Lois and Carolyn, thanks for the beta...you’re the greatest! I would also like to thank everyone who previewed the chapters for me.
Chapter 24 – Return to Normal Saturday Morning…(Day 62) The aroma of coffee and bacon awakened Melanie and Lindsay. When they were able to finally roll out of bed, they immediately went to check on Jenny Rebecca, but they found that she wasn’t in her crib. They also noticed that as they passed the bedroom door to Carl and Debbie’s room that it was still closed. Thinking that Carl was busy moving around in the kitchen alone, Lindsay and Melanie quickly showered and dressed and made their way downstairs to see if they could help. They were not surprised to find Jenny Rebecca in her high chair, being fed morsels of Cheerios by Carl. In between bites of cereal Carl and Jenny were engaged in some special conversation that only they understood. The sounds of their laughter could be heard throughout the kitchen. However, standing at the stove, cooking breakfast, as usual, was Debbie. Melanie and Lindsay came into the room and quickly hugged her. “So you’re here,” Debbie announced, “How was your trip? I understand that you drove this time, how did it go?” she asked in rapid succession as she poured them each a cup of coffee. “It was the usual drive. Fortunately, the motion of the car put both kids right to sleep. We missed most of the traffic too,” Melanie revealed nonchalantly. In spite of how calm Debbie looked, Melanie could hardly believe that she seemed to be back to normal. This was not what she was expecting, after hearing Emmett’s news last night. Both Melanie and Lindsay had prepared themselves to be loving and supportive to Debbie. Obviously, these extra gestures were going to be unnecessary. As if reading their thoughts, Debbie simply smiled. “I think that it’s sweet that you two are here for me. I’m going to be okay. I was just tired last night when you arrived.” Lindsay and Melanie just looked at each other, trying to hide their momentary disbelief. Then Debbie continued, “I heard that Brian had Emmett fill you in. I know that you’re surprised,” she pointed out with a smile. “Now you…like my son…know everything,” she finally whispered. “It’s an amazing story,” Lindsay said. Debbie merely shrugged. “It happened,” she said nonchalantly with a shrug. “Now we know where Michael gets his gift for storytelling,” Melanie added with a smile. “You little shit!” Debbie answered with a laugh. “Now what can I get you for breakfast?” she immediately asked, clearly changing the subject. Melanie and Lindsay nodded to each other, before requesting eggs and bacon and toast to go with their coffee. Debbie smiled and continued her breakfast preparations. A light chatter between everyone began about nothing in particular. “So did Carl tell you about our upcoming date for the evening?” Debbie teased, while stirring the eggs. “Date?” Melanie asked with some renewed curiosity. “You two are still dating after all this time?” Lindsay teased. “Not dating exactly…” Carl began to clarify. “Oh?” Melanie continued, now with renewed interest. “Well, let’s just say that is all so that Jennifer gets a new experience…” Carl started to explain before Debbie cut him off. “And Carl gets to gush at an international star,” Debbie said with a laugh. “Okay, so living with Emmett does rub off on you. Some people pick up his tips on how to dress. I picked up his fascination with stars…like Drew Boyd.” “Why Carl? Is there something that you haven’t told us?” Lindsay teased. “Yes, does Emmett know he has competition?” Melanie teased. “And does Drew know that he has another admirer,” Lindsay continued. “Will you two just rein in your imaginations? I can’t believe we’re even having this discussion at MY breakfast table!” Carl said in mock protest. “Debbie honey, help me out here!” “You’ve got to admit, Carl, you do tend to be a bit start-struck. I think it’s fucking adorable,” Debbie added. Carl sighed deeply in exasperation; then he turned his conversation back to Jenny, “Why do I even try to hold a conversation with them, when it’s so clear that you’re the only one who understands me?” he asked, handing Jenny another handful of Cheerios. Jenny took the additional cereal and started to smile and babble. “Okay, you’ve had your fun! Now, Carl and I have a date with Jennifer tonight. We’re going to the Kit Kat Club.” Debbie finally said. Lindsay and Melanie originally thought that it was an odd place for Debbie to be going. Then, they remembered that Brian used to say that Debbie was a person, as much at home in a gay club as she was in the kitchen. So it all started to make perfect sense except for one thing. “And you’re taking Jennifer along,” Lindsay asked with a laugh. “Okay, you I understand, but Jennifer?” she added. “It’s time for me to see that Jennifer has few new experiences,” Debbie said with a laugh. “Oh, that’s for sure!” Melanie added. “Are you finished? I was only letting you know in case you had plans for tonight yourself. I was just letting you know that I won’t be able to baby-sit for my adorable granddaughter,” she quipped, tickling Jenny under her chin. “In fact, I would say that we should be getting home quite late,” she added with a devious smile at Carl. “Yes, I would definitely have to agree with that,” Carl added mischievously with a twinkle in his eye. “So what IS on your agenda for today,” Debbie finally asked. “We have a few errands to run and some business