They did the Mash...

Friday morning finds me hard at work getting everything set in motion for later:

Willa: All set to finish the streamers on this end
Since thats the case Willa….bring me the other end of that black streamer will you?
Willa: Hang on a sec or two Megan. You have the tack to secure it right?
Yep. *after she hands it to the other person helping on this task and its tacked down,afterwards,the friend hands the rest of the streamer to Willa,so she can begin to walk with it,twisting it so that it conforms to the planned shape that it is going to take*
Willa: *after reaching the other end of the room,where I am of course* Here ya go Megan.
Thanks. *at that,its my turn to tack this end of the last streamer that we have to hang into place,sliding down from the ladder once its mission accomplished* Okay,thats done,now what should we tackle before taking a break?

Willa: Your choice really. We’re pretty much ahead of schedule for the time being. Since this party is the brainchild of Lizzie and her other friends along with my sister its really under your control how much we do right now and how much is left for the 4 of you to accomplish
True. Though I don’t know if Lizzie is going to be in the mood to want to do anything when she gets here

Willa: Why? Is she not feeling good or something?
*Shrugs* She’s in a weird mood. Tina told me she was earlier when I talked to her during lunch at school anyway
Willa: Well I hope its not something that happened because of what Tina might’ve done,wait why would you think that your sister had something to do with what was bugging Lizzie?

Tina has been kinda strung out since that incident back in Malibu. Something happened to her that was….well I don’t know if I should say anymore,since you witnessed the worst part of it
Willa: If its about something after she gained the bandage she's been sportin' since we got back,maybe you shouldn't. I know that you don’t like to discuss ‘personal issues’ and I don’t see why you should if its something that is a private matter then it should stay that way

Well! This isn’t getting anything done. So why don’t we get back to work on the decorations huh? ‘Idle hands’ and all that nonsense

Slightly later as Lizzie and the aforementioned sister arrive to give us a hand:

Tina: Hi guys. Well this place is starting to look spooky. Mind if I lend a hand with getting the ‘atmosphere’ improved in this place?
Megan/Willa: Knock yourself out Tina. Lizzie? You feel up to helping or do you wanna just sit back and relax?

Lizzie: *Snappishly* Just show me what you want me to do okay?
Megan: *Blinks* Um would you guys excuse me for a minute? I think I need to talk to Lizzie outside
Willa/Tina: Go right ahead. We can handle things in here while you’re gone

Megan: Okay. *Looks at Lizzie for a second then heads outside hoping she will join me so I can attempt to find out what happened after she cut me off at school earlier which is exactly what she wants to avoid when we get outside*

Lizzie: Okay. WHAT was so important that I had to come out here to talk about it?
*Holds up a hand traffic cop style* First of all what is with the ‘who cares about anything’ attitude?
Lizzie: Nothing. Look do you want me to help with the decorations or not? If so I fail to see how being out here and flapping my lips making noise with you is getting that task done!
*Sighs* Lizzie….I don’t know what’s wrong…
Lizzie: That’s right. You don’t

I want to though,so could you please TELL ME what happened after you finished talking to Tina during lunch at school! And don’t try to say ‘nothing’. Because we both know that ‘nothing’ wouldn’t be making you act this way!
Lizzie: FINE. I had a fight with Gordo okay! You HAPPY now? My boyfriend is thinking about dumping me and I’m supposed to care about a stupid Halloween party!
*Blinks taken aback* WHAT?!? When did this happen?

Lizzie: *Fighting the urge to start crying* Yesterday during study hall. He slipped me a note via Tina and he told me that we need to take things a little slower as he feels that I’m trying to rush him into doing things he doesn’t want to

That doesn’t sound like Gordo….
Lizzie: I know! That’s why when I told him….’if we go any slower this relationship that we have might stall like a car that idles too long’. That’s when HE told me ‘well maybe we SHOULD let the relationship stall.’
~Something very ‘not right’ is going on here.~ Lizzie….? What else did he say?

Lizzie: He thinks I don’t appreciate him! He wants me to prove that I care about him in a way that’s more ‘intense’ than what we did the last time!
~Now I know that something weird is going on~ Well are you going to?
Lizzie: I don’t know! What do you think I should do?

