Chapter 7: Unexpected Encounter
Mimi stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. She took her wet hair and twisted another towel around it high on her head. Her mind drifted to a couple of nights ago when Philip dried her hair. His actions had surprised her. His concern and attentiveness towards her was unexpected. Equally unexpected were the confusing feelings she had felt when he had touched her face ever so gently. He had made her shiver, but she wasn't sure if it was a welcome feeling or not. It wasn't that she didn't trust him or that she didn't feel safe with him. She did. It was just so unforeseen. They had always been friends. Could there be a chance for something more?
Mimi finished drying herself off and put on a robe . She entered her room and closed the door. Why was she thinking of Philip this way she mused as she removed the towel and started to comb her damp hair. Just about every girl at school thought he was hot, but his close friends knew there was even more to him. He didn't only excel in just about every sport. He was kind. He wasn't just rich. He could be incredibly generous to people he truly cared about. Look at the way he treated Chloe for so long. He had treasured her, protected her, complimented her and he had loved her. When they were out together, it was so obvious that for HIM no other girl existed. As for Chloe's feelings, Mimi had her doubts.
She finished combing her hair and went to her closet and dresser to get some things out to wear. Then she started to get dressed as she thought about her misgivings she had always had about Chloe. Mimi knew her actions at The Last Blast Dance were wrong, but her new outlook on life had not made her change her feelings about Chloe. She still did not feel entirely comfortable around her and she still had issues with her treatment of some of her friends, including Philip. Mimi wondered if Chloe's feelings for Philip were ever as strong as his were for her.
Now changed into a pair of light blue denim capris and a baby blue sixties design tee shirt Mimi reached under her bed for a pair of sneakers. She put them on as she wondered why Philip and Chloe's relationship had always bothered her. Did it have to do with her feelings about Chloe or was it more about Philip? He could be so smug at times, but he also could be incredibly sweet. Mimi shook her head at her thoughts. They may be friends, but Philip was completely out of her league. It was just a fact. He went for goddesses like Chloe. Even Mimi had to admit that once Chloe got rid of her gothic look she turned into the kind of girl that made guys take a second look. Mimi just didn't have that in her. Okay, no more putting yourself down, she told herself sternly. You may not be drop dead gorgeous. But that doesn't mean that there's not a guy out there for you.
Mimi went over to her window and opened the blinds letting the early morning sunshine into her room. It was going to be one of those last warm days before autumn fully settled in. She started to blow dry her auburn colored hair, her thoughts once again turning to Philip. Enough of this. She thought. He's still hung up on Chloe even if he doesn't want to admit it or face the truth. Besides things would get too complicated. It might even ruin their friendship and that was something she definitely did not want to have happen.
Mimi put down the drier and started to French braid her hair. She was going to the park today with her little brother, Connor. Her mother had asked her to take him and she somewhat reluctantly agreed. Spending her Saturday at the park with her little brother was not what she thought of as a great time. It wasn't that she didn't like spending time with him. She did. It was just that...it was Saturday! Before, she used to spend her Saturdays with Belle, but now that she was going out with Shawn...Mimi missed going out with her- going shopping and gossiping about all the latest news. She was happy for her and Shawn, but she wished things didn't have to change so much. It also meant that Shawn was taken now for good. To Mimi, he was the perfect guy and way down she had always hoped...
Oh well, as long as he was with Belle she would be happy for both of them.
Mimi went to open her bedroom door and called out to her little brother. "Connor, let's go!"
***
Philip walked down the street with his nephew Will in tow. He had gone to go see his brother Austin that morning and Sami came over. She wanted to talk to Austin. Philip noticing that their talk seemed serious offered to take Will with him for the day. They thanked him and now Philip and Will were on their way. They were wearing shorts, Philip's khaki and Will's blue denim, and T-shirts, Philip's beige and Will's green, and sneakers.
The sun was shining and the sky above was a deep blue with not a cloud in sight. Philip loved days like this and he realized this was probably one of the last times for a while he would experience such a day. The week's previous weather had proved that. Fall was here. He was a little surprised to realize that he was looking forward to spending the day with Will. He used to spend hardly any time with him, but things had changed. He found himself feeling closer to his family and spending time with Will made him feel a little closer to Lucas who was recovering from severe burn injuries in a hospital far away from home. He missed him sometimes, though they had never been that close. He wanted to reconcile that fact now.
Philip glanced over at Will and smiled at him. Will smiled back. They turned the corner and Philip felt a sense of deja vue as he ran into someone he had been running into a lot lately.
"Mimi, we have to stop meeting like this." Philip laughed softly at the unexpected encounter and grinned at Mimi.
