Catching Up

“Very well,” Pepper replied after the reactions to her question about dating lives. Instead of pushing the issue, she addressed her granddaughter. “Dear, has this recent weather impacted any of your friends’ returns?”

“Nothing too much, I think. Zaylie usually flies in at the start of the weekend after winter break. But she held off until tomorrow morning since she spent almost a week in Honey Hollow for the charity ball,” Peyton disclosed about her housemate from Hawaii.

“And we loved having her,” Virginia declared.

“That girl can keep Nate on his toes. No wonder why Tin adores her,” Theo chuckled about his grandson and ex-girlfriend.

“Harper returned right before the storm, but AJ stayed home in Muskie Harbor. That way, she’ll pick up Zay at the airport and drive to our house,” the aspiring medical student continued.

“I’m sure it’s a mess in Blackbridge. I ended up delayed on a few winter break returns to Fountain Beach,” Fawn recalled, referring to the time she lived on the West Coast.

“Tell me about it,” Brandy muttered.

“Unlike you, I couldn’t reschedule my flight because I had a job to get back to.”

“Oooh!” Sean sounded.

“Oh, she totally burned Aunt Brandy on that one,” Peyton said. “Good job, Fawnie.”

“Hey! You don’t get to call her by my bestie nickname, second-favorite niece!”

“Now, Dee, let’s not start that again,” Seamus responded as everyone started to raise their voices.

“What the hell? Don’t shove my brother like that. He’s hurt!” Peyton yelled at her aunt.

“I’m not fragile!” Sean reminded his overprotective sister.

Finn’s clearing of his throat finally settled everyone down after fifteen seconds. Virginia nodded at him, hoping he would change the subject; however, the young man’s point returned to the initial topic.

“It did sound like a mess at the airport in Blackbridge over the weekend. I stopped to see the Kirbys before coming here.”

“Buzzy Bee business?” Fawn inquired.

“Partly. It sounded like Jessy Falk, Della’s niece, got stranded at the airport from Friday afternoon until late last night. She was making the same post-break run to Fountain Beach that Fawn used to do.”

Visions of warm, cherry red lips sliding up and down a shaft entered one of the table occupants’ minds. Perky tits with diamond-cutter nipples dragging themselves back and forth on sweaty skin. A tight, sculptured ass bouncing up and down in reverse cowgirl finally proved the breaking point.

“And me!” Brandy reminded, raising her hand until she looked over at her coughing nephew. “Geez, Seanie, you need to drink more milk if you’re going to gobble up those rolls that fast.”

His aunt’s suggestion caused Sean to choke even harder. Concerned, Theo even pushed back his chair until the teen raised a hand before taking a few sips of milk. Pepper ignored her grandson’s reassurances to walk over to check on him.

“I’m…fine…Grandma,” Sean insisted, still struggling to catch his breath.

Satisfied, Pepper swatted the back of her youngest’s head slightly with an order to be nicer to her injured nephew. In response, Brandy leaned over to whisper, ”I’m on to you, buddy. I know when a person is milking the sympathy, and I approve.”

The teen heard Fawn grumble at her best friend’s wink, but Sean had to admit his favorite aunt wasn’t far off. Although he hadn’t started choking while eating dry food or too much at once, visions of gobbling had exacerbated Sean’s difficulty. That’s because of the mention of Daisy and Dexter’s cousin, and Whitney’s efforts to milk rewards from past cheerleaders before they left town.

Instead, Finn’s name-dropping of Jessy Falk had Sean’s hazy memory flashing back to precisely two weeks ago. After his setback led to a temporary dosage increase for his painkillers, the injured teen’s libido also rocketed to a higher level. Once Bridget learned of this development, she arranged to leave the house with Peyton, allowing Whitney to arrive with Jessy, a college sophomore, who’d been a varsity senior cheerleader during the current captain’s Babybee year.

Despite Bridget’s warning that Sean could only handle blowjobs, Whitney prided herself on knowing the perfect selections for each chore. And while the athletic, dirty blonde had a reputation for gymnastic performances under and on top of the sheets, Jessy also had the dexterity to ride the poor hero without putting his health at risk. Something she proved to be adept at, relieving the school hero’s tension, while Whitney watched TV upstairs with Watson.

“You were talking about the newspaper,” Mrs. Toone prodded, interested since Teddy had been editor during his senior year.

“Oh, right. While I stopped there to pick up a few papers from Della, Daisy asked for my opinion on potential new staff members for next year. There are a few promising kids at the junior high level. The only one I know personally is Maddy’s little brother. But I’m not sure if Matt is serious enough,” Finn speculated about Madeline Stringham’s brother. As his successor as editor of The Buzzy Bee, Finn often spent time with the year-younger girl, which caused friction when he dated Lana.

