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Meska's Journal


Meska's Journal

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PROFILE




1 entry this month
 

Story 1 Untitled

07:49 Oct 27 2007
Times Read: 595


I guess you could say I was a loner, like my idea of a good time would be sitting on the tire swing in the backyard. Tonight was a particularly clear night to look at the stars. They were so bright they looked like some one threw diamonds into the sky and they stayed there.

It seemed just yesterday that I lost my parents, they were taking a private plane owned by Daddy’s company to a meeting in Jackson, MS. Mommy went along because she wanted to some shopping. According to what my aunt and uncle told me, much later when I was old enough to understand, the accident report said the left propeller had froze up sending them into a spiraling death into a field.

So here I am ten years later looking up into the night sky. I guess hoping to see them land and get out of the plane, telling me that they were home.

I was so lost in thought that I hadn’t heard my cousin calling me, “Cheridan Ann! Can’t you here me or is your head stuck in the clouds again!?”

I turned to look at my cousin She came walking rather quickly across the yard. She was dressed in her nightgown and robe, she had her robe tight around her, it was a little cold but I didn’t seem to notice.

“Quiet April! You’ll wake everyone up!” I hopped out of the tire and walked up to her.

“Why are you out here! It’s cold.” as if you emphasizing what she said she pulled her robe tighter. Looking up she smiled, “It is a beautiful night tonight.”

“April,” I looked down, “don’t you remember what today was?” I looked back up at her tears threatening to fall.

She looked back down at me, “No,” she thought for a moment and looked back at me as if someone had just woke her up. “Oh dear, was that today?” She crossed her arms and frowned. “I’m sorry, but if mom catches us out here she’ll be pissed, no matter what today was. Plus its after midnight and we’ve got school tomorrow.” She smiled, “Robert and I are in the same math and English class.”

Robert was a friend of April’s brother Chris. I wasn’t to fond of him, he was handsome enough but there was something about his dark blue eyes I didn’t like. Unfortunately April did.

“I know, but I had to come out tonight.” I looked at her, she had lovely auburn hair, which right now was all messed up from being slept on.

“Come on Cheri lets get some sleep.” Without any affection at all she abruptly turned and practically marched back inside.

I shook my head, April resented me. Well not me exactly, but the fact she had to share the attention with me. I had started living with them right after the funeral 10 years ago. Now I am thirteen and she was sixteen, ten years is a little long to hold a grudge.

I walked back inside, taking my shoes off and quietly walked to my room. I was dressed in my night clothes, pajama shorts and matching top. They were light blue with gray dolphins jumping out of a dark blue ocean. So if I got caught out of bed I could say I was going to the kitchen for a drink.

I made it to my room and quietly slipped into my bed falling asleep instantly.



I woke up to the tune of Chris’ radio blasting and the fact that Aunt Maureen had opened my door and turned on my light. I sat up looking at the clock on my nightstand it was six-thirty. I stretched, got out of bed and turned my radio on, shutting my door I opened my closet.

I was so happy, it was the first day of school and I had cool clothes. Last year I made the mistake of letting April pick out my clothes, thankfully most of my clothes from the year before still fitted. So when Aunt Maureen made the announcement it was time to go clothes shopping I was the first one in the car. When April walked out a wide grin she was wearing quickly faded into a brooding frown.

In fact she made the whole trip an unbearable afternoon, so bad when we were through shopping for her Aunt Maureen announced we were going home.

It was my turn to brood and frown but it was short-lived. When we pulled into the drive and stopped April grabbed her shopping bags and got out of the car.

Aunt Maureen, was talking to Uncle Bruce, “She was simply awful Bruce, so bad we came home before we got Cheridan’s clothes.”

I started out of the car and toward the front door. Uncle Bruce looked over the car, “Cheri! You get back in that car and go get your clothes. I’ll deal with April.” He walked in the house and we drove away.

I shook my head and look in my closet. It was the first day of school, not just any school but high school. I had skipped a year because in seventh grade I was taking eighth grade classes for extra credit.

