Chapter 808: Bobbi-Lee's Cottage
Saturday, April 1st, Morning
Sitting at the breakfast bar in her kitchen, she poked at her egg white omelet with onions and peppers. With a sigh, she took a sip of her morning coffee. She looked at her watch and saw every other bite; the minutes barely changed. Finally, she finished her breakfast as her doorbell rang.
Bobbi-Lee stood up and walked towards the door. Pausing behind the door, Bobbi-Lee took a deep breath and opened the door. Standing on her porch was the neighbor girl, whom Bobbi-Lee agreed to take shopping, looking back at her. Jordan was dressed casually in baggy camouflage pants, a white t-shirt, and her hair in space buns.
"Good morning, Bobbi," Jordan said.
"Morning, Jordan," Bobbi-Lee replied, "No dad?"
Jordan shook her head, "No, he figured he'd just be in the way."
"Okay," Bobbi-Lee shrugged, "Do you know your sizes?"
Jordan looked at Bobbi-Lee. With a smile, Bobbi-Lee nodded, "Okay, I'll take that as a no."
"So, what do I do?" Jordan asked.
"Follow me," Bobbi-Lee said and headed towards the stairs.
Jordan nodded and followed Bobbi-Lee to her lofted office. Standing by her drawing board, Bobbi-Lee was going through something. She looked up through her ginger bangs at Jordan.
"What is this place?" Jordan asked.
"My home office," Bobbi-Lee said.
"What do you do?" Jordan asked.
"I'm a fashion designer," Bobbi-Lee said, holding something out. Jordan took hold of what Bobbi-Lee was offering. "Through that door is my bedroom and bathroom; change into these."
"What are they?" Jordan asked.
"Something for modesty when we take measurements," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Okay? Why? What are we going to do?" Jordan asked.
"I'm going to take your measurements," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Why?" Jordan asked.
Bobbi-Lee shook her head, "So, we know, roughly, what size you are."
"My mom would have me try on a bunch of stuff," Jordan said.
"Was that fun?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"Not really," Jordan said.
"So, I believe you should have fun," Bobbi-Lee stated.
Jordan nodded and went into the other room. A few moments later, she came out, and Bobbi-Lee showed her to a pedestal. Cautiously, Bobbi-Lee started taking measurements.
"Why did you say yes?" Jordan asked.
"Yes to what?" Bobbi-Lee returned.
"Taking me shopping," Jordan stated.
"Ah, that, well, I didn't have a mom growing up. My dad, he tried being a girl dad, he really did, but he was also so uncomfortable with me when I was growing up, but he tried," Bobbi-Lee kept taking measurements. She was always the one who had to figure out her own style and clothing, and she didn't want Jordan to go through the same struggle.
"So, that's why you're doing this?" Jordan asked.
"I figured it would be less stressful for both of y'all," Bobbi-Lee said.
"How was it being raised by a single parent?" Jordan asked.
"I was about six when my mom passed. It's all I really knew. My dad worked hard to support us, me, my brother, and my sister, but he wasn't around much," Bobbi-Lee finished her measurements, her determination evident.
"Do you always get this up close and personal?" Jordan asked, laughing.
"No, at work, we have a three-dee scanner," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Oh," Jordan shook her head, "Were you a good kid growing up?"
Bobbi-Lee shook her head, "Hell no, I was a hell-raiser," she said, her honesty shining through, "But I will tell you this: find a good bunch of friends, and no matter what you do in your life, you'll be rich."
Jordan nodded, "Okay."
Bobbi-Lee put her measuring tools away, "Go, get changed, let's have some fun."
"Sure," Jordan bounced into the other room. Alone, Bobbi-Lee went into a desk drawer and pulled out a picture. She took it in while Jordan was in the other room. So lost in the past, Bobbi-Lee didn't hear Jordan come in.
"Who are they?" Jordan asked.
Bobbi-Lee shuddered from the start. She looked at Jordan, smiled, and shook her head, "Don't do that! Do you want to give me a heart attack?"
"No," Jordan said, "Sorry."
"They were my friends at our senior prom," Bobbi-Lee answered, her voice tinged with nostalgia. The picture was a reminder of a time when she felt carefree and happy, a stark contrast to her current responsibilities.
"Really?" Jordan asked.
"Yeah, me, Johnny Mason, Jackie Gregory, Kate Sheridan, and DZ McMichael," Bobbi-Lee said. My date was…honestly, I don't remember my date's name."
"So, Kate and DZ went together?" Jordan asked.
Bobbi-Lee nodded, "Yeah."
"Cool," Jordan smiled.
"Let's get going, I'll drive," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Good, because I don't have my license," Jordan stated.
"No worries," Bobbi-Lee grabbed her stuff.
"Are there any restrictions on what I pick out?" Jordan asked.
"You would know better than me. My rule is that as long as you have the money for it and it doesn't get me in trouble with your dad, I'm cool with whatever you want," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Okay, good," Jordan beamed.
"Why do you ask?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
"My mom was a bit conservative," Jordan murmured.
"You're still young, and I bet she didn't want to make you a Lolita," Bobbi-Lee said.
"Yeah," Jordan's tone became solemn.
"Jordan, are you okay?" Bobbi-Lee asked.
Jordan snapped back to cheerful, "Yeah, let's go."
Bobbi-Lee nodded, and off they went.