Many/Mini Family Reunions

Sunburst has reopened for patio dining.  Barbieville followed the CDC guidelines from the start, despite actions taken at the state and federal levels, and as a result there has been very little incidence of the pandemic.  The town is reopening carefully.  (Side note for readers: Masks in Barbieville are invisible.  So says Barbieville's god.)

Brent: I'm glad you made it.  I was worried, especially since Esperanza was sick recently. 

Daisy:  Bertie wasn't about to pass up this job and Esperanza's been cleared by the doctors.  Thanks so much for connecting us to Mr. Darling.

Brent: That was Kyra.  She's determined not to let the personal issues touch on the professional.  He mentioned needing an anchor and she thought of Bertie.  I guess the interview went well? 

Bertie: He called all my references beforehand and grilled them.  The interview was basically him saying "here's what the job is, do you want it?"   My co-anchor is going to be a gal named Becky Weasley.  Do you know her?

Brent:  She just graduated college.  Got the job with WDLC and started house-hunting.  Maybe you and she could do that together.

Daisy: Oh, that might be fun.  We could get to know her better, you know?

Esperanza: I'm going inside to use the restroom.  Be right back.

Bertie (worried): She's not adjusting well at all.  They said her voice may never return to normal.

Daisy: She'll be okay, sweetheart.  We just have to keep reminding her that she can still act and dance. 

Brent: And now that you're here, Uncle Brent can help.  I have connections in this town, you know.  Not that we have much of an entertainment industry here.

Bertie: That amusement park doesn't do shows? 

Brent: They're probably not going to reopen this season.  Not only do we have a pandemic on, the owner just got married.  She's also in the middle of a complete rebranding.  Change of name, new and updated rides, all that jazz.  Maybe in the spring, if Esper still wants to try it. 

Esmeralda gets a surprise at table P2.

Esmeralda: Bapo!  You made it! 

Django: Why do you call me that, girl?  I'm not your grandfather. 

Esmeralda:  The day Four was born, that became your name.  Just like mine became Mom and Marcus's became Dad. 

Django:  We stopped at the house and Kevin said you and Tris were both here.  Are you busy?

Esmeralda: I am, but she's about to go on break.  I'll tell her you're out here. 

After hugs and a quick introduction to Jessie (one of Django's grandchildren and therefore a future cousin-in-law), Tris sits down to eat lunch.

Tris: I wasn't expecting you so early.  (to Jessie) Four's always spoken of you so fondly, I feel like I already know you. 

Jessie: There were... circumstances... behind our coming early.  Bapo's decided to stop wandering and open up a tattoo parlor here, with Four.  I tagged along to get away from a stalker.

Django: Stalker is a very harsh word.  What he is, is a very persistent suitor. 

Jessie: To-may-to, to-mah-to. Know any place that might hire a gal who's handy with a wrench? 

Later, Doll County Paranormal holds an informal meeting at the diner.  

Jeremiah: Jimin, hard at work as usual.  Big case coming up? 

Jimin: Case from Hell.  This woman is neglectful of her children and has a violent police record but is fighting for custody of her children.  

Nova: Charlotte Jackson? 

Jimin (chuckles): I can neither confirm or deny that.  After all the business the buffet lost this year, we really need the money this case is going to pay, but it's been a complete nightmare.

Phoebe: Hey, y'all!  Look who's back in town!  

Kenna:  Yep, got a job at that new TV station.  Bunking with her and Sylvia til I get a place of my own, but Mom and Dad think it's permanent.  I swear we'd all still live at home if they had their way.

Jimin: Welcome back, Kenna.  I've missed you. 

Kenna: She made me carry the research she's been doing on the cove.  This stuff weighs a ton! 

Jeremiah: The paranormal does all kinds of strange things to electronics.  Hard copy, not so much. (laughs) But you're right, a laptop would be easier to carry. 