I think whatever you decide to do….you better be sure that its something that you want to do and are willing to do. Before that though you need to talk to someone who might be better equipped to handle such a problem as this one. I don’t know enough to be of much use to you in this situation and we both know it

Lizzie: But who should I talk to? I know I can’t go to my mom on this one! She will just be waiting for me with a big speech!
Well if you know that your mom is the wrong person I’m guessing that you would also not be thinking about going to your dad right?
Lizzie: *Nods*
Well there must be someone you could talk to...what about Miranda?
Lizzie: Now I know part of the reason why the group keeps you around. You always seem to have the answers to my problems when I can’t think straight

*Laughs slightly* Gonna come a time when I’m going to be too busy to help you all the time McGuire and we both know that day might not be very far away
Lizzie: I know. And don’t think I haven’t been trying not to ‘run to everyone else to solve all my problems’ like I used to in the past. True I do still need some help in situations like this one….but other than that I can take care of myself

Yeah I know. Things have changed for a lot of us. Even Tina,and not too long ago
Lizzie: Yeah?
Yeah. Don’t wanna say much because it was a personal thing you know? All I will say is that something happened,something to do with her ending up with the bandage that she's sporting on her right wrist
Lizzie: Well that’s a given. Just wish she would open up to us some more and maybe tell us how things were where she lived before moving here
I thought she did talk to you about that right after she moved here?
Lizzie: Oh yeah. I must’ve forgotten about it
Well obviously. Now come on. We better get back in there and help those guys get the rest of the decorations for the party taken care of
Lizzie: *Giggling and following me* Yeah. Guess we better. They might think we ran off and left them to do all the work or something

Back inside about 5 minutes later:

Tina: You sure you guys don’t mind if I take a break?
All of the rest of us: No go right ahead
Tina: Okay. Um….could someone give me a hand with this? I think I need to change the bandages again
Megan/Willa: Well if we weren’t all busy….
I’ll do it
Tina: You sure you wanna McGuire?
*Small shrug* No not really. But since the others are all busy with getting the rest of the decorations set up don’t look like either one of us has much of a choice in the matter

Tina: Okay. But if you have to hurl please make sure that you don’t do it anywhere near the wrist okay?
Promise. *at that she pulls back the slightly bloodied bandages* ~I think I’m gonna be….~
Tina: *Noticing my discomfort* I tried to warn you….
Yes you did. Its okay. I’m fine. So what do I do here?
Tina: All you have to do clean around the stitches then help me wrap the stitches with the gauze. I can handle the rest of it on my own
That sounds easy. So how did this happen if you don’t mind my asking?

Tina: Not here okay. Maybe after this party is over. And please don’t ask me anything more about it until then okay?
Sure. Well I’m done how did I do?
Tina: Just fine
Thanks. Well I think I’ll go help the others some more now. Let me know if you need my help again okay?
Tina: Yeah sure. No problem

Megan: Just in time Lizzie. Here. *At that she hands me a sack filled with orange and black balloons*
What am I supposed to….? Oh yeah. Duh. Balloons
Megan: Yep. And instead of using all your ‘hot air’ I got a small helium tank for them. Actually Kate did. So don’t worry about being ‘out of breath’
Cool. Wait….why would….
Megan: I don’t know either and I’m not gonna try to figure it out. I’m just going to keep busy getting everything ready
Works for me!

Roughly 25 minutes later:

Well that was fun. Wait….why are you guys laughing?
Megan: Did you accidentally inhale some of the gas? ‘Cause it sounds that way!
Oh. Hopefully it’ll wear off before the party. Speaking of which do you think we have everything just about done here? I have to go back home and get my outfit together for the party. Or did I already bring it with me? Crud. I bet I didn’t. I might’ve left in such a hurry to first get home and then get over here I forgot some of it

Megan: Lizzie relax. We have about *quickly checking her watch* 4 hours until we are supposed to get the party started. You have time to go and get the rest of it together. You can change when you get back

Okay. Cool. Um….do me a favor will you?
Willa: Whatcha need?
If Gordo shows up looking for me don’t tell him I was here?
Willa: Sure. Not thinking that he might be here I take it? Hoping that he is here and maybe he has had a chance to think things over?
Kinda halfway in between both of them
Willa: He’s probably forgotten all about the fight by now. If there was one that is. You know how he is

