Chapter Four

The rainbow lights swirling on the dancefloor at Neon were bouncing off perfectly on the cream colored dress Robyn was wearing. She was easily swaying to the music not far from the bar, keeping a safe distance from Tony and Ella. She had told him to just take it easy with her, no pressuring her. She told him not to bring up his hobby in collecting band T-shirts and  plant seeds.  Not that is was anything weird, some people collected teeth. From dead people! Creepy right?

Tony was surprisingly doing fine carrying a conversation with Ella. She was giggling now and then and Robyn was a little proud of Tony for that. As they went on to the dancefloor, she was even more proud that he was not a terrible dancer. That would have been a disaster because Ella was a great dancer. They had both attended dance classes as adolescents at Ella's mother's studio. 

"You're so proud of how this is going aren't you? The smile on your face is so obvious." Beau told her handing her a drink while hooking one of his arms around her shoulders.

"Oh yes. Tony is a quick learner."

"What did you say to him anyway? The guy is being all nice but just a little nervous."

"Told him to be himself."

Beau looked at her squinting his eyes. "No you did not."

"Yes I did. Well I told him not to dress like he was coming to work and a little other stuff but that's it."

"If you say so."

Robyn winked at him and he smiled. They were about to leave the dancefloor for some more drinks when Robyn's and Ella's favorite song came on and they dragged the guys back for more dancing. 

Robyn was having too much fun dancing a little  slow with Beau who seemed to enjoy it just as much. He grabbed her by the hip seemingly encouraging her. It looked fun and not in an aggressive way. Just north of all is well on this dancefloor. The song ended a little soon and another one came which was slow and reminded her of Beau.

It must have been the case with him too because as she was about to walk away from him, he grabbed her arm and spun her around then held her by the waist. He looked straight in the eyes and she could not help but put her arms around his neck.  The proximity both excited and bothered her. A few memories flashed before her eyes and she leaned on his chest. The intimacy of this whole scene did not go unnoticed by Ella. She was also there that night. She noticed the glistening of Robyn's eyes and knew she was about to cry so she excused herself from Tony to go to the bathroom.

"Hey Robbie, I wanna go to the bathroom. Be right back Beau." She said pushing Robyn to the other direction as a different song came on.

They went into the bathroom and thankfully it was not crowded.  The used the loo and washed their hands on the sinks. 

"Thank you." Robyn said looking at Ella in the mirror.

"That's what family is for."

Robyn smiled. She was right, they were no longer friends. They were family. "So how is it going with Tony. You have been giggling all night."

"He is funny. Really good listener."

"Cool. Now let's go. I may leave soon. Have to do work tomorrow."

"Come on."

They left and went back to the dancefloor giggling like teenage girls till Robyn stopped short and glanced forward her expression changing. Ella followed her line of focus and saw it.

"When did Layla get here?!" She asked surprised.  Layla was dancing and laughing with Beau.

"I have to go anyway, so see you at home yeah?"

"I will come with."

"No dear. You are on a date regardless. I will be fine. Text you when I get home, I will get a taxi home." She said smiling at Ella.

"Okay. I love you."

"I love you Ells." With that Robyn left. Ella was having a good time tonight and she did not want to ruin it for her.

"Going home so early darling?" Deba shouted as soon as he saw her.

"Yeah. I have work tomorrow."

"Be safe."

She got into a taxi and sighed loudly as she sat down in it.  She did not cry nor did she feel the need to. It had always somehow ended this way.  She wanted to laugh at how ridiculously history was repeating itself. She chuckled. 

She soon got to her block and paid the taxi driver and got home.  She took a quick shower and set the alarm for eight A.M.   She figured she would have enough time to get to her Uncle's in time. She slept.

******

Robyn arrived at her Uncle's place just a few minutes before nine.  She saw  an unfamiliar car parked in the mini parking lot at the home.  She prayed this was not one of her parents'. She did not have the energy to deal with them. 

She parked her car and was welcomed by the housekeeper Tabi.

"Miss Robyn! How good to see you!"

"Hello my queen! You look lovely."

"Not more than you. Mr Hachi is having breakfast. He said to get you a plate."

"Where is Aunt Viv?"

"She is still in bed."

"Okay.Tabi, Is my father or mother here?"

"No my dear. Why do you ask?"

She sighed. "No reason. Let's go."

Her uncle was sat at the kitchen table in his jeans and T-shirt.

"Robyn! Great to have you here. Sit down. Tabi get her coffee and a plate."

"Oh come on. I make my own coffee. Besides I will just have some toast."

"Yeah yeah." 

She fixed herself a cup and toast. They carried on conversion and laughter through their breakfast.

"I thought I heard an angel laugh!" Someone said descending the stairs. Robyn looked up and saw Drew.

"Oh my God! When did you get here?" She asked as they run towards each other. He picked her up and spun her around in a hug.

"Got in last night. Old man was missing me too much." He said laughing.

"You mean your mother. And who are you calling old?"

"You are old Paps."

"Children these days. You are going to help us sort those documents."

"Only because R.T is there."

Uncle Peter chuckled. "I don't understand why you choose to call her by initials. Just call her Robyn or Thomasine."

"That's like a whole sentence Paps!"

"That's for old people like you. I'm way more cool."

They laughed again as a door opened.

"Is that my angel I hear?!"

"Ma!!" Robyn got up hugging her.

"Hello Kitten. How are you?"

"I am okay. How are you?"

"I'm alright now that you are here. You have no idea how much I've missed you kitten."

"I do take offence to that Mom."

Aunt Viv smiled waving Drew off. She sat down and Tabi set her a plate and some juice. She was halfway through when the others left to start  working on those documents.

"So... How are you? How is everything?"

"All is well."

"You sound like that Bollywood movie we watched. Ahhh Rancho?"

"Haha. Yes."

"I still don't get the love you two have for foreign languages." Uncle Peter chimed in holding a folder in his hands.

"That's because we want to have options when the Tower of Babel falls again." They laughed at that.

"Who said it was being built again?"

"It is! Somewhere."

"Yeah yeah. Let's just enjoy the weekend you crazy kids."

"My weekend was fine till someone decided I have to work on a Sunday."

"Come on. You love hanging out with me."

"Our family has egotistical issues."

Drew agreed chuckling. "But come on, tell us about it, Beau told me he was chilling

with you all weekend."

"He told you? When did you guys meet?" She asked. Just as her Uncle raised his brows at her.

"Beau Marks? That's why you kept rushing me at the office."

"Well, you were being slow."

"So how is he?"

"He is fine. Told me to say hie."

"So are you guys going to try and...."

"Drew, Don't even go there. That was so  long ago."

"If you say so."

They kept browsing through the files and signing off and highlighting the files. By the time they decided to take a break, it was After one in the afternoon. It was time for lunch. 

"By the way, Robert called." Uncle Peter said.

Robyn tensed and gripped the edge of the table. 

"Relax my angel, we did not give him your  address. He asked for it though." Aunt Viv said 

"Thank you." Robyn relaxed.

"You will have to see them at least once this year R.T. I know what they did wasn't cool but still. They all miss you."

"I miss them too Drew. But it's better this way. I promise."

"I know. Is August coming for your birthday ?"

"Yeah he said he would. But that's two weeks away so I don't know."

"But he hasn't missed it over the years. Maybe because you share the day."

"Maybe."

Robyn knew they were right. She had to talk to her parents soon. It had been almost five years since she had had a conversation with them. Only August her big brother had seen and talked with her properly in those years.

She loves them all, but they made it difficult to be around. They were all close until she became pregnant. They had reacted way too harshly to that and things just went downhill from there. She wished things were easier.