“I slipped… and hit my head… on this,” Cole said in between sobs as he pointed to the bathroom cabinet.
“Kayla, Kayla,” she heard a faint voice call her name. She relaxed a little when she remembered Nana was still on the phone.
“Nana, Cole slipped in the bathroom, and it looks like he needs stitches,” she cried into the phone.
“I’ll be right there,” Nana said and then Kayla heard the dial tone.
Cole’s clothes were all wet. Kayla tried to help him up, but soon realized she needed to put something on his wound or he would get blood everywhere. She grabbed the first aid kit out of the bathroom cupboard and gave him a thick piece of gauze.
Her head was spinning. What should I do next? She thought.
“Am I going to be O.K.?” Cole asked barely above a whisper.
Kayla tried to regain her composure for his sake. “You’re going to be just fine. First we need to get you to your room so we can get you some dry pants, and then we need to get downstairs to meet Nana.”
Ten minutes later, Nana knocked on the door and then rushed Cole off to the hospital. Kayla went back upstairs to clean up the bathroom. Some afternoon, she thought with the mop and mop bucket in tow. It was the grossest job sopping up murky toilet water. By the time she was finished and had changed her own clothes, she was exhausted. She didn’t know how many more afternoons like this she could handle.
She was just finishing up her homework when she heard Mom come home. She quickly relayed the gruesome afternoon to her. Mom’s face went pale when Kayla told her Cole was at the hospital with Nana.
“Why didn’t you call me?”
Kayla wasn’t even sure of that herself. Why hadn’t she called Mom? “I um, I guess I didn’t want to disturb you at work,” she said.
“Kayla, I’m your mom. You should have called me!”
Just then, Nana pulled up. Mom and Kayla both rushed outside to see Cole. He had a big smile on his face and a lollipop in his hand.
“I got five stitches. Does that mean I get out of going to the grocery store?”
Everyone laughed, as they all went back into the house.
“Aren’t you supposed to go to Sara’s house for dinner tonight?” Mom asked when everything had settled down.
“Oh, I almost forgot! Is it still O.K. if I go?” Kayla wasn’t sure if Mom still wanted to give her freedom after what happened, and she wasn’t even sure if she wanted to go.
Mom only hesitated for a second before answering, “Of course.”
Kayla felt kind of bad not telling Mom about cheating in history, but she quickly brushed aside the thought. Now wasn’t a good time after all. Mom was already dealing with a lot. She didn’t need to add any extra worries; at least that’s what Kayla told herself, as she got ready to go to Sara’s.
Chapter 11
Diner at Sara’s
By the time Kayla hopped on her red mountain bike and headed for Sara’s house, she was feeling a lot better. She was so glad Cole was all right, but she was a little frustrated with the whole afternoon. She didn’t know if she could stand another day like this, but she didn’t want things to go back to the way they were either. Even with all of the afternoon’s craziness, Mom hadn’t looked as stressed as usual. Surely there was some way to save both of their sanity. There just had to be.
Kayla was so caught up in thought as she turned onto Sara’s street that she almost forgot about the possibility of dinner being life threatening.
She hesitated for a moment when she got to the yellow and white house that was Sara’s. It was a one-story house unlike her two-story one, but it had a cute yard complete with a birdbath. She deposited her bike in the driveway and then walked up the stone path that led to the door. After Kayla rang the doorbell, a small woman with short blond hair opened the door.
“You must be Kayla,” she said, and Kayla noticed this woman had the same warm smile as Sara. “I’m Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Liz. Come on in, Sara is down the hall in her bedroom. Dinner will be ready in just a few minutes.”
Kayla walked past Liz and headed toward the hall, to where she was pointing. The inside of the house was simple yet homey. She liked the brick fireplace in the corner. There was a family picture on the hearth, and Kayla noticed Pastor Ryan had fiery red hair like Sara’s. Suddenly she felt a little awkward being in their home. The afternoon had been so busy she had almost forgotten about cheating on their history quiz. Now, she started to feel guilty as she made her way down the hall to Sara’s room.
“Hey, how are you doing?” Sara asked as she finished putting some photo’s in an album.
“Fine, is that a picture of Tyler?” Kayla asked trying not to sound too interested as she plopped down on the bed beside Sara.
“Yeah, it was on the Mexico trip this summer,” Sara said casually. “We visited an orphanage down there and helped work for a week.”
“Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun,” Kayla said, glad Sara wasn’t bringing up history class. “I lived only a couple of hours from Mexico, but I have never been. Oh, by the way, Tyler told me to tell you ‘hi.’”
“When did you talk to him?”
“Oh, he was at the skate park when I took Cole there today.”
“So, do you have a crush on him?” Sara asked with a big smile and a knowing look.
Kayla blushed. “No,” she said. “I just, think he’s nice. Well, O.K., I think he’s cute too.”
“He’s a great guy,” Sara said just as Liz popped her head in the doorway and announced dinner was ready.
