Chapter 8

"WAKE UP, BRO WE'VE GOT SOME WORK TO DO," Kim's voice ripped through the
velvety blanket of sleep. Bobbie thrashed, gasping. It was Kim, pouncing
on her.

"Kim, wha..."

"Mom's at work today, so I thought maybe I could give you a crash course
in a few things," Kim said. Bobbie smoothed her hair and yawned. "You've
got the rest of the week, and there's things I'm sure you'd rather not
ask Mom," Bobbie stared blankly. "Meet me downstairs," Kim bolted out of
the room and down, displaying too much energy for this time of the
morning.

After a breakfast of Fruit Rocks and coffee, Kim brought out the pink
box. Opening it, she held it out to Bobbie. It was a pair of high heels.
Bobbie looked at her with that 'you've got to be kidding' look.

"You've gotta figure this out. You still walk kind of like a guy. Just a
little practice..."

"Kimster, I'm going to kill you for this," Bobbie said. Kim handed her a
book. "What's this for?" She took it angrily.

"Your head, balance. You just woke up with tits and an ass, you didn't
have time to get used to it like us..."

"Like you 'real' girls?" Bobbie said dryly. The shoes went on easy
enough, standing in them was what she imagined stilts were like. Bobbie
walked around, shakily at first. It took about an hour before she was
able to circumnavigate the living room without grabbing onto anything.
Kim seemed happy.

"Now, to the computer," Kim said.

In Robb's old room, there was a desktop computer, Kim and Bobbie
reconnected all the wires and connectors and booted up the system for
the first time in years. "My virus protection has got to be out of
date," Bobbie murmured. His old wallpaper of a half naked woman covered
in tattoos and piercings. She'd forgotten about that.

"Hmm, she's kinda cute," Kim said, breathing into Bobbie's hair. Seeing
all of Robb's old life bothered her.

Once Google's mighty logo took over the screen, Kim directed him to
facebook. She plugged her phone into the computer's usb slot. "Move
over," Kim directed. "I've got this."

Making a profile wasn't hard. But it was filling in life events and
friends that was... challenging. Kim got the pictures from her phone to
the computer to the profile. There were 'likes' and events. By the time
they finished, it could have been a normal facebook page. Only Kim and
Bobbie knew otherwise. Bobbie was also advised to have other accounts.
Twitter, Tumblr, and so on.

"Where did you learn all this stuff?" Bobbie asked, impressed.

"From you, alright. I learned it from watching you," Kim laughed.
"Seriously, part of the band thing. Helps build a following."

Bobbie looked through the computer. Robb's old comic books, and movies,
his porn... Here Bobbie was surrounded by her old life. She remembered all
the plot details, characters, everything. It was while a naked Asian
woman was on the screen when Bobbie heard it.

"I don't think you're gay," Kim said. "And I should know."

Bobbie jumped and turned. "Kimster? I just don't know what I am anymore.
I'm trying to roll with the punches here. But..."

Kim put her hand on Bobbie's shoulder. "I understand, probably on a
level few others will. We'll get through this. Now, how about another
lap in the heels?

Bobbie learned way too much about applying makeup and walking in heels
during the rest of the week. Heather came by a couple of times, wanting
to check on Bobbie. The earrings healed quickly, and Bobbie was able to
dress herself well enough to satisfy Heather. Kim had recommended she
practice getting ready for the rest of the week.

There was a kind of artful calm to it, Bobbie noticed. She adopted a
look that was subtle. It was easy and quick. She remembered trying to
get bathroom time as the only guy in the house. Bobbie practiced being a
girl for the rest of the week. Sunday night, however, filled her with a
sickening dread. The memories of 'Robb's' time at Delacroix.

Out on the rooftop, Bobbie asked Kim for a cigarette. She hoped it would
calm her twisted nerves, each drag burned and rasped. She coughed, the
nicotine did it's work at first, soothing her. Then, it all became too
much. She grabbed the can and spit into it, dousing the cigarette.

"Never mind. I'm never smoking anything again," Bobbie said with
certainty. Then went to bed.

CLANG! Bobbie Recognized that sound now. Justice.

"Well, you seem to be adapting to that body pretty well. Like the hair,"
she said.

Bobbie toyed with her bangs."I've had some help."

Justice smiled. "So you have. But something is still troubling you."

"Well, it's just... do I like guys, do I like girls? Who am I? I'm not
'Robb' , and 'Bobbie' doesn't really exist. Now...now, I've got to go back
to school..."

"You will just have to answer those questions for yourself. I will
commend you on the choices you've made so far. You seem to be doing a
lot of good for your mom and your sister. Anything else?

