Julia

After I became a woman, as Dad likes to call my period, my mom took me shopping for my first bra. Lucky me.

Mom had me try on different bras and checked them to ensure they fit. I hated every minute of it. Why do I need to wear a bra? According to my mom, I couldn't wear a tee shirt without one since I developed boobs. Ugh.

Dad argued that my mom needed glasses since he hadn't noticed a difference. Mom slapped Dad upside the head for his comment. My dad just wants to keep me little.

While I got to welcome my period and get a bra, Jace started driver's training. I would rather do that than deal with this crap.

********
Bradley

Hazel and I sat the boys down and discussed the driving responsibilities before we signed them up for driver's ed. We put rules into place for them. They had to maintain their grades and heed the instructor's words. The boys agreed. That was a plus.

We signed them up for the two-part course and paid for it. The first part was coursework with some practice driving. Of course, the boys begged me to take them to practice their driving. Hazel preferred to stay home and let me deal with their driving skills.

I took the boys to an empty parking lot and let them practice. They did okay besides hitting the curb and backing over construction cones. Dallas almost hit a wall before slamming on the brakes. My life flashed before my eyes.

Braydon took it slow while focusing on his turns.

"Uh, Bray," I said.

"Yeah, Dad?" Braydon had his eyes glued ahead.

"You can give it a little gas. A turtle just passed us." I pointed behind us.

"Jayden advised me to focus on a task and take it easy. So, I am."

"Okay."

After Braydon had his turn, Jace got behind the wheel. I waited while he checked his mirrors and checked everything.

"Okay, I think I ran through the checklist," Jace said.

"Are you sure you don't want to check for the tenth time?" Braydon asked.

Dallas laughed in the backseat.

Jace's face snapped to Braydon. "The instructor said to check everything before you start driving. That's what I'm doing."

"If you say so." Braydon shrugged.

"Okay, that's enough. Jace pressed the brake and pushed the start button before putting the car into drive," I said.

Jace nodded and followed my instructions. The car lurched forward and jerked to a stop as Jace kept tapping the gas and brake pedals. I would need a neck brace from Whiplash when he got done.

No one tells you what to expect when your fifteen-year-olds learn to drive. A little heads-up of a possible early grave would have been nice.

After letting the boys practice driving and praying I survive, I drove home with Jace in the front seat and the twins in the backseat.

"Who taught you how to drive?" Jace asked me.

"Your uncle Conner did," I said.

"What about your dad?" Dallas asked.

"My dad wasn't the best person to teach us anything. So your uncle Conner took me to practice driving."

"What about Uncle Tim?" Braydon asked.

"Your uncle Tim's illness prevented him from interacting with us."

"Will the same thing happen to me?"

"I don't know, Bray. I wish I could say no, but I don't know what can happen. All we can do is take it one day at a time. Okay?"

"Okay."

I had to remain realistic about Braydon's illness. I couldn't give him false hopes. It wasn't fair to him. All I can do is reassure him.

We arrived home, headed inside, and filled in Hazel about the practice driving. Hazel smiled, but I knew it was because she was glad she didn't go with us. Once the boys finished telling Hazel about their driving experience, they headed upstairs.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm so glad I stayed home." Hazel giggled and pulled her lips inward.

"I saw my life flash before my eyes."

Hazel snickered.

"But the boys are learning."

"How did Braydon do?"

"He did well. The medication is helping. He stayed focused and concentrated on what he was doing."

"I'm glad."

"Dallas has a led foot, and Jace is still navigating the gas and brake pedal."

"We need to look into getting another car. The boys will want to drive when they get their licenses."

"Yeah, I thought about it." I rubbed my chin. "I checked the finances and figured we could afford a used car for the boys. I'll have our agent add them to our insurance."

"Bradley, we're frugal with our money. We don't splurge on much. We have more than enough to afford another car. Plus, we have money set aside for the boys' college funds. Tori recommended I speak to her daughter-in-law, Sage, about investing a little money. So I did."

I looked at Hazel in confusion. Hazel got up, pulled a piece of paper from a drawer, and handed it to me.

I took it, and my eyes popped, and my jaw dropped. My face snapped to hers. "That's a lot of money."

Hazel nodded while biting her bottom lip. "Sage advised me to buy low and sell high. She also said I should invest money in a business. So I did."

I stared at Hazel in surprise.

"Sage introduced me to her mom. Mary helped me invest in one of their family's companies. I received a monthly royalty check and socked it away for us. Elias and Owen pay us well, but it doesn't hurt to have a nest egg."

I lowered the paper and smiled. "You're amazing."

Hazel tilted her head and smiled. "No, we're amazing."

"I better check on the boys before they wreak havoc upstairs." I got up, kissed Hazel, and checked on the boys.

*******
Dexter

While Marla and Julia were shopping for Julia's bra, which I refuse to believe my little pumpkin needs, I hung out with Jas. I wasn't expecting a million questions about what Marla and Julia were doing.

"Where did Mom and Juju go?" Jas asked.

"Mom took your sister shopping?"

"For what?"

"Julia is getting her first bra."

"Isn't that what Mom wears?"

"Yes."

"Will I have to wear one?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"All women wear a bra."

"What if I don't want to wear a stupid bra?"

"Peanut, you don't have a choice when you develop."

"Develop what?"

"Breasts."

Jas pulled her shirt from her body and looked down at her chest before releasing it. "But I don't have any."

I looked at the ceiling and muttered, "Thank god for that."

"What?"

I looked at Jas. "Nothing."

Marla and Julia walked through the door, and Julia looked sour.

"How did the shopping go?"

"It sucked. I hate becoming a woman!" Julia yelled before running past me and up the stairs.

"I don't think I want to become a woman," Jas said before following Julia.

I looked at Marla. "What happened?"

"Julia didn't like the idea of wearing a bra. She thinks Jace won't like her anymore when he finds out," Marla said.

"Does Julia realize that won't happen?"

"Do you realize pre-teens don't get the growing-up concept?"

I raised a finger. "That idea hasn't escaped me."

We walked into the kitchen and grabbed a drink.

"At some point, we need to sit Julia down and talk about sex with her," Marla mentioned.

"Why must we discuss sex at all? I'm good if Julia doesn't want to know." I shrugged.

"Be realistic, Dexter. You can't stop the kids from developing sexual urges. You're a prime example of what happens if your parents don't discuss the consequences of your actions."

"My ma and dad talked to Max and me about sex. My dad is a gynecologist, for crying out loud! You wouldn't believe how many examples he showed us."

"Apparently, you didn't pay attention during the sex talk with your parents." Marla gave me a knowing look.

"Okay, fine. I'll admit I zoned out when Dad talked about STDs and pregnancy."

"You made my point. It's better to provide Julia with proper information before letting her loose."

"Maybe I can get my dad to explain sex to Julia."

"No, Dexter. Stop being a chicken shit and act like a parent. It's our job to educate our children."

"Fine. But can we wait for the dust to settle with the bra episode?"

"Yes, but then, we talk to Julia. Actually, I'll talk to her. You listen since you will screw this up." Marla patted my chest and smiled.

I couldn't dispute Marla. I was the poster child for zoning out during the sex talk with Dad. I can see that the conversation will go well with Julia.