I grabbed a pair jeans a spaghetti strapped shirt, it was white with “hottie” in rhinestones on the front. The jeans were black with lace twisted in intricate designs all the way to the thigh. I grabbed my black and white platform tennis shoes. I opened my top drawer grabbing a pair of white socks and my strapless bra.

Someone knocked on the door, “Cheri, you up?” It was Chris. I opened the door. Chris was still in his pajama bottoms. I looked at him, his blondish-red hair was slightly mussed, but his eyes were bright and alert. He was handsome, pale blue eyes, slight muscular build from yard work, along with a light tan. Chris would rather be inside reading than outside making him incredibly shy.

“Yeah I’m up. You better go get dressed, I’m fixing to. Is April up yet?” Opening the door more. Chris was only two years older than me.

“Of course, it’s the first day of school and she is tickled pink that Robert is in two of her classes.” He rolled his eyes, smiled and walked to the bathroom.

There were three bathrooms, one in the hall, the master bathroom, and one in between April and my bedrooms. I got dressed and opened the adjoining bathroom door.

April was standing in front of the sink wrapped in a towel brushing her teeth. “Good morning April.” I said walking over reaching for my toothbrush.

She turned toward me still brushing her teeth and nodded her head. She rinsed her mouth, “Excited?” She smiled wiping her mouth.

“Not really. You have to remember I’m gonna be younger than everyone else. The is only one good thing, I’ll at least have one or two classes with Nicole and Julia.” I started brushing my teeth.

“Well I guess so. I guess I’ll get dressed.” She said looking at herself then at me. “Ya know, that’s a cute outfit.” She looked at me, “I am sorry about what happened last week.”

“It’s okay. I guess if I held a grudge that a three year old couldn’t help I would try to make her life miserable as possible.” I rinsed my mouth and toothbrush and walked out, into my room slamming the door shut behind me. I grabbed my brush off the vanity, brushed my hair and fixed it with white barrettes.

Aunt Maureen said I couldn’t wear make-up until I was fourteen I was counting the months and days until that day. As I was sitting there looking at myself in the mirror Aunt Maureen knocked on the door as she opened it. “Cheridan? I know that your probably nervous about this year.” She walked up behind me and placed her hand gently on my shoulders. “Isn’t Nicole and Julia still in eighth grade?”

I looked at her in the mirror and frowned, “Yes, but they are taking ninth grade English and World History with me.” I smiled back at her. “Aunt Maureen, do you know what yesterday was?”

She frowned and lightly squeezed my shoulders, “Yes honey, I do.” She turned around quickly wiping her face, “Finish getting ready and come into the living room. I’m taking all of you to school then you can ride the bus home.” She looked at her watch, “So hurry up, I also have an announcement to make.”

I finished with my hair and followed quickly down the hall. April was sitting on the couch and Chris was leaned against the wall next to the hall. I passed him and sat down next to April.

“I have an announcement to make.” Aunt Maureen said picking up her purse. “Starting today Chris and Cheri will be working after school at the shop. It would have been Chris and April but because of certain attitudes of late Bruce changed his mind.” She glanced over at April, “Chris will be put on payroll and Cheri you will be paid under the table.” She looked at the clock on the wall. “Now if there is no further discussion everyone load up.”

April stood up quickly and stomped out of the living room, you could hear the door slam as she went outside. I looked over at Chris and frowned. “Um, Aunt Maureen.” I walked up to her and began outside steadily talking to her. “Maybe it isn’t a good idea to choose me in stead of April. I mean just because of something that happened last week-”

Aunt Maureen stopped me before I could go any further, “It isn’t just that Cheri. Besides this is part of her punishment for being such an ass last week. Now load up.”

Chris and me got in the back because April had already got in the front seat. April was pretty today, she was wearing a blue short-sleeve shirt with dark blue circles all over it. Her jeans were plain blue, she was also wearing plain blue tennis shoes. Chris was wearing a black sleeveless tee-shirt with very tight blue jeans and black hiking boot style shoes.

As we started I got to thinking, with me in the ninth grade, Chris in the tenth and April a junior this year starting next year everyone will be graduating a year one after another. First April then Chris and me bringing up the rear.