"Yeah," Bobbie realized. "The cooking! It's very, I don't know...joyful.
Is that important somehow?"

"Of course it is. I just cannot tell you about it. It would ruin its
purpose. I guess there's not a lot to say. You are going to be busy,
Bobbie. You get to find yourself, and that is a lot of work, whoever you
are.

"Just keep an open mind and an open heart. I believe in you. Make this
time different"

Chapter 9

Delacroix High: a heady mix of hormones, knowledge, violence, humor, and
fear all mixed up into a big cauldron of doubt. Bobbie looked at the
school, remembering the days 'Robb' had spent here. She could point out
the places where he had had altercations. Nervousness and old adrenal
reflexes shot through Bobbie.

"Don't worry, bro. This time it's personal." Kim smacked her fist with
her palm.

* **********

The One Who Was Melanie slinked her way onto campus. Tight jeans, tight
top, tight everything. She could see Bobbie and Kim through the crowd,
she turned her eyes into slits.

I will ruin you all over again. She needed to be patient, Lust had said.

The One Who Was Melanie had the beginnings of a plan. She looked at Kim.

* ***********

Bobbie went through the first two classes quietly. Listening to Mr.
Lesko drone on and on about English Literature, and how we would be
reading from some of the finest writers in the world, again. She
chuckled with the irony. The simple math class she was taking for credit
was no problem. But, the teacher couldn't seem to take his eyes off of
her. All in all, things seemed okay for a change, normal. Well, whatever
that is.

It was lunchtime when Bobbie saw Kim again, thankful for a familiar
face. She was sitting with a bunch of other girls who looked far more
interested in cheerleaders than cheerleading.

"Hey, Kimst...Kim," Bobbie said.

"Oh, hey. Bobbie. Guys, this is Bobbie. She's staying with me and my
mom."

"Hey," they all murmured, practically in unison.

Bobbie looked around the lunch area and saw the classic cliché of
cliques. But noticed things she'd never noticed. Anime stickers, people
wearing superhero shirts, things that had been strictly relegated to the
geek culture, were abound. Even in the behoodied group of
skater/stoner/slackers. She saw the one from the mall, the one with the
darkness. Well, more by them than with them.

Home economics was fun. The kitchen stations were modern, but the
teacher was blasé and bored with teaching a class that existed solely
for credit. So far, all the classes had been easy. She had kept
interactions to a minimum, knowing that being the new kid and putting a
foot wrong could spell disastrous. What had Mom said? Kids can be so
cruel. She had decided to play it close to the vest, the last fight with
Delacroix High had ended with DHS winning in the eleventh round by TKO.

The drama classes and the government class were slightly more enjoyable,
with Bella in Government and Amber in Drama. Also in drama was a girl
who sat in the back, one with a similar darkness. She was overweight,
she just seemed to be depressed and alone. Apart from saying 'here'
quietly, she didn't say much. Her name was Beth, Bobbie wanted to speak
to her, but she was gone as soon as the bell rang.

Well, there's always tomorrow.

Bobbie and Kim walked home, it was only a couple of miles, so they just
took some side streets and cut through some of the empty fields that
surrounded the school. Kim was having her after school smoke when they
heard it.

"There's a cow on the traintracks. MOO!"

Coming around the corner, they saw Beth being pulled down to the ground.
There were a couple of girls that she recognized from the skater crowd.
There were two of them, a sticklike Hispanic girl, and a small slip of a
girl with brown hair. Bobbie quickly named them Biggie and Smallz.
Smallz had jumped onto Beth's back, pulling her to the packed dirt and
rocks by her backpack, while Biggie was closing the distance between
them.

Bobbie remembered the feeling of being the kid on the ground. How 'he'
had wished someone would come and...Oh, screw it. She dropped her backpack
and rushed Biggie, fists balled. Anger took over

"Leave her alone," she screamed as she brought around a right hook that
impacted Biggie's neck. It did absolutely nothing, failing to even push
her back.

"Noboby asked you, cunt," Biggie hissed, reaching out and grabbing
Bobbie by the hair. Bobbie saw her fist coming toward her face. POW! It
connected with her cheekbone, sending red lances of pain through her
vision.

Something inside Bobbie made her move, crashing her forehead into
Biggie's nose. She felt something move with a sickening wetness. When
she brought her head away, there was a downpour of blood running down
her face.

"You broke by node," she shrieked. Bobbie quickly turned around to see
Kim holding Smallz off by intimidation alone. Smallz ran over to Biggie.
"You better watch yourself, Barbie. C'mon Carla, let's go. Kim feinted
at them, stomping her foot as they ran away.

