Chapter 15

                Gussie woke the next morning feeling very productive.  That experimental drug sure did the trick.  Everyone else was still sleeping so he figured this would be the opportune time to experiment with potions.  He had heard rumors from his friends at the science lab that there was a potion that could turn imaginary friends real.  Of course, this was just hearsay, but he wanted to at least try for Turner’s sake.

                He discovered three potions very quickly, but they were mostly good for practical jokes and sleep aids.  Eventually Gussie had to quit because he heard stirring in the other room.  He crept to the kitchen, and made a phone call to the local travel agent.  Gussie planned to secretly finance a weekend away, and have the travel agent call Elynne and tell her she won a trip for two.  He had to find out how much Elynne knew and how much Turner knew.

                Elynne was so excited to go on a trip, but Turner saw right through the whole situation.  Luckily, their school was planning a field trip today.  Turner needed the distraction.

                On their way to the Corsican Bistro, Turner told his friend Carl everything.  The whole time, Carl fidgeted and looked out the window, and finally he stopped Turner.

                “I’m not the right one to talk to about this, man.” Carl shrugged, “Hailey is a fine woman, and when I’m old enough, I’ll tell you all about it.”

                Turner’s eyes widened and Carl nodded.

                Olive had been banished to the back of the bus.  Turner had told her that he had something important to talk to Carl about, but from her vantage point, she couldn’t hear anything.  She would have to ask Turner later if he said anything about her… he was so cute!

                

                Turner noticed Olive watching them and whispered to Carl.  “Dude, my sister has the biggest crush on you.  I can’t believe I’m saying this, but wouldn’t you rather be with someone your own age?”

                Carl shook his head. “Dude, there are things that you don’t know about.  Trust me.  When you get yourself an older woman, you’ll know what I’m talking about.”

                Turner shook his head in disbelief, but the conversation would have to be over.  They had just pulled up to the Corsican Bistro, and the bus driver was yelling at them to get off the bus.

                The second that Turner realized Whittney was with them, he dashed for the entrance of the Corsican Bistro.  Had she been on the bus when he and Olive had gotten on?  Olive had wanted to talk to her brother about Carl, but he had left her high and dry.  She was too nervous to make small talk with Carl, and Whittney was too popular to want to talk to Olive.

                So she stayed behind Wittney and Carl, but wished she could run ahead too like Turner had.  Carl kept making comments to Whittney that made Olive uncomfortable.  Were they dating?

                After the field trip, Carl had invited Turner over, but Turner declined.  His parents had left the garden in such a disastrous state that Turner had to hurry home and tend to it.  They had just grown a money tree, and it was not going to die on his watch!  They desperately needed every simoleon.

                And of course, Suri was right there to help.  Frustrated, Turner vented to Suri.  Like a good imaginary friend, she listened and spoke in all the right silences.  By the time he finished the garden, Turner felt a lot better.  He hugged Suri tightly.

                “You’re such a good friend.  Thanks.  I think I’m gonna go for a swim.  Keep an eye on Olive for me?”

                Suri sighed and nodded.  She wanted to go with him, but he never took her anywhere.  One of these days he would realize she was in love with him.

                Turner scanned the pristine blue water.  There were plenty of chicks here (none in the pool unfortunately), and he had an athletic skill point.  What was the harm in taking a dip and showing off what he had?

                Eventually, he came across an older woman, and remembered what Carl had told him to say.

                She stared at him for a moment, and furrowed her brow before realizing that he was serious.

                Turner’s ears turned red as she howled with laughter at his attempts to pick her up.  No she was not going home with a teenager.  She had options and he wasn’t one of them.  Turner didn’t like the idea of being with an older woman… Someone had told him the clerk at the consignment store was cute….

                …but she was pregnant.  Turner spun on his heel and ran to the park nearby where he caught some butterflies.  Chicks dig butterflies right?

                Wrong.  All the girls at the park laughed at him.  Turner ran as fast as he could, and pretty soon, he was lost.  There was a nearby headstone, and at the base there was a seed.

                All was not lost.  At least his mother would be pleased.

                Back at home Olive was getting her smustle on, but it was starting to get old.

                When was Turner going to get back?  Pato had told her that Turner had taken off hours ago giving Suri strict orders to watch over her.  Olive laughed.  It wasn’t like Suri could be her voice of reason or anything.  She couldn’t even see Suri.  Eventually Olive got so bored that she decided to head out to the Watering Hole.

                Meanwhile, Turner was still lost, but not alone.  A band of wild horses had congregated near him, and he was in complete awe.

                After a while though, Turner was anxious to get home.  As if reading his thoughts, the dark brown mare reared, and seemed to point out the way for Turner to head.

                “I guess I’ll take your word for it,” Turner smiled, “thank you!”

                The brown mare snorted and nodded.

                Turner ran back home.  He was sure Olive would be worried.