“I’m thirsty,” Carrie said, waiting for Daddy to bring the luggage up from the car.
“And I have to call Mom,” I told Saundra, who held open the front door. It was decorated with an enormous wreath of seashells.
A wiry boy with auburn hair and freckles zoomed past us, wearing his pajamas and bathrobe.
“Oh, there you are, Tyler,” Saundra said. She turned to me. “Your stepbrother has been anxiously awaiting your arrival, Holly.” She smiled broadly, her red lips glistening in the porch light. Then she introduced her son to Carrie.
Tyler grabbed Carrie’s hand and pulled her into the house. I heard him say, “There’s a surprise in your room that’s way cool,” and with that, they were gone.
I headed for the kitchen to call Mom. She would be waiting up, eager to know we had arrived safely. I glanced around at the enormous living room, brilliant with golden hues. A Christmas tree stood in the middle of an expansive wall of windows overlooking the ocean. It reminded me of another tree, a very simple one decorated with handmade ornaments—the tree at Pastor Rob’s house. Then, like a roaring avalanche, the painful memories of the evening came sweeping back.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I found the kitchen phone. No way did I want to sound sad when I talked to Mom. “We made it here just fine,” I told her when she answered.
“Oh, good.” She sounded relieved. “I’m praying you’ll both have a wonderful time. And Holly?”
“Yes?”
“Merry Christmas.”
“I miss you already,” I said, aware of the lump creeping into my throat. Again.
“Me too, sweetie,” she said. “I’ll see you soon.”
“I hope the time goes by fast,” I said softly so no one would hear.
When I finished talking, Tyler appeared around the corner, ready to guide me to my room—down a long, winding Cinderella staircase, its railing adorned with evergreen. Two large bedrooms with a sitting room between graced the lower level. Just as I had remembered.
Tyler took me into the bedroom where Carrie was. “Look!” He pointed to a telescope set on a tripod across the room. It was aimed toward the ocean.
“Fabulous,” I whispered. “Is this yours?”
Tyler grinned. “It’s my old one, but you two can use it for now.” Carrie couldn’t keep her hands off it. She adjusted the lens, peering through the peephole again and again.
Then I turned to see Daddy standing in the doorway. He was piled up with luggage. Tyler dashed across the room to open the wide maple closet doors.
“There’s plenty of space to hang things,” my father said, bringing Carrie’s bags into the room. “Make yourselves at home, girls. We’re glad you’ve come to spend the holidays with us.”
Tyler seemed impatient, shifting from one foot to the other. It was obvious he had other plans in mind that didn’t include unpacking or organizing clothes.
I went into my own room to rescue my overnight case. My hair stuff and other toiletries were inside, as well as my locked diary. Saundra followed me to my room. “As soon as you’re unpacked, Holly, we’ll have a dish of ice cream.” She stood in the doorway, watching my every move. “There are towels and linens in the bathroom closet if you want to freshen up.” She motioned for Tyler to scoot.
“See you upstairs, Holly,” he called.
“Okay,” I said, wondering where this nine-year-old boy got all his confidence. I could’ve used some tonight at the party. The scene replayed in my mind. In my imagination, I actually marched up to Jared and gleefully ripped my present—A Heart Full of Poetry—out of his hands!
In the bathroom, I opened a corner cupboard filled with elegant linens. I chose a thick blue towel and a washcloth to match. There were brightly colored tins filled with butterfly and bird soaps in blue and green hues. I lifted a green one to my nose and breathed deeply. Mmm! Almost pepperminty—like Mom’s tea back home in Dressel Hills. I wondered if she was sipping some right now.
Glancing at my watch, I saw that it was an hour later there. Nope, she was probably asleep by now. A twinge gripped me. I was already homesick for the angel of a mother I’d left behind. I longed for her gentle ways and listening ear. Of course, she couldn’t remove my hurt, no one could. But her soft voice and loving eyes would let me know I could survive—even without Jared as my friend.
