From the Streets - Chapter 16

It had been four days since Sophie’s surgery, and everything was going well.  Swelling was already down substantially, and she was able to walk more easily.  Nicole had another appointment with the VA people, and had just gotten back, carrying a manilla envelope under her arm.  “Manda home?” she asked.

“Yup, Mom Manda is in her office, she’s been on the phone all morning.” Sophie giggled.

“Damn.  I’ll wait,” Nicole said.

“What's got you all smiley today?” Sophie asked smiling.

“You overhear what I was telling her the other day, about how they could never find anything wrong with me?” Nicole asked.

“Yup.” Sophie nodded.

Nicole tapped the envelope.  “I finally got them to do a goddamn MRI scan, and they found something - something they can treat, too.”

“Good!” Sophie said and got up to give Nicole a hug, she was still to be resting and doing nothing streanus, but a hug wasn’t that bad.  Nicole put an arm around her and nodded.

“They think the stress caused a micro aneurysm.  I’m going to talk to a lawyer about filing malpractice charges because this literally took away 5 years of my life.” 

“Ouch.” Sophie frowned. “So I lost 5 years with my sister?”

“Don’t worry I’m not going anywhere for a long time.” Nicole laughed.  “I just mean that I’ve been living on painkillers and booze since I got discharged, because they refused to give me the damn MRI until this week.  If anything, once this gets dealt with I’ll be around longer.  Starting today I’m quitting drinking, quitting the opioids.  They gave me some Meloxicam and a blood thinner for the next six weeks, and I go in for another injection of something next week.  I was a little too giddy to honestly follow the whole treatment, but that’s why I got it all written down in here,” she waved the envelope again.

“Lord above, why did I agree to become a full time agent,” Amanda groaned as she stepped into the living room.  “Oh hi Nicole.  How’d it go?”

“Was that phone call about me?” Sophie asked Amanda.

“Sorta.” Amanda laughed. “We’ll talk about it later.”

Nicole handed Amanda the envelope.  Amanda opened it, taking out a copy of an MRI photo, looking at it.  She slid the photo back into the envelope and took out one of several sheets of paper, glancing over it.  “Oki doki.  I’ll put this with your file,” she said, giving her a hug.  “Congratulations.  Do you want the company to file malpractice on your behalf?”

“Congrats, I’m not crazy?” Nicole laughed.  “I’m invoking section 4 of my contract.”

“Sure,” Amanda said.  “I’ll forward everything to legal after I make lunch.  Soph?” she asked.  “You feel up to helping?”

“Absolutely,” Sophie said.  “I’ve been sitting so long my butt’s asleep.”

“Nicole and David get full medical coverage right? I know I never asked about their contract because it’s really none of my business.”

“Yes and if it’s important, they also get access to the companies Legal department.” Amanda nodded.  “I’m frankly furious with the VA right now,” she sighed.  “Nicole has had private insurance with us since she’s been with the company.  She had private insurance when she was with the WWE.  There is no excuse for this,” she said as she chopped vegetables, faster and faster as she talked.

“Careful,” Sophie said.  “You don’t want to lose a thumb.”

“I’m watching it,” Amanda said.  “I’ll let you in on a little secret.  You haven’t met her yet, but your grandma, my mom, is a master chef.”  She winked.  “She taught me a lot about cooking.  I’ve been passively teaching you too.”

“Was that who you were on the phone with?” Sophie asked.

“Cross’s lawyer and Cross herself.” Amanda said. 

“Why?” Sophie asked.  “Am I in trouble?”

“No.” Amanda laughed, “Would I be smiling if you were in trouble? They’re sending you a bonus and they wanted to negotiate another shoot with you and Destiny.  Y’know how Target is pretty famously pro-LGBT right?  I have to ask that since I don’t know if you even have Target stores in Ireland,” she giggled, looking sheepish. 

“I think Target owns TJ Maxx, which we have a few of,” Sophie said, “But I’ve only really heard of Target on American TV ads lately.”

Amanda nodded.  “Well, Karen is designing a new line, called the Kiss and Tell collection, for Target.  It’s an inexpensive line aimed at the everyday teen, and she’d love for you and Destiny to model it.”

