Chapter nine: Spreading the word

Alison had only been with the Louds for a short time. That was also something great, but the Louds were friends, Patrick's family became their family now too. Rita and Lily say goodbye to Alison. Lily is a little sad.

"Don't be sad Lily. I'll be right back." said Alison.

Lily immediately hugged Alison.

"That's fine." said Alison.

"Do not go." said Lily sadly.

"I'm not going forever. I'll show you something." Alison said, laying Lily on the floor.

Alison made hooks with both of her index fingers, and hooked them together.

"It's sign language and means friend. And those two hooks will never break. Just like our friendship."

Lily hugged Alison again. Alison hugged Lily back. Then Alison got up and looked at Rita.

"Thanks Rita. You helped me a lot."

"You're welcome. All the best to you."

Alison walked onto the sidewalk, waved at Lily and Rita, and left.

Alison reached Patrick's home. Patrick immediately hugged her.

"It's good that you're here." said Patrick.

"I'm happy too. When are your parents home?" Alison asked.

"Tomorrow evening. They are glad to see you."

"Yes. Me too. Me too."

Five days later. Alison was playing frisbee with Lily and Leni in the Louds garden.

"Grab him Lily." Alison said, throwing the frisbee at Lily.

Lily caught this one immediately. Lily took all her strength and threw the frisbee to Leni. Lily had tons of fun.

"Well done. Now to me Leni."

Leni threw the Frisbee over to Alison.

Three days later. Alison, Rita and Lily were at the cinema. The movie Titanic was playing on the screen. Lily found the story less interesting, but when the ship was in view her eyes were drawn to the screen.

"This film is a classic." whispered Rita to Lily.

"Ship." said Lily.

"Yes. But look at Jack and Rose."

One week later. Rita, Lori, Leni, Luna and Alison are in the public pool. While the Louds are having fun, Alison is having less fun. She was standing by the pool in normal clothes.

"Come on in. It's fun." said Lori.

"No." replied Alison.

"Why not? It's great." said Leni.

"I don't want to show myself."

Rita looked at Alison understandingly.

"It doesn't matter. It was exactly the same for me. It will pass." said Rita.

Present.

Alison was sitting on a bench on the sidewalk with Rita and Lily. It was quiet and peaceful.

"Thanks for your help Rita." said Alison.

"You don't have to thank me. If one of Lily's friends needs help, I'll help." replied Rita.

"I'm two months pregnant now. I know I have time before things really get going, but I'm scared."

"Why be afraid. Look next to you."

Alison looked sideways, straight into Lily's wide eyes. Lily hugged Alison's arm.

"You're right Rita. Why be scared?"

"Because it's a big change. You can be a little scared, but never let it get too strong."

"I understand. I think I understand."

Lily tried to climb up Alison's torso, but she failed. Alison picked Lily up, and then she hugged Alison's face.

"You like to show your affection." said Alison. Lily kissed her cheek.

"I love you too."

Alison put her hand on Lily's back.

"Do we want to see Amira?" Alison asked.

"You want to go home already?" asked Rita.

"Yes. Patrick's parents are flying to Shenyang right now, and we have the house alone with Amira."

"Well then go." said Rita.

Alison and Rita got up and went to Patrick's house. Alison knocked on the door and Amira opened it.

"You know I'm uncomfortable with this. Oh, I forgot, hi." said Alison.

"Yes yes, hi. And I'm sure you are Lily." said Amira and gave Lily a little high five.

"Hi Rita."

"Hi Amira. Your parents are on their way to Shenyang?" asked Rita.

"Yes. It's still cool, because the two always bring nice things with them."

"I believe that from you."

Lily kept looking at Amira. Somehow, Lily found Amira fascinating and handsome. Amira noticed Lily's look.

"What are you staring at?" asked Amira.

Lily turned away, pretending nothing happened.

"Okay?"

Lily looked back at Amira.

"Forget it."

With Alison standing right next to Amira, Lily hugged Amira's waist.

"Why is she doing that?" Amira asked with a wide gaze.

