Finding Home

by Kingsbury, Karen

  “Oh yeah. I flew off that swing, but I landed wrong. Broke my ankle.” Mom made a face, like she could feel the pain again. Then she laughed.

  Kari was confused. “Why is that funny?” A broken bone didn’t seem like something happy.

  “Because I must’ve looked silly. Trying so hard to get his attention.” Mom took a drink of water. “I ended up limping off the playground with the school nurse.” Mom sighed.

  “That does sound kinda silly.” Erin giggled from the other end of the table. “All because of a boy.”

  “I know! Exactly.” Mom shrugged one shoulder. “I still can’t believe I did that.”

  Mandy finished a bite of her burger. “One time, I was running at recess in the rain and I slipped on the grass. In front of the whole third grade.” She made a funny face. “I didn’t get hurt, but I landed on my back.” She laughed at her old self.

  Liza patted Mandy on the shoulder. “It’s okay, Mandy. It wasn’t the first time you embarrassed yourself.”

  “Probably won’t be the last!” Mandy burst out laughing.

  Kari was impressed by Mandy’s confidence, how she was able to laugh at herself.

  “You sound like me.” Ashley had her color back from when Luke got hurt. She giggled. “I fell in the muddiest puddle just a few weeks ago.” She stood and did a slow twirl. “I had to wear mud clothes the whole day.”

  Pretty soon the mood was lighter and everyone was sharing stories and laughing. Everyone except Kari. Suddenly she felt uncomfortable. She hated lying about her cheating, especially when this time together was so fun. Her shoulders sank. This was fun she didn’t deserve. And tonight she couldn’t shake off the truth. She was a cheater and a liar.

  Which was terrible.

  “So…” Mom turned her attention to Brooke. “How are your classes going?”

  Brooke ate a single potato chip and nodded, talking as she chewed. “Great. All A’s.”

  Mom winked. “Wonderful, honey.”

  “What can I say?” Brooke shrugged. “Baxters get A’s. Right?” She looked around the table.

  “Us, too.” Liza spoke up. “Everyone in my family gets A’s. I’m planning on attending an Ivy League school.” She took a big bite of her burger, obviously satisfied with herself.

  “Well…” Mom let out a small chuckle. “I’m sure you will, Liza.”

  Kari sank a little deeper in her chair. But before anyone could ask about her classwork, the phone rang. Mom jumped up to get it and a minute later she returned with a smile on her face. “That was Dad. Luke is going to be fine. He’s getting a cast, and he’s actually excited about it!” She sat back down. “The break isn’t too serious, so it should heal quickly.”

  “Hey!” Mandy’s eyes lit up. “Just like you prayed!”

  “Yes.” Mom sat back down at the table. “God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we want. But He always listens and He always helps us. Like He did for Luke.”

  Relief came over everyone. The conversation shifted to the girls’ swim meet and Kari felt herself relax. Her cheating wasn’t going to come up tonight.

  The attention would be on her brother.

  Which it was, especially after Luke came home. They all signed his cast, and Luke even joined them to make brownies and play charades.

  When they headed upstairs, Kari spread her sleeping bag next to Liza’s and Mandy’s. Ashley stayed in her bed and for a while the girls whispered and giggled in the dark. But after they all fell asleep, Kari lay awake, staring at the ceiling.

  Her mother’s broken bone story made Kari realize something. She had cheated because everyone expected Kari Baxter to get an A. She was trying to impress people. Trying to keep up her image.

  But Kari knew cheating was definitely wrong. And holding on to the secret of it had only made her feel worse. The guilty rocks were heavy and awful. Which meant it really was time to come clean. Even if her whole world fell apart.

  The simple truth filled her heart: Kari Baxter wasn’t a cheater. She didn’t want to be known for getting A’s if it meant stealing someone else’s answers. No, Kari wanted to be known for being honest. More than anything.

  Even more than getting an A.

  15 Unlikely Friends

  ASHLEY

  Ashley no longer believed in boring Mondays.

  She smiled about this truth as she stepped into her classroom the day after the busy weekend. Her time with her family yesterday after church had changed her view.

