The Bench: Athena Heads Upstairs

After getting all of her luggage out of the taxi in front of the house, Athena headed up to the guest room to say hello to her nephew Steve. She walked into the room, pleasantly surprising her nephew and his friend, not even realizing that the pre-teen girl who sat on the floor next to her nephew used to be her closest friend. But even if she *had* remembered Zoe how she used to be, she never would have known that this was the same girl. Besides the age difference, the most notable difference was Zoe's new mocha-colored skin and obvious African heritage. "Aunt Athena," Steve said happily, standing up suddenly and rushing over to hug her. Zoe's metamorphosis was already complete, but Steve's was still happening. "Cool outfit. Does this mean you're a ..." "Nun, yes," she said, smiling.