Date: December 29, 1989 (Friday Afternoon).
Location: Highland Park, Dallas, Texas.
Event: The Arrival.
The transition wasn't subtle.
One minute, we were dodging potholes on the highway. The next minute, we turned onto **Armstrong Parkway**, and the world turned into Technicolor.
The lawns were manicured with scissors. The oak trees formed a perfect canopy. The cars were German or British.
"Breaker one-nine," George's voice crackled over the walkie-talkie. He sounded calm, but I knew that tone. It was his 'Game Day' voice. "Eyes up. Don't hit the Jaguars. We don't have the insurance for it."
"Copy that, Dad," I said.
We pulled up to **4400**.
It wasn't a house. It was a statement. A Georgian brick estate with white pillars, slate roof, and a circular driveway paved with cobblestones.
George pulled the dusty, bug-splattered U-Haul right up to the marble fountain. The engine ticked loudly in the silence.
We all got out. Meemaw adjusted her tracksuit. Mary smoothed her skirt.
"Well," George said, slamming the truck door. He looked up at the massive white pillars. He didn't look scared. He looked like he was sizing up an opponent.
"It's big," Mary whispered nervously. "George, are you sure this is us?"
"It's us as long as we keep winning," George said firmly. He jingled the heavy brass keys. "Alright, team. Act like you've been here before. Chests out."
***
The Neighbors (The Surprise)
"You made it!"
We turned. Walking across the pristine lawn from the limestone mansion next door were **Serena** and **Eric**.
Serena looked effortless in a trench coat. Eric was holding a plastic sleeve containing a comic book.
"Serena?" Mary gasped. "You're... here?"
"I live right there," Serena smiled, pointing to the estate next door. "I saw the U-Haul. It really... stands out."
"We like to make an entrance," I said.
Eric walked straight up to Sheldon. He didn't say hello. He just held up the comic.
"Incredible Hulk #181," Eric said. "First full appearance of Wolverine. Near Mint condition."
Sheldon stopped breathing. He dropped his box of rocks.
"Is that... a first edition?" Sheldon wheezed. "Do you have it in a UV-protected Mylar sleeve?"
"Obviously," Eric scoffed. "My dad built a climate-controlled vault in the basement. Want to see?"
Sheldon looked at Mary. "Mother. I am going to the vault. Do not wait up."
"Wait," Missy said, looking at Serena. "I don't care about comics. What do you have?"
Serena laughed. "I have a heated pool, a walk-in closet the size of your old bedroom, and my mom's vintage Vogue collection."
Missy grabbed Serena's arm. "Take me away."
***
The Pool Logic
The boys ran off to the vault. The girls ran off to the closet. That left the adults.
We walked into the backyard.
"Holy moly," George said.
The pool was massive. It had a waterfall. Steam was rising from the water into the cold December air.
"Steam?" Mary frowned. "Is it on fire?"
"It's heated, Mom," I said. "Gas heater. Keeps it 85 degrees year-round."
Sheldon ran onto the patio, paused to look at the pool, and frowned.
"The thermal inefficiency is staggering!" Sheldon yelled before running to the neighbor's house. "You are heating the entire atmosphere! It is entropy in action!"
"I like entropy," Meemaw said. She spotted the guest house across the patio. "That mine?"
"That's yours," I said.
She marched over, opened the door, and disappeared. A second later, she poked her head out.
"The cable is already on! I'm watching ESPN! Nobody bother me!"
***
The Unpacking
For the next three hours, we worked.
George was a machine. He directed the unpacking like he was calling plays.
"Georgie, box of kitchenware to the west wing. Mary, linens to the second floor. Let's move, people! I want the truck empty by sundown!"
He wasn't overwhelmed. He was in his element. This was just logistics.
By 6:00 PM, the truck was empty. The boxes were stacked. The house echoed, but it was starting to feel lived-in.
***
Dinner at the Palace
"I'm starving," George announced, wiping sweat from his forehead. "And the stove looks too complicated to use without a manual."
"I ordered pizza," Serena said, walking back in through the front door with Eric and Missy. "Five extra-large pepperonis from Campisi's. It's the best in Dallas."
"Pizza?" Mary asked. "Serena, honey, where are your parents? Shouldn't you be home for dinner?"
Serena shrugged, a little too casually. "Mom and Dad are at a gala for the Opera. Then they're flying to Aspen for the weekend. Eric and I are batching it."
Mary's face fell. The "poor little rich girl" reality hit her.
"Well," Mary said firmly. "You are eating with us. Eric, go wash your hands. Serena, grab some plates."
***
The Toast
We sat on the floor of the massive, empty living room. We ate expensive pizza off paper plates on top of a marble floor worth more than our old house.
Meemaw had raided the wet bar. She walked in holding a silver shaker and a jar of olives.
"Martinis," Meemaw announced. "For the grown-ups. Root beer for the runts."
She poured a drink for George, Mary, and herself. She dropped three olives into her own glass.
"To the Coopers," Meemaw said, raising her glass.
"To Highland Park," George said. He looked at the high ceilings. He looked at his family—Sheldon reading a $500 comic book, Missy braiding Serena's hair, Mary fussing over Eric.
He took a sip of the martini.
"Not bad," George said. "I could get used to this."
"Don't get too comfortable," I said, grabbing a slice of pizza. "Practice starts Monday. 6:00 AM."
George smiled. A real, confident smile.
"I know," he said. "I can't wait to wake these rich kids up."
**[Quest Update: The New World]**
* **Location:** The Armstrong Estate.
* **Status:** Unpacked.
* **Allies:** Serena & Eric (Parents absent).
* **Sheldon Status:** In awe of Eric's collection.
* **Meemaw Status:** Has found the olives.