I own nothing but Robyn and her parents. (They are still married by the way. Just want to make that very clear. She left, but they never divorced and neither got remarried.)

Chapter 10: Fast Paced Change

The woman-my Mom-talked almost nonstop as she wrapped her arm in mine and walked me home with Dad following right behind. I wasn't even listening to my new-found Mom as she babbled on and on.

There were two things on my mind that blocked her chatter. First, here was the woman who had left me and Dad all alone when I was just three. She had never called, never wrote, never visited. She just dropped from the face of the earth. And here she was, back again.

The other thing I couldn't keep from my mind was the knowledge that the guys now knew my secret. I remembered the looks of anger, shock, and betrayal on their faces after that one last glance and I felt tears start to form, but I refused to cry. I knew that my life as I knew it here was over. I knew I would never see my brothers again.

Finally we reached my house. My mom apparently already had been here, for she turned without me saying anything and walked right in, not letting my arm go. She led me into the living room and pulled me down beside her on the couch. I didn't know what to do, so I just sat there as Dad sat on the chair across from us. I looked over at him, but he just shook his head and mouthed "We'll talk later."

I felt my mom's hands wrap around my face gently and turn my head around toward her. She didn't say anything, just took my hat off and tossed it aside and held my face in her hands.

"You have grown so much, Elenore." she said quietly.

I winced as she used my first name. No one called me that. Even when I was little, Dad said Mom refused to call me by that name. Why would she now?

"I go by Robyn." I told her as I pried her hands off my face. "I always liked it better then Elenore."

"So did I." she laughed. "But your Dad insisted naming you after his mother."

"What are you doing here, Meredith?" Dad inturrupted. He didn't look happy at all.

Mom sighed. "I realized what a mistake I made in leaving you, Will." she explained sadly. "I missed my baby girl and you." She wrapped her arms around me and drew me into a hug. I kept my arms to myself and stiffened, not use to being hugged, especially by a woman I barely knew.

"Why did you leave?" I asked.

I felt her stiffen slightly before relaxing and sighing.

"I was young and foolish." she answered. "I thought I could make a name for myself elsewhere. When your dad wouldn't come, I just left. I hated to leave, but I was stupid. I can't take it back, but I'm here now."

She hugged me tighter and I awkwardly patted her arm.

"How did you find us?" Dad asked.

"I asked around. Your old employer told me I'd find you here." Mom answered. Then she turned to me and asked. "So what's with the clothes? Why were you at that old field? Which one of those boys is your boyfriend?"

"None of them!" I exclaimed, surprised that this woman who didn't even know me was already having 'girl talk' with me. And with Dad right there! "They're my friends! They didn't even know I was a girl until a little bit ago!"

"I'll just leave you two alone." Dad stood up and started walking out. "You have a lot to catch up on."

I looked at him, begging him wordlessly not to leave me alone. He left the room though, leaving me with the mother I hardly knew. I looked back at her and she just smiled and took my face in her hands again.

"I have missed you so much, baby girl." she smiled. I found myself smiling back. She pulled me into another hug and this time I returned it. "Why don't you go shower and then we'll spend time getting to know each other.

"All right." I nodded. Then smiled and added, "It's nice to have you back, Mom."

"It's good to be back, baby girl." She smiled and I left the room to take a shower.

That night, Mom and I sat in the living room talking and laughing until late at night. It took me a little while, but I gradually grew comfortable around my Mom and talked more freely. Dad didn't talk with us. After supper, he went to his room and stayed there. I guess having his wife back after ten years was just to much for him to handle easily.

"So what have you been doing for the past ten years, Mom?" I asked her.

"New York, Chicago, Hollywood, even Paris!" Mom replied dreamily. "I did a lot of traveling. Nothing like a big city you know."

I disagreed. I much prefered the woods and the farm and the open air of the country. But I wasn't going to say anything to disagree with her. I didn't want her leaving again. Dad was great-the best dad anyone could wish for-but he wasn't the same as a mom. I grew up without her and now that I had her back, I didn't want to lose her. Even if she was the complete opposite of me.

"But there's nothing like home, I've realized." Mom smiled and hugged me yet again. She enjoyed hugs I learned. "And home is where ever my Baby Girl is."

I hugged her back. I was getting use to this. Although I don't think I will ever get use to being called "baby girl."

"So what's with the boys clothes?" Mom asked, letting me go.

I shrugged.

"They're comfortable." I explained. "I'm not one for dresses or skirts."

Mom frowned, but didn't say anything about it.

"What was it you meant earlier when you said that those boys didn't know you were a girl?" She asked, a serious look on her face.

"I've been masquerading as a boy for the past month." I explained, fidgiting a little.

"What on earth for?" Shock and disbelief filled her voice.

I squirmed in my seat. I hadn't ever told anyone exactly why I went incognito, not even Dad.

"I don't like being a girl." I explained slowly, trying to find the words. "I don't like girly stuff. I like baseball and wrestling and the outdoors. Girls don't understand me and want nothing to do with me. Guys won't have anything to do with me since I'm not a normal girl. I was bullied back in Texas for being the way I am. So when we moved, I figured I would start fresh and live the way that it would be the best for me. So I pretended to be a boy. I haven't been figured out all month. Until today."

Mom just looked at me like I was crazy. I felt my heart drop a little. I had been hoping she would understand. I wasn't ready for what she said next.

"That's just your hormones, sweetie." she said with a giggle.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"You're just starting to mature." She explained, still giggling. "You're turning into a teenager and your hormones are going crazy. This is just a..." she paused as if searching for the right word. "...a temporary stage of identity problems."

I just looked at her, my mouth open. I had absolutly nothing to say to that. How could wanting to be a boy being a "temporary stage of identity problems" when I had been this way since I was at least seven! Mom took my silence as acceptance.

"Don't worry, baby girl." she hugged me tight, and I reluctantly hugged her back. "I'll help you get through this stage. Tomorrow, we'll go shopping and have a girl's day. We can get to know each other better."

My eyes widened. I absolutly hated shopping! But here was the woman I had wanted my whole life to meet. I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could to make up for all the lost years.

"I have school though." I prayed that this would deter her.

"I'm sure missing one day won't hurt you." she smiled.

I simply nodded and dropped my shoulders. I hoped doing the one thing I absolutly hated would be worth it. Looking up at my Mom, I suddenly wasn't so sure.