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“ Kate has something to tell you.” Eddie watched a look cross Kate’ s face that reminded him of when Nicole wanted something but didn’ t want to ask Dad. Kate looked at Tanya who just smiled. Obviously the two of them already discussed the topic. She sighed and looked at Eddie.“ I wanted to say thank you, but it’ s more than that. Eddie I’ ve never done anything like that before. When you approached me in the parking lot and asked me to play Medusa, I wanted to run. I was scared to death. You handed me that hideous wig and I don’ t know what possessed me to put it on. I caught a glimpse of of myself in your truck window and it made me laugh because it wasn’ t me.”“ You did a great job,” Eddie said.“ You sent me to to see Tanya and get fitted for the dress. I told her I was nervous. She asked me if I ever wanted to be really tall,” she turned to Tanya because this was something they had not discussed.“ I went home and cried. I’ ve never wanted to be this tall. Everyone stares. The only place it seemed acceptable was on the basketball court.” Speaking the truth from her heart opened a dam.
Tanya felt terrible that she had, candidly, asked a question that made Kate cry.“ But you are so intelligent and beautiful,” Tanya said.“ I almost backed out, until I went home and tried on the costume. I set up the lights. If anyone had seen me they would have thought I was crazy. I realized I had to be taller. For the first time in my life I was too short. I didn’ t date until college and found someone who did not know me as“ Tree Top Kate”. Since the haunted house, it’ s like I’ m short because I loomed over them. I was impossibly tall for a while and it scared them. Now I’ m normal. They like that and I like that.”“ We love how you are,” Tanya said, looking for Eddie’ s help.“ Kate I am so glad you and Tanya have become friends. I think you’ re great.”“ I love both of you,” Kate was in tears. Tanya moved across the couch and hugged her.“ We never know how what we say or do impacts someone. You said something to my son I know he heard. You gave him advice I believe he will carry with him forever. You told him, expect to win. Don’ t stop. Don’ t hesitate. Keep the ball moving. Kate, those are the kind of words a father would love for his son to be able to repeat two weeks after he said them,” Eddie stated. The thought of those words seemed to lift her and Tanya moved back to the other side of the couch.“ Someone said that to me a long time ago,” Kate admitted, wiped her eyes with a napkin and took a sip of wine.“ That is what parents and teachers are supposed to do. Pass on valuable information,” Tanya said.“ I’ m sorry to be such a drag on your evening.”“ You are not being a drag. If we can’ t talk, laugh and cry together how could we possibly love or care about one another?” Tanya said. Kate agreed.
The subject of the conversation changed to basketball. Kate noticed the basketball hoop in the driveway. She could tell Justin had a father who was actively into sports. Eddie declined the offer to play one on one with Kate. His ego was much to fragile. She said the skirt and nylons should be an equalizer. They all shared a laugh when Eddie explained nylons probably would not help his game and they made it look like he had varicose veins.“ If we are talking about video basketball, I might be able to kick your butt,” Eddie said.“ I mostly like racing games, and Tiger Woods golf,” Kate laughed.“ Do you have Wii?” Eddie asked.“ Just an old X-Box. I’ m still considered part-time help and don’ t make the big bucks like Tanya,” Kate said, with the sarcasm the last statement deserved. Tanya rolled her eyes and nodded.“ Then you have to try Wii racing,” Eddie said, getting up and leading the way into the family room. They took their wine and the three of them raced, drank and laughed for a couple of hours. Kate’ s arms felt like they were about to fall off. She set the tiny steering wheel on the table in front of them.“ Your home is beautiful.” Kate said.“ Do you want the grand tour?” Tanya asked. Kate nodded and Tanya filled her wine glass. Eddie tagged along.
They passed through the kitchen and started in the garage. Kate noticed the work out station and took a shot at the punching bag hanging from the ceiling.“ This will keep you in shape,” she said.“ It wins every time,” Eddie laughed.“ Kinda like the little steering wheel that started to weigh a hundred pounds,” Kate said. On the way to the second story,“ This is our squeaky stair,” Tanya said, looking past Kate at Eddie.