“What? It was an innocent question.”
“You can worry about boys when you’re older.” Dad lowers himself onto my bed and looks around. “I’m glad the room is still standing. I thought perhaps a hurricane would pass by.”
“Your daughter and I take good care of it,” Sophie tells him as she zips around the room with Robin on her back. “You should see some of the other rooms. I think Raven and I deserve an award.”
“Agreed,” I say.
“When are you, Carly, and Addie gonna visit?” Robin asks. “You promised you’d stay over a few days in the summer, but you have boyfriends now. I bet you’d rather hang out with them.”
Sophie lowers her to the floor and wraps her arms around her. “A promise is a promise. Of course we’ll sleep over and hangout with you. You need to show us some of the new plushies you made.”
My little sister loves to sew, but while most people would prefer to sew clothes, she loves creating stuffed animals. It’s a hobby she just got into this year, but she’s shown me pictures of her creations, and I’m floored.
“Oh my gosh! You just reminded me.” She bounds to the backpack Dad has over his shoulder and yanks it into her arms. After unzipping it, she rummages around inside. “Remember I asked you what your favorite animal is and you said the dove because they symbolize peace and love, and they also mate for life?”
“Yes.”
“Tada!” She produces two hand-sewn dove plushies that are embracing.
Sophie’s mouth falls open. “Did you make this yourself?”
“Yep!” She skips over and hands them to her. “I chose the best material to make them look extra beautiful. It was a little hard to make them hugging, but I think it came out good.”
“You kidding? This is amazing. Thanks so much.” She hugs her so tight that my little sister groans. “You are awesome, kid.”
“They can come apart, too. See?” She carefully releases the Velcro. “You can give one to Damian when you’re not together to remind each other how much you love and miss each other. And then when you’re together, you can put them back together.” She demonstrates.
“Oh my gosh, this is even more perfect. You’ve got skills, girl.”
“Thanks. Mom and Dad think I spend way too much time in my room, but the effort pays off, right?”
I glance at my parents and see them exchange a slightly worried glance. I know they’re concerned that Robin is having a hard time making friends. She’s been staying cooped up in herroom lately instead of making more of an effort to make new friends.
“What about me?” I ask, hoping to steer the conversation away from anything that might hurt Robin. “Do I get a plushie?”
“Do you deserve one?” she teases.
“I’d like to think so.”
With a grin, she heads back to the backpack and sticks her hand inside. “You get two, because I can’t decide which represents you better.” She produces the most adorable penguin I’ve ever seen in my life, and the most kickbutt-looking lioness. “The lioness because you can take down some of the best lions when you play games. And the penguin because you’re such a loyal friend, you’re resilient, and because penguins are just too darn cute.”
“Agreed one hundred percent.” I zoom over and fling my arms around her. “Thanks so much. I love them. You’re so talented, Robbie. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks. When will we see Carly and Addie? And I made plushies for their boyfriends, too.”
I love how Robbie is so considerate to think of the boyfriends as well. It’s something I’ve always admired about her, how she’s always thinking about how other people might feel.
Sophie’s phone rings. It’s her parents telling her that they’re here. Most of the parents and families should be here by now, so we all make our way back to the main building. The place is pretty crowded since practically everyone is here, but luckily, there’s enough room to breathe.
“There they are!” Sophie points to a man and woman in the distance before running off to them. My parents and I follow her, and after they hug the juice out of her, we exchange hellos and hugs, too.
It doesn’t take long for Damian to arrive with his mom. This is the first time the parents are meeting each other when theirkids are boyfriend and girlfriend, and I notice the trepidation on Sophie’s face. She told me she was worried that his mom would look down on her parents because they’re middle class. But Principal Harrington embraces her mom and dad immediately and tells them how happy she is for the kids. And she’s also so proud of Sophie because she’s one of the best students in the entire grade and is well on her way to being valedictorian.
I smile as I watch them. Damian being in her life has had such a positive impact on her. It’s funny how a tragedy can lead to a good outcome. Damian came to live with his mom because his dad died, and he thought his life here would be miserable. But not only did he establish a good relationship with his mom, he also got a girlfriend.
I scan around for Kylen, but I don’t see him. Either there are too many people or his grandparents haven’t arrived yet.
“You have to tell him about the dove, Sophie,” Robin tells her.
