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FINDING A NEW PATH -or- SHE GENERALLY GAVE HERSELF GOOD ADVICE "Oh, my God! He's gorgeous!" Annie's voice came through the FaceTime connection on John's phone. "You dated that guy!?" Cassie was incredulous! "You're not even a star, yet!" She teased. "You shouldn't be able to get a guy like that until you're a mega-star! Like Jennifer Lawrence, or something!" John giggled. "I didn't 'get' him! We just went to the movies together." "And homecoming!" Cassie corrected. "Yeah," Annie interrupted, "and you hung up on us to take his call and it took, like, an hour for you to call back." John giggled, blushed and shrugged. "What can I say? He's very nice." "And gorgeous!" Annie repeated. "Ok, ok, ok," John gave in, "he is gorgeous. Anyway, I called tonight because I'm going to be on set all day, everyday this week and I wanted to let you know that I wasn't blowing you off, or anything. I'll call or text when I can." "Cool, and we'll do the same," Cassie smiled. "So, when are you going to be on Ellen?" "Ummm," John looked at his calendar. "Looks like October twenty- eight. The whole cast is on to promote the two-hour, debut episode." "Get outta town," Cassie's jaw had literally dropped. "I was just kidding. You're actually going to be on Ellen!?!?" "Yeah, I guess. We're going to be on a bunch of shows that week. You know, to promote the series." Annie shook her head. "Wow. You really are becoming a star, aren't you?" "I don't know. I'm just lucky enough to be on the series. We'll see what happens from there. Listen, I gotta go. Rose just stuck her head in and said that dinner was ready. Love you guys!" "Love you, too," the sisters said in unison. "Oh!" John stopped before terminating the call. "When are you coming out? I know it's Veteran's Day weekend, but what day are you getting here?" "Umm," Cassie checked her calendar, "we arrive on Thursday, the tenth, and we leave on Sunday the thirteenth. Wow! Your show will have been on for two weeks by then!" "And you'll be a star!" Annie giggled. "When we go to Disneyland, people will recognize you! That'll be amazing!" "I doubt it," John laughed. "I look a little younger on the show. Besides, with streaming and everything else, people don't all watch the same shows, anymore. No one will know who I am." "Bebe!" Rose's voice cut into his room. "We're waiting and supper's getting cold!" "Oops," Cassie made a face. "You'd better go!" "Yep!" John got up from his bed and headed to the dinning room. "Love ya!" He sent them an air-kiss. "Bye!" "Bye, Bebe!" The sisters returned the kiss and John hit the 'end' button, just as he reached the table. "Sorry." "How are the girls?" Ed asked. "Good. Excited about visiting next month." "I bet they are," Rose laughed. "Those girls are just a pile of joy and energy molded into girls' bodies. They were excited to spend time at your house at The Cape. This will be incredible for them! Traveling across country by themselves, spending time with their TV star friend. I bet their crawling out of their skin, already." "Huh," Ed was looking at his tablet. "Look what my aunt just sent me." He turned the screen to show Rose and John a photo of all three of them as well Don and Marion. It was taken on the church-parking- lot-set on the day that they'd filmed there. "Where did that come from?" Rose asked. "According to my aunt, she went to the dentist's office today and picked up Entertainment Magazine and there was a story about the show. This picture was captioned, 'Don Ferry's TV family prepares for the inevitable explosion when this show hits the airways.'" "Wow!" Rose pulled out her tablet and did a google search for Entertainment Magazine. "This is getting pretty real, huh?" She found the article on the site. "It's a critic's choice for upcoming shows." She read the short article out loud. 'One time Action Star, Don Ferry, returns to the small screen for the first time in twenty years with next week's debut of his new series, 'Civil Disobedience' on ABC. Ferry's last TV appearance was as a murder suspect on 'Law and Order.' Since then, he has started his own theater company in Palm Springs and he has appeared in three highly praised Broadway plays, including last seasons 'The View From The Bridge' for which he won a Tony Award.' 'His new series, set in the early 1960s, follows the life of a Los Angeles policeman who recently lost his wife, his rookie partner (new comer Edward McNeal), his mother-in-law (TV staple Marion Holt) and his two daughters (newcomers Rose Carlson and Bebe Foley). ' 'Buzz around this show and these unknown actors, particularly fourteen year old, Bebe Foley, has been intense around Hollywood, recently. Although I can reveal nothing about the show at this time, I have seen the rough cut of the debut, two-hour long episode and I will confirm that the hype is well deserved. I highly recommend that you set your recorder to catch this show.' "Look," she turned her tablet towards the others. "There's two more pictures." One was of Don looking intense and speaking into an old style, black phone. The caption read, 'Ferry's character, Jason Richmond' The other was a candid shot taken on the soundstage of Ed sitting on a bench with his arms stretched across the back. On one side, Rose had her head laid on Ed's shoulder. On the other, John had his head resting on Ed's chest. The caption read, 'Long time friends, now cast mates, Carlson and her real-life cousin, Foley, rest on costar MacNeal during a break in shooting.' "Wow." John was both excited and shocked that his image appeared in a national magazine. "I should call my mom and Nancy. They'll want to see this." He started to rise, but Rose stopped him. "Beebs, honey. Eat first, then call your mom." "Oh, please, Rose. If she hears about it from someone else, she'll get mad at me." "Let her call her mom, Rose. She can heat up her dinner in the microwave, later." Ed smiled at Rose. Rose shook her head in frustration. "Oh, Alright, but you should thank your Uncle Ed for having that sweet smile, or I would have said, 'no.'" "Thanks. And thanks, Uncle Ed." The last part was called over his shoulder as John ran back into his bedroom to start making a series of phone calls. "And cut," the director called. "Don and Rose, I need you for a few closeups. Bebe, you're free for a couple of hours. See a PA to check, but I think you're on set again at about 6:30. That's about two hours from now. Thanks, sweetheart." A woman with a clipboard came over to John and said, "That's right. You're due back on set at 6:30. See Julia at 6:10 to check your hair and make up. Right now, you're scheduled to take an American History test with your tutor. The classroom is in room 'H' at the end on the dressing room hallway. Do you need anything?" It had been a grueling week and it was only Thursday. When he wasn't required on set, John was working with a tutor, or running lines with the younger cast. Everyone else was remarking on the amount of down- time they had, but John's schedule didn't give him time to think. Add to that the director's penchant to have John and Don improvise their scenes together, and John was finding himself dragging his butt around the soundstage. He was also getting texts from his mother, Ella, MK, Cassie and Annie all complaining that he was not answering their communications. It was a lot to deal with. When he was acting, he was exhilarated and energized, but, as soon as the cameras stopped, his energy level plummeted and he could barely think straight. John sighed. He really would rather just look at the script for next scene or, better yet, sleep, rather than take a History test. "Do you know which tutor is here, now?" The PA flipped through her pages. "Umm... Oh, it's Stephanie." John nodded. 