As we drove up I saw Nicole, Julia, and Robert standing together as if they were waiting for us. When we came to a stop Robert opened Chris’ door, “Hey there! Come on man the others are waiting for us.” Robert turned to wave at a group of boys watching the car with great interest.

Since Chris was taking his time getting out I opened the door on my side, getting out I slipped one strap of my backpack on, “Hello Robert.” I turned to look at the girls, “Hey there! Come on I’ve got loads to tell you since you spent the night last week!”

April got out of the car and glared at me, she knew what I was going to tell them. She turned to face Robert, “Hello Robert how was your summer?”

“Fair. Come on Chris we don’t have to much time.” Robert turned around and walked off.

Nicole and Julia ran up to me and linked arms with me guiding me away from April.

Nicole smiled, “So what happened? The look April shot you wasn’t to happy.”

Julia looked around to look at her, “Well let her talk then! She can’t tell us if you won’t let her.”

We had gotten a bench, I sat down and looked up at my best friends. Nicole had been my friend since first grade. She had long blonde hair. Her eyes were gray with pale blue flecks in them. She had a dark tan from helping her mother out in the garden all summer.

Julia on the other hand was an almost opposite of Nicole and I. For one thing she’s a transplanted Yankee, that is a person who moves from the north to the south. She had short wavy brown hair and brown eyes. Although she spent a lot of her time outdoors she only manage a light tan.

The three of us had all developed over the summer, we had hips, a waist, and an abundant amount of breasts.

I quickly filled them in on what happened on the shopping trip. At first they were frowning, but by the time I finished they were grinning broadly.

“Serves her right. What did your Uncle Bruce do?” Nicole asked eagerly.

I smiled, “Well for one she’s grounded from the internet for six months, unless she has to do research for school. Then the teacher has to send a note home explaining. Next she’s not aloud to join any non-academic committees, like Homecoming decorating. Then, she’s not allowed to use the phone.” I looked at my watch and sighed, “Well I guess I’ll see you in English and World History.”

I stood up and hugged them both very tight, “Go before you’re late.” Julia said as she hugged me tight.

I started walking to the high school side when I saw Chris and Robert waiting for me. “Waiting for me gentlemen, and I use that term loosely.”

Robert glared, “Chris thought we should wait for you.” He looked directly at me, “So what are you doing this afternoon?”

Chris grabbed my arm and started walking quickly to the buildings, “She and I are working at the shop.” He said over his shoulder leaving Robert standing there alone.

“You know that was mean, just grab and drag me away.” I looked at with deep concern on me face.

“What? I thought you didn’t like him!” Chris exclaimed and he let go of my arm.

“I don’t, but isn’t he like your best friend or something like that.” When he let me go I turned to face a building that seem to loom over me.

Chris smiled, “Look, I have a map of the school. The black x’s are me and the blue ones are you. Your first class is in that building right there.” He pointed to the building I was facing. He looked at his watch, “Well I have about ten minutes before school starts.” He winked at me, “Go turn some heads.”

I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed, he turned and walked back to where Robert was coming up with a pissed off expression. Chris said something to him and he nodded and smiled. I guess Chris explained himself and Robert understood.

I turned to face the building again, I took a deep breath and walked through the double doors. It seemed the minute I walked in everyone turned to look at me. I guess I was a little paranoid, Chris walked up behind me and whispered in my ear, “Scared?” he smiled and walked past me.

I walked down the hall looking for my home room teacher, Ms. Thatcher. I also had her for Public Speaking.

Finding her door was no problem. Her door was decorated with clippings from things that happened over the Summer and amongst all that was her name going diagonal from top left to lower right. I walked in and looked around, it was pleasant enough, the desks were in a U-shape with a podium at the opening. The teachers desk was at the bend of the U as if to watch the speaker.

I looked at the desk beside me, there were names next to the period. I looked for mine and found on the opposite side of the room facing the door. I put my backpack in the chair seat and walked back out the door into the hall to lean against the door frame.

I watched several kids that I had seen over in junior high. I looked down the hall, the crowd coming looked like a swarm of bees.