Yeah. Should by now huh? Well I don’t see how this is getting me ready for what will be going on later so I better get myself in gear and go and get my ‘costume’ together. Be back as soon as I can. *which is the last thing that I have time to say before Miranda hustles me out the door so I can make good on my promise*

*After walking back in and heading into the kitchen*

Finally! I thought she was going to be here forever! Okay how’s the food preparation coming?
Willa: Everything is right on schedule
Good. Well I think I’ll go back out and start setting out the stuff that is supposed to go around the punchbowl and some of the other assorted things that have to be done while you guys finish up in here
Willa/Tina: Cool. Think you might need an extra set of hands? Boss said she was already out there making sure that the punch was getting mixed and she might be willing to do something else when she gets done with that

We’ll see when I get back out there. *unfortunately she doesn’t get much farther than the door before seeing someone walk into the main portion of the Digital Bean through one of the small ‘portholes’ in the swinging doors* Oh crud what is she doing here so soon?
Willa/Tina: What’s wrong?
Not really sure. But I think maybe I should go and find out
Willa/Tina: Okay

Main portion of the Digital Bean:

Your early. Is there something wrong?
Amy: Nah. Not really. Just thought maybe I’d see about having a look at how the decorating is progressing. Wow cool! You guys got all this done by yourselves?!?
Yeah. We’ve been working since about 11 this morning. So you think maybe you’ll stay or are you pressed for time?
Amy: Nah. Got things to do before later. Unless of course you need me to maybe lend a hand real quick? If not I gotta motor and get my other errands finished
We got it covered for now
Amy: Cool. Well I’ll be back later. *and after that she too is gone and I head back into the kitchen*

*After stepping out of the way of the swinging door and then glancing at my watch* Crud!

Willa/Tina: What’s wrong?
Its almost 5 is what’s wrong!
Willa/Tina: Oh
Hope we get everything finished in time
Willa/Tina: Relax,I'm sure the food is going to be okay,and we have very little left to do in the way of decorations...we'll finish on time
Okay. See you guys in a little bit. *then just like that I’m on my way out so

Slightly later:

Hey Tina you got a sec? Needed to ask you something real quick
Tina: *Wiping her hands off and then sliding onto a stool on the other side of the counter* What’s up?

Well you know how I might’ve mentioned to Miranda that things were kind of not ‘okay’ with you earlier?
Tina: Yeah….so what does that have to do with….right now?
Well I think maybe you should tell a reworked version of your ‘accident’ as a scary story later on. That sound okay to you?

Tina: You know….that just might be a way for me to have some fun and let loose some of what has been making things tense for more than just me lately
So you’ll do it?
Tina: *Small shrug* Sure. Why not? You want me to maybe write up what I remember in a different format first?
That might be even better. Tell ya what. Willa and I will keep an eye on the food for about oh….10 minutes or so. That going to be enough time or do you need more?

Tina: Actually….25 minutes might be better. I haven’t really got much practice doing something like this you know. Wait…! I could add some of the ‘dream’ into it. Or maybe that would be too much
Yeah it might

Tina: Then I’ll just write out the ‘motel room’ event and make do with that

Cool. Now get to work
Tina: Gotcha

*Right afterwards she sits down at one of the tables farthest away from the door so she can write without interruptions. Which is a good thing as Lizzie slips back in shortly after Tina begins her task*

Sorry I took so long. My mom was just finishing up helping me by putting part of my ‘costume’ in a separate bag as I was getting in the door at home. Luckily for me she had already managed to select some other stuff and place it in a travel bag so I could bring it with me
Megan/Willa: Its cool. Oh,the boss told me to tell you that you could just leave your makeup bag in the bathroom or you could set it in the office

Cool. Um….so what should I do with my clothes?
Megan: Hmm. Well we can’t have them hanging in the bathroom unwatched. Tell ya what. Why don’t you put both larger bags in the office along with the smaller one. That way we know that they are in a safe place
Sounds good to me. Then what?
Megan: THEN you get to help us finish preparing some of the food that we will be putting on the table on the end opposite where the punchbowl is already sitting
Sounds like you guys have this all worked out already

Megan: Yeah well….we have to make sure that there are no mishaps like the last time when a private party was held here
Oh I know what ya mean. So where’s Tina? Did she leave or something?
Megan: Nah. She’s writing a ‘ghost story’ for later. Its gonna be a good one from what she told me after she got started. So don’t go over there where she is sitting okay? She needs to have total concentration so she can get it finished

Gotcha. Well I better get this done so I can get back and help you guys. Oh wait! Did Gordo show up while I was gone?
Megan/Willa: Nope. Gordo? Who is that?
Darn. Well if he does show up let me know ahead of time okay? In case I have to do a ‘quick disappearing act’
Willa: Why would you have to do that?
We had a fight and I’m sure that dragging it out any further tonight would be a way to go and ruin the fun we have planned for tonight ya know what I’m saying?