Nova: Take a seat, ladies.  Put away the custody battle, lawyer boy.

Reopening

Brent and Daisy video chat, both enjoying the summer weather.

Daisy: Oh, she's almost good as new.  We're concerned there might have been damage to her vocal cords from the intubation, but other than that, she's good.

Brent: Other than that?  The girl's a singer!  Damage to her vocal cords could end her singing career!

Daisy: She's also an actress and she's prepared to change her path a bit if needed.  We're just glad she's pulled through.  But I'm calling you about something else.  

Brent: Please don't tell me one of you two are sick now.

Daisy:  No, we're healthy.  Didn't you mention something the other day about a new television station there in Barbieville?  Are they looking for journalists? 

Brent: Kyra's ex has started WDLC.  Have you decided to finally get out of the city?

Daisy: You know we were already dealing with the homophobia and Bertie getting eyed by Immigration every time she turned around.  We almost lost our daughter to the pandemic and now race riots are going on again.  We're just done.

Brent: I can get you William's information, so Bertie can send a resume.  I'll put in a good word for her.  William and I get along much better than I expected.

Daisy:  Do you know any of the other WDLC people?  Any possible problems there?

Brent: The only journalist I know is Becky Weasley.  She walked out of college graduation and into a job at WDLC, but I'm not sure what she'll be doing there.

Daisy: She was the nice KBV girl, right?  Not the psycho? 

************************

So Long, Sister

Much to Brent's relief, Kyra's family gets along well with his sister's.  Now he can feel comfortable in taking things to the next level.  On the last day of the visit, they take in the sights of Washington DC.

Kyra: Make sure you can see the Memorial behind us.  It's not often my girls and I get a vacation.  I want photographic evidence it happened.

Brent: Is this really necessary?  You know I hate having my picture taken. 

Kyra: Surely you don't want me to gripe all the way home?

Bertie:  Oh my god!  Delete that!  I look like I have no neck! 

Daisy: You know that shirt does that and wore it anyway.  Suck it up, Buttercup. 

Bertie: Seriously, Daze, I look ridiculous.

Daisy: Siblings shot!  Me and my bro!

Brent: You know, I just wanted  a picture of the Washington Monument.  

Daisy: As seldom as I get to see you?  Did you really think I wasn't going to insist on pictures? 

Whitney: Wilma, where are your shoes?

Wilma: Brent gots them.  We was sticking my toes in the water so the fishies could nibble them.  It tickles, Mommy, you should do it with me. 

As night falls, they pack up The Tank and prepare for the journey home. 

Daisy: Let me know when you get home safely. I don't care what time it is. 

Wilma: Bye bye, new aunties! 

As soon as her brother is out of sight, Daisy bursts into tears. 

Esper: Here come the waterworks.

Bertie: Behave.  You know how much Brent means to her.  When the rest of the family turned their backs on her, he... 

Esper:... turned his back on them.  (To Daisy)  Hey, think of it this way.  If things go well, we might be going to his wedding soon.  

Daisy: She is a wonderful lady, isn't she? I haven't seen him this happy in, well, ever!

Brent: Wendy, turn the stereo down a notch.  I want Nakoma well rested when it's time to switch drivers. 

Wendy (does so):  I think your sister is very cool.  Your parents must be real jerks.  

Brent: They are. 

Kyra: I really can't imagine disowning my child.  (Winks at Whitney) Even if she did have a baby when she was still one herself.

Whitney: Speaking of Wilma, where is she?

Wilma (shouting from the rear sleeping area): I'm taken a nap with Nakoma.  Them new aunties done weared me out.

Meet The Sister

Somewhere between Barbieville and their destination....

Brent: Next rest area, I'll turn the wheel over to you, Nakoma.  Road's starting to hypnotize me.

Nakoma: Even with Kyra talking to you, you've already driven farther than you should have.  I was about to suggest the switch.

Kyra: We're more than halfway there, according to the GPS on my phone.

