1.16 - Slumber Party

"Ladies and gentlemen, I have called you here for an emergency meeting. As you might have noticed, we are currently being invaded by small humans," Richie meowed.

"Lion, I will have you survey the area from the tower. Nelly will observe the kittens' room. Switch shift at sunset. I will be the window lookout and alert you of new intruders." 

If I can reach the windowsill, he thought.

"Um. Cool PJs," Ruby said to Striker, who was wearing sports-themed pajamas, "you didn't need to bring them though. We said, uh, mom said the boys had to go at 7pm..."

"Oh," Striker said. "But Derik is wearing his too."

"What? Well fine, you guys sleep in the living room then."

Ruby quickly got into her sleepwear herself and then called everyone to the feast her mom had prepared.

The good thing about having to feed a horde of children was that they didn't have expensive tastes. Some fatty mac and cheese and a plate of hotdogs was enough to satisfy everyone. 

Some of them were eating so much though, Kerry was a bit worried their little stomachs might explode.

"Hey, you really wanted to send us boys home at seven?" Striker asked.

"Huh? I never said that," Kerry answered.

The sun set and the cats switched their observation shift.

Some kids came back for seconds or thirds.

Eventually even the dishwasher collapsed under the sheer amount of dirty dishes. 

While Ruby called her guests over for some spooky stories, her mom was left to deal with her very own horror.

"Hey everone, come over and sit your butts down! If you're brave enough to listen to my story, that is," Ruby yelled and grabbed a flashlight for dramatic effect.

It should come as no surprise that a performer like Ruby also had a knack for story-telling. She was having way too much fun with this.
"... and their bodies have never been found. Okay, good night everyone, the boys sleep here and the girls come with me!"

***

Kerry stepped out of the courtroom onto the open streets of Bridgeport. Sometimes she was impressed with how well she managed to keep this... this whole thing a secret from her kids. She sighed. Is this it? Is she done now? Has she won?

She texted her father that she was done and he could pick her up now. He had insisted on driving her home like a teenager on this day, just in case she was too upset to safely drive herself. Dads never changed, even when you're 30.

The Bridgeport Times was quick to report on the case. Her eyes darted over the paper. High school teacher sentenced to 18 months because that was the highest amount of justice you could politely ask for. 

That wasn't the important part though. He won't teach at Bridgeport's or any other school ever again. This is what Kerry wanted to read. Seeing it printed here for all of Bridgeport's citizens to read gave Kerry a peace of mind.

Now the only thing left to do was to destroy the evidence (not that her kids would ever read the newspaper anyway) and never talk about it again.

In the kids room Jade and Ruby were discussing their mom's recent mood change when suddenly the subject of debate knocked and entered the room - with a gift in hand. 

"Jade, I know it's not your birthday yet but I was feeling generous for some reason... And I figured since your sister already has one you can have one too now. Come on, open it!"

"Holy shit, a brandnew SimFone LE37?!"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm but you still need to watch your language in the house..."

"Thank you SO much, mom! I love you and I will always do my homework and put my dishes away!"

And so a wonderful new addiction has begun.