Even in the shower, she continued to do almost everything she could think of (and she could think of a lot, even for as young as she was!) to get me going again. Of course, I did what I could to return the 'favor', and we wound up spending nearly half an hour under the spray – leaving only when the hot water started to run out.
After we dried off and got dressed again (collecting our clothes from where they'd been cast aside), she asked if she could play with the computer a little bit. I told her she could, but that I'd have to watch her at first, to make sure she didn't do anything wrong. She understood that, sat down, and started trying different things out while I went in and got the two of us a Coke.
There we were, sitting in front of the computer, when her mother got home – and came over to 'claim' her daughter. She stayed and chatted with me for a few minutes, and I could see that she had something on her mind, but wasn't quite sure what it was. I finally just came out and said that it seemed as though she was troubled by something, and asked her if it was something I could help with. She said that her boss had tapped her to attend a training class in a couple days time, and that she'd have to fly out one afternoon, stay the night, attend the class, and fly back the following night. She said that she really wanted to attend the class, but really didn't think that she could leave Robyn home by herself – she said that she'd worry about Robyn getting into some kind of trouble, or not having anything to eat, and all kinds of things like that.
I told her that her problem wasn't a problem – that if she wanted to go to the class, she could leave Robyn at home, and that if Robyn had any problems, I'd be there to help her out. Her mother said that that was fine with her, but she'd still be worried about Robyn getting something to eat, so I told her that the following night seemed like a good time for pizza to me, and that if Robyn wanted to share it, I'd just order a little larger one. Robyn perked up a bit at that, and it seemed to reassure her mother (I go the idea she wanted to be talked into it). Her mother finally agreed, and said that she'd give me the money for the pizza; I replied by telling her that I'd be buying the pizza, anyway. We went back and forth like that for a bit, until we finally agreed that she'd give me enough to pay for half the pizza ("Robyn can eat like a horse, at times!", followed by "Mo-THER!"). With that settled, her mother said that she felt better, and would go ahead to the class. Only then did Robyn chime in by saying "Mom, I think I'd be scared to stay in the apartment all by myself.
Can I stay over here, instead?". Her mother said that I had work to do, and couldn't be bothered by having her around for all that time – and besides, where would she stay? Robyn said that she'd be real quiet, and not bother me, and that she could watch me and learn more about computers, and that she really wouldn't be any trouble, really, and that she could bring her sleeping bag and sleep on the floor, and that she really didn't want her mother to miss out on the class, and that she'd be okay, really, and I'd said that I'd watch out for her anyway and this wasn't that much more was it, and it was okay with me, wasn't it?
I had to smile at how she'd gotten that all out in one breath, and said that Robyn hadn't been any trouble at all when she'd been over. I added that Robyn really did sit quietly and pay attention to what I was doing when she was there, so it wasn't as though she'd be any bother; I also said that there wasn't any need for Robyn to sleep on the floor – that I had a perfectly comfortable couch, and spare bedding. I was wondering what her mother was thinking about this, and I was more than willing to have Robyn all to myself for a lengthy period of time, but I was worried about creating suspicion, so I just played it as though I were a friendly, helpful neighbor that was interested in helping children learn and do well in school.
I could see her mother waffling on it, and said that it would be a shame for her to miss a training session that could help her job, that I didn't think Robyn would be any trouble at all, and that she'd have my phone number so she could call (collect if she wanted) any time she got worried (about what, I didn't say – no sense in creating problems).
After Robyn and I just stood there, letting her think about it for a bit, she finally decided that it was okay (I could see that she really did want to go), but that if she heard that Robyn gave me*any trouble _at all_*, she'd be "grounded for life ".
Robyn gave out with a "Yippee! Thanks, Mom!", and I simply nodded to her mother, acknowledging my 'responsibility' in the matter. With that done, Robyn and her mother went back to their apartment.
Early the next afternoon, Robyn's mother came over to make sure I still agreed to watch after Robyn, and seemed reassured when I said that I would still do it – and when she saw that I'd already put a pillow and bedding next to the end of the couch for Robyn to use. I asked her if she needed a ride to the airport, and she said that she'd already called a transport service; they'd be by in about an hour to pick her up. I wished her good luck on the trip, gave her one of my business cards so that she'd have my phone number handy, asked her to let me know where she'd be staying so I could call if I had to, and she left. About an hour later, I heard a car horn, looked out the window, and watched as Robyn's mother took her suitcase out and got into the van that would get her to the airport.
That afternoon, when Robyn got home from school, she came straight to my apartment. I let her in when she knocked, and told her that I was still working on the computer program. I added that it wasn't so important now, so that she could interrupt me to ask questions if she wanted. She seemed pleased by that, but also asked me what I thought of her clothes – a thin, tight blouse (no bra), and a pair of shorts that she must have put on with a spray can. I said "Makes you look good enough to eat!", and it took her a moment to understand the joke – but my reward was a very pretty blush and giggle when she did.
I asked her if she'd get me a Coke from the fridge, and said she should help herself if she was thirsty or hungry. As she headed off for the kitchen, I went back to the computer, and picked up where I'd left off.
Robyn came back shortly with a Coke for each of us, handed me one, and pulled up a chair so she could watch what I was doing. I thanked her, opened the Coke, took a swallow, and went back to my program. For the next couple of hours, Robyn would interrupt me every so often, and ask me to explain something to her – anything from what different computer instructions did to how the compiler worked to what the program I was writing was for. Each time, I'd tell her what I was doing, and why, and answer her question as best I could. She seemed satisfied with my answers, would thank me, and I'd continue working.
When I finally noticed that it was getting to be early evening, I saved all my work, told Robyn that I'd done enough for that day, and shut the computer off. Then I asked her what she wanted to do that evening – after the pizza, of course. She said that she really hadn't planned on anything, and could we make it a pepperoni and ground beef, with extra cheese?
I laughed, picked up the phone, order us a large pan pizza – to her specifications – from Pizza Hut. I suggested that while we were waiting for the pizza, we could talk, if she wanted. She said she'd like that, and we moved over when I sat down on the couch, she decided that she wanted to sit next to me – real next to me. I asked her what she wanted to talk about, and she said that she wanted to talk to me about what we'd been doing. I kinda felt a chill go through me, wondering what she'd have to say, but I said "fine", and asked her what she wanted to say.