“Okay so why did it take all morning?” Sophie giggled.

“I’m new to being an Agent, and this was one big contract.” Amanda giggled too, “I had to get our Lawyer Jessie on the line.  I didn’t have Katelyn to fall back on either.  She’s doing a shoot out on the beach with a V.S. model.”

Nicole’s face lit up.  “Wait, what?”  She looked out through the back window and grinned.

“Friend of yours?” Sophie giggled.

“Cousin,” Nicole laughed.  “Almost as tall as me, but she actually has the figure for modeling.”

“Cool.” Sophie said as Nicole took a disposable paper cup from the dispenser, filled it with water from the refrigerator door, and opened up two orange pill bottles, taking one of each, and swallowing it with the water.

“In a weird way, I kind of owe Melissa,” Nicole sighed.  “It was what happened to her that finally made them give me the MRI scan,” she said, and gave Sophie another hug.  “At least mine wasn’t a clot in my brain though.”

“Yeah no kidding,” Sophie nodded.  “But does this mean you don’t have PTSD?”

“That’s what I hope to find out over the next six weeks,” Nicole said.  “If the symptoms go away with blood thinner and the injections, then yes.  They may still have to operate to repair the blood vessel.  I’ll know more next week, but at least things are getting done now.”

“David’s going to be picking up extra shifts.” Sophie said.  “What does he do when he’s not here anyway?  He’s too steady to be a cop on weekdays.”

“Nah,” Nicole laughed, “He rotates with other security personnel during the week.  Sometimes it’s an hour for a venue, sometimes it’s an all day gig, but weekends are his #1 priority.  Eventually, as you get more famous, we’ll become head of your security entourage,” Nicole said with a wink and an innocent grin.

Katelyn and the woman who now had on a silk robe over her corset and underwear, came walking back inside.  “I’ll just be a minute,” the woman said.  “I hate corsets.  Hey Cola,” she said as she passed Nicole, giving her a side-hug.

“Hey Mouse,” Nicole said.  “Got good news,” she said, following her out of the kitchen.

~oOo~

“You’re not going to tell me how you got the nickname Cola huh?” Sophie grinned as they ate an early dinner that Sophie had helped prepare.  She was impressed with herself because she didn’t burn or over season anything.

Nicole laughed.  “At least you didn’t just assume it was because I drank a lot of soda,” she teased.  “It’s kinda dumber than that.”

“Well now you have to tell,” Sophie giggled.

“Okay,” Nicole said, “I guess you’ve earned a secret.  When we were kids there was this really stupid cough drop commercial for Ricola.  This Swedish guy or whatever, standing on a mountaintop, in lederhosen, shouting “Ree-cola!”, and my friends started shouting ‘Nee-cola!” every time they saw me.  Gradually it just kind of stuck,” she laughed.  “And, yes,” she grinned at Sophie, “You can use it if you want.”

“Na.” Sophie said.  “Thanks though.  How’s your headache?” she asked as Katelyn joined them, and even Amanda turned off her phone.

“Still hurts, but not bad,” Nicole laughed.  “I haven’t felt this good in years.”

“Glad to hear that,” Amanda said.  “I spoke to legal earlier.  They think you’ve got a slam dunk negligence malpractice case.  I just need you to sign some paperwork they faxed over after dinner.”

“Sure,” Nicole said.  “So, I gotta ask you two...  How did your parents take the news that you adopted, you’re living together, and you have a strange ex-pro wrestler living in the same house?” she teased.

“My parents were okay with it.” Katelyn laughed. “They actually are proud I adopted an Irish kid.” she teased.

“I uh...”  Amanda coughed, “Haven’t... told them yet.”

“Yeah, Amanda and I discussed her parents.” Katelyn stated, “They know she’s attracted to women,  but they don’t know our situation yet. We’re waiting for when my family comes, to invite them as well.”

“Mom stays pretty busy anyway,” Amanda said.  “We don’t really talk much since I came out, but I think it’s mostly down to me being in college away from home, and then taking the internship at WP Modeling.”

