We got to school early the next day because we had so much to do. First, I handed my schedule-change sheet to Mrs. Delgado, the photography teacher. I asked Dawn and Delaney to wait in the hallway so I could talk to her myself — I needed the practice. Luckily she was really nice. “Pleased to meet you,” she said to me. “I’ve heard a lot of good things about you from Wanda.” It was great to hear, even if it did make me turn red and talk in a too-soft voice for a while.
Next, we all went to Coach Manbeck’s office so that Dawn and I could hand in our schedule-change notices to her, too. Plus, Dawn had to return the megaphone.
“Thank you for letting me borrow it,” Dawn said, handing it over. Her fingers stayed on it as Coach Manbeck pulled it away, creating a small squeaking sound, and I noticed how she kept on gazing at it longingly.
“You’re welcome,” Coach Manbeck said.
“Also … I apologize for all those times you were summoned to Mr. Plunkett’s office on account of our bonus cheering,” Dawn said.
“Thanks for saying that,” Coach Manbeck said. “I know you just wanted to help.”
“True, but it was poor planning on my part,” Dawn said. “I didn’t understand that you can’t make someone accept help.”
Delaney nodded. “You should wait until asked.”
“Or until they’re in mortal danger,” I added.
“I still think the school could pay more attention to other sports, but maybe a raucous pep squad is not what they need,” Dawn said. “If I come up with a better idea, I’ll run it by you, okay?”
Coach Manbeck grinned at her. “I’d appreciate that.”
Coach said she was sorry to see me and Dawn go, and she wished us good luck in photography and Color Guard.
Since Color Guard was busy practicing for an upcoming game, we next visited Mrs. Champion. We found her at her desk, reading a newspaper.
“Hi, Mrs. Champion,” I said.
“Hi, girls,” she said. “Mr. Plunkett filled me in on your strategy to fool us in order to help Darby.” Her expression was pointed but not mean. Even so, my shame felt heavier. I was amazed I could stay upright.
“Mrs. Champion, we have something we need to say to you.” My voice was a little shaky, so I paused to swallow and take a breath. “My sisters and I — we’re all very sorry. We shouldn’t have done those switcheroos. It was unethical and disrespectful to you, and it cheated me out of learning.”
“Thank you. I guess it ended up being a learning experience after all, huh? Maybe more than you bargained for?”
“It was a learning experience for all three of us,” Dawn said.
“Maybe even more,” Delaney said.
“Darby, I am sorry that you were so uneasy with my method of assessment. And I’m sorry you didn’t feel you could come tell me about it.”
I couldn’t look at her. Instead, I stared down at the tips of my sneakers. “I should have. I was just embarrassed.”
“Well, perhaps I should have anticipated that some students wouldn’t be as comfortable with such a grading situation. I’m used to students who love talking and try to talk as much as they can. I guess because that’s how I am.”
“And me,” Delaney said.
“And me,” Dawn said.
“So I’ve witnessed,” Mrs. Champion said with a knowing grin. “I tell you what, Darby. You’re the first to hear this, but I’ll be announcing a change in my grading policy next week. As long as students demonstrate knowledge of the subject in some way — via written paragraphs or class discussion — their daily grade will be passing. Think you can do that?”
“I can,” I said, making myself look at her. “In fact … can I also use visuals? I’ve been taking pictures around town and a lot of them are about history — Texas history, local history, even my history. Could I make a slide show and present it to the class? The thing is, I need to try to not be shy, and I think doing this will help.”
“That would work out nicely, Darby. Thanks.” Mrs. Champion turned toward Dawn and Delaney. “And as for you two …”
I could see Dawn gulp, and Delaney went, “Uh-oh.”
“If you would like to use your speaking skills in a more productive way, I teach speech/debate here at school, with competitions throughout the year. Perhaps you would like to join us?”
“I’ve already committed to Cheer and Dawn is joining Color Guard,” Delaney said.
“Hold up.” Dawn was tapping her chin with her index finger. “The thing is,” she said, “Color Guard just doesn’t seem as much fun without you guys in it. It was an all-for-one activity.”
