Chapter 8
Wendy smacked her lips. Bleh. Dry mouth. She opened her eyes. No wonder.
She had been drooling all over her pillow, and from the shape of it, chewing it in her sleep. She had hugged the pillow lengthwise and had the other end sandwiched between her legs.
The TV was still on, static hissing. She reached over and shut it off and then rolled over.
Ugh. Why do I feel like I didn't sleep? She glanced at the clock. 8:17 AM.
What? I never get up this early. She smacked her lips again and rubbed her eyes. No use, I won't be able to get any more sleep before I have to go into work. Might as well go in early and see what Dipper is up to.
She paused a moment and scratched her head. And Mabel. And Mabel too. She got dressed and went to the kitchen. Naw, I can get something to eat at the shack vending machine, or maybe the dorks are cooking up something in the kitchen I can mooch. She went past the kitchen and out the door.
...
It was cloudy but warm as Wendy walked quickly to the shack.
Wow, this has got to be the earliest I ever started. Better not make this a habit or Stan will expect it every day. She climbed up the steps and opened the door.
"Good Morning dorks! Anyone up? Anyone...here?" She looked around but the kitchen was cold and dark and not a sound could be heard. She went back to the family part of the shack, the living room. "Dipper? Mabel?"
Looking up the stairs she saw sunlight coming from above. The attic room door is open. Maybe they're gone? I don't remember them saying they were going anywhere.
She quietly climbed the stairs to the door and peeked in. She smiled.
On Dipper's bed next to the TV, Mabel was asleep with her head in Dipper's lap, and he was passed out too, his back leaning against the headboard, head droopy and drooling. He had on pajama pants...and nothing else. Mabel was in a robe. The TV was in screen saver mode for the original 1953 War of the Worlds.
Oh man, I love that flick! Warships on wires! Dang, I missed a good one...
Her spying gaze went back to Dipper. Look at that bed head! What shaggy hair that kid's got. His pecs would make a great pillow too! She noticed his thick arm around his sister, holding her with affection, and noticed a slight smile on Mabel's lips. And what a sweet brother Mabel has, letting her sleep on him. Lucky girl.
She blew them a kiss and went back downstairs quietly.
Stepping behind the counter she sat down behind the register and looked at the clock. 8:30. Huh, gonna be a while, might as well help myself to a bowl of cereal or something. She got up and went to the kitchen.
In the kitchen were a few family pictures on the walls. As she got out the cereal and walked to the table she admired them. Here was Grunkle Stan with the twins. Wow, I never noticed Dipper is almost as tall as Stan. The kid's growing fast.
Another picture framed a tan Dipper in swim trunks and a bikinied Mabel at the lake, Mabel on his shoulders as if to play chicken fight in the water. He's got muscles too. Nice abs too. He's got it going on all over...
"Oh hi Wendy!"
"GAH!"
She dropped the cereal and bowl in shock and surprise, and almost bumped into Dipper as she was too busy looking sideways at the picture while walking towards the table when he came in.
"Whoa! You ok? Sorry, didn't meant to scare you."
"Whew! Wow, don't do that Dipper! Scared the bejeezus outta me!"
She bent over to pick up the bowl and as she stood up again noticed his bare chest.
"I didn't know you were here or I would've got dressed. Be back in a minute."
"Uh...ok..." Why does it feel so warm in here? I haven't turned on the oven yet. Wait, why would I turn on the oven? Get it together Corduroy! She started fanning herself as she looked around for the broom.
Just as she found it Mabel shuffled in rubbing her eyes. "Hi Wendy. You're early today. What gives...wait a sec..." Mabel was looking closely at Wendy's face.
"What?"
"Are you...blushing? Or just using blush today? You usually don't wear makeup."
"What? No, it's just warm in here. Doesn't it feel warm in here?"
"No." But Mabel was smiling.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing, just that someone couldn't wait to come over and see...Dipper. And then when she did started BLUSH-ing...ing...ing. Ha!" Now her smile was downright aggravating.
"Mabel don't start with that again. Please." And she turned around sweeping the cereal. She swept it into the dustpan and then hurried back to the front of the shack, the business end of the shack.
Thankfully Mabel didn't follow her. She was fanning herself and then walked over to the warped circus mirror that makes one look stretched. Ohmygaw, my cheeks...I AM blushing. Dang this pale skin of mine!
She went outside to try and cool off but it was warm outside too. She went over to the garden hose and splashed a little water on her face. There. Now get in there and...get ...to ...work...
But...I'm still a little hungry. She bravely walked back to the kitchen.
"Oh there you are." Dipper was dressed now...well, mostly. He had a tee shirt on, a tight fitting tee shirt, and jeans...tight...jeans. His hair was still a glorious shaggy thick walnut brownie mess.
"Hi Dipper. I...there was nothing to eat at home so...so I was just gonna have some cereal ok? Sorry about earlier."
"Hey no prob." Dipper went to the fridge and pulled out the gallon of milk.
Did his biceps always flex like that?
"Don't worry Wendy, it hasn't expired yet." Wendy glanced back to Mabel who was already sitting at the table.
"What?"
"The milk. You look like you were really straining to read the date on the milk. It's still fresh."
"Fresh? Oh yeah sure, fresh."
Then she turned back to look at Dipper as he approached the table and placed the milk in front of her.
His smile seemed to show he could look right through her.
"Uh. Thanks Dipper." She looked down. Dang it! What's wrong with me?
"Anytime." And he turned around to get himself a bowl. Watching him walk to the pantry in those tight jeans was a religious experience.
"You ok Wendy?" Curse it Mabel! She had that ridiculous I know what you're thinking smile on her nosy little face.
"Of course." And she tried to become really involved with pouring cereal into a bowl and then adding milk, consciously avoiding looking at Dipper.
Dipper sat down across from her. "So Wendy, you're here early today."
"Yeah well, starvation will make anyone come in early."
"Haha! Well you know you're always welcome to come eat here." Dipper started shoveling cereal into his mouth, milk dripping on his stubbly chin. Wendy couldn't help watch the milk dribble. Does he shave now?
"Yeah Dip, I think she did have an appetite this morning." Mabel I will clobber that smiling face of yours you goober! She kicked Mabel under the table. Mabel kicked back.
"Uh, I'm...I'm gonna take this to the counter and eat there...just in case Stan comes in and charges me for it... haha."
"That's no joke Wendy, he might. See ya in a few." And Dipper waved her on.
"Yeah ok, in a few." And she almost ran out of the kitchen.
Whew. Definitely getting too warm in there. And she fanned herself again.
