Wings From Ashes Trilogy

by Linda Nelson

  Karla felt so-so about the cook out today. She actually liked having cookouts, but she did not like saying good-bye to any of her friends. It was not as if she had many friends, but just the same. Sarah and Jody were not just any old friends. They were her best friends. She had known them forever.

  “Can you take this and put it on the table over by the grill?”

  Karla nodded.

  Mrs. Centon held out the veggie platter for Karla to carry.

  “Daddy will know which table he wants it on.”

  Her mom opened the sliding door for her.

  “Just take it to him. Thanks, dear.”

  She carried the tray carefully down the steep steps of the back porch into the slightly sloping back yard.

  Her dad was setting up the grill toward the far back yard where the grass met the tree line. A folding banquet table was set up off to the side of the grill while another table lay folded up against the side of the tool shed.

  The tool shed was wide open exposing the items inside. The lawn mower moved and parked off to the other side of the shed, out-of-the-way for now. Lawn chair hung from a couple of the shed rafters. Rakes and shovels hung on the inside wall.

  Karla stepped off the bottom step and onto the grass. Her flip-flops slapped at her heels. She felt the thong dig into her foot while walking down the slope.

  She held out the tray to her Dad when she stepped up beside him.

  “Where do you want this?”

  He pointed to the table.

  “Just put it over there.”

  Karla set the tray on the table next to the paper plates.

  “Dad can I help you?”

  Mr. Centon poured a bag charcoal into the grill.

  “I'm all set. You need to help your mother.”

  He looked up and saw her frown.

  “If you would please.... For just this once will you help your mother without an attitude?”

  Karla rolled her eyes, “Yeah, Dad.”

  She clenched her teeth on her way back to the porch. Her mother waited outside the door holding the next platter for her to bring to the table. She made about five trips back and forth to the table, bringing all the platters and plates of food her mother had prepared. She set the last platter on the table when the guests began to arrive.

  Jan was the first one there. She was carrying a bowl of ambrosia. Her hair was done up in a neat bun, wisps of hair had fallen out on the sides framing her face. Karla smiled noting her khaki walking shorts and blue striped polo shirt were not the best of her fashion statements. She was happy to see her anyway.

  Mr. Centon then put Karla to the task of placing folding chairs all about the backyard. She was sorry she asked him earlier if he needed help. As soon as he had seen her done with bringing the food to the tables had given her another job to do.

  She had to finish putting the chairs out before she could go over to see Jan.

  She was frustrated by the hassle of setting up for the cookout. She wondered if people would bring their own chairs and all her work would be for nothing. Better yet, no one would sit down. They all would stand in groups just like the kids do in high school.

  Karla gave her dad a glare and made faces at him while his back was turned. Then, she’d look over her shoulder to see where Jan sat, talking with some of the other guests.

  Finally, after what seemed like an hour later to Karla, even though it was only ten minutes later, she set out the last folding chair. The crowd was beginning to grow, and the people were beginning to gather, moving the chairs into groups. As Karla suspected, some stood in groups. She shot her dad another glare while he looked away.

  Karla grumbled, “Dad I'm done. Can I see my friends now?”

  Mr. Centon dismissed Karla with a quick wave. She wasted no time, afraid he would find something else for her to do. Spotting the bowl of ambrosia on the table, she helped herself to a small bowl of it and found a spot away from the table under the old chestnut tree in the back yard. She started to make her way over to it, but then she spotted Jan.

  Jan sat in one of the folding chairs Karla had set up, sitting with two other women. They had left to go to the table for a plate of food. Karla took this opportunity to visit with her friend.

  She took the seat next to Jan.

  “Jan, this ambrosia is really good,” Karla said.

  She stuffed another small spoonful into her mouth, eating it slowly to savor the taste.

  “Can I get the recipe from you before I move?”

  She was trying to feel better about moving while hoping, really, really hoping, Jan would talk to her parents about letting her have a sleepover.

