Chapter 7: Odd Fears
While Bobby, Kelly, and Megan were planning Operation Matchmaker, it seemed that the spark of love was trying to ignite in Felix and Tamora. But both individuals were too stubborn to admit it. Each one suffering from a heart break and both too scared to get hurt again. Felix did his best to avoid Tamora but act like he was doing a usual business routine. As for Tamora, she was acting like she was back in the army and focused solely on keeping order at the Fix-It Ranch.
The other Fix-It members were making Tamora feel like one of the family. Felix's mom simply adored her and his aunt liked her too. "Tamora, dear how are you doing?" Jane asked as she came out of the kitchen.
"Just fine ma'am," Tamora said.
"Well remember dear if you get hungry just go talk to Ralph, that boy sure can cook," Jane said.
"Yes ma'am thank you ma'am," Tamora said politely.
"Please dear you work for us there for you are family call me Jane or if you must stick with being proper call me Mrs. Fix-it," Jane said sweetly. Tamora looked away for a wave of emotions was coming over her. It had been a long time since she had or was part of a family.
"With all due respect ma'am I think I will stick with calling you ma'am," she said firmly but gently.
"Very well Tamora dear but if you change your mind," Jane said still smiling. Tamora nodded and went back into the kitchen. Megan came out handing people food while Uncle Jim was setting people up at the bar. Bobby and Kelly were rocking the house making people move to the music. Vanellope was showing people to their seats and helping Kurt clear off tables. The little girl ran so fast she tripped and was about to fall if Tamora didn't catch her.
"Thanks lady," Vanellope said smiling wide.
"No problem kid but be more careful," Tamora told her. Tamora watched as Vanellope made it safely to another table clearing it off for more customers. It seemed all the Fix-Its were scurrying from one place to another to make everyone feel happy. Yet, Tamora stayed at her post making sure no one caused any trouble. Her eyes saw a couple dancing and a tear almost slid down her face. Brad used to take her dancing whenever they got relief from the army. Or sometimes they would be outside and he would turn on some old radio and they dance to whatever music was playing. She missed him a great deal and shook her head to make the tears stop.
Soon night fell and it was closing time. "Alright everyone have a good night," Ralph said as he called Vanellope to him. She climbed on his back and walked her out to his truck.
"Bye everyone," Megan said as Kurt opened the door for her.
"Come on Mama let's head on home," Jim told Scarlett. Jane saw Tamora getting ready to leave and saw how dark it was outside.
"Tamora dear, are you driving home?" Jane asked.
"Uh no ma'am I usually walk home," Tamora said.
"Heavens no it is way too dangerous for you to be walking home alone so late," Jane said frowning.
"Really ma'am it is no big deal I walked home alone before and I can handle myself," Tamora assured her. She was getting a little embarrassed for no one fussed over her since her mom died.
"Still I wouldn't feel right having you walk home alone," Jane said. Both Kelly and Bobby exchanged a secret look and a light bulb went off in their heads.
"Hey Aunt Jane maybe Felix could walk Tamora home. He usually walks home anyways and Tamora does live like a block away from where he lives. So, he wouldn't be going too far out of his way," Kelly said smiling.
"Yeah mom Felix can walk Ms. Calhoun home," Bobby said.
"Really it is fine," Tamora said but no one was listening.
"Good Bobby go fetch your brother before he leaves" Jane said to her son.
"Yes, ma'am" Bobby said and in a flash went to fetch Felix.
"What is going on?" Felix asked for Bobby was literally dragging him out of his office.
"You are going to walk Ms. Calhoun home," Bobby said grinning like the devil.
"I am?" Felix asked in a confused voice.
"Oh thank you Felix dear you are so sweet to do that," his mom said. And before Tamora or Felix could utter a word they were both scooted out the door by Kelly and Bobby.
"You get her home safely cuz," Kelly said grinning and went back inside.
"Um what just happened?" Tamora questioned.
"Sorry my mom well everyone in my family can be a bit pushy. If you don't want me to walk you home it is fine," Felix said not wanting her to be uncomfortable.
"It is fine wouldn't want you to get yelled at by your Mother or would she yell at you?" Tamora asked raising an eyebrow.
"Allow a young lady to walk herself home alone in the dark, oh yeah I would get yelled at," Felix said rubbing the back of his head.
"Well let's go then," Tamora said walking briskly down the street.
"Again I am sorry my mom means well," Felix said.
"Yeah she seems like a nice lady all of your family is nice," Tamora said.
"Even Bobby?" Felix joked.
"Even Bobby," Tamora said giggling a little. They walked in silence for a minute when they came to the park. A duck came waddling up and quacked at them making Felix jump. Tamora was shocked by this to see Felix quiver at the sight of a mere duck. Biting her lip to keep from laughing she shooed the creature away. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah sorry about that but I have this fear of ducks," he said feeling completely embarrassed.
"Why are you afraid of ducks?" Tamora asked growing curious.
"Well when I was about four or five my dad would buy the old stale bread they would throw out from the local bread store. They would sell it to him for like 10 cents a loaf and we would go to the park to feed the ducks. One day Ralph came with us and I had trouble opening the bag. Just then a group of hungry ducks surrounded me quacking angrily. It scared me so bad I began to cry and Dad grabbed me and we ran. Well I still had the bread in my hands and the ducks were chasing us. We sure looked silly for Ralph was rolling over laughing till he shouted at me to drop the bread. I did and the ducks ate it but ever since then I was scared of ducks. Pretty silly huh?" Felix asked.
"Actually no everyone fears something," Tamora said.
"Really what are you afraid of?" Felix asked. Before she could speak her face went chalk white on her hand for she rested it on a tree when Felix told his story. A small bug maybe a ladybug was crawling on her hand. Like Felix her body began to tremble and shake.
"Get it off, get it off!" Tamora shouted.
"Easy Tammy I got it," Felix said gently. He cupped his hands and the ladybug crawled onto his hands and he walked over to another tree.
"Careful it could bite you," Tamora said growing worried for Felix. He reassured her with a smile and gently place the bug one a small branch. Tamora immediately relaxed once she saw the bug was far away from her. "So, I am afraid of ducks and you are afraid of bugs," he said.
"I guess so," she said frowning.
"Don't worry your secret is safe with me," Felix said. He held out his pinkie and said, "I pinkie swear not to tell". Tamora felt ridiculous but he looked so sweet so she wrapped her pinkie around his. They walked onto Tamora's house and Felix stood by her door.
"Good night Mrs. Calhoun pleasant dreams," he said tipping his hat to her.
"You can call me Tamora but you can call me Tammy too if you like, you called me it during the bug incident," she said.
"I am sorry I was just trying to calm you down it slipped," Felix said taking his hat off.
"Easy Fix-It I liked it you can call me Tammy whenever you want," she said now smiling.
"Then call me Felix, Tammy," he said smiling.
"Okay Felix see you tomorrow and if any ducks bother you just call me and I will save you," Tamora said gently.
"And if any bugs scare you call me and I will protect you," Felix said. They smiled and Tamora went inside her house and watched till he was a speck in the darkness.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.