The girls then took a seat.
"So," Zoey started. "What brings you over here?"
Leshawna went first.
"I made this song about Gwen and Bridgette," she said. "Wanna hear it?"
The others said yes. Leshawna went for it. When her song ended, everyone was clapping and cheering.
"That was amazing," Bridgette said to her.
"Thank you," Leshawna said.
"What about you, Anne Maria?" Zoey asked.
Anne Maria told them, "I made this for you. I thought you could give it to either Brick or Mike".
The portrait was one of Anne Maria with Zoey, Brick and Mike.
"It's glorious," Zoey said. "Mike and Brick will love this as well".
Zoey gave Anne Maria a hug.
"Aww," the others said.
"I heard one of the fans you met has a silly hug fetish," Anne Maria told them.
"We know," Bridgette said. "How long can you stay?"
"We can stay for just one night until further notice," Leshawna said.
Anne Maria then added, "my mom, aunt and cousin are coming to visit for a Kawnzaa get together".
"My family's coming too," Leshawna said.
"What's a Kwanzaa?" Lillie asked.
"It's usually a black community thing," Leshawna said. "But anyone can celebrate."
"There's even a story about it," Anne Maria added. "Sit back, and the story about it will be shared".
Leshawna and Anne Maria played Rock, Paper, Scissors to determine who would tell the story. Leshawna won, so she will do the storytelling.
Leshawna then said, "Alrighty then. If everyone is in a comfortable sitting position, I'll get spilling".
Everyone found a comfy spot to sit.
Through a series of pictures, Leshawna told everyone, "The first Kwanzaa celebration was on December 26, 1966, in Long Beach, California. It followed a bunch of riots that broke out because Black people were in near maximum despair. The riots left 34 people dead, 1,000 people were injured, and there was $40 million worth of property damage. Dr. Maulana Karenga, a former black activist and chair of African studies at California State University at Long Beach, was deeply disturbed by the aftermath and the racial tension during that time; he wanted to find a way to bring healing to the community That activist wanted to create a holiday that celebrate family and community, and thus, Kwanzaa was born".
Everyone thought Leshawna told the story very well.
"Wow," Gwen said. "Black people have been through a lot since then".
Courtney then said, "and yet, when the time comes, they sure know how to make a difference in their own communities".
All the ladies who listened in on the story were in unanimous agreement.
"Hey, Bridgette," Anne Maria said. "That might be you one day. You're always saying there should be peace on Earth among both humans and animals".
"That is true," Bridgette said. "I do wish there would be peace on this planet. It feels so divided these days".
"I know," Gwen said. "Hopefully one day, we'll see the world we know, and love come together once more".
That was when Lillie's dad, Peter Ruksenas, came in.
"Hey ladies," he said.
"Hi daddy," Lillie said as he picked her up.
"This is your dad?" Leshawna asked.
Peter then said. "Oh yeah. Leshawna. These girls have said a lot about you."
"Really?" Leshawna asked.
"Yeah," Peter answered. "You ladies and your pals didn't give Leshawna enough credit for her first solo. That song raised $100,000 to help fix your plane".
"Looking back now, that song was quite a bop," Courtney said.
"I agree," Bridgette said. "BTW, Peter, this is Anne Maria."
"Hi," Anne Maria said. "Nice to meet you."
"Right back at you," Peter said. "What brings you over?"
"We were giving these ladies a little lesson on the Kwanzaa holiday," Leshawna said.
"Tell us more," Lillie said.
Anne Maria chose to add on to the lesson.
"This holiday goes on for 7 days," she started. "During its early years, it was meant to be an alternative to Christmas. Each day is dedicated to one of the following 7 principles: Unity, Self-determination, Collective work and responsibility, Cooperative economics, Purpose, Creativity and Faith".
"I love the creativity part," Gwen said.
"I wonder if any of my friends celebrate that holiday," Peter commented.
"Maybe," Anne Maria replied. "Moving on, Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art, colorful African cloth such as kente, especially the wearing of kaftans by women, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has an annual celebration".
"I remember that celebration," Gwen said. "My school went there for a field trip".
"I remember too," Leshawna said. "I did the traditional African dance associated with the holiday one time for a school talent show. A few years ago, I asked Lindsay to design a new shirt called a dashiki for me to wear".
The others thought it must have been pretty cool.
"How'd you do in the talent show?" Zoey asked.
"It wasn't a competition," Leshawna answered. "On the other hand, everyone did love my dancing".
"I'm sure they did," Anne Maria said. "Hey Peter, what do you think of that portrait I made?"
Peter got a good look at it.
"It's glorious," Peter said.
"Thanks," Anne Maria said. "Can you take it to whatever room Brick and Mike are in? I want them to see it too".
"Sure," Peter said. "Then, I have to put Lillie up for her nap. Come on, Lillie".
Lillie yawned before going with her dad. The girls waved goodbye as Lillie and Peter left.
"That is one cute girl," Leshawna said.
"We know," Gwen said.