My Secrets Are Safe.... Or are they?

Rescuing Timmy from a Doggie-kicking sociopath!

"And that's the king of hearts!", Joseph Kennedy triumphantly put his card down on the table, "And with that we have won this round, Debbie!!". He and Deborah high-fived. Charlie Harper and Peter Soloman groaned... They had lost 3 rounds in succession.

"no you are cheating!", Peter pointed a finger at Debbie and Joseph's direction.

"Yeah! This Dobbie always cheats... And with this idiot Joseph, she forgets that I'm her father!", Charlie whined like a five year old.

"Excuse me dad? you know this is pathetic.. first you lose and then you blame others for your lousy playing.. not fair dad!", Deborah chuckled.

It was a warm summer evening and the sun was just setting behind the trees lining the Harper's driveway. Charlie Harper, Joseph Kennedy and Peter Soloman had gathered on the verandah of the Harpers' bungalow and were now playing the 6th round, out of which the team of Joseph and Deborah had won four. No wonder, Charlie and Peter were crying foul.

"what's all this shouting going on? Boys are you fighting again?", Mrs. Harper walked to the their table with four cups of coffee and a bowl of chips.

"Mom, Dad is saying that we are cheating. Why can't he admit for once that we are the better team...!", Deborah stood up from her chair and helped Annie Harper in putting the tray down.

"Because he is your dad, sweetie!", Annie kissed Charlie's forehead and said, "okay lads, it's going to be seven, you've played for almost two hours... Time to go home..!! and Joseph, Selena called, she wants you to pick up the ingredients of that recipe, before you head home..", and with that Annie went inside to leave the four grumbling behind her back.

"This woman!", Charlie said.

"Always spoils the fun!", Peter mumbled.

"And why do I have to pick the ingredients? Where are the servants? and where are my good for nothing sons?", Joseph fumed.

Deborah smiled. She loved playing cards with the three 60 year olds. Though it's embarassing to admit it, but she considered them her best friends. And all three doted on Debbie. She was the 4th and the youngest member of their group. They met every other day, discussing work (though all were retired), playing cards, joking with Annie Harper and irritating her and talking about everything going on in the world. They had to have an expert opinion on everything, from the latest movie, to the new car, to the lousy government and their mutual dislike for golf.

Fridays were always special as they were allowed to play for 2 hours on friday and Mrs. Harper kept on feeding them with the delicious dishes from her kitchen and also the fact that Deborah worked half-days on Friday, were enough to make the boys laze around the Harper's house. Annie had to literally kick them out of the verandah. Joseph Kennedy and Charlie Harper were schoolmates and have been best friends ever since. Even though Joseph went on to become a big businessman, a Forbes billionaire and single-handedly raised the Kennedy Empire, his friendship with Charlie was strong as ever. Now that he has retired and handed over the business to his sons, he has bought a house close to where Charlie lived and spends most of his time with his best friend. Of course, Selena's pretty angry with him for not spending enough time with her.

"I love you more than anything else in the world darling, but Friday evenings are reserved for my evening out with the boys!", he would say. Both Annie and Selena bitch about their respective husbands to each other and to Deborah.

"Okay fools, one last round!", Charlie said, shuffling the cards.

Deborah sipped her coffee and looked at her dad. He's the happiest when he is in the company of his friends.... He's seen a lot since the last few years - fight with Louis uncle (dad's younger brother) over the family property, Katy running off a day before her marriage, losing one of his old college mate... now I just want him to be happy!