Finding Home

by Kingsbury, Karen

  “The rock…” Kari couldn’t contain her thrill. “This will be our new tree house.”

  Erin shook her head. “But it’s not a tree house. It’s a rock.”

  “Exactly.” Kari dropped down and ran her hand along the smooth, cool surface. “A rock that belongs to us.” She lifted her eyes to her siblings. “So it’ll be like our tree house. Like the one we left behind.” She gestured to the space around her. “This will be our new spot. Not just to think. But to hang out together.”

  “A new kind of tree house…” Ashley grinned. “I like it.”

  Kari put her hand in the paint and shook off the drips. “This will make it ours.” She bent down and pressed her hand to the rock. “Leave your handprint. Then use your finger to write your name.”

  Beneath her handprint, Kari scribbled K-A-R-I. Then she stood back and smiled. “Who’s next?”

  “Me!” Luke still had hold of the lizard. But with his other hand he made his handprint not far from Kari’s, and he wrote his name.

  Erin went next, and then Brooke. “I like this.” Brooke’s printing was neatest of all. “This will be our new secret place.”

  Soon, everyone—even Ashley—had a handprint on the rock. They stood back and admired their work.

  Kari grinned. It looked perfect. The Baxter children had made their mark. But now their hands were even messier than before. She climbed down and washed her hands in the stream.

  “Good idea!” Brooke joined her, and the others did the same.

  The water was cool and deeper than it looked. Wonderful for a hot day like this. Kari grinned as she washed the paint off her hands and arms. She pictured herself coming here all the time.

  Suddenly cold water sprayed over Kari’s back. She gasped and spotted Luke grinning at her.

  “Think fast!” He splashed her again.

  Kari shrieked. “You think fast!” She scooped water and threw it at her little brother.

  Then Erin splashed Ashley, and Ashley splashed Brooke, and in no time all five of them were splashing and screaming and laughing. Before they knew it, they were soaked. Kari held up her arms. “At least the paint’s gone!”

  “Kids!” They heard the faraway sound of their mom’s voice. “Time for lunch!” She shouted again. “We still have to unpack!”

  On their way back to the house, Kari and Ashley and Brooke led the way. Kari shook the water from her hair. “I love our rock.”

  “Me, too.” Brooke looked over her shoulder at Erin and Luke trailing behind them. Then she grinned. “Especially since school starts so soon.”

  School. Kari gulped. Moving here was one thing. Starting a new school was something else. She shoved the thought from her brain.

  “Race you to the porch!” Ashley tagged Kari and took off. At first Kari tried to keep up, but Ashley was too fast. Besides, Kari didn’t care much about winning. Not today. All that mattered was the adventure they’d just had.

  As they reached the house, Kari looked at the sky once more. Thanks, God, for that. A warm feeling came over her because no matter what happened next, they were going to be okay. They would always be okay.

  They had God and each other, and something else.

  Their super special secret rock.

  4 Kickball in the Rain

  ASHLEY

  Ashley had a theory.

  If she didn’t unpack her things, then maybe she could still change her family’s mind and they could all move back to Ann Arbor before school started. She didn’t talk about it with anyone else. Not even Kari, who shared a room with her.

  They’d been in the new house three days and Ashley’s siblings had already unpacked their clothes, books, and toys. And even though Mom was still working on things downstairs, everyone was amazed with how the new house was starting to feel more and more like home. But not for Ashley. The place was like an acquaintance. Fine enough. Just not a friend. Not yet.

  Probably not ever.

  It was morning and Ashley could hear the other kids downstairs. She unzipped her backpack and found her favorite sketchbook. Then, like she’d done every morning since the moving truck got here, Ashley checked her best drawing. The one of their home in Michigan.

  “I still miss you,” she whispered. “Don’t ever change.”

  Then she returned the book to its place and hurried off.

  Down in the kitchen, Mom was balancing on a stepladder, moving dishes and containers from one cupboard to the next. “Why”—she sounded frustrated—“can’t I get these shelves organized?”

  “They look good.” Ashley poured a bowl of cereal and sat at the table with Kari and Brooke. “Where’s Luke and Erin?”

