By fall, the homestead was shaping up nicely, and the men returned to the compound in high spirits about it.
Felicity was back in school, and a computer was loaned to her, one with a screen-reader enabled so she could read and write her assignments. It was decided that as long as things went well, she would no longer need anyone there with her in school all day. Felicity didn't care much for this change, but everyone tried to encourage her by telling her it meant she was doing much better and had the same resources available to her as the other students, and could work independently now.
One day, Ben called a meeting, and announced: "I've had a couple of girls apply for a job with helping Felicity with her school work and some other things. They are coming to meet her tonight."
"They're both coming tonight?" asked Beru.
"Yes," Ben replied, "I thought it might be best if we made it more of a social gathering and less of a job interview, and see how each one interacts with us, especially Felicity."
The first of the interviewees to arrive that evening was Shea Melvin. She seemed very bubbly and sweet, but there was something about her that put Luke off.
Shea acted a little over the top, too eager and excited. She just seemed exaggerated in her speech and manner.
Felicity's reception of her was decidedly cold. The girl said barely a word and looked down.
When the second interviewee arrived, Shea stepped up her act.
Contrary to Shea, Catherine (Cat) o'Ninetails was reserved, but pleasant, and presented herself in a calm, dignified manner.
Felicity gave her the same reception as she had Shea.
Shea cracked jokes and giggled. Everyone else laughed uncomfortably.
Any time Catherine had something to say, Shea would cut her off with another story of her own that was supposedly much more interesting, though related.
When the women left, Ben and Luke discussed which one of them to hire.
Felicity went to bed, disappointed and uneasy. She still didn't want anyone else coming in to help her except Ocean, and one of the new women she already decided she really didn't like.
When the next morning came, so did the new helper, to Felicity's dismay.
Shea arrived just in time to take her to school, and was obnoxiously bubbly as she had been the night before, and just as insincere.
"Hi Felicity!" Shea drawled in a high-pitched, singsong tone. "I'm going to school to help you out for the first time today!"
Felicity bristled at the grating voice. Not only was it exaggerated, but there was a condescending undertone in it.
Felicity said nothing, but her scowl betrayed her mood.
Shea picked up on it right away, and said "Oh, my! Some of us aren't morning people, are we? Well, you can't go to school with that long face, so come on, turn that frown upside down!"
Felicity groaned with displeasure and glared indignantly at Shea.
It was an exaggeratedly cheerful Shea and silent sullen Felicity who left for school that morning.
Ben shook his head as he watched them go.
Later, he discussed what he had seen with Yoda and Sheev.
"I know we all thought Shea might be the best choice since she is closer to Felicity's age," said Sheev, "but there is something about that young woman that makes me uneasy."
"Felicity clearly does not like her, and neither would I the way she carried on this morning." Ben said.
"The other woman we shall have to call back tonight if miserable Felicity is with this one." said Yoda.
Once they got to school, Shea dropped the overly cheerful act, sat Felicity at her desk, and promptly left her there, ignoring her for the rest of the day. Shea spent as little time helping Felicity as possible, and as much time as she could, chatting with the staff at lunch.
Shea made no effort to be friendly toward any of the students, and whenever she had to read anything to Felicity, she read without interest. This made it difficult for Felicity to concentrate as well, and when Felicity asked Shea to repeat something due to her mind wandering, Shea got annoyed.
"If you'd learn to listen, I wouldn't have to say everything Twice!"
"I have no problem listening when Ocean is helping me out, but you read like you're bored out of your skull." Felicity retorted.
"Are you going to keep this up? For the last time, Felicity, I am not Ocean." Shea huffed.
"That's for sure.!" Felicity shot back.
"Just eat your lunch!" Shea said, throwing a contemptuous scowl at Felicity before standing up and leaving to join the staff room lunch.
There, she found herself left out of much conversation which consisted of stories and situations familiar to them and not her. They were not snubbing her as she was doing to Felicity and the other students. They engaged her in conversation when they could. But something about her made this lunch time seem awkward. Especially so when Bob Lombardi, the music teacher asked how she was getting on with Felicity, who did not have music that day.
All Shea said was a terse, dismissive "Fine." and proceeded to change the subject.
The rest of that afternoon dragged by in similar fashion as the morning, with Shea only having as little to do with Felicity as possible. She seemed embarrassed to be seen with her, and all out told her as much just as she was about to take her home.
"Felicity," the principal, Mrs. Covington came toward them, "just stay here, we'll be back shortly. Miss Shea Melvin, a word."
Shea followed Mrs. Eleanor Covington into her office.
"Take a seat." though gently said, did not sound like something that should be disobeyed. Shea sat down in a chair and Mrs. Covington took one right across from her so they had to face each other.
Shea fidgeted nervously at Mrs. Covington's serious expression.
"If you are only doing this to make a quick buck, your services will not be required after today." said the principal.
