A Guilty Conscience

"Have my girls been taking good care of you two?" Bridget inquired, speaking into the kitchen phone. "They seem smitten with their famous patient." Then, chuckling at the response she heard, the doctor added, "I think the floor, if not most of the hospital, view you as a co-patient."

"I bet those slutty, little nurses love having Big Harvey around," Gabriela suggestively joked from behind Bridget's spot. She, Jeff, Rachel, Clive, and Bridget had been in the middle of a relaxing, non-children breakfast until the phone rang.

"Gabs!" Rachel hissed. "Harvey might hear you."

After more than two decades, Bridget had long learned to block out Rachel and Gabby's bickering. Instead, she attempted to focus on her conversation, which featured another voice in the background chiming in on the other end.

"Yes, I can hear the chatterbox. Oh, I imagine she's been bouncing off the walls since after we left," Bridget laughed at what followed a minute later. "Chaperones? Can't you handle one teenager, Harv? Or are you planning to prowl the party for some--hey!"

Bridget pulled the phone away from her ear, studied it for a moment before hanging up.

"Something wrong?" Clive asked while rinsing off a plate in the sink.

"He hung up on me," Bridget revealed.

Jeff looked up from the omelet that he'd finished demolishing. "Whoa, what did you do to piss him off?"

"Apparently, he's not in the mood for teasing about women."

"Doesn't sound like the Harvey I know," Jeff guffawed, reaching over for his second omelet.

"Give him a break, guys. His daughter nearly died," Rachel reminded needlessly.

"It's the same daughter that's driving him crazy right now," Bridget stated.

Well aware of Whitney's bossiness, Rachel nodded. She questioned the details from what she and the others overheard.

"Yes, Whitney's made considerable progress and will get discharged today. Cheryl told them it would be around lunchtime," Bridget relayed, glancing at the wall clock. "Knowing hospital procedures, I'd say to add an extra hour or two. But, Norton Merton fawns over his VIPs."

"And Harvey is one of the hospital's largest donors," Clive supplied.

"Indeed he is," Bridget nodded. "So Whitney might actually get discharged by noon. Are the girls up yet?"

"I'd assume that Lana caused enough of a ruckus to wake them. Why?" Rachel queried.

"Whitney shouted a long list of stuff that she wants Lacey and Ramsey to get ready for her. I could barely hear Harvey at times," Bridget recounted. Rachel, Clive, and Jeff all wore confused faces leading Bridget to add, "For the ball tonight."

"I bet that girl is drooling over the opportunity to show off tonight," Gabby remarked. "It's not often that you're the talk of the town for nearly dying. If it were me, I would go all-out. Pour on the sex appeal. Have men begging to wait on you hand and foot."

"Well, she better take it easy," Rachel countered, shaking her head at her best friend's priorities. "Whitney doesn't need to end up back in the hospital tonight."

"For that very reason, Whitney will be chaperoned tonight," Bridget revealed, causing gasps around the room.

"Oh, that is not going to end well," Clive commented.

Jeff bellowed out laughter at the mere thought. Next to him to his wife couldn't help but smirk. "This should be entertaining," Gabby remarked.

"How--who?" Rachel struggled to picture the headstrong teen with a chaperone at a New Year's Eve party.

"It sounds like Cheryl and Harvey both had the idea independent of one another," Bridget answered. "Summer--that is Dr. Mayfield--will be at the ball anyway. I imagine she jumped at the chance." Jeff and Gabby responded with disbelief. "Summer can be socially awkward, so for her, watching over Whitney is easier than dealing with people's small talk."

"Whitney is too much for Dr. Mayfield," Rachel declared, her mind swirling with ideas. "We can organize a group of parents to help watch over Whitney. I'll make up a list of who's available and make some phone calls."

"That won't be necessary. I'll help Summer out, and I'm sure Samantha would be happy to chip in. Also, Harvey's already lined up one of his employees as his chaperone choice," Bridget explained.

"I don't know," Rachel responded with a long pause. "Maybe I should still make a few calls."

"Poor girl. Out of the hospital, and now her New Year's fun is already ruined," Jeff sighed in sympathy.

"It's for her best, Jeff," Clive replied. "And it's not as if Whitney is a homebody waiting for one big night of fun. That girl probably has experienced more excitement than we all had combined by her age."

"Maybe for you boring old boys, but not me," Gabby barked a laugh. "Bridget and I both could rival Whitney's sordid teenage life."

Bridget shrugged while both Strattons rolled their eyes.

"I know!" Jeff exclaimed, ignoring his wife's comment. "If they're going to get back around lunchtime, then we should make something special for Whitney. A full stomach can work miracles."