'Of course it is,' he thought. "I really need to take a nap," John told the woman. "Do you think that I could have a rest before I take the test?" The PA smiled and said, "Of course you can..." but a familiar voice cut her off. "No. You can take a nap AFTER the test, if there is time, but your school work comes first." Miss Stephanie stood with her arms folded, waiting for John to join her. John looked to the PA for help, but the twenty-something woman just gave him a sympathetic smile and a shrug. He followed Miss Stephanie to room 'H' which was set up to be a make- shift classroom. The tutor on duty had a desk in the front of the room and there were a half-dozen two-foot-by-four-foot tables acting as desks. Sometimes, John was in here with other members of the younger cast, but, more often than not, it was just him and one of the tutors. Attempting to be friendly, he asked, "Are you enjoying the show, Miss Stephanie?" "Well, to tell you the truth," Miss Stephanie looked thoughtful, "even though this kind of story is far from my cup of tea, I am very impressed by Don's professionalism." John had noticed Miss Stephanie's moon-eyed behavior whenever she was in the vicinity of the famous actor. He was amused that she called him 'Don' when he wasn't around, but she always called him 'Mr Ferry' when speaking to him. "I do think that it's a shame that the production company chose to hire less experienced actors for the ensemble, rather than surround Don with an appropriate cast. I guess they just wanted to save money." "Yeah... I guess," John mumbled, not surprised, but still slightly hurt, by the remark. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean you, Bianca. Of course, a young actress is always going to be an unknown, but your aunt and uncle... I, mean, you must see it, too." Not quite knowing which part of that statement to respond to, since it was all designed to provoke him, John took the safest subject. "Rose is my cousin. Not my aunt." "Well," she purred, happy to have been rude to her student, "be that as it may, I stand by my critique." John nodded, resigned that Miss Stephanie was looking for ways to hurt him at all times, sat where he was instructed and Miss Stephanie pulled out a multi-paged document and placed it in front of him, face down. The test did not come as a surprise to John. He knew that he would have to take it either today or tomorrow and he was prepared, but except for a one hour lunch break, he'd been on set since 8:00 that morning and he was tired. Oh, well, he knew the unit from the history book, 'Road To Revolution,' backwards and forwards. Between having already taken the subject six years earlier and growing up in Massachusetts, where the heroes of The American Revolution lived on as part of everyday life AND having a college professor/history buff for a mom, he was well steeped in the subject. "You have forty-five minutes to take the test. Section one is multiple choice. Section two is short answers and section three has three prompts for essays. Pick two of them and write a minimum of a five hundred word essay in reply to each of those two prompts. Any questions?" "No, Miss," She pulled out her phone and set the timer. "You may begin." Section one was easy. Fifty multiple choice questions. He flew through it. Section two required just a little more thought. Each of the fifty questions required a one sentence answer. Still, not a big challenge. When he turned to the essay prompts, he'd only used up seventeen minutes of his allotted forty-five, but then he spotted a problem. The essay prompts in his 'Road To Revolution' unit test had nothing to do with the American Revolution. The prompts read 1) Explain the Harding administration's responsibility in the Teapot Dome Scandal. 2) Explain how the practice of instant credit contributed to the stock market crash of 1929. 3) What lasting impact did the judgement in the Sacco and Vanzetti trial have on American society? John raised his hand and waited until Miss Stephanie chose to acknowledge him. "Yes?" "Miss, I think the last page is from another test." "I'm sorry, Bianca," she smirked like a cat who'd just swallowed the last morsel of a canary, "but are you accusing me of something?" What a strange response. "No, Miss, but the questions aren't about the Revolutionary War." "Huh? Well, that's the test I was given, so that's the text you will take." "But, Miss..." "Tick-tock, Bianca. When this alarm goes off, I am taking your paper. If you're trying to waste time until the clock runs out, and then asking for more time, it won't work." "No, Miss, I'm not, but if I could just show you..." "That's enough talking, Bianca!" She was staring John down. "You have twenty minutes and twenty-three seconds to finish that test. I strongly suggest that you stop talking and get to work." John's face was flushed with frustration. What was wrong with this woman? He controlled his breathing and determined to wipe that smug look off of her face and he went to work on the essays. "What do you think, Alex?" Don as 'Jason' asked as the character and his daughter sat at a table in a darkened kitchen, eating brownie batter from spatulas. 'Alex' shrugged. "He seems like a nice guy and Susan's not stupid, daddy. As long as he treats her nice and she's happy, what difference does it make?" "Well, Susie's still in high school and he's my partner. I'm afraid people will talk." 'Alex' shrugged. "He's only five years older than her and he is a nice guy... and you were five years older than mom..." 