The bell rang and I slipped in the room, I sat down in my desk and watched everyone. I liked to watch people maybe try to figure out just who these people were. It seemed that once everyone found there seats it was a game of them watching me watching them. The second bell rang and all at once the talking stopped but the watching continued. I looked at the door hoping that if I stopped watching them they would stop watching me, no such luck.

A lovely woman walked in and smiled, “Good morning class, I am Ms. Thatcher your homeroom teacher. Plus for you lucky ones that have Public Speaking this year, I teach that also.” She pulled at stool out from behind the podium and sat it down in front of it lean back on the seat.

She sat there legs crossed, her long black hair spilled down her back and shoulders, it was waist length and curly. Her eyes were deep blue, sort of saying, ‘I’m your friend.’ She was dressed in a white button down short sleeve shirt. Her green pants were tight from her waist all the way down to her knees where they flared out. She was wearing green open toed pumps they were the kind that you could slip off and on.

She was smiling as she surveyed the room, “Well I heard that we have someone that skipped a grade. Why don’t since everyone knows everyone get that person to stand up and introduce herself.”

I felt myself sink in my chair, everyone was already looking at me. Then it hit me, if I was going to make any friends I was going to have to make first move.

I took a deep breath and slid out of my seat and smiled weakly. “Hello,” I said and waved slightly, “my name is Cheridan Bracket.” I started to seat back down but Ms. Thatcher signaled for me to stay standing.

She turned to the rest of the class, “Does anyone have any questions for Cheridan?”

It felt like my heart stopped, my eyes widened, questions, what did she mean questions.

I looked at the class, several kids had there hands up. She called on the first kid, he had brown hair and green eyes.

“Hi, my name is Curtis. What does your parents think about you skipping a grade?” He waited with a patient look on his face.

I lowered my head, “I don’t know. My parents died in a plane crash when I was three.” I looked at him with tears in my eyes, “I have been living with my aunt, uncle and two older cousins. They are proud of me though.”

I looked back up, all the hands that were up seemed to have disappeared. I sat back down and looked at Ms. Thatcher, she was looking at me with sympathy in her eyes at me. The one thing I didn’t want.

She cleared her throat, “Anything else Cheridan?” She looked a little uncomfortable.

I stood back up and cleared my throat, “Yes, everyone calls me Cheri, because of my hair.” Some kids laughed and I smiled, “Also don’t pity me, that is one thing I don’t want. I have had a semi-normal childhood and my aunt and uncle have been like my parents to me. I don’t really remember much of my real parents.”

Ms. Thatcher nodded and smiled as if to say, ‘That was very good.’

“Okay everyone, you are staying in this class for the first two periods. Tomorrow you will stay in here for only first period and by Wednesday you wont be coming here unless you have a problem with your schedule.” She hopped off the stool and walked to the middle of the horseshoe. “Those of you who have Public Speaking I you can pick up your book and book cover right now. She walked over to several stacks of thin books and a box that I guess contained book covers.

I got up along with Curtis and about four other students. Now that I had gotten a closer look Curtis was actually cute . Like I said he had short brown hair and dark green eyes. He had a slightly muscular build. He was wearing a green short sleeve dress shirt, it was kind of tight around the arms. The jeans were black and black Nikes.

We were in line and Curtis was in front of me, as he turned he winked at me. A girl behind me whispered, “He likes you. I would watch him if I were you. He may look sweet and all, but he uses and humiliates them.”

I turned to look at the girl, she had blonde hair and blue eyes. She was a little chubby but very pretty. “Hi, I’m Laura.” She smiled, “I think we have most of our classes together if you want we could hang out together.”

I smiled, pretty but shy. “I would like that a lot.” We got our books and noticed that our seats were right next to each other. “My friends Nicole and Julia have English and World History with us. I’d like you to meet them.”

“I would like that also.” She smiled and we sat there talking for the rest of the time we were in homeroom.

When the bell rang everyone got up and started filtering out. Curtis walked up to us. “Well, well,” he said looking at Laura, “trying to make friends? You need them, you don’t have any.” He grinned and looked over his shoulder at a group of boys that had gathered.