"Not every problem is solved with food, sweetie," Gabby pointed out.

"I'd say the same about your solving problems with sex," Jeff countered.

"Mine is far more fun."

"And causes me more problems."

"Okay, it's too early in the day to hear all about your ideas of marriage," Rachel interrupted sternly.

"Yes, let's not get side-tracked," Clive backed up his lovely wife.

"Right, right. Does anyone know Whitney's favorite foods?" Jeff questioned.

All eyes turned toward Rachel.

"What?"

"C'mon, Rach, the girl spends plenty of time at your house," Gabby responded.

"Not for very many lunches or dinners."

"I can see Whitney having fancy tastes," Bridget remarked.

Clive nodded. "Harvey's been taking her to upscale restaurants since she was a little kid. I bet she knows more about dining etiquette than I do. And I grew up in a family of pretentious lawyers."

"And her family chef should be in charge of her own restaurant by now," Rachel agreed with her husband.

"Frida's reputation is stellar," Bridget noted. "I guess that idea is out."

"Out? C'mon!" Jeff bellowed, not willing to drop his idea. "Everyone has a favorite comfort food or two. It doesn't have to be from a five-star restaurant."

"Or ten favorites if they're you, sweetie," Gabby teased her husband. "Besides, I bet Whitney is the sort of girl that watches what she eats."

"Perhaps not always. Remember how she loved her dad's donuts and baking with him," Bridget reminded everyone.

"Yeah, but I thought those were old family recipes. It's not--"

"I have an idea!" Rachel interrupted, nearly screaming. Immediately, the den mother started to speak rapidly under her breath. Ordering her best friend to finish making her next omelet, Rachel walked over to the refrigerator. Examining its contents, she next moved inside the pantry.

Rounding the corner by the pantry door, Peyton scanned the kitchen in suspicion. The way her morning was going, she assumed more trouble awaited her based on the commotion.

"What's going on?"

"Did you just leave your brother?" Bridget asked.

"No, I went into my room for a few minutes. Why?"

"Your room? Were Lacey and Ramsey up?" Bridget inquired.

"Yeah, why?" Peyton drew out the words, glancing over at the others.

"Whitney's getting discharged. They should be back in a few hours." Peyton's guardedness dropped at the welcome news. "She's got a long list of stuff she needs the girls to get ready for her. Could you be a dear and go let them know?"

"Uh, sure," Peyton agreed, looking over her shoulder at the sound of Rachel complaining in the pantry. Maybe I can finally get to work solving this mystery.

"Oh, Peyton," Bridget called out as her daughter walked away. "Could you check and see if Sean's hungry? He might want to eat before the rest of the boys drag themselves out of bed."

Returning to the kitchen, Rachel opened two drawers before she found what she wanted in a third. Pulling out a small notebook, she quickly jotted down several lines. While she did that, another person arrived in the kitchen.

Wearing one of the cabin's fluffy robes, the newcomer didn't acknowledge anyone else as they made their way to a cabinet. Pulling out a kettle and filling it with water, the person turned to head to the stovetop.

"Rough morning, Kim?" Gabby asked Kimberly as she placed the kettle down.

"I can't wait until this trip is over," the platinum blonde grumbled, turning the burner on.

"Someone looks crabby this morning," Jeff chuckled, having no idea about what happened during the night.

"Were Jeff and Gabby too loud last night?" Bridget questioned with a smirk. Kimberly returned it with a glare.

"Do you mean Jeff's snoring?" Gabby asked Bridget back, winking at her husband.

"I take it there is a reason that you slept in late?" Clive inquired, glancing at his wife. He expected a comment from Rachel, but instead, she ripped off a piece of paper from the notebook.

"Not really," Kim replied, grabbing one of the teabags she stashed in a cabinet.

"Did you forget that it was your turn to make breakfast?" Clive pressed.

"Oh, whoops, sorry," Kimberly said, not sounding remorseful at all. Taking note of the omelets on the kitchen island, she mumbled, "Thanks, Rachel. I'll help make lunch or something."

"No need for that!" Rachel brightly responded. Holding out the piece of paper, she added, "We'll call it even after you get back from Wirchie's."

"I'm not going to Wirchie's. That place is a dive," Kimberly replied, literally turning her nose up in the air.

"Too bad for you. We need these items and need them soon," Rachel declared. Seeing Kimberly open her mouth to complain further, the usually polite blonde redhead right past them. "Whitney is getting released from the hospital, and we want to make her a special treat."

"Why does--"

"You don't want to help Whitney?" Bridget interrupted.

