our own Siberia

Rosie felt faint. It was the first snow. If that wasn't enough, she found Chance putting books away in the YA of the library.

"What are you doing here?" She meant to be in a pout, but she couldn't. She knew she should be thinking of Sunny, but he'd been distant the last few weeks since she went out a blind date with Chance at Homecoming. Honestly, she didn't think she'd ever see him again. He said he was going back to Hawaii. Needless, to say, she hadn't kept in contact with him by text since he never texted her. She wasn't the type to start something. Now was she?

He bought her hot chocolate and took a break with her near the bookstore. He smiled a lot as if he was happy to see her. She felt as if a ball of nerves might make her sick and she'd end up spilling hot chocolate on him.

"It sure is cold," Chance shrugged. He said he wasn't expecting snow this soon. Actually, this was the first snow he'd ever seen.

"This is nothing," she promised, warning him of those negative cold chills in December and then the cold war of January that lasted way into March, sometimes.

"As long as you're around, it'll be warm," Rosie thought she heard him say. But she thought she must be dreaming. Still, she wanted to stay awhile.

He told her his brother found a place. Actually, it was on her block. She wasn't sure what to say. She herself had moved in recently with her Aunt Ellie since her Uncle Derrick and his family moved to Florida.

"You could stop by, after work if you have nothing else better to do?" She was certain Ellie would want to meet him. At the moment if Sunny was going to be Siberia, then she would go where she was wanted. After all, Chance was so new and different. Maybe he was just what she needed.

how's it gonna be

How was she going to get through?

Rosie didn't see it coming, but it was a last-minute opportunity and Sunny got in at a University in Chicago where he could study engineering on a full scholarship. He was moving away.

Her dad was back in rehab plus some jail time now that she didn't want a soul to know. She'd decided it was best to give up on him. He was nothing like he used to be. And who she'd lived with all this time found new employment in Ohio.

It seemed everyone was going places, except her. She couldn't even depend on her Uncle Derrick who moved to Florida to work at a hotel in maintenance. His wife got a job as a parole officer in Orlando. She was still stuck here in a little town because this was the only place she knew. And now there was only Daisy's dad who was her real guardian, after all. She worked at his diner.

"See, you'll be OK," Xander, Sunny's dad was optimistic. She only had one more year of high school. He cheered her up, taking her shopping at the outlet mall. She could count on them. Except, he didn't think it was a good idea for her to move in with them.

She guessed she understood. She did have her own room and her own things, but it left her so teary-eyed. She was devastated by this new revelation that she was truly all alone. Sunny was her true family, until now.

He promised they would still be close. But he was already there and it seemed the text, video chats, and phone calls were already far and fewer. She needed to be strong, but she wasn't sure it was enough.

"Just think about it, you don't have enough friends," Valentina told her. "We'll be here for you. If you're feeling down, I'll listen. I'll be here."

Rosie wished she could believe her, but just when she thought things were better...it felt as if she was destined to be the unluckiest girl in the world.

what once was is here again

Rosie's dad finally came for a visit. It was puzzling. She wanted to be happy, but thought maybe it was best to not be jumping for joy. After all, her dad moved in with his mother...the grandmother that Rosie never got to see.

She wasn't sure if her grandmother was mad at her, or what. It had been a strange couple of years..she now thought.

"I don't know why she won't let me come to her house." She said it wasn't always like that. Of course, there was only Sunny to talk too and he always sat quietly with her as if it was good as meditating.

Yet, she felt sure it had to do with medication with her father. His mom had been single most of his life and then she married somebody's father that her dad rarely spoke of. Maybe, that's when it started.

She just didn't know.

Of course, her Uncle Derrick was easy going with her Dad, Kyle. They had a lot of catching up to do and Rosie was lost in the conversation of the people they spoke of.

Her father spoke of someone named Ellie. All this time, Rosie thought this old friend of her father's was a distant relative of theirs.

"Well, kind of." Her dad said they were step-siblings by marriage, but as of late, they'd been talking a lot and since her husband wasn't around anymore, they'd been seeing each other.