  Dad had asked the kids to talk about their favorite day of the week. All of them said Saturday except Ashley. Her answer was Friday, “because every minute of the weekend is just ahead.”

  Their mom chose Wednesday, the day she and her new friends from church got together for lunch each week.

  But then their dad said something different. “I don’t have a favorite.” He took his time. Love was always in her daddy’s eyes. “I like every day the same because each one is a unique gift from God.” He smiled. “It’s up to us to open it and make it the best possible day. We should expect something special everytime we wake up.”

  What a thought. Ashley had never pictured it that way.

  So now that it was Monday, she was certain something special was going to happen.

  This was Luke’s first day at school since breaking his arm, and her first day with her new fashion forward haircut. That was the right term, Ashley was sure. Because the hair-cutter girl had said so. And something else was good about today…

  This was the day she was going to look for her unlikely friend.

  She was out of time for being stubborn about this topic. If she couldn’t make friends with Natalie, then she needed to try another approach. Look for someone unlikely. The way Mr. Garrett said.

  As it turned out, the first person to talk to her that morning was definitely unlikely. Elliot the gum boy walked right up to her. “Hello, Ashley.” He wasn’t chewing gum. “So… uh… your hair looks nice.” He shrugged several times and his cheeks grew red. “It was my fault, the whole thing with the…” He looked both ways and swallowed hard. “You know… the—” He couldn’t say the word, “gum.” He seemed on the verge of a meltdown. “I’m really sorry again. I… waited all weekend to tell you.”

  Ashley raised one eyebrow. “Elliot… do you want to be my friend?”

  His eyes lit up like Christmas. “Yes!” His braces always made it hard to say the letter s. So he did a few quick nods. “You’re already my best friend in fifth grade.”

  What? For a few seconds Ashley didn’t move. She was Elliot’s best friend? A melting feeling warmed across Ashley’s heart. “Really?” How come she hadn’t known this? “I… I didn’t think I had any friends in this class.”

  Elliot grinned and his braces caught the reflection of the overhead lights. “You have me, Ashley.” His smile faded a little. “But… the gum in your hair…” He hung his head. “I didn’t know if you’d still want to be friends after that.”

  Her entire mind was spinning. All this time Elliot thought Ashley was his best friend? It was mind-gobbling. Ashley patted his shoulder. “Is that why you’re always talking to me about aliens and asking me to take you to my leader?” She was seeing Elliot in a new light. Blue, maybe. For friendship. “Because I’m your friend?”

  Again Elliot nodded. Then he twisted up his face in a giant question mark. “Is that okay? Can you still be my friend?”

  Everything about Elliot changed in a single moment. He was no longer different and annoying and a bother. He wanted to be her friend. So maybe she had just looked at him the wrong way at first. And then because of the gum and all, well… But now she saw the truth.

  Ashley reached out and shook his hand. “I am officially your friend, Elliot.” She smiled at him. “Glad we got that figured out.”

  The kid had hesitation in his eyes. “But… the gum?”

  Ashley tossed her hair. “You gave me a fashion forward haircut, Elliot. You actually helped me.” She giggled. “Which
is what friends do. Right?”

  Relief lifted Elliot’s expression. “Right!” He held up his arms. “Glad to help.”

  Amazement filled Ashley as they took their seats. The morning bell had just rung and already Monday was the greatest gift. Because she had done the impossible. She had made a friend in Mr. Garrett’s class!

  An unlikely friend. Which was her goal for today!

  Their teacher moved to the front of the room. “All right, boys and girls. Quiet down. Today begins our book report week.” He smiled like this was the best news. “For these reports, you’ll all work with a partner.”

  For a long moment, Ashley refused to let her thoughts take the wrong road. She would rather draw than read, but her dad’s words came back to her. It’s up to us. The choice to enjoy this book report was hers. She sat a little straighter.

  Maybe the book would make her laugh or learn something. Maybe it would be the best book ever. Yes, that was the right way to think. Suddenly she could hardly wait. Even if she had to remind herself of that important fact every few pages.

  Mr. Garrett was telling them that this time their report would be a project. “Write a poem, or make up a song. Create puppets based on the characters, or a poster board with a scene from the book.” He was definitely making the most of this. “It’s totally up to you.”