“It looks like you’re the one in need of friends. Not people who are your friend just because you’re popular. Now if you don’t mind Laura and I need to get to class.” I pushed passed him and started walking down the hall toward my next class.

Laura caught up with me laughing, “Cheri! Wait up!” She finally got beside me. “Cheri, you should have seen his face. It looked like he swallowed something and it moved! Oh, somebody needed to do that for a long time!”

I smiled and walked into the classroom. Looking around I saw two of the most wonderful people, “Nicole, Julia!” I ran to them, “Hey! Oh, I wish you were there in my home room. I told a jerk off and it felt so good!”

Nicole smiled, “I bet,” she looked up, “and who is this?” Julia frowned, “Cheri?” She looked at me like I had betrayed her.

“Oh, this is Laura, she’s the reason I told that jerk off.” I took Julia’s hand, “I figured we could bring her into the reject fold.”

“Julia,” Laura looked at her, “I don’t want to take your friend. I want to make three friends.”

Julia smiled, “Okay,” she looked passed us. “Who’s that?”

Curtis and his “friends” had just walked in and saw Julia and Nicole.

Laura and I said, “The jerk!” at the same time. We looked at each other and smiled.

He walked over to us, “Well, who do we have here? Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Curtis Pole. Who are you two visions of loveliness” He said to Nicole and Julia.

I swear if I hadn’t had a warning I would have giggled and flirted back, but I had and thank God I had warned them.

Julia smiled, “Well,” she said walking up to him, “we are friends of Cheri and Laura and if you ever insult either one of them again I will make sure whatever parts they find wont be any that you use.” She smiled sweetly and backed away.

Julia, Nicole, Laura, and I all laughed and took our seats enjoying the pale, scared expression on Curtis’ face.

The rest of the day went great. It seemed that we all had third and fourth period together, which meant we had lunch together also. We had a blast watching Curtis get as far as he could from us. Fifth period was Pre-Algebra, I almost fell asleep, the only thing that kept me awake was the fact the teacher, Mr. Granger, was a total babe.

He stood there standing in front of the class with his arms crossed. He had black hair and blue eyes and from what I could tell a great body!

I got my book and book cover and nothing much else happened. Laura and I kept watching Curtis avoiding looking at us.

Sixth period was back to Ms. Thatcher. I walked back in to the room, and she smiled to me. “Cheri,” she said looking up from her desk, “I didn’t mean to put on the spot this morning.” She stood up and walked to my desk, “I didn’t think it would give you a hard time today.”

I smiled, “It’s okay, but I think it I made an enemy today. I don’t really care though.” I looked at the door and Laura come through the door.

I smiled, she sat down. “Everyone is talking about how a girl told Curtis Pole off.” She was grinning from ear to ear.

Ms. Thatcher giggled, “It’s about time some one did. I have seen his brother, Michael, do the same thing.”

I shook my head, “I guess I wasn’t brought up to not speak my mind.”

Laura smiled, “So what are you doing after school today?”

I frowned, “I can’t my Uncle Bruce is picking me and cousin Chris up. We are going to be working after school in his bike shop.”

“Chris Bracket?” Ms. Thatcher said, “I had him last year. He was a great student, April on the other hand questioned every assignment I gave.”

I leaned back in my desk, “That sounds like April all right.” I looked over at Laura, “Maybe this weekend we could do something how does that sound.”

She smiled, “Yeah, you, Nicole, Julia and me. I don’t want to leave them out of anything that we do.”

The rest of the class started filing in and Ms, Thatcher took her spot at the podium. “Good evening class, those of you that have me for home room and already have your book please be quiet while the rest of the class is supplied likewise.” She moved to the stacks of books and box of covers, “If you would please line up in a single file line and quietly pick up your books.”

After the line cleared and everyone was seated she went back to her podium, “I know most of you have a five subject notebook, but I want you to get a three subject notebook just for this class.” As to further drive home the point she turned and wrote down on the dry erase board ‘just for this class’.

“Each part will be for a different thing.” Again turning to the board and wrote 1. “One, notes, I want you to make notes of this class, be it one page per day or the whole section. I will be checking. At the end of the week you will leave you notebook here and receive it back on Monday.”

