Ruth couldn't help but smile. It was Katie's go-to physical expression of excitement. It really was sweet. And joyful.
"Speaking of the show..."
Katie rocked back on her heels and Ruth's eyes widened.
"There's this thing that happens after all of the matinee shows on the weekend. It's called the Sugarplum Tea. Like a party where the kids who come to see the show can come to the tea party and meet some of the characters and get pictures."
"Oh," Ruth nodded, "that sounds lovely. I'll have to come and see the show a few times. Including a matinee."
"I was hoping..."
Katie bit into her lip again and Ruth set what remained of her cookie down on a napkin.
"...that you might want to come to the show for all the matinees. We need someone to organize the Sugarplum Tea and..."
Katie was going to draw blood if she didn't come out with the question.
Ruth had a feeling she knew what it was, but she also knew how important it was to let Katie say the words. Cutting her off wouldn't help at all.
"I was hoping that you might be interested in doing it. The tea. I mean, organizing the tea."
Ruth opened her mouth to answer, but Katie cut her off.
"I know. I know. It's crazy to ask you. I mean, there's like a hundred kids in the company and no one volunteered to help. And you're a super baker, but you're not even related to anyone in the cast. I just thought," she took a step back and then a step to the side, leaning to look out of the window toward her house, "you'd be the perfect person to do this."
Ruth didn't look out the window to see what or who might be looking over through the window, her attention was centered on Katie. "What exactly would need to be done?"
Katie rocked back on her heels and widened her eyes. "What?"
Ruth shrugged. "I'm curious. What would someone organizing the tea have to do?"
Katie blinked at her and then she started talking.
"Well, we'd need to have enough snacks and desserts for the kids attending the show. Their parents. And the cast members who come out in costume."
Ruth nodded, her eyes moving over the cookies already on the countertop.
"Oh," Katie continued, "and drinks, but Missus Brannigan, the head of the parent volunteer corps said she could handle that. She just," Katie lowered her chin and her smile broadened, "she just can't bake. She did say she'd just buy cookies from the store if it came down to that, but-"
"You can't do that," Ruth shook her head, "I can't see Chips Ahoy or Oreos at a tea party."
Katie shrugged. "I know, but that's all we're going to have if we can't find someone to help out, and- I know it was crazy to ask you, but-"
"Hey, hey." Ruth moved closer and gently put her hands on Katie's shoulders, "take a moment and breathe."
Katie took a deep breath and Ruth breathed along with her.
"Okay," Ruth gave her an encouraging smile, "feeling better?"
Katie gave her a weak smile. "Yes."
"Okay, now..." Ruth gestured to one of the stools along the counter in her kitchen. "Why don't we sit down and discuss this a little more. I'll need more information about this Sugarplum Tea if I'm going to organize it."
"Yes!" Katie jumped up in the air, her arms raised above her head. "You're the coolest!"
A knock at the door turned both of their heads.
For a moment, Ruth didn't want to answer the knock. It might be easier to ignore it and finish this conversation because she wasn't sure she'd be able to handle who it was on the other side of the door.
