#rivervale_lodge

She shrugs. "I like it when I get left alone."

"Mm." Kerri makes a noncommittal non-comment, and folds another dishtowel.

"oops" napkkin and wiping

"Might try out for softball in the spring, though. Or lacrosse."

"I think both are excellent ideas. Have you considered soccer for the fall? Or are you just trying to get the feel for high school during the first semester?"

"She wants a sport where she can hit something I bet" A nod "She's good at hitting things hard"

"Uh..." Purple again and a shrug. "Yeah? And yeah?"

"She is."

And Kerri nods as if Dagmar's answer had been crystal clear. "Well, good."

"I don't know how to play soccer. Or lacrosse, really, but I don't think anybody really does? Like, I think everybody else will be new, too."

"You'll learn, I'm sure of it. And you can get ahead of the others by doing some research about it ahead of time." A stack of bedding has accumulated, and Kerri says to Gerd, "Since you've finished your popsicle, wash your hands, dry them, and then please carry these upstairs and put them in the linen closet."

"Yes, Miss Kerri" She does so promply "thank you again for making those"

"And I did okay playing softball in gym class. I got it over the fence a few times."

"Softball is an excellent, fun sport. You need to let us know when you have a game." She watches Gerd go, then glances at Dagmar. "So...before she comes back, I have a private question to ask you, and I hope you don't take offense." Still folding.

Gerd maybe a bit, for she is now singing a song Tove taught her.

"Um. Okay..." Wary.

Kerri nods. "Sensitive topic, so brace yourself. I've been wondering...if you have all the clothing that you need. Now, hear me out...you've been wearing a lot of baggy things, and layers even in the heat, and so I'm wondering if you've developed curves you're not quite comfortable with yet." Kind but efficient.

Her cheeks flush harder. "Um." She folds her arms across her chest.

Kerri nods. "Like I said, sensitive topic. You can tell me to mind my own business, if you like, but I don't think Jaymes is likely to figure things out quite the same way."

Her eyes widen and she shakes her head.

"So...I'm on the right track, here?"

"I don't.... I don't have... I didn't need..."

"You can't tell him. I can't go with him!"

Kerri stops what she's doing and speaks quietly. "I wouldn't tell him in a million years, Dagmar. This is one of those situations that calls for a mom, or a big sister, or a crazy aunt...or in this case, your friendly neighborhood Hearth." A hint of a smile, then serious again. "So...can I take you on a shopping expedition for some of those?"

PURPLE. A nod.

Oh thank god, Gerd has found something else to sing.

Kerri nods and very nearly pats her shoulder, but redirects to folding the laundry again. "We'll go tomorrow morning, then. And if you'll let me measure you before we head out in the morning, we can avoid the awkwardness of having to get a salesperson involved."

Her eyes go very wide again. "Do you have to? I could just, like, get a few and try them on..."

"You could. That's what I did at your age. But it's an awfully hit-or-miss process that way. Wouldn't you rather have a number where you can say, there, that's the one, without having to spend a lot of time in and out of changing rooms?" Another towel folded. "I promise, you don't have to be nude, and it's not as invasive as it may sound."

Her arms are very firmly folded over her chest. "I don't like.. I..." A frown and a shrug.

"I understand. I don't know all the details, but I don't think your reaction is unreasonable. We could try it your way. I'll bring a tape measure in case you change your mind, though."

She nods. "Maybe, like - they have sports ones, right? Not the... lacey kind.."

"Oh, there's all kinds. Some are very frilly, yes, and you can't often get away without a little bow somewhere, but those are easy to cut off. Sport ones are good, and you should have a few of those for your gym class and sports...but regular, plain, non-frilly ones for regular wear. What color do you prefer?"

"Blue?" Relaxing, a little.

"We'll get as many blue ones as we can find in your size. And here's the really nice thing...once you decide what kind you like by trying on a few, then in the future I can help you order them, so you don't have to go to the store for them unless you want to. All right?"

She bites on her lower lip and nods. "Okay."

"Good. So...come here at 9 am tomorrow, I'll feed you some breakfast, and then we'll hit the shops before the mall gets crowded."

A cautious smile. "Okay."

"Okay." She finishes up the folding and puts dishcloths away in a kitchen drawer.

She rubs the back of her neck. "So. Um. Thanks for the popsicle, and stuff..."

"My pleasure, Dagmar. Heading home?"

She nods. "Yeah. I really just came for the popsicles..."

The door to the lodge opens... and a voice outside the kitchen, Jaymes "Hey, Dagmar? They told me you were napping and things but it's time to..where is she?"