Shea's mouth fell open.
"I saw how little time you spent with Felicity, and the student body, and if this has been your attitude during class, you shouldn't be working here.
"But Mrs. - "
"You make no effort to be her friend," "I've had numerous reports from the staff, and have seen it for myself at lunch when you completely ignored the student you were hired to help."
"I shouldn't have to be with her every minute." Shea objected.
"No one's suggesting that," Mrs. Covington said,
"I tried this morning and she snubbed me! Shea retorted.
"So you thought you'd snub her back."
"No! It's just that she's - " Shea couldn't seem to find the right words.
She's?" Mrs. Covington said. "It is clear you have some attitude issues."
"Attitude issues?" Shea repeated incredulously, "Hey that's not fair, give a newcomer a break will you?" She tried to play it off as a goodnatured plea.
"Don't even try that, Shea. Your problem has nothing to do with being new here. The woman who helped her out before you had time for everyone, and she wasn't even being paid."
Shea grimaced, "Ocean again..." she almost muttered out loud.
"What's that look for?" Mrs. Covington asked.
"Oh, nothing, it's just that all Felicity has done since this morning is talk about Ocean. Ocean this, Ocean that. Well maybe this Ocean person was just hoping to get paid someday and that's why she was so nice."
Mrs. Covington scowled. "Miss Melvin, I have already called the compound. I don't know if they'll find someone else by Monday, but whether or not Felicity has a new teacher's aid, I will expect her to return to school without you. You are done here."
Shea walked out of the office with her head hung, but once she made her way to the school entrance where Felicity was waiting, she jerked her head up and glared. Taking hold of Felicity by both shoulders, she ordered, "Come on!" and marched her toward her car. "There's the door handle," she said, seizing hold of Felicity's right hand and roughly hitting it on the handle. "Get in!"
Felicity cried out, as this was her bad hand.
"Don't be such a baby, you can open it yourself." Shea ran around to the driver's side and abruptly got in, slamming her door.
Felicity's door shut a couple of seconds after.
"Boy are you slow." Shea taunted.
"I hate you!" Felicity exploded, fighting back tears. "I want you out of my life!"
"Don't worry, you'll get your wish!" Shea ranted back, revving the engine. "Thanks to you I lost my job! Happy now!?"
"Yes!" Felicity blurted out.
Along with Beru, Ben was waiting and wasted no time answering the door to let Felicity in and give Shea her notice when they got back to the compound.
Before Ben could say anything, Felicity exclaimed through tears, "I've had it with Shea Melvin! I want Ocean Elf back!"
"What happened?" asked Beru, ushering Felicity inside and taking her coat.
"That was all I heard from her all day!" Shea complained. "Let her have her precious Ocean Elf back, I'm out of here!"
Ben opened his mouth but didn't get a chance to respond.
"Yeah and don't you ever come back!" Felicity shouted and burst into sobs.
"Be quiet, both of you!" Ben exclaimed. Miss Melvin, I thought that fake cheerfulness this morning came from contempt, and the call I got from the school principal confirmed my suspicion. So what I want to know is why would you take a job working with kids when you don't like them?"
"It's not just kids, Obi-wan, it's - "
"That is Ben to you." he corrected.
"I was expecting a gifted kid, not someone like that." Shea indicated Felicity.
Beru's face turned red with outrage. "And who are you to decide who is gifted?"
Ben became incensed, and a force storm began brewing outside.
"She actually told me I was an embarrassment to be seen with!" Felicity finally choked out.
Beru fought back her own anger in order to put an arm around Felicity and comfort her. "Shh, shh," she said.
"Shea Melvin!" Ben suddenly shouted. "Your services are terminated as of now! Be gone, and do not ever show your face around here again!"
"What about my pay?"
"You did not earn it!" Ben replied sternly.
"Help Felicity, you did not." Yoda put in. "Mistreated her, you have." He sounded and looked just as stern as Ben, and Shea knew she was in deep hot water.
Now go!" Ben ordered, and quickly escorted Shea Melvin out the door.
"What's going on?" Shmi asked, coming in from her workshop for a break.
"Shea Melvin was a disaster." said Ben, "We should've hired the other one."
"She had the audacity to imply that Felicity wasn't gifted." Beru huffed.
Shmi looked appalled. "What a horrible thing to say."
"Right in front of her too." Beru continued.
Shmi scowled in disgust. "I'd like to see Miss Melvin play an instrument or wield a light saber, I'm pretty sure Felicity has her beat."
"She said I was slow." Felicity lamented.
"You proved the opposite this morning when she gave you that ridiculous 'turn that frown upside down' bit.
"I couldn't help it if I had to stop and massage my hand after she slammed it on the car door handle."
"She hit your bad hand on a car door?" Ben scowled.
"Yes," Felicity sniffled, "and then she called me slow because I took longer than her getting into the car. She got impatient when she had to read things to me during class too."
