Facts Of Life: Only The Young

Chapter 8

VIII

Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobblestones
Looking for fun and feelin' groovy
Ba da da da da da da, feelin' groovy

Hello, lamppost, what'cha knowin'?
I've come to watch your flowers growin'
Ain't'cha got no rhymes for me?
Doot-in doo-doo, feelin' groovy
Ba da da da da da da, feelin' groovy

I got no deeds to do
No promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Life, I love you
All is groovy...

The 59th Street Bridge Song, Simon and Garfunkel

Two Days Later, Peekskill

The Four Musketeers basically mobbed Edna Garrett when they saw her that afternoon on the Eastland campus. It was the first time in many moons that they had all been together and not dealing with a crisis of some sort. Those in attendance were in a celebratory mood. It wasn't just Edna and her girls, along with Jo and Blair's children, but Bailey, Evie, and Rose and Charlie Polniaczek.

When Natalie introduced Mrs. G. to Curt, Mrs. G. was a wide-eyed as Tootie had been when meeting Nat's guy. "Oh, my, Mr. Tompkins, the pleasure is all mine." Natalie rolled her eyes while the others laughed.

Curt, ever the gentleman, grasped one of Edna's hands, kissing the back of it. "No, Mrs. Garrett, from everything that Natalie and the other girls have told me, it is entirely mine. You were a mentor to these four lovely ladies, and I thank you for that."

Again, Natalie rolled her eyes.

"Watch it, there, Green", Jo said, nudging her friend, "Mrs. G's a smooth operator you know."

This time Edna simply blushed, making everyone laugh with delight.

Mrs. G. tried to change the subject. "Isn't Boots and her girlfriend supposed to be here as well?"

"She's on her way, Mrs. Garrett", Blair informed her. "Those two barely get a day off, but they wanted to tend to a few things at their studio before heading up here."

Within forty-five minutes, Boots and Georgia arrived, Natalie and Dorothy anxious to get a look at their former classmate and her girlfriend. Like Blair and Jo, they had tolerated Boots at Eastland, mostly because of her eccentric ways, but never disliked her either.

As was the norm, Boots was a little shy when she appeared, not knowing some of the people in attendance, and not sure about the reception that Natalie and Tootie would give her. As Jo had been telling her, she, and by extension, Georgia, were part of a huge extended family, and she needn't have worried.

"Boots St. Clair!" Natalie's effervescent voice and twinkling eyes caught site of the girl, making her way over to her old classmate. Dorothy followed a little behind.

"Natalie Green", Boots said with a smile, seeing the look on the woman's face. "My goodness, you look wonderful Natalie!"

Natalie gave the woman a warm hug, breaking it after a few beats. "You look fantastic yourself Boots, I'm not kidding", Natalie gushed. "You look wonderful!"

Boots blushed just as Dorothy appeared. "Tootie Ramsey? Holy smokes, it's the Broadway star!"

Dorothy laughed hugging Boots as well. "Future star maybe, Boots. It's so good to see you." She raised her eyebrows. "You gonna introduce us to this gorgeous woman with you?"