~* The 'A's Have It *~

“Robin said she’s never been to a tea party. I think we should have one this afternoon.”

This chapter is dedicated to my dear friend Piper, who's going through some rough stuff. The Robinverse wouldn't be what it is without you, sweetie. :-)

“Mew!” Sunny, my ginger tabby kitten squealed happily as I darted the fuzzy cat toy around in front of him, letting him practice his hunting skills on something other than my toes for a change. I giggled as I batted his little paws playfully, causing him to jump back and take another swing at it before pouncing it, just as someone knocked at the door.

I was expecting Andrea some time that day, but I didn’t know exactly when. I scooped up Sunny in my arms and gave him a playful nuzzle before carrying him to the door with me.

“CUTE!” Andrea squealed as I opened the door.

“Isn’t he?” I answered, hugging her with one arm.

“The pictures just didn’t do him justice,” she answered cheerfully, scratching his ears. “God it’s great to see you again. I wanted to do this sooner, to you know, make up for what happened before-” she tried to apologize, but I shook my head and hugged her again.

“You were hurting, and scared. I’ll be honest - you were the last person I ever expected to see again. I’m glad you came though. Come on inside. I was just getting Sunny his morning exercise.”

Andrea smiled wryly as she picked up her suitcase and followed me inside, setting it by the door as we walked into the living room.

“It’s great to hear you say that. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about that day, and what a stupid decision it was to run away - almost as stupid as...” she trailed off, holding up her arms. The scars were still visible, but much, much less pronounced now.

“I take it the procedure went well?” I asked, adding, “And can I get you something to drink? Tea, soda, juice?”

“Bottled water if you have it. And yeah, they said that I’ll always carry the scars. Medical science’s only come so far, but I can cover them up with good makeup for school stuff. I was going to get into cheer again, but I’m thinking about drama instead.” She paused to giggle. “I guess I’ve caused enough of it that I might as well, right?”

I laughed. I couldn’t believe this was the same girl I knew a year ago. I grabbed a couple of bottles of water, and returned to find Sunny had taken to batting at Andrea’s shoelaces now. She giggled as she watched him. “Everybody makes mistakes. I’m just glad you’ve come through it all okay. I knew there was a good person underneath all that insecurity.”

“I still have problems sometimes, but once I stopped trying to be the queen bee I started really having fun. I’m kind of becoming noticed around school again though. I swear I’m not trying to be popular again.”

“Sometimes it just happens. I sure as heck don’t want to be popular,” I replied, giggling a little. “It just kind of happened. As long as you’re just trying to have fun and get through high school with your GPA intact, you’ll be okay. Hey, what happened with that guy - you know, the...”

“Oh Gawd, him. Um, it didn’t last,” she answered, giggling. “Don’t get me wrong. He’s a nice guy, not like the human bulldozers I used to date, but... Erm, well...” She started blushing.

“He’s gay?” I asked, half-jokingly. She nodded, and I covered my mouth, causing her to laugh.

“It’s okay. There wasn’t really any spark there, and after he finally told me, it was like this huge weight was lifted off my shoulders because I knew it wasn’t something I’d done. We’re actually closer than ever now.”

Sunny clawed his way up the side of the sofa, hopping into Andrea’s lap and nestling down. She laughed and scratched his ears lightly, eliciting a contented purr.

“Just don’t take it as a sign. I was TG before I met you. I’ve known my whole life that I was really a girl, and I’m sure it’s the same with him - um, knowing he was different I mean, not the girl thing.”

She giggled. “Yeah, he’s got decent fashion sense, but I don’t think he’s really a girl. Speaking of which you mentioned in your last email that recovery was going really well. Have you gotten back into cheer yet?”

I nodded. “Practices twice a week, and I’m even doing aerial stunts again. Victoria’s mom is generously letting us use her backyard - and their full-size trampoline even though Victoria’s going to college this fall.”

“Wow, that’s epic. I guess that’s just the kind of place this is though.”

I giggled. “You have no idea. I just found out the other day that the med student who observed my surgery - the one I’ve been working with on follow-ups, is Margie’s cousin. But it finally solves the mystery why Margie moved here after college.”

“Oh wow. Talk about six degrees of separation,” Andrea giggled. “Next you’re going to tell me your next-door neighbor’s related to a pop star.”

“Well... Um, actually-”

“I know,” she answered with a laugh. “I’m just messing with you.”

Suddenly my phone rang, causing me to jump. I reached over to grab my purse, quickly retrieving it.

