On the Long Route

The Little White House

Disclaimer: This a work of fanfiction. I do not own anything.

Series title credit goes to SpongeGuy, a fellow fanfic author.

Cover art created by one A Different Point of View reader who prefers to be known as "Anonymous".

A Different Point of View, Part 1

On the Long Route

Chapter 1

The Little White House

"I found something really interesting on the internet last night," said Buster conversationally as he walked alongside Francine. The sunny summer's day was winding down as they walked along the sidewalk.

"Yeah?" Francine said, surreptitiously checking her watch.

"Yeah," he said. "Turns out, not only are aliens responsible for the disappearance of the Mayans and the Lindbergh Baby, but they also kidnapped Tupac Shakur. There was a conspiracy to cover it all up, just like with Elvis. That's why Tupac comes out with new music videos every now and then. They film them in space, then they beam them to MTV."

Francine gave a derisive snicker. "And—let me guess—the aliens use Nazi gold or something to pay MTV to keep quiet about the whole thing?"

"Exactly!" he said. "Did you visit the site too?"

She tilted her head and gave him an uncertain stare. It was only a moment later when he cracked a huge grin.

"Just kidding!" he cried. "Oh man, you really thought I was serious?"

Francine rolled her eyes as they continued down the sidewalk.

"Sorry," he said through stifled laughter. "It's just so much fun with you, Francine; the looks on your face sometimes..."

"Glad I could amuse you," she said dryly. She checked her watch again. "I'm thirsty. I think I'll drop by The Sugar Bowl and get a soda before the game. You in?"

"Sure," Buster said. "That is, if you think all the guests will have arrived by the time we get there."

Francine stopped cold.

"Guests?" she said nervously. "What guests?"

"The guests for my surprise birthday party, of course." He was clearly enjoying this.

Francine spluttered. "Surprise party? What- Why would you think that?" she asked. Rather than look straight at Buster, she looked past him and focused on two young girls riding their bikes along the opposite side of the street. "Your birthday's not even until Tuesday," she said defensively.

"Yeah, but I'll be at Dad's for my birthday, so you're having my party tonight instead of when I get back. It was cool of you guys to want to surprise me. Telling me it was going to be on a different day was a nice touch," he added sweetly.

This time Francine did look at him. It was clear from the expression on her face that she knew what Buster was talking about, yet she stood in silence as if refusing to admit it.

"Oh, come on, Francine, I know we're not going to the park for a pick-up basketball game with Arthur and Jenna. Arthur made you do his dirty work: calling me up, asking if I wanted to go to the park... He knows he's a bad liar."

Francine abandoned pretense. Her stance of defiance was replaced with a look of amazement.

"How did you—"

"Figure it out?" supplied Buster. "Please, Francine. For one thing, you always bring the ball to games, but you don't have one with you..."

He counted on his fingers as he continued.