“We had coffee with her mom when we first started dating, that was about all I’ve meet of her.” Katelyn laughed. “She was pleasant, she's not comfortable with it I don't think. I’ve met Amanda’s dad Greg more, he’s pretty cool.”

“Yeah Dad’s a good guy.  I think a lot of Mom’s problem is she still thinks I intentionally blew my chances at Julliard,” Amanda laughed.

“Her mom’s one of those professional ex dancers.” Katelyn laughed.

Amanda nodded.  “She did things ass backwards to how I did them.  She got a degree to fall back on, and then took dancing seriously until she had me.  Whereas I had to fall back on my degree because my dance instructor wouldn’t write me a letter of recommendation.”  She shrugged.  “Not that I’m bitter.  I wouldn’t have met Katelyn otherwise.”

“Then we’d never have gotten Sophie in our lives, etc etc.” Katelyn nodded. “Oh speaking of Sophie, Melissa sent you something.” she handed Sophie a card. It was one of those cute get well cards.

“Aww,” Sophie said, completely genuinely, as she opened it. Inside was a handwritten note, ‘Two birdies told me you just had surgery, I hope things went well, love, Lia.’

“You know,” Sophie said as she closed the card and tucked it back in its envelope, “She is never going to be my mother, but she’s making a damn good effort at being a friend.”

“That’s a plus right?” Amanda said.

Sophie nodded.  “The woman lying in that hospital bed right now, is the woman I went searching for to get away from my bastard father.  That’s some comfort after everything I’ve been through.”

“Did you want to read the final details of her retirement?” Katelyn asked.

“Sure,” Sophie nodded, having finished her dinner.

Amanda handed her some papers, “She gave you 2% of her stock, but you only get it when you turn 18.” she winked.

“I don’t need it,” Sophie answered.

“No not right now, but it’ll be something you can fall back on in the future.”

“Wait,” Sophie said, pointing to a section of the contract.  “She doesn’t owe me child support either.”

“She insisted,” Katelyn said.  “If you want we can put it into a college trust, or into an account for living expenses like groceries.”

“Alright,” Sophie said, sighing, “As long as she isn’t giving me everything.  At this rate I’m going to have to sneak something into her accounts so she doesn’t starve,” she said, laughing a little.  “Jeez.”

“Actually she retains a 4% hold in the company.” Katelyn laughed, “Which is enough for her to live comfortably on the rest of her life. It would have been 6 but she gave you 2.”

“Well with everything, can I give it back to her?” Sophie asked. “The 2%? I mean I really don’t need it.”

“Be a sneaky bitch.” Nicole stated, “Hold the earnings and put it in an account in Lia’s name.” 

“Can I?” Sophie giggled.  “It’s not that I’m not grateful.  But I mean she’s forcing me to accept child support payments already.  I want her to have something...”

“Don’t see why you can’t.” Katelyn shrugged. “Lia is technically your mother, even if she has no legal rights to you. She’s listed on your birth certificate, as is your father.”

“Oh yeah, speaking of.” Amanda slid a prison envelope over to Sophie. “I’ve been holding these. Just a warning they start off really bad.”

Sophie stared at the envelope for a moment.  “Anybody got a lighter?”

Katelyn took the envelope and walked over to a paper shredder. “You sure?”

“It’s letters from him, innit?” Sophie asked.

“Yeah.” Katelyn nodded.

“Then I’m sure,” Sophie said.

“Okay.” Katelyn said and began to shred them one at a time.  “I think he's writing these as part of some program in prison.”

“I’ve half a mind to put the shredded bits in an envelope and mail em back,” Sophie sighed, “But I just don’t have the energy to give a fuck anymore.”  She had already been around her American and Irish-American friends enough that her accent had shifted slightly.

Amanda kissed Sophie’s forehead, “I’ll have them shredded from now on?”

“Thanks,” Sophie nodded.  “Not that I blame you for asking or anything.”

“Well I held onto them for the last few days but Katelyn and I decided that it’s up to you what you want done with them.” Amanda stated.

“Not making any excuses for what this asshole did to you.” Katelyn stated. “But if he can make himself better than good for him.”

