Chapter 13

Half an hour had passed since Lee had taken her leave from the surprise birthday party her loved ones decided to give her. Her sisters and the rest of the Rethink Avenue cul-de-sac kids were currently listening to Rod's lecture on fire safety, seated on lawn chairs in the Kankers backyard. Bored out of his skull, Eddy spoke to Double Dee, who was seated next to him.

"Man, I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows!" Eddy complained. "I hope Lee wasn't too pissed about the party. She's been in the bathroom a long time!"

"Eddy," Double Dee answered his friend, "while you know I was against going behind Lee's back from the beginning, I must say your heart was in the right place with regards to keeping your girlfriend happy. You've matured quite a bit since you and Lee became an item. You've definitely moved up a rung on Lawrence Kohlberg's Six Stages of Moral Development!"

"Thanks, Mop Top!" a grateful Eddy replied. "Lee is the most important person in the world to me, and I wanna hold on to her!"

"I feel the same way about Marie, Eddy. And Ed feels the same about May! We have all managed to find true love," said Double Dee.

Meanwhile, Lee had exited her room and was currently in Tabby's ballet studio. After calling Dr. Sheehan (and taking her anti-anxiety medication) Lee had decided to do some dancing before going back to the party. Consequently, the beautiful ginger was dressed in her ballet garb: a black leotard, gray tights and black pointe shoes. Her red curls were in a bun. Although the voices in her head had subsided, Lee was still feeling quite emotional.

On the walls of the studio were plastered several posters of famous ballet dancers: Anna Pavlova, Rudolf Nureyev, Mikhail Baryshnikov and others. But Lee's favorite picture was front and center: a framed photo of her and Eddy, taken after the couple had won first place in Peach Creek High School's Christmas pageant. Eddy and Lee were holding the trophy, grinning from ear to ear.

Unfortunately, seeing this picture caused the flood of emotions within Lee to come out again. The beautiful girl sank to the hardwood floor, sobbing.

"Annalee?" a voice came from behind the door.

Lee immediately arose, furiously wiping away her tears.

"C-c-come in," Lee replied pitifully.

The door opened, after which Tabby entered the room. She was currently wearing a black leotard, black tights and red ballet flats (similar to shoes she had found in the abandoned house; these new ones, along with the studio, were an early Christmas present from Rod, after which Tabby had smothered her husband in kisses).

"Annalee," Tabby repeated, putting her hand on Lee's shoulder, "what's wrong?" Tabby's voice was remarkably similar to Lee's, only more gravelly due to years of smoking. However, the heavyset woman's voice was warm and filled with concern upon seeing her daughter in such a distressing state.

Lee faced her mother with puffy eyes, her mascara smeared all over her face. It was obvious that Lee had been crying.

"Oh Mom," Lee wailed. "Everything's just happening so fast. I'm sixteen, but I had to grow up so fast!"

"Annalee," Tabby said as she hugged her daughter. "I'll tell you what, why don't we dance and talk for a bit. Then when you're ready, you can come back to the party."

"OK," Lee sniffled.

Mother and daughter spent some time dancing and performing various ballet poses and maneuvers. During a cigarette break for Tabby, the two began their discussion.

"Y'know, it's funny," Tabby said with a little chuckle, "I never a sweet 16 party. Mom Mom and Poppy wanted to doll me up and have a prissy little party for me, but I thought I was too cool! Aunt Katie offered to make one of her disgusting recipes, and Aunt Tiffany offered to do my hair and makeup."

Tabby developed a wistful tone as she continued.

"Little did I know that they all would pass away in a few years," Tabby remarked sadly, a small tear forming in her eye. "I wish I could go back in time just to spend time with them all again."

Tabby quickly regained her composure.

"Annalee, I'm not trying to force you to have a party. As we told you, this was more for us to tell you how much we love you. I especially appreciate everything you've done for our family. This isn't so much a birthday party, as it is an "Annalee Kanker Appreciation Party!"

Lee's jaw was set in determination. After a minute or so, she spoke.

"Alright, Mom, ya got me," Lee replied grudgingly. "It'd be a shame to keep everyone waiting, especially since ya'll went to so much trouble! Ya think the kids are still here?"

"Oh don't worry," Tabby replied. "I had Daddy give one of his fire safety demonstrations."

"Uh-oh," Lee laughed. "I better get out there quick. The kids have probably fallen asleep!" Mother and daughter shared a laugh at Lee's statement.

"Just do me a favor," Lee asked her mother. "Could you send May, Marie and Lindsay? I need their help with something!"

"Sure thing, Reds!" Tabby replied. "Just let me change back into my regular clothes!"

Lee stood waiting as Tabby made her exit out of the studio.