Tina's Story- Chapter 87- You've got a Friend - A Gray Muzzle story
Tina's Story- Chapter 87- You've got a Friend- A Gray Muzzle story
By way of introduction.
After 86 previous chapters, it's not often that I'm excited about sitting down at the keyboard. Tonight, I am. This chapter 'You've Got a Friend', was inspired by a piece of art. www.sofurry.com/151890
This work so touched me, that I felt drawn to it. It is a picture of a young, female Mule hybrid, titled simply 'Unwanted'. The artist, Spacemanspiff37, included a few lines on her unhappy life. I was so moved, I wrote, and offered her a place at 'Tina's Story. To my surprise, I received a reply, and an enthusiastic offer that she appear here. I immediately started thinking about her...who she was, what she is like, what she had been through. Within an hour, I had this story. I hope it speaks to all of us, who, at some point in our lives feel unwanted.
Hey, Ain't it good to know that you've got a friend?
People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you
Well, they'll take your soul if you let them.
Oh, yeah, but don't you let 'em.......
James Taylor
You've got a Friend
It was a lovely Saturday morning. Tina was working around the house, doing small chores, when the doorbell rang. Answering it, she found a young girl at the door. She was maybe fifteen years old, plain and tall. She was a Mule hybrid, pretty, in an innocent, natural way. She wore no makeup, but then, she didn't need it. Her hair was cut in a short bob, and it seems her growth had been all devoted to height, leaving a rather severe silhouette, lacking the curves of a mature woman.
"Would you like to contribute to rebuilding homes in New Orleans?" the girl asked, a touch of uncertainty in her voice.
"Of course, dear. Would you like to come in, while I get my purse?
The young girl stepped in. Tina noted that, thinking of the local girls warned against entering a stranger's home. She guessed that she wasn't from here, perhaps being from a safer, more trusting part of the country.
"What's your name?" Tina asked
"Molly" the girl replied
"That's a lovely name" Tina offered, leaving to get her bag. Finding it in the kitchen, she returns and makes conversation as she fishes for her wallet.
"Do you live nearby?"
The girl looked down.
"Uh huh; a few blocks from here....
Tina found her wallet, but, having forgotten to go to the bank, had little cash.
"I can write you a check" Tina said "Who should I make it out to?"
"Uh, 'The Society of Friends'"
"The Quakers?" Tina inquired.
Molly smiled.
"Yes, Quakers. Are you a Quaker?" she asked, hopefully
"No" replied Tina "We're Jewish."
The smile left Molly's face
"I've never met a Jew" she replied, somewhat undiplomatically.
"Well, I'm not sure I've ever met a real, live Quaker."
Tina offered her hand.
"My names Tina, Molly; I'm happy to meet you."
Tina handed Molly the check. Molly looked at it.
"A hundred dollars! That's a lot of money!"
Tina smiled.
"We have friends in New Orleans. And we know that Quakers are good people."
As they spoke, little Stan toddled in, with his usual big smile. Molly got down on the floor, and held out her arms. Stan ran to her, and she picked him up. Stan immediately took to the cute stranger. She engaged him attentively, and Stan loved it.
"You like children." Tina observed
"Yes, ma'am" Molly replied, respectfully "I LOVE children"
"Do you have brothers or sister?"
Again, Molly's face fell. She shook her head 'no".
That might have been the end of their exchange; Molly leaves, they never see each other again. There was something there however, that Tina sensed, a need unmet, something missing in Molly's life. Tina thought.....
"Molly? Do you babysit? I'm looking for a babysitter for next Saturday.
"For your boy?"
"and for his twin sisters...."
Tina trotted out the girls, and Molly beamed. She put Stan gently down, and she played with the three of them. They seemed drawn to the sweet little Mule.
"Do your parents let you babysit?" Tina asked ."Don't have parents" Molly replied, still playing with the babies.
"Then, who do you live with?"