Mimi was shocked. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would see Philip today. After she had been thinking about him too. Would wonders ever cease? He looked pretty good actually and that smile...Who was the little boy? Wait wasn't that his nephew? "Believe me Philip this wasn't planned." Mimi responded, a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
Philip laughed again, this time fully. She could be so amusing at times and she looked cute with her hair that way. Her hair...He remembered drying it...touching her face...how soft it felt... Thought overload again! She did look cute though. Nice outfit. "Oh, that hurts. You mean, you're not happy to see me?" He pouted.
Mimi fought hard to keep from busting out laughing. That face! "Sorry to burst your bubble Philip, but I was on my way to the park with Connor." She glanced over at her little brother, enjoying the conversation. She liked joking with Philip.
"Hey Connor. How's it going?" Philip smiled at Connor warmly and put his hands on his nephew's shoulders. "This is my nephew, Will. Will, this is Connor and his sister Mimi. Mimi, I'm not sure. Have you ever met Will?"
"No, not really. "Hi Will."
"Hi." Will responded quietly.
"He's kind of shy." Philip responded to Mimi in a whisper.
"That's okay. Connor can be that way too." Mimi whispered back. They all finished exchanging greetings and Mimi asked Philip what they were planning to do today.
"We're going to go to the new pee wee golf course/arcade. Hey why don't you guys come with us?" Philip asked enthusiastically. Well, this day was just shaping up nicely.
"I don't know Philip. We weren't really planning to go that far. I mean, we have to take the bus out there."
"Come on Mimi PLEASE?" Connor pleaded with his sister.
Philip grinned. Well, both Connor and Will might be shy but they obviously were getting along. They had started talking about a cartoon that was on Connor's shirt realizing it was both of their favorites. Now they both gave Mimi a pleading look. "PLEASE, Mimi?" Philip gave his own pleading look. Mimi looked a little skeptical. "Oh come on now. Look at their faces. How can you let them down? It'll be fun."
"Oh, all right. Just stop looking at me like that." Mimi relented nearly laughing at their pitiful faces.
"YEA!" Connor and Will responded unanimously.
"All right you guys, let's go!" And with that, Philip draped an arm casually around Mimi's shoulder as Will and Connor skipped down the street in front of them.
The Start of Something More
Chapter 8: Childs play
Philip, Mimi, Connor and Will arrived at the park and paid their admission. The foursome decided to play peewee golf first. It was done up in a medieval style including bridges, castles and fortresses as well as statues of knights. The park was pretty new, having just been built over the summer. Because of the pleasant weather and newness, the park was in full attendance. None of the foursome had ever been to the park. Will and Connor were especially excited. Mimi and Philip were pretty happy to be there too. It had been a while since either had been anywhere like this.
They picked out their golf clubs and golf balls and headed over to the first hole. It included a long turning path and a circular slope with the hole in the middle.
"Okay, Connor, you're up first buddy. Go on and hit right there in the center." Philip gave Connor a thumbs up sign.
"You can do it Connor." Mimi encouraged him.
"Go Connor." Will said with a touch of shyness.
Connor swung and the ball went right over the slope down onto the flat part. Next was Will. His ball came back to him so he had to hit it again with some directions from Philip. Mimi watched with a smile. After that came Mimi, who after a couple of bad swings Philip decided needed some of his expert help.
"Here, let me help you." Philip confidently offered as Connor and Will went to the other side and started swinging their ball around, knocking it into each other's. It looked like they would never get it into the hole. After a while, they started nudging their golf balls with their clubs hitting them softly until they finally got in the hole.
"You guys, how are we even going to know what your score is?" Mimi asked sounding exasperated."
Philip looked behind them at the line starting to form. "Uh Meems, I don't think they really care. They're just having fun." He looked over at the two boys who were laughing at their tries at getting the ball into the next hole. "Now I said I was going to help you and I better help you soon before that group behind us turns into an angry mob!"
"Oh, let them wait", Mimi said, sounding a little irritated. "We paid. Now, what were you going to show me Philip?" Mimi asked him, her voice syrupy sweet. She looked up at him with the most charming smile, fluttering her eyelashes. She watched him do a double take and then start to explain to her how to hit the ball. Mimi listened attentively while keeping a close eye on Connor and Will.
"I still don't understand Philip." Mimi pouted. "Maybe if you really show me. I'm just afraid I might get it in the water or something." Mimi gestured at the waterfall in the middle of the park and the various ponds that surrounded it near the holes.
Philip watched as Mimi held the club completely wrong, noticing a couple of angry looking adolescent boys behind them. Oh, hold your horses! Now, back to Mimi. What was going on? He could have sworn she knew how to play peewee golf. They played it as kids before, right? Oh, well he better help her. She wanted him to SHOW her? Fine, he'd show her. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around hers, holding his hands over hers on the club. He heard a couple of snickers from the pre-pubescent brats that were still waiting. Great! Why don't they go climb a tree or something? He kept trying to show her, swinging the club with her, but it didn't do any good. She couldn't hit it, but she sure didn't seem to mind his grasp on her or maybe it was himself that didn't mind...
