TJM37

No one seemed to notice Derrick enter the backyard. He spotted Becky sitting by herself in the corner of the backyard. She sat on the swing Jeff had built for Tommy when he was little. She almost fell off when a voice startled her from behind, "I missed you today." She felt his hands grab the sides of the swing & give it a shove.

"Derrick! I was beginning to think you weren't coming." Becky couldn't wait to get off the swing & give Derrick a huge hug. "I am so glad to see," she exclaimed while looking over her shoulder at him.

Derrick slyly looked around the backyard, he saw Tommy standing behind Sam with his arms wrapped protectively around her waist. They were engrossed in a conversation with what must've been Tommy's dad, who was manning the grill. Derrick didn't notice the swing stop, all the sudden he felt arms around his neck & kisses planted on his jaw.

Jeff glanced over & saw a familiar looking fellow kissing his niece, it didn't take long for Jeff to recognize that chilling toothy grin. He didn't want to alarm Sam so he asked her to run into the house & get more BBQ sauce. Jeff passed the spatula over to Tommy, "Son, watch the grill for a few minutes, ok?"

"Sure, Dad." Tommy said. "Hey, if I am watching the grill then I get to wear your hat." Tommy, Steve & Susie had bought Jeff a chef's hat one year for father's day. Ginger had made a few modifications for them so it was perfect for Jeff, she attached the hat to a baseball cap so it now had a bill & then she put an Indians logo on the front. Jeff loved it & wore it everytime he barbecued.

Removing the cap from his head, he placed it on his son's. "Just don't get it dirty," Jeff laughed.

Jeff made his way acrossed the yard. "Hello, Derrick, I am going to ask you politely to leave my house now." Jeff's words were polite but the tone of his voice wasn't.

"Uncle Jeff, why does he have to leave & how do you know my boyfriend?" Becky was startled by her uncle's odd request.

"BOYFRIEND? Over my dead body! Rebecca Anne, get into the house & I will deal with you later, ok? Now, Derrick" Jeff's patience was already wearing thin as he thought about how this man abused Samantha.

Becky stood firm & interrupted Jeff with a defiant tone, "I will not go into the house! You can not tell me what to do. YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!" Becky spun off & left the yard.

Jeff turned to face Derrick. "I know my son already warned you, but let me be more clear since you seem too stupid to take his advice. Stay away from Samantha. Stay away from Becky. Heck, stay away from River Run!!"

Derrick pasted on the fake smile that Jeff hated. "Exactly what do you plan to do to stop me, Old Man?"

Jeff chuckled, "I hope you do stick around, Derrick & give me a chance to show you. Now, you are in my yard & the way I look at it you are trespassing because you definitely aren't wanted. So you can leave on your own free will or I can throw you out myself."

Derrick got chills up & down his spine. He saw the fire in Jeff Metcalf's eyes, & with that he turned & bolted out of the backyard.

Jeff returned to the party, grabbing his hat off of Tommy's head. Jeff was thankful that his family was so plentiful & loud that no one noticed the confrontation that just took place. No one except for Ginger.