"Sorry that Michelle blabbed, Jimmy."
Jimmy Palmer grinned sheepishly at Abby's apology. His girlfriend's apology. It was well worth the jeers he'd suffered from his friends. "Oh, that's okay."
She sighed on the other end of the phone. "I told her not to tell anyone! I guess I should have known better than to trust her. She never could keep quiet about things."
"Abby, I really don't mind. I mean, they were bound to find out sooner or later, right?"
"I'm so glad you're so understanding, Jimmy," she said with a smile. "That's one of the things I really like about you."
"Oh, g-gee," he stuttered. It was a good thing Abby couldn't see him as his cheeks grew red at the compliment. "I really like you too, Abby. I hope you like the pin."
"Of course I do! I'm going to wear it always! Well, except for gym class. Miss Jensen doesn't let us wear jewelry. But other than that, I'll never take it off!" She rolled over on her bed, phone still in hand. "Are you busy today?"
"Well, my dad's making me mow the lawn, but I'm free after that. Well, except I have to be in by nine."
Abby pouted. "Oh, well I guess we could do something until then."
"Sure!"
"Abby!" her mother called up to her. "I need to use the phone!"
She sighed. "Jimmy, I'll have to call you back."
"Oh, okay," he said in disappointment. "I'll ask my folks about doing something tonight."
"Okay! Bye!" She hung up the phone with a wide grin on her face. "I'm off the phone!" she called down to her parents before closing her bedroom door. She flopped back on her bed, her head immediately going up to the strap of her dress where Jimmy's pin was. She stroked the pin lovingly.
Jimmy was a sweet boy. He was the kind of boy a girl could see herself marrying. Of course, she still had a long time before she settled down and started a family. After all, she was only sixteen! But it was nice to think about the future; realistic thoughts, this time. Gone were the fantastical dreams of Tony DiNozzo. He was a celebrity, a rock singer; why, he didn't even know she existed! She was just another screaming girl in a long line of fans. Jimmy, though…he was real! Best of all, he was hers.
She stood and examined herself in the mirror. It was hard to believe that only a year ago she had been a gangly, awkward thing with braces and acne. She'd hated looking at herself. Then, when she hit sixteen, it was like magic. Her body began filling out…her braces were gone, leaving behind perfectly straight teeth…her skin was nice and smooth. Gone was the awkward young girl who could barely take a step without tripping over her own feet; left behind was a beautiful and sophisticated young woman for whom the world was an oyster.
Womanhood. The word had such a promising yet intimidating air to it. It brought forth images of dates and make-up and stylish clothing. It meant later curfews and more freedom. Sure, it also meant more responsibilities, but it was worth it. She could go out at night with friends and do the thing the older kids did. She could sit with Jimmy late at night, holding hands beneath the stars. She could add rouge to her cheeks and mascara to her lashes and slip on a pair of heels.
It was funny, though. Despite the fact that she was now a woman, Abby didn't feel all that different. But there was something that had changed, something she couldn't quite put her finger on. There was a new enlightenment which came with her newfound maturity. Childish games and girlish crushes weren't important; what was important was finding a suitable young man for her future. Of course, seeing as men matured more slowly than women, it would be up to her to train that man into a proper husband, but she was more than ready for the job.
Giving herself one last look, Abby strolled down stairs into her living room. Her little brother, Randolph, was seated with the family turtle, mixing some strange concoction with his chemistry kit. Her father was seated in his favorite chair with the morning newspaper and her mother was speaking on the phone with someone.
"Yes, she's right here." Her mother covered the mouthpiece of the phone and said in a soft tone, "Abby, long distance call for you."
"Thank you, Jenny," she replied loftily as she took the phone.
Her mother did a double take. "Jenny? I thought it was 'mom.'"
"Long distance call for you," the operator said on the other end of the phone. "Could you please hold?"
"Yes, I'll hold," Abby said before turning to her mother. "Get with the times, Jenny. All young women are no a first name basis with their mothers. Makes the relationship more friendly."
"I didn't realize we were supposed to be friends."
Abby ignored her and leaned over her father's head. "Jethro, could you fix me a glass of whatever it is you're drinking?"
He looked up with more than a little amusement. "I don't think bourbon is to your taste," he said, offering her the glass.
To her mother's shock and chagrin, Abby took a small sip of the alcohol. She coughed at the taste and grimaced. "On second thought, I'll just stick to cola."
"What has gotten into you?" her mother asked. She turned to her husband, commenting, "Yesterday I was a mother; today I'm a friend."
"You should enjoy it while it lasts," he said, turning a page of the newspaper. "Certainly beats her hating your guts."
Abby was oblivious to their conversation as she stood, phone pressed to her ear. The other end was picked up.
"Hello, is this Abigail Gibbs?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"This is Ziva David, a representative of Tony DiNozzo. I've got some great news for you, Miss Gibbs! You've been chosen out every girl in America to appear with Tony on The Ed Sullivan show and receive a farewell kiss from him."
Her heart skipped a beat, uncertain if she'd heard correctly. She was going to appear on The Ed Sullivan show? She was going to be on TV with Tony DiNozzo? And he…he was going to kiss her? It had to be a dream…right?
"I…I'm going to…he is…" she stuttered nonsensically.
"We'll be in touch for further details," the woman said, ignoring Abby's fanatic stammering. "Congratulations!" Then the line went dead.
Abby stood completely still, save for her hand replacing the phone in its cradle. Her body trembled as her brain processed this information. Before she knew it, a strangled cry had escaped from her lips. "Mommy!" she yelled. "Daddy! Tony DiNozzo is coming here!" she ranted loudly as her parents ran to her side. "Mommy, he's coming to kiss me!"
"Abby?" her mother asked worriedly.
"They just called me and told me! It's going to be on The Ed Sullivan show…he's going to kiss me!" She enveloped her mother in a tight hug. "Mommy, he's going to kiss me!"
Her mother returned the hug and turned to her husband with a tired smile. "I never though I'd say this, but God bless Tony DiNozzo!"