Dangerous Woman

Chapter 2 - Why Try

"Hey, Stephanie, how about we'll go now and play? Huh?" Trixie asked.

"Well, guys, actually I would like to stay with my mother a little, if that's okay with you," Stephanie said and wrapped her hands around her mother's waist. Melanie almost teared – she forgot how nice it was.

"Well, I still have some more unpacking and cleaning to do, but Stephanie could meet you later if she wants, or you could come by later," Melanie said.

Once they all left, Melanie let out a sigh of relief.

"Finally, they're all gone!" she said out loud.

"Excuse me?" Stephanie tried not to laugh.

"I'm sorry, just... since I came here this morning I wanted some time with you. Just you," Melanie kneeled down and held her shoulders, and Stephanie could see tears in her eyes.

"I know. I just wanted to hang out with you too," Stephanie said and the two hugged.

"So tell me," Melanie asked her daughter as they went to sit on the couch, "this Sportacus guy... You said he's a superhero, right?" she asked.

"An above-average-hero," Stephanie corrected.

"Riiight... So what does exactly he does around here, as an 'above-average-hero'?" Melanie asked.

"Well, he saves people and help them when they're in trouble, he play with us, and he teaches us new ways to stay fit and healthy," Stephanie told her and smiled.

"Oh, wow, that's really cool," Melanie said.

"Oh, I forgot, he also always stops Robbie Rotten's 'evil' plans," Stephanie laughed.

"Robbie Rotten? You said Robbie Rotten?!" Melanie looked at her in horror.

"Yeah... You know him?" Stephanie asked.

"Yeah, I do... From the time I used to live here, with Milford, Matthew and your grandparents... I had no idea that he's still here... Well, just so you know, I never liked that guy either," Melanie said.

"Nobody does around this town, trust me!" Stephanie laughed, "But tell me, what about your work in Italy? You didn't tell me what was your last project there?"

"Well, since it was just a few months before I left and came here, it was sort of a gig for me. I hosted the last season of 'Italia Got Talent'," Melanie said.

"No way, that's so cool! But you should've definitely be a judge there, you can dance, you can sing in different languages, you're awesome!" Stephanie said.

"I know that! But that's why I said it was sort of a gig for me. Although, they did let me do a song especially for the final to promote it," Melanie laughed.

"That's really awesome! I'm glad that you're my mom and not anyone else's," Stephanie said and hugged her.

*****

After Stephanie helped her mother with the chores at home, the two decided to go outside and look for Stephanie's friends. Melanie actually hoped she could also get an apology from Sportacus about his behavior earlier.

"Hello everybody!" Stephanie called to her friends.

"Stephanie, you came!" Trixie exclaimed.

"Hello Sportacus," Melanie stood next to him.

"Hello... Ms. Meanswell," he said back and she kept looking at him.

"What?" he asked her confused.

"I'm waiting for my apology from you."

"Apology for what?"

"For your behavior earlier, at my house. You disregarded me and my job, so I think I deserve an apology," Melanie demanded.

"Are you kidding me?" Sportacus asked confused

"You want to teach the kids some values? So there, apologize to me and you'll be forgiven, because I don't want to cause any more trouble, ok?"

"Fine. I'm sorry for what I told you earlier in your house."

"There you go, apology accepted," Melanie said and turned around to the bench. The kids were laughing at the way Stephanie's mother was educating Sportacus.

"Your mother is so funny, Stephanie!" Ziggy told her.

"I know! You're all going to love her, I'm sure about it," Stephanie smiled proudly.

When the kids were taking a break from the game, Sportacus took the advantage and asked her if they could talk in private. They went a little farther from the kids, when Sportacus said, "I'm sorry."

"What?" she looked confused.

"I'm really sorry. Now this is a real apology. I'm sorry I was so rude to you and on your first day here. You're my friend's mother and I want to be on good terms with you," he told her.

"Thanks. But there's something more, isn't it?" Melanie started to smile.

"Well, it's just... We're not quit used to have single parents around here, with 'odd' jobs, you may say."

"Well, excuse me for bringing some star dust with to this town," she laughed.

"Look, I didn't mean to offense you, but-"

"No. Get used to it. I'm not having the traditional family that everyone here have, but it's still a family. A family with a mother, daughter and uncle."

"Yeah, well, so get ready to be shamed by the town's people!" they heard a voice behind them.

"R-Robbie..." she started trembling and breath fast.

"Well, hellooo there, Melanie. Or should I call you – Stephanie's single mother?" Robbie smirked.

"Beat it, Robbie, my mom and I will walk here with pride, and you can do nothing about it!" Stephanie told him.

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really! A-And if, if you will get anywhere closer to me or my daughter, I will make sure you won't get closer to anyone, because I have the money and I know people to do so!" Melanie pointed at him, and Sportacus could see she was scared.

"Come on, Steph, we're going home," she said and started to push her daughter towards their home.

"But, mom, wait..." Stephanie tried to understand.

"Now!" she told her and the two walked faster.

*****

Later that evening, right before 8:08PM, Melanie heard a knocking on her door.

"Sportacus..." she said as she opened the door. She was tired, but surprised.

"Hi... I'm sorry for interrupting, but I was on my way to my airship and I couldn't stop thinking about you when you confronted Robbie..." he told her.

"Oh..."

"Yes, and I wanted to know, did he ever do to you something in the past, because it's clearly that you know each other and you're clearly afraid of him."

"Well, I... I knew him from a long time ago, and he was never nice, b-but when I heard from Stephanie what he's doing to her and the kids, it just frightened me, 'cause, you know, I'm a mother..."

"Oh, sure, sure, I get," he nodded.

"Good, so if there's nothing else you want to ask me..."

"Uh, no, no, I'll let you go to sleep now. Good night!" he said and left.

She closed the door and leaned on it.

"Why? Why did my life turn so complicated because of him?" she cried and took another sip of her tea mug.