Meet the Howlters

Sue Me

YEAR: 2030

[Dan's POV]

"Winnie, wake up," I said as I shook him.
"No bear," he mumbled.
"Come on, you have to get up,"
"Why?"
"School. Come on," I tapped his forehead as I waited for him to wake up.
"Stop bear,"
"Come on," I sighed as I picked him up from his bed.
"Bear!" he whined as I brought him downstairs.
"What do you want for breakfast?" I mumbled as I set him down on the couch.
"Cereal,"
"Shreddies?"
"Yes please," he whispered as he turned the TV on.

I gave him a smile and walked into the kitchen; thankfully there's no glass door anymore. I walked in and turned the light on to find Phil eating my cereal.

"Phil!" I yelled.
"No!" he chuckled as he dropped the box on the counter.
"We've been having the same argument for 20 years! Just- please hand me the shreddies,"
"Here," he smiled. "Is Dil up?"
"You were suppose to get her up,"
"Really?" he tensed up.
"Mhmm..." I smirked.
"Oh my god," he freaked out as he started walking out of the kitchen.
"Come back here you spork, I got her up 20 minutes ago,"
"Don't do that," he chuckled.
"Hey can you get me the almond milk out of the fridge,"
"Yeah...here," he handed it to me.
"You pass on the worst genetics," I chuckled.
"How do you know Winnie's mine? You're the musically inclined one,"
"Yes but you've played violin," I chuckled as I dug around the drawers for a spoon.
"But I was never good," he laughed.
"Touché," I smiled. "This conversation isn't over." I mumbled as I walked into the lounge. "Here you go," I said as I handed Winston his bowl.
"Thanks bear," he gave me a weak smile. "Why do I have to go to school?"
"Cause you've been out for a week, now eat up. I can't drive you in any later than 9,"
"What time is it?" he asked with a mouthful of Shreddies.
"8:10," I mumbled.
"What?"
"8:10," I enunciated.
"Okay," he continued eating.
"Dil come on!" I yelled up the stairs.
"I'm comin," she tried to yell with a mouth full of toothpaste.
"Dad, can I have some water please?" Delilah asked as she came downstairs.
"Here," Phil smiled as he came out if the kitchen.
"Thanks," she smiled while taking a sip.

We rushed for the next 40 minutes to get the kids dressed and off to school. Since I had to drive Winston in I thought, might as well drive Delilah in too. After I dropped the kids off I rushed back home to find Phil browsing his laptop with Susan sat at his side.

"We need to talk," I sternly said as I walked into the lounge.
"Okay..." he mumbled as he closed the lid of his laptop. "What do you wanna talk about?"
"Do you know the name of the kid who hurt Winnie?"
"No but I know the mums name,"
"What is it?"
"Betty Lane I think. Why?"
"I wanna sue her," I bluntly said.
"What? Why?"
"Are you kidding me! Her son ruined our son's life! Winnie had so much potential when it came to sports and now he can't do shit!"
"I understand that but there's no reason to sue her!"
"Oh my god Phil why do ye have to be so nice! She ruined any chance Winnie had of getting a scholarship, possibly becoming pro, or whatever the fuck sports has to offer."
"Maybe we can talk to her and we can work something out."
"No Phil, I want to sue her,"
"Calm down Dan,"
"No! We are suing her Phil and that's final!"
"How do you even know the court will take something like this?"
"I use to study law," I smirked. "I know basic rights and cases the court will and won't take and this case Philly, we will get a shit ton of money,"
"I don't know Dan..."
"Too late," I said as I took his laptop.
"Dan stop!"
"Nope," I mumbled as I emailed our lawyer. "Jess can meet us in an hour," I said.
"Dan you know I don't like seeing her,"
"Neither do I but Winnie is gonna get something out of this,"
"Whatever, give me my laptop back,"

***

"Do you see her?" Phil asked as we walked into the cafe.
"Yeah, she's over there," I pointed to a corner of the room.
"I don't want to do this..."
"You think I do? Come on," we walked over to the table.
"Hello boys, long time no see," she smiled.
"Hello Mrs-"
"It's Ms now. Why did you want to see me?"
"Our son was severely injured in a football match,"
"How so?"
"Someone slide into him causing his knee and ankle to detach from their sockets,"
"That sounds terrible but I can't help you," she said.
"Why not?"
"I'm not suppose to be involved with my clients,"
"Right," I sighed.
"If you don't mind me asking, why did you get divorced?" Phil intruded.
"My husband wasn't exactly thrilled to hear that I was a surrogate for two gay men. He was even less thrilled to hear that I was having twins..."
"Wow, what a dick,"
"Dan!" Phil yelled.
"Sorry,"
"So how are they?" she whispered.
"They're fine," I shrugged. "Well, other than Winnie..."
"You named him Winnie?"
"No, it's just a nickname. We named him Winston,"
"What about her?"
"Delilah,"
"Do...do they ever ask about me?"
"No...but I'm sure they will,"
"Anyway, I can give a friend of mine your email and I know she will be more than happy to handle your case,"
"Thank you," Phil smiled.
"It was nice seeing you again Jess," I mumbled.
"It was nice seeing you guys again as well," she shook our hands. "Bye," she whispered.
"Bye..."

***

After we met up with Jess we headed to Tesco to pick up a few things we needed then we headed to the school to pick up the kids.

"Do you wanna sign them out while I help Winnie?" I asked Phil.
"Sure," he replied as he got Winston's crutches out of the car.

We walked into the school and waited for the kids to be dismissed. As we waited we awkwardly stood around and played on our phones. 

"Hi dad," Delilah said as she met us in the pick up hall.
"Hey Dil,"
"Hi guys," Winston mumbled as he wheeled into the hall.
"Here," Phil said as he handed him his crutches.
"Thanks,"
"Come on." I placed my hand on Winston's shoulders and guided him out.
"Let's go Dil," Phil mumbled.

***

Later that night, Phil and I were relaxing in our room, trying to write out a brief script for a new video; then Winston walked in on his crutches.

"Hey Winnie, what's up?" Phil asked.
"I can't sleep," he pouted.
"Why not?"
"Read some creepy pastor..." he whispered.
"Aw," I chuckled, "I do that too...it's alright," I said as I got out of bed. "Come here," I said as I picked him up and sat him on the bed. "I know this is broken, but bear with me," I said as I sat down at my piano.

I began playing Beethoven's 7th Symphony in hopes that it would help him sleep. After I finished playing, I found him asleep on Phil's shoulder. I gave them a quick smile before I stood up and brought him back to his room.

"Jess' friend finally emailed me," Phil mumbled. "We got to court in a week."