'Jason' licked the last of the batter from the bowl. "It's all gone." "Want me to make some more." The policeman smiled at his daughter. "Why not. I'm not going anywhere." He smiled as his youngest daughter, clad in a pink, chenille bathrobe, rose, took the mixing bowl with her and began working at the counter behind him. He licked the spatula, again, and gazed into the distance, lost in thought. "And... cut!" The director called. "Great work, everyone! That's a wrap for today! Everyone's called back here at 8:00 tomorrow morning. Get some rest!" Conversations broke out everywhere. Don put his arm around John's shoulders and they headed towards the dressing rooms. "Nice work, angel." Don kissed his temple. "I love acting with you, honey, and I rarely say that to anyone. The three of you are just great for an old fart like me." John smiled and giggled at the remark. "Thanks, Don. I think you're amazing. Thanks for taking a chance on us." They turned the corner and saw Ed and Rose speaking to Miss Stephanie. "Uh, Oh." Don laughed. "What did you do to the wicked witch of the west?" John sighed. He knew that this had to be about the test. He didn't want to deal with it, though. He just wanted to go to bed. "I think I might have passed a test and made her mad." "Alright. That makes perfect sense, I guess." As they approached the teacher and John's guardians, Don smiled. "Why the long faces, folks? Why, Miss Stephanie, you are looking quite lovely today." Miss Stephanie blushed. "Well, thank you, Mr Ferry, but I am discussing a concern with Bianca's guardians. I think we have a big problem." "Really," Don looked shocked. "What kind of a problem?" "Well, if you must know," she stared directly at John, "I believe that Bianca cheated on her History test. I think she must have brought a cell phone into the classroom and, somehow, used it to look up information to write her essays." "Huh?" Don took the essays and looked at them. "Bebe," Ed asked, "do you have anything to say?" "I didn't cheat." John said flatly. "Oh, really?" Miss Stephanie crossed her arms. "Well, then, you're one of the smartest fourteen year olds I've ever met. I've been teaching for more than a decade and I've never seen a high school freshman write like this and, besides, how would you know anything about either The Teapot Dome Scandal or the Sacco and Vanzetti Trial?" "Miss Stephanie, my mom is a college professor and a history buff. We talked about history at home the way that other people talk about sports or movies. The lady across the street from us is a direct descendent of Calvin Coolidge and she told us stories about how her grandfather struggled to put Teapot Dome behind him when he became President. I know this stuff because I know this stuff - not because I cheated." "Well," Ed nodded, "what she's saying is certainly true. I never once left the Foley house without learning at least a dozen new things." "You're right," Rose agreed. "My Aunt Marilyn was always discussing books and history. I think that you have to accept that Bebe is just very knowledgeable about history, Miss Stephanie." "Even if I did believe that," the tutor was angry, "what about her level of writing....?" "What about her level of acting?" Don interrupted. "What?" "I said, 'What about her level of acting?' Miss Stephanie." "What about it?" "Miss Stephanie," Don handed the test back to her, "Bebe is the most gifted actress I have ever worked with and, as you pointed out, she's only fourteen. If she's that gifted as an actress, why should we be shocked that she's able to write well, too? I mean, they're both creative activities, right? I see no reason to doubt her abilities." "Well," Miss Stephanie chuckled condescendingly, "I think that you and I may have drastically different opinions of Bianca's abilities, Mr Ferry..." "Perhaps," Don nodded, "but I have taught theater, too, Miss Stephanie, and I have worked, professionally with more actors than you've ever met, so, my opinion carries more weight in this discussion. Regardless, though, Miss Stephanie, why was my little girl, here, given a test on events of the 1920s when she was taking a test titled 'Road To Revolution?'" "Well, obviously, those pages were attached to the test mistakenly..." Don reached for the test, again, and tore off the last few pages. "Then I'll just throw these away," he said as he tore the pages off, folded them and tossed them into a nearby waste basket. "Miss Stephanie, we are all tired and want to go home. None of us want to stand here and discuss a test that should never have been given. So, ask Bebe's History teacher to provide the correct essay questions to you and Bebe will take that part of the test tomorrow. Until then, if you need me to speak to either the tutorial company or your Head Mistress, I would be more than happy to do so - IN THE MORNING. Right now, we are all going home. Good night Ms Stephanie." He put his arm around John's shoulders again and led him towards his dressing room. "Mr Ferry, I am not happy about this..." "I truly do not care," Don called back. "GOOD NIGHT, Miss Stephanie. We can discuss this further when you arrive back on set tomorrow afternoon." When they were in John's dressing room, Rose said, "What were you thinking, Bebe? You should have just told her that you'd been given the wrong test." "I did! She wouldn't listen. She put those pages there on purpose. She thinks she's so smart! I just couldn't let her get away with it!" "Still, you need to be smarter about things like this." "No, she shouldn't," Don sighed. "That woman is a meddling pain in the ass and Bebe did nothing wrong. Leave the child alone and go get some rest. We're all exhausted and on edge. Don't let that woman get to you. Bebe," he kissed John's cheek, " never let someone like that beat you." He winked at him. "Go get some rest, Beebs. Remember, you're my favorite daughter." As he hugged John, Rose shouted, "Hey! What do you mean SHE'S youR 'favorite' daughter!? What about me?" "I stand by what I said. Just don't tell Amanda," he opened the door to leave. "Who's Amanda?" Ed asked. Don smiled. "My real daughter." He laughed and closed the door behind him. "Wake up, sleepyhead," Rose's voice and the kiss she planted on John's cheek cut into his deep sleep. The entire week had been a blur of work and he was exhausted. He'd managed to avoid Miss Stephanie on Friday, but that day had ended with a rehearsal of the next week's incredible schedule of running from one promotional interview to another. Don and Marion had done these dozens of times, but the idea of speaking as themselves on television was very nerve wracking for the three younger actors. Tuesday and Wednesday would focus on the morning shows. Marion would do The Today Show on Tuesday while Rose, John and Ed did Good Morning America and Don would do Fox. On Wednesday, the trio of newbies would switch with Marion who'd switch with Don, then they'd all be on The View. On Thursday, show day, they were all appearing on Ellen, which was an NBC show, but the buzz around Don and 'Civil Disobedience' was so big, that she was dedicating the entire episode to this cast. Don would handle all the late night line up - Fallon, Colbert, Kimmel and Corden. The prep rehearsals were primarily a series of questions that the actors would answer, then receive corrections as well as dozens of camera tests to see how clothing and makeup played on camera. John found it a thousand times more exhausting than doing the actual show. He grunted from the covers he'd pulled over his head to dissuade Rose from waking him. "What time is it?" "10:30. You've been in bed for twelve hours." "Still sleepy. Need sleep." Rose pulled the covers off of him with one quick pull, eliciting a screech of Nooooo!!!" from the little figure in the baby-blue sheath nightie who had pulled itself into the fetal position when the cool air of the bedroom had hit its skin. "Come on. You made a date with your little school friends. They're coming