"Philip, it's no good. Maybe you should just hit first. Your EXCELLENCE might rub off on me, If I'm lucky." Mimi felt Philip let go of her and missed his close presence immediately. At first, it had made her feel a little unnerved, but after a bit she grew to like it. Oh my! She thought. What am I thinking?
Well. Philip wasn't one to argue with such accurate judgment. She was right. He was an athlete with superb coordination and control. "Ok, let me show you how it's done." Mimi's look of awe made him smile. Easy enough hole. He'd probably make it with a hole in one. "Hey Connor and Will, watch this!" He called over to the two boys getting ready to move to the third hole. His unintended audience was watching too, even the two smart alecks. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...this'll show them. Watch them react to this.
Philip swung and the ball landed....................
right into the pond.
EVERYONE burst out laughing. The two brats fell over in hysterics. Philip was thinking of swinging at THEM with his golf club. Connor and Will were practically rolling on the ground. So much for them being shy. And Mimi...she had tears falling down her eyes...tears from her laughter...she was clutching her stomach finding it hard to breathe. "Okay, I'd like to see you do better!" Philip angrily replied to her face of amusement while glaring at the two smart aleck brats.
"You're on!" Mimi replied with an evil smile. She put the ball down, called out to Connor and Will, "Hey you guys, watch THIS!" --grinned over at Philip one more time and swung...............
landing a perfect hole in one.
"Did I do that right? Oh Master?" Mimi asked Philip, practically bowing to him as the unintended crowd exploded into applause. "My, my, my Philip, after all the times we went pee wee golfing as kids did you honestly think I didn't remember how to play?"
They moved over to the next hole to appease the waiting group. "You tricked me!"
"Yep and you deserved it, acting so smug." Mimi burst out laughing. "You should of seen your face just now, but I especially liked the part when you hit the ball into the pond."
"Why you little..." Philip grabbed her by the shoulders moving his hands around her neck acting as if he was going to strangle her, but gave it a gentle squeeze instead noticing Mimi's tiny look of fear mixed in with a smile of glee. He shook her a little, finally letting go. She looked so cute when she was scared! "Well, I better go get a new ball since mine probably sunk down to the bottom."
The foursome continued to play, sometimes hitting great shots, sometimes not. Philip reclaimed his dignity, finally hitting his own hole in one. Mimi laughed at the smirk he gave the two brats. Connor and Will continued hitting the ball everywhere, though each came close to hitting a hole in one. Philip even joined in with them, hitting his ball back and forth when he couldn't get it into one of the holes, causing Mimi to break out into laughter. As for Mimi herself, she continued to play well. Actually, she was the best and she even hit another hole in one.
Finished with their little golf tournament, the four of them decided to cool off by riding the bumper boats. Philip rode with Will and Mimi rode with Connor. They used the jets in the middle of each boat to squirt one another. Philip felt his own evil smile grow as he noticed the two smart alecks in a boat near him. They hadn't seen him yet. Mimi noticed him, his lips curling up into an evil grin, just like the Grinch. Oh boy, she thought, those two are in trouble. Philip looked over at Mimi as if asking for reinforcements. Mimi gave him an acknowledging smile, letting him know she was more than ready to help out. Those obnoxious brats deserved it!
Philip and Will steered their boat over to the two adolescent boys while Mimi and Connor joined on the other side. Even Will and Connor were excited about the idea. They all pushed their jets watching the small cascades of water land squarely on the two troublemakers. All four of them laughed as the two surprised boys got wetter and wetter not sure of who was hitting them with water. When they finally looked around to see who it was, Philip and Mimi steered their boats far away from them. Then they had fun hitting each other's boats, taking turns with Will and Connor using the jets.
Mimi giggled as another spray of jet water hit them. She had let Connor take over the jets and he was having fun spraying water everywhere. This day was turning out to be quite fun. Tricking Philip earlier was great. She loved seeing his face when she hit that ball, but she also had to admit she had enjoyed his little lesson. Showing up those two brats had been quite a highlight. She laughed as another splash of water hit them, cooling them off from the blazing sun.
Philip let Will take over the jets and looked for Mimi. He saw her a couple of boats away as Connor let the jets fire everywhere. He smiled at Mimi's giggling face as a spray of water hit her. She was such a good sport. And he was eternally grateful to her for helping get back at those two nuisances. Her trickery surprised him. She sure knocked him off his high horse and he actually didn't mind. She really was changing. He doubted a couple of years ago or even last year she would of attempted such a thing. He looked at her and felt their eyes lock. With his dimples in full force, he grinned at her and she grinned back.
After the boats, feeling cooled off, they went into the arcade and played some games. Philip had a great time playing the Titanic game, getting many tickets, most of which he gave to Will and Connor. Mimi enjoyed playing Wheel of Fortune, earning a modest amount of tickets. Connor and Will laughed with glee at the Whack a Mole game, adding to the tickets.
