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This story contains scenes of EXTREME VIOLENCE, mature subject matter and deals with alternative lifestyles. If you are not comfortable with these concepts and materials, STOP reading NOW. If you are under the age of seniority and consent where you live, or if these types of materials are illegal for you to read, possess or download, you must STOP reading NOW and you may NOT download this story. If you are very religious, this work will probably anger you. Do not read it. Do not download it. Hello, nice to see you, GO AWAY. You'll be more comfortable at http://www.disney.com please go there instead of here.
Midnight Downloads
by Wendy-J
Wendy-J@KimEM.net
© 1999-2004
Wendy-J@KimEM.net All Rights Reserved.
Unauthorized distribution or archival prohibited.
Part-27
Wednesday Afternoon September 16th
When they walked in the door, Tina started to give Sam a smug look. The fact that Donna hadn't met her at the door as Sam had predicted made Tina feel greatly relieved.
Donna called out from the den. "Tina? Is that you?"
"Yes, Aunt Donna," Tina replied sweetly, still grinning at Sam. She felt certain that she was off the hook.
"You have a phone call, Honey."
Tina looked at Sam in askance. "Don't ask me; I just got here, too, remember?" Sam said defensively.
"I'll take it in my room, Aunt Donna," Tina called back, running up the stairs. Sam followed a bit more sedately, shaking her head.
"Hello?" Tina timidly said into the phone.
"Hi, Tina?" said the shy voice on the other end of the line. It was Cathy.
"Hi Cath! Wha'sup?" she asked, genuinely pleased to hear the girl's voice.
"I-just-wanted-to-say-thanks," Cathy said. Tina's attitude had buoyed her spirits and she'd gone into hyper-drive in the instant it took her to realise that Tina actually sounded glad that she'd called.
"Huh?" Where's she coming from? Thanks? Tina couldn't understand what her new friend was talking about. "For what?"
"For-letting-me-sit-with-you-at-lunch," Cathy explained blithely.
"Uh, Cath, can you hold on a sec?" Tina said meekly and looked desperately about the room.
"Sure!" she said excitedly. She-didn't-hang-up! She-sounds-like-she's-happy-I-called! She was winding up again.
Spying Sam in the doorway, Tina covered the mouthpiece of the phone and hissed, "Sam! Pick up the extension by the computer."
Once Sam had the extension to her ear, Tina started again. "I'm sorry, Cath; what were you saying again?"
"I-just-wanted-to-say-thanks-for-letting-me-sit-with-you-at-lunch-today," Cathy said hopefully.
"Look, Cathy, I uh," Tina stumbled, looking for the right words. "I'm not gonna tell you where you can sit or not sit, for that matter, I mean, like, it's a free world, okay?" She was almost pleading with the girl.
"Yeah, sure-but…" Cathy tried to explain, ever hopeful of making a friend and not realizing that she already had.
"Hold on a sec," Tina said cutting her off. Tina covered the mouthpiece again. "Sam, will you help me here?" she hissed again. "Please?"
Sam was making motions that said, "What do you want me to do?"
"Uh, Cath," Tina stumbled over her words again. "I uh…Sam's on the line with us. Umm…."
"Cathy?" Sam said, trying to get Cathy's attention and buy herself some time to think of what to say.
"Hi, Sam!" she bubbled. "Then-the-rumours-are-true?" she gushed.
"If you mean the rumour that we live together, sort of. My mother and I live with Tina and her mom."
"Ooooh!" she said, drawing out the word. The lights of understanding came through in her voice.
"Yeah. Anyway, umm…Cath, we aren't like the, umm…other kids at school, 'kay? I mean…like…we aren't trying to be part of the in crowd or anything. We like your company, so we don't mind if you sit with us."
"Sam's right, Cath," Tina added. "It isn't a status thing with us, okay?"
"Okay!" Life bubbled into Cathy's voice. "So-like-you-wanna-get-together-later-or-something?" she asked, excited at the prospect of spending time with them.
"I really wish I could, Cath, but…" Tina trailed off, sounding crushed herself.
"Oh, that's okay, I…" Cathy said dejectedly. She sounded close to tears.
"Cathy," Sam interrupted, "My mother's taking her out to get her hair done and maybe do some shopping after."
"Oh!" She was like a rubber ball bouncing from high to low. "So-like-where-do-you-go?"
"Uh…for what, Cath?" Tina asked, not quite following the effervescent girl.
"To-get-your-hair-done! Your-style's-so-cute-and-fluffy! It-fits-your-face-so-perfectly."
"Claire's Clip Joint," Tina said absently, looking at the clock on her nightstand. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. It was a far cry from being the outcast. People were making demands on all her time and she had no idea how to cope with them. When was she supposed to study? How was she supposed to do the work she'd contracted to do with Linda and The Organisation? It was frightening, to say the least.
"Um, Cath?" Sam interjected, relieved that the situation was under control again.
"Yeah?"
"I'm gonna hang up. See you at school, okay?"
"Sure! Bye-Sam!"
"Hey, Cathy?" Tina almost pleaded. "Look, I really hate to do this, but if I don't go, I'm gonna be late."