Beth was sobbing on the ground. Bobbie went to her, an arm around her
shoulder. "It's okay, they're gone now," Beth responded by rising to her
feet and throwing her arms around Bobbie. She returned the hug.

"They're always so mean to me," she cried. "They always call me 'fat'
and...and," Tears came, darkening David Gahan's face. She broke away from
Bobbie. "I...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." Sniffle.

"It's okay, Beth. I'm Bobbie, and this is Kim. They won't be bothering
you anymore today. C'mon, let's get you home, you live close?" Bobbie
chuckled. Kim lit a cigarette and offered one to Beth.

"Oh, no. My father would never let me..." Beth stammered, Kim laughed.

Beth did, indeed, live close. It was in a slightly rundown apartment
building. They went to the apartment where she lived to find her father
standing there, worried. His glasses showing spots in the afternoon
light. Bobbie saw a hint of darkness, weblike, nebulous about him.

"Oh, no," He said, seeing the blood on Bobbie's forehead. The story was
quickly explained. Bobbie went into the bathroom to see the aftermath.
It was bad looking, slight swelling of the struck cheekbone. Brown,
dried blood matted the center of her bangs, almost an oval shape. Using
water and her comb, she managed to get most of it out.

"Hey, you wanna see my room?" Beth said, smiling. Bobbie noticed
something different about her, the darkness had lightened.

"Sure," Bobbie said. "Kim, let's go see Beth's room."

"Beth, you wanna introduce me to your friends?"

"Oh, sure daddy. This is Bobbie and Kim. They helped me today," Beth
said anxiously.

"I'm Roy." He offered his fist. "Nice to meet you." Bobbie fist bumped,
and Kim shook his hand.

"Daddy," Beth insisted.

Roy chuckled. "You girls have fun."

When they entered Beth's room Bobbie was surprised, it was kind of a
mess, there were pictures of horses, cats, boy bands, Katy Perry, and
Taylor Swift covering her walls. There were some old toys(Bobbie spotted
the easy bake oven immediately), a small stereo sat on her dresser,
surrounded by CD and DVD cases. Looking closer, Bobbie recognized many
of the titles. There was some anime mixed in with the John Hughes love
stories. The music had a slightly retro look to the collection as well.
An unmade bed with Hello Kitty sheets, and all the various clutter that
made up a girl's room.

Beth excitedly chatted, pointing to nearly everything in her room.
Sometimes giving a detailed backstory where none was needed. Within
fifteen minutes, both Kim and Bobbie knew more about her than they
thought possible. She was a girl who loved things, the world was a
bright and happy place. It was only at school where everything went
wrong.

She didn't have a mother. She left when Beth was two, no one knew where
she went, she just... left. Her dad did the best he could, but...

Kids are cruel, Bobbie thought.

"Hey, do you wanna have lunch together tomorrow? I mean if..."

"Sure," Bobbie said. "Absolutely." The darkness around Beth was
wavering, fading. Not gone, but certainly not as dense as before. After
Bobbie borrowed some of her CDs, they left, Roy followed Bobbie out.

"Bobbie," he said quietly. "I just... well, I just want to thank you. I
don't know what to do about her. I don't know much about teenage girls,
and..." Roy put his balding head in his hand.

"Mr, Rivers," Bobbie said. "I know a little about being bullied. It
sucks, and it looks like you may have seen some as well. The pendulum
always swings the other way, things will change. They always do."

"You can't be more than seventeen, how can you be so smart?" Roy smiled.

"You've done a good job. She's sweet, and she has a good heart. Me?
People keep telling me that I have an 'old soul'." Bobbie shrugged
nonchalantly. "I'll see you soon," Bobbie waved to Beth through a window
as she and Kim began the journey home.

Chapter 10

That darkness, what was it. Could it simply be the negativity of others,
or was it more than that? Bobbie wished she knew. The mystery baked in
her mind like the cupcakes in the oven. The New Order CD that Bobbie had
borrowed was spinning it's way through Bizarre Love Triangle as she
mixed the ingredients for the core.

The saying 'In the zone' had never meant much to Robb in his old life,
but now, Bobbie was whirling around the kitchen, doing a curious kind of
upper body parkour. Shoulders levering back and forth as she pulled
ingredients and utensils from their resting places. When Bobbie used a
knife, whisk, or spoon, it was as if it was an extension of her own
hand.

This is my knife, there are many like it. But this one is mine.

Bobbie was pulling out the cupcake tins as the timer reached zero. She
noticed that there was a different disc playing from when she started.
Had she changed the CD? She continued her project, getting all the
pieces to come together. And come together, they had.

