“Everything’s okay, sweetie,” Mom says. “Everything’s going to be good, okay?” I can’t help the tears falling from my eyes. I don’t know if what she’s saying is true and that we’ll be okay forever, but right now I want to believe her so bad. Yes, I want everything to be okay. I hug both of them again tightly.
“Come on, Kayla!” my team screams at me. I don’t want to let go of my parents, but I have to. I quickly get back to the floor—my energy is back to a hundred! I’m ready to crush it!
Luckily, the Jets—well, the new BK Crazy Legs, aka my friends—are called on before us. Their routine is really hot! Honestly, I’m not shocked, but I am curious about Jesse and what is so special about him that they put him on the team. As I watch, I see him jump single rope like no one before. Okay, now I see. I don’t think anyone has seen quadruple rotations with acrobatics in a single rope. He’s springing up like he’s jumping rope on a trampoline. He is amazing! The only thing, though, is he’s not doing the tricks with double ropes, so they won’t count. Ugh! My team still needs me. Even though they might have lost points during time on the single rope, BK Crazy Legs is the team to beat. Ugh, again! This is so hard. Although I love my home team, I don’t want to let down my new team. What am I gonna do? I just have to do what I have to do.
We’re up, and as soon as we get in our places we realize Ivy is missing! She’s been in the restroom way too long.
“Go on!” urges Coach Kirsten. “Maybe she’s lost. I’ll try to find her. Go!”
Gabriella sets up our ropes as we slip into our second costumes: electric jumpsuits. Then she gives the DJ a thumbs-up.
The audience seems eager to see something. The music starts, and people get into it. It’s a hot mix of the latest hip-hop and techno. My cousin Marc hooked it up for us. Brie and Melissa turn the ropes. Suddenly the lights go out, but our ropes glow in the dark and our suits are made with lights that create crazy patterns along with the beat. It’s some really cool app Marc and Gabriella have been working on. The crowd goes crazy for it! It looks incredible! Sally and Tina do a dance while I float in and out of the ropes, jumping with excitement in my step! My parents are watching!
“Sally, get ready!” Gabriella yells from the sideline. “Ivy is MIA. You do the solo!”
Sally gets that frightened look on her face.
“Sally!” I yell as she snaps out of it. “You got this!”
She cracks a smile. “I know,” she says confidently. Redemption time.
Melissa and Brie wiggle the ropes while Sally, Tina, and I do the dance portion. Brie and Melissa put down the ropes and join us in the dance for a few seconds, then pick up and get back to turning. Tina and I do a doubles routine. High kicks, leapfrog, and we both do a four-legged spider spin. It’s crazy, but we do it without a glitch. Sally has turned off her suit and runs to one end of the court. She turns her suit back on. As soon as Tina and I exit the ropes, Sally does three backflips and cartwheels into the ropes. Yes! Tina and I take the ropes to turn for Sally’s solo. She’s not frozen this time! Seconds later, a sixth jumpsuit that glows in the dark comes flipping across the stage. The crowd goes wild! It’s Ivy!
“Move down!” Ivy yells to Sally. Sally hesitates for a few seconds. Maybe this is payback. “Come on! We can do it together.” Sally moves down. Ivy jumps in and the crowd cheers. Tina and I keep an eye on their every move so we don’t mess up the ropes. Sally jumps out and lets Ivy have her moment. Brie and Melissa take over the ropes while Tina, Sally, and I dance more out of happiness than a routine. Ivy does a spectacular forward flip, then a double backflip and a slip. Tina and I grab a rope end from Brie and Melissa, and we do a pinwheel routine while Ivy and Sally jump through, and in seconds, we finish with a bang! The crowd is on their feet! Even my friends cheer for us. I can’t believe it. We did it!
* * *
—
That night, walking into my own bedroom with a double Dutch trophy that reads 1ST PLACE is the best feeling in the whole world. Then again, my parents don’t exactly explain to me that they are back together, but the fact that they are hugging and kissing each other means they don’t have to say it officially. Maybe that would jinx things.
I feel pretty silly, thinking my parents didn’t love me. Remembering all the things they taught me my whole life is what got me through this summer. And as much as I hate to admit it, I had the best summer of my life. As I lie on my bed wondering if it was all a dream, I glance at my trophy again. Nope, it was all real. I grab my suitcase and dig out my diary. I definitely have to recount every moment of this day. It’s one I never want to forget.
Knock, knock!
“Come in!” I say as I bury my diary under a pillow. I’m not ready to tell my mother about the kiss. My mom and dad are at the door.
“Hey, baby girl,” my dad says. “We’re real proud of you, sweetie, and we wanted to thank you for taking good care of yourself and your brother this summer.” I can only smile.
“You’re growing up so beautifully, baby,” Mom says. “And thank you for being honest with us about how you feel. You sounded really upset in your voice mail, and it made us realize that we really haven’t been paying much attention to you and your brother. And we’re sorry, honey.”
“I promise you, we’re going to do better,” Daddy chimes in. “I mean that.” I hope he’s being honest.
“We may not be perfect, but you and Cam mean the world to your dad and me,” Mommy says. “I hope you can forgive us?” I nod and hug her tight.
“And,” my dad says as he pulls a box from behind his back, “we got you a little something.” What? Is that what I think it is?
“Oh my…,” I gasp. I tear open the box. It’s a phone!
“Now, be responsible with it, honey,” my mom says.