“Robin’s phone, Robin speaking.”

“Hi Robin,” Angela, my cheer coach, answered cheerfully.

“Oh hi Angela. What’s up?” I asked as Andrea busied herself playing with Sunny.

“I know this is really short notice, but is there any chance I could get you to watch Amanda for a few hours? Steve’s sister is in the hospital, and we’re going to go see her.”

“Oh no. Is everything okay?”

“Oh, she’s fine,” Angela answered happily, almost bubbily. “She’s having a baby, and her husband is deployed overseas for another week. He was supposed to be back before she went into labor, but the baby had other plans.”

“Oh, wow. Sure, I’ll come right over. Is it okay if I bring a friend from out of town?”

“I trust your judgment. Any friend of yours is welcome in our home,” she answered. “Steve’s gone on ahead, but I’ll meet you here. Thanks Robin. I owe you a big one.”

“Everything okay?” Andrea asked, glancing at me as I stood, putting my phone away.

“My cheer coach’s husband’s sister is going into labor, and they need an emergency babysitter for their daughter. Feel like coming with? Amanda’s really well-behaved.”

“Sure! As long as she’s not one of those little hellraisers - you know, the ones like I used to be when I was a kid.”

“Used to be?” I teased, causing her to laugh.

“Hey!” She stuck her tongue out as she carefully lifted my sleeping cat off her lap and set him down. “Will he be okay? Like, he won’t run out the door or something as soon as we try to leave? Because that didn’t go so well for my cat. He was okay thankfully, but it took a fire crew to get him out of that hole.”

“Yeah, he hates going outside for some reason so he’ll be fine until Margie gets back. Wait, fire crew?”

She giggled. “I never told you about that? He was just a kitten, maybe fourteen weeks old at the time...”

Since it was getting close to lunchtime anyway, I called in a pizza order while we waited at a traffic light. We had only just pulled into the driveway when the pizza delivery car rolled to a stop on the curb. I flagged down the driver and, after paying for the pizza plus a hefty tip for getting it there so quickly, headed for the door. I was just about to knock when the door opened, and Amanda’s eyes lit up.

“Pizza!” she giggled.

“Nice to see you too,” I teased, handing her the box. She giggled.

“Sorry. Mommy said we could have pizza if I asked you nicely, but I didn’t know you’d be bringing it!” she paused, looking up at Andrea just as Angela approached us, slinging her purse over her shoulder.

“Robin thank you so much. There’s some money pinned to the refrigerator for pizza, which I see you already took care of,” she added with a soft laugh. “I’ll pay you for your time when I get back since I’m not sure how long I’ll be. But either Steve or myself will try and alternate out so you won’t be here all night.”

“It’s okay. I love spending time with Amanda,” I insisted, and gave Angela a hug. “Besides, this is a family emergency. I couldn’t not help. My mom’s a nurse - and expecting, too. I completely understand.”

“I’ll call you and let you know what’s going on soon, either way.” She turned to Amanda and smiled. “You be good, sweetie.”

“Yes Mommy,” Amanda answered a little drawn-out and giggled, carrying the pizza box into the kitchen.

“Uh oh,” Andrea laughed.

“Nah. She’s a great kid,” I answered as we followed her. “Amanda this is my friend Andrea. She’s from San Francisco like me.”

Amanda paused with a slice of pizza just inches from her mouth, staring at us. “You guys are from San Francisco? That is SO cool! How come you never told me?”

I giggled a little. “I guess I thought you knew. I mean half the girl scout camp knew.”

She paused, wrinkling her forehead just a little. “Oh yeah! I guess I forgot.” She shrugged, and went back to her pizza slice, as Andrea and I sat down to join her.

“So um,” she trailed off. “I um,” she fumbled nervously.

Andrea smiled warmly. “What is it sweetie? I can step out of the room if it’s something you need to ask Robin.”

Amanda shook her head. “No it’s okay. It’s just there’s something I wanted to ask you the next time I saw you. Do you um, do you think tea parties are dumb?” she flinched, as if she expected me to laugh in her face. I shook my head.

“Heck no. I think tea parties are awesome. I never got to do that kind of thing when I was your age.”

Andrea frowned a little. “Did someone tell you they were?”

Amanda nodded sheepishly. “One of my friends said we’re too old for stuff like that.”

“I still have my old dolls,” Andrea replied. “Some of them are in a box, but a lot of them are on a shelf in my room back home. You’re … what, seven? You should enjoy being a kid while you can. I know I wish I had. You know what?” she added, grinning.