"What happened to him?" Rosie wanted to know. Her father only chuckled, telling her she hadn't changed a bit.

"He moved to Australia after they got divorced." His grin was open. "Look, Ellie and I go... way back."

But she suspected now there was more to it, as she sat near the bay window of the library with Sunny next to her.

She shook her head as she looked at Sunny. She wasn't so sure she was ready to have her father in her life right now. She'd missed him so, but she didn't want to be uprooted from her life here. This was home.

"But..what if..he does get better and..and he actually wants..me back." She squinted. As she recalled, this Ellie had two little girls of her own.

"Don't worry about it, right now." Sunny took her hand.

It was frigid out, but it was warm and cozy with Sunny. She smiled back, and he leaned in, kissing her.

He did have a way of making her forget everything else.

texting verses kissing

Bo didn't want to tell Rosie that night at Homecoming, but the band could have very well played at the dance, but he didn't want too.

Besides, there were bigger and better venues for the band these days. Actually, they'd been in the studio lately, writing songs for their next CD. OK, debut. After all, all they'd put out was an EP, but it sold out, so they were working on getting at least 12 songs down.

Oh, and there was still high school.

But somehow, her uncle had let her go with him to homecoming. Bo couldn't think of a happier time. A part of him thought he might be pretty shallow, but it was cheesy stuff like this that made life fun.

After all, he was... that really skinny kid who like to play a guitar, to most everyone at school. It wasn't like anyone was asking for his autograph.

And Rosie was beautiful.

Yet, a part of him wanted to get out his phone and text her, even if she was right next to him. Funny, it didn't feel normal, not to text.

But it was all good and he had her home by midnight. Hopefully, Derrick wasn't too mad at him.

He cringed to think Derrick watched them kiss at the door.

Oh, how he'd wished he'd kissed her one more time.

Suddenly, texting wasn't nearly as fun as being that close in a lip a lock. Yes, he missed her. The texting would have to suffice until they could go out, again.

back where you belong

Ellis was glad to be back. Although, there were plenty of gigs lined up in the days ahead with the band.

Still, it was best to be in his own bed and embracing the silence.

But, there was Louis to contend with, back at the recording studio.

"You know, you're my right hand man." Louis assured him with a smile. "I knew you had it in you, to go the distance." Louis told him that he hadn't let him down. "Aren't you proud of yourself?"

Ellis wasn't so sure what he was suppose to be proud of. He hated the mosquitoes and other bugs while camping.

"I was never in Boy Scouts, you know." Ellis still found the conditions a little harsh. There were times, he wondered if he'd ever get a bath. Oh, how he was happy for the little things in life. Like, a real bathroom.

"Well, I never took you for one of the lost boys." Louis chuckled. He settled down at his desk and gave Ellis a schedule to look over. It looked as if  the band was going to make an album.

"I want you to look over the arrangement for the playlist and every song..how it should be played." Louis told him with a nod.

Ellis' eyes lit. He'd never had this much to do when it came to producing music. He'd have to think about this. He nursed his bottom lip, knowing he couldn't do any of this without collaborating with Derrick and Bo. A part of him wanted to ask why Louis was doing this to him. It would be a headache. Ellis was most certain.

"Relax." Louis' smile was open as he looked at Ellis, ever so congenial. He cleared his throat then. "Oh...yeah, before I forget, I met the president of your fan club."

"What?" Ellis winced hard, thinking that was totally ridiculous. It was the first he'd heard of it.

"Well, you've made an impression on some one." Louis shrugged with delight. "She wants to have lunch with you."

"Lunch?" There went Ellis' face with disgust.

"Don't worry, I'll go with you." Louis slightly chuckled.

Ellis' frown was in a pout.

Just when he thought his tension headache was gone for good, it slipped back as if it had no place to go.

Life goes on

Rosie looked back at her summer now, as quite divided. The first part was fun, hanging out with Brick at the pool. Actually, she didn't really know how it ended with Brick like it did.

She remembered texting him that she was going to help out with her Uncle Derrick's family when her uncle went on the road with the band. Brick never texted back and that seemed to be the end of her contact with Brick.