She turned and wrote 2. “Two, at the beginning of each week you will pick a different subject from the speech hat. During the week you will be allowed to do research by Friday. I want at least a three page speech, I make copies and pass them out on Monday and a person will read it aloud.”

She turned again and wrote 3. “Finally, I want you at the end of the week before you turn in your book to write about this class for the week. What you liked, what you didn’t like. Suggestions for subjects for the following weeks. Your nine weeks exam will be a speech based on that section so keep it clean.”

The class groaned and began writing down everything, supplies and what they were going to used for. I frowned, I didn’t like the idea someone reading my personal thoughts on something.

Ms. Thatcher interrupted my thoughts, “Oh, if you have a subject right now just write it down and put it in the hat before you leave.”

Causally I raised my hand for a question. She nodded toward to acknowledge me. “I wondering if we could use like a three ring binder. That way if we run out of paper for that section we wont have to go and buy another notebook.”

I looked around seeing if anyone thought that was a stupid idea, but the looks were total opposite, in fact some of the other student were smiling at me.

Ms. Thatcher smiled, “You know Cheri, you’re the first student to actually think of that this year. Your cousin Chris asked the same question last year. Yes you may use three ring binders and loose leaf paper but make sure your name is on the inside covers.”

She walked back to her desk and sat down, I looked at my watch, twenty minutes until school was over. I couldn’t wait until I was at my uncle shop.

It was the longest twenty minutes of my life but the bell finally rang. Laura walked up to me and handed me a piece of paper, it had her name and number on it.

“Call me when you get home, but if it is after nine o’clock don’t bother.” She smiled and started where the buses were lining up.

I saw Chris coming down the hall, “Hey Cheri! Let’s go, Dad’s going to meet us out front.”

I ran down the hall to catch up with him. “I had an interesting first day today. How about you?”

“Fair. Tell me about your day.” he said taking his backpack and sitting it on the bench outside the doors.

I sat my backpack next to his, “Well I’m certain I made an enemy. Do you know a Curtis Pole?”

“Yeah,” he turned and looked at me, “you don’t like him do you? He’s an asshole!” He grabbed me, “Cheri believe me he has ruined a lot of girls lives in less than two years!”

I looked at him in shock, “Chris!” I pulled my arms out of his grip, “No, I don’t like him. He’s the enemy I made.” I kept looking at him like he had grown three heads right before my eyes.

Chris relaxed, “Sorry, I guess I overreacted.” He looked over to the driveway, “There’s Dad. Listen, lets talk about Curtis later after we get home.”

We stood up, “Okay, just don’t say anything to Uncle Bruce.” I said as I picked up my back pack, he nodded.

As Uncle Bruce’ truck pulled up we could hear the music blasting. That’s when we noticed it wasn’t Uncle Bruce, it was a guy about eighteen, blonde hair pale blue eyes, lightly tanned, in short he was cute!

Chris yanked open the door and screamed over the music, “Who the hell are you!”

The guy turned down the radio, “Hey! I’m Matt. Chris, I haven’t seen you since you were eleven, you got to remember me.” He looked pass him to me. “Cheri? Damn girl, I haven’t seen you since you were eight. You both look good.”

Chris looked at him, “Dad hired you? Okay, come on Cheri let’s get in.” He took my bag and put it behind the seat with his.

I hopped in first, sitting in between Chris and Matt. I looked at Matt, “I don’t really remember you, I’m sorry.”

He smiled, “It’s okay hun, I don’t really expect an eight year old to remember five years ago.” Chris shut the door and we took off.

“So how was your first day of school?” He asked as we spun out of the school driveway. He looked at me, “Didn’t you skip a grade, so that mean you started high school this year, awesome.”

I smiled and blushed lightly, “It was interesting. I made a new friend, her name is Laura, she’s real nice.” I sat up more so I could see where we were going.

“My day was fairly normal, ya know all the same faces from last year just a little older.” He leaned to one side as we took a sharp curve. Uncle Bruce’s shop wasn’t far just one more curve which we took slowly. I think he did that so Uncle Bruce wouldn’t see how he drove.