"Yeah-sure! Hey! Whatcha-havin'-done?"
"Some highlights and a trim," she said uneasily, not sure how to describe what Claire had in mind. "See y'-at school, 'kay?"
"Sure! Have-fun!"
"Thanks, I'll try. Bye." Tina hung up the phone. Sam was all but rolling on the floor laughing.
"Oh. Shut. Up!" Tina snapped, frustrated with her inability to control her own life and angry with Sam for making fun of Cathy.
"Who, me?" Sam asked innocently.
"Yes, you," Tina said angrily. "She's less sure of herself than I am. And I'll bet she doesn't have someone like you to help her, either!"
"Yeah, you're prolly right," Sam said introspectively. "But y' gotta admit, the whole gig's a riot. Not just her, everything. You, me and the whole social ladder thing. I mean, shit! Hey, get foxy, huh?" she said, changing the subject. Her thoughts were running too deep for comfort.
"Yeah, sure," Tina said unenthusiastically. "Like I'll have a choice with what Claire is gonna do. And you know how I just love shopping." She looked like she was heading off to the gallows.
"I know, but Mom really likes the mother/daughter thing," Sam said, genuinely contrite and hopeful that Tina would be able to endure today's trip as well as future excursions with her mother. Anything to get her mother off her back was a good thing.
"But…" Tina whined.
"Just smile a lot, Tee," Sam coached. "You'll make her day. Heck, you'll prolly make her whole week."
"Okay," Tina conceded dejectedly.
"Are you ready, Sunshine?" Donna called up the stairs.
"I'll be right down!" Tina called back, feigning an enthusiasm she really didn't feel. Why couldn't everyone just leave her alone?
"Oooooh," Sam winced. "Boy, that's bad," she said and hugged Tina. "Sunshine? Whew, I'm glad it's not me."
Tina giggled nervously and gave Sam a kiss. "Do your homework," she instructed in a parental tone. "I'll see you later, if your mother and Claire don't kill me first."
"Yes, Mo-therrr!" Sam joked at her tone.
"Sam?" Donna called up the stairs.
"Yeah, Ma?" Sam yelled back plaintively, wincing at her mother's voice. Whenever she used that tone, she wanted something. Something that had to do with "girl stuff."
"Your Aunt Jan called and asked me to put dinner on; she's working late. I put a pot roast in the oven. Would you check on it for me while we're out?"
"Sure, Ma!" Sam replied, instantly relieved. Checking on a roast was easy.
"Oh shit!" Tina hissed, looking very upset about something.
"Now what?" Sam asked, exasperated. Couldn't anything go smoothly? The past few days seemed to be one panic after another.
"I have classes at the university tonight! Remember? I think I've only been to them twice since they started!"
"Damn," Sam almost whined. "Well, like, do they take attendance?" she asked hopefully.
"No, but you miss a lot when you don't go!" Tina sounded really upset. Truth be known, Tina loved her classes and learning in general. Yet here she stood, torn between doing something she loved and doing something for someone she'd grown to love. She knew Donna would enjoy the shopping trip more than anything else she could do for her.
"Hell, Tina, I don't know. If you go to class and skip out on my Mom, she's gonna get really depressed. If you don't go, are you like, in danger of failing or anything?" Sam asked, all but pleading with her to skip class.
"No…it is the beginning of the semester, I mean…." I really don't want to go anywhere, was all she could think. She just wanted some time for herself.
"Then can't you skip them?" Sam pleaded, stopping Tina mid-word. "I mean, like, just once more? Please?"
"Tina! Aren't you ready yet?!?" Donna hollered up the stairs again, impatient to get started and obviously overjoyed to be going at all.
"Yeah, but," Tina groaned. "Oh hell!" she muttered. "I'll be right down!" she called back. Her feigned enthusiasm was slipping, but she was trying for Sam's sake.
"Thanks Tee, I love you," Sam said as she pulled Tina into a hug.
"I love you, too, you…you…See y'-later Betty Crocker," Tina said, and kissed Sam on the cheek.
****************************
As Sam predicted, Donna, wearing a shirtdress, was waiting for Tina by the front door, purse and keys in hand. Once they were in the car, Donna became a chatterbox. "We'll have so much fun! I called Claire's this afternoon and got an appointment with Sandy. Claire asked how your nails looked, so I just told her to go ahead and plan on a re-base."
"Thanks, Aunt Donna," was Tina's unenthusiastic reply. She was trying to be enthusiastic, but all she really wanted was solitude.
"After Claire's, I thought we'd stop in the Sugar Bowl for a cup of coffee. I haven't seen Laura in ages. She'll just love you. Then I thought we could look for some nice mid-heels for you to wear to school, and…."
The fifteen-minute ride to Claire's seemed to take forever, but Tina had to admit that it did indeed bring Donna great pleasure to have someone to shop with and for. I guess I can learn to live with it. Besides, she IS nice, and I DO like the results. She resigned herself to her fate and actively tried to change her attitude.
****************************
Tina walked into the shop with Donna chattering away, right behind her. As soon as she saw Tina, Claire greeted them. "Hi, Tina! You look lovely today!"