"My Grandma."
Tina reached down, and wrote down her phone number.
"If you'd like to babysit next Saturday, call me."
Molly seemed sad the visit was over. She took the offered paper.
"Yes, ma'am ! "
Then, she was off.
Tina shut the door. She wondered if she hear from the sweet, quiet girl again. She wondered what the young Mule's story might be.
"Who was that?' Ray called from upstairs.
"I'm not sure." Tina replied
Less than an hour later, Tina's phone rang.
"Miss Tina? It's Molly. My Grandma said I can do it!
Molly's voice was filled with excitement, the first hit of anything close to happiness she'd sensed from the young girl. They made arrangements for next Saturday night.
Tina and Ray had long planned for an early evening cookout, when Tina learned that her mother wasn't able to watch the twins and little Stan. When Molly came along, it was perfect. At around four, Molly came over. She looked so cute standing at the door. Molly wore a light green top, with peter pan sleeves, jeans, and sandals, a big floppy brown bag over her shoulder. Tina greeted her with a warm hug. Molly seemed happy to be there. Not knowing for sure when Molly would arrive, Tina was ready early. While Ray dressed, Molly and Tina took the kids outside. Molly took turn pushing Stan on the swing, while the girls laughed and giggled as they rode the glider. Tina stepped back, and watched. Molly was a natural. The kids were drawn to her, and she to them. They played hide and seek, They threw tennis balls to the dog. By the time Ray and Tina were ready to leave, Molly had them inside and was getting ready to feed them. Once in the car, Ray remarked
"New babysitter. You worried?"
"Not at all." Tina replied. "She's so....in control, so...mature. There's something special about her."
Ray and Tina had a lovely evening. They were back home around nine. Molly already had the tired little ones washed, dressed, and asleep in bed.
"You're remarkable!" Tina enthused "I can't get them to do that!"
"They're good kids" Molly replied, shyly. "You've taught them well."
Ray paid Molly, and she went to leave. Ray offered to drive her, but Molly insisted that she'd walk.
"It's only four blocks" she said.
"At least let me walk you. I don't feel comfortable with you out alone. I want you safely back to your Grandma.
So, Molly and Tina started walking the four blocks to Molly's home. They had gone about half a block before Tina spoke.
"Where are you from, Molly?"
"Iowa, ma'am.' She replied politely.
"Been here long?"
"Oh, I guess a couple months. I got here right before Spring Break.."
"How do you like school?"
"It's.....OK...."
Tina sensed that things really weren't OK.
"It can be tough going from one place to another." Tina observed "It's a long way from Iowa to New Jersey."
The two walked a ways before Molly replied.
"Yes, ma'am; it's a long way. I grew up where there were farms. Farms and farming were all I ever knew. New Jersey isn't like that.'
"The kids give you a hard time?" she asked, kindly.
"Some. They grab my tail. Make donkey sounds. Knock my books over. Mostly though, I just get ignored."
'That must be hard." Tina offered.
"Being ignored is the worst part. At least the ones that torment me are treating me like I exist! I sit alone on the bus, I eat alone, I go home alone. No one ever even talks to me...."
Tina could see tears beginning to fall as Molly stopped speaking. Tina stopped walking, and took Molly in a warm hug.
"Poor Molly!" Tina cooed "We'll find a way to fix this, you wait and see."
Molly looked up at Tina with big, sad eyes. She wanted to believe, but she dared not, for fear of being hurt again.
"Nobody wants a Mule" she declared sadly 'At least not in New Jersey."
Molly went to walking glumly toward home.
"I have an idea" Tina said "Would you mind if I meet your Grandma?"
Molly gave Tina a strange look, not knowing exactly what the Poodle had in mind.
"Uh, I guess not"
The two walked until they reached a plain white house, in the middle of the block.
"Well, this is where I live..."
They walked to the door and opened it
"Grandma doesn't get around so well" she said, apologetically.