Eventually, after what feels like forever....

Nakoma: Here we are, folks.  Juniper Hill Campground and RV Court.  

Kyra: Wilma, get out of the way.  Brent and Nakoma are trying to set up the tent.

Wilma: I'm helping!  Why we got the tent anyway?  Lots of beds inside.

Brent: There's five beds and six of us. I'll take the tent since I'm the only boy.  And mind your grandmother.  

Wilma: Boo.  I wanna be a helper.

Whitney: You can help once this hot dog is in your belly.  

Wilma: Mommy said you gotta hold on real tight while we look for your sissy.  

Brent: I will.  Daisy will be in either a red truck or a dark colored car.  Probably the car, since it's hard to cram three grown ups in a truck cab. 

Wilma: Esper ain't no grown-up.

Brent (chuckles): She's as grown-up as your mommy.  

Wilma: Oh, she's that big?  I thought a kid like me or Wendy.  

Brent: Well, your mommy is technically a kid, you know.

Wilma (nearly jumping out of his arms): Car!  Is that them?  Someone is waving real big and crazy.

Brent: That's them.  

Whitney: I'm here to help you down the ladder, Wilma.  

Wilma: I can do it all by myself, Mommy! 

Whitney: I'm here to catch you if you slip.  Is that better, Miss Fussy Britches?

Brent runs to greet Daisy with a big hug.  

Daisy: Wow.  You brought a whole family of hotties.  

Brent: I told you Kyra and her girls were lovely. 

Daisy: Your taste has always been questionable.  (sticks her tongue out at him)  Even that Naomi girl is pretty.  No, not Naomi.  What is it?

After introductions, the party splits into smaller groups.  

Bertie: Brent says you met when he ran against your boss for mayor? 

Kyra: Technically, she's not my boss, the town is.  But she is my best friend.

Daisy (laughs): Oh, that's not awkward at all.

Brent:  Rose-Grace doesn't hold it against me.  In fact, she was impressed that I didn't make the race personal.  This was her third election and last time two people went up against her. Both ran smear campaigns. 

Daisy: We met at my work.  Bertie stops in every morning for coffee and an apple turnover.

Kyra: Whitney's a waitress, too. 

Daisy: It's a gas station.  Hasn't Brent told you anything about us?

Brent: Not about your professional life.

Daisy (to Brent): You're fired.  This woman doesn't even know she's in presence of celebrities.

Brent: Sorry, I don't think of you in term of your jobs.  (To Kyra) Bertie is the anchor for the local news and Esper has had a few roles in musicals.  

Esper: You guys are dating twins?  Are they identical?

Whitney: Yes, identical twins.  Usually we can tell them apart.  Mine is surlier than hers.

Nakoma: Surlier?  Is that even a word? 

Esper: Most of the guys I know are gay.  That stereotype about theatre guys?  Almost totally true.

Whitney:  You do theatre?

Esper (shouts down to Brent):  You're fired!

After a long visit, everyone decides to give Brent and Kyra some private time.  Bertie and Daisy take the two youngest for a hike.  The older teens join them for a bit, but eventually wander off. 

Wilma: Help! I climb-did up here and now I'm stuck! 

Daisy: You aren't very high up - just drop and I can catch you.

Wendy (annoyed): She does this all the time.  

Bertie: For the love of God, don't drop that baby! 

Wilma (indignant): I'm not a baby!  Babies wear dipes!

That evening, Esper posts a selfie on her social media.  She couldn't post it when she took it because there was no signal out there! 

The Lazy Days of Summer

Leia: Can we ride this?  

Sylvia: Sorry, but no.  The opening of the Windigo has been delayed.  (Surprised, to Zenobia)  Holy cow, is that your little sister?  She's grown.

Zenobia: That's her.  She and Draco are both nearly high school age, can you believe it?

Leia: Draco can't stay in one school long enough to learn anything.  We're in the same grade now. 

