"What's going on?" A voice called out from the stairs. To Karyn's surprise, it was Mrs. Gibson but not the one she knew.
"Mrs. Gibson? Are you alright?" Karyn was shocked by her appearance. Mrs. Gibson was dressed in a T-shirt and jeans and her hair had been cut short. Her skin looked smoother, giving her a much more youthful(although certainly still not teenage) appearance.
"I'm fine, Karyn," Jon said. "And, I'd rather you didn't call me by my first name...that is a bit disrespectful."
"What's going on?" Linda said.
"I'm trying to talk Karyn into joining the cheerleading squad." Zoe explained.
She squinted at Karyn. "Well, you are doing well so far...she looks like she's been in your closet, sis." Linda replied. Now Karyn was really confused. First Zoe called Jon mom and now Mrs. Gibson was calling Zoe her sister.
"I'm still not interested," Karyn said. "I'm only wearing this because Sarah stole my clothes."
"Yeah, right," Zoe said, dismissively. She looked over to Jon. "Hey mom. Are we still going shopping? We were talking about picking me up a bag like yours." She reminded him.
Jon looked worried. "That would be fun, honey." He said. "But I don't feel comfortable leaving Mikey alone the way he is."
Zoe pouted. "Oh come on mom! You spent all day with him and you have Linda here to help."
"Hey! Don't bring me in to this" Linda replied.
"Like it would kill you to spend time with Mikey," Zoe said, rolling her eyes.
Karyn while confused about the situation saw this as an opportunity to search for the stone. "Erm, Jon?" Karyn asked getting his attention.
"Mrs. Gibson," Jon corrected
"If you'd like I can look after Mikey while you and Zoe go shopping."
Jon seemed to brighten up. He felt he could trust Karyn for some reason. "Oh would you dear? That would be so thoughtful but only if it's not too much trouble."
Karyn shook her head as she tried to stop herself from reacting. Jon was acting like a mother. Even out-mothering his own mother.
"Oh it won't be any trouble at all...Mrs. Gibson." She said smiling.
Jon hugged her. "Oh thank you, Karyn. It means a lot to me." Turning to Zoe he said. "We're going shopping...but not for too long. I don't want to impose on Karyn,"
Zoe nodded happily as she grabbed her things. Karyn's face fell as she saw Jon pick up a purse. Was he really going out like that?
"Karyn, as long as you are being so helpful...why don't you stay for dinner? It is the least we can do." Jon said, heading toward the door, but was on the other side of it before she could answer.
Karyn turned on Linda. "We have to talk."
