Katie put on her best puppy dog face as she tried to convince Kellie to go along with her plan. As she gazed lovingly at her girlfriend she was surprised by what she saw. Kellie was angry, in fact the gaze she directed at Katie was the kind of look the girl had only seen when Kellie was her mother.
“Katherine Audra O’Toole,” she said tersely. “You listen and you listen well. You will NOT do anything else to this child DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME!”
Katie stared in utter shock at Kellie. The rage she had in her eyes was something Katie had seen on only two occasions. The first time had been when Katie, at age five had been bullied by a couple of kids who were older than her On the playground. Kellie, (who had still been her mother at the time) yelled at the boys and almost got into a fight with their parents for allowing that to happen right in front of them. The second time was when Aunt Lisa had come to see her big sister last year. Lisa’s ex boyfriend had hit her and left her with a black eye. It took all of her composure not to march over to his house and attack him. Instead she simply called the cops and had him arrested for domestic violence.
The look on 16 year old Kellies face now matched those looks from Katie’s past. Befor she could say anything new memories flooded Katie’s mind.
Kellie had been watching Gloria since she was seven years old (Katie’s age before finding the Ring of Age). Gloria’s mother had just died in a car accident leaving the girl alone with only her father. At first Kellie, who was an only child as well, watched the girl as a job. Quickly though she began to care for her though as if she were her younger sibling. As the years passed Gloria and Kellie became as close as sisters. Kellie was very protective of the young girl who idolized the teen as if she were her big sister. Katie realized now that their was a bond between these two that the ring had forged from Kellies old life.
Kellie, when she was 43, had originally been six years older than Aunt Lisa. Even in this reality Lisa often gushed about how great of a sister Katie’s mom had been. Lisa said that as she was growing up it was Kellie that gave her confidence, taught her what was right and wrong and in general made sure she was safe. Although she wasn’t sure how,Katie began to piece things together. The fact that Gloria was six years younger than Kellie and that they met when Gloria was seven had caused a portion of the old Kellie to resurface. Kellie had bonded with Gloria as a replacement for Aunt Lisa and Katie as family. A part of Kellies old life, the part that she loved the most, could never be erased no matter how much age magic Katie used. While she loved Katie with all her heart the need for a sister and someone to protect was overwhelming. Katie guessed that the numbers were just right for that portion of her old mother to latch onto the young girl in front of her.
“I’m,” Katie stammered. “I’m so sorry Kellie. I forgot how much you care about her. She’s like the little sister you always wanted.”
Katie watched as the fierce look in Kellies eyes slowly abated, sighing she placed a hand on Katie’s shoulder and smiled. “It’s okay Katie,” she said. “I’m sorry for getting so mad at you. It’s just, well it’s hard to explain, ever since I first met Gloria I’ve always wanted the best for her. She had such a hard time after her mom died I’ve just been so protective of her ever since.”
Katie understood and hugged her girlfriend tightly, a single tear running down her cheek. “I get it completely,” she sighed. “That’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”
Pulling back Katie could see a bemused smile spread across Kellies mouth. “Well I love you too Kate,” she said as she kissed her gently on the lips. “Listen if you really want to use the ring I have an idea.”
“What’s your plan Kel?”
“Let’s take Gloria to the park,” she said. “I’ve always been a little concerned that Gloria doesn’t have a ton of friends. If we can make friends for ourselves. Why can’t we make some for her?”
Katie smiled as she thought this plan over. It would be perfect and it would make not only Kellie happy but Gloria as well. “You always have the best plans Kellie,” she said with a smile. Katie turned to Gloria to ask. “Hey Gloria, how would you like to go to the park?”
A wide smile spread across Gloria’s face. “That sounds awesome!” She exclaimed. Grabbing their jackets the three of them headed towards the park. Katie and Kellie held hands as Gloria ran slightly ahead, sometimes reminded to slow down by a very protective Kellie. As the girls entered the park Katie and Kellie assessed their options. “I think we can definitely make this work,” they said in unison as they followed Gloria inside.