After a warm shower I was too tired to engage in small talk or eat ice cream upstairs with Daddy…and especially Saundra. So, clad in a bathrobe, I excused myself and headed back to the huge room that was to be mine for the next two weeks. The thought of temporarily acquiring this major privacy eased the homesickness slightly.
Glancing at the strewn contents of my suitcase, I felt guilty about waiting till tomorrow to unpack. But I pushed the feeling aside and slipped between the silky sheets, reaching for my overnight case and a pen. Then I recorded the heartbreaking news of the day.
Friday, December 17. It’s late and I’m so tired, but I have to write these words on paper so I won’t explode. Jared Wilkins is absolutely despicable! More tomorrow…
I locked my diary with the key on the chain around my neck. Sliding the diary under the pillow next to mine, I reached for the massive lamp poised on the bedside table. In the darkness, I asked God to ease my pain and to please help me forget Jared Wilkins—ASAP!
CALIFORNIA CRAZY
Chapter 10
During lunch the next day, I watched Daddy sprinkle soy sauce on his rice. Saundra sat to his left, passing seconds to him, only to have them refused. I wished she’d back off. How many times did he have to say he was dieting, anyhow?
I decided I wouldn’t call her Saundra this visit. The way she pronounced it gave me the creeps! Besides, it wasn’t polite to address her by her first name anyway. Calling her “stepmom” seemed somewhat cold even though it fit her austere personality. So I resolved to avoid calling her anything. At least for now.
Tyler sat across the table from me, rolling his eyes at everything his mother said. “Sit up straight, dear,” she’d say. “Lean over your plate,” or “Don’t poke at your food.” On and on.
Carrie seemed entertained by his antics, however. And Tyler milked it for all it was worth, acting out and being rewarded with giggles from Carrie. I could see the two of them were quite a pair. And Daddy and Saundra, er, Mrs. Meredith the Second, were also quite taken with each other. As for well matched, though, I didn’t see how that could possibly be.
I couldn’t help it; I thought of Jared. In many ways we were opposites, too. I was loyal to the bone, but he…? What he’d done was unforgivable, especially after those special moments we’d spent together on the deck…“I’ll read every word when I get home,” Jared had said about my book of poetry. I wanted to wring his neck—Paula’s, too!
Andie’s advice rang in my ears. Ignore Paula.
Right! How could I when it was obvious that Jared couldn’t?
Daddy reached for Saundra’s hand and squeezed it. They were quite a couple. Where did that leave me? Furiously, I snapped open a fortune cookie. The thin strip of paper stuck out, but I crumpled it without reading it and stuffed it into my shorts pocket despite Saundra’s disapproving look.
Tyler excused himself, and he and Carrie ran off to play. Daddy kissed Saundra and left the table, too. Saundra sat across from me, her reddish hair swept up away from her face.
Uncomfortable with the silence, I attempted to clear the table, but she interfered immediately, declaring that this was my vacation and I was not to lift a finger to help in any way.
Okay, I thought. I can handle that. I wandered off to find Daddy—the perfect excuse to avoid direct conversation with her.
Daddy’s study was lined with wall-to-wall books, shelved in rich, glowing cherrywood. Not surprising—everything in this house was polished to a high gleam. I stared in amazement at his collection of books, ignoring the thought that some of them probably belonged to Saundra.
I tiptoed behind Daddy’s chair and peeked over the back. He
was reading a book of poetry. He chuckled. “Mice are quieter than you,” he said, motioning for me to sit on his hassock. “What’s on your mind?”
“You are,” I said courageously, curious about the poetry he was reading.
He held it up, surveying the title. “It’s free verse,” he said.
“What’s your taste in poetry?”
“Rhyming’s my favorite.”
“That figures,” he said, with a faint smile. “Your mother always preferred it over a loose rhyme pattern, too.” He mentioned her so effortlessly, I wondered if he thought of Mom often.
“You remember?” I asked, feeling uncomfortable about his easygoing approach.
He nodded, touching my head as I knelt beside his chair. “There are many happy memories.” His crisp, articulate voice turned suddenly soft and intimate.