Megan/Willa: No arguments there. Now hurry it up will ya? Its getting late and we need to get busy so we can keep to the schedule!
Gotcha. *Slips into the office and sets all the bags down on the floor so I can remember where they are before heading back out into the Digital Bean itself*

*Walks back into the kitchen area and grabs one of the pans that has the black and orange wrapped silverware heading out into the main portion of the ‘dungeon’ pausing at every table to drop off at least 4 sets of silverware 2 orange and 2 black*

~This is so cool! I never thought it was going to be so much fun to be right in on the ground floor of something like this!~

*Watches the front door area out of the corner of my eye every chance I get hoping that someone will walk through it and offer to help* ~Funny I thought maybe someone other than Miranda would be here by now
Oh well if someone doesn’t want to show up then what makes me think that I can just cause it to happen by using my mind to force him to show up then say that maybe he was wrong for what he said to me yesterday~ *Smiles as I head back into the kitchen for something else to place on the tables when the pan which is holding the silverware is emptied* Hey guys! Mmm….food sure is starting to smell good in here!

Megan: Yeah. We thought it would be okay if we went ahead and made some chili in case people don’t want regular hot dogs. That okay with you McGuire?
Not a problem here. So what all are we having in the way of food anyways? I know that we made some suggestions as far as the menu is concerned then left it up to you guys as to what was actually going to be prepared

Megan: Well we thought we’d go with some easy stuff. You know like what you’d find around a campfire? Just the standards. Hamburgers and hot dogs along with the fixings that anyone might want. Instead of opting for candy and other stuff we thought we’d get some marshmallows and graham crackers along with some semi sweet chocolate bars and let the guests make smores. Plus we got a cake and you saw the punch that was being made
You know….that sounds like it was a good idea you guys had. The campfire theme. Good thing we did include someone else in the decision process
Willa: Thanks. I wasn’t sure if the others would appreciate a suggestion from someone who’s not part of the usual group

Megan: Oh don‘t worry about it Willa. My friends and I including Tina don’t feel that we have all the answers and appreciate when someone helps us out when we need such a favor. Just as long as they allow us to repay them when its required you know a favor for a favor….we listen to whatever someone offers and then decide as a group what to do or we decide on our own if the situation requires it

Well what do you want me to do now? The tables have been prepared and I don’t have anything else to do you know?
Well you could take a turn stirring the chili while I go and get started on the next batch of ‘burgers
Cool. I can handle that. Um….when should I go and change for the party?
Soon as Miranda gets here or someone else arrives to give us a hand
Lizzie: Including Tina?

Yeah including her. Since the other guy who works here was given the night off its just me and Willa along with my boss and another gal holding down the fort. And as you can see its taking at least 3 of us at any given time to handle the food preparations
Lizzie: Yeah. Sorry about that
No big deal. Now keep stirring!

*5 minutes or so later after dropping my ‘story’ off in the same office that is being used as a coat room/costume storage area* Hey guys! Need a hand in here?

Me/Willa: Actually we could use someone to help Lizzie out so she will stop asking ‘is it time for me to start getting ready yet?’
Tina: Sounds like I can handle that. Um….what am I supposed to do anyway?

Lizzie: Well you could help me out by taking over with the chili stirring while I go and retouch my makeup. Since I’m already wearing the clothes that are part of my ‘costume’ when I get that small matter out of the way I’m ready to get back to work
Tina: Cool. Doesn’t sound like I have to worry about getting anything near the stitches. When she gets back what should I do then?
Megan: When Lizzie gets back on chili detail you can help me out by cutting a few onions for the burgers. Or making the smaller pieces of onion for the hot dogs. Your choice

Tina: Okay. Still not seeing anything I can’t handle. Give me something to wear to keep my clothes clean and I’m all set

*While I’m out in the bathroom getting myself refreshed Miranda slides into the area beside me and waits for me to finish with what I’m doing before clearing her throat* What’s up?
Miranda: Well I got good news and I got bad news. Which do you want first?