  “Karla, I'm glad you like it. I’ll give it to you only if you give me the recipe for those pickles you made,” Jan smiled.

  “Oh, those pickles are easy. Just take Dill pickles, coat the dried beef with cream cheese and wrap them around the pickles. Chill them for a couple of hours, and then slice them. That is how easy they are to make.” She returned Jan's infectious smile.

  “All right, but I have to write mine down, 'cuss I can't remember the recipe right off the top of my head like that,” Jan snickered.

  “Ha. Maybe I should write the pickle recipe down for you, in case you can't remember my three basic ingredients,” she teased Jan over her forgetfulness.

  “You’re a Brat...” She paused for a moment in deep thought, “Maybe you had better write it down for me. I'm not getting any younger. I forget things all the time. Not just recipes.”

  “Ha ha, you know I was just kidding,” Karla laughed. “But I will write it down anyway.” She decided to change the subject. “Speaking of forgetting, did you remember to ask my mom about letting me have that sleepover?”

  “Yeah, I did ask. She thinks sleepovers are a fantastic idea. She said she is surprised you haven’t asked to have any since you were in first grade. She thought you didn't like sleepovers.”

  Jan took a bite of her hot dog.

  Karla smiled. This was the best news she had heard all week.

  “I will ask her the first week we move in. She better let me have one, or I'm moving in with you.”

  Karla noted the two women were on their way back to their chairs with full plates, and she graciously allowed Franny to take her chair back, and sat on the ground in front of Jan, cross-legged.

  “Relax. I’m sure she will allow you have your friends over,” she reassured Karla. “Maybe even some pool parties.” Jan grinned, “I hope someone remembers to invite me over to go in their pool with them.”

  Franny and Paula grinned too. They were quietly listening in on the conversation. Karla saw from the look on their faces, they also hoped for an invitation to the pool party.

  This made Karla feel uncomfortable. She rocked up onto her knees.

  She wondered if her parents showed the property to Jan. Karla asked, “How big is the pool?”

  “I don't know. I’m sure it is decent sized. Oh, look. Here comes Sarah. I’m so glad to see you,” Jan greeted Sarah, “Is Jody coming by?”

  Sarah had tried to sneak up behind Karla. She was about to put her hands over Karla's eyes, but Franny's smile and the movement of her eyes gave away the surprise. Karla turned around just in time to avoid Sara’s hands.

  Karla could not help but notice Sara’s bright green t-shirt with a giant yellow smiley face looking down at her. Sarah was always wearing some sort of bright colored shirt with her skinny jeans.

  She could never figure out how Sarah was able to get into those jeans anyway. She had tried them on once since Sarah and she were the same size, and no matter what she tried, she could not get them over her hips.

  Karla stood up and brushed off her legs. “Um... I'll get that recipe from you later, Jan. We are just going to go...” She looked toward the chestnut tree.

  Jan nodded, “yeah... You girls go chat. I’ll see yah later with that recipe.”

  With the empty bowl in her hand, Karla led Sarah over to the chestnut tree. They passed a t
rash bucket on the way, and she pitched the bowl into it. She wondered where Jody was.

  Sarah stopped and picked up a hot dog and soda on their way over to the tree.

  “So, Karla, your folks are really going to do it?” Sarah asked. “You're moving – Damn. Who are we supposed to hang out with over at the pond?”

  She took a bite of her hot dog.

  “Oh, and Jody got the job at the market, so she can't come by today,” Sarah added.

  Karla had taken a soda from the cooler near the table. She cracked the tab on it and waited for the bubbles to settle. She then placed the can against her skin, feeling its cool side on her forehead. It was getting to be as hot today as it was yesterday. Maybe even hotter, Karla thought.

  The shade of the chestnut tree beckoned them. Sarah followed Karla over to the tree, her dark brown ponytail sitting high on the back of her head, bounced up and down with her gaiety step. They sat down on the ground together, facing each other.

  Karla set her soda down on the ground before her and plucked a blade of grass.

