The Unknown

They meet

The girls' room

Shane's pov

Mike's a great guy. I'm looking forward to shadowing him and getting to know the girls.

After he knocks on their door, I hear a little high pitched voice excitedly say, "They're here, they're here."

As they open the door, Mike says, "Girls, say hello to Admiral Shane Donovan."

The girls all say hello. I tell them how happy I am to meet them and I ask them to call me Shane. They're cute, loud, deceptively innocent, and full of energy. I definitely have my work cut out for me. This may be my biggest challenge yet.

Mike gets a phone call and steps out into the hall, giving me a few minutes alone with the girls.

After being interrogated mercilessly for ten minutes, I create a psychological profile for each of them. Not for any particular reason, it's just something I tend to do.

Stacey appears to be the ringleader of the group but in actuality Julie is. Lisa craves attention and desperately seeks approval from her peers. Carrie takes a backseat view in order to soak it all in so she can analyze it later. She's the quiet observer. Julie enjoys the thrill of the chase much more than the outcome. She's constantly challenging authority because she thrives on discipline. Stacey wants to be liked by everyone. She's a joiner disguised as a trendsetter.

Mike stands in the doorway for a minute observing Shane's interaction with the girls.

"You're a natural," he says to me.

"I don't know about that," I respond. "I do know I have a lot to learn though."

I spend the first month shadowing Mike as a silent observer. He tells the girls to pretend I'm invisible. After the first week the girls become accustomed to my presence and get back into their regular routine. Now I can truly see what life would be like as their guardian.

Mike's a strict but fair disciplinarian. He very rarely lets misbehavior go unpunished, subscribing to the 'give them an inch they'll take a mile' adage. I've only been witness to one exception to date.

The six of us were at the grocery store picking up some snacks. I'd like to say it was just for the kids but everyone needs some Flamin' Hot Cheetos now and then. The checkout lines were long and the girls were getting impatient.

"Mike, can we get candy bars?" Lisa whined.

"No, we have enough junk food already," Mike responded.

"But why not?" Lisa stomped her foot and pouted.

"I said no. Do not ask again and stop whining."

About two minutes passed before Lisa picked up another candy bar.

"Can I just get this one, plleeeaaasssseee!" Lisa whined.

Mike simply replied, "No."

Lisa slammed the candy bar back into the rack, attracting attention from the other shoppers in line. "Whatever!" she exhaled loudly.

We finished checking out and headed back to the NJC. While the girls were getting ready for bed, I followed Mike back to his room.

"May I ask you something?" I questioned.

"Sure," Mike replied.

"I have to admit, I was a little surprised you ignored Lisa's little tantrum in line at the store. Why did you decide to let it go?"

"You're right," he sighs, clearly tired. "I shouldn't have let her get away with that after I had already warned her once."

"Don't get me wrong," I said. "I'm not criticizing, I'm just curious. Normally you nip that sort of thing in the bud."

"I know it's no excuse but I guess the added demands on my time helping Neil with the start up of his mobile healthcare project, on top of my regular duties at the Foundation, are starting to take their toll."

Mike sighs. He looks stressed and exhausted. He's clearly conflicted between his philanthropic calling and his desire to be the best guardian possible. With only so many hours in a day and our brain's inability to multitask, something's got to give.

"How can I help?" I ask, sincerely wanting to ease Mike's burden.

"How would you feel about becoming less of an observer and more of an active participant in the girls' lives?"

"You read my mind Doctor."

"Great, that would really help me out and I think you're ready to take a more active role."

"I don't want to overstep my bounds. How do you suggest we proceed?"

"How about for the next month, I'll still be with you every step of the way but you go from being silent, to offering your input and voicing your opinion?"

"Sounds like a plan."

"Now that's settled, I believe I need to have a word with Lisa," Mike says, as he picks up the phone.