"Thanks Claire," Tina replied with a smile. "It's all your fault, y'-know. You did a great job last time. Do you know my Aunt Donna?" she asked, motioning to the woman and hoping to take the focus away from herself.
"I don't think we've met," Claire said happily. "Hi, Donna, I'm Claire Hamilton," the effervescent, yet matronly looking woman said. Well, Claire was matronly in stature anyway. The shock of purple hair that seemed to snake through her otherwise bottle blonde hair seemed to declare otherwise. "Welcome to my clip joint!"
"Hi, Claire," she giggled. "I'm Donna Boone. It's a pleasure meeting you. I, um, like your hair."
"You like?" Claire giggled as she played with the purple strands. " I got a bit bored yesterday and thought a change would do me good. So, are you playing chauffeur today?" the spitfire asked.
"No, I have an appointment with Sandy. It's been a while for me," she said, absently touching her shoulder length chestnut locks, "and I thought that, since I'm here…."
"We're glad to have you! Sandy?!?" Claire called out. "Your four o'clock's here!"
"So, you come bearing gifts I see," she said to Tina, smiling. Claire's ever-present smile seemed to radiate from her entire being, not just her round-ish face and sparkling ice-blue eyes.
"I'm sorry, Claire," Tina said in confusion. "I don't think I understand what you mean."
"We-ell, first, you're bringing your Aunt in. Then, just before you walked in the door, a friend of yours from school called. She said that you referred her!"
"Cathy?" Tina asked, not sure she wanted to believe what she'd just heard.
"Yes! Thank you, Sweetie! So, shall we get started?"
"Uh, sure. Um…but…" Tina stammered nervously.
"What is it, Honey?" Claire asked. She sounded genuinely concerned.
"No purple, right?" Tina said in a really small voice.
Claire laughed heartily. "No, Honey, no purple. I promise. Ready?"
Tina looked over at Donna who smiled back and said, "You go ahead, Honey, it looks like Sandy's about ready for me." Tina nodded to Claire and took her seat.
Once Tina was in the chair, she started to talk to the effervescent woman. "You didn't lie to me last time, Claire."
"What about, Tina?"
"When you said you were going to make me the prettiest girl in the county," she said without embarrassment or hesitation.
The statement was not lost on the jovial woman. Claire chuckled. "Getting a lot of attention, are we?"
"You could say that," Tina said, looking for the words to say what she meant. "I mean, I just met Cathy on Monday, y'-know? And today, she called and asked me to go shopping later. All I did was tell her I was coming here. That's all, I swear."
"Hmm. Sounds like you're at the top of the social set," Claire said warmly.
"That's what Sam says."
"Sam?"
"Yeah, um…" Tina stumbled with what to say. She didn't know how much Claire actually knew.
"Sam's mine, Claire." Donna said from the neighbouring chair as the slight blonde, Sandy, wrapped her in a cape.
"Oh, I see." She really didn't, but the change in the girl before her was unbelievable. "So, how's it feel to be popular?" Claire asked, digging for information.
"Scary," was Tina's one word reply.
"Scary? I would have thought that you'd like it!" Claire said jovially.
"Well…I do, but…" Tina sat up in the chair and turned to face the woman. "Claire, it's really strange. I mean, Cathy helped me out on Monday, so I called her on Tuesday to say thanks, you know?"
"Umm hmm," Claire said thoughtfully as she fingered the girl's hair and listened to her prattle on.
"So I mean, she got all freaked out and was thanking me for calling her. Like I was doing her some sort of major favour, or something! Then, in school today, she and a friend of mine, Jon, ate lunch together with some of my other friends. You know, just the usual lunch thing."
"Umm hmm." She gently pushed Tina back into the chair, rearranged the cape over her and let the back of her chair down to the shampoo sink. It didn't slow Tina down one bit. Claire was really enjoying this. Just a week and a half ago, this same child was scared of her own shadow.
"So, like, I get home from school and she's already waiting for me, on the phone I mean, thanking me for letting her sit with me at lunch. It's scary."
"I guess it is at that, Honey," Claire said as she tested the temperature of the shampoo water. "Especially if you've never experienced it before. You haven't, have you?"
"Uh, uh. Ooh that feels nice. You have exactly ten years to stop it." Claire chuckled. She had started her shampoo. "Y'-know, this is definitely worth skipping out on my psyche and trig classes," Tina mumbled.
Donna overheard Tina's last remark and just beamed. "She your favourite niece?" Sandy asked quietly.
"Oh yes, my very favourite," Donna almost whispered back. She was in seventh heaven.
When they were finished, Tina was sporting golden brown highlights that seemed to set her hair on fire and an opalescent red polish on her nails. Donna just had to get her the matching lipstick.
Once they'd left the shoppe, Sandy asked, "So do I place the add now? Or do we wait for the rush?"
"Give it a week, Sandy…but I have a feeling…" Claire trailed off, a smile on her face. She was just happy to see such a positive change.