Not that she really missed him. Most of her days were filled with babysitting little Asia, who was a handful. She loved music. Rosie did find a lot of joy, being with her and her mom Rossie.

Rossie found out she was pregnant the week Derrick left, and she had some days where she needed a lot of rest. So Rosie was happy she could help out.

Actually, it was a good summer, cooking with Rossie, going to lots of art and dance festivals with her.

And then...one late night when Rossie was in a Facetime chat with Derrick, Asia woke up with an upset stomach.

Rossie handed the phone over to Rosie to talk with her uncle. That was when she spotted Bo, looking over Derrick's shoulder. Bo remembered her. The girl from the pool.

Honestly, she couldn't remember how it happened now..how her uncle introduced her to the lead singer in the band, but it had been one fun moment after another with Bo since.

He texted a lot. They didn't do many Facetime chats, but ever often he would get in contact with her, on an early Sunday morning for a chat.

"I don't care if you've got bed hair." Bo told her. When he talked of the band's travels it sounded like boot camp. They camped out a lot. It was funny how the little things meant a lot to him..like free wifi.  Bo said he needed a better phone plan.

He was easy to talk too. It seemed he needed someone to vent, too.

Thankfully, he thought the world of her uncle Derrick. Yet, he was always a little bitter about the guy who played the keyboard.

Rosie had no idea she would ever be this close to someone in a band.

Yes, the only guy on her mind these days was a lanky teenager named Bo.

highly unlikely

Ellis couldn't believe this. Were they actually going to sleep in a tent, again?

Yes, he was always the worst. But he wasn't used to these kind of conditions while on the road.

"The key is, to wear less clothes." Derrick told him, who practically performed in his underwear every night on stage.

"Hey, they are swimming trunks." Derrick informed the rest of them, early on. After all, he knew how hot the mid-west could be.

But... back to Ellis and wearing less. "I dunno what your problem is?" Derrick told him he was fit enough. "You'd be selling it." Derrick's grin was open, but it only made Ellis feel more disgusted.

He needed his own motel room. Even a cheap one with running water and some A/C for the night would at least be suffice. But, he was the odd man out.

Bo seemed to thrive in filth while Gabby and Howie were more worried about the schedule and that old school bus.

Really, Ellis felt a little sick. Maybe he was homesick. Especially, after he heard from Geo how great the dinner went with Melissa's family.

"I love her." Geo kept saying. It made Ellis all the more lonesome.

How come he couldn't be normal? He knew he was no rockstar. He was not cut out for the road.

"Oh, you're a rockstar, alright." Derrick assured him. "You, got that demanding face. Now, we just only have to get better..so we can afford those places you want to stay."

Ellis sighed. No way was that a pep talk.

"Derrick, really likes you." Bo said later after they were loading up the bus to get ready for the next show, down the road.

Ellis' eyes lit. What did that mean? Ellis couldn't help but scowl. He didn't want anyone liking him.

rolling with the flow

Gabby knew they didn't have much time to spare, but with a basket full of goodies in hand, she got the band rounded up, to stop by Keith's before they left town for the next musical festival.

She'd became good friends with Freddie over the last few months. And it was good to feel they were their extended family.

The baby was a little chubby. It was hard to imagine it was ever in Freddie's tummy. Gabby told her she looked great and the baby was definitely cozy in her arms, but they passed the slumbering baby boy around for everyone to hold.

They named the baby Graham, after Freddie's dad.

Of course, Bo was the most clumsy when it came to babies. "I never held one before." He confessed all bug-eyed as if he might do more harm than good if he held the baby, but the baby slept right through it. Ellis wasn't much better when it came to baby matters.

Derrick chatted them both up about being new parents. He knew lots about infants.

Still, it was Howie who she knew would be the best Dad, of all. He was so quaint and easy going.

"I bet you've done lots of babysitting," Gabby said as they were saying their good-byes.

"Um, its been awhile." He smiled. "But I know a few things." He said he wasn't afraid to change a diaper.

Gabby smiled as if it were refreshing to hear. She could only imagine Will's grimace. He would probably run from a diaper change.

