Chapter 4: A/N- Just curious if readers are still enjoying the story. Lets go to the Science Centre!
"Let the adventure, begin" Tamsin said locking the door behind them.
Tamsin boosted Ava up into her truck and made sure she was securely buckled in before closing the door and climbing into the drivers seat.
"Will the weather be nice enough tomorrow to go to the zoo?" Ava asked as they backed out of the parking lot.
"It should be. Is that what you want to do tomorrow?" Tamsin asked.
"Yes. Bo, Tamsin says you have a friend who's your side…something."
"Sidekick?" Bo asked turning to face Ava.
"Yea, that's it. What's her name again? Tamisn told me, but I don't remember."
"Her name is Kenzi, why do you ask?"
"She can come to the Zoo tomorrow too. I don't like it when people are left out of things" Ava said turning her attention to look out the window.
Bo turned back round to face the front and then looked at Tamsin. "Tamsin, what do you think? Where do you stand on this?"
"I guess if Kenzi wants to come with us tomorrow to the Zoo, she's welcome too. But first I think we should invite Kenzi to the Dal tonight to meet Ava and then the four of us can have dinner" Tamsin said as they drove along to the science centre. She glanced in the rearview mirror and found Ava still looking out the window.
"You ok back there Ava?" Tamsin asked.
"Yeah" Ava said quietly, as she continued looking out the window. Tamsin and Bo shared a quick worried glance, and decided not to press the issue any further at that moment.
"Do you have practice at all this weekend?" Tamsin asked.
"Sunday 9-1, but since mom isn't here, she said it would be ok if I skipped"
"Well, if you want to go, Bo and I can take you" Tamsin offered.
"Maybe" Ava replied as she continued looking out the window.
This sudden change in personality in Ava had both Tamsin and Bo worried. Before, when they had woken up, Ava was smiling and happy. But now, she seemed distant and sad.
"Hey Ava, are you upset we didn't invite Kenzi to come with us?" Bo asked after having contemplated Ava's earlier remark about not wanting anyone to be left out.
"A little"
"Awe, Hon. Don't worry. The Science Centre isn't really Kenzi's thing. Plus, she wasn't even home when I went home. Kenzi had left me a note saying she was visiting a relative, and that she'd be back this afternoon. So Kenzi wasn't even there when I was home"
"She wasn't?"
"Nope, but I'll tell you what. I'll text her and tell her to meet us at the Dal tonight for dinner. Sound good?"
"Yes!" Ava said smiling.
"Ok, and then when Kenzi comes and you've met her, you can invite her to the zoo if you want"
"I like that plan" Ava said as Bo texted Kenzi.
'Kenz, dinner n drinks the Dal. Tonite 6' Bo texted Kenzi. Just as they pulled into the parking lot Bo's phone buzzed.
'BOBO! Sounds good. Will blondie b there?'
'Yes. Behave. B nice. Another guest will b there 2. Can't say who'
'Interesting. K. I'll behave' Kenzi texted back as they got out of the truck.
"Kenzi is in for dinner at the Dal at 6pm" Bo said as she and Tamsin each took hold of one of Ava's hands.
"Ok, I was thinking, maybe we should get takeout from the Dal and eat at your place. I just don't want everyone looking at us when Kenzi finds out." Tamsin said
"Fair enough, let me text her back" Bo said as she texted the change of plans to Kenzi.
'Kenz, change of plans. Let me know what you want from the Dal, we r doin take out and eating at the shack' Bo hit send and stuck her phone in her pocket. Not more then 30 seconds later, Bo's phone vibrated she pulled it out and read Kenzi's reply.
'I'll let u know. Back around 4, must be big if we r changing locations'.
"Ok, Kenzi will be back around 4 and she'll let me her order then" Bo said to Tamsin as she put her phone back in her pocket.
"Thanks for that"
"Don't worry about it. Now, lets go explore the science centre" Bo said as she held Ava's hand again as they entered. The trio paid their admission and picked up a map.
"Ok monkey. Where to first?" Tamsin asked.
"The start duh!" Ava exclaimed excitedly.
"Do you want to start on the bottom level and work up?" Bo asked looking at the map. She had no idea this suggestion would make Ava go squirrely.
"Ok, Ava, relax. Bo didn't know." Tamsin said trying to calm Ava down. "Go grab a drink" she added pointing to the fountains. Ava dashed over to the water fountains.
"What did I do?" Bo asked concernedly.
"I forgot to mention that Ava has a little OCD and so starting on the lowest level and working up, goes against her order of how things get done." Tamsin said as Ava came over.