“Aye,” Sophie said.  “Melissa... Lia... Whatever,” she laughed, “She told me he wasn’t like that before.  Maybe so, but he was like that when I was old enough to remember, and that’s what matters.  I hope he turns shit around, but he lost the right to speak to me the first time he blacked my eye.”

“Yup.” Katelyn nodded. “Oh hey speaking of parents and the earlier convo about parents, Your Grandpa James and your Grandmother June will be here tomorrow, my parents.” she winked.

“Oh boy,” Sophie giggled out.  “Oh, sorry, I just had flashbacks to that Dropkick Murphys music video from their song about the holidays,” she said, Nicole bursting out laughing as she got up to answer her cell phone in the other room.

“Nah I’m looking forward to seeing Grandma June again and meeting Grandpa James,” Sophie continued.

“You’ll love him.” Amanda piped in.  “Oh he’s Irish as hell.  Upside-down pipe smoking tweed cap wearing Guinness-pounding 100% bad-ass.”

“Dad was an Irish biker.” Katelyn laughed. “He left the scene when I was 5.  Now he owns his own business as a contractor, so he gets to legally rob ‘em blind,” she teased.

“Wow.” Sophie said. “I bet he’s got stories.”

“You can ask him tomorrow morning.” Katelyn grinned as Nicole came back.

“That was legal.” Nicole said. “They want to settle.”

“How much?” Amanda asked.

“14.5” Nicole stated.

“Are you shitting me?” Katelyn said, laughing.

“We were asking for 29.” Nicole laughed. “That's what the legal department told me to ask the judge for.  I’m half tempted to take it, but honestly I spent the last five years thinking I was just another fucked up soldier.  They fucking owe me.”

“Well you are.” Sophie giggled and hugged Nicole, “You have to be fucked up to love me.”

Nicole put an arm around Sophie’s neck and lightly rubbed her knuckles over the top of her head.  “No talking about your girlfriend like that,” she teased and gave Sophie a kiss on top of her head.  “What do you guys think?  Should I settle quietly or take it to the tabloids?”

“It could be a long messy road, are you ready for that or do you just want to get the surgery and be done with it?” Katelyn asked.

“To be honest...  I just want to put it behind me,” Nicole said.  “The blood thinner’s already working.  If I can get paid and get the surgery to repair the vessel, and just get on with my life?  Yeah.”

“There’s your answer.” Sophie giggled.

“You can always write a book about your experiences,” Amanda said with an impish grin.

Nicole laughed at that.  “It would give me a chance to set the record straight about my time as a WWE Diva, and you know, expose the other bullshit I had to deal with too.”

“Exactly.” Katelyn said, “You know Sophie could write a book too.” she teased.

“Oh on Saturday.” Sophie said, “I have a costume fitting.” pretending to ignore the comment.

“That soon huh?” Nicole asked, adding, “I guess that makes sense though.  Get what you can get done when you can, worry about the rest when the location’s set up, and the actors are ready.”

“They said the costume could change, and the makeup too, but they need to get my sizes.” Sophie stated.

“Your sizes could change too,” Amanda giggled.  “Puberty’s a bitch.”

“Exactly.” Katelyn nodded. “My boobs felt like they grew 4 sizes in a day.” 

“I come from small breasted warrior women.” Sophie grinned. “Hence Anj and the other girls of the tribe.” she teased. “No seriously, Lia’s got small breasts as well.  The main thing I gotta worry about is my hips.  Doc says I’m done growing upward, but I might widen some down there.”

“Don’t read too much into that.” Amanda said. “All girls get the curve when they grow up.  And you might still hit a growth spurt before you’re done, too.”

“Eh,” Sophie said, “I don’t get hung up on that stuff too much.  Now that the major problem’s been fixed I feel pretty happy in my skin.”

“Good, that’s exactly what everyone involved wants to know.” Katelyn grinned. “Because literally there’s no way back now.”

“Yup, Doctor Wilson explained that to me.” Sophie said. “I don’t want to go back.  But um, I do want to go out,” she giggled.  “Could I get a ride to like a Wal-Mart or something?