There they were. 24 perfect chocolate cupcakes with a fudge core, dark
chocolate icing, and ribbons of milk and white chocolates. All sitting
prettily on three plates, Kim reached out for one. Only to have Bobbie
slap her hand.

Kim rubbed at her hand where it stung. "What the hell?"

"I'm just running an experiment. We'll get to eat a few, don't worry
there," Bobbie pulled out her phone. It hadn't really been used much.
"Hey, show me how to use the camera on this thing. I want to get a
picture. I can put it on those accounts I set up."

When Sylvia got home, there was a dinner of sandwiches and chips. Then
Bobbie pulled out the cupcakes. "Finally. Gimme," Kim said,
exaggeratedly reaching her hands out.

"Okay. I got this idea, I'm going to call them Mortal Choklate
cupcakes." She handed them out wryly smiling at the geek reference.

"Mortal Choklate!" Kim cried, echoing an old techno song. Bobbie
laughed. Sylvia took one and began carefully removing the paper. Kim was
literally ripping the covering off. Either way, they both experience the
first bite in unison.

It was, for lack of a better word, nirvana. It was like looking into the
sun, only to discover rich, chewy fudge at its center. All other
sensation melting away into luscious cake, rich frosting, and...

...love.

If any food could ever be said to fill your soul, these would be it.

Bobbie watched as they were enraptured, eyes closed, moaning softly.

Sylvia set hers down. "Before I take another bite. That... was simply the
most amazing cupcake I've ever had. You should find a way to sell these.
I'm serious Bobbie. You are one hell of a cook," Kim nodded agreement,
still chewing. After they had finished, there was a smile on their
faces. One that mirrored Bobbie's.

They feel better, then I feel better. Bobbie noticed that her cheek
didn't sting quite so much.

"Bobbie, what happened to your cheek?" Sylvia asked, noticing the slight
blemish.

"Oh," Kim said, swallowing the last of her cupcake. "She head butted
Carla Castillo in the nose. That was freakin' awesome. Sylvia looked at
Bobbie, shocked. "It's okay, Mom. It wasn't at school. She and that
midget she hangs around with were screwing around with a freshman girl.
You should have seen it! Bobbie Sharpe: Defender of the weak!"

Later that night, Kim was enjoying the last cigarette of the day. Bobbie
still felt pretty good. There was a special calm, soothing.

"Bro, those were fucking awesome cupcakes. I think that you should call
that fudgy center thing 'the fudgality'," Kim said, pointing with the
cigarette.

"I really wish you'd stop calling me 'bro'. It just sounds weird."

"What am I supposed to do? Call you Sis?"

Bobbie had to admit. That sounds a little weird, too.

The next day there was no sign of Carla Castillo. Beth was very pleased
by this. She was so happy to have someone to eat lunch with. Bobbie
could sense some of the darkness, it was still there, wavering in a
state of quantum flux.

"I made this for you, Beth. It's a new recipe. Wondered what you
thought," Bobbie handed over an orange Tupperware container with a green
lid.

"For me?" Beth said. Bobbie nodded as she opened it. "Wow. You made
that? It's so pretty. I almost don't want to eat it. You made that?
Wow."

"Go on, I have a feeling I'm going to be making these again," Beth
gleefully peeled back the covering and took a healthy bite, snagging
some of the dense center.

"MMMMMPH!" Beth exclaimed as best as she could. The darkness began
strobing, and, as the cupcake was finished.

So was Beth's darkness. Gone like it had never been, it just faded.

Okay, I think I get it. Tomorrow for sure.

Walking home, Bobbie peeled off with Beth to return her CDs. Kim, had
some homework, so she headed straight home. Lighting her after school
smoke she waved and told Bobbie that there wouldn't be any more of the
cupcakes left.

Kim had just lost sight of Bobbie and Beth when she saw... her.

She was one of those girls who filled out completely while still young.
Her hair was red, the red associated with Italian sportscars. Her eyes
were green orbital cannons, her pants were tight. Her top covered just
enough to be suggestive, yet tight enough to see everything. She was
sitting on a rock, legs crossed.

"Hey, you got another one of those for me, handsome?" she growled.

Kim, stunned, fumbled for her pack and flipped open the box. She took
one out and handed it to her, filter up.

"Thanks," she said. "Got a light?" Kim flicked her lighter and she moved
in close, catching the end on the flame. She inhaled deeply, and exhaled
a slow, steady stream.

"So," she cooed. "What's your name."

"Umm... uh. Kim," she stammered.

"I'm Roxx, with two exes."She winked and reached out her arm and gently
raked her scarlet lacquered nails down the back of Kim's hair, all the
way down the back of her neck.

