Becky HAS to be here by now.

She knew she was running late as she came down the stairs. Sure enough, Becky was standing in the kitchen, talking to Uncle Jack. They both turned to look at Sam as she entered the room.

"So, finally ready to go?" Jack asked, in a not so humorous voice. Sam made a double check mark in her head not to Jill-off in the mornings any more.

"Yeah, Sorry Uncle Jack. Won't happen again." she said sheepishly.

"Make sure that it..." Jack was suddenly cut off by Sam squealing and running over to Becky. "OH MY GOD! Your HAIR! That is so COOL!" she screamed, her pitch going up 3 octaves. Jack just threw up his hands and returned to washing dishes.

Becky beamed at her friend's attention. "I know! Mom let me do it after that notice came out that the School was relaxing some of its restrictions." Her hair was dark black, from her Eastern Indian heritage. But now there was a electric blue streak going from her temple to the back of her neck. She kept her hair short, just like Sam's.

Sam turned to her uncle just as he spoke. "NO. And don't ask." he said, never turning around and that old military authority coming back into his voice. Sam gave a pout, but knew the subject was closed. She grabbed a breakfast tart and quickly gulped down the orange juice that was laying out. Sticking the tart in her mouth as she left, she said, "Buh Uhnle Jass, shee yuh tunii!" (Bye Uncle Jack! See you tonight!)

The girls exited quickly still giggling over Becky's new "look." Jack sighed deeply and finished up the dishes.