After they've gotten their tickets, Zenobia leads Leia toward the gate.

Leia: I'm pretty sure Draco was the jerk commenting on your vlog that only your white friends could be bothered to help you move. 

Zenobia: I don't know who makes me madder, the ones accusing me of racism or the racists defending me.  Besides, Nakoma is an Indian and the Eaton boys are Gypsy.  

Leia: That boy Peeta was really cute.  Is he one of the Eatons?

*****

As they walk away, Nakoma arrives to relieve Sylvia at the ticket counter.  

Nakoma: Anything interesting?

Sylvia: Not much.  Except the boss says not to sit on the counter.

Nakoma: What's she gonna do?  Fire me? 

Sylvia: She'll put you on janitor duty.

Nakoma recoils at the thought and hops down as Sylvia leaves.

Nakoma (teasing): What's this?  You're slacking off while Sylvia does all the work?

John: Taking advantage of a little down time to do some studying.  Sylvia didn't mind.

Nakoma: Me, either.  I'm glad for you - not glad that you made the mistakes that put you in this position, but glad you get the chance to fix them. 

John: It was only one mistake, but she was a huge one.  If it weren't for Roxy and Kelly...

He's interrupted by Pocahontas bringing the lunchbox Nakoma forgot.

Pocahontas: Please don't finish that sentence, John.  

**** 

McG has fled the noise of Lee's home restoration, but her quiet time with a book gets interrupted.

Fred: Grandma, can you find us some ghost videos?  

Kelly: Ghosts are pretend!

Fred: No way, she lives in a ghost house, don't you, Grandma?

Nikki: Have you seen anything, you know, ghostly?  They say renovations can stir spirits up.

McG: Nothing of consequence.  Movement in the edge of my vision, perhaps.

Taylor: Alex's dad is part of a ghost hunter team.  I bet they'd come check it out for you. 

McG: I'll keep that in mind in case our cabinets start opening themselves and spewing their contents.

*******

Brent relaxes after a long day at work by video chatting with his sister and her family.

Brent: Good news.  The Tank is ours for the week, but we are bringing along another driver.  One of Whitney's friends, a real nice girl.  Where's Esper?

Esperanza (stepping into frame): I'm here!  Rehearsal ran over and then I got stuck behind a granny with no gas pedal.

Daisy: Sit down.  We don't want to look up your skirt and neither does Uncle Brent.

Esperanza: Shove over.  The camera range is only so big, you know.

Daisy: Sorry, Brent.  You know how teenagers are.

Brent: Well, she's right.  I can't imagine if we all crammed into view on my end like you suggested.

Bertie (laughing): The little one could sit on your lap.  That only leaves, what, four of you? 

Daisy: Why isn't Whitney's boyfriend driving?  His parents own the thing, right? 

Into Summer

Zenobia starts her shift at Sunburst, already looking forward to the move this evening.  She gets an unpleasant surprise at her first table. 

Draco: Oh, dear god.  You're waiting tables now? 

Zenobia: Obviously.   I'm also moving into Lakeshore.  

Draco: From one slum to another.  Honestly, Zenobia, what is wrong with you? 

Zenobia: Contrary to popular opinion, there's nothing wrong with me.   

She takes their drink orders and leaves menus, all business. 

Charmaine: You know that person? 

Draco: Unfortunately, she's my sister.

******

Kyra and Brent follow Rose-Grace to the barn so they can check out The Tank prior to borrowing it.  

Rose-Grace: There's a total of five sleeping surfaces but we also have a small tent we use.  

Brent: You need one, as large as your family is. 

Kyra: This thing is a lot nicer than you led me to believe.  (To Brent) I've only ever seen the exterior.  She told me it's all cobbled together, but look at this - everything matches and there's even a shower in here. 

Rose-Grace: Pike recently found a similar model and cannibalized it.  

Brent: He does good work.  There's very little indication this wasn't professionally done.