Deep and dark, The Question stirred within me. Now! it urged me. Ask now!
My lips formed The Question, but the words remained locked up. Dense pain concealed it, forcing it down…deep into the most secret places of my being.
“I’ve missed so much of your life, Holly,” Daddy was saying. Unexpectedly, he wrapped his arms around me. I hugged him back, feeling some of the pain of those lost years.
And then, he was reading a winter sonnet, the sound of his voice soothing me, even though the poem reminded me of cold, snowy Colorado. I didn’t mind. Having Daddy all to myself like this was sweet.
Just then, Saundra broke the spell by carrying in a tray of sodas for three. She sat across the room, silently sipping hers. I cringed. The special moment had ended for me with Saundra’s intrusion. I felt cheated…and hurt.
That night in my journal I had a few choice words to say about my wicked stepmother.
I awakened to knocks at my door the next morning.
“Yes?” I answered sleepily.
“I fixed breakfast for you,” Tyler announced through the door. “May I come in?”
Sitting up, I reached for one of the many pillows piled up on my enormous bed. I pulled the covers up to my chest and called, “Okay.”
Slowly, Tyler emerged, straining to balance a breakfast tray of scrambled eggs and jelly toast, a tiny glass of orange juice, and a tall glass of milk.
“You did all this?”
He looked embarrassed, but only for a second. “I’m way good at making breakfast.”
“Thanks, Tyler,” I said, spreading out the white linen napkin. “Does your mom know you used her cloth napkin?”
“Oh yes,” he said, his golden-brown eyes smiling. “She insisted on it.”
I poked a piece of scrambled egg and remembered I’d forgotten to pray. I put my fork down.
“It’s safe to eat. Honest,” he exclaimed.
“I believe you,” I replied. “But I always pray before I eat.”
“Always?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
I nodded. “Wanna join me?”
“I don’t know how,” he said.
“It’s not hard,” I explained. “It’s like talking to your best friend.”
“I heard a man pray on the radio once. He had lots of thees and thous in his prayer.”
“God doesn’t care if our words are perfect or not. He wants our hearts,” I said, delighted to share my faith with Tyler again.
“Will you pray out loud so I can listen?” he asked sheepishly.
I nodded. “Dear Lord,” I began, “this breakfast looks fabulous. Thanks for blessing it and thanks for Tyler, who put it all together as a special surprise for me. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
“Wow, that’s way easy,” Tyler said.
I smiled. “Wanna try tonight at supper?”
“Nah,” he said, stepping back. “My mom would freak.”
“How come?”
“She’s not much into God and stuff like that,” he said, turning to leave.
“Where are you going now?” I asked.
“Carrie’s next,” he said, grinning at me over his shoulder. I picked up my fork and sampled the eggs. Suddenly Tyler was back. “Here, I forgot to give you this,” he said, handing me a note.
It was from Daddy. The note said he had an unexpected appointment, and Saundra was out doing last-minute Christmas shopping. Do you mind watching Tyler and Carrie for a few hours while we’re gone? It was signed, Love, Daddy.
Tyler stood in the doorway. “Enjoy your breakfast while I plan our day.” A sudden mischievous look spread across his freckled face. “The house is empty, and it’s almost Christmas!”
The gleam in his eyes gave away his secret. The little sneak!
“Carrie! Wake up!” he called to her. “I’m serving you breakfast in bed.” His voice trailed off, but I heard something about raiding the closets and looking under the beds for presents.
Yikes! I had my work cut out for me baby-sitting these two. I gobbled down the rest of my breakfast and found my robe. Before I made the bed, I pulled my diary out of hiding, making sure it was still locked. No one needed to know about my troubles back in Dressel Hills.
I opened the drapes and gazed out at the ocean. Sea gulls drifted lazily in the warmth of the sun. Soaking up the breathtaking view, I talked to God. It was Sunday morning in Daddy’s house. Back home, we’d all be in church by now. I felt a twinge of sadness for the free and easy lifestyle Daddy was accustomed to. And Tyler…How could a kid make it growing up without God in his life? I blamed Saundra for her disinterest in spiritual things. I poured out my thoughts and feelings. Before long, I was soothed as I watched the waves crash in with the tide.