“It’s too bad that someone else in this room never joined the newspaper,“ Virginia said, earning firm nods from Pepper and Fawn.

“Don’t pick on the boy. He’s his own person,” Seamus defended.

“Wait, me?” Sean questioned, realizing who they meant.

“Duh, who else? Peyton definitely doesn’t have the temperament to interview people,” Brandy commented.

“What does that mean!?” the uptight blonde challenged.

“I rest my case.”

“Brandy, stop needling my daughter. Peyton, stop proving my sister right,” Bridget said, finally jumping into the conversation. “I do think that it might have been an excellent idea two years ago. Sean could’ve dealt with his Ramsey crush early.”

“Mom!”

“Everybody knows by now, kiddo,” his aunt whispered with Fawn nodding in agreement.

“You know, it’s not too late,” Finn chimed in. “Sean could use the experience if he’s interested in joining the Zurbrugg Gazette next fall. Daisy is desperate for help.”

“Didn’t they add the Tuppence sisters?” Sean queried.

“Teagan and Temple were only brought in to handle the New Year’s Eve dress reviews after Norah pitched a fit, and that’s putting it politely,” Fawn explained. “There is hope that as a junior and sophomore, one of the sisters can stick around to review prom dresses this spring, and possibly the dances next year. But neither are journalists. Now, maybe if Topez were still in charge, the girls could do a romance column like the old days, but Marissa isn’t willing to fight the school administration or board for that. Actually, she’s unwilling to rock the boat on anything.”

“And you wonder why I keep insisting that you should’ve replaced Topaz.”

“And I keep reminding you why I couldn’t,” Fawn snapped back at her BFF. “Time is not endless for some of us.”

“The Bee is getting one reinforcement. A junior from the Guzzle Crossing school paper has transferred in for the second semester. Ramsey and Miss Resto seem to like her work based on a sample of articles,” Finn revealed.

“Not Daisy. She said this one reminds her a bit too much of Rammy’s predecessor,” Fawn disclosed.

“Ah, April, yes. Not the worst editor the Bee has had, but also not one of the better ones,” Finn stated. Although he’d recruited April Lemke to The Buzzy Bee, the two-time editor also never expected the self-centered girl to assume a leadership position.

“It doesn’t matter. Sean is fully booked for the spring semester,” Bridget announced, seeking to put an end to the newspaper talk. “His dating life takes precedence.”

“Lay off the wild oats talk, Mom. It’s icky,” Peyton complained.

“I love it!”

“Of course you do, Brandy,” Pepper said. “I’m not thrilled with it, but I am curious to see Harvey’s girl spend more time with Seanie.”

“Oh, they’re spending time together, super close time,” Brandy cracked, causing her big sister to grin.

“Still, it’s probably for the best. The tension seems to be rising in the Bee office,” Finn revealed. “It sounds like Ramsey is tumbling down the Nosy Nectar rabbit hole.”

“Talk about a death wish,” Brandy chuckled before leaning over to wrap her arm around her nephew’s neck. “Luckily, that crazy rejected you.”

“That urge to bring Miss Nosy to her knees has ruined plenty of editors and reporters,” Fawn noted.

“I bet Grandpa could expose the person behind Nosy Nectar in a week!” Sean exclaimed, showing his pride in his grandfather’s skills.

“Me? Oh, no,” Seamus replied, glancing down at the trio sitting around the card table. “That’s not in my wheelhouse.”

“Agreed. While I never liked that nasty gossiper, you’re retired, dear, and don’t forget it,” Pepper reminded.

“But Grandpa came out of retirement to help Harvey,” Sean pointed out.

“And I’m still busy working on that.”

“And that’s more important than Hillary Swift pushing her vendetta against Nosy Nectar onto her brat,” Brandy argued before mumbling about the uppity bitch being jealous.

“What does that mean?” Sean questioned, still feeling compelled to defend his old crush.

“Your articulate aunt means that the Daily Flyer has always felt humiliated by getting outscooped by a gossip site. Whiffing on a town blackmailer and a scandal dealing with high school athletes on steroids were bad enough. But the Honey-for-Hire escort scandal really embarrassed Hillary,” Fawn listed.

“Oh, there were so many more things,” Brandy added, rolling her eyes.

“Grandpa is smarter than anybody hiding in their basement while spreading gossip,” Sean proclaimed. “He’d snuff out if it’s a student at school as fast as the Flash.”

Brandy shared an amused look with Fawn.

“Buddy, I don’t think my dad is the man for the job. ‘Hey, kids. So what’s the dilly yo around here? You got that 411 word on what honeys are boinking Principal Manske?’ isn’t going to work at your school,” Brandy suggested.