She sighed. Why did she still think about him? She didn't want, too. Besides, there was no time to think about her one and only boyfriend. There was the band who needed to be on the road.

Let's make lots of money

Ellis was a bit shaken about the whole concert episode at the University, with Keith leaving in the middle of the concert.

"It'll all work out." Derrick's slap on his back was like a clap of thunder. No one touched Ellis.

Ellis looked at him, as if he might need to  get to the infirmary before he did actually lose his mind.

Derrick only laughed.

That was a couple of days ago. Before they knew that Freddie had a baby boy and Keith decided he needed some time off.

"Well, I think that's great." Derrick said about the news when they were all at the studio tweaking the playlist for the show.

Ellis felt as if he was lost. What were they going to do?

"We will just go on." There went Derrick with a pep talk before Louis showed up to give them..yet another pep talk.

No matter how enthusiastic everyone became, Ellis felt a sense of doom.

He was the one not normal..evidently.

Oh, why couldn't he just roll with it, like this Derrick fellow?

"Does..does..Callum even know..about any..of this?" Ellis asked Louis after the little gathering of donuts and coffee.

Louis looked at him as if Ellis shouldn't ask questions about Callum.

"Of course, he knows." Louis remained even lipped.

"Is he ever coming back?" Ellis wanted to know. He didn't mean to care, but he did. "I mean, I..I haven't heard from him." Ellis wanted to tell Louis that he was Callum's friend, but maybe he wasn't. It had been so long.

Ellis nursed his bottom lip, as he thought of Geo and the party months ago. Had he messed it all up? Was this all his fault? Callum was that angry with him. Or was their some other reason Callum was off the grid these days?

In his mind, he didn't want this to mean he was in LOVE with Callum. It couldn't be love, but in his heart, it was as if it were sinking metal, and it ached for Callum's return.

Here we are

"OH MY GOD!" Rosie smiled from ear to ear. She pointed to Derrick, on stage. "That's my uncle." She told Sunny, who was being rather mute tonight.  He nodded.

Earlier, she'd told him that she'd seen the lead singer at the pool.

"I still can't believe its him." She'd been smiling since she'd gotten to the concert. She knew someone in a band..and..and he might be famous..one day.

Of, course, Brick was being an idiot. First he had to show off how he was so cool with his moves.

NOT COOL. Rosie decided. Sometimes, he was a real turn off. How could they friends? If he had to be so silly.

Lily danced along with him, as if they might both be on happy pills.

Lily's mom got them all snow cones. Brick kept saying he was going to get one with pickle juice, but they didn't have any. So now his tongue was blue and Lily's was red.

"How patriotic." Rosie cynically said as she hugged herself while watching Brick being a clown with Lily. It was as if they were doing their own video.

Rosie was not a little kid.

Sunny stayed in different the whole time. She wanted to be on his side, but then Derrick took the main stage.

She felt so happy, seeing her uncle do something he loved. Now, she wished she had that snow cone she said she didn't want.

Sunny, shoved his bag of cherry Twizzlers toward her. Maybe..he did like her, after all.

Happy 4th!

Derrick picked up where Keith left off. There was still the baseline to keep them going from what Ellis set up.

Derrick could tell the kid, thought he was going to take over the whole gig, but he didn't. He kept up with the riffs while Ellis punched in some groovy 70ish electric sounds from the keyboard.

At least, it kept the crowd happy.

"OK..Bo what should we do?" Derrick said over the microphone with a smile. "Its the 4th, you know?"

Bo looked at him, blankly..as if he didn't get Derrick humor in the lull of this strange madness... they were trying to hang on to..yet find away to start another song.

Derrick only laughed. Then turned back to the microphone and started his own version of Springsteen's "BORN IN THE USA."

Bo nodded as he played along with him. Ellis, of course, gave them both a frown as if he wasn't familiar with this song, but he didn't let them down. He got in, on the melody too.

Could the three of them, get through this?

Well, the crowd roared. It was good roared.