“Since you can walk around for short periods of time, I don’t see why not. Nicole will be with you so.” Katelyn looked at Nicole.

Sophie nodded.  “I want to find a card for Lia, since she went to all the trouble.  It won’t take long unless I get swarmed.” Nicole put a pair of sunglasses on Sophie, and a hat.

“There nobody will know it’s you.” Nicole laughed.

“She’s not kidding,” Katelyn l aughed.  “I’ve seen studies that just changing glasses makes it up to 75% harder to recognize someone even when you know them, more with strangers.”

“It’s normally the hair style they last seen you with, or your eyes that people recognize when they see celebrities.” Nicole stated, “The only people we have to worry about is the Pop, and if we go in Katelyn’s SUV we should be fine.”

“Good idea,” Katelyn said.  “Keys are by the door.”

“Thanks Mom Katie.” Sophie said and went to finish getting dressed to go.

~oOo~

“Hmm,” Sophie said, looking between a few different get well cards. “What do you think about this one?” she held one up for Nicole to see.

“Hmm,” Nicole said appraisingly.  “I like it.  The kittens are a nice touch.”

“Aye, I’m worried it might be too cute,” Sophie laughed.  “But I kinda like it too.  Hey,” she said as a blonde haired girl wearing a Wal-Mart vest walked by, “Do you think this is too cute?”

The girl laughed, “Too cute is there such a thing?”

“I just don’t want to send the wrong message,” Sophie giggled.  “It’s for my formerly estranged mom.  I want her to know I care, but I don’t want to open that door too wide, you know?”

“Hmmm.” The girl came closer and looked through the cards, “You could either go with the cat one you got or this one.” she handed it to Sophie.   “But it might come off as too generic.”

“Yeah that’s the trouble I was having,” Sophie laughed.  “I guess I’ll just go with the cat one.  Thanks.  Sorry for bothering you.”

“Oh trust me, you’re not bothering me at all,” the girl said brightly.  “If there’s anything else I can help with feel free to ask.”

Nicole grinned as the girl left, “That’s their job by the way, to help customers. While we’re here mind if we stop over at the hair care? I need to get some shampoo.”

“Oh sure,” Sophie said.   “It’s funny.  I don’t even know what shampoo I use.  It’s all provided by people who know way more about hair than me.”

“Soon you’ll have a personal on call hair and makeup specialist.” Nicole laughed as they walked to the hair care isle.

“Training a new Diva huh?” a female voice spoke up behind them with a small giggle.  Sophie tried not to look, but Nicole spun around.  Sophie thought she was going to deck her, but she hugged her.

“Holy shit, Deb, what are you doing shopping at Walmart?”

“Shampoo.” Deb said. “I see that’s what you’re doing as well.”

“I’m addicted to Tresemme,” Nicole laughed.

Deb grinned at Sophie, “Nice touch on the hiding, It’s sometimes really nice to get out of the house without people swarming you like buzzards.”  

Sophie was giving her a cautious look, trying to remember where she had seen her before.  Nicole giggled.

“Deb used to be known as Carmilla, a fellow Diva in my wrestling days.”

“Used to be is the key word, I’ve gotten into more serious acting now.  Less chair shots, more glam shots,” she giggled. “It was too much work to look the way WWE wanted you to look you know?”

“Deb had it worse because she was supposed to be this queen of the undead vampire thing,” Nicole said.  “Two hours in makeup for a three minute promo.”

“Fun.” Sophie said.

“So don’t be downtrodden when I ask you this, but what are you in for?” She teased.

“Modeling.” Sophie said.  “Maybe some acting in a couple of months, but mostly modeling right now.”

“Good luck and break a leg with that one.” Deb giggled. “It’s always nice to see others like us shopping here.  Hey, maybe you can help me tag team Nikkita here into acting,” she teased.

“Maybe someday.” Sophie said. “But I don't want to force anyone to do what they don’t want to.”

“You’re Irish huh?” Deb finally spoke. “There was this woman, what was her name Nikki, the Irish girl from our WWE days?”

“Oh, God,” Nicole said, “Something Murphy.  Um...  Jen... Jeannie?”

