#donmatthews

MARK- “Okay, but how..I mean WHY!?”

MARISA- “Well, I thought you would be happier about it.”

MARK- “I am, but I am just surprised. I thought everything was paid off back home and Dad was going to retire soon.”

DON- “Oh, I already retired, thanks to Marisa. She got a new position she is---”

MARISA- “No, no, let me tell it, let me tell!!!”

GABE- “Here we go, get ready Seth.”

MARISA- “You know that I have been working at Landgraab Pharmaceuticals for almost 15 years now, before Gabe was ever born. Put in the best years of my career there I did. Not once did I get a thank you or “good job” Marisa.  So when I got a call from this big shot headhunter from Avalon Pharma, I thought, “okay Marisa, hear him out”  He said that Avalon Pharma was looking for some new blood in their corporate office here in Brindleton, and they would like for me to interview.  For what?  Go ahead ask me for what...”

MARK- “Okay, what did they ask you to interview for?”

MARISA- “Thanks so much for asking. You are not going to believe it.  Not only did I interview for it, I got the position!!  Your step-mother is now the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Research for Avalon Pharma!  Can you believe that!!??”

 DON- “The salary is twice as much as she was making, so I retired, we sold the house and here we are!”

MARK- “Wow... that is awesome!”

Gabe looks over at Seth and rolls his eyes.  Seth already likes this kid.

GABE- “You know how many times I have had to listen to this?  So to change the subject... I play football, does Brindleton have a football team?”

SETH- “Yes, actually they do, a pretty good one. My nephew Jackson is the starting quarterback for the freshman team this year.”

GABE- “Awesome!  I play receiver and I am a freshman too, So I think I am going to try out.”

SETH- “Yes go for it, the receiver they have is short and doesn’t run all that quick.  You are taller than me at 13,--”

GABE- “And I also run track. Cool, so his name is Jackson?  I will look him up at school. I start tomorrow.”

Seth heard him, but it was kind of muffled as he just heard the last of Mark’s conversation with his dad and Marisa...

MARISA- “Oh my word, Seth Schrieber!!  You are even more handsome in person!!  I am so glad to finally meet you.  I am your biggest fan!  I watched every episode of Big Brother and the Bachelor.”

SETH- “Thanks, I thought you just watched the Bachelor because Mark was on it. Really glad to meet you too Marisa. Mark has told me a lot about you and the family.”

MARISA- “It’s all lies!  Nothing he said is true. Mark doesn’t see things the way most people do.”

SETH- “It was all good things.”

MARISA- “In that case you can believe him then...LOL”

SETH- “Come on in, relax, I know you guys had a long trip.”

MARK- “Dad, I am so glad you came.  And I am sorry---”

DON- “Mark, what did I say? Don’t worry about it. I am happy for you. Now give the old man a hug, will you?”

MARISA- “Awe, look at those two. You know they both have been diagnosed as Schizophrenics, right?”

MARK- “So why are you guys looking for property here in Brindleton?”

MARISA- “Your dad didn’t tell you?”

MARK- “No...”

MARISA- “Don?  You should have told him! We are moving here.  Going to live right here in the Bay, aren’t you excited!!??”

MARK- “Seriously?  This isn’t one of your silly jokes, where you say something outlandish?”

One day back in town and Mark got a phone call early that first morning. His first full day as Mark Matthews-Schrieber. The call was from none other than his father.  He said that he, his wife and son were in town looking at properties and wanted to stop by later that afternoon.  He didn’t understand why they were looking at properties, but it was now time for their arrival, and he was going to find out!

MARK- “Oh my Watcher!  Look at you Gabe! My little brother has grown up!! Come here and give me a hug!”

GABE- “Yeah, I am thirteen now.”

MARK- “Thirteen, how did that happen!!??”

MARISA- “That’s what I keep saying, it seems like yesterday he was still in diapers, shitting up his back. Some things never change though do they?”

MARK- “Come on in guys, meet Seth.”

DON- “Trust me, Marisa knows everything there is to know about Seth. She never missed an episode of the Gay Bachelor 3.”

MARK- “Dad, I hate that you found out---

DON- “Mark.  Stop. No reason to apologize, I suspected it a long time ago. It doesn’t matter to me. You are my son.  My wish for you is to be happy, and if Seth makes you happy, then I am happy.

MARISA- “I am so excited to meet him, Mark!!  He is so cute, and nice.  You are a lucky man!”