over at noon and, to be perfectly honest, you are a smelly mess. So, get up and get going. I'm making you bacon and eggs." He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat with his hair hanging in a tangled mess on either side. "I'm not supposed to eat bacon or eggs, any more. I'm on a strict diet." "Yeah, well, you need some protein, too. You're walking around like a zombie. Tofu's not going to give you what you need. One day of Bacon and eggs isn't going to kill you and maybe it'll kickstart your motor. Now, come." She took his hands in hers and pulled him upright. She turned him towards the lavatory off of his bed room and slapped his bottom. "Get in there and get cleaned up." "Ouch! Why does everyone like to slap my butt?" Rose giggled at him as he walked away, rubbing his rear end. "Because it's such a cute, little butt. You'd like it if you could see it, too." Just after noon, while John was rinsing off his plate, Rose answered the door security buzzer. Moments later, there was a knock on their door. "Hi! You must be Ella and Mary Kate," Rose greeted them with a welcoming grin. "I'm Bebe's cousin, Rose. Come on in. Beebs' is in the kitchen. Go ahead, through." She pointed the way and the girls bounded in to see their friend, leaving a beautifully dressed woman standing in the doorway. "Hi, I'm Rose. Come on in," she invited. As woman entered, Rose noticed the woman's clothes were casual, in a California-rich sort of way, and, obviously, VERY expensive. Even the baby carrier suspended from her left hand looked expensive. The baby within the carrier was shielded by a blue and gold cloth cover. "Hi," the woman sang, "I'm Joy Keller, Ella's mom." She extended her hand. "I hope I'm not intruding. I just wanted to say 'hi' and meet you." Rose offered the woman a seat, which she accepted, and a beverage, which she politely declined. "I'm sorry that I had to bring Ella's little brother, but the nanny has Saturdays off." "No problem at all," Rose assured her. "He's very quiet." "For now. Anyway, I just wanted to meet you. You're quite a bit younger than I expected. How long have you been Bianca's guardian?" "Just a few weeks, actually. It's because we're on the same TV show and her mom wanted Bebe's Uncle Ed and I to be able to make decisions for her. She's a very good girl, though. Usually, it's pretty easy." "And will you be driving the girls to the rock-wall center, today?" Ella, apparently, loved to climb rock walls and John and MK were being introduced to the sport, today. "Well, no, actually, Bebe's Uncle Ed will be driving, but I'll be going, too. You know, just to help keep an eye on the girls." "Oh. I see. I don't mean to sound patronizing, it's just that your age surprised me, and Ella's safety is very important to me." "Oh, no, I understand, completely. Honestly. Ed and I are the same way with Bebe." Just then the infant in the carrier made himself known with a series of unhappy noises. "Oh, dear, I'm sorry," said the child's mother. Someone woke up wet and messy. Excuse me for just a second." Before Rose could explain to the woman where the lavatory was, the woman shouted, "Ella! Ella, honey, come here, please. Ronnie needs to be changed." 'Of course,' thought Rose. 'This woman has probably never changed a diaper in her life.' "Did you call me, mom?" Ella asked as she entered the room, followed by her two friends. "Yes, honey. I need to finish my conversation with Rose. Would you mind changing your brother's diaper?" The resigned smirk that crossed the child's face made it clear to Rose that this was her mother's modus operandi. "Sure. No problem." She lifted her sibling - half sibling, in fact, as all of hers were - from the carrier, cooing to him all the way, "Are you a messy, boy? Huh? Are you a messy boy?" Once the baby was safely resting against her shoulder, Ella reached for her mother's large bag, which Rose had assumed was just a pocket book, and headed out of the room. "Where do you want to change him?" John asked. Being the youngest in his family and, until recently, male, he had no experience with babies at all. "If you can grab me a towel, I can change him on the floor, anywhere." "Ok. Come on into my room." John's room was fairly sparsely decorated. Besides the short time since he'd lived in Los Angeles, he didn't have a lot of items at home that would appear appropriate in the room of a young woman. Rose had decorated the room with lavender bed clothes and curtains, but the rest of the room's decor consisted of just a white, wrought iron, queen sized bed, a white dresser and a two white night stands. Nothing overtly feminine. John grabbed a towel from the lavatory and spread it on the floor for Ella. He watched as she laid the three month old down and undid his onesie to reveal his soiled, diaper. "You need to decorate your room," MK said as she looked at the collection of cosmetics, hair sprays and beauty tools neatly assembled on top of the white dresser. "Even hotels have pictures." John laughed at the remark. "I know, but I came in a rush and we're still not sure how long we're going to be in this condo. If things go well, we'll look for a house. If they don't, we'll have to get something cheaper or move back to Massachusetts. So, decorating hasn't been part of the plan, so far." He watched as MK moved around the room, casually inspecting what little evidence there was of John's personal life. "We need to go shopping, Bebe. Like - stat! This room is just sad. You need stuff." He laughed, then looked back at Ella, who was removing the diaper and using it as a wipe, still cooing to her brother. "That's my good boy," she sang over and over again. John became fascinated with the easy and natural way that Ella handled the baby. She seemed to be very comfortable caring for him, whereas John would have been petrified to even hold something that small and human. Without even thinking, he muttered, "He's beautiful." Ella smiled up at him, surprised by his fascination. "What's the matter? Haven't you ever seen a baby before?" John shrugged. "Not really. I'm the youngest in my family." "Didn't you ever babysit?" MK asked, giggling a little. "Nope," John's eyes remained focused on the baby. "Kneel down and help me," Ella laughed. "It's not hard. I've already gotten rid of the poop. Here, take a baby wipe and clean his whole diaper area in front." He took the wipe and wiped, carefully. "Not like that," Ella laughed at his ineptness. "Like this." She took another wipe and demonstrated as she took a thorough approach to the matter at hand. "Make sure he's good and clean." MK watched and laughed. "Get his wee-wee good and clean, too." She was very surprised that a girl her own age was this skittish near a baby. John did his best, but Ella was a pro. She had her brother spic and span in moments. "See, just make sure that you get everywhere. No big deal. You get used to the poop and baby pee is nothing. You're lucky he didn't let go while you were cleaning him. Boys do that, you know. They really can't control it." "I hear that they can't control it when they're older, either," MK