Sara made her way to her seat at the dinner table. Kayla followed her and took the seat to her right. She was introduced to Pastor Ryan and Justin, Sara’s older brother.
So far so good, she thought. She stared at Justin, and once again wondered why Hailey would think he was a dork. He had light blond hair, and blue eyes. They weren’t as bright as Kayla’s, but they were handsome.
“Oh, no, I forgot the lemonade!” Liz said as she started to get up.
Pastor Ryan quickly stood and said, “No hun, you’ve been working hard. I’ll get it.” With that, he got up from the table and made his way into the kitchen.
Kayla felt a moment of panic seize her. Pastor Ryan was alone in the kitchen with their drinks! Suddenly, Hailey’s words came to her, “I’m warning you, he will poison you.” She tried to push the thought from her mind. The seconds she sat at the table seemed like hours. Finally, she decided she had to do something. She had to see what Pastor Ryan was up to. She quickly got up from the table. “He will need help carrying all of those glasses,” she said before anyone could object.
As she turned the corner into the kitchen, she saw him dumping some white powdery stuff into a glass of lemonade.
“What are you doing?” Kayla said in a voice that caused Pastor Ryan to spin around with a surprised look on his face. She quickly changed her tone to one of nonchalance and repeated her question. “What are you doing? Can I help?”
“I’m just about finished. I’m just adding some sugar,” he said with a confused look on his face. “Did Liz send you in here to help?”
“Uh, no, I just thought you might need some help,” Kayla said, knowing she wasn’t telling the complete truth. She saw the sugar container Pastor Ryan placed back in the cupboard. It certainly looked like it was really sugar.
Pastor Ryan handed her several glasses, and she realized she had no choice but to follow him back into the dining room. She took her seat at the table, but she had inwardly resolved not to try the lemonade.
“Let’s pray,” Pastor Ryan said, and everyone bowed their heads and closed their eyes. “God, we thank You so much for all You have provided for us, and we pray that tonight You would be with those who are less fortunate than us. Thank You for Sara’s new friend, Kayla. We pray You would bless her, and help her as she adjusts to a new town. In Jesus name, Amen.”
When Pastor Ryan was praying, Kayla felt drawn to his voice. It had been a long time since she had h
eard Dad say grace, and the way Pastor Ryan talked to God seemed so simple. It was almost like God was right there with them, not some great power way out in space.
When Kayla opened her eyes, she quickly glanced around the table. Sara’s family seemed so complete. She felt a slight pang of jealousy.
“So, what did you do when you got out of class early the other day?” Sara asked, after everyone had been dished up.
Kayla swallowed the bite of salad she had in her mouth and answered, “I went to Safeway with Hailey because she wanted to get a soda.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Pastor Ryan said to Liz, “I got that rat poison you wanted me to pick up. Our rat problem should be over before you know it.”
“Ryan!” Liz exclaimed, “Rats are not a dinner topic.”
Kayla didn’t pay much attention to the good-natured family quarrel about what was appropriate conversation for the dinner table. She was too occupied with her own thoughts. If Pastor Ryan was buying poison to kill the rats, then he wasn’t planning to kill her at all. Kayla looked at Pastor Ryan. He was laughing and she caught him give Justin a wink. Kayla couldn’t help but notice the love this family obviously shared, but the best part was they were willing to share it with her. She let out a sigh as she thought about how silly she had been, and then she took a big drink of her lemonade.
Chapter 12
Nana’s Home
Later, after Sara’s mom gave Kayla and her bike a ride home, she went up to her room to call Jerusha back. So much had happened. She needed to talk to her closest friend.
“Hello,” Jerusha said into the phone after three rings.
“Hi, it’s me,” Kayla said.
“Well, it’s about time you called me back, girl. I have big news, I have a boyfriend.”
“You do?” Kayla could feel the corners of her mouth curl up into a smile as she thought about how just last week Jerusha was outraged because everyone else was paring up. Apparently it wasn’t so bad if you were the one doing the paring.
“He’s so cute. He’s black, but he has blue eyes.”
“He sounds cute to me,” Kayla said.
“So has anyone asked you out yet?”
“No, but this guy named Tyler hung out with me today when I was at the skate park with Cole.”
“So, it sounds like things are looking up for you,” Jerusha said.
Suddenly Kayla felt a heaviness settle over her, as she realized that things were not looking up at all. She started to tell Jerusha about church and the confusing things Jimmy had said, but somehow she couldn’t bring herself to talk about it. She decided to tell her about babysitting Cole instead.
“That’s crazy,” Jerusha said after Kayla told her the whole Cole saga. “You’ve got to come up with a plan to get out of watching him every day.”
“I know, but what am I going to do? Mom is stressed out trying to take care of both of us by herself.”
“What about your Grandma?” Jerusha asked, “Isn’t she available?”
“Not really, she owns a flower shop.”
“Oh,” was all Jerusha could say.
Kayla was feeling frustrated. She felt like all they were doing was pooling their ignorance and coming up with nothing.
