Chapter 4

The group began arriving for lunch and Stephanie greeted each of them. Trixie and Stingy came together, which wasn't a surprise as they were practically joined at the hip since high school. Ziggy dropped by, grabbed a quick hello, and a sandwich and was off to find Sportacus. He was due for his afternoon lesson and then he would take over for the hero whilst he visited Stephanie. Pixel showed up alone which didn't surprise Stephanie until Bessie spoke up,

"Where is your other half Pixel?"

"She's running a little behind. Things got a little hairy at work today," he smiled. He then turned to Stephanie and said,

"Amanda apologizes for being late but she promises to bring a treat with her."

"I look forward to meeting her," Stephanie smiled.

"Why don't we all sit down and get started. I'm sure Amanda wouldn't mind," Milford said as he led everyone into the dining room.

"Good call, I'm starving," Stingy looked hungrily at the spread the Mayor and Bessie had put out. Hamburgers, hot dogs, cold cuts, potato salad, macaroni salad, and of course watermelon along with all the important trappings covered the table.

"Oh boy where to start?" Trixie looked at the feast before them.

"Don't be shy and dig in," Bessie smiled. It wasn't long before people were passing out food to one another and Pixel made sure to save some aside for his girlfriend.

"Knock, knock. Anybody here?" Pixel scooted from his seat and quickly went to help.

"I take it that's his girlfriend," there was something in Stephanie's tone that made Trixie raise her eyebrows.

"Jealous?" Her friend asked.

"No just…" she trailed off as the two entered the room.

"Hey everybody! Did you miss me?" The woman laughed as she placed a shopping bag on her chair. Stephanie gave her a once over and tried to make a decision about this new person in the group. She was shorter than Pixel by about six inches she figured and she wore her medium length brown hair in a barrette. She was dressed in navy slacks and a white button down top that had blue stripes.

"It is good to see you!" Bessie got up and gave her a hug as she reached the woman's seat.

"And you Bessie. I brought you a little something," she opened the bag and handed her a bottle of iced tea.

"You shouldn't have," the Mayor's assistant said.

"It's a special occasion. Besides all you have to do is add the vodka and then it'll be a party," Amanda smirked. Bessie only giggled and ran off to the kitchen while Pixel's girlfriend moved to the Mayor.

"A little something for you sir. I know how much you love these," she pulled out a six-pack of Shirley Temple's and handed them over.

"A guilty pleasure to be sure. Thank you," Milford smiled as he went for the ice pail behind him on the buffet.

"Trixmeister and Stingy, you're next," Amanda announced. Stephanie saw her friends look eagerly to the new girl and she apparently didn't disappoint.

"Sam Adams," Stingy started to drool as he took the six-pack.

"Always a good decision," Trixie smirked and high-fived Amanda.

"Especially when it's already cold. I know it is something you two enjoy so I hope you can manage to swipe some from Stingy," she smiled.

"Oh he'll have to be stealing it from me," Trixie winked and immediately set about prying his hands off it. Stephanie didn't realize the two of them enjoyed a beer so much of course she wasn't one to shy away from a drink now and again either.

"Now for the pleasure of meeting the young lady I've heard so much about," Amanda turned to the pink haired one and smiled.

"Nice to meet you," Stephanie stuck out her hand expecting to just get a handshake instead she got a hug.

"You and I have some catching up to do but in the meantime, your Uncle suggested this," the woman said as she pulled out of the hug and went into the bag. She pulled out pink lemonade. She handed the six-pack over and gave her a wink. Stephanie checked the package and realized it was hard lemonade.

"Enjoy!" Amanda smiled and then returned to Pixel.

"And for us babe, a little something bottled not that long ago," she pulled out a three liter bottle of Pepsi.

"Oooohhh the good stuff and you wonder why I love you," he smirked as he took the bottle and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

"Anything you for you, you know that," she gave him a wink and the group settled back into their seats and their meal.

About thirty minutes later while things were wrapping up and the food supplies dwindled, the front door was flung open and Ziggy shouted to the group. They all immediately left the table to see what was the matter.

"I found him like this," was all Ziggy kept repeating.

"Who did you find?" Trixie asked.

"Sportacus," Ziggy replied. The group looked all around and could not see what he was talking about until he pointed to his hat. He lifted it up and there stood Sportacus on top of his head approximately four and a half inches tall. When Stephanie saw what had happened she passed out.

"Call a doctor!" Milford shouted.

To Be Continued…