teased, making John blush. "Hey, don't be fresh in front of the baby," Ella laughed and threw a used, but not badly soiled, baby wipe at MK. Then, she lifted the baby's legs and slid the fresh diaper in, dropped his legs and finished the job at hand. In seconds, the onesie was snapped shut and she was picking up a happy, gurgling baby. "Here, hold him while I clean all this up," she said as she casually laid the child on John's shoulder and walked away. The baby was warm and happy and he smelled, well, he smelled like heaven. Baby powder and that scent that a baby has. Hmmm, it was a beautiful smell. He looked up at John and smiled. His eyes were big, blue orbs that just melted John's heart and he slammed his wobbling head against John's sensitive chest, but it didn't hurt. It felt nice. Without thinking he started a little bounce and cooed a little song of his own to the child. "What a good boy you are. Yes you are." "Uh Oh," MK giggled. "Someone's got mommy eyes." She came behind John and put her hands on his shoulders. "Don't start thinking about being a mommy, too soon, Bebe, but, you know what? You and Blaine would sure make beautiful babies." That brought a little pang of sadness to him. Right now, as he held this child, more than anything, he wanted to be a mom. A true mom. To carry a child and give it life and birth it and nourish it from his own self, but he knew that he'd never be able to do that. Ella returned from the lav and looked at her happy little brother who was being held by her new friend. "Someone's got a new friend, doesn't she? Are you Bebe's friend, huh?" She smiled at John, then her eyes screwed up in concern. "Are you crying?" John shook his head and hugged the baby. "I don't know what's wrong with me. I just never held a baby before..." "Ok, this is getting really weird," MK said. "Are you seriously trying to tell me that there are no babies in Massachusetts?" "Don't be stupid," Ella chided, with a big laugh. "She's just never held one before. She's probably just hormonal. You get that way, too." MK nodded. That made sense. "Is it nearly time for your 'ladies' week?'" "My what?" John bounced the baby and smiled at MK, not understanding the question. "Your time of the month?" MK restated the question. "Oh!" John thought for a moment before responding. "No. Not for about ten days, I think." That seemed like a safe response. "You THINK?" MK was horrified. "You don't know EXACTLY when it's coming?" John shook his head. Should he? "Relax, Bebe," Ella smiled. "MK has very hard periods. I usually just go by when I start feeling bloated. She's like a twenty-eight day clock, though. Once you get used to her, you'll know when she's about to go onto her 'ladies' week,' too. She gets weepy and grumpy and hungry and short tempered... she's a blast to be around." To John, this would have seemed like a horrible thing to say to a friend, but MK just laughed it off. "So, consider yourself warned, Bebe! Mark your calendar and steer clear!" "It's really the cramps that get to her. I don't really get them. How about you?" John didn't know what the appropriate answer to this question should be. Geez, why wasn't there a class covering all of this in college!? "Not really, at least not often. I'm sorry that you do, MK." "Hey," she laughed, "it's just the price you have to pay to be this beautiful!" They all giggled at that, and Ella led them back to where her mother and Rose were just finishing up their conversation. "Aww, Beebs," Rose teased. "You make such a perfect little mommy. I think he likes you." "I like him, a lot," John kissed the baby's nearly bald head. He felt very warm and smelled wonderful. "We need to get one of these, Rose." Rose laughed. "Well, not too soon, please. You're only fourteen, honey. You're the only baby I want to see in this house." "Maybe you could look into it, then," he smiled wickedly at his 'cousin.' Her eyes narrowed and she smirked at him. "You sound an awful lot like my mother, right now, Beebs. Maybe we should change the subject." Instead on antagonizing her any further, he turned to Ella's mother and said, "Can we keep this one? I really like him." He smiled sillily at the wealthy woman. "I'll tell you, Bebe, there have been plenty of nights when I would have taken you up on that offer, but, for now, I'm afraid I need to take him with me. It'd be too hard to explain his disappearance to his father." She extended her arms and John exercised a huge amount of care in transferring the little parcel to its mother. Once the child was safely back in his seat, Ella's mom headed out the door with the child in tow. John watched as the elevator door closed and he felt a little sad and somewhat wanting for his new friend. Rose stood behind him, robbing his bared arms. "Someday, baby. I'm sure you'll be a great mommy, someday." Just as before, he felt a pang of sadness that he could never really be a mom - fully and completely. There were three other people in the room and they could all do things that he never could. They could give birth and nurse and nurture. Who knew if, when the hormones had all taken hold of his body, if he'd even be able to father a child. How could he have never truly considered having children in his life? He needed to give this aspect of femininity some sincere consideration and he needed to talk to some people - doctors, his mom, Rose, Nancy - about all of this. "We need to get ready to go," Rose said. "Go see if Uncle Ed is out of the shower." "Oh!" MK raised her hand. "Can I go? I saw him at Notre Dame once. He's a hunk!" "Ewww," John made a face. "That's my Uncle you're talking about!" He hurried down the hallway, giggling to himself, and knocked on Ed's door. Ed stuck his head out. He was freshly shaven and wearing a smart looking, red polo shirt. "Hey, Beebs. Almost ready?" "Yeah, Ella's mom just left." "Ok." Ed hesitated before he said, "Can you come in for a just a second?" "Sure." Once inside, Ed indicated that John should sit on the bed. "Umm," Ed vacillated for a moment of two, "I just got a text and I'm not sure how I should answer it." "Oh? About what?" "Well, you, actually." "About me? Who sent it?" "Blaine." This perpetual state of confusion in which John kept finding himself was getting tiring. "Blaine? Why would he send you a text." Ed knelt in front of his 'niece' and looked John in the eye. "Bebe... Blaine has broken up with his Florida girlfriend." "Oh. Well, that's not all that surprising, I suppose. I mean, even adults can't maintain a real long distance relationship. It was bound to happen. Do you think he's ok?" "He's more than ok, Beebs. He's on the move. He sent me a text asking if it would be ok with me if he was to ask you to go steady." John stared at Ed, unable to answer. This was supposed to be a complication-free friendship. Now, what? "It's a really sweet text, Beebs. I bet he spent a long time writing and rewriting it before he hit 'send.' He says that he thinks you're smart and beautiful and talented and he thinks he might be falling in love with you. He said that he wouldn't ask you to go