Author's Note: Thank you for patience and reviews. I'm not able to find Stephanie's surname anywhere. Since Mayor Meanswell is her uncle, let's just say it's her Father's brother. Therefore, her last name is also Meanswell. Yeah, that works for now. Happy reading.
Chapter 14: Meet the Meanswells
"What is this song?" Robbie asks.
Stephanie is glaring intently at her racing game. She had put on some music, a cd she made a few weeks ago.
"Skinny Love by Bon Iver." Stephanie answers as she passes Robbie in the game.
"I like the song, but I don't like you winning four races in a row." Robbie found it easy to settle in after Stephanie pulled out some soda and chips from the contemporary kitchen. They weren't eating much, but the sugar from the soda made Robbie feel a little better.
Steph shut off the console and turned her attention to the radio. "If you like this, you'll like some of the other songs on here."
Robbie watched as she stood from the floral couch and walked over to the entertainment cinema. Stephanie's living room was quite large. It fit a love seat, regular sized couch, accent chair, and an entertainment hutch housing a sixty-inch television. Robbie could not absorb the extravagance of the first floor. He pictured a nine-foot Christmas tree in a corner near the window, surrounded by mounds of gifts. Before he could look around anymore, Stephanie started another song with the volume turned up. She began to sing along, swaying by the radio as if she forgot Robin was in her house.
"I learn to live half alive, and now you want me one more time. Who do you think you are, running round leaving scars, collecting your jar of hearts, and tearing love apart . . ."
"You sound wonderful." Robin interrupted Stephanie. She stopped singing and blushed as she turned to face her friend.
She said, "Sorry, I love this song. Forgot it was on here. Christina Perri has a beautiful voice. The next song is something you'd like, though." Her shaking fingers pressed a few buttons to adjust the music once more.
Robbie's ears perked. This next song's lyrics caused his heart to pump vigorously. Something sparked a strange emotion inside of his soul. She said, hello mister, pleased to meet you. I wanna hold her, I wanna kiss her. She smelled of daisies, she smelled of daisies. She drive me crazy, she drive me crazy. Gonna take you for a ride on a big jet plane.
"Angus and Julia Stone." Steph announced as she sat back down. Her feet tapped to the song. Her head tilted back and she closed her eyes while singing softly.
Vulnerable, innocent, naïve. Robbie looked Stephanie up and down and realized this was the type of music that saved her from losing herself. He felt a different vibe emanate from her aura. As he studied her, the front door opened. Stephanie, still in her daze, did not stir.
"Ah, the Great Stephanie Concert is back in town," A masculine voice called from the entrance.
Trying to be kind, Robbie tapped Stephanie's shoulder. She immediately stood again to shut the music.
"Hey, Dad. Mom." She said.
Robin stood to introduce himself to the balding, well-suited man and blond, lean woman wearing capris and a pink blouse. The introduction was short, but went well. Robin Rottling was a charmer, apparently, who had manners and such. Stephanie tried not to laugh her way through the dining room where they walked. He and Steph sat across from each other at the dining table while Mr. and Mrs. Meanswell prepared supper.
"I hope you don't mind leftovers, Robin." Alice Meanswell said. "Don and I had the day off yesterday, spaghetti for lunch before our long night out at the home show. The sauce is homemade. You're in for a treat if you like it spicy."
Don Meanswell chimed in, "I like it spicy, hun."
"Sheesh." Steph shook her head and muttered, "I'm glad they still have it but I wish they wouldn't let everyone know."
In a matter of minutes, dinner was served. Spaghetti and meatballs were served on pale green stoneware, accompanied by water poured into white glasses with a green paisley trim. Robbie never saw such nice, clean plates and silverware in his life. He wondered how Stephanie was not spoiled rotten by now with so many luxuries. He didn't judge, though. He knew Pinky was down-to-earth, generous, thoughtful, and empathetic. He knew she would never harm someone intentionally – like he was doing now. Robbie's revelation brought his head downward for a moment until he shook the thoughts off. Just have dinner and disappear. He did not decide to become a softy, but betraying Stephanie and Sportacus after such a nice day would be terrible. Robbie wanted to be mischievous, not downright evil. Not heartless.
"Robin, how long are you staying in town? You have family here?" Alice asked all of the questions. Her husband seemed to be the quiet type.
After a giant bite of spaghetti, Robin answered. "I came from Gashton High, I lived a little south from there. My family and I moved not too far from here, so they figured I could transfer."
"So you live in Dewetsville?" Don finally joined the conversation.
Robbie knew he couldn't answer more specifically. He knew nothing of the area, with the exception of some river that ran from here to Lazytown. "Yes, I live there. I don't like talking much about it. I miss my old school." Nice save, Robin.
"That's fine. Do you need a ride home after?" Alice sounded overly-protective.
Shit. "No, I can walk." Shit.
Stephanie interrupted, "Leave him be. This was his first day. Let him eat supper and stop asking so many questions."
Robbie met glances with Stephanie. He semi-smiled. The conversation was done.
Across the table, Stephanie stole glance after glance from her friend. Robin slurped up an extra-long spaghetti strand as his eyes fixated on the Pink-Haired Girl Next Door. Neither one of them could figure out why their eyes magnetized like a train to a track. After dinner and cleanup, a woman's intuition caused Stephanie to take Robin into the living room.
"You are related to someone I know." She started.
Robbie died inside. "I am?"
"Yes, and I think I know you are here to cause trouble. I know that is a horrible assumption, but you look too familiar to pass this feeling. I promise I'm not always this paranoid."
"No offense, but I think you need some sleep. As do I after a great meal like that."
"Well, sorry. Maybe I'm wrong. Do you need that ride home?"
"Uhh, I will be honest with you." Robbie shuffled his feet. "My parents sent me up here alone. They haven't finished moving yet. I was going to walk back to school and camp out there." He had no idea why semi-truth came out. Now, he was screwed.
Stephanie shook her head and replied, "No. That won't do. I'm so sorry they sent you alone. No wonder you were following me around today. I was the only friend you made. That's ok. You can sleep on the couch tonight. I'll go ask Mom."
Before Robin could answer, Stephanie had run out of the room.
"Damn it, Robbie," He said to himself. "Damn it all to hell."