  “At the pond.” Brooke pointed to the back door. “They practically live out there.”

  Ashley agreed. The two youngest were obsessed with this place. Like they’d forgotten about Michigan completely.

  Just then Dad bounded into the kitchen, the biggest smile on his face. “This is it! My first day at the hospital!” He poured a cup of coffee and looked at the girls. “How’s everyone on this beautiful morning?”

  “Perfect!” Kari gave him a thumbs-up and Brooke did the same.

  Terrible, Ashley wanted to say. But that would spoil her daddy’s happy mood, so she kept the word to herself. Instead she studied her father. “You sure look fancy, Daddy.”

  “Thank you.” He bowed to Ashley and her sisters. Then he turned to Mom. “And what about you, my fair queen?”

  “Me? Hardly fair.” Mom wore sweatpants and a T-shirt. She laughed and brushed her hair back from her face. “I’m a mess.”

  Ashley studied her mother. Definitely a messy sort of queen. But it was nice of Dad to try.

  Mom sighed and climbed down the ladder. She faced Daddy. “You’re going to love working here.” She raised her hands in the air and then hugged Dad’s neck.

  “We need a send-off.” Ashley banged her spoon on the counter. “Yay, Daddy! Dr. Baxter!”

  Kari and Brooke cheered as well, as Erin and Luke walked in. In no time they were all clapping and cheering.

  Dad threw his sunglasses on and did an Elvis-like pose, thumbs in the air and eyebrows raised. “Uh—thank you. Thank you very much!” He grabbed his bag and keys and pointed up. “And thank You, God, for my wonderful family.”

  Dad hugged everyone, but he held on to Mom the longest. He kissed the tip of her nose. “The kitchen is perfect. Just like you.”

  “Thanks.” Mom looked more relaxed. “Have a wonderful first day!”

  He kissed her lips this time. “Bye, my love.”

  “Hey!” Luke covered his face. “Yuck!”

  “It’s not yuck.” Brooke smiled at their parents. “That’s how marriage is supposed to be.”

  Ashley thought so, too. When Dad was gone, Luke washed his hands in the kitchen sink.

  “So, mister.” Mom grinned at him. “Where have you and Erin been?”

  Luke raised his eyebrows. His blond hair was sweaty and his cheeks had smudges on them. “We set Larry free.” Luke propped his shoe on the closest chair and tied his loose laces. “He was tired of being inside.”

  Mom took a step back and studied Luke. “Who is Larry?”

  “He’s just… my friend.” Luke made a nervous face at their mom. “My lizard friend.”

  Erin shrugged. “He was a nice lizard, Mommy. You should’ve met him.”

  Mom looked at Erin, then back at Luke. “You had a…?” She leaned over her knees for a long moment. “We cannot have lizards inside.” She sounded very serious. “Where was he living?”

  “In here.” Luke pointed to a dirty jar on the counter. It was very close to Mom’s stack of clean dishes.

  “Luke Baxter, that’s one of my special canning jars.” Mom moved it to the sink. “How could he breathe in this thing?”

  Luke frowned. “That’s why I set him free. He kept moving slower and looking more tired.” He managed a slight smile. “It was time.”

  “Fine.” Mom stood and s
tared at her cupboards again. Then she looked at Ashley and her siblings. “Everyone’s unpacked, right?”

  Ashley thought about slipping out of the room. Instead she focused on the milk at the bottom of her cereal bowl while her siblings all nodded their heads. Yes, they were unpacked. Mom told them they could wash their dishes and go play.

  Only Ashley stayed quiet. Her heart pounded in her chest.

  “Ashley?” Mom locked eyes with her.

  Kari and Brooke each gave Ashley a sympathy look before they left the kitchen.

  Ashley and her mom were alone now, so there was no way to hide the news. “I still have a few boxes.” She lowered her chin. “In my closet.”

  Mom joined her at the kitchen table. Then she studied Ashley’s face. “You were supposed to be finished by last night.” Her tone sounded disappointed.

  “I can’t.” Ashley blurted out the words. “I mean… I’m waiting.” She shifted in her chair.