Suddenly Connor and Will dragged Philip and Mimi over to a small crowd. They were watching a group of teenage boys dancing on some kind of platform while watching a screen. They followed the screen's dance moves, getting faster and faster. The foursome watched them, enjoying the little performance. When the teenage boys left, Will and Connor tried it, laughing as the moves got harder and harder. Philip and Mimi watched as the two made up their own moves and finally gave up.
"All right. Our turn." Philip grinned at Mimi mischievously, holding onto her wrist.
"No way, Phil." Mimi tried to pull her wrist back, not wanting to make a fool of herself.
"What's wrong, Meems? You scared?" Philip mocked her in hopes of enticing her to join him.
"No."
"Then, let's go boogie!" And with that, Philip pulled Mimi over to the platform. Mimi glared at him, but complied, standing on the platform. At first, the moves were easy, but they got harder and harder. The small crowd remained, encouraging them on. At one point Philip danced behind Mimi, holding onto her shoulders as he tried to follow the steps, but found himself laughing more than anything.
Mimi laughed along with him, but suddenly the steps became almost impossible and she could see that they were totally losing the rhythm. She gave Philip a look of defeat and stepped off the platform feeling Philip's hands lightly circle her waist as he followed her. She could feel his body shaking with laughter as for one tiny second he dropped his head onto her shoulder. It was so fast that Mimi wondered if she had imagined it. She knew for sure she hadn't when she could still feel the heat from his head being on her shoulder and his hands being on her waist.
***
Mimi and Philip were sitting on some benches as Connor and Will waited in line to go on the bumper boats again. Earlier they had collected their prizes from the arcade and eaten lunch at an outside hamburger stand.
Mimi became alarmed suddenly when she couldn't see Connor or Will. "Philip, where's Connor?"
"With Will." Philip lazily replied.
"Where's Will?" Mimi started to feel a pounding in her heart.
"In line."
"Where Philip?"
"I don't know. Somewhere waiting in line."
"WHERE ARE THEY PHILIP?" Exasperated and wild with worry Mimi got up and looked for Connor and Will in line. Finally she spotted them. The pounding in her heart started to subside as relief flowed through her.
"MIMI, what is wrong with you? They're right there in line like I told you. They're fine!" Philip watched her as she held her arms over her chest, her head down. She seemed to be trying to calm herself down. "Meems?" Philip asked more gently taking her arm and leading her back to the bench. He stared at her as she said nothing.
Finally, she spoke.
"I'm sorry okay. I'm just being crazy. You know, Crazy Mimi ." Mimi rambled on unconvincingly even to her own ears.
"No way am I falling for that Mimi. What is it? Why did you get so worried?" Philip grasped her gently by the shoulders and turned her to face him. "Come on, Meems. You can tell me."
Mimi finally looked up at him, noticing his concern. In a voice so quiet that Philip had to lean forward to hear her, she started to tell him why she had been so worried. "I...he...uh...when my dad lost his job and we lost our house...Connor was so sick. We couldn't even afford healthcare for him. We couldn't get him the medicine he needed and I was so...so scared. I would have done just about anything-- I even almost stole things from Dot Com and I went to a ...a drug dealer, but I didn't take the drugs or try to sell them or anything.... I know your thinking what a loser huh...but I was so worried about him and I ended up pawning things, but one night this guy...he stole the things from me...I felt so awful. I didn't have hardly any clothes and I was eating out of garbage cans sometimes. I showered at the school and Belle had to buy me my dress for the last blast dance...but...I ...I couldn't stop thinking about my little brother... I-" Mimi broke off, dangerously close to tears and hid her face in her hands. She couldn't face him and she didn't want him to see her so upset. Suddenly though, she felt warm arms take her in as he held her close to his chest.
"Meems, I'm so sorry. I should of thought about when Connor got sick. No wonder you were so upset. But he's okay now, all right? Look, he's over there joking with Will. And I'm sorry I was such a jerk for so long. I knew you were having a hard time, but I didn't know you were going through all that. What can I say? I was selfish. But that's in the past. If you ever need me, I'm here for you, okay? And as for you thinking that I think that you're a loser, you couldn't be more wrong. You did what you had to do to help your family. I can't even imagine what it must have been like. I know we have our differences especially when it comes to certain people, but I'm glad we're friends. Just know that, okay?"
She somewhat reluctantly pulled away from him and looked around, noticing that there were a couple of people watching them. "Uh, Philip, there are people staring."
"So what. Let them stare. We're just two friends hugging. What's wrong with that, huh?"
Mimi smiled at him. "Thanks Philip."
He smiled back. "Hey, what are friends for...Now, how about we take another ride on those bumper boats? We can show Connor and Will how to REALLY use those jets."
And with that, Philip took Mimi's hand and they took one more ride, this time together.