****************************
Coffee at the Sugar Bowl was a nightmare for Tina. It was worse than anything she'd ever experienced. Laura and her cronies were a bunch of cheek pinchers. By the time they all got done oohing and ahing over her, she thought she'd never need to use a blusher again. Then it was on to Fashion Bug, Famous Maid, and a host of other stores. It was a whirlwind tour of the shops and stores. So much so, that Donna had Tina's head spinning for most of the trip.
When they finally got back home at seven thirty, Tina was worn to a frazzle and buried under all sorts of bags and boxes of things. Sam met them at the door. "Well, it looks like you two had fun!" she laughingly exclaimed. Tina blushed to her roots.
"You really did, didn't you?" Sam asked in amazement.
Tina nodded as Sam took some of the bags from her. "I hate to admit it, Sam, but I did."
"I love your hair. That colouring's perfect!"
"Thanks, do you really like it?"
"Uh huh. You look nice too, Ma." Sam said. "I like that flip, it looks good on you."
"Thank you for noticing, Honey," Donna beamed. "The girls at the Sugar Bowl just adore her, Sam," Donna continued, glowing with the memory of the trip. "Why don't you girls take those things upstairs while I check on dinner?"
The teens started carrying the bags up the stairs. "Ooh, you poor thing," Sam whispered to Tina. "The Sugar Bowl? Do they still hurt?"
"I don't think I'll ever need to use blusher again, if that's what you mean," Tina whispered back. "And yes …they do …heaps."
"I'm sorry, I should have warned you."
"Tina," Donna called up the stairs after them, "why don't you wear that olive dress for dinner tonight. It looked so pretty on you."
"Okay, Aunt Donna," she called back.
"She wouldn't let me pay for a thing, Sam," Tina hissed as they made their way to her room. "I can't keep all this!"
"You'd better," Sam replied, her voice pitched in a tone of warning.
"Why?" Tina asked as she fumbled with the packages to open the door to her room.
"I'll bet my mother knows your wardrobe better than you do."
Tina groaned as she closed the door to her room with the tip of her shoe. "Sam, she spent a fortune."
"I know! I can't wait to see what she got you! For a mom, she really does have great taste."
"Yeah, but, Sa-am!"
"No buts, she'll be hurt if you said you liked something and then you never wear it."
"But, Sa-am! If I wear a different outfit every day for the next three years, I'll never wear it aa-all!"
"I know, isn't it great?!?" Sam giggled, sounding just like any teenaged girl.
"Yeah," Tina gushed, finally thinking about the clothes and not the cost. "Oh, sh…"
"What?"
"Where am I gonna put all this?" Tina asked as she dumped her load of boxes and bags on the bed. Sam opened the far end of the closet and looked at the remnants of Ernie. "Great idea, Sam! Here, help me get them off the hangers."
Sam looked up and smiled as they worked. "You're not going back." It was a statement.
"I told you yesterday, I like what I see in the mirror. What do I need these for? They don't fit you right, or you wouldn't have given them back. And I won't ever wear them again."
"Yeah."
"Hey, Sam? Guess what?" Tina asked. Some of the enthusiasm had gone.
"What?" Sam said almost worriedly.
"Cathy called Claire's and made an appointment before we even got there," Tina said, a bit worried at what it could mean.
"Yeah, I figured she might. I guess Claire is gonna get a lotta business this year," Sam said, thinking aloud.
"Why's that?"
" 'Thanks for letting me sit with you at lunch.' "
"Oh," came the flat response.
"Yeah," Sam smiled sympathetically. "So, you gonna give me a fashion show or what?" she asked, trying to change the subject and lift Tina's spirits.
"Or what. I gotta get my homework done, remember?"
"You're no fun," Sam said with mock dejection and stuck out her lower lip in a pout.
"So they say," Tina said distractedly as she hung a blouse in the closet.
"I wouldn't get too wrapped up in your homework, if I were you," Sam said smugly.
"Why not?" Tina asked. She froze in place, worried about the possible reasons.
"We-ell," Sam began, sounding like a housewife, "the roast's done. It's in the oven warming. And your mom called about five minutes ago. She said she was on her way home."
"Great! I'm starved!" Tina replied, her stomach already on the roast.
"Then you'd better get cracking!"
"What? Why?"
"You're supposed to change for dinner, remember?" Sam reminded her, smugly.
"Oh…yeah," Tina said, thoroughly unenthused. Sam giggled. "What's so funny?" Tina asked petulantly as she started to reach for the green dress she'd just hung up.
"It's nice to be out of the line of fire, that's all. Here, let me help." Sam beat her to the dress, pulled it out of the closet, and looked at it. "Oh, Tina! This is beautiful! Here, gimmie that vest!" she said excitedly, hanging the dress on the closet door and grabbing an empty hanger to hang the vest Tina was wearing.
****************************
"So how's your latest project coming, Tiggs?" Chilli asked.
"I think we're about ready for stage two," Linda said thoughtfully.
"I'll let your…" Joanne's voice trailed off in embarrassment.
"My mother?" Linda said with a smile; she enjoyed saying it.
"Yeah, I'll let her know. Uh, Linda, how do you want to…?"