Derrick sighed. He kept singing, wondering if he was even carrying a tune. He hadn't felt this kind of rush in a long time.

making it happen

Derrick..still, couldn't believe his wife Rossie was letting him do this(join a band). But as she said, "Get this out of your system before you're too old, to do it."

She was the one who connected him to this gig, as it was.

"You know, you're first love is music." She told him.

And he was only going as the drummer. It would be six weeks of summer without her and baby Asia.

Actually, he missed them already, and he hadn't even left town. Thankfully, they were there for the show.

Naturally, Derrick wasn't in the lime light. He knew he could get used to that. He knew this might be his last chance to do what was second nature to him.

He'd probably been playing music a lot longer than anyone here. Of course, he wasn't so sure if he could get used to testy El, who always had to have everything in perfect order. Somehow, El made him feel they might be better off without him. He was such a stickler for everyone to have their act together.

Bo, the kid and lead singer was laid back enough. And Keith..well, Derrick thought he'd seen one of his shows..but that was just a blur..perhaps. Still they both had young families, so Derrick thought they could stick together through the duration of the weeks, ahead.

But this manager. She was so young. How could headquarters let her take so much on? He wondered if she had a thing for the lead singer..or maybe it was the other way around.

Derrick was certainly for from circles like this. After all, he'd managed the diner for the most part. Lately, his skills were in math and where to find the best suppliers for the ingredients they needed to make a good burger and fantastic fries and onion rings.

Was he sure he wanted to forget about that kind of thing this summer?

There was Max (his brother) to take on his duties at the diner.

A lot of people were asking if the diner was closing. Derrick didn't know who was starting the rumor. The Chinese place next door was always packed. People who went to that place were parking in the diner parking lot.

Derrick hoped Daisy's Diner would stay afloat. Of course, Daisy herself never ate a meal there.

Derrick wasn't sure what might happen by end of summer, but he was going to enjoy this working vacation, as much as he could. Still, he need to focus on his life with his little family. It was the only thing that was true.

Oh, the plot is so bewitching

It was all coming together! Honestly, Gabby didn't think it was possible. At least, Howie would be there with the band, as the bus driver.

Of course, it was an old converted school bus. Bo wasn't that famous.

True, he was getting hits on YouTube with some unlikely covers..like BABY'S ON FIRE. It seemed a lot of the young folk didn't know about that song, and the new wave old timers were accepting it.

Gabby couldn't believe the line up.

The first show was at a small venue here. It was at the University campus. They were featured in the Summer Night's festival.

So it was the start of something. This was real time. Not putting together a video. And there was a crowd for him. Naturally, some came out to support Keith. It was good Bo introduced him as if he was the real show, not him.

Gabby wasn't sure how the studio would feel about it. Why did every little thing, keep her on pins and needles.

So much to keep up with.

And still there was new faces to remember. Somehow, Ellis got roped in to setting the base line and the keyboard. But there was someone..who wasn't from the studio.

Still, he looked a little familiar to Gabby.

She looked down at the names of the band members. The drummer's name was Derrick.

anyway you want it

Brick didn't see this coming. He hadn't smiled this much since Valentines day.

Not that it was official with Rosie, since there was that matter of them being cousins. Rosie's Uncle Derrick really upset her about it. Thankfully, Granny B set them straight. "You're like second or third or forth cousins." She'd let them make cupcakes on Valentines day. It was pretty much a laugh fest. So what, if they were cousins. It had been a fun evening. Spaghetti, salad and cupcakes. And Granny B had let them make a mess in the kitchen.

Now, he was watching Gordy and a friend of his, head up the stairs with a mattress. His was new. Lord knows, how long his mother had slept on that bed. Naturally, Granny B told everyone how Tiffany's water broke when she was getting out of that old bed.

Brick didn't know nothing about water. His mom didn't have a water bed. He let it slide and thought about going to watch TV, but he wanted to help.

"What can I do?" Brick wanted to know.

"He's got a lot of books." His friend Irwin told him.

"You're not carrying anything!" His mother scolded him, who was upstairs moving stuff around. After all, Brick was still banged up from the car accident with his dad, but he was only in a wrist cast now.