"Ugh...fine! Can I at least drink my tea before doing this...nice gesture?" Kimberly challenged through gritted teeth.

"Sure, and you can even have breakfast before leaving," Rachel answered.

"Jeff, grab our car keys for Kimmie when you're finished," Gabriela ordered, flashing her own fake smile at her old teammate.

"No, problemo," Jeff nodded before another idea popped into his head. "How about we get Jared to drive you and help you shop?"

"That would be wonderful," Kimberly readily agreed with a pleased smile.

Not at all liking the look on the platinum blonde's face, Gabriela didn't want her son anywhere near the cheating wife. "I don't know if that's necessary. Rachel's list only has a few items on it."

"Well, I'm sure we'll add more once the kids learn she's going to the store," Jeff countered knowingly.

"That sounds like a fabulous idea," Kim agreed. "We should ask if they need anything."

"Ah, and here come a few of them," Clive announced.

Austin entered first through the French doors, appearing annoyed. The answer arrived swiftly as Nate staggered in behind him. The older college student's open mouth shut upon seeing the kitchen full of parents. Finn, Jared, and Newt lumbered in behind them.

"I think I have a better option," Gabby revealed while still running down her options. After a few long seconds, she asked, "Hey, Newt, you want to earn some brownie points with Whitney?"

Pleased that her idea to keep Kimberly away from Jared had worked brilliantly, Gabriela hummed as she descended the stairs. She didn't know who's face appeared more shocked. Kimberly at getting stuck with a geeky boy that she clearly had no sexual interest in. Or Newt at getting roped into going with the older woman. He'd been against it, but Bridget and Rachel's prodding forced him to say yes. Gabby couldn't say for sure, but she had thought she'd overhead earlier on the trip that Whitney planned to force the introverted teen into having fun. Newt's always been such a nice, shy boy. Whitney's idea of pushing a person is likely too much for him. The poor kid needs a break. Maybe I can get Jared or Sean to convince him to ask a girl to dance tonight. Oh! I should get Lace--

"Hey!" Gabriela screamed as a hand shot out of the open bathroom door, grabbing her arm and dragging her inside. Only after the door slammed shut did Gabby see the culprit. "JoJo?"

The sweet, innocent soccer star turned sex-consumed vixen appeared to resemble her former persona. Unlike the last time Gabby saw her, JoJo wore jeans, a baggy sweatshirt, and her hair tied in a ponytail. Yet, it wasn't what she wore that drew the suddenly concerned mother's attention. Tears streamed from swollen red eyes as the girl struggled to speak through her sobbing.

"JoJo!" Gabby exclaimed, rushing forward to grab the teen's shoulders. "What's wrong?" When she didn't get an answer, the dark-haired woman pressed on. "Did something happen? Did Jared hurt you?"

JoJo responded with a violent headshake.

"Then, what's wrong, sweetie?"

"I-I'm sor-sorry," the teenager sobbed out.

"Sorry? For what?"

"Las...last night," JoJo managed to finish before another stream of tears ran down her cheeks.

Realizing what the teen meant, Gabby wrapped her arms around the upset girl. Giving her a comforting hug, she whispered that everything was alright.

"Y-you-you're not mad at me?"

Leaning away from JoJo, Gabby shook her head with her hands still on the girl's shoulders. "Why would I ever be mad at you, sweetie?"

"For how I acted last night," JoJo replied, nodding her head in the wine cellar's direction.

"C'mon," Gabby ordered, opening the bathroom door. "A bathroom is not the place for this kind of a talk."

Dutifully, JoJo followed the older woman into the guest room she shared with her husband. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, the teen watched her lover's mother warily. She felt so out of place in a situation like the one she found herself in.

"Okay, now let's start with why you think I'm mad at you," Mrs. Lockett began.

"I said...things last night when I saw you watching us," JoJo mumbled, lowering her head to stare at the floor.

"Things? I believe you asked my son to make you a mommy."

JoJo placed her hands over her face in embarrassment. Gabriela swiftly squatted down, prying JoJo's hands away.

"It's alright, Jo. Some people enjoy talking dirty while having sex. And apparently, my son and his friend enjoy it immensely."

"B-but, I sh-should'n't say those th-things," the brunette responded, still unable to meet the older woman's eyes.

"Why not? I say crazy things while in bed with my lov--I mean, while in bed with my husband."

"But you're his mom!" JoJo screeched, finally looking at Gabriela. "I should've stopped Jared."

