Chapter 135

Tim stood out in Bette and Tina’s backyard staring at the parts of the swingset he bought for the twins. “*****! Me and my bright ideas…..” He knew he needed help with this project. Suddenly he had what he thought was a brilliant idea.

He made his way over to Amanda’s house. Mary Grace came to the door. “Hi Tim…watcha doing?”

“Hey Sweetie…is your brother Michael here?” Tim grinned at Mary Grace who just looked at him.

“Yeah…he’s here.”

“Could you get him for me?”

“Why?”

“I really need to talk to Michael. Can you please get him for me?”

“Why?”

“Because I need to ask him something.”

“What?”

Tim let out a sigh of frustration. “It’s between Michael and me Sweetie. Can you please ask him to come outside?”

“I don’t know. It’ll cost you.”

“Bette’s right…you…..”

“Bette loves me.” Mary Grace smiled at Tim.

“Yes she does. We all love you Sweetie. Now can you get Michael for me?”

“Maybe. What’s in it for me?”

“How about this? You get to live another day!”

“Are you threatening me Tim? Because…you know…if you are it’s illegal to do that. And I’m only eight…nine on New Years Day…hint…hint….but it’s not a good idea to threaten a little kid you know?”

“Ok…what do I have to give you to get Michael out here?”

“A five spot!”

“Oh really?”

“Yeah really!”

“You little brat.” Tim reached inside his pocket and pulled out a five dollar bill. “Now will you please get Michael for me?”

“Sure!” Mary Grace went into the house. Soon Amanda’s teenaged son Michael appeared.

“Hey Tim…what’s up bud?”

“I got this swingset for the twins…and I need help building it. Do you want to help? I’ll pay you.”

“Sure…I’ll help..but you don’t have to pay me. I’m sure Mary Grace already got money out of you!”

“Really? You don’t want to get paid? Will your mom and dad kill me if you have a beer with me afterward?”

“I’ll ask but I don’t think so. They’re cool when it comes to stuff like that…as long as you don’t make me drive somewhere after I drink.”

“I promise!”

“Ok..hold on…let me tell mom where I’m going and I’ll ask about the beer.” Michael went into the house.

Mary Grace stared at Tim. “You two are going to build a swingset? THIS I’VE GOT TO SEE!”

“Why don’t you stay home and play with your….”

“I wanna play with Jakey and Mini.”

“Oh brother…ok…go ask your mom.”

Michael reappeared. “Ok..everything’s cool. Let’s get that puppy built.”

Mary Grace appeared at the door. “I get to come too…mom said so…so there…HA!”

Tim looked at Michael. He shook his head. “Great Sweetie. I bet Tina and Bette and the dogs are going to love having you over.

“Yes they will! They all love me.”


They all made their way across the yard. Bette, Tina, Jackie and the babies were all outside by the pool.
Jake and Mini were running around the yard chasing each other.

“Jakeeeeeeeeeey…..Miniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii…….come here!” Mary Grace screamed the words at the top of her lungs.

Bette, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, enjoying the silence, jumped. “What the ***** was that?”

Tina burst out laughing. “I think we have company Babe.”

Just then Mary Grace ran up to Bette and plopped herself down in her lap. “Hey Bette!”

“Hey Sweetie! How are you? I haven’t seen you in such a long time. I missed you!” Bette gave Mary Grace a kiss on the cheek. Mary Grace gave Bette a bone crushing hug. “Sweetie…ummmm….I can’t breathe!”

“Oh sorry! I’m so happy to see you Bette! I missed you too. Oh – and today’s on me. It won’t cost you a cent!”

“Really…I’m flattered…a freebie huh?”

“Yup!” Mary Grace whispered in Bette’s ear. “Don’t let it go to your head! You’re my favorite adult…besides mom and dad of course. I love you Bette!”

“I love you too Sweetie.” Bette smiled.

Tina and Jackie watched the interaction between Bette and Mary Grace. They both smiled.

Mary Grace jumped off of Bette’s lap. “I wanna play with Jake and Mini….got any balls?”

Bette raised her eyebrow and looked at Tina. Tina burst out laughing again. “Hey T…got any BALLS you can give this kid?”

Jackie giggled and looked at Tina. “I’ve got some tennis balls in my room…I’ll get them for her.”

“Thanks mom!”

Bette smiled at Mary Grace. “So how is school?”

“Hardly what I’d call a challenge. You know..this no child left behind thing sucks!”

“Really?” Bette couldn’t help but laugh.

“And what’s wrong with all of you adults anyway?”

“What do you mean Sweetie?”

“The election. What the ***** was that about?”

“Oh..so I take it you’re a staunch Democrat huh?”

“No…I’m an independent…thank you very much.”

“Really?”

“Ahhhh Yeaaah! What WAS this country thinking…re-electing that…SMURF to office!”

“Smurf huh?”

“I’m being kind Bette!”

“Yes you are. Hey…don’t look at me…I voted for Kerry!”

“I figured you would. You’re not as dumb as you look.”

“Gee thanks Sweetie. What a nice compliment.” Bette looked over at Tina. “Did you hear that T? I’m not as dumb as I look!”

Tina grinned. “I knew that. Oh and Sweetie….don’t blame me…Kerry…I voted for Kerry too.”

“Good deal Tina…I always knew you were bright.”

Bette let out a heavy sigh. “Oh so she always appeared smart…and I’m not as dumb as I look?”

“The truth is my best defense Bette! But you are very…very pretty!”

“Well thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Just then Jackie appeared with two tennis balls. The dogs jumped up and down in anticipation. Mary Grace went running off with Mini and Jake not far behind her.

Suddenly, there was a crash from over in the direction of where Michael and Tim were working on the swingset.

Tim screamed. “Oh …what the *****! OOPS – sorry kids!”

Bette looked at Tina and Jackie. “This is going to be a very long day…isn’t it?”

TBC