My gaze found a boy running along the beach, a black Labrador at his side. Every so often, the boy would stop, rub the Lab’s back, and talk to her. There was no question about their relationship—they were good pals.
I leaned on the arm of the overstuffed chair for a longer look. Printed on the boy’s blue sweat shirt was the number 34. Tan with sun-bleached blond hair, he was about Stan’s age, I guessed. I watched till he was a speck in the distance.
Reluctantly, I turned away from the window to make my bed and then hurried off to check on Tyler and Carrie. But my thoughts curiously centered on Number 34.
CALIFORNIA CRAZY
Chapter 11
“Disappear!” Carrie shouted as I entered her bedroom. “This is my room!”
“Give me a break,” I said, bending down to pick up pajamas, underwear, you-name-it.
“Sure, I’ll give you a break,” she snapped. “Tyler and I are going outside to the hot tub, how’s that?” With a flick of her long hair, my sister flounced off to the bathroom, swimsuit in hand.
“Fine,” I muttered, sitting on the edge of her unmade bed.
When she finally emerged, Carrie’s hair flopped around in a ponytail high on her head, and a towel hung over her bare shoulders.
“Nice suit,” I said.
“Saundra bought it for me.” She pushed a pile of rumpled clothes off the chair. Then she dug into a department store bag and pulled out a hot-pink two-piece bathing suit and threw it at me.
“Where’d you get this?” I asked, holding it up.
“It’s for you, from your wicked stepmother!”
Our eyes caught for a second, then Carrie glanced away, her face filled with guilt.
“Why, you little…” I grabbed her arm, ready to accuse her of reading my diary. But wait…it was locked this morning when I checked—and I was wearing the key! I glared at her. “How’d you do it?”
Carrie knew exactly what I meant. “Easy,” she taunted, pulling away from me.
Tyler stood in the doorway, wearing his swimming trunks. “What’s going on?” he asked.
Carrie shouted, “This is what happens when you’re not the only child. Be thankful.”
I wanted to shake her. “Stop avoiding the subject and stay away from my diary.”
Carrie faced Tyler, still ignoring me. I reached out to grab her, but she spun away and ran upstairs as I followed her into the hallway.
Tyler shrugged his s
houlders. “You two fight like this at home?” he asked. Then he turned and ran upstairs, yelling for Carrie. I stormed off to my room and sat near the window, creating a plan to catch my sister red-handed. Tonight!
After a long morning of swimming and supervising Tyler and Carrie, I should’ve been wiped out by the end of this day. But I wasn’t the least bit tired at ten-thirty when I turned off the light.
Pulling up the sheet, I waited. I was almost sure what Carrie was doing. While I slept, she would unlock my diary with the key around my neck. I didn’t know exactly how, without waking me, but I was known to be a heavy sleeper. So…even if it meant staying up all night, I was determined to catch her!
After what seemed like hours, I glanced at the clock on my lamp table. Only eleven. Surely Carrie would come sneaking in any minute.
In the darkness, I crept to the window and watched moonbeams promenade across the ocean. And then I saw something moving along the beach. Inching closer to the window, I spied a large animal running on the beach beside a jogger. I strained to see. Then I remembered the telescope.
Hurrying to Carrie’s room, I tiptoed to the long, black tube poised on a tripod. Glancing across the room, I checked out my sleeping sister. Then, positioning the lens, I brought it into focus.
Number 34! His sleek black Labrador ran at his side. I sharpened the focus, pulling the tall, blond boy into closer range. I could see him quite clearly now in his sweats and his bare feet.
Carrie stirred in her sleep. I squatted down, holding my breath. When I was certain she was asleep again, I left quickly.
Instead of counting sheep after I slipped between the sheets, I counted the days Jared and I had been together before the Christmas party. I could still hear his voice whispering my nickname. Holly-Heart…
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