"Let Mom decide how to handle it, Joanne. I'm too close. I want blood and Sam wants her daddy. I hope Mom…."
"So do I. Tiggs?" Joanne looked miserable.
"Hmm?"
"I…."
"You already said that, Joanne. There's nothing to forgive. Thanks for keeping me out of prison. Okay?"
"Uh, Tiggs…I didn't know…. No-one knew."
"I know. Mom couldn't tell me and she wouldn't let anyone else close enough to tell them. I know, Joanne, don't worry about it. Anyway, I'm outta here. Reach me by cell."
****************************
Donna had taken her purchases upstairs after checking on the roast. Then fixed her makeup and admired the job Sandy did. Pleased with the outcome, she went down to set the table. Donna had just finished when the phone rang. She answered it in the kitchen on the multi-line wall phone. "Hello?"
"Hi, Donna?" said the light voice on the other end.
"Yes?" Donna replied politely and hesitantly.
"Linda."
"Oh! Linda! Hello, Dear!" Donna gushed into the phone. She was genuinely happy to finally hear from the woman who was so instrumental in helping her daughter. "I wanted to say thank you for everything you did for my Sam."
"The pleasure was all mine, Donna, but Jan did most of it. I only paid for a couple of sweaters."
"But…" Donna wanted to hear none of the self-depreciating things Linda was saying.
"Please, don't worry about it, Donna. I really was happy to be able to help. Okay?"
"Okay, Linda, but…thank you just the same. Now, what can I do for you, Dear?"
"Is Jan home yet?" Linda sounded a bit nervous.
"She's…." Donna had started to say that Jan wasn't home yet, but the now familiar sound of Janice's walking in the mudroom door could be heard.
"Hi, everyone, I'm ho-ome!" Jan called out.
"She's just walking in the door, Linda. Would you like to speak to her?"
"Yes, please," Linda said in a small, almost pleading voice. There were some sounds of Jan being welcomed home and some muffled voices.
"Hi, Linda, is everything all right?"
"Sure is. Hey, what say I come by and mooch a dinner from you?" she asked, trying to sound like her usual self.
Jan frowned at the sound of Linda's voice. Something was wrong. "It sounds like a plan. Dinner's at eight; you'd better hurry."
"Great! See you then."
"Bye!" Jan hung up the phone thoughtfully. "Donna, Linda's coming over for dinner. I hope you made enough. Looks like we'll be in the dining room tonight."
"I'll move the table settings and tell the girls. Is something wrong, Jan? Linda sounded…."
"I don't know, Donna. I hope not. She should be here any minute, though. It sounded like she was on her cell phone. Now, what are we having for dinner?" Jan asked, changing the subject. "It smells wonderful."
"Yankee pot roast. There should be plenty for sandwiches tomorrow as well."
"Thanks, Donna, you're a real life saver."
"Thank Sam. All I did was throw it in the oven. She watched over it while we were out."
"Okay, I will, but thank you for starting it. I like the flip. Did Claire do it?"
"Thank you," Donna said, unconsciously touching her hair. "Actually, no, Sandy did it."
"Well, it's very pretty."
"Why don't you go get comfortable while I get the girls?" Donna suggested with a smile.
"Hi, Mom," Tina interrupted nervously from the stairs.
Jan looked up and stared. "Your hair…you look…." She was stunned into silence. Tina's cute bob seemed to glow as if the fire of the sun had been captured and stored within it.
"Isn't she just scrumptious?" Donna gushed.
"Come here and let me look at you," Jan said, finding her voice. The sight of her daughter staggered her. The change in her appearance was remarkable. If there had been any doubt left that Tina was all girl, it was gone now.
Tina walked the width of the room like a princess before the queen, hands clasped before her, head bowed, looking at the floor. She glided slowly across the space, embarrassed by her mother's attention. The olive shirtdress was cut full in the three-quarter length sleeves. The hem fell to just below Tina's knees. The design, simple and unadorned, tapered sharply from her shoulders to her waist and buttoned from the collar down to its full gore hem. A simple, wide, cloth-covered belt finished the classic look and sharply defined the girl's waist. Tina'd left the top two and bottom three buttons undone and showed just a flirting glimpse of white lace from her full slip with each step. Tina's posture and movement caused the hem of the garment to move like a bell with her legs acting as the clapper. The dark olive colour showed off the golden highlights in her hair to their fullest effect. She wore a black, mid-heel pump with a gold anklet on her right ankle.
Jan, completely speechless, pointed down with her index finger and moved it in circles as she struggled for words. Tina did a slow pirouette while holding the hem of the dress out between the fingers of one hand. "You like?" she asked in a small voice as she smiled timorously.
"I like," Jam managed, finding her voice at last. "Come here and give me a hug, Honey. You look absolutely radiant."
The doorbell rang. "That'll be Linda," Donna said.
"I'll get it!" Sam called from the front stairs. It sounded like a heard of elephants as she ran to the door. Donna just shook her head and smiled.
"Hi, Linda!" Sam bubbled, pleased to see the woman.