steady, though, unless I approved. I think he's a little scared of me. What do you want me to tell him?" "I don't know," John said. "My first impulse is to say 'no,' but that would probably hurt him. I mean, he's a nice boy, good looking, polite... there's nothing wrong with HIM at all. The problems are all ME. Rose said that, no matter who my partner is, I've got to get used to the fact that I'm always going to be, kind of, in a gay relationship, but going steady with a boy... I just don't know." Ed reached across and moved some strands of hair from John's face. "Well, if there is even a little interest in this boy, maybe I should just tell him I need to think it over so that you and Rosie and I can discuss it. How does that sound?" John nodded. "I guess." "Ok, baby." He kissed John's forehead. "It'd probably be best if we just put this on hold until after your play date with your friends today. What do you say?" John nodded again. He did take note of Ed's use of the term 'play date,' though. "Alright. Go on, then, I'll be right out." John left in a daze, but MK, Rose and Ella called to him as he passed his room. He turned to find the three of them looking into his dresser and closet. "Houston, we have a problem," Ella announced. Rose said, "You have no leggings or pants. We need to get you some to go climbing. We'll stop on the way." John nodded. If only all of his problems were this easy to solve. They settled on a pair of black yoga pants from a sporting supply store that was near the wall-climbing center. John had not worn any pants in months, but these were remarkably soft and comfortable. He understood why women wore them outside of yoga classes. Ed and Rose left John and the girls to have fun, while they went off to buy John dance-wear at a nearby dance-center. A somewhat creepy twenty-something man who's stutter was nearly crippling, helped them all on with their safety rigging and walked them, slowly, due to the stutter, through the process of climbing the walls. John did find the strap that ran under his crotch extremely uncomfortable. He imagined that it would have been uncomfortable for any male, but having his equipment gaffed under him made it even more so. He did get used to it, though and had a great time. Ella was like a mountain goat, climbing up and across the wall effortlessly, while John and MK struggled behind her, making fun of both her and themselves. In the ninety minutes that they were at the center, they climbed several different structures and finished their time in a trampoline center which was available to the climbers. Bouncing with his, albeit modest, breasts was an interesting experience. When they all climbed into Ed's Tesla, they were flushed with exertion and joy. Ed drove them back to Beverly Hills. "So, you're not going to be in school next week either?" MK asked. "No, but I should be back the following week. Our shooting schedule is slowing down, so I'll be able to do most of my scenes after school." John would be genuinely happy to be spending more time with his friends. "Do you have any afternoons free this week?" Ella was looking at her schedule on her phone. "I don't know," John said, honestly. "We're not really shooting a lot this week, but we have a lot of promotional things going on." "Like what?" Ella looked up. "Like interviews. We have some morning shows to do this week, then we're all on Ellen on Thursday to promote the show's premier that night." "Are you recording Ellen on Thursday?" MK asked. "Yes." "Cool. I'm going to ask my dad if he can get us some tickets. He knows the producer really well. They go to the same AA meeting." "Cool!" Ella agreed. "Let me know if you're coming so I can wave to you," John smiled. It would be great to have them there. "My house is just up here on the right, Mr McNeal," Ella leaned forward and pointed between the front, bucket seats. "Holy Moses!" Ed said as they turned into the driveway. "This is your HOUSE? It looks like a resort." "Yeah," Ella laughed. "It's pretty gaudy, I know. My step dad has a lot more money than taste." "I think it's beautiful, Ella," Rose said. "I guess. Thanks for the ride." She leaned over and kissed John's cheek. "Good luck with everything. Maybe we'll see you Thursday." MK did the same. "Love you, Bebe! Be great on the shows!" "Thanks guys!" John called as they exited the car. "I'll do my best." They waved as they disappeared into the mansion. "Wow!" Rose looked around the property as they drove back down the driveway. "Kinda makes Hearst Castle look like a lakeside cottage, doesn't it?" Ed laughed at the remark. "It is pretty elaborate." "Is it nice inside?" Rose called back to John. "Yeah, in a cold and impersonal kind of way " There a few moments of silence before Rose looked at Ed, nodded and then said, "So... I think we need to talk about this 'going steady' thing, don't you?" John sighed. "I really don't know what to do about it, Rose. He's a nice boy, but... well, you know." Ed and Rose glanced at each other, again. To John, it was obvious that they'd already discussed this and reached a decision. "Why don't we consider the pros and cons of this situation," Ed said, with practiced rationality. "Why?" John asked. Rose looked over the seat at him. "What?" "I asked 'why,' as in 'Why make a list of pros and cons?' I mean, I can tell by the way you guys looked at each other that this has been discussed and a decision has been made for me. Am I wrong?" They glanced at each other again and Ed shrugged. "No. You're not wrong." "Honey, we spoke to your mom about this, too." Rose had turned her body nearly around in her seat. "Now, we know you like Blaine, we caught you kissing him and kissing him, well, passionately, I guess is a good word. We also know that Blaine really likes you, he told Ed that in his text. We really see no harm in creating an image of a happy school girl in a happy relationship. It'll play well as proof that you're just like every other girl." John looked out the window. He nodded, slightly, then said, "And my mom likes this idea?" "She agrees with the idea," Ed said. "You need to keep up appearances, baby," Rose said. "You're an anomaly, honey and you know it. We're just helping you to fit in." "An 'anomaly,' huh? You may want to use smaller words when talking to me. Remember, I'm just a child." He crossed his arms, leaned back and closed his eyes. "Ok, fight us if you want, but you'll enjoy going steady. I guarantee it." "I'm not going to fight you," John said in a frustrated mumble. He let out a big sigh, "I'll do it if you want me to." "We each get four tickets to the viewing. That's twelve seats. Rosie and I don't really know anyone out here, so, if you want to invite more kids from school, you certainly can." Ed ran his hand along the hair that hung behind John's Head. Things had been a little cool since last night's discussion in the car. So, as John sat at the kitchen island and drank his fruit and yogurt smoothie, Ed tried to be as pleasant as possible. "I only really know Ella and MK, though." "Hmmm, how many girls are in your Theater Class?" John thought for a