"Oh, what an error in judgment we made," Ben said in dismay, "we should've hired the other woman."
"Call her I will," said Yoda.
"I don't want her, I want Elf." Felicity insisted.
Ben sighed. "Yoda, go ahead and call Ocean Elf."
Yoda nodded.
Felicity smiled through her tears, and Beru took her into the kitchen for a snack and a drink.
"Mission HQ, Bethan speaking."
"Hello, Yoda I am." He said haltingly, Yoda had been expecting Ocean to answer, so this stranger surprised him. "Speak to Ocean Elf may I?"
"Oh! I'm sorry," Bethan's friendly voice had a hint of a chuckle in it, betraying her surprise as well. "Ocean is taking some down time. Her father has been sick, and she's having to be careful not to get sick herself."
"Sorry I am to hear this. Please give her our support and well-wishes for her father." said Yoda. "
"I will do that, Master Yoda."
Yoda chuckled. "Just call me Yoda." he said.
"Will do, Yoda." said Bethan.
So Catherine o'Ninetails was contacted, and she said she was glad to take the position starting Monday.
Felicity was not pleased about this. "No one can replace Ocean Elf."
"I know that, dear," said Sheev, "and we are not trying to replace her. But she needs to be back at home with her family on earth too." Then he looked compassionately at Felicity. "It's been so long since you've had family like Ocean has, you haven't had anyone or anything on Earth to miss. So it's probably a little hard to understand."
Felicity stood there, making no response. She only stared ahead.
"Well, there aren't all that many school days before the holidays start, so - "
"I won't put up with even one day if she's going to be like Shea Melvin." Felicity remained resolute. "You won't have to. She's heard about the way Miss Melvin treated you and is disgusted by it. She won't be treating you that way."
"But she's a stranger."
"So were we all. Even Elf was a stranger to you once."
"That's true." Felicity had to admit.
So Monday morning came, and a reluctant Felicity had to go off to school with Miss Cat o'Ninetails, who proved to be as accommodating as Ocean Elf. She read what printed material there was out to Felicity quietly during class, and helped her with anything else that needed it. She stayed and chatted with Felicity during lunch, and was just as friendly toward students and staff who approached her.
For her part, Felicity, who had made up her mind during the weekend to not make it easy on Catherine, started feeling twinges of guilt over her attitude by the end of that day. Indeed, she had given her the silent treatment all the way to school, and said very little in response to her during lunch.
Finally, in the car on the way home, Catherine said, "Well that was a long day, you're lucky you didn't get homework this time. Now you can just kick back and relax until tomorrow when we do it all over again."
"Yeah." Felicity said quietly. She took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, trying to think of how to say what was on her mind.
She didn't get up the nerve to say anything until they drove up to the compound and parked.
"Sorry." Felicity said suddenly when Catherine came around the passenger's side to help her out of the car and to the door.
"Sorry? It's no trouble, Felicity," came the cheerful reply.
"I mean sorry for being unfriendly." Felicity said, choking up.
"I don't blame you for feeling shy, especially after what happened last Friday. Don't worry."
"I didn't speak to you on purpose." Felicity barely managed to get out, unable to stop the tears from starting to fall. "I miss Ocean Elf and I was sure you'd turn out like Shea that I wasn't gonna let you - I don't know how to explain it."
Miss Catherine o-Ninetails closed Felicity's car door, turned to embrace her. "You weren't going to let me in? It's okay, Felicity."
"No, it isn't. Because you've been nothing but nice and look what I did."
"Felicity, darling," Catherine continued to hold her, patting and rubbing her back gently, "After all you've been through, I don't blame you. We're strangers, and strangers can be a little frightening. So let's be friends, what do you say?"
Felicity couldn't say anything in reply, and only sobbed for some time.
"There, there, shh," Catherine only held and comforted her.
Beru looked out the window from inside, taking care not to be too obvious about it. She smiled at the sight.
Felicity and Catherine were greeted warmly by Beru, then by Ben, Yoda, and Shmi, and they invited Catherine in for a while.
She gratefully accepted, and the small group had a late pleasant afternoon visit.
After Catherine left, Felicity sought out Yoda's advice.
"What is it, my friend?" he asked.
"I feel really strange. First I was going to make Miss o-Ninetails prove herself to me, and now that she has, I think I'm going to like working with her."
"Good, that is." said Yoda.
"But that means I'm betraying Ocean Elf." said Felicity.
"Betraying her?" Yoda said, surprised. "Felicity, want it any other way, Ocean would not." At a puzzled look from Felicity, he continued. With or with out her here, happy is what she wants you to be. Suffering, she would never want for you."
"But What happens when she can come back and we already have Miss o-Ninetails working with me at school?"
"No problem that is," said Yoda, "Elf can still work with you on your homework after school, and she'll share your room just like before."
Felicity sighed with relief and smiled.