Mimi stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around herself. She took her wet hair and twisted another towel around it high on her head. Her mind drifted to a couple of nights ago when Philip dried her hair. His actions had surprised her. His concern and attentiveness towards her was unexpected. Equally unexpected were the confusing feelings she had felt when he had touched her face ever so gently. He had made her shiver, but she wasn't sure if it was a welcome feeling or not. It wasn't that she didn't trust him or that she didn't feel safe with him. She did. It was just so unforeseen. They had always been friends. Could there be a chance for something more?
Mimi finished drying herself off and put on a robe . She entered her room and closed the door. Why was she thinking of Philip this way she mused as she removed the towel and started to comb her damp hair. Just about every girl at school thought he was hot, but his close friends knew there was even more to him. He didn't only excel in just about every sport. He was kind. He wasn't just rich. He could be incredibly generous to people he truly cared about. Look at the way he treated Chloe for so long. He had treasured her, protected her, complimented her and he had loved her. When they were out together, it was so obvious that for HIM no other girl existed. As for Chloe's feelings, Mimi had her doubts.
She finished combing her hair and went to her closet and dresser to get some things out to wear. Then she started to get dressed as she thought about her misgivings she had always had about Chloe. Mimi knew her actions at The Last Blast Dance were wrong, but her new outlook on life had not made her change her feelings about Chloe. She still did not feel entirely comfortable around her and she still had issues with her treatment of some of her friends, including Philip. Mimi wondered if Chloe's feelings for Philip were ever as strong as his were for her.
Now changed into a pair of light blue denim capris and a baby blue sixties design tee shirt Mimi reached under her bed for a pair of sneakers. She put them on as she wondered why Philip and Chloe's relationship had always bothered her. Did it have to do with her feelings about Chloe or was it more about Philip? He could be so smug at times, but he also could be incredibly sweet. Mimi shook her head at her thoughts. They may be friends, but Philip was completely out of her league. It was just a fact. He went for goddesses like Chloe. Even Mimi had to admit that once Chloe got rid of her gothic look she turned into the kind of girl that made guys take a second look. Mimi just didn't have that in her. Okay, no more putting yourself down, she told herself sternly. You may not be drop dead gorgeous. But that doesn't mean that there's not a guy out there for you.
Mimi went over to her window and opened the blinds letting the early morning sunshine into her room. It was going to be one of those last warm days before autumn fully settled in. She started to blow dry her auburn colored hair, her thoughts once again turning to Philip. Enough of this. She thought. He's still hung up on Chloe even if he doesn't want to admit it or face the truth. Besides things would get too complicated. It might even ruin their friendship and that was something she definitely did not want to have happen.
Mimi put down the drier and started to French braid her hair. She was going to the park today with her little brother, Connor. Her mother had asked her to take him and she somewhat reluctantly agreed. Spending her Saturday at the park with her little brother was not what she thought of as a great time. It wasn't that she didn't like spending time with him. She did. It was just that...it was Saturday! Before, she used to spend her Saturdays with Belle, but now that she was going out with Shawn...Mimi missed going out with her- going shopping and gossiping about all the latest news. She was happy for her and Shawn, but she wished things didn't have to change so much. It also meant that Shawn was taken now for good. To Mimi, he was the perfect guy and way down she had always hoped...
Oh well, as long as he was with Belle she would be happy for both of them.
Mimi went to open her bedroom door and called out to her little brother. "Connor, let's go!"
***
Philip walked down the street with his nephew Will in tow. He had gone to go see his brother Austin that morning and Sami came over. She wanted to talk to Austin. Philip noticing that their talk seemed serious offered to take Will with him for the day. They thanked him and now Philip and Will were on their way. They were wearing shorts, Philip's khaki and Will's blue denim, and T-shirts, Philip's beige and Will's green, and sneakers.
The sun was shining and the sky above was a deep blue with not a cloud in sight. Philip loved days like this and he realized this was probably one of the last times for a while he would experience such a day. The week's previous weather had proved that. Fall was here. He was a little surprised to realize that he was looking forward to spending the day with Will. He used to spend hardly any time with him, but things had changed. He found himself feeling closer to his family and spending time with Will made him feel a little closer to Lucas who was recovering from severe burn injuries in a hospital far away from home. He missed him sometimes, though they had never been that close. He wanted to reconcile that fact now.
Philip glanced over at Will and smiled at him. Will smiled back. They turned the corner and Philip felt a sense of deja vue as he ran into someone he had been running into a lot lately.
"Mimi, we have to stop meeting like this." Philip laughed softly at the unexpected encounter and grinned at Mimi.
Mimi was shocked. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would see Philip today. After she had been thinking about him too. Would wonders ever cease? He looked pretty good actually and that smile...Who was the little boy? Wait wasn't that his nephew? "Believe me Philip this wasn't planned." Mimi responded, a touch of sarcasm in her voice.