Tina paused at the door, until Molly motioned her in. Sitting in the corner of the room was a small, elderly horse. She was in a reclining chair, an oxygen bud in her nostrils.
"Grandma? This is Miss Tina; she's the lady I babysit for"
Tina walked over.
"Don't get up" Tina offered her hand "I'm Tina Goldstein"
"Ruth" she replied, shaking Tina's hand "Molly? Be a dear, Make some coffee for Ms Goldstein. "
Molly left to make coffee. Ruth began to speak in a deep, raspy voice....
"I want to thank you, Ms Goldstein" Ruth began.
"Please, call me Tina." She replied
"You can see I'm an old woman. When my daughter died, I took Molly in; I was her only kin. I'm....not in much of a position to tend to the needs of a young girl. This room (motions around the living room) is my world. With my lung disease, I choke if I lay down. Most nights, I sleep right in this here chair. Molly would like me involved in her life....but I can't. (she begins to well up) Since Molly met you, it's all she's talked about! Hardly said a word about anything else! You made quite an impression on Molly.."
"I don't know what to say" Tina replied, a bit at loss for words
"Nothing to say" Ruth replied, matter of factly. "No secret that Molly's had a tough go of it here. Her mama had a tough life, but they were making it. Then she got sick and died. Just like that. Gone in six weeks! Molly took it awful hard, not knowing her father 'an all. Then, to come all the way here....well. it was more than I had a right to ask. She's a mule, Tina; one of God's creatures. But even the almighty himself didn't mean for Mules to live in no city! She's been sadder and sadder each week, until she met you."
Tina had no idea what to say. But she knew more than ever that she wanted to help this sweet, quiet girl.
"I'd....like to do something for Molly. Spend some time. Do a few 'girl' things together.
Ruth began to beam.
"Would you, Tina? I know that would mean the world to her. I'm sure of it."
It was then that Molly appeared, carrying a tray.
"Here's the coffee, grandma"
"Can you find us some little cookies? I'm sure I've got some in there...."
Molly put down the tray, and returned to the kitchen.
'What were you thinkin' Miss Tina" Ruth asked.
"I'd like to give her a special day. We could get our hair done, and our nails. Do some shopping. Go to lunch. Just give her the kind of nice day a young girl would enjoy."
Ruth thought for a minute.
"She'd like that a fair bit" Ruth concluded "But she's got no money for shoppin'; we barely get by."
"Let me take care of that." Tina smiled
"Well, that's right neighborly of you, Miss Tina; I expect Molly will be right thrilled."
Molly returned with cookies.
"Molly? I was wondering if you'd like to go to the mall with me next week? We could have lunch, get our hair done, do some shopping....
Molly's eyes shown.
"Could we? That would be great...."
For the first time, Molly smiled. She was still smiling as they walked to the door.
"See you next Saturday!" Tina offered as she left for home.
It was about two days, before Tina saw Molly again. It was Monday afternoon, and Tina heard a soft knock on the kitchen door.
"Molly?" Tina asked, opening the door.
"Uh, I, uh, wondered if I come come over and help? I wouldn't charge or anything...."
"Well, I was about to put the babies down for a nap. Would you give me a hand?"
Molly smiled, and rushed to follow Tina to gather the babies. After they put them down to take naps, Tina asked:
"Help dry the dishes?"
Molly smiled and grabbed a towel. As Tina washed, Molly dried. They did this for a while, until molly got quiet, then spoke. It seemed to be something that she kept inside for a very long time. When Tina handed her a plate, it began...
"Why do they hate me? I never did anything to them! All I wanted was to be friends......"
Molly stood there. Tears were streaming down her face. Having come out, it was as if she didn't know where to go. But, Tina understood.
"Time for a snack" she announced, getting out cookies and milk, sitting at the kitchen table. Molly got herself a cookie, and poured some milk.