"I'm sorry Ava. Do you want to start with this hall and move this way?" Bo asked showing Ava the map to Ava.
"Yes please."
"Ok, we cool?" Bo asked. Ava nodded and hugged Bo.
The first exhibit they saw was the visiting exhibit, which was on GPS technology. As the trio went through the exhibit they solved clues and received coordinates. At the end of the exhibit they plugged in their coordinate and found themselves in Morocco. They then proceeded through the different halls in an orderly fashion.
They spent the most time in the Living Earth exhibit hall. Ava particularly enjoyed the mini rainforest and the waterfall within the forest. Both women noticed how calm Ava was in the mini rainforest.
"Is this typical behavior?" Bo asked, as she grew concerned something was wrong.
"I'm not sure. I mean, I know she likes fountains and stuff, she finds them calming" Tamsin said as they stood and watched Ava on the bridge by the waterfall.
"I know I just met Ava, but do you get the feeling something is going on?" Bo asked.
"Yeah I do"
"Maybe Kenzi can get her to talk, Kenz is good at stuff like that"
"It's worth a shot"
"Plus, maybe we can convince Kenz to take Ava for ice cream, because I'm getting peckish"
"I see, well what if I want ice cream?" Tamsin asked raising her eyebrows.
"We'll get them to bring some back"
"I like that plan. A lot" Tamsin said as they followed Ava over to the dart frog display.
"Hey. This frog is blue and black" Ava said in disbelief.
"Yea, and this one is yellow and black and this one is green and black. So what?" Tamsin asked pointing to the other frogs.
"I thought all frogs were just green" Ava said kind of confused. Tamsin was also confused by this statement.
"Bo, you want to weigh in on the frog colour debate?" Tamsin asked, looking at Bo for some help.
"Ava. This green frog. He wouldn't happen to walk on two legs, and sometimes wear a trench coat and be called Kermit. Would he?" Bo asked gently.
"Yea he would!" Ava exclaimed.
"Ok, well, Kermit is a special frog, and just like people, or crayons, there are a lot of different kinds. Each one is special and unique in their own way." Bo said before crouching down to Ava's level and continuing.
"Each frog, or crayon or person, is awesome just the way they are. Everyone's differences are what make them special. For example, Tamsin is different from me by having experience as a mom, and I know she doesn't like this word, grandma. I'm different from both of you in that I was adopted. And you, you are awesome and special because you are you. You are the Avaest Ava we know, and that's awesome." Bo said as Ava flung her arms around Bo's neck and began crying. Bo looked at Tamsin and they left the rainforest with Bo carrying Ava. They found a bench just outside the rainforest and sat down.
"Ok hon, what's going on?" Tamsin asked softly with her hand on Ava's back.
"Nobody likes me. My friends at school all stopped playing with me at recess, and they don't eat lunch with me anymore. And the older girls in my group at the gym don't talk to me and are mean" Ava said with tears running down her face. Bo slid Ava off her lap and onto the bench.
"I'm going to get some Kleenex or toilet paper" Bo said standing up. Tamsin looked at Bo with pleading eyes silently saying 'don't leave me with a crying kid'. Bo gave Tamsin a small smile before heading off on her search.
"Why are the girls in your group mean?" Tamsin asked sighing and looking at Ava.
"They keep calling me baby, and pipsqueak because I'm little and they are all older then me."
"How old are they?"
"They're 9"
"And it's level 3?"
"Yeah, there is no one my age in level 3" Ava said sniffing.
"I see. Well there has to be a way for you to train with girls your own age. Have you told your mom?"
"No" Ava said quietly as she looked at the ground.
"Here sweetie" Bo said handing Ava some toilet paper.
"Do you want me to talk to your mom or your coach?" Tamsin asked.
"Yes please"
"Consider it done. Now as for your 'friends' I think both Bo and I can relate to losing friends that you thought were your friends"
"She's right" Bo said sitting back down.
"I used to have a really good best friend. But when I found out I was pregnant with your mom, she stopped talking to me, stopped hanging out with me, she even stopped wishing me a happy birthday. She ditched me when I needed her the most" Tamsin said, realizing that she never shared that with anyone before.
"What did you do?" Ava asked sniffling some more.
"Well, I made a new friend and I put all my efforts and energy into getting ready for your mom and being the best mom I could be" Tamsin said as she put an arm around Ava and pulled her into her side. Ava wrapped her arms around Tamsin's waist.
"My friends also ditched me in high school. Somewhere in the summer between 9th and 10th grade we stopped being friends. My mom also changed when I was in grade 12. She started saying some pretty not nice things to me. After that I left, and was always moving, until I met Kenzi. She and I became best friends right away, and made a deal to look out for each other. In fact, Kenzi came back with me, to my hometown about two years ago to see my mom and clear the air."
