Chapter 22: The Future Knocks

Stacy's house was in a nice neighborhood, that part of town was one of the nicest in the city. My jeep was not shiny and new, but it looked good, ran better, and sounded great. Mr. G. and I put some after market stuff on it to make it truly off-road worthy. Big tires, small lift kit, suspension, bigger bumpers, floodlights, exhaust, all the typical jeep stuff was added to improve it. Jane and I were proud of it, but we felt a little out of our league when we pulled up. The Mercedes and BMW in the drive of a big house with neat bushes and flowers out front told us Stacy had money. Jane put her shirt on over her bikini as we pulled up. That was probably a good thing. I thought she looked like a million bucks in it, but it was kind of revealing. We climbed out and followed Stacy inside.

"Mom, I'm home," she called out.

We were greeted by the archetype of the corporate Mom. She was right out of a TV show. Pretty, makeup on, causal yet expensive clothes, and friendly, "hi dear, who are your friends," she asked. We later found out she was a real estate agent.

"Mom, this is Brett and Jane, we met them at the pool. He scared Tim and Dave off. They were bothering Jane. You should have seen it Mom, they left right away and Brett was real nice about it to. He reminded me of Daddy when he gets mad," Stacy rushed out.

"You know I don't like that Tim, Stacy."

"I know, but he can drive us to the pool."

"I can drive you to the pool too, your little sister would have liked to go with you."

"Mom!"

"I know, it's not the same, can't have your mother driving you to a public place now can you?" She teased.

Stacy rolled her eyes and groaned. Jane and I were avidly watching this exchange. It never failed to amaze us what real parents were like. Almost made us want one around.

"Hi Brett, Jane, nice to meet you. I'm Mrs. Jameson."

"Hi Mrs. Jameson," we replied.

Just then a blonde haired brown-eyed girl of about ten came in and looked at us while walking absently to the fridge.

"Mom, can I go to the drive-in tonight?"

"Ask your father, he is home from work."

"Kim, did Julie go home?"

The little blonde girl just nodded and ate an apple while staring at me.

"Joe, you're turning sixteen in October aren't you?"

"Yeah, I hope I get a car."

"What school do you two go to," Stacy's Mom asked us.

"We go to East Mrs. Jameson," I replied.

"What grade are you going in this year?"

"I am going to be a freshman and Brett will be a senior," replied Jane.

"That's what I guessed, he is certainly large enough to be a senior."

"Yeah, and I just don't seem to be growing much at all."

"Relax dear, it's okay for us girls to be small, the guys like it," she laughed saying.

We laughed at that, and I noticed that Kim was still staring at me. I could not resist and winked at her. She turned bright red and looked down. Her Mom did not catch that exchange thankfully. I embarrassed her enough.

"Would you like something to drink," Mrs. Jameson asked.

"Sure," Joe replied.

"Lemonade alright?"

"That's fine."

"You want some Brett and Jane?"

"Yes thank you."

She handed us each a glass and told us to sit down. I went and sat next to Kim.

"Dad wants you Mom," Stacy said walking back into the kitchen.

"Want to go swimming tomorrow again?" Stacy asked us.

"Yeah," Jane spoke for both of us.

"I can't, I have soccer practice," Joe said.

"Can I go too?" Kim asked.

"No," Stacy said at the same time that I said, "sure."

I got a big smile and a small frown from the sisters for that.

"Yay," Kim cheered and got up and ran out of the room.

"She is a pain," Stacy said.

"Look how happy she is though, she can't be that much trouble," I offered.

Stacy looked thoughtful at that, "I guess not."

I was about to go on when Stacy's parents came into the kitchen trailed by Kim. Mr. Jameson looked every inch the father. Still in a suit and tie he looked like a banker. It turned out he worked for a bank.

"Hi, I'm Mr. Jameson, Stacy and Kim's father."

"Hello, I'm Jane and this is Brett."

"My daughter tells me you plan on going to the drive-in theatre tonight."

"Yes, it was a sort of a spur of the moment thing, we don't even know what's playing yet," I explained.

"I'll find out," Stacy said getting up from the table to get the paper.

"Play any sports Brett?"

"I swim."

"I played baseball myself. We went to regional finals my junior and senior years."