A five o clock complication.

Shortly after you got home, you got a text message from Jennifer.

JEN: My sperm donor has landed, Daddy. Wish me luck.

You texted her back hugs and some heart emojis. Right after you went into your room. Opening up the right side of your dresser, you emptied it. During 6th period, it came to you that if you were going to have some of your girls stay over, they needed room for their things. Throwing the clothes into a basket to go through later. You wandered back into the living room as Beth Anne started sending you pictures of her clothing. You spend an hour replying with a thumbs up or down on what to keep and what to toss.

Shortly before five, she sends you a text.

BETH: My mom's being nosey, Daddy. I'll have to finish up tomorrow.

Not five minutes later, your phone rings. Looking at the call log, it was your therapist, Sister Bell.

Click.

You answer, "Heya, Sis, whatcha need?"

Bell: What, do I need something to call my only brother?

You: Really, you're in California; it's 2 pm there. You're normally seeing clients.

Be: Sigh... I need a favor.

You look at your ceiling if she's calling you. It must be a big favor.

You: who died.

Bell: Lol, no one died. Remember back in June about that GMO that wanted to hire me.

You: Yeah...I also remember you loving your private practice.

Bell: Well, they offered me half a million a year to be in charge of an initiative of theirs.

You: I'm happy for you. How does it involve me?

Bell: They want me in Brazil...

You: Eric's at college now, so... Krystal.

Bell: Yeah, Jack says it's my problem because Mimi and he are supposedly starting their own family.

Momentarily putting the phone down, you mutter, "Motherfucker." Picking it back up, you speak.

You: Kendra can't help?

Bell: Kendra has five kids in a 3-bedroom house, and you want me to drop my daughter into that.

You: Sigh... and here I am conveniently in our childhood home that has four bedrooms, only one being used.

Bell: You don't have to say it like that. I wouldn't be asking this if it weren't important. Besides, it's not forever; it's only until college starts next year.

You: And I've never been able to say no to family.

Bell: You're making me feel guilty.

You: Fine, what do I need to know?

Bell: She'll transfer there for her senior year, of course... Oh, I've gotten referrals from her doctor and gynecologist for there, so that's set.

You: Anything else.

Bell: Well, she was just elected captain of the cheerleading squad. She knows she can't be the captain. But do you know if there is room on the team there?

Laughter erupts from you.

You: I can guarantee her a spot, as I'm the coach.

Bell: ... You're the coach, but you know nothing of cheerleading.

You: It's a long story.

Bell: ... Oh, one other thing, Krystal's IUD expired, so it was removed, and with her being 18, she hasn't decided if she wants a new one.

You: Is she still...?

Bell: Very much so, but she's 18 now, and that's one of those choices I can't make anymore.

You: Okay... when is this happening?

Bell: Thursday I'll text you the flight information.

You: Love you, sis...

Disconnecting the call, you set the phone down. Fishing out your wallet, you look through it till you find the picture you're looking for.

It was a mother-daughter photo.

Krystal was 16 at the time, but she's even more beautiful now. Her long blond hair, the exact opposite of her mother's brown, shimmered under the lights. She looked as if she'd stepped out of a Katy Perry song about California girls.

After an incident when she was 13, Bell had gotten her an IUD. You never really got the full story, but one time, shortly before the divorce. Bell's ex, when drunk, took a swing at her, screaming it was her fault their daughter was a slut who would end up as a stripper or a porn star.

That's Thursday's problem; you decide. Getting up, you head to your room to change to go get some tacos.