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“No!...No!...No!”
Beetlejuice heard Lydia scream when she got home from school.
“Lydia, come on it won’t be that bad,” said Charles as he shut the door behind him.
“Yes it will, I don’t want to entertain my grandparents tonight, they’re so lame!” yelled Lydia as she ran upstairs and slammed the door. Charles grounded and rubbed his forehead.
“What’s up with Lyds, Chuck?” asked Beetlejuice popping up behind him.
“Mr. Juice, you scared me,” said Charles.
“What can I say Chuck, that’s what I do,” said Beetlejuice laughing.
“As for Lydia, my parents are coming over tonight for dinner whom we haven’t seen in two years.”
“So,” interrupted Beetlejuice, wanting Charles to get to the point.
“So Lydia doesn’t like them because they’re like me, only a lot more serious.”
“Maybe I could go talk to her for you,” said Beetlejuice.
“Could you? That would be a big help,”
“Of course, on one condition… you let me stay for dinner.”
Charles thought about it for a minute before agreeing.
Lydia was in her bed under tons of blankets when she heard a knock on the door. It couldn’t be the Maitlands because they were on a week vacation in the Netherworld and Delia is still at work.
“Go away dad!”
Beetlejuice opened the door and then sat on her bed.
“Good thing I’m not him then.”
“BJ, my annoying grandparents are coming for dinner tonight, it’s terrible.”
“Not to sound sappy, but I think your dad would really appreciate the effort.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, the best part is I’ll be there too.”
“Really,” said Lydia perking up.
“Yeah, if they annoy you, I’ll annoy them back.”
Lydia was so glad that Beetlejuice was coming. If anyone could liven up this dinner it’s him. If having dinner with her grandparents wasn’t enough torture, her dad asked that she wear a pink dress. Just the word pink made her gag but she did it anyway. As they were setting the table a knock was heard on the door. They were here.
When Charles opened the door, there stood a couple who looked like one of those snobby rich people that lived in the city in the olden days. Charles’ father Bill and his mother, Mary.
“Mom, dad, welcome.”
“Likewise,” said Bill.
“Uh… I’d like you to meet my new wife, Delia.”
“Namaste, It’s nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Deetz,” said Delia who was wearing a purple sparkly dress. Charles’ parents rolled their eyes in their heads, Delia knew this but shrugged it off.
“Where is my granddaughter Charles,” asked Mary.
“I’ll get her,” volunteered Delia.
After a few moments, Lydia and Beetlejuice dressed in a tuxedo came downstairs with Delia.
“Hello Lydia, who’s your friend,” asked Mary.
“This is…uh, Lawrence… my brother,” said Lydia.
“Charles doesn’t have a son, especially older than Lydia, were you adopted,” said Bill.
Charles opened his mouth to say something but Beetlejuice calmly said, “Well, yes, he took me out of an abusive home and I’m very grateful to him.”
If her grandparents weren’t there Lydia’s jaw would’ve dropped. She was surprised that Beetlejuice was capable of being that polite. Everyone felt silent for a minute before Delia called out that dinner was ready.
The dinner started out okay. Everyone ate the dinner in silence. “So, what have you been up to besides losing Emily and getting a new wife,” said Bill.
“Well, I recently got into the real estate business,” said Charles awkwardly.
He didn’t know why but everytime his parents came over he always lost his inner strength and confidence. That was why he was envious of Lydia’s confidence in every situation. She could give her parents what for without fear.
“Have you got a job, Delia?” asked Mary.
“Yes, I was a life coach just for Lydia but then got a job as a real life coach,” said Delia proudly.
“So you weren’t a real life coach when you coached Lydia?”
“Well my guru Otho who taught me life coaching was a fraud but I eventually got started in actual life coaching.”
“She’s doing a very good job as a life coach,” interrupted Lydia, she’s made a lot of people happier.”
Her grandparents just huffed while Lydia gave Delia a smile which Delia returned. Count on Lydia to always defend her family whatever the situation.
“Why would my sweet Lydia need life coaching, '' said Bill if anything my son is the one who has problems.”
“Excuse me,” said Charles, shocked that they would say that about their own son.
“Son, we’ve only been here for about half an hour and we are not proud of what we found out. We haven’t seen you for two years and we are now just hearing about you getting a new job in the smelly country, adopting a son and getting a hippy-dippy wife. She’s probably just a spare until you get bored of her and find a more exciting woman!” yelled Mary.
Hearing this, Delia couldn’t keep her composure and ran to her bedroom in tears and Lydia ran after her, not before giving her grandparents a “you’d better leave before I make you leave” stare.
“How dare you…” whispered Charles.
“Speak up son…” said Mary.
“How dare you speak to her that way. After Emily di… passed away, Delia was one of the only people who was there for me. She’s one of the only reasons that this family is still together. She was there for me when you guys weren’t!” yelled Charles, finding Lydia’s confidence.
“But she’s a wacko…”
“She is not a wacko! She is one of the best people I know and is better than you two will ever be. Now I suggest you leave!”
“You are such a disappointment of a son you know that!” yelled Bill.
Before the two men killed each other, Beetlejuice whispered “May I…”
Charles grinned and nodded.
“It’s showtime”
BJ first made the wine glasses shake and explode all over the table which left a huge stain on their clothes. Then Bill and Mary’s chairs came alive and moved towards the door and threw them out and BJ said, “now stay out.”
When he closed the door he saw their shocked faces and grinned, his work was done. The Beetlejuice and Charles went to Delia’s room to check on her. When they found Delia and Lydia, Lydia held Delia as she cried on her shoulder. Charles couldn’t suppress a smile because he was so proud of her. Lydia showed her soft side so rarely that he was surprised she even had one. Charles came to realize that when it comes to family, Lydia has a softened heart.
“Knock Knock Deborah,” said Beetlejuice, finally entering the room.
“Oh, hey BJ, Charles you can come in too,” said Delia regaining her composure.
“Don’t cry Del, I juice’d them out of here,” said Beetlejuice.
“Thanks”
“Yeah, no one talks to my family that way and gets away with it.”
“Aww, BJ wuvs us,” mocked Lydia.
“Eww, gross no,” said Beetlejuice, gagging.
Delia laughed quietly.
“Thanks guys for being here, but they’re right about me,” said Delia.
“No, they’re not Del,” said Charles, they are just being rude jerks, we all love you so much.”
“Really.”
“Really,” said Lydia, giving her another hug.
Everyone then gathered for a group hug, knowing everything will be alright.
Bonus: Barbara and Adam came home for their vacation and Adam asked what happened when they were away. “Nothing interesting,” said Charles remembering the dinner party. “You guys didn’t miss a thing.