“Robin!”

The cry was from a young woman, slight in stature and width. Her hand waved about the air and the free hand cupped the side of her mouth for better vocal projection. This woman, probably in her late twenties or early thirties, was dressed in casual clothing of jeans and a simple white shirt. Sunglasses and a ball cap hid her distinctive features. This was a good thing, you see, because she was a famous actress.

Only two people turned to her from the crowded mall entrance: a brunette woman and the little boy who clutched her hand.

“Robin,” the actress panted as she ran up to the two.

The brunette stared at the stranger but then smiled and lifted the boy into her arms. “An old nickname…” she said, “Princess…” The boy looked at his mother inquisitively. Both were using nicknames given to each other in high school; drama class to be specific. Ten years had passed and so much had changed between them and around them. Aimi had gone off to become one of America’s best actresses, using the skills they’d learned in drama to further her dream career.

“I never thought I’d see you again…” The actress looked down at her feet, saddened by her own words. “I thought you may have forgotten about me.”

“You thought wrong then, Ai…” the young mother said, shifting her child in her arms.

“You… have a family now, Elizabeth?” She waggled her fingers at El’s son who responded with a shy giggle before turning his face into his mother’s neck.

Laughing, Elizabeth’s smile grew wider. “No, I decided to just pick him up off the street… He’s quiet… easier to kidnap…”

Aimi giggled in her high tone of voice. “I haven’t seen you for ten years… and you haven’t changed…” El eyed her with a raised eyebrow.

“I see you’ve lost more weight. You’re already so tiny; don’t they feed you in Hollywood?” Again, Ai giggled.

“Well, Robin, I know how you are with guys… who’s the lucky man that snatched you up?” Elizabeth’s son looked at Ai sharply, blinking at her. Elizabeth smiled and ran her thumb across his belly. Aimi was referring to her old friend’s fear of closeness with the opposite sex. It’d been brought up often in high school and was now something of a joke between El and her husband’s family.

“His name is Christian…” El said, looking back over her shoulder towards the door. “He’s probably waiting for me, actually.” Ai flushed with embarrassment.

“Oh! I’m so sorry! I hadn’t realized that you were already doing something!” Ai cringed. “I’m such an idiot.”

Elizabeth laughed. “That can’t be helped sometimes…” she teased, setting her son down to reach in her purse and dig for something. “I’ll give you my number…” Aimi crouched down to the boy’s level and smiled at him.

“What’s your name?” she asked kindly. His blush grew and he grasped his mother’s pant leg.

“Robin,” he whispered, turning away again. Ai’s eyes widened.

“Here,” Elizabeth said, handing Ai a small white card with blue trim. She scooped little Robin into her arms and saw her husband waving at her from the entrance way. “There he is,” she said hurriedly, waving back at him with her free hand, “I’ve got to go. We’re in desperate need of a washing machine…” She smiled at Ai who still looked somewhat startled from learning the boy’s name. Elizabeth gave Aimi a side hug and walked away saying, “Call me and we’ll go out to lunch!” Ai nodded and looked down at the card.

There was a number, but, above it, the name read, “Major