The Journal of Phillip Grant - April 6

After returning from our trip, I decided to visit the boys. It was time to see how they were getting on.

My first stop was the little house that Stephen and Abbey share.

Stephen still stresses easily. I hope it's not just the plumbing again. How can anyone fret over plumbing so much?

"Stephen, what's on your mind?"

He shuddered. "Saw the Grim Reaper yesterday and I can't stop thinking about it."

Ah, it's not just the plumbing for once. "Seeing the Reaper in action is always a shock. Even if you know he will be coming soon."

"Yeah Dad. It's not nice at all. And it happened in the pub, which isn't a great thing for a business."

"How is the pub going?"

"It's doing pretty well. I have another job as well. Don't want to depend on the pub too much."

"That's a good idea. Pubs don't usually have too much problem though, customers are very loyal."

Then I turned to Stephen's girlfriend and roommate. "Abbey, my dear. You are looking well."

"Thanks."

"So, you and Stephen going to give us some grandchildren soon?"

"Not yet. We aren't even engaged. You have to be patient."

"I'm an old man. I don't have time for patient. I'd like to see some more grandchildren."

Then I went to visit Vincent and Miriam. Oh, and Kari, I guess.

"Vincent, how's life?"

"Hey Dad. Well, things at work could be better."

"What's wrong with it?"

"They just don't seem to recognise my talents at the theatre. I should have had at least one more promotion but they like keeping me at the bottom of the totem pole."

I carefully paid my respect to Kari and little Miriam. [Sigh] I wish that woman didn't drive Vanessa to distraction. Kari was fairly civil to me, but I didn't get a chance to hold the baby.

The girls were off entertaining themselves in their usual ways. Penny and Nick were out at the beach but I doubt they noticed the view much.

In the meantime, Ronnie had arranged to meet James at the local pool.

James and Ronnie had a nice chat. Ronnie told me later that James still doesn't have a new girlfriend.

It was a hot day and the swimming pool was the place to be.  Brad and Em turned up. As did a lot of other people from around town.

Ronnie talked to her cousin Shanna. Shanna is one of Kathy's kids. Shanna has grown a lot since I last saw her, has it been that long?

I was headed over to the pool to join Ronnie and walked through the garden at Eric's place. Tisk, Eric has been leaving the money tree seeds go to waste. I think I'll just pick them up, we could use a money tree or three.

Shanna's girlfriend Stephanie also came to the pool.

My oldest brother Sammy was there too. Sammy is still missing his wife Malia.

That's an awful thought. What if I lose Vanessa? Might as well tear my heart from my body.

Penny and Nick showed up. Penny can hold her breath under water for a very long time. Nick didn't have a chance of winning the hold breathe contest.

---

"Hey, Dad?"

"Yes, Pen?"

"I'm not positive but I think Nicolas might have an evil streak."

"Why?"

"Well, he started telling me about his latest mastermind plot."

"Does it worry you?"

"Umm, yeah, a bit."

"Ok, I see. Tell you what, Penny. I'll get your cousin Jerod over. You chat to him."

"Jerod?"

"Jerod definitely has an evil streak. Get to know him then ask. He is family, you can talk to him."

Penny has decided to do a bit of cocktail mixing. I might encourage that as a skill. We bought the bar for Stephen, may as well get some use out of it.

Not only did I invite Jerod over for Penny but both the boys as well. The twins really don't know their brothers as well as they should. So Ronnie spent some time chatting to Stephen.

Penny was taking my advice and getting to know Jerod.

I don't know whose idea it was to dance but it certainly let them get to know each other.

They were actually fairly well matched in skills.

"Hey, Jerod, Dad says you're the one to ask about being evil."

"Uncle Phillip? I'm surprised he remembered."

"It's true?"

"Fraid it is. But why would you want to ask?"

"Well, my boyfriend was telling me his latest mastermind plot."

"Ah, that's nothing to worry about. It's a sort of mind game, nothing more."

"Mind game?"

"It's a mental challenge. Like if I had to make someone vanish in Egypt, how would I go about it?"

"How would you..."

"Never you mind. The only way that I'd actually implement a plot is if someone were threatening me or my family. Harm me or mine at your own risk."

"So that's it?"

"Well, there is the small problem with candy and babies. I mean, you shouldn't give candy to babies, it's bad for them. So me taking it off is good for them right?"

"Umm..."

"The parents feel the same way. Something about their screaming babies makes them unhappy."

Ronnie finished having a nice talk with Stephen and got to know her oldest brother a little better.
I'm glad to see she knows both of them a little more now.

--------

"So Penny?"

"Yes Dad?"

"Was your chat with your cousin instructive?"

"It was very interesting. I think that it will be ok, if Nick happens to have some evil, as long as we stay together."

"Penny?"

"Yes Dad?"

"You need to go shopping."

"Cool, Dad. You want me to pick up something for you?"

"No, dear. You need to buy yourself a hat."