After she said goodbye, she plopped herself onto her bed. She was already dreading tomorrow. Spending the entire seventh grade watching Cole everyday didn’t seem too appealing. She pondered her options once again. What was it Nana had said today? It was something about not working in the afternoons anymore. A picture of Nana all alone in her quiet mobile home park ran through Kayla’s mind, and suddenly an idea began to form. She knew what the solution was, if only Mom would go for it.
She knocked quietly on Mom’s door then let herself in after she heard the familiar, “It’s open.”
“What’s up?” Mom asked as Kayla took a seat on her bed. Mom finished combing her hair, and then took a seat beside Kayla.
“Well, I’ve been thinking…” Kayla began.
“Oh no,” Mom teased.
“No seriously,” Kayla said trying to sound as grown up as she could. “Things have been kind of crazy lately.”
Mom got a frown on her face. “Are you talking about what happened today with Cole? Have you changed your mind about watching him after school?”
“No, I mean yeah, I mean, I think we need more help.”
“Whoa, hold on,” Mom said, “I am not about to hire some stranger to watch you guys here. The thought of that just creeps me out.”
Kayla almost let out a chuckle at the look of horror on Mom’s face. “That’s not what I meant. I was thinking maybe Nana could move in with us. It must be so lonely for her in that trailer park all by herself.”
Mom let out a sigh, “Oh, I’m glad you weren’t suggesting I hire some crazy teenager, but I think Nana moving in here is almost as far fetched. She wouldn’t want to have us underfoot all of the time, and besides, she has her floral shop to keep her busy.”
Kayla felt all hope drain out of her. “Can’t we at least ask her?” She said with her most pleading look. “She said she is going to stop working afternoons in the flower shop, and I know she needs us as much as we need her.”
“Well, I have to confess I have thought about it more than once since we moved here. I just don’t want her to feel like she has to.”
“I know she wants to. I can tell by the look in her eye every time she drops me off here. She looks sad, like she wished she didn’t have to leave.”
“Oh, alright, I guess it doesn’t hurt to ask.” Mom held up one finger and pointed it at Kayla as she added, “But don’t get your hopes up. We are not going to pressure her.”
Chapter 13
Toilet Papering
During detention on Friday, Hailey passed Kayla a note that said: “I have a plan to get back at Mr. Bradford. You will need to spend the night at my house tonight. I’ll explain it all then.”
Kayla reluctantly asked for permission from Mom to spend the night at Hailey’s house. Somehow deep in her gut she knew Hailey meant trouble, but at the same time, she felt compelled to go. Hailey also meant adventure.
Mom was overjoyed Hailey had invited Kayla over. “I think it is so cute you and Hailey are friends. I remember when Dianne and I were young. We would have so much fun together.” Mom went on and on. By the time they got in the car to go to Hailey’s, Kayla was practically nauseous from hearing all about the good old days. Cole was at a friend’s house, so it was just the two of them. When they pulled up in front of Hailey’s house, Kayla’s mouth dropped open in surprise. It was a mansion. There was a man-made waterfall near the front of the house, and the house itself must have been at least three stories tall.
Mom helped Kayla get her sleeping bag and her backpack out of the trunk, and then they headed for the front door. When Kayla rang the doorbell, a woman in a black apron dress opened the door.
“You must be Kayla,” she said. “Hailey is expecting you.” Kayla was a little bit surprised to find out just how wealthy Hailey was. She has a maid! She thought as they followed the tall woman through the long hallway leading into the living room. Kayla took in her surroundings while they waited for Hailey. The house was decorated Victorian style, complete with red rugs laid out on the wood floors and antique pictures on the wall. The decorations were beautiful, but the house didn’t have a homey feel like Sara’s did. It seemed almost eerie.
Soon, Hailey was explaining to Mom that her mother would be working late, and she was sorry she couldn’t be there to meet her. As soon as Mom left, Hailey got right down to business.
“Trisha and Janea will be here any minute,” Hailey excitedly told Kayla. “Trisha got her older brother, Dave, to drive us tonight, and we are going to pick up the guys on the way.”
“Guys? On the way to where?” Kayla asked, not sure she really wanted to know.
“Oh, to toilet paper Mr. Bradford’s house, of course. I found out where his house was yesterday when I followed him home from school. It i
s the perfect way to get him back for giving us detention.”
Kayla didn’t know what to do. She realized she didn’t have much choice; she had to go along with Hailey’s plan. It couldn’t be that bad, could it? It might even be some fun. “Won’t your mom have something to say about this?” Kayla asked innocently.
“Mom, she’s never around. She went to this fashion show in Florida, and she won’t be back until Monday. And Chelsea, our maid, never pays any attention to me anyway. I just told your mom she was working late, so she wouldn’t worry. I mean she is working late… until Monday.” Hailey laughed at her little white lie, but Kayla was starting to feel sick inside. She wasn’t comfortable with people lying to Mom.
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