“Yeah Jeannie Murphy, she just passed recently, brain damage.” 

“Oh no,” Nicole looked genuinely shocked and sad.  “What happened?”

“She went out for a run and collapsed on hollywood hill.” Deb stated.

“Damn,” Nicole sighed.  “I’ll see if I can get the day off for her funeral.  Speaking of which, I finally got my damn head examined.  I’m not crazy after all, I had an aneurysm.”

“About time they figured out it wasn’t screwed on the right way.” Deb teased.

“Hey Nicole I have to use the bathroom.” Sophie sighed.

“Sure, I’ll get a CSM to hold our stuff.” Nicole said, “I’ll talk with you again Deb.”

“Yeah, give me a call and I’ll get you the funeral details.  My number’s the same,” she said, giving Nicole a quick hug.  “It was great meeting you hon,” she said to Sophie.

“You too.” Sophie said as they headed to the bathroom, Sophie started for the girls bathroom when some big white guy grabbed her arm.

“Young man, that’s the girls bathroom.” He had a deep southern accent.  Sophie grabbed his arm, kicked him in the crotch, and threw him to the ground.

“I’m a girl, asshole,” she screamed, so that everyone could hear. 

Nicole stood over the man, “Need security!” she called out loudly.  She pulled her gun, pointing it at his forehead.  “I suggest you stay the fuck where you are and don’t say a word.”

A Police officer and walmart security showed up seconds later. “Ma’am please put the gun away.” The officer stated with her hand on hers.

Nicole put away her handgun, taking out an identification showing she was a licensed bodyguard, and with whom.  “Sorry, officer.”

“No its fine, what's the problem?” She looked to see the man down.

“He grabbed me,” Sophie said. “I’m calling my lawyer right now.” she sighed and pulled out her phone to dial Sarah.

“I thought she was a boy,” the man groaned in pain.

“We don’t have segregated bathrooms in California.” the Officer stated.  “Even if she was, which she clearly is not, sir,” she said with a hint of bile in her tone, “You had no right to lay a hand on her.”

“I’ll go get the security footage.” The Walmart security guard stated.  The man got up, and tried to hobble away.  The officer stopped him.

“Sir, please stay where you are.”

“Sarah.” Sophie said on the phone.

“Hey Pumpkin whats up?” Sarah asked.

“Sir I said remain where you are!” the Officer shouted loudly enough for Sarah to hear.

“Okay that answers that question, whats going on?” Sarah asked, “You okay?”

“Some redneck asshole grabbed me as I was trying to go to the bathroom at Walmart,” Sophie said.  “So I kicked him in the balls.”

“Self defense.” Sarah stated. “Assault on his end. I’ll be right there.”

“And resisting arrest,” Sophie sighed as she watched the idiot run.  “Thanks Sarah.” Sophie sighed.  “I just wanted to fuckin’ pee.”

“Miss.” Another security guard stated, “If you have to, you can go in. The tall woman and the officer can handle things.”

“I’ll be right here,” Nicole said.  Sophie nodded and practically burst through the bathroom door, bee-lining for the nearest open stall.

“Hey, what’s going on out there anyway?” another teenage girl called from another stall.  “I heard screaming.”

“Someone grabbed me, and told me that this bathroom was for girls, when clearly I have all the parts and plumbing.” Sophie stated.

“Ugh, men can be so gross.  That happened to my cousin last week.  She’s got a pixie cut, and some gross dude yelled at her and tried to stop her and stuff.”

“I have my hair up in a hat right now, and I havent you know got my boob visit yet.” Sophie giggled.

“That’s seriously no excuse,” the girl laughed.  “Sounds like you’re okay though.”

“Yeah I dropped him like a fly.” Sophie stated.  “He’s lucky I don’t have my purse.  My big sister makes me keep a can of bear spray in it.”

“Ouch yeah, he's damn lucky, I carry pepper spray, my parents make me, my mom's with the FBI.”  She flushed the toilet and then stepped out to wash her hands.  “If you want I can sort of witness.  I heard you scream and stuff.” Sophie a moment later joined her.