"Thanks for the smoke. I'll see you around, tiger," Roxx said. As she
walked away, Kim stood there stunned, she noticed a tattoo on her lower
back. It had some purple Japanese letters in the center...

But, they could have meant anything...

Kim was lost in a daze after the encounter, she didn't say much for the
rest of the night. Although she was smiling, Bobbie could see rumblings
of darkness, the way experienced sailors can see the gathering storm
hours before anyone else. Not knowing what it meant, she put it out of
her mind.

The next day, dressed in her black and white polka dotted top and skinny
jeans. She had armed herself with another Mortal Choklate, Bobbie was
walking out to the knoll where there was a faint odor of marijuana,
stale tobacco, and testosterone. The smell reminding him of life with
Melanie. How did I ever live like that?

The slacker crowd sat in their beanies and chain wallets. Torn skate
shoes covering their feet. To the untrained eye, they looked like a
single group. Like deep water, there were many undercurrents. They were
usually identified by the hats they wore and the things they either did
or did not do. Darknesses merged, there was no break, Bobbie could
almost feel it pulling at her.

But not today. She headed for an atoll. The one she had seen at the
mall. He was wearing an Elvis Costello shirt and a flannel overshirt,
saggy jeans and shoes that had never seen a skateboard. She tapped him
on the shoulder. He looked as if Patrick Bateman was asking him about
Huey Lewis and the News.

"Hi. I'm Bobbie, and I wanted to talk to you. Is this a bad time?"
Bobbie said.

"Oh...ummm. Uhhh." He was fumbling with a book, slipping in into his
pocket."Excuse me? I uhh.uhhh..."

Bobbie wished he would just talk, she couldn't blame him though. There
was a time when any girl walking up to him and talking would have
produced a similar effect.

"Sorry, I was reading," he said sheepishly, looking around. "We should
probably get out of here, you're in the wrong 'hood."

"C'mon, let's get to the quad."

"Why?" Bobbie asked.

"No offense, but you stick out like a sore thumb down here. And,
everyone heard about you and Carla Castillo. I'm Tim by the way, Tim
Flaherty," He stuck out his hand.

"Bobbie. Bobbie Sharpe."

"Not having lunch with your dyke friends today?" Carla Castillo was
stomping her way toward Bobbie.

Crap. "Could you hold this for a second?" Bobbie unshouldered her bag
and handed it to Tim.

"You broke my nose, Barbie," Carla said, a very unattractive cast over
half of her face. She reached out for Bobbie...

Who grabbed her arm and levered her over her right hip, sending Carla en
route to another facial collision. This time with the ground, she landed
with a dull, wet thump. She screamed in frustrated, painful anguish as
she realized that Bobbie had broken her nose. Again.

"It's Bobbie, and leave Beth alone."

A voice came from above the crowd. The slacker king parted the crowd,
His Deicide beanie bobbing up and down. "Beth? Beth Rivers. The
freshman? That's where you went yesterday? You two went to go bully some
kid instead of smoking that joint with us? You're priorities are all
screwed up, bitch," One of the older stoner kids started berating Carla.

"Don't worry, I won't say nothing. For that, she deserved it. You cool,
blondie."

"Bobbie. Bobbie Sharpe." He nodded.

"You better go on, before campus cop gets here." He pointed to the quad.

"Yeah," Tim said, handing Bobbie back her bag.

On their way to the quad, Tim looked at Bobbie. "That was AWESOME!"

Bobbie smiled. "If she would just stop attacking me. These things
wouldn't happen."

"So what did you want to talk to me about?" he asked.

"Here," She handed him a tupperware container with a mismatched lid.
"It's kind of a science project.

He opened it to see, another of the Cupcakes. He looked at her, wide
eyed.

"Did...did you make these?" Tim asked excitedly. "I mean, you know how to
do this stuff?'

Bobbie wasn't ready for a follow up question, but... "Yes. I wondered if
you could..."

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. " Tim said, removing the paper in one piece, he bit.
And Bobbie, saw the world explode in his eyes. As he chewed, he calmly
set the pastry back in the container. He swallowed hard, looked directly
into Bobbie's eyes. She could see tears forming.

"I miss my dad and sister," he whispered, tears streaming down his nose.
Tim wiped them away. "That was a really good cupcake," He said louder,
nonchalantly.

Bobbie saw his darkness lighten up a little, not like with Beth. The
bell rang, and before Bobbie could say anything else...

He was gone.

It wasn't until the end of the day when she saw him again. "Bobbie," he
called, running after her and Kim.

