Tough Love Everywhere

In the early morning hours, Pern meets the other members of the Sunburst crew.  

Midna: Before we get started, I want to make a few things known. With Pern's permission, of course.  She's newly sober and wants to stay that way.  She's also new to the work force, so let's be gentle on her at first.

Pern: I can't thank all of you enough for giving me this chance.  This is my second try at living clean, I have no idea what I'm doing, but I promise to make my best effort.

Zenobia: I think I can hold off on the whips and chains until Thursday.  (laughter all around) No, seriously, we'll do our best to help as much as we can.

Esmeralda: But not so much you depend on us.  We can't turn you into a contributing member of society by contributing for you, can we? 

Jason (nods in agreement):  But first we gotta make sure all your paperwork is in order.  I'll take you to Violet. 

Violet: It looks like Midna got all the formalities taken care of.  Normally, I take care -- 

Pern: This is gorgeous artwork.  Did you do it?

Violet: My husband and stepchildren don't celebrate Christmas, so my stepdaughter painted that to replace my Merry Christmas one.  

Pern: She's good.  How old is she?

Violet (sternly): Midna hired you against my advice.  Fresh out of rehab, never worked before...  (smiles) I'd love it if you proved me wrong.  And Samantha is thirteen.  

Pern (confused): Okay?  Would challenge accepted be the wrong thing to say here? 

Violet: Absolutely not.  Now, Jason is waiting for you in the kitchen and I've got inventory to do.  

******

Doll County Courthouse, Judge's chambers

Bonnie: Your honor, the probation office has no objection to the proposed action regarding Draco Malfoy.  All parties involved have agreed to the terms.

Draco: Mother, tell them!  I didn't agree to anything!

Helena: You are a minor.  I agreed in your stead.  

Albus: I already have a list of jobs he can legally do at The Cove.  

Bonnie: I've reviewed that list with Mr. Dumbledore's employer and with Mrs. Malfoy.  It is a bit unusual for the defendant to do community service under the supervision of the plaintiff, but under the circumstances...

Helena: Albus Dumbledore is nearly the only person in the county who can't be swayed by the Malfoy name.  There's a very real concern that anyone else will be and that Draco will not learn the intended lesson.

Judge: Very well then.  We'll make it official in court this afternoon.

*****

As the third graders leave Suzie's classroom at the end of the day, they're a bit surprised to see Anakin coming in.

Roxy: Do you got detention or something?  

Dan: What did you do?

Anakin: I didn't do anything.  I just wanna talk to Mrs. Dean for a minute.  (He waits until they're gone.)  Is that okay, Mrs. Dean?  You said if any of us ever needed advice.... 

Suzie: Of course, Anakin, what's bothering you?  

Anakin settles in at a desk.

It seems like moments later when Nakoma taps on the classroom door.

Nakoma: Roxy told me you needed to talk to Mrs. Dean, kid, but it's been almost half an hour.  

Anakin: Oh, sorry.  (to Suzie) Thanks for talking to me.  Sometimes it helps to have somebody not, you know, family to talk to.

Suzie: I understand.  If you need to talk some more, I'll run your sister off.

Anakin: No, I'm gonna do what you said.  I think it's a good idea.

Anakin stops to hug her on the way out.  

Mother's Day Weekend

Friday, before dawn, at Witch's Cove Campground.

Lorina: Stop trying to talk me into staying longer.  I want to spend Mother's Day with my daughter and grandson.  

Albus (making puppy-dog eyes): Well, if you must...  

Lorina (laughing): I must.  It's been fun, Albus, but all good things must end. 

Albus: Bummer, right? 

******

Friday,early evening, at The Overlook.

Jason: I'm sorry I didn't have time to take you home, kiddo.  But I'm sure Pocahontas won't mind if you explore the beach down there.  

Moana: I'll be the best dressed beachcomber this town has ever seen.  

Jason:  Sorry if I'm late.  We went to the graveyard so Moana could put some flowers on her mom's grave and got caught in traffic on the way back.  It is okay for her to go down there, right?

Pocahontas: That's what those steps are for.  I was just telling the others that this month's flowers had a Mother's Day card in it.  I'm not even ten years older than Nakoma! 

Jason: Maybe he knows you've generously given them maternal care even though they aren't your children.  I'd hate to think this guys doesn't know you're their sister if he's courting you.

Pocahontas:  Courting me?  I guess that term works as well as any, if a little dated.  

Nova: Mariko and I are going to do an on-line chat with her mom, and then we're taking mine out to lunch.  What do you guys have planned?

Becky:  Nothing.  The kids are totally bummed - this is their first year without theirs, and my parents expect us to fly across the country just for the day.  With Ron and Ginny's money, you know. 