She turned to Mrs. Champion. “So you say in your class I’d be making speeches?”
“That’s right.”
“Are there megaphones?”
“Not usually, but we sometimes use microphones.”
Dawn stood there for a moment, brow furrowed, finger tapping. Finally she held out her hand to Mrs. Champion. “Count me in.”
Where should we stand, Delaney?” Aurelia asked. She stood with her arms behind her back, pom-poms in both hands, and it made her look like she had a big silvery rabbit’s tail. I started to laugh a little; then I started wondering what Mynah would look like with a silver pom-pom tail. Finally I snapped back to attention. This was a special day — perhaps the most special our family has had so far — and I had an important job to do.
“I think you guys are already in a good place,” I said. “Just tell the rest of the Pom Squad to watch out for ants.”
“Okay. How long until we start?”
“Any minute now.”
I was so nervous, my usual bouncing didn’t help, so I kept doing my cheer jumps. So far I loved being a cheerleader. I loved being able to jump and shout and get all the pent-up energy out of me. But I also loved feeling the energy build in a crowd — like we were conducting an excitement symphony. I’d never thought I’d find something that lets me leap around and be noisy.
“Here they come!” Darby and Wanda came running from their lookout posts in the driveway. I craned my neck to peek. Sure enough, there was Lily’s white Honda coming down the road.
“Places, people!” Dawn trumpeted. “This is not a drill. Repeat, this is not a drill!”
Everyone quickly shuffled around to make sure they were out of view, either behind the house or a tree or the rabbit hutch. We stood hunched and ready, waiting for the signal. My knees were bouncing and my closed mouth was making a high-pitched squeal, like a boiling teapot.
Dawn, reunited with a borrowed cheer megaphone just for this event, peered around the corner of the porch. There came the sound of tires crunching down our gravel drive, then a pause, and then the slam of a car door. Dawn raised the megaphone to her lips, shouting, “Aaaaand go!”
That was our cue. The three drummers who showed up started a lively beat, and I led the cheerleaders around the corner to the front of the house, whooping and hollering the whole way. Behind us came all the assembled guests, also cheering. Some clapped and others used various noisemakers.
Lily and Alex froze in place, their eyes huge with surprise.
“Why do I have a feeling you three are behind this?” Alex said as I reached him. A huge smile took up the bottom half of his face.
“What on earth is going on?” Lily asked, also grinning.
“Instead of a shower, we’re throwing you a marriage pep rally!” I said.
“A special gathering to commemorate your happy nuptials,” Darby said.
“We wanted to boost your spirit and encourage you to do your best in the marriage!” Dawn said, and we yayed and hurrahed some more.
Next, Dawn and Darby led Lily and Alex behind the house to two chairs all decorated with streamers, where they could sit and watch the rally. Mom, Dad, Aunt Jane, and all the other guests gathered behind them.
As soon as I gave them a nod, the drum line started pounding out an irresistible rhythm — Bomp! Tap! Bomp-bomp! Tap! — and the Pom Squad waved their silver pom-poms while the
other cheerleaders and I led everyone in spelling Lily’s and Alex’s names. After that, we did some standard cheers that we’d changed up to relate to the occasion, like “Let’s (clap) get (clap) a little bit married, M-A-R-R-I-E-D!” and “Love can’t be beat!” But my favorite was one I came up with myself that went:
First you get a ring.
Then you get down on one knee.
Then you say, “I do,”
And it’s love eternally!
Marriage! Marriage! Go-o-o-o, Marriage!
It was splendiferous. In between cheers and jumps, I’d take in the scene. Everywhere I looked was the smiling face of a family member or neighbor or good friend. Colorful streamers had been strung around trees and porch railings, and spirit banners were hung against the wall of the back porch and on the rabbit hutch, congratulating Lily and Alex and cheering for love. On all the tables were scatterings of confetti and mason jars full of freshly picked flowers from Ms. Woolcott’s yard.