“What?” Amanda asked hesitantly.

“Robin said she’s never been to a tea party. I think we should have one this afternoon.”

Amanda’s eyes lit up. “Really?!”

“Absolutely. After lunch I’ll help you set everything up. How’s that sound?”

Amanda practically leapt from her chair to hug Andrea. It caught her a little by surprise, but she laughed and hugged Amanda back. She glanced at me, and the look on her face told me what I already knew: I wanted a little girl just like her, too.

A short while later, I found myself blindfolded and being led, carefully, up a flight of stairs to Amanda’s room. I knew this was just part of the ‘game’ for Amanda’s sake, but part of me felt really excited too. This was after all, my first tea party. I felt like a giddy little girl, and judging by Andrea and Amanda’s giggling on either side of me, I wasn’t alone.

“Okay, you can look now,” Andrea announced, removing my blindfold. I have to admit, I was impressed. A cute miniature tea set sat as the centerpiece to a small table with four chairs - one of which had a big white teddy bear in a pink tutu and oversized floppy hat. Each chair had a little saucer and cup. Amanda led me by the hand to the seat across from the stuffed bear.

“Ms. Robin, this is Mrs. Bear. Mrs. Bear, this is the bestest babysitter in the world, Robin!” she announced with a giggle.

“How do you do, Mrs. Bear?” I asked, giving a little curtsey. Andrea giggled under her breath as we sat down, and Amanda pretended to pour the tea. She picked up a small platter that I hadn’t noticed before, but instead of cookies or other sweets, she had filled it with celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins - ants on a log! She offered it to me, and then to Andrea, though Andrea seemed hesitant to actually try the concoction just yet.

“She says these were your idea?” Andrea asked. I giggled.

“Ants on a log. They’re really good, and easier to make than using apple slices,” I answered, taking a big bite to emphasize the point. Andrea hesitantly took a bite, her eyes widening.

“Oh wow. That is pretty good, especially with the raisins.”

“Told you!” Amanda giggled loudly.

Before long, there was little left of the green snacks. Mrs. Bear hardly touched hers, but Amanda was happy to take care of the leftovers in short order.

As we stood, I bowed graciously. “Well, Ms. Greer, thank you for a lovely tea party.”

She giggled and hugged me. “Thank you Robin - and thank you Andrea for helping me!”

“You’re welcome sweetie,” Andrea answered with a soft grin. “So, what’s next?”

“Can we watch a movie?” she asked. “The Little Mermaid?”

“Sure. I haven’t watched in awhile,” I answered, causing her to giggle again as she gave a delighted cheer, bounding out the door.

Andrea shook her head and giggled. “She is sooo cute.”

“Now you know why I said yes without even thinking to ask you first. Amanda is a doll, and her mom is the second-coolest adult I know. But when you consider that I know a couple of rockstars...” I trailed off, giggling as we headed downstairs after Amanda, and before long the three of us sat nestled on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn between us.

The movie had only just ended when the front door opened and Angela stepped inside.

“Mommy!” Amanda cheered as she leapt from the sofa and raced over. “Andrea helped me throw an amazing tea party!”

“She did, did she?” Angela asked, sounding a little surprised, but extremely enthusiastic. “That’s wonderful honey!”

“How’s your sister-in-law?” I asked as I stood to hug Angela.

“You won’t believe what happened,” she answered. “Steve’s still there, but so is her husband. He managed to get his leave moved up, and he was planning to surprise her. I can only imagine the look on his face when I told him over the phone why the house was empty.”

“Wow. So do you need me to watch Amanda a little longer?”

“Nah, it’s okay now. Thanks so much girls.” She added in a whisper, “And thanks for lifting her spirits. She was pretty upset about what her friends had said.”

Andrea frowned a little. “Let’s just say I know what peer pressure’s like from both ends. And her friends are really missing out because I had a lot of fun today.”

“I did too,” I added, grinning, and shook my head when Angela tried to pay me. “I told you already, you don’t have to pay me. I enjoyed it.”

Angela sighed. “What am I going to do with you?” She smiled and hugged me, and then Andrea. “Thank you both again.”

“It’s no problem, really. I’ll see you at the next cheer practice,” I replied.

Andrea smiled happily as we hopped in my car. “So, now what?” she asked. I giggled.

“Ally’s probably home from the gun range by now if you want to go hang out?”

“Sounds cool - wait, gun range?”

I giggled. “It’s... another long story. I’ll tell you on the way.”