"Wait," Bobbie finally heard him and turned around. When he eventually
caught up, he put his hands on his knees, heaving. "I think... I think...
you need to... to see."

"See what?" Kim asked. "You're not taking her anywhere."

"It's okay, Kim. Sure, I'll go."

"Keep your phone on. I wanna hear from you." Kim pointed at Bobbie.

"Ok, mom."

Tim had gotten chatty after Kim left. Telling her about the car accident
that had claimed his Father and sister, His mother had been withdrawn
and almost catatonic. Tim's father had been a patisserie for a famous
restaurant years ago. They had moved to Delacroix when he had the idea
for a cupcake boutique/bakery. They had found the right building with
apartments upstairs. They had equipped the kitchen with the latest gear.
They even had the permits required. Then the accident happened, Leaving
Tim and his mother to deal with the aftermath. Now, opening the place
just seemed like too much work for just the two of them.

Tim led Bobbie into town, past some warehouses and the skate park.
There was a shabby grey building that needed a coat of paint. He
brandished a key and led her in through a side door, into an elevator
and down a hallway.

"I'm home, mom," Tim said, coming in the door. She was sitting on the
couch under a blanket staring at a muted TV. "Mom?"

"Oh. Hi, Tim," she said, not even looking at him.

"Mom, this is Bobbie."

"Oh." She turned around. "I'm Myka, sorry about the mess..." Her darkness
was palpable, almost swallowing light.

"It's okay, Ms. Flaherty."

"Mom, I think she can help with the bakery." Myka looked up, puzzled.

"I need to show her the space. I think we might be able to save this
place," Tim grabbed some keys off of the hook by the door.

Going back down to the first floor, Tim wouldn't stop talking or moving.
His darkness looked soap bubble thin, vague. "...so, neither one of us is
any good at this. We can't hire anyone, and well... You came along with
that cupcake. Please, we need your help," Tim pleaded as he flipped the
breakers one by one, enrobing the room in fluorescent light.

Bobbie gasped. She had seen some of this stuff before, but, wow! It was
all top end gear. Huge ovens, a fondant station, it was as if there was
a baker's wish list on display. "I just started, and ...."

"...damn," she

Tim cut her off. "Anything is better than the zero we've been getting.
And those cupcakes, "He would have loved them."

Bobbie's mind started clicking. Hmmm. Maybe... She started thinking. She
had friends, Beth would help. Maybe Kim... Suddenly, wormy things were
scouting her stomach

What is this I'm feeling? Not scared... Nervous?

What is this?

"I'll see what I can do?" Bobbie said with the air of
hopeIdon'tfuckitup.

Chapter 11

It was evening when Bobbie returned home. Sylvia was there, alone.

"Hi, Bobbie. Kim's out for a bit, so let's talk." Sylvia patted the
cushion next to her on the sofa.

"Where's Kim?" Bobbie asked.

"Oh, out with Roxx, I guess her name is? You know her?"

No, she didn't.

"Anyway, I wondered how school was going."

She shrugged. "Okay, I guess, classes seem easy enough. Don't think Mr.
Lesko is going to like my work. He seems a little too enamored of the
classics."

Sylvia put her hand on Bobbie's crossed leg. "You know, Robb said the
same thing. I see why he liked you. I know I haven't talked about it
much, but... None of this has been easy. It was so hard on Kim. She
didn't do much of anything but read his old books and watch his movies.
I was so happy when she started playing the bass. When she told me she
was gay. I wondered if it was Robb, was there something I could have
done? I was so... so mad isn't the word. Just frustrated and..." She sighed.

Bobbie couldn't even imagine what it had been like for her. Losing one
child, having to deal with Kim, and all of that after Jeff's battle with
cancer. Bobbie remembered all that time in the bedroom that Fate deemed
he occupy again.

"And I've wanted to ask you this for about a week. Bobbie?"

"Yes."

"Can I braid your hair? I've missed doing it since Heather's makeover.

"Sure," Bobbie chuckled. "Anything you want."

So Bobbie sat there, as Sylvia began sectioning off Bobbie's hair. "See
any boys you like?" Bobbie spluttered.

"Uhh. No. It's just been us girls," she commented on Beth and realized
she had been kind of alone together with Beth. "I guess it's kind of
difficult to start your senior year at a new school. I was always kind
of shy."

"God, sometimes when you talk, I just hear Robb. It's almost like you
two were the same person. There, done," Bobbie turned her head, feeling
a rope swing around and land in front of her left shoulder. "I'm glad he
found you. I wish I could have helped him more. That...that bitch. He was
a good boy, I can't help but think what would have happened if he
hadn't," She was looking directly into Bobbie's eyes, she could see the
tears.