"Hi, Sam," Linda replied, a bit more reserved than usual. Sam didn't seem to notice. "Ooh! I like that shade of yellow-green! Very becoming," Linda said in an attempt at levity. Sam stuck her tongue out as she giggled. "Where's Tina?" Linda asked, obviously ill at ease.
"In the kitchen, I guess. I was upstairs. C'mon in."
Jan stuck her head out the kitchen door and into the foyer and said, "We're in the dining room tonight."
"Okay, meet you in there." Linda said nervously. Jan stared after her friend for a moment, concerned for her.
Linda walked with Sam through the parlour. "So, are you staying out of trouble at school?" Linda asked, trying to calm herself.
"Nah," Sam giggled. "I'm picking fights every chance I get."
As they entered the dining room, Linda saw Tina setting the table. "Oh, Tina…" she gasped and started to cry silently. Linda just stood there, not daring to move, her emotions totally out of control.
Tina, not realizing Linda had entered the room, looked up when she heard Linda's gasp and, seeing the crying woman, ran to her side. "Linda, what's wrong? MOM!" Tina yelled out in panic. Linda grabbed Tina and continued to cry. She hugged the teen close and held on as tightly as she could. It was an interesting sight to say the least. Tina, at five nine or ten and Linda, barely at five two; Tina, in heels and Linda, in flats; Linda's head didn't even come to Tina's chin. From a distance they almost looked like mother and daughter with Linda as the daughter.
"Linda, what's wrong?" Tina asked anxiously. She'd never seen Linda like this. "Please, Linda, tell me what's wrong." She was getting scared.
"I'm sorry, you just…I…." Linda wasn't making any sense. Jan came into the room and stared at the two of them. She went to Tina's side and motioned to the parlour.
"Come on, Linda, let's go sit down," Tina said, leading her back into the formal room. Once Tina managed to manoeuvre them onto the sofa, she asked, "Now, what's wrong, Linda? Talk to me, please. You're scaring me."
"You…you were attacked and I wasn't there to…and then I saw you standing there…and you looked so…so pretty, and I realised that if I hadn't pushed you…and…it's all my…."
"No, Linda, it's not your fault," Tina said softly into the woman's hair. "You helped me find who I am."
"But my baby got attacked and I wasn't there to…." Linda shook with the sobs as she held on to Tina as if for dear life.
Jan sat on the sofa beside Linda and tapped her on the shoulder. "Linda, she's fine."
"Oh Tina…" Linda sobbed.
Tina looked at her mother as if to say, "What do I do now?"
"Lin, look at me," Jan said a bit more firmly. Linda loosened her hold on Tina to look up at her friend. "Lin, you're like my sister. I've known you almost all my life. Do you think you can trust me?" Linda nodded her head as tears rolled down her face. "Tina was accosted, true. But it would have happened whether it was at the school or the grocery store where that creep works. It happened because Tina's beautiful and because he doesn't understand what the word 'no' means. It probably would have happened to Ernie sooner or later. Even if he didn't become my daughter."
"I know, Jan, but…" Linda managed between hiccoughs.
"And tell me, what's this 'my poor baby' shit?" Jan asked light-heartedly, almost laughing. "She's my baby."
"I…" and Linda started sobbing into Tina's bosom again.
"She'll be fine Tina," Jan said quietly. "I think she's more relieved to see you healthy and looking so pretty than anything else. Right, Lin?" The sobbing blonde just nodded, her head still buried in Tina's bosom. "We'll hold dinner, Lin. Get it all out," Jan said as she looked at her daughter and started to get up.
The look on Tina's face said, "Help me, please."
Jan whispered in her ear, "Just let her hold you, Honey. She needs to get it out."
Jan left the room and Linda cried a bit more before she finally calmed down. "You okay, Linda?" Tina asked in a small voice.
"Yes, sweetie, I am now," Linda said through her snuffles.
"Do you really feel that way about me?" Tina asked in a small voice, amazed that anyone, other than her mother, could feel that way about her.
"Oh, Tina, I've felt like you were my daughter since the day you were born," Linda said in a rush.
"Um, Linda?" Tina said, a smile hinting at the corners of her mouth.
"Hmm?" she said, sniffling and wiping at her eyes.
"I wasn't born…."
"You should have been, Sweetie. You were always too pretty to be a boy, even then. You were always 'my little girl' to me. Oh! Look at what I've done to your new dress!" she exclaimed when she saw the dark wet spots on Tina's dress.
"It'll dry. Come on, let's go and get you cleaned up," Tina said in her best mothering tones. She took Linda by the elbow and stood.
"Well listen to you!" Linda laughed between sniffles as she got to her feet. "I'm sorry about…."
"Don't be sorry, Linda," Tina said as she led Linda up to her room. "I'm not. I'm loved. It feels nice."
When Tina opened the door, Linda gasped. "Oh. My. Gods! What happened in here?" There were stuffed animals arranged on the bed, some dolls on the low dresser and on the shelves of the bookcase. Sheer silk scarves were draped over the lamps. A three-piece picture of a ballerina was hung over the desk. The room was neat, clean, and very feminine.
"What?" Tina asked, perplexed. She thought her room looked nice.