Um….good news?

Miranda: In that case I think you might want to hear this then. I was talking with Gordo when I was on my way back here and he told me that there was no need for you to feel like he was mad at you anymore
~Okay liking this so far~ Is that it?
Miranda: Well not exactly. There is still the matter of the bad with the good remember?

*Raises one eyebrow as if asking ‘okay why am I suddenly expecting something that is gonna be major bad news?’ So spill it. What’s the other half?
Miranda: He also wanted me to tell you that he wasn’t sure if he was going to come to the party tonight
What? Did he say why?
Miranda: Not really. But I kinda got the impression that he had other plans

*Sighs* I see. Well no sense worrying about it ya know? Hand me a tissue will you? This is so not my color of blush
Miranda: Um Lizzie you gonna be okay?
*Blinks* Yeah. Just peachy. Now if you don’t mind I have a date with a chili pot and a spoon. *Before she can ask me again what might be wrong I’m shoving past her slightly and heading back to the kitchen*

*Watches as Lizzie walks back into the kitchen and just stands there hovering by where I am standing* Yeah?
Lizzie: You gonna hog the chili stirring all night or do I get a turn again sometime soon?

~Okay….what happened to her between here and the bathroom?~ Um sure. Not like there aren’t….*watches her all but take off a couple of my fingers as she reclaims the ladle and pushes me aside slightly roughly* Well sorry! Next time I’ll let the stupid chili stick to the bottom of the pan!
Megan: Okay Lizzie? First of all that wasn’t very nice to my sister. Second. DON’T do it again. You could have accidentally caused her to pull out a stitch or two when you shoved her like you did

Lizzie: Not my fault she can’t get out of my way fast enough now is it?
Megan: *grabbing a towel and wiping her hands off as she continues to watch Lizzie* Okay can I talk to you outside of here for a minute MISS McGuire?
Lizzie: Fine by me
Megan: You 2 going to be okay in here by yourselves?
Me/Willa: We got it covered. Go and straighten this mess out if there is one to be dealt with that is

*Slightly out of earshot of the kitchen doors*

Okay WHAT is your problem? First you show up here in a grumpy mood which disappears when we put you to work. Then when you go and get the rest of your outfit for the party you seem to have brought the ‘sour patch Lizzie’ attitude with you again!

*Before Lizzie can try to say anything in her defense Miranda walks out of the bathroom in her ‘costume’*
Miranda: I’m afraid its my fault this time. I told Lizzie that it looked like Gordo might not be coming to the party and it clearly upset her. So if you have to blame someone blame me and not her
*Shakes my head* First of all I’m not blaming anyone for anything. I’m just more concerned about what Lizzie said earlier. About how she didn’t want any ‘bad blood/moods’ ruining tonight
Lizzie: *Looking down at her feet slightly* Sorry

Its okay. Not like you intended for your boyfriend to not be here. Do you want to maybe have a few minutes to get your thoughts back in a ‘happy place’?

Lizzie: What about Miranda? She can’t….well look at what she’s wearing! She gets something on that and its ruined!
Miranda: Oh hush. It’ll be fine if I don’t stir the chili. I’m sure they can use me for something else while you think about something. Go on and take a break. Do something. Just try to get out of this bad mood okay?
Lizzie: Promise

Over by the cash register area a couple of minutes later:

My boss: You okay McGuire?
Not really. Hit me with a pineapple smoothie
My boss: Um how about something that won’t ruin your appetite for the party food instead
Like what?

My boss: How about some punch? I’m sure that there is more of that than even you could drink
Doubt it
My boss: Boyfriend troubles huh?
You got it
My boss: Want to talk about it or would you rather just think about something else?
*Small shrug* Nothing to talk about. We hit a ‘speed bump’ is all. Everything will probably be okay after this weekend

My boss: Okay I suppose that’s probably what is going to happen. *at that she hands me a plastic cup and I head over to where the punchbowl is sitting then head back towards the kitchen taking small sips from time to time on my way back* Thanks
My boss: Not a problem