"People do some terrible things. Children, especially. They don't know better, but it's not any less hurtful....."
Tina paused, to see that Molly hung on each word.
"When I was little, I was the only dog in my school. Most of the girls had never seen anything like me before. Some barked, they tried to put a collar on me once. But, that stuff didn't last forever. When they got to know me, some got to like me. Not everybody, but enough that I wasn't alone anymore. And, you know what? That was good enough. Nobody is liked by everyone. With a few friends, you can get by. You are so sweet, so lovely, you will have friends, I know it!
Looking into her eyes, Tina saw a glimmer of hope.
"I'm going to make popcorn. Wanna watch Oprah?"
Tina drove over to get Molly Saturday morning. By the time Tina stopped the car, Molly flew from the house.
"Wow! Look at this! I've never been in a convertible before...."
Molly jumped in, and she and Tina headed to the Mall. They found a space in the garage, and took the people mover over the sky bridge. On the other side, was the Mall. Molly stood there in awe....
What do you think? Inquired Tina.
"It's .....AMAZING!" Molly said, her eyes big as saucers.
"Well, it's nice, but it's just a Mall...."
Molly just stood there, taking it all in. It was then that Tina realized that Molly had never seen a Mall. Not just this Mall, but ANY Mall.
"They didn't have Malls when I lived in Iowa." Molly narrated. "An, when I got here, well, Grandma is kinda sick, and we don't have much money, and she told me this is no place to be by myself."
Tina smiled kindly.
"Then we have a lot to see, don't we?"
They started out at Delia's. Tina though that this would be a fun place for a young girl. She heard from Molly's grandmother that Molly would be going to church camp. Tina figured that she'd need clothes. Molly was tentative at first, but Tina persisted. With an armload of clothes, they headed for the dressing room. Pulling the curtain, Molly got ready to try clothes. Taking off her Tee shirt and jeans, Tina saw that Molly wore nothing under her shirt, and some big, loose, white nylon panties.
"You don't wear a bra?" Tina asked
"Uh uh." Molly replied "Grandma said I got no need. If I'm wearing, you know, white or something I'll put on an undershirt first."
Molly started with shorts and tops. They found some colorful little tops that Molly could take to camp, but could also wear with other things. Shorts took some work. Molly had a very boyish figure, but, in the end, they found a couple pair. One of them, a little pair of jean shorts, Tina felt were particularly flattering. They were just snug enough to give her a hint of a bottom, but modest enough for church camp. Finally, it was time for a swimsuit. They narrowed the choices to three; a red one piece, a cute flowered bikini, and a black tankini. Molly tried each on in turn. Tina smiled, watching Molly study herself in the mirror. The red suit was practical, but not too exciting. The bikini was really cute. Both looked at it a long time. In the end, they decided that the little flowered side tie suit might be a bit much to get by grandma. In the end, they both liked the black suit. It fit her well, the black contrasted her gray fur nicely, and it was cute. The bikini bottom was small, but, with the tank top, it covered her. They decided to take the red one, too, since she might need a second suit at camp, one she could play in.
From Delias, they went to Macy's. Tina took her straight to the lingerie department.
"A girl has to feel pretty" Tina declared. "And that starts with the first thing she puts on"
Molly was lost. She had never seen so many pretty things in one place. With Tina's help, Molly picked for herself. She got some cotton bikini briefs, both plain, and with little prints. She also got some athletic cut briefs, for when she was playing sports. Then, Tina announced seriously.
"Time to have you fitted for a bra."
Molly took it seriously, too. Getting a first bra was an important thing for a young girl like Molly. Her Grandmother didn't understand just how much. Molly was teased everyday about her lack of a figure. She hoped that maybe this might help. They found a clerk, A big, fluffy, older cat hybrid.
"Can you help us find a bra for this young lady?"
"Why, of course!." She leaned over "Is this your first, dear?"
Molly nodded.