“That means no talking on it all day and night,” my dad says. “Or letting it distract you at school. And if you lose it—oh well. You’ll have to get the next one on your own.”
“Johnnie!” My mom taps him. “Enjoy it, baby. You deserve it.”
“Good night, baby girl,” my dad says as he closes the door. I’m not really sure if he says anything after that, because once I turn on the phone, I find one number in the back of my diary I’ve been wanting to call ever since I’ve been back. I dial.
“Hello, Kayla from BK,” a voice says.
“How’d you know it was me?” I melt.
“Uh, area code,” Charlie says jokingly. “So tell me, what’s good?”
“Nothing, um, everything,” I stutter. “I don’t even know where to begin.”
“How about I start?” Charlie asks.
“Okay, go ahead,” I say.
“I’ll be in New York for Christmas,” says Charlie.
I’m speechless. Butterflies.
Acknowledgments
When asked whom I’d like to acknowledge, so many names and faces flooded my mind. I welled up as if I’d been asked to read my acceptance speech for an Academy Award. And since I might forget a few names when I do receive an Oscar or an Emmy—totally dreaming—I thought I’d take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to this novel by way of support, inspiration, influence, or sheer presence in my life and career. It took a village to raise this child of the arts, so to all the following people, I give you my sincerest thanks.
Charlie S. Dannelly II, my husband, my love, my rock, thank you for not judging me as I walked around the house in my pajamas all day, toiling over my manuscript. Your generous, unwavering belief in me is like delicious coffee in my cup. It warms and motivates me, and God knows I couldn’t do without it.
For my parents, Gloria and Frank Spicer, thank you for your love and for teaching me the true meaning of fortitude. By your example I’ve learned to get up when I fall, accept my mistakes, and press on. I can’t thank you enough for getting back up.
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Most special thanks to my brother Frank “Pop” Spicer Jr., for your consistent encouragement and for having my back since day one of my journey, and to my fun-loving sister Yvette Spicer-Jackson, for every braid you put in my hair, for every party you’ve thrown on my behalf, and for showing me the ropes by teaching how to—1 up 2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9! Pop and Yvette, your influence on my life is bigger than you might realize. There’s a piece of you in everything I do.
For my amazing grandmother, Tomasita Rosario—had it not been for your sacrifice, I don’t know if any of my dreams would have come true. Thank you so much for teaching me how to pray, your greatest gift. I love you, Grammy!
To my precious in-laws, Senator Charlie S. Dannelly and Rose Dannelly, for your love and support and for helping me fall in love with Charlotte, North Carolina.
Darrell Miller, Esq., thank you for taking me on as a client more than twenty years ago. You inspire me.
To my agent, Regina Brooks, and her assistant, Jocquelle S. Caiby, and Team Serendipity Agency, thank you for all your hard work. I’m happy to be your client!
Especially to the incredible senior editor at Penguin Random House, Diane Landolf, thank you for encouraging me to explore the smallest details that made huge differences in every draft. If I’m revered as a rock-star author, it’s because of you.
For my mentors and dynamic authors Jeff Rivera (my cousin), L. Divine, and Cecil Castellucci, thank you all for your awesome advice.
For Team Spicerack Productions Inc., George Blake, Marlene Sharp, Yolonda Brinkley, Sonia Evans, and Angela McCrae, thank you for your constant support. You guys are the best! And my interns Allison P. Jackson (my niece), Morgan Tucker, and Ameerah Holiday, for your noteworthy thoughts. Also to Peggy Iafrate with Strega Marketing for jumping aboard and making magic happen.
For the entire Spicer and Perez family, especially my dearest cousins Patricia Tucker and Barbara Commissiong, with whom I’ve spent fun, unforgettable summers on Long Island. To Eddie Carson, Mark Thomas, Fred Watson, Michael Francis, Monique Perez-Jones, and Tico Perez, you guys made life so much sweeter growing up as a teen from the concrete jungle of New York City. I thank you all for simply being you.
To my brothers Anthony Spicer and Eric Spicer and my sister Elizabeth Spicer-France, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life. And, Liz, thank you for Tiger. He’s the best furry writing partner anyone could have.
To my godparents, Eitelle and Franklin Ford—I don’t know where I’d be without your love and support at every stage of my career. To my second moms and spiritual teachers, Odaris Jordan, Joyce Payne, Dr. Virginia Flintall, and Christine LeMaire, your words of wisdom and examples of grace and courage carry me to this day.
For Tony Jackson and Anthony Jackson Jr., Elizabeth Leite, Elza and Clai Rocha, Gail and Amari Sealy, Cynthia and Charles Hernandez, and Lee and Betty Collins, your love and support are a blessing in my life.
For Samm-Art Williams, for deeming me worthy of a shot at Hollywood. I hope I’ve made you proud. Thank you to Dr. Valeria Sedlak, my English professor, and Mrs. Edna Peschel, my seventh-grade English teacher, who gave me words of encouragement that will forever be emblazoned on my heart.
To the late David Walker for starting the National Double Dutch League, and to Lauren Walker and double Dutchers everywhere who carry on his legacy.
To the best of my friends and the worst of my bullies, thank you for bringing out the best in me and giving me reason to spread love through #lovedoubledutch and #iamgirlstrong.
In loving memory of my aunt Jean Francis. Her legacy lives on in everyone who ate at her table.
Above all, to the Almighty Creator, from whom all blessings flow, to You be the glory.
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Love Double Dutch! Page 16