  Ashley raised her hand.

  This seemed to surprise Mr. Garrett. Maybe because he was still talking. He looked at her. “Yes, Ashley?”

  “Hello.” She stood and smoothed out her dress. It was the green one Kari had worn last year. Ashley lifted her chin up a bit. “I’d like to compliment you on having a superexcellent attitude toward book reports this Monday morning.” She smiled and gave a slight nod. “That’s all.”

  Her teacher looked at her for a few seconds, and a smile tried to crawl up his cheeks. But then he nodded back at her. “Thank you, Ashley. I appreciate that.” A quiet chuckle came from him. “And thanks for your great attitude, too.”

  Ashley curtsied. “You’re welcome.” Then she sat down.

  A few of the students were watching her, so Ashley nodded her thanks to them, too. Perhaps they liked her curtsy, something Brooke had taught her over the weekend. A curtsy was a mix between a bow and a dance move. That’s what Brooke said.

  It had seemed like the right time for one.

  Mr. Garrett passed out the books, and on Ashley’s desk he set a copy of The Mouse and the Motorcycle. The cover was bright and fun. A cute furry mouse sat on top of a shiny red motorcycle. Then something caught her eye. Next to her, Natalie had the exact same book!

  “Hey! We have the same one.” Ashley leaned over to compare the two. “See?”

  “I know.” Natalie made a face. Now it was her turn to raise her hand. “Mr. Garrett? Did you mean to give me and Ashley Baxter the same one?”

  He was still finishing handing out books. “Yes, Natalie.” He walked toward the girls. “I handed out two of every book. You and Ashley are partners.”

  Their teacher kept talking, but Ashley couldn’t quite hear him. She was paired up with Natalie? The rude girl who had ignored her every day? Ashley closed her eyes. This is a good day. It’s up to me. She took a deep breath and reminded herself of this three times more before she looked at Natalie. Her brain raced ahead. Maybe if she forgave Natalie. That would be a good start.

  So Ashley turned to the unfriendly girl. “Let’s start this process right.” She remembered to smile. “I forgive you for every time you were mean to me since school started.” She held out her hand. “There.”

  But Ashley’s hand just hung straight out.

  Natalie wrinkled her nose at Ashley and then she glared at her hand. “I don’t have to shake.” She played with her long hair. “You can’t make me.”

  “If I’m honest here”—Ashley wasn’t giving up—“you do have to shake, actually. Because I forgive you. So, a shake seals the deal.” This was harder than it looked. “We can’t be partners until the air is clean here.” She waited. “See… because right now it’s still cloudy.”

  “Clear.” Natalie rolled her eyes a bit. “Until the air is clear. That’s how you say it.”

  Ashley’s hand was getting tired hanging in the air. “Clear. Clean.” She shrugged. “Whatever. The air needs an adjustment.”

  That last part seemed to make sense to Natalie. She thought for a few seconds and then she shook Ashley’s hand. “Fine.”

  If this was a patience test, Ashley was determined to get an A. “So… here’s how it works, Natalie.” They were still shaking hands. “When someone forgives you, then it’s your turn.”

  Natalie removed her hand and crossed her arms. “My turn to what?”

  “To apologize.” The girl really didn’t know much about these things. “Because forgiveness comes after an apology.” Ashley almost felt sorry for Natalie. “But I overlooked that by going first this time.”

  Natalie was struggling to say sorry, that much was clear. But after a long moment she surrendered. “Okay.” She looked down and mumbled to the floor. “I’m sorry.”

  “Eyes, please.” Ashley pointed to her eyeballs. “Apology has to happen eye to eye.”

  Again Natalie made a face. “You’re very difficult, Ashley Baxter.” She looked right into Ashley’s eyes. “I’m sorry. There.”

  Her plan was working! Ashley was making the most of her day and now mean-girl Natalie had actually apologized! “Thank you, Natalie.” Ashley patted the girl’s shoulder like she was Luke’s age. “And I’m actually not difficult.”

  That was it. The end of their discussion. But this was a start. Maybe one day Natalie would be an unlikely friend, too.