"Then we'll make it a nice one.!"
The old cat went from rack to rack, pulling one here, one there. Then they went to the dressing room.
"Time to get to work!" the cat chuckled.
Molly pulled her shirt off. She was naked to the waist. Perhaps Grandma was right. Molly bore only the smallest pair of immature breasts. But, Tina was determined they'd make the most of them. Pulling out her tape, the cat measure.
"Almost an 'A', ......"
They began trying bras. They tried push ups, padded one stretchy ones, ones which were too big, and ones that just didn't look very good. In the end, they purchased a handful of them, so Molly could have a choice. They got her some sport bras as well. Molly was so proud, she wore the lace one, with little roses right out of the dressing room.
Their last stop was in Junior dresses. This part was the best. With her slender, boylike figure, she was a great fit for fashionable clothes. With a little bit up top, everything looked amazing on her. And something happened. With her bra, and looking at herself in pretty things, Molly began to smile. She'd look in the mirror and twirl around. It was as if she rediscovered her childhood.
What do you think?" Tina asked "Red or blue?"
"Blue!" Molly declared
"I like it too. Matches your eyes."
She had selected a blue crepe dress, just above the knee, with an empire waist, and half sleeves.
"I think you need a black dress, too." Tina looked at her watch "We'd better hurry, though; we've got an appointment."
They found a cute simple black dress, and just barely made it across the mall to Tanglez, the salon where Tina's cousin Violet worked. It was a young, hip place, with lots of black and neon. They checked in and waited. The rock music was deafening.
"Well, what do you think so far?" Tina inquired
"Awesome" Molly replied, before going back to the hair style magazine that she was flipping through.
It was then that Violet appeared. The same age as Tine, the two Poodles couldn't have been more different. Violet wore a purple smock. Underneath, she had on a black lace mini, and black leggings. Her hair was a vivid violet brush cut.
"Hi, I'm Violet. Ready?"
Violet smiled, and nodded. They walked to the chair. Molly sat down, and Violet draped her. Violet then stood back, then ran her fingers through her hair...
"Get your hair done at mom's salon?" Violet asked.
Tina kicked her underneath the chair
"Grandma. I go with my grandmother." Molly replied
Cautioned, Violet held her tongue.
"Want to put some color in it? Violet asked
"Uh, maybe next time. Let's start with a pretty style." Tina replied, putting that issue to rest.
Violet went to work. She gave Molly a nice razor cut, with layers. It looked softer, and not so old. She showed Molly how she could use a little gel, and make it spikey. When it was done, they all agreed that Violet had done a nice job.
From there, they went to the nail salon. Molly's nails needed attention badly. The Korean girl fixed all that, and gave Molly a perfect French manicure.
"The boys will be looking at you now!"
"Teeeenaaaa!" Molly smiled, with mock annoyance.
From there, they went to Lord and Taylor, where Molly had her makeup done. Not too much, but some little things, to let her look more grown up. They left with a few things for Molly to use at home.
"Hungry?" asked Tina
"Am I ever!" Molly responded.
Tina took them to TGI Fridays. As they waited , Molly looked around.
"This is a fancy place!" she exclaimed
"Have you been here before?" Tina asked
"No, ma'am. We....don't go out much."
They got seated, and looked at the menu. Molly's eyes got big with all the choices. Tina got a salad, Molly, the burger sampler, and a plate of nachos. Tina tried to remember when she was young, skinny, and could eat like that. She realized she couldn't remember back that far. Before they left, Molly had a HUGE ice cream sundae.
It was early evening by the time they left the Mall.
"I had a lot of fun today!" Tina said with a smile
Molly stopped. She had a strange look in her eye. Molly took Tina in a bear hug, burying her face in Tina's chest.
"This....was the best day of my LIFE!" Molly declared, sobbing loudly.
Tina smiled and held the sobbing mule. Tina didn't say that it was one of the best days of her life, too.