Rose-Grace: Since you're doing this to save money, I think you might want to think about another driver.  That way you wouldn't have to stop and get a hotel or campsite halfway there.  

Kyra: Whitney suggested we take Tanner along, but I wouldn't be comfortable with that.  

Brent: She's already concerned about my family's reaction to Wilma.  Whitney's boyfriend... 

Rose-Grace: I understand that.  Did you know Whitney's best friend can drive this thing?  The boys say she even handles it better than Finnick does.  

Brent: Nakoma or Mariko?  

******

Meanwhile, at Doll County Day Care:

John: I'm really proud of you girls.  Most grown women wouldn't handle my job problems as well as you two have. 

Roxy: You won't let us be poor for long, Daddy.  You'll do all your homework and ace that test and get the center back, I bet, before school starts back up in fall. 

Kelly: What we gonna do in here when the center moves? 

John: I guess we'll just leave it as a playroom. Maybe turn this downstairs back into a house and move out of the servant's quarters.  (shrugs) The Sulu kids and Anakin are coming to play while Sulu and Pocahontas help me study. 

Less than an hour later. 

Sulu: You're late.

Pocahontas: You're ugly.  (They both laugh.)  John, I hope you don't want to study in here with all this chaos. 

John: No, I have a study area set up in the kitchen.  Dixie should come with us, but Roxy and Anakin can supervise in here.  

John: You hear that, Roxy?  Anakin? 

Anakin: Yes, sir.  We'll try to avoid bloodshed and broken bones.  

Start of Summer

Brent and Kyra meet for lunch on Sundance's patio.

Zenobia: Don't you see enough of me when the band rehearses at your house?

Kyra: Forget you, I'm here for some of Midna's pot roast and a tall glass of sweet tea.

Zenobia: Whitney said you're planning a trip out West.  Please don't do it Fourth of July week.  

Kyra: Whitney already told us you and Tris got that apartment at Lakeshore and drafted the entire family to help.  You might want to keep non-breakables for Wilma to tote.

Brent: I offered to babysit but both she and Wilma vetoed that idea. Who else do you have for heavy lifting? The Pike boys, I'm sure. 

Zenobia: And Four.  Tris's boyfriend. All the guys hope to bring siblings to help.  

Brent: With all that help, we should have you moved in a day.  

Zenobia: That's the plan.  

******  

Pocahontas is working in her office when someone knocks on the open office door. 

Pocahontas (not looking up): If it's open, you can stroll on in!  We keep it casual at the cove!

John: I wasn't sure if I'd be welcome.  All things considered. 

Pocahontas (surprised): Don't be silly.  I told you, I've decided to forgive if not to forget. 

John: Fair enough.

Pocahontas:  Is there a problem with Anakin?  Has he been behaving when he comes over?

John: Anakin's a great kid.  I came to ask for a job. The county's revised the criteria for day care providers and I didn't make the cut.  They're shutting me down at the end of the month.

Pocahontas (angry): What the?!  

John (exhausted): I know.  I'm telling the parents tomorrow.  

Pocahontas: That's ridiculous.  You were born for that job.  All you ever talked about was being a kindergarten teacher, then you couldn't go to college, so...  (forces herself to calm down)  You can start here the first of July. If nothing else, you can operate kiddie rides like back in the day.

John bursts into tears of relief.

******

Finally, Marcus Eaton takes Finnick and Albus back at the same time to get the casts removed. 

Marcus: Who's first? 

Finnick (to Albus): Age before beauty.

Albus: But I'm both!  

Marcus: Both of you, make a follow-up appointment.  I don't think any PT is needed, but I want to make sure before deciding. 

Finnick: I'm just glad to have that thing off!  

Albus: How do you think I feel?  At least you could walk! 

Finnick: Didn't slow you down any.  You still managed to score with the fed. 

Albus: I don't like to kiss and tell... but if I did...