  Mom scrunched up her face. “Waiting for what?”

  Ashley rested her arms on the table. “In case we change our minds. So I don’t have to unpack and then pack again.”

  This time patience seemed to come over her mother. She folded her hands and looked at Ashley. “We aren’t changing our minds, sweetie. We’re staying in Bloomington. This is home.”

  Ashley was about to explain at least ten reasons why this definitely was not home when the doorbell rang! The other kids came running in through the back door.

  “Someone’s here.” Brooke pointed to the front entrance. “It looks like a family.”

  Mom made her way to the front door, with Ashley and her siblings right behind. Sure enough. There on the porch stood a smiling mom behind three smiley kids. The woman held a covered dish.

  “Hi.” Mom opened the door wide enough for Ashley and the others to gather around her.

  “Hello! I’m Rachel Howard and these are my kids—Steven, Carly, and Marsha.” She pointed to each of the kids as she introduced them.

  “Well, hello!” Ashley’s mom grinned. “Thanks for coming by.”

  Ashley studied the family. Steven looked old, like a high schooler. Carly was maybe around Brooke’s age, and Marsha looked to be about the same age as Ashley. The kids’ mother was still talking. And her stomach was big and round. Not like she’d had too much cake, but like she might have a baby in there.

  “Anyway, welcome to the neighborhood.” Mrs. Howard laughed and looked over her shoulder toward the road. “Not really a neighborhood. The houses are too far apart.” Her eyes found Mom’s again. “Either way, we live three doors down.” Her words came fast and happy. “Just thought we’d stop by and introduce ourselves.”

  “That’s so nice.” Mom stepped back. “Please come in.” She ushered the Howard family inside and shut the door behind them. Now it was Mom’s turn to introduce the five of them, which she did.

  “We don’t want to impose.” Mrs. Howard handed the dish to Mom. “This is lasagna. In case you’re still getting your kitchen together.”

  Ashley couldn’t believe it. How did Mrs. Howard know?

  “Looks like I may get to return the favor.” Mom gestured to the woman. “When are you due?”

  “Two months.” Mrs. Howard laughed. “But I’m ready for this baby to be here already.”

  Ashley did a quiet nod. Sure enough. Mrs. Howard was pregnant.

  “You look fantastic.” Mom smiled.

  “Any advice for one more?” Mrs. Howard blew a wisp of hair out of her face.

  “Be patient and don’t rush!” Mom patted Mrs. Howard’s arm. “And know you’ll have help when the time comes!”

  They made a plan to get together for a kickball game tomorrow and then the Howard family said goodbye. Ashley could hardly contain herself. She loved kickball. Still she watched them go with squinty eyes. They seemed nice. Maybe. Probably.

  But the kids hadn’t talked, so maybe Marsha had only come along because her mom made her come. Maybe she was a mean girl. She certainly wasn’t Lydia. She probably didn’t even know how to play kickball.

  There was no real way to know.

  Not until tomorrow.

  Later that day, Dad came back to the house even happier than when he’d left. Over dinner he told them that he’d made a few friends, and met new patients. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling. “I believe I’ll be working there a very long time.”

  A sick feeling came over Ashley. A very long time? She pushed her fork around in her carrots. That meant one thing.

  A move home to Ann Arbor was less likely all the time.

  * * *

  The next day the Howard family showed up right on time and everyone headed out front to play kickball. Marsha walked up beside Ashley. “I’m going into fifth grade.” She gave Ashley a shy smile. “What about you?”

  “Same.” Ashley looked up at the sky. “Looks like it could rain.”

  Marsha shrugged. “Kickball in the rain is still kickball.”

  Ashley laughed. If Marsha liked rain and kickball, they just might be friends. Not like Lydia, of course. But it was a start.

  They played four on four. Brooke and Carly played with Ashley and Marsha. And Steven played with Erin, Kari, and Luke. The moms sat in folding chairs and sipped iced tea.

  The game was more fun than Ashley had hoped. She was next so she stepped up to home plate, which was an old pizza box from their first night here. Steven rolled the ball toward her and she kicked it long and fast. “Home run!” Ashley yelled as she ran to first, then on to second.