Ben: Claudia wants to go see our mom, but the prison doesn't have visiting hours on Sunday, so we're going tomorrow. I'd just as soon not do it, but the social worker says I need to let Claudia work things out for herself. 

Nova:  Wait, your parents are in jail? 

Ben: Just mom.  Dad is in the cemetery.  I don't want to talk about it. 

******

Sunday morning, the Pike house.

Rose-Grace:  This might be the most unusual breakfast in bed I've ever seen. 

Fred: Taylor said you'd want boring ole bacon and eggs and I said no way.  Step Mommy likes pizza!

Taylor: He was... um... quite insistent.  

Rose-Grace:  Well, he isn't wrong.  I do like pizza, bear claws, and cappachino.  

Fred: Now eat up!  We got lots of fun on the Jenda for today! 

Rose-Grace:  I hope you aren't forgetting Candy.  She did give birth to half of you.

Tanner: She's still on assignment.  We'll have a belated one for her when she gets back.  

Fred: She likes raw fishies, so we can take her to the ornamental buffet.

The Investigation: Part Two

Federal investigator Lorina Dahl is creating waves, but life in Barbieville goes on regardless.

Midna: I'm glad you've decided to join us here at Sunburst. 

Jason: Thanks for giving me time to think it over,  I had another offer, which paid more, but the benefits and hours here are better for me and my, um, kid. 

Midna: I understand.  Let's get Violet to take you into the office.  You can finalize the paperwork and start tomorrow.

Violet: We have a problem.  The larger tables are in, but they're purple with an inlay design. 

Midna: We don't have time to return them and wait for the faux marble ones. (Thinks for a moment.)  But you know what?  This might work for us.  Several customers have suggested I return to the look I had at the diner.  A little messier, not so upscale looking.

Violet: Seriously?

Midna: Yes, seriously.  Purple family tables will add a little pop of color.  

Violet (not sure if she's angry or amused):  You're the boss.  Jason, if you'll come with me?

Zenobia:  Are you ladies ready...  What's wrong with Sylvia?

Phoebe: David showed his true colors.  

Zenobia:  Oh, crap.  What happened?

Phoebe: We had a DNA thing done, for the family tree Mom's been working on.  Found out Dad's theory about my hair is correct - we have African ancestry.  

Sylvia (sobbing):  He spit on me, Zen!  I thought he loved me! 

Phoebe:  You think she's bad, you should see Ryan.  He caught racist from David. 

Zenobia (kind but firm): Sylvia, we've been telling you since High School that David was trash.  

Lorina comes in as Jason leaves.  She joins Midna uninvited.

Lorina: Violet had security cameras in her store, but there's nothing useful on them. They don't show the area where the fire began.  What sort of security did you have at your former location?

Midna: Just the camera at the register.  You've seen that footage.  

Lorina (disappointed): You didn't have footage of the dining room?

Zenobia: Excuse me, ladies, but the Guinness sisters have ordered.  I need my cook.   (To Lorina)  Someone videoed the time Clara screamed at Becky and Ben.  I've seen it on Facebook. Would that help?

Lorina:  Yes, it would!  (Gets out her laptop.) Ms Sunburst, I need to borrow your waitress for a bit.

Midna: No problem.  They're the only ones in here at the moment, and they're waiting for their food.

Zenobia: I do have to grab their drinks, but I'll be right back.

Walking home from work, Zenobia sees the twins at the school. 

Zenobia: Y'all love it here that much?  

Tanner:  Our grandma is inside, meeting with Suzie Dean.  Suzie's helping her with the annual play. 

Zenobia:  I loved that thing!  But you know what a ham I am.  Oh, did you hear?  It hit the fan at the Guinness house last night.

Finnick: I noticed Ryan was absent today.  (Zenobia catches them up on the gossip.) Wait, Ryan found out his great great grandpa or something was black?!  

Zenobia: It's not funny, you guys!  Sylvia is devastated! 

Tanner (laughing): Well, I'm sorry for Sylvia, but after the things Ryan has said and done...  It's hilarious.  Wait til I tell Frodo!  

Finnick (imitating Frodo):  Yo, Ryan, man!  I hear you found out you was a homeboy! 

Suzie: You are over-thinking the entire thing, McG.  It's not a history project, it's to get them to identify with the characters.  To make them really think about the literature.

McG: Perhaps you're right.  I do tend to over-think.  

Suzie: If a play is too much for you, have them do monologues.  In character, telling their story.  

McG: That would fill the course requirements.  

Rose-Grace is enjoying a book on the deck when the twins get home.  Lorina arrives while Tanner catches her up on the gossip.

Tanner: Zenobia's mad at us for laughing, but...  Sylvia's her friend, not ours, and Sylvia's little brother is the bane of my existence. 