But the best sight of all was Alex and Lily holding hands and laughing and smiling as they sat in their special chairs.
Before long, it was time for our big finish. The cheerleaders stepped forward, chanting, “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” And all the rest of the guests joined in, circling the happy couple from other directions. We chanted faster and louder until finally Alex and Lily turned to each other and started kissing. Once again we cheered, clapped, jumped, shook pom-poms, and drummed.
When it was over, we turned on some music and everyone milled around talking and eating. Aunt Jane served up her famous chili, one pot with meat and another vegetarian — both made even more delectable by the Neighbors’ homemade corn muffins. And Mom brought out five big pans of peach cobbler she baked, which most people topped with the vanilla ice cream Dad brought.
We had told the Cheer Squad and drummers that they didn’t have to hang around after the initial cheers and chants, but most of them did anyway, and there was plenty of food. “This is even better than the pep rallies at school!” Lynette said between bites of cobbler.
I grabbed a bowl of chili and a muffin and joined the crowd around Lily and Alex.
“Well, this is the second time I wasn’t able to see you get married,” Ms. Woolcott was saying to Lily. “But I have to say, this party is ab-so-LUTE-ly perfect. And I’m so happy for the two of you.” She pulled out the flowered hankie again and dabbed at her eyes.
“Did you enjoy the rally?” I asked Alex as Lily comforted Ms. Woolcott.
“Who needs a big wedding when you can have this? A marriage pep rally is a fantastic idea.”
“It’s a spirit boost!” I said with a bounce. “So are you ready to win?”
He laughed. “Well, I’m already married to Lily, so I already feel like I’ve won.”
Just then Mr. and Mrs. Neighbor came up to congratulate Alex and Lily. I stepped back so they’d have room to hug.
“Well done, you,” said a familiar voice. I turned to see Aunt Jane smiling at me. “Lily wasn’t up for a wedding, and I understand and respect that. But this was a real nice way of showing them how happy we are for them.”
“Thanks, Aunt Jane.” As she tossed her arm around me and pulled me close, I was careful not to get chili on her blouse. It was nice having her around this past week. She’d hung around to help Lily pack up and move out, but she helped us a lot, too. In addition to helping us brainstorm ideas for the marriage pep rally, she also helped us set up our new beds at Dad’s house while she was over for some of his famous burgers. It was funny — in a good way — that Aunt Jane was able to visit more often just as Lily was moving out. It’s like everyone in my life was still there, only rearranged.
Just then I spotted Bree in the crowd. She was wearing a black dress and red cowboy boots and a big happy grin. “That was splendid,” she said.
“I didn’t see you get here. I’m glad you got time off.”
“Are you kidding? I needed to see this for myself,” she said. “This love story has been one epic adventure. So whose idea was the rally? Yours?”
I thought for a moment. “It was either me, Dawn, or Darby. I can’t remember which.”
“Well, that narrows it down,” Bree said, her smile sliding sideways. “I swear sometimes it’s like you three are all one person.”
“Yeah, but we’re not,” I said.
Even though Dawn, Darby, and I did a lot together, and often thought alike — so much so that we often couldn’t remember whose idea was whose — we were also starting to do different things and hang out with different people. And that was okay. We were all going to be okay.
As I glanced out over the crowd, I spied Dawn, learning a chess move from Lucas. Darby and Wanda were walking all around taking photographs, occasionally pausing to show each other the pics they’d taken so far. Later, Darby would take a break from documenting the event to join Lucas for a lasso demonstration. Meanwhile, I had plans to show off Mynah to my cheer pals.
But as the party went on, every now and then one of us glanced up, caught the eye of another triplet, and grinned — and we knew what that grin meant and what that sister felt, no matter how far away we were.
It was happiness all around.
I sat inside Forever’s sipping ice water and waiting for Darby and Delaney to show up before ordering pie. I had come early to grab a good table before the evening rush, and luckily I nabbed our favorite spot — the small white round one right next to the window.
