Chapter 58

Inspector Devin had to call Jeanie and her husband, twice. They were just stunned.

"What happened?" Jeanie got out.

"Come this way and I think that your questions will be answered. We have some things for you to look at."

They were too dumbfounded not to walk with Inspector Devin. He led them to a set of tables. Laid out were remnants. Jeanie looked at them and almost collapsed.

"Your father did what?" Jessica said out loud in class.

"Jessica, do you want to tell the whole class about this?" the teacher asked.

"No, Sir."

"Then may I suggest that you take a seat in the front? It might help your concentration, today."

Jessica looked over to Fiona, with a mixture of pain and embarrassment, as she assembled her things and moved. Several kids snickered.

"Those of you snickering," the teacher commented, "should note that Jessica, even without making up the test she missed last Friday, holds the highest grade in the class."

'Oh, God, ' Jessica thought, 'now they're going to hate me.'

"But she's only an eighth grader," one boy said.

"She's a ninth grader, and should not even be taking this class. She's too smart for it," the teacher replied. "Now back to the lesson."

Jessica had to suffer the whole class wondering about what Fiona had told her. She needed more information and knew she wasn't going to get any, before lunchtime. Then, she would be torn. Go see John, or talk with Fiona. Life wasn't always very fair.

"The last time we were here," my father said, "we ended up at the hospital."

"Thanks for reminding me," I replied. "Somehow, I don't think they want to see me for some time."

"We've got to get you all spiffed up," my mother said. "You remember there are going to be some candidates coming over, this afternoon."

"Spiffed up?" I asked in a horrified tone. "No one uses that word, Mom. Somehow, you using it, while I have little say in what happens to me, is a bit daunting."

"Oh, don't you worry," she said.

"Dad, help me!"

He chuckled. I knew this was to be my own battle. He was going to stay clear away from this one.

"So what are you planning, Mom, and don't say nothing. I know you better than that. Tell me what you have in mind."

She looked a bit miffed, as though I'd spoiled her fun.

"Well ... First we need to pick out some clothing, so you'll look nice."

"Hold it, right there. If I'm dressed anyway other than normal, they're going to think that is what I would expect."

"There's nothing wrong with looking nice," my mother replied.

"There is if you can't move. I'd love to switch places with you, so you'd understand; but let's just say not being able to move much, stipulates very comfortable clothing. Anything else and I think the doctors would have a fit."

"Knowing you," my mother said in a huff, "you'd tell them."

"If it keeps you from dressing me up like a little doll, then yes, I would. Now, what else do you have in mind?"

"Why if I didn't know better..." my mother said to my father. "He doesn't appreciate what I'm trying to do for him."

My father chortled. She gave him the 'evil eye' and he put his hand over his mouth. I could only guess he was grinning behind it.

"You need a bath," my mother went on, as though she was not getting any grief for her suggestions.

"Who's going to do that?" I said without thinking of the distinct possibilities.

"Well, certainly not Jessica."

"But, Mom..." I said and then started laughing.

"Don't you 'But, Mom' me. You two are too close if you ask my opinion."

"I don't remember doing such a thing, and probably wouldn't, but I think that is beside the point. What you forget is that while she might be curious, she wouldn't be able to do it. She'd die of embarrassment."

"Don't be so sure of that, son," my mother said in a tone that implied that she knew things of which I had no clue.

"Theresa wouldn't want her too, anyway, and I'm not going to go against that. So she's out. Theresa's bringing the first candidate from the hospital with her, so she's out ... Not you?" I said, realizing that my mother was thinking that very idea.

"Who else?"

"Mom, you haven't bathed me since I was ... well a whole lot younger."

"If it helps," my father said in an 'oh, so helpful way, ' "I'll stay in the room."

"Thanks a lot, Dad. You two are hell bent on torturing me, aren't you?"

Antonio stepped out from around the corner of one of the buildings. He looked at the situation and thought his surprise had gone awry. He quickly walked over.

"Sorry to have missed you when you arrived," Antonio said.

Jeanie and her husband looked at him, wondering what he was doing there.

"My crew found these as they removed everything," Antonio explained.

Jeanie looked at her husband. Before she could say anything, he did.

"Your crew removed our house?"