  “I can't believe this, either, Sarah. My folks didn't even discuss this move with me. It’s as if they don't care about what I think or what I want. I don't want to go to a new school.”

  Placing the blade of grass between her thumbs, she blew, making the blade buzz. Karla felt sullen about moving. She wondered why they even had to move.

  Sarah snapped up a little daisy from its base. She began twirling it between her fingers, fixing her hazel eyes on the flower head, looking deep in thought. “It will be so boring around here without you,” she finally said.

  “I'm planning on asking my mom if I can have sleepovers after we get moved in.” Karla discarded the grass blade and plucked up a buttercup, and removed the petals one by one, then tossed the mangled flower onto the ground.

  “How far away are you moving?” Sarah asked while leaning back. She propped herself up with her arms extended on each side. Her ponytail almost touched the ground.

  “We're moving to Brantwood, or so they say. I don't understand why Dad just can't travel to work as most people do. This rots… I have to pack my things, change schools, and unpack my things. I’ll never find any of my stuff.”

  Karla brushed the grass from the palms of her hands.

  “I need another soda, want one?”

  Karla stood and waited for Sarah to follow.

  “Yup, I'll grab another one.”

  Some of the guests had moved their chairs closer toward the line of pine trees. They were apparently trying to avoid the heat of the afternoon sun. Karla saw her mom and dad mingling among the guest.

  Sarah asked, “Did I hear Jan right, you guys will have a pool?”

  “Yeah, so my folks say. I haven't seen it yet. I haven't even seen the house yet…it is as if it is some kind of secret, or something. They never talk to me about any of it. If this doesn’t work out, I'm skipping out. I’ll move back here and live with Jan.”

  “Would Jan let you do that?” Sarah asked. “Wouldn't your parents be pissed if you did that?”

  Karla tossed her can in the trash as Sarah handed her another one from the cooler. The cooler was getting low. She flipped up the lid to one of the other coolers setting under the table. They grinned at each other over their discovery. The cooler had beer in it.

  “I don’t think mom would notice me missing.”

  Karla motioned to the cooler full of beer.

  “But I'm sure your dad would miss you,” Sarah stressed. “Oh now that does look tempting, doesn't it,” she smiled.

  They laughed at the thought, but Karla didn't dare. Her mom probably would kill her. Giggling they went back to sit under the tree.

  “Well, it can't be that bad that the town is pretty big. It’s got a movie theater, bowling alley, and best of all a mall.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “And, you got a pool – how far are you from the school? Can you walk to the mall?”

  Sarah took a swig of her soda.

  “Yeah, I can walk to school, and to the mall, though I doubt Mom will ever let me hang out at the mall. She says that's how kids get into trouble.”

  “Well, when Jody and I sleep over, we will ask her if we can all go to the movies and hang out at the mall. I will get my mom to talk to her for you.”

  Karla looked in the direction of where she had last seen her mom. She was now standing with a group of adult family friends.

  She scoffed, “You know she will say, NO, you know.”

  Sarah quickly changed the subject. “Your school must be enormous compared to ours. Did you pick your classes yet?”

  “I'm going Tuesday to pick my classes and see the school. I hear the school is like, triple the size of Medham High.”

  “Hey, take your camera with you or better yet, send me a picture message when you check out your school.”

  “Why, did you get a cell phone?”

  “Yup, I got it for my birthday,” Sarah pulled her cell phone from her back pant pocket.

  “Oh, cool. Let me see it,” Karla said. She took the cellphone and opened it, checking the phone functions.

  “Now I have to ask my folks for one. They should be able to afford one now. And they owe me since they are making me go and leave you guys behind.

  I have to show Mom,” Karla took the cell phone to her mom, with Sarah in tow.

  The guests had begun to leave a little at a time. She noticed that Franny and Paula were no longer to be seen. She wondered what time it was getting to be.

  “Mom… Check out Sara’s new cell phone, she got for her birthday,” Karla held the phone out for her mom to see, “Can I have one too?”