"All righty then." He shrugged, thinking he could at least get them some cold soda pop..even if it was freezing outside, and a windy snow blowing.

"So, you're really gonna live here?" He gave Gordy the root beer before he could go out to bring in another load.

"Yeap."

"And you've never slept with my mom before?" Brick asked while Gordy was mid-way in guzzling the drink down. He was quite for a moment. Total silence.

"She can kick you in her sleep. She talks, too and her toe nails are like little knives." Brick soon informed Gordy.

"OK." Gordy could barely clear his throat with an even lip, as he looked at Brick.

"Didn't mean to scare you." Brick stared at him with a smile. "But I thought YOU should know." He told Gordy he hadn't slept with her in some time. "But we used too, when I was little..cause, well...I dunno." He shrugged as if it hadn't been a big deal. "We moved around a lot..and it was just easier."

Gordy looked at him blankly.

"Maybe, she won't be too rough on you." Brick slightly smirked.

"What?" Gordy with his eyes in the headlight look, really cracked Brick up.

"Restless leg syndrome." Brick nodded.

"Brick." His grandmother whispered and snapped his butt with a dish towel. "Now stop that." She insisted. Brick grinned. He intended to tell Gordy about all his mother's bad habits.

tell me about it

"No..no..no..we've got enough yarn, before you go unraveling that-" Henry wouldn't let Josie take apart the unfinished crochet project(the special blanket for someone). Josie looked at him as if he was the one who'd lost it. Not her. Yes, someone was always a touchy subject..but then again, maybe that was why she was so distant to Derrick, in the first place.

Of course, it was Xander who was here to take the yarn. She meant to have it all sorted and a library of colors, but it hadn't worked that way. She didn't know why she did this to herself.

A lot of things were going well with her. She'd aced a six week course in infant care, and she'd done well with her pre-school education classes, too.

She even started working for one of the professors, to take care of her infant. Of course, she brought along Allie, too. It wasn't near the burden that Henry kept going on about. It was good money and she was learning a lot. And she didn't work weekends.

"I just don't have time for this kind of stuff." She closed the plastic lid on the old crochet project. She couldn't face it. She'd never done all the things she told Asa she would do. A part of her would always be a bad mother.

Why did she have such painful memories? Things like this were suppose to get..better..over time, but it felt rather bitter to her, at the moment.

She didn't know Xander was a medic, now. She changed the subject. Surely, Xander could stay for a cup of tea.

"When did that happen?" He'd been rather mysterious with her, lately. Why hadn't he told her?

"Not that long, I've only been at it, roughly two weeks." He nodded.

"You, should have said something." She didn't mean to sound angry, but then didn't they tell each other..everything? OK, she'd stopped telling him about all of Henry's aliments. She didn't want to make him out to be a hypochondriac.

Josie quickly went on to say... they needed to get the Christmas tree up.

"We did that Thanksgiving night." Xander smiled.

"Oh..well, maybe..maybe you guys can..can make Christmas cookies with us." Suddenly, she felt she had to top, whatever he said. She hadn't meant to be so peeved. Although, she couldn't decide who to be angry with. Maybe it was Henry, after all.

Look what it's done so far.

Rosie did her best to keep busy. She played as much as she could with Maddie at Rossi and Derrick's. She even helped with Asha, quite a bit, lugging them around, reading a few board books to them.

Still Brick was on her mind. She thought she would collapse when she heard the news of what happened Thanksgiving. But she wasn't a frail flower. After all, she put up with a lot with her truck driving dad these days.

She had such high hopes that he'd be home for Thanksgiving, but he got stuck in snow in Denver or somewhere. She knew he was in no mood for the holidays. As it was he was in the middle of a divorce.

It didn't seem possible. She thought they'd somehow find their way back to each other. It wasn't going to happen, or so she'd willed it, until she couldn't anymore. She could see that nothing lasted forever.

But Brick. Not Brick. There was always Brick.

She liked that he'd stay past the last school bell, to walk home with her. Sometimes, they would stop at the playground, and go on the see-saw or the merry-go-around for awhile. Cold set in now. Still, they managed to spend some time together. She would usually make him hot chocolate after school.