"How? By telling him that his mother was standing there? I think you saved my son a lot of embarrassment by not saying anything." JoJo's mouth hung down in shock. "Of course, it was an awkward moment for me. One that's going to be hard to forget for a long time, but it wasn't shocking. Jared's had several close calls with his father or myself, almost walking in on him and a girl."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. My son seems to have a hard time controlling himself around girls when he should know better."

"I should know better," JoJo glumly admitted. "Peyton's right. I need to control myself better."

"Peyton said that? I love Peyton dearly, but her issue is staying far too in control. It's unhealthy not to let loose once in a while. That poor girl needs to let some steam off, or she'll end up with a nervous breakdown."

"But I want to control myself. I just don't know how to stop," JoJo revealed with another loud sob.

Feeling empathic for the feelings the recently deflowered girl was experiencing, Gabby stood up, moving to sit next to JoJo on the bed. Having known the teenager since she could barely walk, Gabby felt responsible on some level for her son unleashing these confusing feelings. Wrapping an arm over the teen's shoulder, she asked for JoJo to describe what happens when she loses control.

"It starts with butterflies in my stomach. Then they spread up to my boobs and down to my kitty," JoJo explained, showing a remarkable difference between the language she used while horny. "Usually, that's where it ended, and I could keep it buried. But ever since me and Jared..."

"Had sex?" an amused Gabby filled in. She found the girl's sudden shyness adorable and comforting. Good. At least, Jared didn't break the old JoJo.

"Yeah. Ever since then, the butterflies move up to my head. That's when I just give in to my wildest urges. Is something wrong with me?" the frightened teenager asked with sad, wide eyes.

"Nothing is wrong with you, sweetie. Don't ever think that," Gabby emphasized her point by squeezing the girl with a side-hug. "Many girls go through the same issue early on in their sexual awakening. Now, you have to learn to know when it's okay to let loose and when you need to be aware of your surroundings and control those urges."

"How do I know that?"

"First, it's okay to let loose around a person you trust. Jared is safe as you've known him for years. Sean's the same as he's your best friend."

"Sean's my best friend!"

"That's why you--"

"No, Sean's my best friend. We would never, ever do that together," JoJo firmly insisted.

"Well, you should keep him in mind," Gabby advised. She knew that Bridget had longed hoped the two best friends would end up together for good. Gabby didn't fully agree with that notion. It wasn't that she disliked the idea, but she had JoJo in third or fourth place in her rankings for the future Mrs. Tarver. "You won't have Jared around in a few days, and you're going to still want to experiment with your new sexuality. From what I've heard, you should very much consider Sean."

"Not happening."

"Okay, your loss. How about Newt?"

The giggling fit from JoJo answered that option. When she could finally stop laughing, she explained, "If I even suggested anything, then Newt would run away."

"Alright, but whomever you choose next should be someone you can trust. Never let yourself lose control around boys or men you don't know. And if it's at a party, you have to make sure you have several friends with you. Don't be one of those girls that get in over her head because she thinks she can handle it," Gabby explained, wincing at the stories she'd heard about friends and classmates.

"Oh, I would never do that. I don't even like parties," JoJo stated seriously.

"Nothing wrong with a little partying, JoJo. Parties are a great way to observe guys quietly. Watch how they treat girls. Watch how they handle liquor. And just as importantly, watch how they treat their guy friends," Gabby advised.

"Their friends?"

"If they treat their friends poorly, why would you expect them to treat their girlfriends differently. If they belittle, bully, or treat their friends like servants, those are warning signs for how that guy will treat you."

"I guess I knew that on some level but never really thought of it."

"Jeff wasn't my type when I first met him, and I barely gave him a second look except for his size. What caused me to throw away my usual preferences was how he treated others. I saw him show kindness, empathy, and loyalty to others to who he had no business giving it. At first, I thought he was naive, but then I realized he gave people second and third chances to grow as a person. By the time my brain figured this all out, I was already deeply in love with him," Gabby explained wistfully, blinking the moisture from her eyes.

"Wow, I never knew that. I thought people would just know when they met their true love."

"Oh, I wish life were that simple, JoJo," Gabby remarked with a chuckle and pat on the girl's knee. "I could tell you many hard lessons my friends and I learned over the years."

"You would?"

"I doubt you want to hear any," Gabby scoffed.

"I do! My mom is cool about a lot of stuff, but she tries to shield me too much," JoJo responded.

"That's what mothers end up doing. I tell Jules way more than I should, but even I try to protect her from what life might bring. Okay, Jeff's holding court upstairs, so we maybe have a good half hour. So ask away about anything."

"Anything?"

"Sure, anything," Gabby replied, not knowing how shocked she'd be in fifteen minutes. It turns out that little JoJo has quite an active imagination.