Philip laughed again, this time fully. She could be so amusing at times and she looked cute with her hair that way. Her hair...He remembered drying it...touching her face...how soft it felt... Thought overload again! She did look cute though. Nice outfit. "Oh, that hurts. You mean, you're not happy to see me?" He pouted.
Mimi fought hard to keep from busting out laughing. That face! "Sorry to burst your bubble Philip, but I was on my way to the park with Connor." She glanced over at her little brother, enjoying the conversation. She liked joking with Philip.
"Hey Connor. How's it going?" Philip smiled at Connor warmly and put his hands on his nephew's shoulders. "This is my nephew, Will. Will, this is Connor and his sister Mimi. Mimi, I'm not sure. Have you ever met Will?"
"No, not really. "Hi Will."
"Hi." Will responded quietly.
"He's kind of shy." Philip responded to Mimi in a whisper.
"That's okay. Connor can be that way too." Mimi whispered back. They all finished exchanging greetings and Mimi asked Philip what they were planning to do today.
"We're going to go to the new pee wee golf course/arcade. Hey why don't you guys come with us?" Philip asked enthusiastically. Well, this day was just shaping up nicely.
"I don't know Philip. We weren't really planning to go that far. I mean, we have to take the bus out there."
"Come on Mimi PLEASE?" Connor pleaded with his sister.
Philip grinned. Well, both Connor and Will might be shy but they obviously were getting along. They had started talking about a cartoon that was on Connor's shirt realizing it was both of their favorites. Now they both gave Mimi a pleading look. "PLEASE, Mimi?" Philip gave his own pleading look. Mimi looked a little skeptical. "Oh come on now. Look at their faces. How can you let them down? It'll be fun."
"Oh, all right. Just stop looking at me like that." Mimi relented nearly laughing at their pitiful faces.
"YEA!" Connor and Will responded unanimously.
"All right you guys, let's go!" And with that, Philip draped an arm casually around Mimi's shoulder as Will and Connor skipped down the street in front of them.
The Start of Something More
Chapter 8: Childs play
Philip, Mimi, Connor and Will arrived at the park and paid their admission. The foursome decided to play peewee golf first. It was done up in a medieval style including bridges, castles and fortresses as well as statues of knights. The park was pretty new, having just been built over the summer. Because of the pleasant weather and newness, the park was in full attendance. None of the foursome had ever been to the park. Will and Connor were especially excited. Mimi and Philip were pretty happy to be there too. It had been a while since either had been anywhere like this.
They picked out their golf clubs and golf balls and headed over to the first hole. It included a long turning path and a circular slope with the hole in the middle.
"Okay, Connor, you're up first buddy. Go on and hit right there in the center." Philip gave Connor a thumbs up sign.
"You can do it Connor." Mimi encouraged him.
"Go Connor." Will said with a touch of shyness.
Connor swung and the ball went right over the slope down onto the flat part. Next was Will. His ball came back to him so he had to hit it again with some directions from Philip. Mimi watched with a smile. After that came Mimi, who after a couple of bad swings Philip decided needed some of his expert help.
"Here, let me help you." Philip confidently offered as Connor and Will went to the other side and started swinging their ball around, knocking it into each other's. It looked like they would never get it into the hole. After a while, they started nudging their golf balls with their clubs hitting them softly until they finally got in the hole.
"You guys, how are we even going to know what your score is?" Mimi asked sounding exasperated."
Philip looked behind them at the line starting to form. "Uh Meems, I don't think they really care. They're just having fun." He looked over at the two boys who were laughing at their tries at getting the ball into the next hole. "Now I said I was going to help you and I better help you soon before that group behind us turns into an angry mob!"
"Oh, let them wait", Mimi said, sounding a little irritated. "We paid. Now, what were you going to show me Philip?" Mimi asked him, her voice syrupy sweet. She looked up at him with the most charming smile, fluttering her eyelashes. She watched him do a double take and then start to explain to her how to hit the ball. Mimi listened attentively while keeping a close eye on Connor and Will.
"I still don't understand Philip." Mimi pouted. "Maybe if you really show me. I'm just afraid I might get it in the water or something." Mimi gestured at the waterfall in the middle of the park and the various ponds that surrounded it near the holes.
Philip watched as Mimi held the club completely wrong, noticing a couple of angry looking adolescent boys behind them. Oh, hold your horses! Now, back to Mimi. What was going on? He could have sworn she knew how to play peewee golf. They played it as kids before, right? Oh, well he better help her. She wanted him to SHOW her? Fine, he'd show her. He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around hers, holding his hands over hers on the club. He heard a couple of snickers from the pre-pubescent brats that were still waiting. Great! Why don't they go climb a tree or something? He kept trying to show her, swinging the club with her, but it didn't do any good. She couldn't hit it, but she sure didn't seem to mind his grasp on her or maybe it was himself that didn't mind...