  “Yeah! There’s that boot!” Brooke cheered from the sideline. “Keep going, Ashley.”

  Ashley picked up her pace. She could hear Marsha cheering for her, too. A quick look and Ashley saw Luke chasing down the ball. But it was a mile into the weeds. Ashley rounded third and ran for home.

  Luke threw the ball to Steven just as Ashley jumped on the pizza box. “Safe.” She spread her arms in front of her like an umpire. “That’s a run!”

  Steven jogged over and gave her a high five. “Nice job, Ashley!”

  Boom!

  Out of nowhere a huge crack of thunder echoed around them, and within seconds, giant drops of water came pouring down. The kids scrambled for the house, except for Steven, who grabbed the two folding chairs. Mom and Mrs. Howard followed the kids to the porch before the next bolt of lightning. But they were drenched. All of them!

  Ashley wiped the water off her face. Marsha was doing the same and she smiled at Ashley. “Best kickball home run I’ve ever seen.” She looked at Brooke. “You were right. She’s got a good boot.”

  “Thanks.” Ashley wanted to talk more, but the Howards packed up to leave. They all promised to get together again soon. Mrs. Howard even invited them to go out on their boat. “Lake Monroe is beautiful.” She smiled. “You’ll all love it.”

  After the neighbors left, the storm grew stronger. Mom sat by Ashley on the sofa and the other kids piled in around them just as more thunder shook the house.

  “You know”—Mom spoke in a quiet voice—“after lightning, you can count until the thunder comes. That tells you how many miles away the bolt was.”

  A bright light lit up the front yard.

  “I’ll try it!” Kari counted slowly. “One… two… three… four… five… six…” Boom! She looked at their mom. “So that lightning was six miles away?”

  “About that.” Mom nodded. “But in a storm like this lightning could come at any time. Best to stay inside.”

  The rain came harder than before and Ashley settled in against her mother. Storms like this were the best. Like God was having a concert.

  Ashley didn’t want to like Bloomington or their house or anything about this move. But she had to admit something as she sketched herself kicking a home run that night in her room.

  Today hadn’t been too bad. She had made another memory. But more than that, she had made something else.

  Her very first Bloomington friend.

  5 An Act of Kindness


  KARI

  Back-to-school shopping was one of Kari’s favorite times of year. New pencils and paper, a new notebook. Even sometimes a new outfit. But this year the time with her mom and siblings would be more than just fun. This shopping trip was critical.

  Everything had to be perfect. The first day at her new school was just one week away.

  It was midmorning and already they were in the van with their mom headed to the store. Sunshine sprayed bright light across the countryside near their new home. Kari looked out the window and smiled. So far she loved everything about Bloomington. The house and the special rock at the back of their yard. The front and back porches and the neighbor girls—especially Marsha. She was in Ashley’s grade, but she was closer to Kari’s age. Marsha was kind and funny and she had a way of seeing the best in every situation.

  So Kari and Ashley were already great friends with her.

  Just yesterday Marsha came over and the three of them sat on the floor in Kari and Ashley’s room. Marsha had told them about the Bloomington Fall Festival. “We make fall wreaths and paint pumpkins and take rides on a hay wagon.” Her eyes had lit up. “Plus sometimes there’s even a Ferris wheel and carnival games!”

  Kari loved Marsha’s enthusiasm. Their new friend was so excited about school starting in a week that Kari couldn’t help but look forward to it, too. If only Ashley felt the same way.

  They turned onto the main road and Kari looked across the van at Ashley. Later today she would check in with her sister and make sure she was okay. This change wasn’t easy. But it was up to them to see the good in the move to Indiana. So much of life came down to attitude.

  Like Mom and Dad kept saying, “Have an attitude of gratitude.”

  Kari looked out the window again. That’s what she’d been trying to do. Find ways to be thankful. And it was working. The more thankful Kari was, the happier she felt.

  Better to be happy with today than waste time wishing for yesterday.

  Mom turned the van in to the Walmart parking lot and found a space near the front. “All right.” She turned and looked at each of them. “I’ve got your supply lists from each of your teachers. Let’s stay together. Okay?”