moment. "Sixteen including me, I guess." "So if we can get three more tickets, we could invite the whole class. That'd be nice, wouldn't it?" "I guess. I don't know, though, Uncle Ed. I'm not real popular with those girls. It might be weird to make the offer. Especially with Miss Stephanie..." "Miss Stephanie is already coming," Ed sat on the stool next to him. "She's an employee of the show, so she's already been given tickets." "Of course she's coming," John mumbled. Changing tacts and trying to keep the conversation moving, Ed asked, "So, what's on the agenda for today?" John looked at his phone. "I wasn't planning on anything, but I got a text from Blaine awhile ago. He wants to take me to lunch at the taco place down the block from here. He says his mom can drop him and pick him up. He wants to walk to and from the taco place. Gee... I wonder what this is all about, huh?" "Look, Bebe," Ed put his elbow on the counter and rested his temple in his hand, "you can't deny that you like the boy. You enjoyed going out with him... what difference does it make if he wants to go steady with you?" "I don't know... I guess I just wish that I had a choice." He leaned his head on Ed's shoulder as he spoke. Ed put his arm around the tiny person beside him. John cuddled into the embrace. "You know," Ed massaged his friend's shoulder, "it really isn't all that weird for you to date this boy. Actors and actresses... well, there's a history of them needing to hide their personal lives behind relationships. You're not really doing anything different." "No," John sighed, "it's different. I've given up everything I knew to get my shot as an actor... well, an actress... and everyday, something new and unexpected comes along and I need to face it, and face it alone." "Bebe," Ed shook his head, "you're not alone. We're with you, every step of the way." "Look, I really, really appreciate the way you've kinda become, like, my dad or something, lately, but you won't be with me when we're dating some night in a year or two, and his hand wanders down and finds something 'unusual' in my panties." Ed nodded. "I know." He sat straighter and pulled John into an affectionate embrace. "I do love you, you know." "I know. I love you, too." "We don't have a lot of choices, you know. I don't think we can just go home, at this point. The show starts running on Thursday and people are already talking about you. You need to have a life like any other girl your age if you don't want the press hounding you every minute. Blaine could be part of your 'normal' life. What do you want to do?" John smiled at his friend's concern. He hugged him, tightly. "I don't know, but it's getting late. I have a 'gentleman caller' coming soon. I need to make myself pretty." Blaine could not have been nicer on the walk to 'Paco's Tacos.' They held hands and chatted about friends, told funny stories and talked about music. John invited Blaine to use one of his tickets to see the first viewing of 'Civil Disobedience' on Monday evening and Blaine was thrilled to be asked. John wore a prairie-influenced dress, white with little bouquets of roses printed prettily about it. It had tiny, cap sleeves and a matching belt that hugged his high waist and allowed the dress to blossom out below, paired with a pair of pretty, little, red and white flats, a thin gold necklace with a faux pearl drop and matching earrings. The dress also had pockets, which had now become a welcome luxury for John and made it possible for him to carry his house key and phone without taking a purse. He'd chosen the outfit because, with its soft, cotton material and knee length hem, it was modest and comfortable, but if he'd been trying to seduce a high school boy, he could not have picked a more perfect outfit. To Blaine, the outfit screamed, 'I am a weak, beautiful girl and I need you to love me and care for me.' He was already infatuated with Bebe. Now, seeing her dressed so prettily and femininely, he was down right smitten. Blaine ordered four tacos, one chicken taco for Bebe and three regular tacos for himself. John ate nearly half of his, the entire time worrying about what his dietician would say if she knew. John gobbled his down and could easily have ordered a couple more, but he had other things to do. "So," he said, and his demeanor suddenly becoming more serious, "I've had a few things happen this week that... well, I'd like to talk to you about." "Oh?" John braced himself for what he assumed was coming. "Is everything alright?" "Oh, yeah, I mean, I'm not sick or anything... it's just... Well, last Sunday, I got a call from my girlfriend in Florida and... well... long story short, she broke up with me." "Oh, Blaine. I'm so sorry." John placed his hand on Blaine's. "It wasn't because of me, was it?" "No, no. It was because of the distance. She just got tired of going to movies and parties by herself, you know? I understand. It was kind of bound to happen, I guess. Honestly, except for having to call or Skype with her every night, it really isn't that different." John nodded. "Anyway... if she hadn't broken up with me on Sunday... well... I was kind of thinking that I was going to break up with her, because..." he struggled for the words. "Because, why, Blaine. The distance?" "Yeah, sure, the distance was the biggest problem, but there were other problems, too?" "Oh? Like what?" He took a deep breath and let it out. "Like you." "Like me?" "Yeah." He smiled. "I'm A PROBLEM!?'"John knew the boy was flustered, but the word hurt, anyway. "Oh, no, no, no, that's not what I meant! What I meant was, I mean... there's you... and I... I... I like you. I like you a lot, Bebe and, well, I guess that kinda was a problem." John took his hand back, somewhat relieved, and yet disappointed in a way, too, that Blaine wasn't headed where John had expected. This sounded more like a breakup. That might be easier, actually. "Oh, ok... I understand. Well, I like you, too, Blaine, but I certainly don't want to be a 'problem' for you. You didn't have to take me to lunch to say that you didn't want to go out any more. I mean, it is sweet, but you could have sent a text, or something." "No, Bebe, I don't want to stop seeing... Oh, geez, I'm not saying this right. What I mean is... I 'LIKE' you. Oh, man, I'm no good at this at all. Here," he took a small box out of his pocket and placed it on the table. "I bought you this." John took the little box. It was nicely wrapped, obviously by a store clerk, not a teenaged boy, in pink paper and a silver ribbon and bow. "It's very pretty." "Open it." Carefully, John opened the bow, and then the paper, revealing a box with the name of a jeweler embossed in gold on the dark green cardboard. "It reminded me of you" Blaine said, with a bit of excitement. It was obvious that he wanted the girl he was crushing on to like the present. John smiled across the table and freed the box of the wrapping. Then he opened it to find a silver chain with a tiny, silver, ball-shaped decoration. It was simple and pretty without being at all ostentatious. It was plain. John considered