  Everything about Monday was going great until lunchtime.

  Ashley was walking to the table to sit with Kari, Liza, and Mandy. Plus also Marsha. At the sleepover, the girls had made a plan to ask Marsha to sit with them from now on. So today that was happening.

  But halfway to the table a boy named Chris from Landon Blake’s table stood and blocked Ashley’s way. “Nice hair.” His grin wasn’t altogether friendly.

  Think the best, Ashley told herself. It’s up to me. She put her shoulders back and smiled. “Why, thank you, Chris.”

  He laughed. “You think I’m serious?” He looked at the other boys at his table and then back at her. His face was meaner than before. “You look like Peter Pan.”

  With every piece of her heart, Ashley wanted to change this moment. This day was a gift. So why was Chris making fun of her? She tried to step around the rude boy. “Excuse me. I need to get by.”

  But Chris cut her off again. Ashley felt her knees knock together. She had to get away from this boy. Because tears stung at the corners of her eyes. And she couldn’t cry here. No matter what.

  Chris made a pose and pointed to the ceiling, like he was pretending to be Peter Pan. “Look who’s here!” He stared at her. “Peter herself.” This made some of the boys at his table laugh.

  Everyone except Landon Blake.

  At those mean words from Chris, Landon rushed to his feet. “Hey.” He barked the word. “Knock it off!”

  Chris stopped laughing. “What?” He seemed like he was trying to sound tough. “Her hair is short.”

  “Listen.” Landon took another step toward him. “That’s rude.” He glanced at Ashley. “Besides, short hair is better for her sport.” Landon gave Ashley a secret grin. Then he turned angry eyes back to Chris. “Ashley is a gymnast.” He gave Chris a tough nudge on his shoulder. “And she’s supergood at it. So leave her alone.”

  The shirt Chris was wearing was lopsided from Landon’s nudging. Chris fixed it and sat down. Real quiet. And in a rude voice, he mumbled under his breath. “I didn’t know you two were friends.”

  Ashley didn’t know, either. She looked at Landon. He seemed to find his control. He stared straight at Chris. “Well… we are. And I like her short hair.”

  Ashley couldn’t believe it. Landon defending her like this. She blinke
d back her tears and looked at Landon. “Thanks,” she whispered.

  Landon’s smile was the nicest Ashley had ever seen. He shrugged and put his hands in his pockets. He didn’t have to say anything.

  His actions had done all the talking.

  * * *

  That afternoon Ashley sat on the couch reading The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Ralph the mouse seemed more mischievous with every page. Ashley liked him. And she liked the sketches in the book. For the project she could definitely add some new drawings. Natalie would like that.

  Ashley smiled. If not, Natalie would get used to the idea.

  She was halfway through the third chapter when Dad asked her to go to the hardware store. Everyone else had plans and he needed a helper. Ashley was up before he finished the question. She loved times when it was just Dad and her.

  They bought lightbulbs and batteries for the smoke detectors and putty for the sink. Which was different than Silly Putty, apparently. While they shopped, Ashley told Dad about Elliot, her unlikely friend, and Natalie, and Chris, the mean boy.

  And about Landon, who came to her rescue.

  “Landon.” Dad winked at her. “Wasn’t he the menace?”

  Ashley giggled. “Not anymore, I guess. He stood up for me.”

  Dad nodded. “It’s important to stand up for others. So bullies don’t get their way.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “How are you feeling about the move?” Dad’s voice got quiet.

  “Um…” This was not something Ashley wanted to talk about. She looked at her shoes and bit the inside of her cheek. “I didn’t have a choice. No one asked me if I wanted to move.” She wasn’t being disrespectful, but she was impatient. She wiped at a pesky tear trying to make its way down her face. “I just miss home. And my school. And Lydia. I’m not the happiest right now about this particular chapter.”

  Her dad turned and faced her. “Some chapters are hard. It’s okay to miss those things.” He pulled her into a hug that lasted a long time. And afterward, Ashley felt a lot better.

  He didn’t tell her she had to be happy or that she had no choice. He just let her say whatever she was feeling. And sometimes that’s what mattered most. Someone to listen and give you a hug.