"Philip, it's no good. Maybe you should just hit first. Your EXCELLENCE might rub off on me, If I'm lucky." Mimi felt Philip let go of her and missed his close presence immediately. At first, it had made her feel a little unnerved, but after a bit she grew to like it. Oh my! She thought. What am I thinking?
Well. Philip wasn't one to argue with such accurate judgment. She was right. He was an athlete with superb coordination and control. "Ok, let me show you how it's done." Mimi's look of awe made him smile. Easy enough hole. He'd probably make it with a hole in one. "Hey Connor and Will, watch this!" He called over to the two boys getting ready to move to the third hole. His unintended audience was watching too, even the two smart alecks. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha...this'll show them. Watch them react to this.
Philip swung and the ball landed....................
right into the pond.
EVERYONE burst out laughing. The two brats fell over in hysterics. Philip was thinking of swinging at THEM with his golf club. Connor and Will were practically rolling on the ground. So much for them being shy. And Mimi...she had tears falling down her eyes...tears from her laughter...she was clutching her stomach finding it hard to breathe. "Okay, I'd like to see you do better!" Philip angrily replied to her face of amusement while glaring at the two smart aleck brats.
"You're on!" Mimi replied with an evil smile. She put the ball down, called out to Connor and Will, "Hey you guys, watch THIS!" --grinned over at Philip one more time and swung...............
landing a perfect hole in one.
"Did I do that right? Oh Master?" Mimi asked Philip, practically bowing to him as the unintended crowd exploded into applause. "My, my, my Philip, after all the times we went pee wee golfing as kids did you honestly think I didn't remember how to play?"
They moved over to the next hole to appease the waiting group. "You tricked me!"
"Yep and you deserved it, acting so smug." Mimi burst out laughing. "You should of seen your face just now, but I especially liked the part when you hit the ball into the pond."
"Why you little..." Philip grabbed her by the shoulders moving his hands around her neck acting as if he was going to strangle her, but gave it a gentle squeeze instead noticing Mimi's tiny look of fear mixed in with a smile of glee. He shook her a little, finally letting go. She looked so cute when she was scared! "Well, I better go get a new ball since mine probably sunk down to the bottom."
The foursome continued to play, sometimes hitting great shots, sometimes not. Philip reclaimed his dignity, finally hitting his own hole in one. Mimi laughed at the smirk he gave the two brats. Connor and Will continued hitting the ball everywhere, though each came close to hitting a hole in one. Philip even joined in with them, hitting his ball back and forth when he couldn't get it into one of the holes, causing Mimi to break out into laughter. As for Mimi herself, she continued to play well. Actually, she was the best and she even hit another hole in one.
Finished with their little golf tournament, the four of them decided to cool off by riding the bumper boats. Philip rode with Will and Mimi rode with Connor. They used the jets in the middle of each boat to squirt one another. Philip felt his own evil smile grow as he noticed the two smart alecks in a boat near him. They hadn't seen him yet. Mimi noticed him, his lips curling up into an evil grin, just like the Grinch. Oh boy, she thought, those two are in trouble. Philip looked over at Mimi as if asking for reinforcements. Mimi gave him an acknowledging smile, letting him know she was more than ready to help out. Those obnoxious brats deserved it!
Philip and Will steered their boat over to the two adolescent boys while Mimi and Connor joined on the other side. Even Will and Connor were excited about the idea. They all pushed their jets watching the small cascades of water land squarely on the two troublemakers. All four of them laughed as the two surprised boys got wetter and wetter not sure of who was hitting them with water. When they finally looked around to see who it was, Philip and Mimi steered their boats far away from them. Then they had fun hitting each other's boats, taking turns with Will and Connor using the jets.
Mimi giggled as another spray of jet water hit them. She had let Connor take over the jets and he was having fun spraying water everywhere. This day was turning out to be quite fun. Tricking Philip earlier was great. She loved seeing his face when she hit that ball, but she also had to admit she had enjoyed his little lesson. Showing up those two brats had been quite a highlight. She laughed as another splash of water hit them, cooling them off from the blazing sun.
Philip let Will take over the jets and looked for Mimi. He saw her a couple of boats away as Connor let the jets fire everywhere. He smiled at Mimi's giggling face as a spray of water hit her. She was such a good sport. And he was eternally grateful to her for helping get back at those two nuisances. Her trickery surprised him. She sure knocked him off his high horse and he actually didn't mind. She really was changing. He doubted a couple of years ago or even last year she would of attempted such a thing. He looked at her and felt their eyes lock. With his dimples in full force, he grinned at her and she grinned back.
After the boats, feeling cooled off, they went into the arcade and played some games. Philip had a great time playing the Titanic game, getting many tickets, most of which he gave to Will and Connor. Mimi enjoyed playing Wheel of Fortune, earning a modest amount of tickets. Connor and Will laughed with glee at the Whack a Mole game, adding to the tickets.
