Trouble:Behind Closed Doors

(2) Time For A Change

A year later 

Joe came in from a long day of work when he found Sarah cooking dinner. He heard music upstairs which meant Cat was home. 

"Joe..her grades came in." Sarah said as she handed him the envelope. 

He pulled the paper out as he read over her grades Cs Ds and one F. He sighed as he felt his anger increasing. As he stood there trying to figure out how to handle the situation an idea popped into his head. 

"Set extra plates baby. We will be having guests tonight." He said as he went to make some phone calls. 

About an hour later Catalina emerged she tried to get out of the house before anyone heard her. 

"Catalina come in here now." Joe said as he leaned against the kitchen table.

"Hi daddy..I was just gonna go wait for my date." She said 

"Cat..you can wait right here. I got your grades today..I see you didn't listen to me." He said as he held up the paper. 

She looked down. "You are turning 20 in three months. You haven't shown any interest in declaring a major. Or your school work for that matter. Look at this Cat..now I'm done threatening you I'm done. You have had DUI after DUI not to mention you almost killed you and Spencer two weeks ago in a car accident. Life isn't one big party Catalina." Joe said as he threw her grades back on the kitchen table. 

Behind Joe was Bucky and Steve sitting at the table. Along with James Sarah and Winnie. Peggy and Penelope and Becca and her husband Nate. Bucky picked up her grade paper and saw her grades and shook his head. 

"You haven't shown interest in a career in all of your years. All you have shown interest in us being reckless careless and Partying. Look behind me Cat..look at your brother and James Buchanan..they both shared the same dream and look at them today. Or Peggy or Penelope or Becca! Do you understand what I'm saying Catalina. This has to stop.." Joe said 

She wiped tears as she kept her head down. "So with all that being said. I've called the college I have enrolled you in their online classes. And it's time you learn a little responsibility. So Steve and James Jr both have said they are looking for another assistant." Joe said 

"Dad no..no." Steve said 

"You will work for them. And do online classes. One of them can train you tomorrow." Joe said 

"Dad have you lost your mind. She is dangerous..she is like a toddler in a glass house." Steve said 

Bucky was getting a beer out of the fridge. "I'll train her. I'll be able to dumb it down enough for her. Besides lord knows you two wouldn't get anything done if you did it Steve." Bucky said 

"So glad you all think so little of me." She said as she wiped tears. 

"Cat.." Sarah said 

They all heard a honk. 

"9AM Cat no tits hanging out and no hangover." Bucky said 

"Tell your date that you may not be around much." Joe said as she walked away. 

"Real classy honking from the driveway." James said as he drank his beer. 

"Yeah.." Joe said as he opened his beer and they all sat down to eat dinner. 

Around 1030 PM Catalina came in. Joe came to her door frame. 

"You are home earlier than I thought you would be." Joe said 

"Well that's because he dumped me. So thanks daddy." She said as she laid down and pulled the covers over her head. 

The next morning she pulled in beside Bucky who was leaned against his car answering emails. 

"Since when do you smoke?" He said when he seen getting out.

"Since when do you care?" She said 

"Cat.." he said as he looked her up and down. 

"What? I don't own anything that doesn't cover me up." She said 

"Let's just get this over with." He said as they walked to the elevator.

He leaned against the wall as she stood there with her arms crossed. 

"You are not hung over. Or tired?" He said 

"No because my boyfriend broke up with me." She said as the elevator dinged. 

He waited for her to go. "Are we just gonna stand here?" She said 

"Will you go? Geez I was raised differently than what you are use to being around clearly." He said as they walked the long hall. They reached a set of double doors. He let her go in front of him again. 

"Okay" he said as he opened up another set of double doors that said "Barnes." 

He sat down at a white desk and turned on the computer. "You are going to be my assistant so this is your desk. That door there is my office." Bucky said 

"Oh..okay.." she said 

Bucky set her up with log in credentials he had the IT guys set her up with. 

"Come here and sit." He said 

She was about to sit on his lap. "Whoa whoa. No I meant wait till I move Cat." He said 

She sighed and looked down. "Sorry Cat." He said as he stood up. 

He lifted her chin. "Don't do that. Look I feel the same way your brother does. I don't think this is a good idea. But your dad is right you have to got to get it together Cat. Life isn't a cupcake. And I didn't mean to offend you yesterday. But your grades are horrible and you almost failed all of them. You have to do better..and start figuring out what you want to do after college." He said 

"Can we just get this over with?" She said as tears welled and sat down. 

"Cat.." he whispered as she sat down. 

For two hours he trained her on everything. He got her set up on payroll with a check that Joe gave him. When they got back to their cars. 

"Cat I didn't mean to upset you. But I'm not one to sugar coat anything. You need to grow up have some class and respect for yourself too. All any of us want for you is the best." He said 

"You aren't my babysitter anymore." She said as she got in her car and drove off as she lit up a cigarette. 

That afternoon Joe was on the golf course.  "How did it go with Cat?" Joe said 

"Good. I think she didn't like the fact that I told her she needed to grow up. But she'll get over it." Bucky said as he took his turn. 

"She's just being extra sensitive that guy dumped her last night." Joe said 

"Good. Maybe she can start looking for someone with more respect and manners. That might help her grow and mature." James said as he took his turn. 

"Where is Steve?" Bucky said as Nate took his turn. 

"He surprises Peggy this morning with a trip to London to see her folks." Joe said 

"Aww that's sweet of him." James said 

"Yeah..I think the trip has more to it than he's leading on." Joe said as they moved to next hole.

Sarah and Winnie took Catalina shopping for more professional outfits for work as well as heels.