The Fruity Four

Chapter 10

Robin's parents shared concerned glances across the dinner table. Their daughter was practically bouncing off the walls the entire meal. She'd scarfed her food down in minutes and fidgeted with her utensils as they made small talk. They were used to her outlandish behavior by now, but tonight was an extreme that'd never witnessed before.

"Everything okay, Robbie?" Her father finally asked.

Robin stopped swirling her fork and gave her dad a perplexed look. "Everything's great," She gave them both a genuine smile. "I'm actually... talking to someone."

Her mom gasped and chimed in, "Oh, Robin, that's wonderful news!"

Her dad joked, "Good grief I thought you were on drugs. Who's the lucky girl?"

Before responding, a rush of pride and gratitude flooded Robin's system. She was one of the lucky few in Hawkins to have parents who loved and supported her despite her sexuality. They embraced her identity without question or judgment. "We're keeping things under wraps until she comes out to her family." Robin noticed her moms face fall. "But after that you'll be the first to know."

Robin's mom seemed satisfied with that. "I look forward to meeting her one day."

Her parents were respectful of her privacy and didn't pry further. When the conversation shifted to their work days Robin asked to be excused. Her request was granted and Robin couldn't help herself from practically skipping to her room. She felt her parents proud smiles on her back.

Robin was occupying herself with homework later that evening when her mom shouted from the kitchen that she had a phone call. Her papers scattered as she threw her pencil down and dashed from her room. She accepted the phone from her mom like a greedy child reaching out for candy. Her mom politely exited but shot Robin a mischievous grin. She responded with an exaggerated eye roll.

"Hello?" No reply. "Nancy?" The line was silent and Robin wondered if someone else was on the other end. Her shoulders slackened when she recognized faint breathing.

Finally, Nancy answered in a soft voice, "Hey, Robin."

Robin gripped the phone so tightly it could crack. She pressed it to her ear like it would bring Nancy closer to her. "How are you?" How'd it go at the airport?"

Another long silence followed and Robin grew worried. She fiddled with the phone cord and tapped her foot anxiously on the tile floor. Dark thoughts infected her mind. What if they got back together? Does she think she made a mistake? Nancy sniffled and Robin's heart sank. The pit in her stomach dared her to hang up.

Thankfully, Nancy spoke. "It went well. We won't be friends anymore but things ended amicably. And he told me to thank you."

Robin nodded along as if Nancy could see her. "I'm glad to hear that." She paused, considering her next words carefully. "What does that mean for us? I understand if you need time to process everything."

A sigh of relief followed, "You're so patient with me, Rob. Thank you."

Butterflies fluttered within Robin. She felt warm and fuzzy, like taking a shot without the vile aftertaste.

Nancy continued, "Can we keep getting to know each other as friends, until I'm ready to go on a real date?" Her voice quivered like she was nervous. Nancy was rarely unconfident.

Robin didn't need to think before answering. "Of course." She grinned to herself.

Nancy chuckled on the other end of the phone. "Good night, Robin."

"Good night, Nancy."

The two weeks that followed were the happiest of Robin's life. Her and Nancy were practically inseparable. Nancy switched her seat in homeroom to sit beside Robin. When a boy complained that he'd been at that desk the entire year, Nancy played the new girl card and he took her old spot with minimal grumbling. The only other time they saw each other at school was lunch. But Nancy sat with her popular friends while Robin was across the room with the other band kids. They'd agreed not to sit together until Nancy told her friends about Robin, given their history. Stolen glances would have to do for the time being.