She thought of his easy smile. He was quiet, but he was always a good listener. And he never ever talked about his mom nor dad. Usually, it was about his teacher. Good things too. About what kind of books to look for at the library, or some writing assignment.

But now..all she could do was wait. Hoping his grandmother would let her know when he woke up. Was he really OK? Would his punctured heart ever be the same?

It was amazing he'd survived. After all, he'd been thrown from the vehicle. His dad's truck didn't have seat-belts.

Ever so often she found herself thinking a little prayer before she could cry, but the tears came anyway.

Derrick was afraid she was coming down with something. She told him she was fine. Except, she did throw up when she found out he was in surgery so many hours.

Brick went through the windshield. There was glass in his head, and one eye might have been blinded.

She shuttered to think he might never be the Brick she remembered.

Finally, his grandmother called a couple of days later and asked her if she wanted to go to hospital with her. Brick was awake.

Darkest of Fridays

"Well, tell me..how was Thanksgiving?" Sara wanted to know, over the phone(after all, Sara was on her honeymoon). Actually, Daisy was too frazzled to even think. She'd spent way over 12 hours at the department store. She felt weak at the knees as she looked down at her swelled ankles. She was in an old gray sweater of her father's and Max's gym shorts. Finally, she was home after the Black Friday Rush.

"Oh, you know." She sighed, trying to think back to Thursday. Derrick cooked the turkey, Max helped out, with the sides. They'd all met up at Josie's parents for the meal, since Camille had the biggest table for a crowd.

Daisy was sleepy, but she was afraid to rest.

"I got to see Josie and Henry's baby. She's adorable!" She'd meant to visit them, but there never seemed to be the time. "We have Rosie, you know." Daisy doubted Sara would know Max's niece, but she was a great help with the baby, and she'd stayed over at Rossi and Derrick's on Thanksgiving night.

"So is everything going... OK?" Sara's question, only made Daisy all the more quiet. Sure, the weather was cold, but good and it had been very quaint at dinner, with lots of fun talk about the past and how Thanksgiving used to be. It was all..all right.

"I guess." Daisy first said, then paused. "Well, something..something happened, right around the corner. You know, a couple of streets down from us." Daisy winced. "The cops came. It was really crazy in the neighborhood." Daisy shook her head, wishing she could forget the frantic faces. It was a holiday. "Some..some guy, abducted his kid." Daisy couldn't forget hearing the news about it. "There was a fight..and Rosie knows this little boy."

Daisy felt the worst for Rosie. Something had happened to her best friend. Rosie had been uneasy, ever since.

"Its just..nothing terrible like this.. has ever happened, like this.. in our neighborhood." Still, Daisy remembered it like yesterday, when they lost Rosie's mother Amanda. She really hoped the holidays would be better this year.

the long summer

Rosie didn't want to go to Derrick's.

She left the house before she could listen to Derrick and Max argue over her, during the 4th.

Yes, her dad was a truck-driver now and the only mom she'd ever really known took off to Chicago.

It was all so temporary. But it felt permanent to her.

There was room at Max and Daisy's. However, they lived with Daisy's dad. And yes, they were busy with the diner, and Daisy worked at a department store. She was a buyer.  And Rosie could help with their baby, Mandy.

Of course, Derrick reminded her of his own little girl. Didn't she want to help with Asia?

This meant, she'd have to share a room with a toddler.

What else could she say? She really liked, having her own room, even if it was in the attic. Yes, she supposed she was selfish that way, but she'd lost so much. Unsure if her parents were splitting or was it a summer vacation?

Really, why couldn't Derrick leave things alone?

So, she'd went off by herself on the 4th, not even thinking to bring her phone.

If only she had her phone, she might be texting that kid she met at the neighborhood park.

She sighed now, thinking how horrible it might have been if she'd gone off with those older guys. She didn't want to think about it. She better do what ever Max asked. At least.

She'd make sure to be a good guest this summer.

Rosie, grabbed a Trixie Beldon mystery from a box Max brought from the basement, of her mother's things. She fell back on the pink comforter and opened the book. The name inside was unfamiliar to her. It wasn't her mother's name. Yet there was the name Rose Mary who she'd been named after.