Even Pepper roared at the image her youngest daughter put into their heads.

“I think Grandpa can do it, and I could help.”

“I agree. Sean, you should help take down Nosy Nectar,” Peyton declared, glaring at her favorite aunt.

“Easy on that kind of traitorous talk, Pey. Do you want Serinda and Sanna coming after you with pitchforks and torches?” Finn warned his co-BFF about his cousins.

“I appreciate your faith in me, but I’m retired outside of Harvey’s troubles,” Seamus reminded his grandson. “And while I personally like Rollie Swift, I’d also agree that some professional pride clouds his family and staff’s opinions on the gossip site. It’s not the same as The Stinging Truth.”

“Definitely not! Nosy Nectar doesn’t go after my family like those other shitbirds,” Brandy spat.

“They talk about me now!”

“And we’re very proud of your exploits mentioned on there,” Bridget told her son. “Not so much what that tabloid concocts about others.”

“That picture of you and Harv did look pretty cozy.”

“Brandy!” Pepper roared.

Peyton and Sean shared a dejected look. The elephant in the room they’d hoped to avoid reared its loud, ugly head again. Although discussed in full during that first Sunday dinner two weeks ago, it had been expected. The genesis of the first dinner stemmed from concern about the subject.

The Stinging Truth published “Illicit Lovers Redux?” early on Saturday, January 5th. By noon, all hell had broken loose in the Tarver vs. Tarver divorce discussions. A long-lens picture of Harvey’s arm wrapped around Bridget while she wore a skimpy black robe had stirred up a hornet’s nest of gossip and rumors around Honey Hollow. Despite strong denials that the picture showed anything—Harvey was fully clothed—the impending divorce lost them the benefit of the doubt with many in the local public.

In reality, the long-distance photographer had captured only a relatively tame moment of the pair gazing out the main room's sliding doors at the ice-covered terrain around Wasp Lake. The two parents, along with Whitney and Sean, were thankful that the picture appeared to have been taken on January 2nd, not the 1st, when they’d fucked the New Year in while in the great room.

Still, any embers of suspicion Leonard had about the timing of the divorce flared. It didn’t help that Beverly called her brother-in-law to apologize for Harvey and Bridget ever meeting in the first place. That call and gloating about it to her sister led Bev to get placed in Pepper’s doghouse for now, or Faraday’s house, as Brandy called it. An insult known only to the Fallons and their closest friends, it referred to the doghouse still sitting in Fallon's backyard, built for Faraday but abandoned halfway through the first night, when Teddy and Brandy snuck the dog inside the latter’s bedroom. After that night, the new dog slept inside one of the two neighbors’ homes for the rest of his life.

A follow-up post, “Secret Lovechild Drop Off?”, appeared in the wee hours of Monday, January 7th, showing a recently released-from-jail Harvey dropping Sean off with Whitney in Boxwood Court. By the time that Bridget’s office opened that morning, she’d lost three patients, with two more to follow by noon. Divorce discussions turned into negotiations. And while Leo was known for his prickly demeanor, sympathy around Honey Hollow Medical Center soared for the betrayed husband.

In all, Bridget lost ten patients, while Samantha Denton lost three for her association with the city harlot. The once-beloved doctor became a bit of a shut-in, traveling to and from work only, as she knew legitimate reporters and Stinging Truth workers followed her every move around Honey Hollow. Fortunately, family, friends, and neighbors stepped up.

Pepper chauffeured Sean to any doctor appointments or other events, and Bridget only had to take the stairs inside the Honey Hollow Health Annex to reach Dr. Polani’s office. Brandy and Fawn handled the to-and-from-school duties, taking over from JoJo and the Babybees for the second week of school. Sean’s best friend resumed driving last week, with the understanding that she wanted to start going to school with Kyler Hogan in the new semester. That put the Babybees back on schedule beginning on this upcoming Tuesday.

Local friends like Rachel Stratton, Shayla O’Dell, Sabrina Rinaldi, Lemon Leighton, Bailey Thirlby, and Topaz Brass all set up a rotation for visits to lift Bridget’s spirits. Out-of-town friends, especially Tinny and Gabby, kept the phone lines ringing nonstop. Felicity Nakano organized a Sugarbee Saturday show of support last weekend, bringing Valentina Quill, Cordelia Tissle, and a surprising addition: Teresa Zuccaro, along with homemade treats for their former rival. One day at school, Miranda Rusk even slipped Sean a note of support for his mother via Aurora.

Boxwood Court and nearby street neighbors watched out for photographers hiding in trees, sheds, bushes, and tree forts. Mandy Emerson earned further neighborhood admiration for chasing down a suspected Stinging Truth paparazzo after one of her morning jogs.