As I kept a lookout, I thought about the events of the past couple of weeks. After our week of after-school detention was over, we were able to plan some after-school fun. Last Friday, Delaney and the other newly minted seventh-grade cheerleaders had met with the eighth-grade cheerleaders at Cherry’s house for an unofficial welcome party. Delaney had come back all smiles, with navy and silver ribbons braided into her hair. But she had apparently used up so much of her bounce and chatter, she was practically Darby-like the rest of the evening.
Darby had spent the past several days learning more photography tips from Wanda so she could get caught up with the rest of the class. I’ve noticed a teensy change in her, too. At school she’s already been more likely to approach people she doesn’t know and talk to them — if only to ask to take their picture.
Meanwhile, I spent most of today with Lucas. I headed to his house after church and apologized again for the whole chess debacle. He was a good sport about it and said he understood; then he invited me in for Parcheesi and bagels. While we played (we each won a game), he admitted that he’d seen me practicing in debate class, having peeked in while working as office aide. He had some good tips, too, like not to cross my arms and tap my foot while my opponent was talking. He also said he liked my habit of tapping my chin, calling it cute. Then he turned the same color as the strawberry cream cheese.
I like that he came to watch me in action and then shared honest advice. It’s something Darby and Delaney would do, only it seemed — I don’t know — sweeter, somehow, coming from him. I guess I never realized that some of the support and understanding I got from my sisters, I could get from good friends, too.
I’ve come to understand a lot of new things. For example, I used to think being a triplet meant that you did everything together — or at least as many things as possible. Now I’m starting to think what it really means is that you’re always there for one another. It’s tough to explain. I guess an analogy might be that instead of being stuck in the tree together, we’re below, making sure everyone has a soft landing.
Just when I was starting to get impatient, I could see Darby out the window, tootling up the road with a camera around her neck. As usual, her gaze was wandering all over. When she was just a few yards away from Ever’s, I caught sight of a colorful streak off to the right. Soon after, Delaney zoomed into view. She jogged up beside Darby, pacing all around her and chattering nonstop. She continued jabbering all the way up the steps and through the door.
“… so I asked Coach Manbeck if Mynah could be part
of the rally, kind of like a mascot, but she said no and … Oh, there’s Dawn. Dawn!” Delaney hopped up and down a couple of times. “We’re here!”
“I brought a notebook and pen to take notes,” Darby said.
“Excellent,” I said. “I think we should probably get our food first — before it gets busy.”
“And before they run out of chocolate pie,” Delaney added.
Leaving behind our papers and pens to mark our spot, we all went up to the counter to peruse the day’s desserts. I ordered a slice of apple pie with a scoop of ice cream. Delaney — of course — got a slice of chocolate chess pie with whipped cream, and after lots of deliberation, Darby got a slice of lemon meringue pie. After a moment or two of silent eating — well, except for all the mmms — I figured it was time to get down to business.
I cleared my throat to get their attention. I’m not exactly sure why, but I felt a little nervous.
“Here are the agendas I printed out,” I said, passing out two extra copies of the sheet of paper in front of me. “But first, I was wondering, should we continue to have meetings? I mean, should we still organize them like this, with voting and keeping minutes and such?” I tried to keep my voice from sounding shaky. I managed to do it, but I did lose volume at the end of my last sentence.
Darby and Delaney looked at each other, then back at me.
“Why would we stop?” Delaney asked.
“Yeah,” Darby said. “I like our meetings.”
I smiled one of those smiles where not only do the corners of your mouth lift, but your whole body, heart, and soul rise up a little. “Very well,” I said. “Then I propose that, since school and other activities keep us so busy during the week, we reserve this time — Sunday afternoons — for us to gather here for pie and official business.”
“I second that,” Darby said.
“I third it,” Delaney said, and we all clinked our forks together in a formal gesture of support.
“After all,” Delaney said between bites of chocolate chess pie, “it’s the triplet thing to do.”
“It’s the Brewster thing to do,” Darby added.
Revenge of the Teacher's Pets Page 16