"Are you talking to your mom?" Ava asked
"Yeah, we talked about a lot of things, and worked some of our issues out for sure."
"See, we've all been there. The important thing is to just try to make new friends. Because, if they were really your friends to start with they wouldn't have ditched you in the first place." Tamsin said as Ava dried her eyes.
"And if my friends had never ditched me, then I wouldn't have met Kenzi, or Tamsin. And if I hadn't met Tamsin, then I wouldn't have met you, and you are awesome" Bo said looking at Ava and smiling.
"Remember Ava, you are never alone. You have me, your mom, Bo, and after dinner, I'm pretty sure you'll have a Kenzi too. Four people who love and adore you more then you will ever know" Tamsin said giving Ava a hug and resting her chin on Ava's head and looking at Bo. Bo's stomach chose that moment to growl. Ava laughed.
"Is someone hungry?" Tamsin asked sarcastically, knowing damn well how hungry Bo was.
"Kinda" Bo said looking at Tamsin, her eyes flashing blue before returning to their brown colour.
"Alright, Ava. Go grab another drink from the fountain over there and then we'll go grab a snack." Tamsin said pointing to the fountains.
"Ok" Ava said as she went and got a drink.
"You handled that well" Bo said sliding over to the blond and resting her head on her shoulder.
"You think so?" Tamsin asked as she laced her fingers with Bo's.
"Absolutely. You listened to Ava and gave her some pretty good advice. Most of all, you were honest with her. It was very caring and maternal of you" Bo said, knowing the last part of her sentence would make Tamsin squirm.
"Ok, enough of this. Ready Ava?" Tamsin asked changing to topic as Ava came over. "Yeah"
"Let's go find a snack then" Tamsin said, as she and Bo each took hold of Ava's hands. Tamsin looked over at Bo and couldn't help but smile.
'Bo would make a great mom. Holy crap. This morning that thought freaked you out, now you're ok with it? Get your shit together Tamsin' she thought looking at Bo.
Bo saw Tamsin looking at her, and mouthed 'I love you' as she smiled at the Blond. They made their way to the café for a snack.
"Ava, guess what?" Tamsin asked as they sat with their snacks at a table in the busy café.
"What?" Ava asked looking up from her food.
"The town where Bo grew up has a cherry festival every year, and Bo won the title of Miss Cherry Blossom what, three years in a row?" Tamsin asked Bo.
"You, three straight years."
"I like cherries, can we go?" Ava asked looking at the two women across from her.
"It's not cherry season yet, but I'll talk to your mom about taking you in July" Tamsin said.
"Ok. Do you think Kenzi will like me?"
"For sure! In fact I told Tamsin yesterday that I though you were a sweet kid. So I definitely think Kenzi will like you. And hey, how many people can say they have a Kenzi?" Bo said smiling.
Ava smiled back. Bo was right. She had a Bo, a Tamsin and soon a Kenzi. Bo was looking at the map with Tamsin and noticed there was an electricity demo in 20 minutes.
"Hey Ava, do you want to go to the electricity demo and make your hair stand up?" Bo asked.
"Ok" Ava said as the three of them stood up and threw out their trash.
"But, I have to pee…bad" she added.
"Ok monkey, first bathroom we see we'll stop" Tamsin said as they headed in search of a bathroom.
After their pit stop they found seats at the demo with five minutes before it started. While they watched the demo, Tamsin took Ava's braids out so she could go and touch the Vander graph machine and make her hair stand up. Ava was having second thoughts about making her hair stand up, so Tamsin went up with her and they both had their hair stand on end. Bo took a couple photos with her phone and a couple with Tamsin's phone and smiled at the pair. When they stepped off the stage, Tamsin's hair was still very staticy.
"You're hair is still kind of staticy. C'mere." Bo said as she tried to reduce the static in Tamsin's hair. Ava giggled at Bo's attempt.
"What are you giggling about?" Tamsin asked.
"You guys look like monkeys. Bo is grooming you" Ava said laughing. Both women blushed.
Bo stopped her efforts and said, "should we continue and see what's next?"
"Good idea" Tamsin said as they continued exploring the science centre.
By 3pm they had seen everything there was to see and were exhausted so they decided to head back to Tamsin's. Tamsin buckled Ava into the truck and they headed home.
A/N: Sorry for the mushy, sad bit with Ava, but that's just how things worked out. Also, sorry for Tamsin's softer side. Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter.