Kate

by Janice Thompson

  “I’ve suspected as much all along,” Mr. Whipple said. “Those machines are so old and outdated and they don’t handle the changes in weather very well. I’ve been afraid to tell you because of the cost involved in getting new machines.”

  Penny sighed. “I’m so sorry, Bud. So, you’re agreeing with our brothers that we need newer and bigger equipment?”

  Bud nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

  “Well, I’m ready to admit that you are all right,” Candy said with a grin. “What’s the point of arguing?” She glanced at Penny. “Looks like we need to move into the twenty-first century, sister.”

  “Amen to that,” Penny said. “Sounds good to me.”

  “The Bible says there’s strength in numbers,” Kate’s mom said.

  “I guess we could accomplish more working together,” Candy said.

  Steve gave Penny a sympathetic look. “We’re not spring chickens anymore, are we?”

  Penny and Candy shook their heads.

  “Spring chickens?” Dexter asked. “What does that mean?”

  “He means they’re not as young as they once were,” Kate said. “He’s trying to say they’re getting older.”

  “That would explain their white hair and wrinkles,” Dex whispered back.

  Kate stifled a snicker.

  “My sons have been working at our factory for years now,” Donald said. “I’ve been thinking about retiring soon.”

  “Funny you should say that,” Candy said. “I’ve been giving some thought to retiring, myself.”

  “Same here,” Penny admitted. “Especially now that Bud and I are getting married.”

  “Getting married?” Donald looked stunned.

  Everyone began to talk at once, congratulating Bud and Penny on their engagement.

  “We’re going to want to go on a long honeymoon,” Bud said. “And Candy can’t run the factory by herself when we’re gone.”

  Steve began to pace back and forth in front of the booth.

  “I have an idea,” he said. “What if we struck a business deal?”

  “Business deal?” A look of curiosity passed over Candy’s face. “What do you mean?”

  “What if we merged our family businesses and let our grown children take over running them?”

  “Really?” Candy’s eyes misted over.

  “Sure,” Steve said. “My wife has been begging me to take her on a cruise.”

  “I’m sure my wife would love it too,” Donald said. “She’s been after me for years to travel, but I’ve been too busy.”

  “But…how would this work?” Candy asked. “Which factory would remain open and which would we close?”

  “Why not leave both open?” Steve said. “Your daughters can run one, and our boys can run the other. But they’ll be one big happy family, and the business will be a joint venture.” He gave her a hopeful look. “What do you think, sis? Agreed?”

  Candy and Penny looked at each other, then back at their brothers with a smile. “Agreed.”

  “If we’re merging our two businesses, we’ll need a new name,” Candy said. “What do you suggest?”

  “I guess we’ll have to think about that,” Steve said. “We don’t need to decide everything today.”

  “True.” Penny nodded. “We have all the time in the world, now that we’re…” Tears filled her eyes. “Now that we’re getting along.”

  They began to talk about the ins and outs of the pretzel-making business, and before long Kate was distracted.

  Kate looked over at Phillip, who stood alone in his booth. “Do you mind if I leave for a minute, Mom?”

  “Of course not. You go right on over there and talk to him, honey.”

  Kate put a few candy-covered pretzels on a plate then drew in a deep breath as she took a few steps toward Phillip. He stiffened and looked the other way.

  Kate didn’t let that stop her. “Phillip, would you like a pretzel?”

  “No.”

  She sighed and put the plate down on his table. “Well, can we talk for a minute?”

  He turned with a sour look on his face. “About what?”

  “I think it’s time we put the past in the past,” she said. “I know you’re mad at me for winning the science fair at school.”

  “Who cares about a dumb science fair? That’s nothing. I am going to beat you this time, Kate Oliver,” Phillip said, his eyes narrowing into slits. “Just watch and see.”

  For a minute she felt like arguing, but just as quickly felt the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit whisper, “Stop.”

  She suddenly found herself feeling very calm and confident.

  “Why is it always so important, Phillip?’ she asked. “I mean, really. Why do we keep doing this?”

  His expression softened for a moment and she half-expected him to say, “I don’t know.” Instead, he just shrugged and said, “I like to win. I want to be the one to come out on top, that’s why.”

  Kate thought about what Penny and Candy had said about living in a dog-eat-dog world and almost giggled. So, Phillip wanted to be top dog. But she knew the Lord had a better plan.

  “We’ve always competed against each other to see who would be the best student each semester at school,” Kate said. “We’ve been doing that for years.”

  He shrugged again. “So what?”

  She sighed. “So, I’m tired of competing. I’m a good student and you’re a good student. Instead of always trying to outdo each other, we could be working together.”

  Phillip looked like he didn’t quite believe her. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I mean, instead of working against each other, trying to prove who’s best, we could work together. After all, we both want the same things—to make our parents proud. To go to a great college someday. To get good jobs when we grow up.”

  “Right.” He didn’t look convinced.

  “So, instead of fighting all the time over who’s better, why don’t we start studying together?”

  “Studying together?”

  “Sure, why not. I’m sure you have a lot to teach me.” She grinned. “And who knows. Maybe I have a few things to teach you too.”

  He smiled for just a moment then shrugged. “Maybe. Who knows.”

  Kate stuck out her hand, hoping he would shake it. “So, is it a deal? Can we get over this crazy competition stuff and just work together?”

  For a second, Phillip hesitated. Then, finally, he stuck out his hand and grabbed hers, firmly shaking it. “Deal.”

  Kate’s heart grew so happy, she wanted to sing and dance right there on the exhibition floor. She reached for the plate and offered him a candy-covered pretzel, which he popped into his mouth.

  “Yum.”

  “Yeah, they’re good, aren’t they?” She laughed. “I’ve been eating pretzels for days. You would think I’d be sick of them, but I’m not.”

  He reached for another. “They’re great, Kate.”

  She giggled at his rhyme. Off in the distance, Kate saw Emma and Rachel looking her way with a smile. On the other side, she saw her mom nodding and grinning. Looked like everyone was happy that she and Phillip were finally going to be friends.

  Just then a booming voice came over the loudspeaker. “Ladies and gentlemen!” the voice said. “The big moment has arrived. Would everyone please gather in the banquet hall for the announcement of our Young Inventors’ Festival winner!”

  Kate looked at Phillip and he looked back. For a moment, she saw a flicker of competition in his eyes. Then just as quickly, he relaxed and grinned.

  “Let’s get this over with,” he said with a crooked smile. “I want to go to the amusement park. What about you?”

  “You bet!” she practically shouted.

  Clear Skies Ahead!

  As soon as the luncheon ended, Kate sat at the table, waiting for the big announcement. She remembered the dream she’d had and couldn’t help but smile. Though it might’ve seemed fun to win in the dream, in real life she had to admit
that it seemed…well, impossible!

  Finally the moment came. As Mr. Carmichael walked to the podium, Kate looked at Emma and waved. Then she glanced at Phillip who smiled shyly. Finally!

  Mr. Carmichael tapped the microphone with his finger and the people in the room stopped talking.

  “The time has come at last,” he said with a nod. “We are ready to announce this year’s winner of the Young Inventors’ Festival.” He paused to grin at the contestants. “Let me start by saying how proud we are of each and every one of you. Your inventions are amazing. I can only imagine how creative you will be when you’re grown up!”

  Kate smiled at her dad, who winked.

  “Without further ado…” Mr. Carmichael opened a large envelope and paused as he looked at its contents. At once his face lit into a smile.

  “Well, this has never happened before.” He glanced out at the audience. “Ladies and gentlemen, apparently we have a tie.”

  A gasp went up from the crowd.

  “For the first time in the history of our competition, the judges could not decide between these top two competitors.” He lifted the paper and read the two names aloud. “Phillip Johnson, for his invention of the Weather-Cast Watch!”

  Kate began to clap so loudly, she almost didn’t hear the next name. “And Kate Oliver, for her invention, the Turbo Heat-Freeze!”

  “W–what?” She looked over at Alex, stunned.

  “He called your name, silly!” Alex said. “Go to the stage and get your trophy, Kate!”

  She rose and took a few shaky steps forward, smiling as she reached Phillip’s side.

  “Can you believe it?” he whispered as they walked toward the stage. “We tied.”

  She laughed. “It’s the perfect ending to years of competition, wouldn’t you say?”

  He nodded and gestured for her to enter the stage first. As she did, she heard Dexter call out her name: “Kate! Kate Oliver!” She led the way to the center of the stage where Mr. Carmichael waited with her trophy in hand.

  “Job well done, Kate!” he said, as he passed the trophy to her.

  “T–thank you, sir.”

  “Fine job, son,” he said, giving the second trophy to Phillip.

  “T–thanks,” Phillip responded.

  For a second, Kate stood on the huge stage with an overhead spotlight nearly blinding her. She waved at her parents, her heart soaring with excitement as her dad’s thunderous applause rang out.

  “Kate and Phillip, we would like you both to say a few words,” Mr. Carmichael said.

  She tiptoed to reach the microphone behind the podium, then spoke, her voice quivering.

  “T–thank you so much for giving me this award.” She held up the huge trophy with the words BEST YOUNG INVENTOR engraved on it and the audience members cheered once again.

  “I…I’m so grateful,” she continued. “I accept it on behalf of all of the young inventors around the globe!”

  She turned to Mr. Carmichael and smiled. “And thanks to the committee for giving me this honor, which I share with my good friend, Phillip Johnson. I pray the Turbo Heat-Freeze is the first of many more inventions to come!”

  As she stepped back, Mr. Carmichael gestured for Phillip to speak.

  “I am honored to tie for first place with my friend, Kate Oliver, and I’m so grateful to the committee for allowing me the privilege of competing.”

  As soon as Kate heard the word “competing,” she thought of the Twisted Twins. Thank goodness their story had ended well. So had hers. She could hardly wait to see what was next!

  Mr. Carmichael stepped to the microphone and faced the crowd. “One more round of applause for Kate Oliver and Phillip Johnson, our young inventors of the year!”

  The crowd members rose as their applause grew louder. Kate felt her cheeks turn warm with embarrassment. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined standing here, in front of so many people! And what an honor…to win the award of inventor of the year!

  “Three cheers for Kate! Three cheers for Kate!” rang out from the front row of the audience. She smiled at her parents, who sat with her little brother, Dexter, at their side. She waved back, nearly tripping as she turned to walk to the edge of the stage. As she did, cameras flashed, people taking her picture all at once. She walked down the steps, nearly dropping her large trophy.

  “Careful, Kate,” she whispered to herself. “You don’t want to fall in front of thousands of people!”

  Hmm. Hadn’t she dreamed all of this? It seemed so real now, especially as she stumbled on the bottom stair! Thankfully, Phillip caught her before she fell. My, how things had changed!

  People swarmed around her as she walked back to her seat, and as the event ended, people surrounded her, offering congratulations. Still, in spite of their kind words, she just had one thing on her mind.

  “Mom, can we go to the amusement park now?”

  Her mother glanced down at her and grinned. “I guess you have waited awhile for this moment, haven’t you? And you did tell me just this morning how much you were looking forward to it.”

  “Mm-hmm.” Kate nodded, then looked at Alex and Dexter. “Are you two ready for the sooperdooperLooper?”

  “Am I ever!” Dexter hollered, then turned and sprinted toward the door. He turned back to grin at Kate.

  “You won your prize,” he said, pointing at the trophy. “Now I get mine!”

  “Your prize?”

  “The roller coaster! Woo-hoo!” He took off running again.

  Kate looked back at Phillip, who stood alongside his parents, talking. She walked his way.

  “Phillip?”

  He looked at her with a smile. “Hey, Kate.”

  “Hey. We’re going to the amusement park. What about you?”

  He looked at his parents, who nodded.

  “Sure.” Phillip grinned. “What are you riding first?”

  “The roller coaster, of course!” She laughed. “My brother’s probably halfway there by now. He’s waited for days for this!”

  “Me too,” Phillip said. “To be honest…” He leaned down to whisper the rest, “I’ve been more excited about going to Hersheypark than being in the competition.”

  “Me too!” Kate said. “And my brother feels the same way.”

  A short time later, all three families arrived at the amusement park. The kids headed straight for the roller coaster. As they drew near, Kate paused.

  “Great technology,” her father said, looking up at the monstrosity of a roller coaster. “Look at how smooth it is. Not jerky at all.”

  “Great design,” Phillip added. “Very impressive.”

  “You know, for someone so young, you know a lot about how things work,” Kate’s father said, giving Phillip an admiring look. “Why some of my robotics students haven’t even figured out the dynamics of roller coasters yet.”

  “Really?” Phillip looked pleased. “You teach robotics, Mr. Oliver?”

  “I can’t believe I didn’t tell you!” Kate said. “I’m always bragging on my dad. He teaches at Penn State.”

  “No way.” Phillip’s mouth opened in stunned silence. “My parents graduated from Penn State, and they’ve got their hearts set on me going there someday.” He gave Kate’s father a happy look. “Who knows. Maybe someday you’ll be my professor.”

  “He’s the best one in the world,” Kate said.

  “How would you know that?” Her father reached over to give her a hug. “You’ve never been in my class.”

  Kate paused and shook her head, knowing better. “Dad, I’ve been in your class every day of my life.” She giggled. “You’re teaching, whether you’re at work or at home. You’re the smartest man I know and it shows in everything you do.”

  “Apparently a lot of that spilled over onto Kate,” Phillip said. “She’s the smartest girl in our school.”

  Kate felt her cheeks warm in embarrassment. This was the first time she’d ever heard Phillip compliment her and it felt funny. Good, bu
t funny. She whispered a shy, “Thanks,” then added, “and Phillip is the smartest boy.”

  “Well, if you’re both so smart, why are you standing around talking when you could be riding the roller coaster?” Dexter asked with a groan. “Let’s go!”

  “Okay, okay!” Kate took him by the hand and, with Alex and Phillip on their heels, headed straight for the prize.

  Lessons Learned

  Later that afternoon, Kate said goodbye to Alex. As they hugged goodbye, she whispered, “I’m going to miss you so much!” into her friends ear.

  “Same here,” Alex said. “I always have so much fun when I’m with one of the Camp Club Girls.”

  “Me too.” Kate sighed. “Next time we’ll invite the others to come to Hershey with us. Can you imagine how much Bailey would love the chocolate?”

  “No kidding! And Sydney would be running laps around the park. You know how energetic she is.” Alex giggled.

  “Yes, and Elizabeth would be keeping an eye on all of us to make sure we were safe,” Kate added.

  They went on talking until Kate’s mom drew near. “We really have to go now, honey. It’s quite a long ride home, and Alex and her parents have to get to the airport to catch their flight back home.”

  “Okay.” Kate sighed. After a few more giggles and grins, she and Alex finally parted ways, agreeing to text each other when they got home.

  By the time Kate, Biscuit, and Dexter got into the van with their parents, it was almost five o’clock in the evening. Thankfully the sun was still out. She sent a quick email from her watch to the Camp Club Girls, thanking them for their help. Within minutes, all had responded. It was the perfect ending to a great day.

  As they drove along, Kate looked out the window. Pretty soon, they passed through Amish country and she thought about something.

  “Oh no!”

  “What is it?” her mother asked.

  “I forgot to say goodbye to Emma and Rachel.”

  “You can always send them an email,” her mother said.

  “No, you don’t understand,” Kate explained. “Emma and Rachel are Amish. They don’t use email.”

  “Oh, I see.” Her mother smiled. “Well, the competitors’ addresses were on a list we received the first day. I have it in my bag. Maybe you can write them an old-fashioned letter.”