Rosie set up, looking at the old scribble in pencil. These were her grand- mother's books.

At first, she had no interest in reading something so old. She was going to dig in that box until she found some of her mother's books, but as she started the first page, it caught her interest.

Rosie guessed she would visit Derrick and his family, but there was only so much she could take of her Uncle.

She loved him, but she didn't know if she would... if she had to live with him.

He talked so much and never really had anything to say.

going in circles

Brittany felt so behind, but they finally managed to have Josie and Henry's baby shower at a mutual place.

It was almost at the library after hours, but there were some stipulations to consider. Not everyone could be invited if they had it there.

Oh, there was a good bit of talk. Especially, since Halie was helping out. She didn't see why they couldn't have it there while the library was open. So much to consider.

Finally, they settled on Claire's. As much as Brittany didn't want to argue with Halie, she'd let Halie have her way. Except, Halie insisting it was Brittany who was in charge.

Finally, it happened. And it turned out to be more of an ice cream social, than anything. There were gifts, and plenty of people. Of course, mostly family.

Even Max showed up with Mandy and Rosie and gifts. Luckily, Rossie showed up too. So it was a bit of a reunion, for Rosie and Rossie. They'd met before, at Rossie and Derrick's wedding.

Still, Brittany was worried Josie might have the baby at the party. She was certain Josie was having contractions, even if Josie kept saying she was fine.

Brittany only winced more, thinking of her twenty-four hours of labor. Oh, she was certain it was twenty-seven. She almost told her about it.

"Oh, lets don't go there. This isn't a party about all our birthing horror stories." Halie cut in. Yes, finally something they could agree on. They wanted the baby shower to be a happy time.

Xander promised next time, Sheena would meet his boyfriend. After all, Xander picked her up and took her to the Josie's baby shower.

"He works, a lot of nights." Xander told her all about Ducky.

"I'm impressed." Sheena smiled back as if she might be Xander's number one fan. "I think this'll do me good. Even though, I'll be... so out of my element." She told him she wasn't all that close to her co-workers.

"Well, maybe..one..sort of."

Xander knew who she was talking about.

"Maybe something like a baby shower, will take your mind off...Omaha." He couldn't help to say that maybe she was thinking too much about this guy. But, he'd never met him. He doubted he ever would.

Of course, the party was in full swing when they got there.

"Oh God." Sheena froze.

"What?" Xander wanted to know.

"He's..here." She sounded so shocked, as she wanted to point out, the tall one with the golden tan and the very dark hair.

All in the family

"Rosie, I didn't know you'd be so good at this." Derrick smiled as he watched her wipe down the table. After all, it was just the two of them at the diner. It wasn't hard labor, but she'd wanted to try her hand at clearing tables.

Of course, he was still a little bothered that she hadn't came to him first, about the babysitting job.  Naturally, there were a lot things that bothered him lately, but he wouldn't dwell on them. Well, not to Roz.

Still...

1. Why wouldn't Josie and Henry ever come over? They said they would, but they never did.

He had a feeling Josie was mad that her mom and step-dad helped co-sign for the house. But the house was old and small with steep stairs. It wasn't that awesome. But he couldn't complain. Roz was still working, and where she worked had a daycare for Asha. And Derrick always had something to do here. He was after all, managing the diner.

2. Nobody in his family ever stayed in touch. OK, there was Max. He saw him everyday, but still..he didn't know what he was waiting for..and then Rosie showed up, like a stranger.

She was all grown up now. Then some old timer scolded Derrick. "Aren't there some child labor laws around here?" That really set Derrick off. It was hard to be nice, sometimes.

And then, out of the blue, his cousin Terrence showed up.

"What are you doing here?" Derrick, thought Terrence might have been closer to his older brother's age. He barely remembered the two of them together, working on cars. That was ages ago. Derrick never liked Terrence's mother, who never had anything nice to say about Derrick's family. Although, Terrence's mother was Derrick's mother's sister. Derrick bet Terrence didn't even know Rosie.