Blaine's words and he did wonder how the jewelry remained the boy of him. Maybe Blaine thought that he was 'plain,' too. "It's very pretty, Blaine, thank you." He examined it more closely. "It reminded you of me?" "Yeah!" "How so? Don't get me wrong, it's very pretty a necklace, but how does it remind you of me?" "Really? You don't get it?" Blaine was smiling but he was on the verge of being crestfallen. Obviously, this was important to him, but John just didn't get it. John smiled sillily and shook his head. "Sorry. No, I don't." Blaine sighed. "It's you. Your name is Bebe and the necklace is a silver ball. A BB. Get it. It's a 'BB' and you're a Bebe!" Suddenly, it all dawned on John. The boy had put a lot of thought into this gift. It was a silly thing for the boy to find romantic, but he obviously did, so the present was, obviously, the most romantic gesture he could make. "Oh, my God, Blaine! That's so sweet! Thank you, so much!" Caught up in the moment, John pulled the necklace from the box and held it up in front of him. It truly was beautiful in its simplicity. He opened the clasp and was about to put it on, but Blaine hurried behind him and said, "Here. Let me help you." He took the necklace. John reached back and held his long, wavy, black hair clear of his neck, allowing Blaine to gently reach around and run the jewelry around and closing it behind John's neck. "Can you take off my other necklace, please?" John asked. Blaine opened the clasp on the faux pearl necklace John had been wearing. It was a simple procedure. Just a matter of opening a clasp and pulling a piece of inexpensive jewelry free, but to both Blaine and John, it seemed extremely intimate and romantic. Especially since it was being done in front of the other people at the restaurant. Blaine removed the chain and secured the clasp, handing it to John, who wrapped it neatly, placed it into the box that Blaine had given him, and placing that box into one of the pockets of his dress. Then he held up his phone, turned on the camera, put it into 'selfie' mode and admired the BB necklace that Blaine had given him. "Blaine, it's beautiful. Thank you, so much." "You like it, then?" "Like it!? I love it! It's perfect, Blaine. Thank you!" John was truly overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of the gift. "It's a BB! I love it!" Blaine beamed with satisfaction. He'd gone out with his mom to find just the perfect gift and, when he found this one, he just knew that Bebe would love it. His mother tried to dissuade him and guide him towards something more expensive and eye catching, but Blaine insisted that Bebe wasn't the kind of girl who'd want something too fancy. She was too pretty to wear anything that would distract from her beauty. A simple, silver ball was perfect. Blaine's mother thought her son was crazy, but she let him buy the piece, anyway, and suggested that, if the girl was disappointed, he could always return it and get something fancier. "I'm glad," the boy smiled. "Listen, I have something to ask you." John was very caught up in the emotions of the moment. He knew what was coming and, although he'd been apprehensive about it up until now, at this moment, he was almost excited for Blaine to say the words. "Yes?" John asked, innocently. He put his phone down and looked into Blaine's soft, green eyes. God, she was beautiful! Not like the other girls he knew. She wasn't wearing too much makeup or a dress that showed too much skin... she was just beautiful in a sweet and pretty and very natural way. She made him feel comfortable and nervous at the same time. She gave him goose bumps when she smiled. She smelled like vanilla and flowers and she made him trip over his words in a way that made him feel giddy and foolish, but he liked that feeling all the same. "Ok... so, like I said, I'm kinda 'single' now, since my girlfriend broke up with me and, like I said, I've been thinking about you a lot... an awful lot, you know? And... Well... I mean, I like spending time with you and you like spending time with me, don't you?" "Well, yes, sure, of course I do." "Ok, good, then..." the boy mustered all of his grit to spit out the main topic of the thesis he'd been babbling through so far. "...I guess, it would make sense for us to, you know, go steady. You know, like not date other people and just, like, hang out together on weekends and stuff. What do you say?" To be honest, John was still deciphering what Blaine had said, but he did realize that the boy had just asked him to go steady and, since this seemed to be what Ed and Rose wanted, anyway, and, since Blaine really was a nice and thoughtful boy... why not? "Go steady?" John asked. "Really? You want to go steady with me!?" "Yeah! What do you say?" Blaine already looked a little surprised that Bebe hadn't just melted when he'd asked the question. "Well... sure, I mean, I'd be honored to, but I need to ask Rose and Uncle Ed first." "No you don't!" Blaine's smile was huge and excited. "I already asked your uncle." "You asked my uncle!? Blaine, this isn't the Middle Ages! A girl can make up her own mind, you know!" "Oh, I know, but I didn't want him to get mad at me. He looks pretty strong, you know? He said that if you said 'yes,' then it was ok with him and your cousin. And you said yes! So, he's ok with it." John smiled. The boy's enthusiasm was infectious. He was like a happy golden-retriever. He was nearly bouncing with enthusiasm. Without any warning, he came around the small, round table and took John by his bare upper arms and lifted him right out of his chair, then planted a soft, yet passionate kiss on John's lips. Shocked by his aggressiveness at first, John pulled back just a little, but soon just let himself be taken by the passion of the bigger boy. It was a nice kiss and it made every butterfly in his stomach take wing. Some of those butterflies flew up into his chest and others flew lower and excited other parts of his body. Suddenly, he felt his own skin turn to goose flesh. He closed his eyes and let all those feeling wash over him. From somewhere in the sparsely populated restaurant, John began hearing noises. People making 'Aww' sounds and someone giggling about being young and in love. When the kiss broke, John's eyes opened slowly and he raised his gaze to Blaine's. Slowly, John began to blush and smile. This was ok. Why had he been scared of this? This boy, this handsome, kind boy, wanted to be his boyfriend. That was something to be happy about, right? Sure it was. "I really think I do, you know?" Blaine smiled. "Do what?" John was having a very hard time even thinking straight right now, let alone deciphering Blaine's half-statements. "I really do think I love you." John's eyes teared up with emotion and he threw his arms around Blaine's neck, burying his face in the bigger boy's shirt. "Oh, Blaine," he wept. Blaine pulled John's face back, so that he could see it more clearly. "Are you ok?" The dichotomy of John's tear stained face and huge, sincere smile was confusing to the older boy. "I'm ok." John laughed as he cried, "I'm just... happy."