"Maybe she thinks you're beautiful." said Alison.

"Yes of course." said Amira with a sarcastic tone.

Then the doorbell rang.

"Anyone else coming?" asked Amira.

"Yes. My son Lincoln." said Rita. Amira went to the door.

"Hello. I think Rita called you here."

"Yes. Hi I'm Lincoln." said Lincoln, and shook Amira's hand.

Lincoln and Amira went into the living room.

"Hey Al, you should go see the doctor again." said Amira.

"I know. I'll make an appointment tomorrow. Do I smell spaghetti?"

"Phh yeah."

Amira led everyone into the dining room and got food from the kitchen. Spaghetti with tomato sauce and meatballs. Plus breadsticks. The group started eating.

"How are you guys anyway? I heard you're pretty much on top with Patrick Amira." asked Rita.

"I have him well under control." said Amira, jokingly raising a fist.

Patrick rolled his eyes.

"Tell me, what binds you so strongly to Lily?" asked Amira.

"I just like her."

The group continued to eat. When Alison and Lily finished, Alison got up and walked over to Lily.

"Shall we do something upstairs?"

Lily nodded and Alison picked her up. The two ran up the stairs, giggling.

"Definitely a stroke." said Amira.

"I'm glad the two are friends." said Rita.

"For real?" asked Amira.

"Yes."

When Alison was in Patrick's room, she dressed Lily in one of Amira's old costumes. Lily now looked like Little Red Riding Hood and she hated it. Alison changed into one of Patrick's Star Trek uniforms. Commando gold, the uniform of Captain James T. Kirk.

"Well, what do you say to that?"

Lily grumbled in annoyance. Alison sat on the floor and leaned against the wall.

"I don't like it either. What am I doing here? Lily, in less than seven months, a seven-pound baby is coming out of my you know what. And I don't know how to be a mother. I watch your mother, and Patrick's parents, when they're both at home. They do it so well. I'm fourteen. I should enjoy my youth and develop. Somehow everything that comes my way is brutal and cruel. For example, did you know that women endure so much pain in childbirth that men would pass out? I mean, damn is my young body going to even survive that? What the fu... I mean, what the cheese am I in here?"

Lily went to Alison and hugged her.

"Thanks Lily. At least you always listen to me."

Meanwhile, the others in the living room were watching The dream boat. Then Amira's phone rang. She went into the kitchen and answered.

"Ja hallo Mom?"

(Hi Mom?)

"Ja hallo. Wir werden in einer Stunde abheben. Ich hoffe euch geht es gut."

(Yes hello. We'll be taking off in an hour. I hope you are doing well.)

Amira looked around and took cigarettes out of her pocket and started smoking.

"Ja. Ein paar von Alisons Freunden sind hier. Und Patrick schaut fern."

(Yes. Some of Alison's friends are here. And Patrick watches TV.)

"Das ist gut. Wir sehen uns morgen."

(Thats good. See you tomorrow.)

"Ja. Bis morgen."

(Yeah. See you tomorrow.)

"Und bitte denk daran nicht in Alisons Nähe zu rauchen."

(And please remember not to smoke around Alison.)

"Das werde ich. Tschüss."

(I will. Bye.)

Amira hung Up.She went back into the living room.

"Mom and dad will take off from Shenyang in an hour."

"Okay." said Patrick. Alison and Lily came into the living room. The two wore their normal clothes again.

"Your parents are taking off soon?" Alison asked.

"Exactly."

"You should stop smoking."

"I know." said Amira and looked at her cigarette.

"Why are you going on?"

"I do not know."

"What's on TV right now?"

"You see that on the screen."

Rita looked at the clock and got up.

"Well, we have to go home."

Lily hugged Alison's leg, slightly sad.

"We'll see each other again soon. Don't always be so sad."

Then they left.

As Rita, Lincoln, and Lily headed home, Rita wondered how she could make one of Alison's goals possible.

"How can we help Alison make the world safe, safe?"

"I don't know. Maybe set something up with the nuclear power plant guys." Lincoln said.

"Good idea."