would your Mom want an autographed print? I know the perfect one to send her. I have a really cool picture of our tree house. She'll think it's funny."

Jeff smiled. "Yeah, she would love that. Thanks, man."

Matty spoke, "How did your breakfast date go, Jamie?"

Jamie smiled, "Really good. It wasn't a date though. We just went as friends catching up. If I lived closer. I would totally ask her out for real though. We only broke up when I went to college. We didn't want to do long distance."

Matty spoke, "Well I guess that's alright if you don't marry her. It probably wouldn't help my popularity at school if I was related to the principal on top of everything else."

Jamie laughed, "What is it with this family always trying to marry me off? I just haven't found the one yet. That's alright though, I'm too much like my dad. I'd probably be as bad as him if I got married and had a family."

Matty spoke, "No you wouldn't. You dropped everything for me more than once. You come visit all the time. You would be an awesome dad one day if you ever find the right girl."

Jamie smiled, "Thanks Matty. I've just lost some relationships because I travel a lot for work. Sometimes I think about maybe giving up working at the paper. Moving back to DC. Opening up an Art Gallery."

Matty smiled, "It should be an Art Gallery & Book Store with a coffee shop."

Jamie smiled, "We could be partners."

Matty looked at him, "Maybe not partners. I don't actually want to work there. I just want free coffee and books. But I can invest in it. You can use my money if you ever actually are serious. Or wait until I'm 25 and I can split everything five ways."

Jeff spoke," Whoa that stuff about you being super rich is true? Are you really related to the royal family too?"

Matty looked at him, "I mean not really. I think like there are like two or three hundred people ahead of me before I would have any claim to the British throne. But yeah, I have my own estate. We usually go in the summer. You want to come next time we go? Tell your parents I'll pay for your ticket. I could take you to a real soccer match. I'm a shareholder in Manchester United. We could meet the players. That's how I met David Beckham. I mean my grandfather was still alive back then. But my sister in law Irene can make all the arrangements. She has done it before."

Jeff was grinning, "Seriously dude, you are so cool. I can't believe you thought I would kick you off our lunch table because you didn't want to puke on Rachel. I would have let you stay even if you did puke on her. With the way you play basketball, your looks and the fact that you actually are rich. You do realize you are going to probably end up being the most popular guy in school."

Jamie spoke, "That's what I have been telling him. You haven't played soccer with him yet, have you?"

Jeff nodded no.

Jamie smiled, "You think he's good at basketball wait until you see him play soccer. When they lived in London. The London Academy was interested in him. He only got to play for the Bombers Soccer team for a couple of years until he aged out. But he was amazing."

Jeff nodded, "That's what Bobby said too. He also said Matty got Raccoon faster than any other Junior Trailblazer too."

Jamie smiled, "Oh yeah, he did. I mean he was born at Camp Raccoon, so it makes sense. I predict Matty will be the most popular kid in school too. Then my sister will take over that title when Matty graduates."

Jeff smiled, "Does your sister play sports?"

Both Matty & Jamie laughed, "No. She's not into sports. She is good though when she plays. She can move like Matty. She does dance and martial arts. But she's into fashion. She wants to be a fashion designer. She likes making clothes with my mom."

Jeff smiled, "That's cool. You want to play Death Demon with us, Jamie?"

Jamie smiled, "I thought you would never ask."

They played the game for the rest of the afternoon. That's when his dad came down the stairs. His dad looked awful. He had a beard growing. He looked exhausted.

Matty went over and hugged him, "Dad, your home."

His dad gave him a tired smile, "Yeah, your mom made me come home. I just wanted to say hi to you and Jamie before I went and crashed. Also hello Jeff. It is nice of you to come over and spend some time with Matty."

Jeff smiled at him, "Hi Mr. Stetson. Thank you."

Jamie interrupted, "Are you alright, Lee? You look terrible."

He nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just need to crash for a couple of hours and I'll be as good as new. Where's Junior?"

Jamie spoke, "She's at Phillip's with Jimmy, Mandy & Baby Dottie. Irene's taking them to the movies. I think they are seeing Hellraiser VII."

His dad looked at them, "Baby Dottie too?"

Jamie smiled, "Yes. She likes the scary movies the most out of all the kids and she is only two. That kid is going to be something else when she gets older."

His dad rolled his eyes, "I'll give your mother a heads up that Leann is probably going to have to sleep with her tonight. Those movies give her nightmares."

Jamie spoke, "You aren't sleeping here tonight?"

