"I'm sure you're popular"

They turned onto Highway 6, on their way to Janet's house.

"Supper with Billy and Sarah?" asked Phil.

"Yeah.  Janet seemed pretty happy that both of them would be there for dinner.  I think she really misses the way it used to be. Both kids together, without Frank though, but it's as close as she can get to the way it used to be."

"It will never be like it used to be." offered Phil.

"We both know that.  It ain't ever how it used to be."  Hank slowed behind a log truck.

"I haven't seen those kids in a couple of years.  Is Billy still a player?"

"He is your hero, isn't he, Phil?" Hank laughed.

"That kid gets more tail than Davy Crockett!  He's the one with the hat, huh?"

"Davy Crocket?  I guess so.  I'm not the expert on American folklore.  We should have a Canadian hero with a beaver tail hat! Now that would be something!  Quite the trophy hat!"

"Billy should have a beaver hat.  Of course he'd run out of room for all the tails...ha!"  Phil easily amused himself in his reverence for Janet's boy.

"You'd better behave today, Phil.  Don't wreck it for Janet with your antics.  She needs a good day." Hank told him. "Where did you go so early today?"

"Just went to see an old friend." Phil said.

"Who is that?  You never told me."

"No one, really.  Just an old friend."

Hank didn't push it.

"OK, we're here.  Now, behave."

"Always."  answered Phil.  Hank rolled his eyes.

They made their way to the back yard.  They found Billy at the grill.  By his side was a tiny woman in short shorts and a top with a plunging neckline that really had given up any attempt at concealing her ample busom.

"Looks like she came straight from work" Phil said almost under his breath.

"Behave!!" admonished Hank as curtly as he could out of earshot of the grilling duo.

"Hey Billy!" yelled out Phil.

"Hey mom.  The boys are here.

"How ya doin', Billy?  And who is this pretty thing?" asked Phil.

"Monica, meet Phil and his trusty sidekick Hank.  Watch for Phil.  He's a dog!"

"Woof!" answered Phil.


Just then, Janet came out the screen door carrying a large bowl of Caesar's salad.

"Hope you two brought your appetites!  There's lots of grub!" said Janet, with a smile that could not have been broader.

She is really in her element, thought Hank.  That smile brought a gush to his chest he'd have to stifle lest he giggle himself.  He turned instead to watch Billy poke at steaks on the grill that were at least two thumbs thick.  Though Phil would have a different simile, no doubt.

"Where is Sarah?" asked Phil.

"She should be here soon." said Janet.

"Well it's time to eat." Billy said as he flipped the steaks on the platter.

"She'll be here anytime, I'm sure. Let's eat while the steaks are juicy."  Janet took the platter to the deck table.

Hank wasn't surprised to see Phil sit directly across from Monica.  He didn't want to have to twist his neck to ogle her after all.

"So Monica, what do you do?" asked Phil as he shoveled a healthy helping on salad onto his plate.

"I work for Dr. Armstrong.  I'm a dental hygienist." she responded.

"Really?  Very good.  I'm sure you're popular with the patients."

"Why do you say that?" she said, not feigning her annoyance.

"Well, I'd sure get my teeth cleaned more often if my hygienist were a pretty thing like you!" said Phil, unashamedly.

"Don't mind Phil." said Janet. "He's just a dirty old man.  Harmless really."

"Harmless?  Who are you calling harmless?  Dirty, maybe, but not entirely harmless!" said Phil with mock admonition.

Their banter was interrupted by the shrill ring of the phone inside the house.

"I'll get it." Billy said as he got up from the table.

"Phil isn't so harmless." said Hank.  "He's chases the craziest of the skirts!"

"Fuck you." said Phil.

"Mom!" called Billy from the kitchen window. "It's Sarah.  We have to get to the hosptial! Now!"



Phil and Hank walked into the emergency room to find Sarah, Janet and Billy talking with the doctor.  Janet was holding Sarah.  They were all crying.

"What is going on?" Hank asked Monica who was standing in the waiting room.

"It's the baby." she said.  Tears welled up in her eyes.