“You don’t have to.” Nicole peeked in, “They have the entire incident on camera. He is seen clearly grabbing her.”

“Oh good,” the girl nodded. “Names Evie Price by the way.” the girl said.

“Wait, seriously?” Sophie asked.

“Yup, born and raised Evie Price, the last time I checked.” Evie giggled.

“You’re not related to Katelyn Price are you?”

“No my dad’s name is Lessly Price.” Evie said.

“Sorry,” Sophie giggled.  “I had to ask.  I’m Sophie Price.”

“It’s cool.” Evie laughed. “Wow, we have the same last name, I’ll have to ask my dad.  Anyway Mom’s waiting for me over in canned goods.  Good luck with that creepy fuck.”

“Nice to meet you.” Sophie said.

“Yeah you too!” Evie said brightly “It’s not everyday you get to meet a supermodel at walmart.”  She winked.  “Don’t worry, I promise not to tell anyone.”

“Thank you,” Sophie laughed.  “I owe you one.”

“Na we’re cool, girls have to stick together you know, especially with all the creeps out there.” Evie said.  “But like if he thought you were a boy he must be blind,” she said as they walked out together.

“I can see where he made the mistake, “ the lead CSM stated, “But it’s still no excuse to grab a customer or a stranger.  Are you hurt?” he asked.

“Just my feelings.” Sophie said softly.  “I think I hurt him more than he did any to me.  My lawyer’s on her way, but I’m not going to press charges against the store.”

Sarah came running over, “There you are. No but I do plan on pressing assault charges against Mr. Brown and I also plan on pressing the fact that he's a bigot to the judge. Under california law, even if Sophie was a boy, she’s presenting as a girl which affords her protection to use the ladies bathroom.”

“Aye,” Sophie nodded.  “That makes it a hate crime regardless of victim status.”

Evie spoke up before she left, “Id rather have a transgender girl in the ladies room than having her killed in the mens.”

“That’s my girl,” an older woman said as she approached.  “I heard there was a situation at the bathrooms.  Everyone alright?” she asked, showing her FBI badge to the officer and the CSM.

“Just a bit of a cockup mom, that guy over there in cuffs assaulted my friend here.” Evie said.  “I’m thinking of asking who taught her self defense because she floored him.”

“Richie Olson.” Sophie giggled, “He lives in Galway Ireland.  The style’s Krav Maga though.”

“Oh you have family in Cork.” Evie’s mother stated.

“Yeah, how’d you know?” Sophie asked.

“I didn’t, Evie’s got aunts and uncles in Cork.” The FBI woman said. “My Husband Les is second generation Irish American.”

“Bloody small world,” Sophie said.  “I’d bet anything he’s got a sister named Katelyn.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t talk much about his sisters.” The FBI woman laughed.

Sophie nodded.  “I understand.  There was a big family dustup a few years ago involving Mom Katie and a business deal, plus they kind of have a reputation anyway,” she giggled out.  “I guess that makes us cousins,” she said to Evie.

“Well damn.” Evie giggled and then just out of the blue Hugged Sophie, “I’m glad then, because mom doesn’t have any family.”

“Parents are gone, and I was an only child.” The woman laughed.

“Oh,” Sophie said, “Well then you should come over tomorrow.  Grandma June and Grandpa James are coming over from Ireland for a visit.”

“Dang can I mom, I've heard all about Grandma and Grandpa but never meet them.” Evie asked.

Nicole spoke up.  “It’s in a safe neighborhood, Sandwood Retreat, 1127.”

“We live in Sandwood Retreat.” Evie blurted excitedly, “5121!  Holy freaking cow.  You’re the ones that bought the beach house, the one with the 4 acres of beachfront?  Used to be Megan Stuart’s house right?”

“That’s us,” Sophie giggled.

“You guys literally own the biggest property in Sandwood.” Evie giggled.

“We’ve been talking with the HOA - my moms I mean - about giving back some of the beachfront for neighborhood use, but yeah.  This is great!”

“Well,” Evie’s mom said, “I’ll talk to Les about it, but Evie, you can absolutely go.  Whatever happened between your dad and his family has nothing to do with you. I hate generational feuds”