"Mo..., Sylvia," Bobbie started.

"Y'know what," Sylvia guillotined that conversation."Call me Mom. I'm
okay with that if you are," She was, and only her hug told anyone.

Bobbie spent some time cleaning up after Robb and making room for
herself. Robb's movies were rather eclectic from well written romantic
comedies to musicals, Splattery horror films to period courtroom dramas.
Girls don't watch this stuff usually. Why not?

What kind of girl do you wanna be? I don't know. Before finally turning
in she took down that Bettie Page poster and set it aside.

Chapter 12

Bobbie saw him standing there, alone against a background of white, the
ground parched desert. She walked up to him slowly. Recognition dawned...

Robb. He looked emaciated. His skin mottled, his eyes cloudy.

"Hey." He looked down. "Was hoping this would happen. I don't know if
I'm dreaming this, or you are. Or... hell, if Justice dreamed this up.
Doubt that last one. No CLANG. Not sure."

"What...I, how?"

I think I'm what's left of Robb. You're making more of this than you
need to. You saved that girl, Kim and Mom are better now than they have
been. It's okay. I know this is weird, right? Maybe it's that walkabout
thing. Here I am, and there you are. Parts of me will stay, but you have
taken other parts and made them yours. You can be a better Bobbie than I
was a Robb, or a Robert for that matter. You can keep 'me' in here," he
tapped his temple. "There's not much to keep, here," He pointed to his
chest. He smiled. Grabbing her hand and placing it over his heart. "Just
keep your mind and heart open. No matter where you go..." Then he walked
into her, disappearing.

...there you are. Bobbie finished.

During lunch Beth looked at Bobbie. "I'm having a hard time with math,
do you know anything about it?"

"Yeah, what are you having trouble with?"

"Oh, jeez, everything." Beth looked at the end of her rope.

"Sure, afterschool? I think you can help me too," Bobbie said.

Bobbie spent time making a list of the things she needed help with. She
talked with Bella and Amber about band practice, saying something about
needing their help. Then Bobbie went about the rest of her day.
Following Beth home, Bobbie began asking the questions. She asked about
hair braiding, she realized that she liked the braid. Especially while
cooking. She had other girly questions, but those would keep past the
barrier of fractions.

Beth was having a huge problem with fractions. Bobbie remembered the
Easy Bake oven and related the fractions to food. Bobbie saw the light
come on, she had gotten it.

While showing Bobbie how to braid, Beth looked calmly at her. "I have a
question for you, okay? And you can't laugh."

Bobbie looked at her quizzically. "Sure, what?" Trying to keep the three
sections of hair separate.

"Are you an angel?"

"Angel, huh?"

"I... uhh. What? Angel?" Bobbie stammered.

"Sure, I've lived here my whole life. I've never seen you, you show up
out of nowhere and stop Carla, and you're so pretty. You don't know
about any girl stuff. " Beth excitedly ticked off her reasons. "...and
those cupcakes just have to come from God."

Before Bobbie could continue, "I always wanted a sister. I used to pray
that my mom would come back, or that Daddy could meet someone. Big
sister, little sister, I didn't care. " Bobbie saw a happiness in her
eyes that came from finally letting things out.

"No," Bobbie chuckled. "I'm not an angel." She had an idea. "Hey, you
wanna meet up with Kim's band this weekend? I think we can use your
help."

The next day Bobbie found herself sitting in the gym, cheering on the
Delacroix Blue Devils. The cheerleaders going through their routines. It
was all lost on her. Kim had told her that Grrl Army had a gig the next
weekend. They were playing at one of the College parties. Which meant
mostly covers. Bobbie decided that she wanted to go. Hear the band, meet
some people. Finding Tim after the rally, She told him about her idea.

"Look," She said. "You and I can't do it alone. There's plenty of extra
space, and maybe it'll help. We can at least get started."

"Bobbie, I don't know what to say. I didn't think that you would help."

"I said I'd see what I could do. This may be something."

Something Big.

* *******

Bobbie met with Tim and Beth early that Saturday morning. It wasn't
until they got to Heather's house that she started talking.

"Hi, Heather, this is Tim and Beth, and we kind of need your help."

Heather looked over her sunglasses at them.

"Heather," Bobbie said, putting her hand on her wrist. "Later. Tim sort
of has a bakery that needs help..."

Tim interrupted, "...and you guys can practice there if you want. Plenty
of room."

Beth waved at Amber, who smiled and waved back. Bella started talking,
Kim went back to tuning her bass. Soon the noise was cacophonous.
Heather screamed to stop the noise. Bobbie's voice took over the
silence.

