Chapter 101

“Kim…. look!” Romeo yelled just seconds before he cannonballed into the pool.

“That was great Romeo.” Kim smiled at him from her place at the lounge chair when he emerged from the water.

“Dad, I wanna go to the beach!” Jake whined and pulled at his dad’s shirt.

“Jake, we have been at the beach all morning. Now we are having a BBQ to celebrate your sister’s birthday. Maybe we can go back to the beach after lunch, but you gotto stop whining and getting on my nerves, buddy.” His voice carried a hint of annoyance when he flipped the burgers.

Kim heard a little chuckle behind her and turned around to find a grinning Dorothea. Her second son was in this unnerving phase right now and was driving Jon crazy all morning.

“You know, you could help him, right?” Kim said softly and helped her set the heavy tray with the last ingredients for the BBQ on the huge table on the terrace at the Hampton Beach House.

“Me? Help him?...uh, uh…this is his weekend…that kid was giving me a hard time all week long. It’s my time off!” Dorothea answered way too happy. Kim laughed when Jon shot both of them a pissed look.

“Daaaaadddd!” Jake tried to squeeze in between his father and the hot BBQ.

“JACOB!” Jon’s voice echoed over the terrace while he pulled his son back from the red-hot metal.

“God dammit, that’s dangerous. You could have hurt yourself really bad!” He yelled at his son still having a tied grip on his son’s upper arm.

Kim watched Dorothea from the corner of her eye. You could see it took all her strength not to rush forward and check on her baby. But all their worries were wiped aside when her son started to grouch again. He didn’t seem to get the danger he was in just seconds ago. Jon finally had enough.

“Ok, that’s it. You go up to your room until we have lunch and after that you can return there right away. No beach. No ice cream. No TV. Forget it!”

Jake looked at his father stunned. You could see the wheels in his little head turning eagerly. And just a minute later he turned to his mother.

“Mooooommm….” He begged. His mother turned to him totally composed. Nothing showed her emotions.

“Your dad is right, Jake. Go to your room.” She stated calmly. Jon’s mouth twitched lightly, but he hurried to get his stern expression back before his son would see it. He could always count on Dorothea to back him up, even after all they had been through. The next move of his son surprised him though.

“Kiiiiiimmmmm!”

She looked at him surprised. Never in a million years did she expect him to beg her for help. Dot turned to her with an expecting smile on her face.

“I think your parents are right, Jake. You crossed the line.” She hoped her voice didn’t show her emotions. The boy bristled with anger and stomped into the house.

“You ok, honey?” Jon asked after his son left and Kim only stared at the spot where he had just been seconds ago. She swallowed hard.

“Yeah…I just didn’t see that coming.” She whispered a little overwhelmed. Jon grinned and pulled her close for a short kiss.

“Welcome to the family.” He told her before hurrying back to the burgers and the BBQ.

“He’s right. Jake really thought you could help him out.” Dot said and sat down with a glass of ice tea.

“Do you mind?” Kim asked unsure. Dot nearly chocked at her drink.

“Mind? Me?...Oh, Kim…I thought we were past that part…” Kim blushed lightly.

“Yeah, you right. Sorry. Everything is a little messed up in my head…you know.” Kim sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“It’s ok. Don’t worry.” Dot said softly and didn’t press to get to know how Kim was feeling now nearly two weeks after the incident with Nigel.

“What’s with Mr.-Our-three-parents-are-unfair?” Steph asked entering the terrace together with Jesse, who immediately walked over to his father to check on the burgers. Kim blinked confused.

“What? Who?” her mother asked irritated.

“Jake. He was all mad when he came upstairs.” Steph said and sank down into one of the chairs only to lift her left leg up to another chair.

“He crossed the line.” Her father told her and leaned forward to kiss her head. She smiled softly.

“How is your ankle baby-girl?” He looked at her bandaged foot worried.

“It’s fine dad.” Steph nearly rolled her eyes.

“You sure? Maybe you shouldn’t go dancing tonight.” The words had just left his mouth when three women stared at him with anger.

“I just mean…” he stuttered.

“We all know what you mean, Jon.” Dorothea said calmly. It was no secret that Jon didn’t like the idea that his daughter would celebrate her 17^th birthday with her friends in a club in New York tonight.

“I just thought when it still hurts and is swollen she shouldn’t dance in heels all night, right?” he looked at Kim for reassurance. She smiled.

“Yes, Jon ….if her ankle would be still swollen and would hurt, I wouldn’t recommend to dance all night…”

His face lit up with a smile.

“…but it doesn’t. I checked her this morning. It’s fine. She overstretched it six days ago. Dancing won’t be a problem.” She could see the hope of keeping his little girl here tonight vanish from his face.

“Fine!” he grumbled and stomped back to the BBQ.

“Where is his problem? Mom is coming with us...she’ll make sure no boy will come close to me.” Steph said pissed and crossed her arms in front of her chest.

“Don’t give me that attitude Missy. I told you, I’ll not let you lose in a New York City night club. You are 17…not 30. So, deal with it or we stay home.”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Steph hurried to answer. She knew her mother. She wouldn’t have a problem with keeping her home. Birthday or not.

“You are sure…you really want this?” Dot asked Kim with a conspiratorial smile. Her daughter watched her confused. Kim grinned.

“Yep. I love it.” Dot nodded.

“I know what you mean. But it can be tiring.”

“I don’t doubt that.”

“You two are crazy.” Steph told them and got up to get back into the house. Kim and Dot erupted in laughter.