"It looks prettier than my room used to look when I was a little girl!" Linda enthused as she stared at her surroundings. She couldn't get over the change. The last time she'd seen the room it was still a bit austere and unisex. Now it was definitely and unmistakably that of a teenaged girl.
Tina blushed. "Between Mom, Sam and Aunt Donna, I don't get a chance to mess it up, much less clean it. And they keep getting me things for it, so…."
"Well, I think it's about time!" Linda exclaimed.
"Yeah, I guess I do, too," Tina blushed as she absently picked up a doll from her dresser. She held it to her bosom and lovingly stroked its hair. "The scary part is," Tina said while looking at her doll and combing its hair away from its face with her finger, "that the new furniture hasn't arrived yet and it's bound to look even frillier. And I can't wait." She grinned shyly at Linda.
"Are you happy, Tina?" Linda asked, smiling at the teen's actions. Tina was using her doll much like a security blanket. It was obvious that she was a bit nervous being the topic of discussion. That Tina turned to her favourite doll and absently played with it as a diversion was telling of the girl's natural inclinations. Linda saw that the person before her was never meant to be anything but a girl.
"Yes, Linda, I'm very happy. Thanks…for everything. I finally like what I see when I look in the mirror," she said as she tenderly put the doll back in its place on the dresser.
Linda was amazed. She just stared while Tina put the doll back. "A gift from Sam?" Tina nodded as she lovingly rearranged the doll's dress. When Tina finished, Linda gave her a squeeze. "I'm so happy for you, Sweetheart," she said. Then she looked in the mirror over the dresser and gasped. "I look just like a raccoon!" Tina giggled and pointed at the bathroom.
After a brief stop to wash, Linda went to work on her face at Tina's desk turned vanity. "So where'd you get the dress?"
"Mandee's. Aunt Donna took me to my appointment with Claire today."
"Now that, I'd love to have seen," Linda giggled.
"Then she took me shopping. I don't think she missed a dress shop or clothing store in town."
"Well, that dress looks like it was made for you! And your hair, I just love the colour!"
"Thank you." Tina blushed to her roots and stared at the floor while clasping her hands in front of her.
"You look just like Audrey Hepburn when you do that," Linda said with a smile. The comment caused Tina's blush to deepen.
"Ready?" Tina asked when Linda finished her face.
"Ready, Freddie!" Linda shot back. Tina winced at Linda's turn of phrase. "What? Did I say something wrong?" she asked, smelling a juicy story.
"Tell you after dinner," Tina evaded. "C'mon, I'm starved."
****************************
Dinner was pleasant and the conversation remained light. It seemed as though everyone studiously avoided the topic of James Boone. It wasn't until Donna was serving the after dinner coffee that Sam summoned enough courage to broach the heretofore silently and mutually agreed upon taboo dinner subject. "Linda, how's my Dad?" she asked, her voice quavering. She seemed to be afraid of the answer. Jan, Tina and Donna paled visibly. Everyone wanted to know, but no-one was willing to ask. They sat in expectant silence.
Linda took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Your dad is doing very well, Honey."
"Linda, please. Tell me what's going on. I can't stand not knowing."
"After your visit, I brought Dr. Bennett in. It took us almost a full day to calm your dad down. With Bennett's help, we got him a medical leave from work to cure his drinking problem and address his family problems."
"Is he going to lose his job?" Sam asked, on the verge of tears.
"No, Sam. As a matter of fact, Mr. Mason, his boss, was relieved. Mr. Mason was worried that he was going to have to fire your dad if he didn't get help soon. His standing with the company is stronger now than it's been in a long time."
Sam and Donna relaxed visibly. "I'm gonna get a dad back, right?" she asked pointedly.
"Yes, Sam. We're working on that right now." Linda was trying not to give Sam too many details, but she refused to lie to the girl, either. "We'll have him back…."
"You still have him in dresses?!?" Donna asked incredulously. Linda nodded her head.
Sam stared open-mouthed at her mother. Donna didn't look surprised about the dresses, just the length of time her husband had been spending in them. "Yuh…you know?" asked a stunned Sam.
Donna nodded her head. "Since the night you two went to the mall."
"How much longer, Linda?" Sam asked.
"That's up to him. We gave him his clothes back today, well…some of them anyway, but he has to earn the right to wear them. He's making good progress, Honey. It's not easy for anyone, especially you, I imagine."
Sam sat there in silence for a minute and then started to cry quietly. Donna tried to comfort her, but she just shrugged away from her mother. Then, surprising everyone at the table, she jumped up from her chair and ran to Tina. Jan and Linda went to Donna and took her into the parlour. It seemed like it was time for everyone to have a good long cry.
****************************
They were loading the dishwasher when Linda asked Tina, "So, why did you flinch when I said 'ready Freddie?' "
Instead of Tina answering, everyone else told the story of how Tina accepted the date with George without even knowing what she'd done.
"Linda, it was priceless!" Sam said, giggling. "You should have seen her face when I told her!"
"So, tell me, is he cute?" Linda asked, her violet eyes sparkling with mirth. Tina winced and just nodded slowly.