"We need to help get that bakery open. With all of us together, I think
we can do it. A little work here, a little band practice there. Tim and
Beth agree, we can roadie you guys."

Kim's head snapped up. "And free cupcakes, right?" Everyone looked at
her."What?" she said. "Wait till you guys try 'em."

"Well, it would be nice to have my studio back," Heather said. "But,"
She pointed her earpiece at both Beth and Tim. "Style interventions...
both of you."

"Heather," Bobbie said. "Let's give them some time to adjust. They're a
little fragile right now."

"Fine," Heather put up her hands. "Fine. But, before that bakery opens..."

When they saw the bakery, they stood there. Looking up, they saw the
brick building. It had been peppered with some not so offensive
graffiti. Tim looked at the girls, excited.

"If you told me last week that I'd be standing here with a group of
girls..."

"Fuck, dude," Bella said. "Save that shit. Let's get started," Beth
giggled.

It took less time than expected. Since the appliances had never been
used, they had it up and running in no time at all. Soon they were
loading some of Grrl Army's sound equipment. Beth proved invaluable,
using stealth to be there doing what needed to be done before anyone
noticed. By the end of the day the bakery was cleaned, dusted, and
decluttered. They even had time to fit in a practice, Bobbie and Beth
managed to run to the store and use the equipment for the first time.

Beth was efficient. She moved quickly, grabbing ingredients and cracking
eggs. Tim was checking the temperature of the ovens. And Grrl Army was
playing. It was almost a scene out of some young adult novel for girls,
Bobbie thought.

Robb would have fit in here. Robb, the dream. Maybe Robb was still in
there, but only as a subset of Bobbie. In the short time spent in this
body, Bobbie had discovered that the loneliness of the first teenage
years was a testament to bottling things up. Bobbie was able to let
these things out in a way that Robb never could.

And, here Bobbie was, a whole circle of friends, even the token boy. She
saw Tim lugging a heavy box of utensils. She noticed a woody smell,
lightly mixed with the smell of a new wallet. She saw biceps, triceps,
and deltoids moving under his lightly tan skin, moving up under his
sleeves... Bobbie shook her head. What was that?

She went to pull the cupcakes out, only to discover that Beth had
already done so. "Beth, you're amazing. How do..."

Beth held up a hand, cutting her off. "I'm a fat girl, I know my way
around a kitchen. I got this."

Bobbie was nonplussed. Beth... stood up and took over. She moved with
confidence. From her vantage point, Bobbie wondered if that was what it
looked like when others saw her cook. She moved over to the decorating
station, and started to show Beth the steps, how to roll the ribbons and
assemble the final product. There was suddenly two dozen cupcakes, and
Tim and the Band.

"Oh, hi," Beth said, bringing Bobbie back to Earth. "We were almost
done. You ready? Bobbie?"

"Yeah, I came up with this one a couple of days ago. Thanks Tim."

"Huh?"

"You'll see in a minute. Everybody, grab one." Suddenly, there were
eighteen cupcakes.

Heather rolled her eyes back into her head, Amber just stared at hers in
amazement. Bella stared at Bobbie, while Tim looked at her with the
expression of someone who had just witnessed another person eat an
entire box of envelopes.

"How do you stay so thin? This is going straight to my ass. And right
now, I don't care."

"Bacon?" Tim asked. "You put bacon in cupcakes."

Bobbie nodded, savoring a mouthful.

"What are you gonna call this one?" Kim was already disposing of the
paper and heading in for a second cupcake.

"Great White North," Bobbie said after thinking for a minute. Then,
after a pregnant pause, she added. "Hoser," At which Kim giggled
hysterically.

Tim chuckled. "Good day, eh," Bobbie looked at him, shocked.

"I don't know, eh. These are pretty good, but not as good as donuts,
eh."

"Oh, get out!" Bobbie shot back in a similar voice. "They are too. Stop
lyin', hoser."

Kim was laughing so hard that she started coughing. "Ugh, I think I have
bacon in my nose." Heather, Beth, Bella and Amber got a good laugh out
of that.

Tim's eyes met Bobbie's, he smiled broadly. She smiled too, nobody knew
that movie. There was common ground. It felt good to be able to use the
word 'hoser' and have others know it's meaning.

Tim was helping get the equipment out to the car while Beth and Bobbie
washed up. "What class do you have after lunch?"

"Art," Beth said. "But, I can't really draw."

"Have you thought about Home Ec? I think you should switch classes. What
do you think about that?"

Beth brightened up. "Sure"

"You've got some talent for this. You shouldn't waste it," Bobbie said.
"I have a feeling that these cupcakes could take us somewhere."