Chapter 41: Next Day
After Summer and I relieved all the tension, I woke up completely refreshed, even though I hadn't slept much and had crashed on the couch.
I went to grab some coffee in the kitchen.
"Morning," I greeted, seeing Gloria, Jay, Manny, and Alex already sitting there. They all greeted me back.
"Huh," I exclaimed, noticing a few ingredients spread out on the table. I glanced at them suspiciously.
"We thought you'd like to make the eggs today," Gloria explained with a smile.
I made a thoughtful face. "I'm not sure if you guys know me well or if you just want Eggs Benedict for breakfast," I mused, already getting to work.
"Both," Manny confessed. As usual, he already had a large cup of coffee in his hands.
A few minutes later, Marissa, Haley, and Summer came downstairs, with Summer humming softly.
Gloria approached me with a fake smile. "Why is that girl singing for no reason?" she questioned.
"Maybe she got inspired after seeing you sing to Lily last night," I replied, finishing one of the eggs.
Gloria laughed ironically and slapped my arm. "Don't go all cheeky on me."
Summer came closer. "Wow, you actually know how to cook," she remarked, placing her hands on my arm.
"Yep," I responded, kissing the top of her head. "Be a good girl and sit over there. I'll serve all of you."
And I served the first plates to Jay, Gloria, Manny, and Alex, who were already seated.
While I was preparing the next batch, two more people arrived - Claire and Phil, coming to pick up their kids.
Phil approached me. "Sweeeet, Eggs Benedict!" he exclaimed, patting my shoulder enthusiastically.
"Get in line," I grinned at him. "How was your wedding anniversary?" I asked.
"It was good, thanks."
Claire went around greeting everyone, then slowly turned her head toward me, giving me a judging and scarying look after noticing how Marissa was dressed and how Summer was glowing.
"Aunt Claire, have you ever thought about starring in a horror movie?" I teased while serving more plates.
That made her expression change for a moment - after all, it was her favorite genre.
"Yeah, Mom doesn't even need to rehearse to look possessed," Haley joked, making everyone laugh.
"Show some respect, Haley," I scolded her. "Your mom is scarier than any demon-possessed person. Gosh, she would ground the demon that dared to possess her."
Everyone laughed even harder.
"What is this, Claire pick day?" she asked ironically, but as in a perfect sitcom moment, Luke appeared all wet wearing only his underpants, clearly having just come from the pool.
"Luke, put some pants on!" she shouted, storming toward him like a possessed woman.
As laughter filled the kitchen again, I noticed Marissa glancing around quietly, a faint smile forming on her face.
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Four days later, I was heading back to Malibu. When I opened the door, I witnessed a rather strange scene - Uncle Alan and Judith were singing and dancing,
♫♪Co-ed bathrooms, co-ed bathrooms
Wear your flip-flops
in the co-ed bathrooms
Stuff grows on the floor there
And whoops! There's another pubic hair♫♪
"What the hell did I just walk into?" I muttered strangely. "Aren't you guys taking the name Soap Opera a bit too literally?"
The term actually came from that - many of those early productions were sponsored by soap and cleaning product companies. But that was back in the 1930s...
The two were so focused that they neither saw nor heard me. Dad gestured for us to go to the kitchen.
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"So, you're going to help with Jake's 4th-grade singing presentation?" I asked again, laughing.
"That's not funny, son," he replied, looking annoyed at me.
"I beg to differ," I continued, "and I bet you were drawn by the chance to meet single moms or beautiful teachers."
Judging by his face, I hit the mark perfectly - and with no second woman in the house, Dad was probably tricked.
"Francis," Jake called from the back of the kitchen, "are you coming to my presentation?" he asked hopefully.
I thought for a moment. "I can go, but I can't help with the presentation. I don't have my dad's musical talent."
"Maybe it'll be one of the last times we see each other," Jake said, glancing between Charlie and me.
"I think they're gonna get back together," he added, turning toward his parents who were still in the living room, in front of the piano
"You do?" Charlie asked
"Yep"
"Except if my Dad moves back to Mom's house, I probably wouldn't see you anymore" Jake said downcast
"Of course you'd see me. You'd still have your room here, and I'd come visit," Charlie replied softly
"You never visited before"
"That's 'cause I didn't know you before"
"That's 'cause you never visited"
they were going back and forth
"To tell you the truth, Jake, I don't think this is gonna be an issue," Charlie finally said.
Jake's expression changed. "You don't think they're gonna get back together?"
"I didn't say that," Charlie tried to deny.
"Do you?" he turned to me, looking for a third opinion.
"I have no idea, buddy," I said, patting his shoulder. "Let the adults handle it."
I'm 100% sure those two aren't getting back together. It's already a miracle they managed to stay married for twelve years.
"I think they are," Jake stated.
And once again, Alan and Judith started singing, this time dancing even more goofily.
♫♪Robert Fulton, Eli Whitney
All aboard for Henry Ford
Henry Ford
And then...♫♪
"Careful what you wish for, pal," Dad commented dryly as we witnessed the horror show that was their performance.
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