His dad nodded, "No I'm just going to catch a couple hours then I'm going back to the office. I made a deal with your mom."

Matty spoke, "Mom's not going to wake you up in a couple of hours. You know that right, dad?"

His dad nodded, "I can will myself to wake up in two hours no matter what tricks your mother tries to pull on me. You don't want to help your dad out do you Matty? I'll make it worth your while."

Matty looked at him, "No way, Dad. I'm not crossing, Mom."

His dad looked over at Jamie, "Jamie? I'll buy you a new camera."

Jamie laughed, "No way dude. I'm also not messing with Mom."

His dad looked at Jeff, "Want to make $50 bucks, Jeff?"

Jeff laughed, "No, sorry Mr. Stetson. Mrs. Stetson has always been really nice to me. She's friends with my mom. I've only ever met you once besides today. I'd rather not get in the middle of anything."

His dad sighed, "Why do you all have to be such good kids? I wish Leann were home. Bribery works on her."

Matty laughed, "One time and she was six. I don't think she'll fall for that again. Mom took away the money you gave her."

His dad sighed but he smiled at them "I'll figure something else out. It really is good to see you kids. Your mom is right your color looks much better, Matty. Alright I'm going to go lie down a little bit before your mother comes down here and makes me."

His dad ruffled Matty's hair and did the same to Jamie and went back upstairs.

Jeff looked at Matty, "Did your dad have surgery too? He looks awful."

Jamie spoke, "He's just had a rough week at work. He's been at the office most of this week. My mom made him come home."

Jeff nodded, "I get it. My Dad works a lot too. He's not scared of my mom though like your dad is."

Jamie spoke, "Lee's not actually scared of my mom. He was just joking around. Honestly, I think he kind of likes it when mom bosses him around. But let's go back to playing Death Demon."

They played for the rest of the afternoon. Around 5PM Jeff said, "I have to go home. It has been great seeing you, Matty. Are you coming back to school on Monday?"

Matty spoke, "Wednesday I'll be back. I have an appointment to get fitted for my hearing aid on Tuesday. My parents are sending me back to school on Wednesday."

Jeff smiled, "Cool, man. I'll see you then. It was really nice meeting you, Jamie."

Jamie smiled, at him, "You too Jeff. I'll make your Mom a print, autograph it and send Matty to school with it. Tell your brother Bobby that I say hi if you talk to him."

Jeff smiled, "Yeah man. Thank you. I appreciate it. See you Wednesday, Matty."

Matty smiled, "Thanks for coming."

Jeff went up the stairs.

Jamie looked over at Matty. "I like him. Nice kid."

Just then their mother yelled that dinner would be ready in five minutes.

Jamie and he went up the stairs. They both washed their hands and went to the dinner table.

Jamie spoke to their mother," Do you want me to wake Lee up for dinner?"

Their mother nodded no, "No, he needs to sleep."

Matty looked at his Mom, "Dad's not going to be happy he slept this long. I guess he didn't figure out an alternative to bribing us to wake up in two hours."

His mother gave a mischievous grin "He grabbed the little white portable timer thinking I wouldn't notice. Put it in his nightstand. I waited until he fell asleep and just brought it back into the kitchen."

Matty and Jamie laughed, "He's not going to be happy when he wakes up."

His mother smiled, "He'll get over it. He hasn't slept in days. The only thing is Leann went to see that horror movie with the grand kids today. She is probably going to have nightmares. I'll have to take her in our room tonight. That might wake him up"

Matty spoke. "She can sleep in my room with me. I'll sleep in Phillip's bed. She doesn't like the way it smells either."

His mother sighed, 'That smell is not Phillip's fault. I think maybe we should get a new mattress for that bed."

Jamie spoke, "Mom, if you get rid of that smell. What would we all have to complain about?"

Matty smiled, "I kind of like the smell. But I do think it's just old mattress mildew. Probably from something Phillip spilled years ago."

His mother laughed. "Try multiple somethings."

The door opened and Leann walked in looking shaken. His mother went over to her

."What's wrong sweet girl? Was the movie that scary?" His mom asked her.

Leann was shaking, "There were two men. They tried to grab me when I walked home. I fought them off. They didn't expect me to know how to fight. I got away."

His mother said, "You walked home? Leann, we talked about this. But that's not important right now. Are you alright? Matty, go wake up your father."

Notes:

The chapter ended there? That wasn't cool. ;)

Next chapter: Things heat up