Ch. 11: Preview #4

Jen’s mood rose like a kite as she approached the prearranged meeting spot.  The text said her friend was already here in the lobby, and—Yesss, there he was!

“Amir!” Jen belted out.

He’d been darting about like a kid in a candy shop, drooling over the Mightiest Mouse themed displays, gaping up at the show pictures on the wall.  Who let him in here alone? she thought with a grin.  But now he wheeled and gave a “Screee!!!” and sprinted the full length of the floor, barreling into her stomach at top speed with unfettered jubilance.

“Oof!” she laughed, although the force wasn’t actually that much.  She squeezed him affectionately and patted his head.  “How ya doin’, lil’ bro?”  How easy it was to pick up the ‘brother-sister’ game right where they left off.  “You been gettin’ on OK without me?”

“It’s been really hard,” he admitted outright, blushing up at her.  “I missed you a ton.”

Aww.  Jen knew all about his infatuation with her.  It was as harmless as a student’s crush on a teacher, or on a babysitter, that kind of thing.  He was 18, but she could scarcely remember that anymore.

“Well, I’m here now,” she said, amused.  “You ready for the show?”

“Am I ever!!  WOW!  I can’t believe I’m here!!!  Can you take me on a tour, Jen?  Can you show me around?  Please???”

He tugged enthusiastically on her hand.  Funny how just minutes ago, Jen’s Mouse tugged to get away from her, while Amir tugged to bring her with.  Alike in some ways, but in other ways so different.

She laughed and held her ground.  “I sure would if I could, buddy.  I’ll try to find time afterwards.  But right now I gotta get ready.”

Amir slumped and nodded.  “Oh.  Yeah, that’s important.”

Jen saw a looming figure appear in the hallway behind him, with absolutely impeccable timing.  Crouching to his level, Jen grinned and said, “You don’t think I’d just leave you to fend on your own though, do you?  I’ve got a special surprise for you.  Someone I’d like you to meet.”

Amir inhaled sharply with interest.  “Who?”  As he noticed the heavy footfalls behind him, he turned around – and he looked like the Rapture had just come for him.

“Amir: meet Nora.”

Amir’s half-squeal, half-screech was absolutely priceless as all 6’10” of Nora came toward him.  “Hey, Amir!” said the colossal college coed cheerily.  “So you’re the little guy Jen’s been telling me about.”

Amir’s reply was little more than a wordless squeak, and Nora laughed.

“Recognize her?  Hmm?” Jen nudged.  “Like from the show?”

Nora helped him out by making a cat claw with her hand and giving a feline hiss.

“A Panther!!!” Amir blurted.

Nora clapped her hands, wayyy above him, and winked at Jen.  “Quicker than most!  So, Amir …”  Without a moment’s warning, Nora’s hands shot under his armpits and whisked him far into the air.  “How would you like to spend the next couple hours with me?” she said, as Amir’s shriek transitioned quickly to peals of joy.

“Oh my god – you mean it??”

“Sure do, cutie.”

Amir blushed and laughed and flung his arms all at once.  “This is AWESOME!!!”

Nora set him down, and Jen marveled at how seamlessly the young woman transitioned to rule-giving, without breaking the lighthearted air.  “I just ask two things.  Number One: you don’t go anywhere unless you’re holding my hand.  Stay exactly where I leave you so I always know where to find you.  Number Two: ‘No’ means ‘no’.  When I say something, I don’t want to hear any arguing.  Always remember who’s in charge.  And that’s everything!  Can you do that for me?”

“That’s it?”  Amir chortled.  “Uh, yeah!  Easy!  Of course, Ms. Panther!”

“’Ms. Panther’!  I love that.  Alright, I’m going to have a quick word with our Mighty here.  Show me how good you can follow Rule One, and I’ll be right back to show you around then take you backstage.”

Amir gasped, looking to Jen in deepest gratitude, as if she’d just fulfilled all his life dreams.  Which, lol, she probably had.