Suddenly Connor and Will dragged Philip and Mimi over to a small crowd. They were watching a group of teenage boys dancing on some kind of platform while watching a screen. They followed the screen's dance moves, getting faster and faster. The foursome watched them, enjoying the little performance. When the teenage boys left, Will and Connor tried it, laughing as the moves got harder and harder. Philip and Mimi watched as the two made up their own moves and finally gave up.
"All right. Our turn." Philip grinned at Mimi mischievously, holding onto her wrist.
"No way, Phil." Mimi tried to pull her wrist back, not wanting to make a fool of herself.
"What's wrong, Meems? You scared?" Philip mocked her in hopes of enticing her to join him.
"No."
"Then, let's go boogie!" And with that, Philip pulled Mimi over to the platform. Mimi glared at him, but complied, standing on the platform. At first, the moves were easy, but they got harder and harder. The small crowd remained, encouraging them on. At one point Philip danced behind Mimi, holding onto her shoulders as he tried to follow the steps, but found himself laughing more than anything.
Mimi laughed along with him, but suddenly the steps became almost impossible and she could see that they were totally losing the rhythm. She gave Philip a look of defeat and stepped off the platform feeling Philip's hands lightly circle her waist as he followed her. She could feel his body shaking with laughter as for one tiny second he dropped his head onto her shoulder. It was so fast that Mimi wondered if she had imagined it. She knew for sure she hadn't when she could still feel the heat from his head being on her shoulder and his hands being on her waist.
***
Mimi and Philip were sitting on some benches as Connor and Will waited in line to go on the bumper boats again. Earlier they had collected their prizes from the arcade and eaten lunch at an outside hamburger stand.
Mimi became alarmed suddenly when she couldn't see Connor or Will. "Philip, where's Connor?"
"With Will." Philip lazily replied.
"Where's Will?" Mimi started to feel a pounding in her heart.
"In line."
"Where Philip?"
"I don't know. Somewhere waiting in line."
"WHERE ARE THEY PHILIP?" Exasperated and wild with worry Mimi got up and looked for Connor and Will in line. Finally she spotted them. The pounding in her heart started to subside as relief flowed through her.
"MIMI, what is wrong with you? They're right there in line like I told you. They're fine!" Philip watched her as she held her arms over her chest, her head down. She seemed to be trying to calm herself down. "Meems?" Philip asked more gently taking her arm and leading her back to the bench. He stared at her as she said nothing.
Finally, she spoke.
"I'm sorry okay. I'm just being crazy. You know, Crazy Mimi ." Mimi rambled on unconvincingly even to her own ears.
"No way am I falling for that Mimi. What is it? Why did you get so worried?" Philip grasped her gently by the shoulders and turned her to face him. "Come on, Meems. You can tell me."
Mimi finally looked up at him, noticing his concern. In a voice so quiet that Philip had to lean forward to hear her, she started to tell him why she had been so worried. "I...he...uh...when my dad lost his job and we lost our house...Connor was so sick. We couldn't even afford healthcare for him. We couldn't get him the medicine he needed and I was so...so scared. I would have done just about anything-- I even almost stole things from Dot Com and I went to a ...a drug dealer, but I didn't take the drugs or try to sell them or anything.... I know your thinking what a loser huh...but I was so worried about him and I ended up pawning things, but one night this guy...he stole the things from me...I felt so awful. I didn't have hardly any clothes and I was eating out of garbage cans sometimes. I showered at the school and Belle had to buy me my dress for the last blast dance...but...I ...I couldn't stop thinking about my little brother... I-" Mimi broke off, dangerously close to tears and hid her face in her hands. She couldn't face him and she didn't want him to see her so upset. Suddenly though, she felt warm arms take her in as he held her close to his chest.
"Meems, I'm so sorry. I should of thought about when Connor got sick. No wonder you were so upset. But he's okay now, all right? Look, he's over there joking with Will. And I'm sorry I was such a jerk for so long. I knew you were having a hard time, but I didn't know you were going through all that. What can I say? I was selfish. But that's in the past. If you ever need me, I'm here for you, okay? And as for you thinking that I think that you're a loser, you couldn't be more wrong. You did what you had to do to help your family. I can't even imagine what it must have been like. I know we have our differences especially when it comes to certain people, but I'm glad we're friends. Just know that, okay?"
She somewhat reluctantly pulled away from him and looked around, noticing that there were a couple of people watching them. "Uh, Philip, there are people staring."
"So what. Let them stare. We're just two friends hugging. What's wrong with that, huh?"
Mimi smiled at him. "Thanks Philip."
He smiled back. "Hey, what are friends for...Now, how about we take another ride on those bumper boats? We can show Connor and Will how to REALLY use those jets."
And with that, Philip took Mimi's hand and they took one more ride, this time together.