FAMILY MATTERS Always

Sibling Issues

The Winslows and the Urkels sit around the dinner table eating the steaks that Harriet made. She even made a fresh eel cheese sauce to go on top of Steve's T-bone just like he likes it.
"Mmm mm mm!" Steve hums out after dropping his fork and knife on the plate. He finished his steak before anyone else could touch theirs, "Mom, that was delicious! And the eels; They were so fresh, I think I got shocked once or twice." Harriet smiles at the compliment.
"I'm glad you liked it. It only took me 20 years to get your mother's recipe right." Steve's facial expression changes drastically at the mention of Roberta. Harriet's smile fades quickly as well.
"What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Steven shakes his head no.
"No, it's not that. It's just-"
"Oh, ma, I never got a chance to finish telling you about what Stephanie did."
"Laura! Why do you keep doing that?" Harriet questions angrily. Laura makes a confused face.
"Doing what?"
"Cutting Steve off like he wasn't just talking?"
"Oh, that's because it wasn't important-"
"And how do you know it wasn't important?" Carl joins in, causing Laura to swallow her next words. She feels like a kid again, causing her to lean back in her chair slowly. Carl continues, "Steve is your husband, and he's taken damn good care of you and your kids. Don't you think you should treat him with a little more respect?" Laura lets out a loud sigh.
"Yes, daddy, you're right." Laura looks at Steve, "I'm sorry, honey. Now, what were you saying?" She places her hand on top of his in a caring way. He smiles at her kind gesture.
"Well, when I was talking to Eddo, he said-"
"Hey, family! What's for lunch?" 3J says as soon as he barges in the kitchen door. He stops in his tracks once he sees Laura and Steve.
"Oh shit! Sis! Bro! I didn't know y'all were coming to town!" Laura stands up to hug her adopted brother and Steve stands up to do the same. 3J stares at the steaks on everyone's plate before staring at Harriet.
"Dang, ma, no steak for me?" She shakes her head at his greedy words.
"Jerry, boy! Don't come in here with that nonsense!" He chuckles before walking over and kissing her on the cheek. He turns his attention back to Laura and Steve.
"So, how long y'all here for?"
"Actually, we're back for good," Laura informs him happily. 3J makes an amusing face.
"It's about time. I don't know how anyone would want to live in that boring ass cheesy city y'all were living in." Steve makes an offended expression.
"Hey! Don't speak like that about Plymouth! I made a lot of revolutionary advancements for mankind while living there. My creations are extraordinary!" Laura smacks her lips.
"Which one? The cheese body wash? The cheese flavored toothpaste? Oh yeah, or my favorite, the cheese air fresheners for your car?" Steven narrows his eyes at her for her facetious tone. He folds his arms afterward.
"For your information woman, those cheesy inventions funded a great life for me and you, and sent our four kids off to college." Laura smiles at her husband.
"I know, Steve. I'm only joking."
"Anyway 3J, what are you doing here? I thought you were supposed to be in Springfield with your mom?" Carl inquires after chewing a piece of his food. 3J sighs.
"Yeah, me, too. But apparently, she had other plans."
"That's the third time this month," Harriet points out in a concerned tone. 3J nods his head at the unfortunate truth.
"Yeah... well, what can I do?" 3J grabs an apple from the center of the table and bites it while humping his shoulders. He tries to act like being stood up by his birth mom doesn't bother him, but the truth is, it's killing him inside. When he was younger and ran into her at a diner with Carl, she promised him she would see him more after she got her life back on track. Now that she seems to be doing better, she still won't spend time with him. He's starting to believe that being a parent was never on the top of her priorities list.
"Where's that lovely lady of yours?" Carl asks, referring to 3J's long-time on and off girlfriend, Farrah. 3J humps his shoulders again.
"I don't know. Probably off 'finding herself', whatever the hell that means. We broke up."
"Again?!" Harriet shouts surprisedly. She shakes her head at their unhealthy and unstable relationship. 3J nods his head.
"Again," he confirms.
"Well, I'm sure y'all will get back together soon. Y'all always get back together," Laura adds, even though she hasn't been around to witness their turbulent relationship first hand. She hears about it often, though. 3J talks about Farrah to anyone that will listen.
"I'm not so sure about that. It's been almost a month this time."
"Wow, that's a record," Laura responds.
"Right. We've never been apart longer than a week before. It might finally be over."
"Knock! Knock!" Everyone hears from the other side of the kitchen door. They turn their heads towards the familiar voice.
"Aunt Rachel!" Laura shouts before rushing over to meet her at the entrance. Rachel looks happy to see her niece.
"Hey, Laura! I heard you were moving back and I just had to come over and see you! How ya been, suga?"
"I'm great now that I'm home. God, I've missed you guys."
"We've missed you, too."
Steve gets up to greet Rachel as well, rocking side to side with their tight embrace. She finally makes her way towards the kitchen table.
"Sup, auntie," 3J says, kissing Rachel on the cheek. Rachel smiles at him, "Sup, Neph." He chuckles at her attempt to be cool.
"Hey, Rachel," Carl and Harriet speak at the same time. Her facial expression gets serious before greeting them back.
"Hey, umm... can I talk to you two in private?" Carl and Harriet glance at each other before getting up and following Rachel to the living room. They stare at her curiously. She rubs her hands together nervously.
"Rachel, what's this about?" Harriet asks impatiently. Rachel takes a deep breath before responding.
"It's about Judy." Carl and Harriet's eyes grow to the size of saucers. Rachel makes sure no one has walked in the room with them before she continues, "She called me out of the blue this morning. I have no idea how she even got my number, but she said she's ready to see everyone. She thinks it's time for her to come home."