Rose-Grace: We'll discuss it later.  I need to talk to Ms Dahl now.  Privately, I'm sure.

Lorina: I wanted to give you a quick update on the case and I was in the area interviewing Mr. Spiner.  I hope you don't mind my coming to your home. 

Rose-Grace:  I'm tripping over in laws, children, and pets.  What's a Fed going to hurt?  (Both laugh) 

Have a seat. Tanner will warn the rest I'm doing mayor stuff, they'll leave us alone. 

Lorina: My technical analyst found some data I think you should see.  (She reaches for her bag, but her headset pings.)  Excuse me, I have to take this call. (Rose-Grace waits while Lorina does so.)  Well, Madam Mayor, would you like to go along while I make an arrest?  

Spring Has Sprung

The last nine weeks of school begins with a new student coming to Barbieville Middle School.

Claudia and Moana wait for the bus outside Lake Shore Townhomes.

Claudia: I guess it's kind of like any public school.  Some good teachers, some bad ones.  Same with the kids.  

Moana: Thanks for offering to help me out.  Jason promised me we won't move.  Well, I won't have to change schools.  Obviously, when he gets a job, we might have to move out of this complex. 

Claudia: Ben wouldn't qualify to live here if it wasn't for me.  Kids are expensive. 

Ron: Watch out for Draco, though.  He don't like you poor folk and those of us who slum with you.

Moana: Us poor folk?  Dude, you live here, too. 

Ginny: We're independently wealthy, or will be when we're old enough to get our trust funds.  I guess we are technically poor right now...

Ron: Our cousin is the manager here and she's got custody of us.  We picked her because she was the only one who cared more about us than the money.

Ginny: Took a while to convince the courts, though. 

*****

At the high school, McG begins a long-term substitute position in the Language Arts classroom.  

Raven: That's the twins' grandma?  

Tris: Four says she's really strict but otherwise cool.  Hey, did I tell you Zenobia and I decided to find a bigger apartment?  Where should we look?

Raven: How would I know?

Tris: Aren't you and your mom looking for a place?

Raven: Oh, that.  She's been seeing Dean, like, forever.  They decided to get married.  Just a mayor's office thing, though, since Mom isn't Jewish.  I get to share a room with his thirteen year old. 

McG:  Miss Prior, Miss Baxter.  Would you like to share with the class, since your subject matter is clearly more important than mine?  (waits a moment)  As I was saying, Miss Jones left me with instructions regarding your course of study.  It appears that the final exam is to be a stage production of one of the books reviewed this term.  

Raven (whispering):  Please let it be Gone With The Wind.

McG: Given the subject matter, some things have to be changed for a school production, but Miss Jones had a script nearly finished at the time of her accident.  Please consider what roles you'd like to audition for on Friday.

  

Raven (whispering):  Gone With The Wind  please please please

McG: I'm sorry, Miss Baxter, but it will be Jane Eyre.  

*****

After school, at the hospital. 

Tanner:  You aren't Whitney, but you're a lot prettier than Frodo.

Nakoma: Thanks, I think.  The Language Arts play this year is Jane Eyre.  Want me to put you down for any roles? 

Tanner: There's only one guy in that whole book!

Nakoma: You must not have been paying much attention when we read it. And you should be out of the hospital in plenty of time.

Rose-Grace: Marcus was just here.  Tanner is going home tomorrow.

Nakoma:  That's great!  I can't wait to tell the gang! 

Rose-Grace: And I think you should put him down to play Mason.  

****

That evening, KAP (Kin As Parents) welcomes a new member to the support group.

Becky: Guys, this is Jason Fly.  He just moved here, has custody of a seventh-grader, and is looking for work.  

Jason: Anything will do.  I hate being unemployed but don't have much by way of qualifications.

Nova: You're in good company, then.  Both Ben and I work at places that are almost always hiring and Pocahontas owns the amusement park.  We'll see what we can do for you.  

Ben: Jason has quite a story about his charge.  He doesn't even know how she's kin.

Jason: It's kind of a long one, but here goes.  I was DNA matched with Moana.  I have several brothers and uncles who might be the father.  So Moana is either my cousin or my niece. 

Pocahontas: Wow. 

Jason: Moana's mom died in a car accident and the foster care system has just implemented a system of DNA matching.  They contacted all of us and I was the only one willing to take in the child.

Pocahontas: Can't they tell how closely related you are?  Or is cousin and niece the same degree of relation?  

Jason: I'm not sure.  All I know is, she's my blood and she needed me.  

Ben: Maybe Pocahontas should do that.  See how many more Anakins are out there. 

Pocahontas: I wouldn't dare.  Anakin already thinks I don't believe he's really my brother.