House Rules
"Geez, Mom," Cindy said as her mother came downstairs freshly showered. "Do you think you two enjoyed last night a bit too much?"
"I enjoyed it immensely," Gabriel said, rounding the corner. "Your mother is a beautiful, desirable woman. It has been too long since anyone has shown her that.
"I can't think of a reason," Gabriel continued, blue eyes flashing like lightning on ice. "Why you would have a problem with that. So, we may as well get this out of the way now.
"Rule one," Gabriel said evenly. "If you speak, you will speak respectfully.
"Rule two: If given a chore, you will finish it quickly and efficiently.
"Rule three: I expect you to maintain a B average in every class the entire year.
"Rule four: You will keep up with the exercises and classes I give you.
"Rule five: You will bring no one into my house without my knowledge.
"Rule six: I expect to see every piece of homework.
"Rule seven: Your mother is due your love and respect. If you disrespect her, I expect her to punish you. If she will not or cannot, I will punish her for that and you for your transgressions.
"Rule eight: No social media account until you can show that you are worthy of that account.
"Rule nine: You will dress appropriately for every occasion."
"But," Cindy countered. "I'm a cheerleader. Everyone keeps their schedule on their account."
"You are a young woman," Gabriel countered. "You will learn to act as such. If you choose to be just tits and ass, let me know."
Cindy glowered at the old bastard for a long moment before her shoulders slumped in resignation. He didn't even look like he felt bad about calling her those things. Or guilty for suggesting that she wasn't capable.
"Good," Gabriel smiled. "You are learning. Now, let's get breakfast. We have to leave early today, we have a stop to make."
"What stop?" Jessica asked as she joined her daughter at the table.
"You will need phones," Gabriel shrugged. "We need to take care of that. You will probably need tablets for work and school as well. I've already called. They will be ready for us."
A knock at the door made both women jump.
"Get me your house keys," Gabriel said, moving to the door. "The movers are here to get your things."
Jessica complied, shocked that Gabriel could set this up in just a few hours.
"Very good," Gabriel said as he walked into the kitchen. "Very good, indeed."
"We are busy this morning," Jessica said as Gabriel came back with scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, milk and juice. "I will punish her when I get home, if that meets with your approval."
"That is fine," Gabriel nodded.
"Mom!" Cindy gasped.
"No," Jessica replied. "You will accept responsibility for your actions. I know that your father undermined my authority and let you get away with things I didn't want you to do. Now, you will learn to be a proper young woman."
Cindy bit off what she was going to say. Just a few months until graduation, Cindy thought. I can make it until graduation.
"I am taking you to school," Gabriel said into the silence that followed. "Then, I'm taking your mother to work. I will be in front of the school to pick you up before we pick your mother up. I expect you to be waiting for me."
"I can . . ." Cindy began.
"You can listen," Gabriel interrupted. "If you wish to be a petulant child, I have a cure for that as well."
"Yes, sir," Cindy said after a moment, knowing the old bastard would lay her across the table this morning if she crossed him.
True to his word, Gabriel stopped at the electronics store and came out with phones and tablets. Jessica was given her tablet, though he kept Cindy's.
"Why won't my phone let me into my accounts?" Cindy asked as she tried hers.
"Parental controls," Gabriel smiled in the mirror. "In the morning and during school hours, it is a phone. If you have trouble, your mother is number one on the speed dial, I am number two, her office is number three."
Cindy sat gaping as she realized that she was, again, being treated as a child.
"Here we are," Gabriel said as he parked in front of the school. "And with plenty of time to speak with the principal before I drop your mother off."
Cindy blushed to the roots of her hair and down her neck as Gabriel and her mother led her into the school.
"Mr. Wilson?" Gabriel asked as he entered the office.
"Yes," the large black administrator smiled, white teeth showing as he held out a meaty hand. "You're Mr. Matthews?"
"Indeed," Gabriel began as he shook hands. "Please, call me Gabriel. This young woman and her mother are going to be living with me for a time. We would like weekly updates. Cindy needs to keep a B average in all her classes. Further, she needs more focus on her academics than the extracurricular activities that she prizes so much. Her mother and I had hoped that you could help us."
"Certainly," Mr. Wilson nodded. "We're always pleased when parents take an active role in their child's education."
"Very good," Gabriel nodded. "Her phone is just that, while at school. Her social media accounts are blocked until six. Here is her mother's number and here is mine. I will be picking her up after school until a more permanent method can be established."
"Mrs. Williams?" Mr. Wilson asked as he looked at Jessica.
"It is as he said," Jessica nodded. "Also, we have found out that Cindy may have a problem with her comportment. We will need to know if that becomes an issue as well. I won't have a bully for a daughter, nor one who thinks she can just get by on her looks."
"That might be a bit of a challenge," Mr. Wilson nodded. "She and some of the cheerleaders think of themselves as queen bees. Everyone thinks they need to do their bidding."
"Let us know if that is an issue," Jessica nodded. "And, let her teachers know that we wish reports on that as well."