“I’m just saying that Bee kinda walked into that one. Back me up on this, Aunty Ginny.”

“Oh, dear, oh, my,” Virginia muttered. “Um, well, I’ll just say that Tinsley had thoughts about what it looked like to her.”

“Your daughter has dirty thoughts on everything,” Theo noted.

“She’s always my daughter when she’s running her mouth, but only yours while fixing them, huh?” Mrs. Toone challenged about her husband and daughter’s dentistry careers.

“Nothing happened. It was a cold morning, and Harvey had just returned from checking on the generator,” Bridget insisted, avoiding her son’s gaze.

“It sure looked cold based on those two indentations on the front of your–”

“Enough, Dee!” Seamus ordered.

“Uh, is there any news about Mr. Diamond’s case?” Sean asked.

“You know I can’t discuss most of it,” Seamus began, nearly ignoring his youngest daughter’s whisper about calling up Wrenn to hack Cosmo Spiro’s computer. “There will be none of that, Dee. As for Cosmo, he expects the park vandalism accusations against Harv to result in no charges. Frog County doesn’t have jurisdiction over federal lands, and he said the US Attorney’s office here laughed at the evidence.”

“So, he’s clear?”

“Of those potential charges,” Seamus replied to his eager grandson. “However, damage to the cabins is under Frog County jurisdiction. And there is still the attempted murder charge.“

“But Ranger Roger said it wasn’t Harvey,” Bridget pointed out.

“Roger Kaswakoski does deny it now, but he also stated at the scene where he said the man could’ve been Harvey. Of course, the ranger was shaken up at the time. His confused state of mind is key. Cosmo is confident that Harvey would be acquitted at any trial–”

“A trial!” Brandy shrieked, suddenly worried about the man she viewed as a surrogate big brother.

“But we all want to avoid one. The whole situation feels sketchy,” Seamus admitted, frowning over details in his mind. “And that’s all I can say for now. Don’t give that look, Dee…and you too, Bee.”

“Listen to your father, girls,” Pepper ordered, turning to look at Finn. “How are Rachel and Clive?”

“Dealing with it the best they can. The list of allegations is crazy,” Finn admitted. “Talk of resigning is popping up around town, but Mayor Dunkely won’t hear of it. He’s behind Clive a hundred percent.”

“And Dunkley has his own troubles. Those allegations that sprang up about him and the Wynwick Foundation are spreading like wildfire. I have patients bringing it up in the chair,” Theo revealed.

“Oh, don’t worry. The Wynwicks are getting ready to fight back. Fi told me that Myles is furious, as some of the bullshit supposedly dates back to his time as chairman,” Brandy disclosed.

“Why are you discussing this with Fiona?” Pepper inquired, narrowing her eyes at the troublemaking daughter.

“No reason….Can’t I be friends with people?!”

“Smooth, real smooth,” Fawn mumbled.

“Uh, so, I’m staying over there tonight. Della Kirby gave me papers to deliver personally to Clive’s sister in Arbor Corners tomorrow,” Finn revealed. “I also want to say goodbye to my grandparents, so I probably can’t stay much longer.”

“Then we'd best have dessert shortly. Bridget, give me a hand,” Pepper said, carrying several empty plates into the kitchen. “How is Sean?”

“Good. I’d hate to say it, but his foot is distracting him from worrying about the divorce.”

“I thought your little miniature version and her plans were the distraction.”

“Whitney has barely begun,” Bridget passed along, chuckling.

“And have you…talked to Harvey lately?” Pepper asked, pulling the dessert out of the refrigerator.

“Shit,” her middle child hissed under her breath. “Leave it to Radar Pepper to know. How long?”

“I suspected on New Year’s Day, but knew for sure when that photo appeared. I know your smitten look when I see it, and Harvey was way more obvious,” the all-knowing mother revealed. “Have you seen or spoken to him in the past two weeks?”

“No. Harvey doesn’t trust phones right now.”

“Your father agrees. He’s checking ours every day.”

“For real?”

“Yes, I don’t know if your father is paranoid, correct in worrying, or just having fun on his last hurrah,” Pepper listed, shaking her head with a wry smile. “So, you and…”

“Done for now,” Bridget divulged, sighing. “Bev’s bad enough. However, I can’t take any more hits to my reputation at this moment, nor can he with a potential trial looming. Our only contact is through notes with Whitney as the courier, which that girl loves playing.”

“Hmm, while I’ve always had a soft spot for him, it’s for the best as you said,” Pepper agreed, forcing her disappointment not to show. “What about Leonard?”

“His demands in negotiations are getting out of control. Wait until you hear the latest one concerning Sean,” Bridget began.