to take care of,” Melanie explained. “Then I was hoping to see Michael,” Lindsay added. “And I was hoping to see Ben,” Melanie confirmed. “That sounds like a perfect plan,” Debbie confirmed with a smile. “And sometime this weekend, maybe we can talk too?” she innocently suggested. “Hmmm…talk?” Melanie asked. “About what?” Debbie said quietly, “You might as well tell me the real reason for all these trips to Pittsburgh?” “What do you mean?” Lindsay tried to innocently ask. “You mean…you don’t want us here? “Did I say that? You know that you’re always welcome. You’re family for fuck’s sake! I just want you to know that I’m not fucking blind. And the pieces don’t add up. I just want you to know that you’re not fooling anyone,” Debbie pointed out. “I just think we should talk about it,” she quietly suggested. Before anyone could say anything more, Emmett breezed into the kitchen, as only Emmett could. Everyone was immediately distracted. “Em, you’re already dressed. Isn’t it a bit early for you to be up and out this morning?” Carl teased when Emmett joined him at the table. “I just got this last minute call from one of my special customers, asking for a last minute lunch. So it seems that I have to get up and go! I already called Darrin, and he’s agreed to help. Thank goodness he was available on such short notice,” Emmett continued to ramble. “Oh well, I see that everyone is up and ready to start their day,” he finally acknowledged, saying a quick hello to Melanie and Lindsay and tickling Jenny. “So what can I get for you,” Debbie asked with a smile. “Just coffee, thanks. I think that’s all I’ll have time for.” Emmett took a gulp of his coffee and appeared to be ready to stand up to leave. Then he said, “I guess I’ll see you all later.” “Don’t bet on it, Em! It seems that Carl and Debbie have this hot date at the Kit Kat Club tonight. They’re even taking Jennifer with them to this den of inequity. Maybe one of us should call Justin to make him aware of what’s going on while Brian has him sequestered at the mansion painting with Gus,” Lindsay teased. “Well, I’m not sure what Justin is aware of,” Emmett volunteered with an abrupt change in attitude, sensing that Lindsay was trying to cause trouble, “But he isn’t painting with Gus today.” “Of course, they’re painting together. They always paint together. Gus looks forward to it every time he visits,” Lindsay confirmed, as if stating the obvious. “Well that may usually be the case, but I have it on good authority that Gus is with Brian at Kinnetik today,” Emmett reported with a satisfied smile. He was taking more pleasure than usual, relating this earthshaking news. “Brian mentioned something about having a six year old assistant for the day. Oh, I would say that he was pretty excited about it.” “You must have misunderstood, Em,” Melanie tried to correct him, “I thought that Brian said that he was swamped with work. That was why he was here in Pittsburgh in the first place. How on earth is he going to spend time with Gus?” she wondered. “Still don’t get it, do you?” Emmett asked, showing his disappointment. “Get what?” Lindsay asked. Before Emmett could answer, Debbie interrupted, “If I remember, the last time we made cookies together, Gus couldn’t stop talking about how he had stayed up late at the loft with Brian while he worked. It was the highlight of one of his visits,” Debbie added. “And Gus just likes to sort of hang out with Brian and Justin…no matter what they’re doing. They don’t have to do something special just because Gus visits,” Emmett reminded them. “I would have thought you two would have figured that out by now.” “So Em, how did you know that Gus was going to be at work with Brian?” Lindsay asked out of curiosity. “Oh, Brian mentioned it at lunch yesterday,” Emmett answered nonchalantly. “See, Brian’s probably had it planned since yesterday. I guess Gus is going to have another interesting adventure,” Debbie said with a laugh. “Wait until he calls you to tell you all about it,” she added. “That’s what worries me,” Melanie commented with a laugh. “I’m sure you’ll get over it,” Emmett quipped with a laugh. “Well, I have to go,” he said, gulping down the last of his coffee. “I’ll see you later.” And with that Emmett was gone. “Emmett may not be concerned, but I’m still not sure about you taking Jennifer to the Kit Kat Club,” Lindsay began again. “I wonder if we should call Justin.” “You leave Sunshine alone. Brian already knows, so I’m sure that he’s filled Sunshine in on everything by now,” Debbie said with a laugh. “I must say that I’m really looking forward to tonight,” Carl added, leaning over to kiss Debbie on the cheek. “Well JR, have you finished your breakfast?” Carl asked. “How about I take you to spend the day with your daddy?” he continued. Jenny Rebecca immediately reached out her arms to be picked up. Carl quickly obliged with a laugh. Debbie helped Carl and Jenny get ready to go. First, they kissed Debbie goodbye; then they waved goodbye to Lindsay and Melanie. A few minutes later, Melanie looked at her watch and realized that it was time for her and Lindsay to go as well, so they kissed Debbie goodbye, and they were off. Debbie sat in her kitchen sipping a final cup of coffee before she began to clean up the kitchen. She was going into the Diner. It was time for her to resume her life. Her shift would be starting soon, and she didn’t want to be late. Things were starting to return to normal.