  “We will have to talk it over with your dad later,” Mrs. Centon quickly glanced at the phone, and then turned back to her current conversation.

  Karla clenched her teeth. That always hurt her when her mother did not pay any attention to her. She hated it when she acted this way.

  “Yeah, right, Mom.” Karla fought the urge to scream at her. All she could do was glare and her mom did not even seem to notice this either.

  She thought about how many times her mom did not seem to know she existed. Karla decided she would start blowing her off the way she did to her.

  We'll see how she likes it, she thought to herself. She wanted to flip her mother off so badly, but she feared the outcome.

  “Hey, I got to get going,” said Sarah. “I have to meet Barry at the town field for soccer practice. Here is my cell phone number.” Sarah reached into her front pocket, producing a piece of paper. “I got to go, or I will be late. Talk to you soon.”

  Numb with anger at her mom's response, Karla handed the phone back to Sarah, accepting the piece of paper; she stuffed it in her pocket. Sarah quickly said good-bye, and how she hated to have to run, but she had to go.

  Frustrated by her mom's response, Karla gave the ground a swift kick with her foot after Sarah left. She shook her head and went back inside the house to her room. She was sure no one would notice her missing.

  She slammed her bedroom door closed behind her and flicked on her stereo to a hip-hop radio station. She turned up the volume, trying to drown out the sounds of the party.

  Throwing herself onto her bed face first, Karla buried her face into her pillow and began to sob.

  Chapter ~ 3

  The next four days were agonizing for Karla. The packing and preparing for the move was trying. Her mother kept checking to make sure she was packing her things and packing them properly. Was there any other way to pack? She wasn’t just throwing her stuff in the boxes as her mom seemed to fear.

  The boxes just kept stacking up in front of her closet. It got to the point where she no longer able to open her closet. The boxes were in the way.

  On Tuesday, her dad took her to the new school she was transferring. She was impressed with the size of the school, at the same time the size of it intimidated her. Karla feared she would not be able to find her way around and would be wanderin
g aimlessly through the hallways, always late for her classes.

  After they registered her at her new school, she had to finish with the packing. She was glad that her mom did not accompany them to have her transferred into the school. Karla was sure she would have embarrassed her in front of staff and students if she by fussing over her classes she chose to take.

  Karla also spent all day Wednesday packing too. She not only had to pack up her bedroom, but she needed to help her mom pack up the kitchen. Then her dad had her help him with the basement.

  Karla had many bitter disputes with her mother. Her mom kept criticizing her, saying she was not wrapping the dishes enough. She fought the tears each time her mom started yelling at her.

  Thursday was the big day. The day they were finally moving to Brantwood. Karla was so happy to be done with all the packing. Next, the chore of loading all the things in the U-Haul was here.

  “Okay, that was the last box,” her dad said with enthusiasm. “Everyone in the truck and wave good-bye, Karla, you're going to love your new room.”

  “Dad, I love my old room,” Karla complained, “Why can't I keep my old room?”

  Karla climbed into the back slumping against the seat of the moving van with crossed arms in protest.

  Her dad glared at her.

  “Karla stop it, I'm not going to listen to your whining all the way there. We are moving, and that is finale.” He slammed the truck door closed.

  “Just give it a chance, Karla.” Her mom chided as she climbed into the passenger seat.

  Karla remained slouched in the back seat. Biting her lip, she fought off the tears she felt beginning to pool in her eyes once again. The house was now empty. All her memories were still in that house both dear ones and sad ones.

  Her dad started up the truck. They slowly drove away and down the street. They passed Little Amy. She stood holding on to her bike with one hand while she was waving to them with her other hand.

  They passed Jan in her Honda. She pulled in to her driveway with a load of groceries. She had remembered to give Karla the recipe for the ambrosia yesterday.

  It seemed like a half an hour had passed before they entered into the town of Brantwood. It was some twenty miles away from their small town of Medham.