Sam said, "He's got the tightest little tush you've ever seen!" Linda broke out in gales of laughter.
"I don't see what's so funny," Tina pouted. "You don't have to go out with him."
"You don't want to…" Linda began. Tina just shook her head. "Who do you want to go out with?" Tina blushed and stared at her hands. "I'm sorry I asked," Linda said with a smile and winked at Sam.
"Yeah," Sam continued to tease, "and the next day, she was so sick about it she couldn't even get out of bed!"
"I seem to remember a certain young lady who was so sick about that, she couldn't leave the house!" Donna retorted.
"You mean you both stood them up?" Linda exclaimed. She looked like she was going to die laughing.
"Yeah, but I have to call him and make another date with him," Tina said, obviously not happy at the prospect.
"What ever for?" Linda asked in puzzled amazement.
" 'Cause I remember what it was like, that's why," Tina said. It was a combination of defiance, dejection and resolution.
The response surprised Linda. "My, you really are growing up," she said softly. Hugging Tina to her, she whispered, "I'm proud of you, Sweetie."
Once the cleanup was done, Tina and Sam excused themselves. "I'll see you, Linda. I gotta finish my homework," Sam said as she headed up the back stairs.
Tina took her turn and said, "Linda, I'd really love to stay here and talk with you." She nervously shifted her weight from foot to foot. The almost imperceptible motion made the dress sway side to side like a bell. "But with everything else this afternoon," she continued and unconsciously patted her hair, "I didn't get my homework done. Thanks for coming by." She gave Linda a kiss on the cheek and whispered, "I love you, Aunt Linda." And ran from the room.
Linda started to get weepy again, as she stared at the rapidly retreating girl. "Are you okay, Linda?" Jan asked.
"It's that…brat of yours," she finally managed. "She just called me Aunt Linda."
Jan put her arm around her and said, "We're having tea in the den. Come on, let's go talk."
****************************
Upstairs, her homework done, Tina'd flopped face down on her bed and was reading and listening to some music playing softly on her stereo. She was still wearing her dress, but now her slip was showing a great deal of its lace hem. She was supporting herself on her elbows, her knees were slightly apart and her feet in the air, crossed at the ankles. She was the picture of teenaged beauty. The pose was classic. Sam walked in and said, "You look so cute like that."
"Like what?" Tina said, looking over her shoulder smiling.
Sam just stood there at the foot of the bed and stared at her. "Lying there like that. You look really cute."
Tina blushed and rolled onto her side. She patted the bed beside her. Sam closed the door and sat.
"Thanks," Tina said.
"For what?"
"Just, thanks."
"Well, just, you're welcome!" Sam giggled and started to tickle her. When Tina started to get loud she stopped.
"You're such a shit sometimes," Tina said, pouting.
"I'm sorry, Tee, but every time you start to get mushy, I…."
"I know, you're afraid to show how much you care."
"Hey, whatcha listnin' to?"
Tina smirked at the change in topic. "It's an old 'Billy Joel' album. It used to be my Dad's." Her favourite song on the album came on, Just the Way You Are, and she started to sing along with the music. It seemed appropriate somehow.
Don't go changin' to try and please me.
You've never let me down before.
Mmm hmm hmm hmm hmm,
I don't imagine you're too familiar,
And I don't see you anymore.
I would not leave you in times of trouble,
We never could have come this far.
Mmm hmm hmm hmm hmm,
I took the good times, I'll take the bad times,
I'll take you just the way you are.
Sam picked up the next verse, startling Tina. She smiled broadly at this as she sang it.
Don't go tryin' soft new fashions,
Don't change the color of your hair.
Mmm hmm hmm hmm hmm,
You always have my unspoken passion,
Although I might not seem to care.
I don't want clever conversation,
I never want to work that hard.
Mmm hmm hmm hmm hmm,
I just want someone that I can talk to,
I want you just the way you are…
Tina joined Sam and sang the next one in perfect harmony, sometimes above and sometimes below the melody line.
I need to know that you will al-ways be,
The same old someone that I knew.
What will it take till you believe in me,
The way that I believe in you …
Sam faded out after this. It looked like she'd forgotten the words. Tina continued it.
I said I love you, that's forever,
And this I promise from the heart.
Mmm hmm hmm hmm hmm,
I couldn't love you any better,
I love you just the way you are. All right!
At the sax solo Sam started to cry. They held on to each other and listened to the rest of the song.
I don't want clever conversation,
I never want to work that hard.
Mmm hmm hmm hmm hmm,
I just want someone that I can talk to,
I want you just the way you are…
Using a remote, Tina turned the stereo off at the end of the song. Sam looked at her quizzically. "I didn't want to spoil the mood," Tina said quietly.
"Oh."
"Feel better?"
"Yeah."
"I always do after I listen to some of Dad's old records. It makes me feel, I don't know, closer to him somehow.
"There's something to be said for the old stuff, I guess. I mean…" Sam trailed off, unable to say what she felt.
"Hush, don't talk, kiss me." And Tina pulled Sam down on top of her, planting her lips over Sam's.
****************************
Continued in Part-28
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