CHAPTER 3: POSSIBILITIES

Peppermint Patty was beside herself with happiness. The fact that her father was dating someone meant a possible long-awaited mother figure for her. She had always been friendly with her friend's mothers as well as helped out Franco's mother often and even did stuff with his mother. Marcie's mother had also made Patty feel at home and thought of her as a good role model for Marcie, and vice versa. And now to possibly have a mother for her own at long last was what she really wanted. And while she loved her father with all of her heart and would always be his rare gem, she longed for a mother of her own, as well, not ever knowing her own mother*.

This particular day, Patty was hanging out with Marcie and Claudia at Sparkyville Park. She was getting to learn about what her friends mothers do and how they act. Claudia's older sister, Krissy, was with them, as well.

"So Claud," Patty began, "what makes your mother tick?"

"W-what do you mean, P-Patty?" asked Claudia.

"She wants to know what kind of a personality mom has, Claud." said Krissy.

"Oh, sh-she's very n-n-nice and means well," Claudia began. "According to Krissy, she d-d-didn't think I w-would be able to t-talk, but Krissy worked with m-me and while my s-speech isn't p-p-perfect, I can still hold a convers-s-s-sation. And mom still cooks and t-t-takes care of us, but Krissy is considered my g-guardian.**"

"Mom didn't quite grasp on how to teach Claudia with her Asperger's," Krissy replied. "And with our oldest sister, Kayla, out of the house, I'm left to teach Claudia and work with her. But it was Kayla that helped me be what I can be."

"How about you, Marcie?" Patty then asked her best friend. "I know how your mother is whenever I'm over, but what do you think about your mother?"

"Well she does pressure me to be my best, even at times when she's pushing too hard," said Marcie. "But I know she cares a lot about me, and that she wants nothing but the best for me."

"So w-what's going on with the l-lady your dad is d-d-dating, Patty?" asked Claudia.

"Well, I haven't met her, yet," Patty stated, "but I'm sure dad will introduce us when the time is right. All I know is I can't wait to meet her." And the four of them continued to talk some more.

Later that day, Lucy and Schroeder were heading for the Tiny Tots concert when they saw Marcie and Hans also heading towards the building.

"Hey, you two," Lucy greeted. "Where's Patty and Franco? I thought they would be with you."

"Well Peppermint Patty tends to disrupt the concert or not get what the music's all about," said Marcie. "Plus I saw her earlier today with Claudia and her sister. And I don't know if she told you or not, but her father has been dating someone and she's been excited about it."

"Really?" said Schroeder. "I knew her father was raising Patty on his own, but him dating? As busy as he is?"

"I guess folks can find a way to meet people while still having a busy schedule," observed Lucy.

"So what brings you to concert?" asked Hans.

"Wir wollen auch klassische Musik sehen," Schroeder replied in German to Hans.

"Now that I understood," said Lucy. "And they're playing Beethoven, so, of course we were going to watch it."

"Great," said Marcie. "Would you like to join us, Lucille?"

"Why not? You game, babe?"

"Sure," said Schroeder. And the two couples went inside to join the show.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE RACE IS ON!

(*) See my One-Shot "freckles" to see what happened to Peppermint Patty's mother

(**) See LivingOnLaughs' One-Shot "Claudia's Guardian" to see how Krissy became Claudia's guardian