We pulled in a strip mall parking lot, all the way at one end was Uncle Bruce’s bike shop and store. Growing up here was cool, we got to go with the customers on test drives. I decided that my first vehicle was going to be a bike.

He parked behind the building and got out, almost like a habit I got out on the drivers side. He turned put his hands on my waist and lifted me out of truck.

I laughed, “Put me down! Matt please!” I looked down at him, he grinned and gently placed me on the ground. “Asshole!” I hit him on his arm, I noticed it was very hard with muscles.

“You don’t weigh anything! It’s like bench pressing a feather!” He smiled and winked at me.

I smiled and blushed slightly, “I don’t think you could bench press a penny much less a feather!” Before I found out I took off running, I could hear him laughing. I also heard what Chris said.

“Look you may, or may not be a friend of the family, I don’t care! The one thing I do care about just ran that way.” He was pointing the way I had went. “She’s thirteen, if you do get permission to date her and she wants to date you fine.” He moved closer to Matt, “If you hurt her anyway, I’ll kill you.” He turned around and started heading toward the building I quickly entered and went straight to the office.

Uncle Bruce was on the phone. “Look I ordered those parts six weeks ago. The check has already cleared the bank. I want those parts overnightted to me. I want to see them first thing in the morning or I am suing you!” He slammed the phone down. The whole time I was standing in the door.

“Hey baby, how was school?” He was a handsome man, dark brown hair and eyes, very muscled and dark tanned. Chris looked like him.

“Oh, it was okay.” I crossed my arms and leaned against the door. I felt Chris walk up behind me, I moved and he walked past me.

“Dad why did you hire Matt? He was flirting with Cheri!” He leaned on the desk looking like those old movies where a cop was interrogating a prisoner.

Uncle Bruce leaned back in his chair, “Cheri, what happened.” He stopped Chris from talking. “I want Cheri to tell me.” He looked at me.

I stayed leaning against the doorframe with my arms crossed, “It was innocent really. I was getting out on the drivers side and he grabbed me around my waist lifting me out and up. I asked him to put me down, and he did. He said I was light as a feather.” I walked in shutting the door behind me.

“In fact, he said it was bench pressing a feather. I told him that I didn’t think that he could bench press a penny much less a feather! Before I found out I ran inside.”

I grabbed Chris’ arm and spun him around, “I also heard what you said to him. That if he got permission to date me, that if he hurt me you would kill him.” I lean forward forcing him to lean back on the desk. “I’ll tell you what Christopher! I am capable of taking care of myself. If you ever say that again to a guy interested in me, I’ll kill you.” I turned around then spun on my heel, “Oh, and another thing, he is very aware how old I am. So back off!”

I turned again this time making it to the door yanking it open and there he was, Matt, smiling very smugly. My eyes went wide, I squeaked and rushed pasted him.

Chris walked out and past me. I think he was to mad to notice me. I on the other hand stayed right where I was, I could hear Matt and Uncle Bruce talking.

“Look Bruce, she’s cute I didn’t mean to piss Chris off or to get her to yell at him. Believe I am sorely aware that she is only thirteen. She’s going to give some guy a hell of a run.” Matt sat down heavily in the chair in front of the desk.

Uncle Bruce leaned forward, I was peeking around the wall, I think he saw me because he smiled. “Tell me Matt, if I let you two go on one date, if she wanted to that is of course. Let’s say you two hit it off you wouldn’t do anything, if I decided to let you continue seeing her.”

Matt smiled, “Bruce give me some credit. I would like to go on a date with her, just to see.” He smiled to himself, “Besides, I think if try something she’d deck me. She was really close to decking Chris. I don’t think I have ever heard Maureen or you call him ‘Christopher’.”

Uncle Bruce looked down to the papers on his desk then back to Matt, “That’s because Cheri is the only one that will do it. She doesn’t do often, but when she does its because she’s pissed at him.” He stood from the desk and walked to the door and yelled, “Cheridan,” he turned the wall I was hiding behind, “Cheri come here.”

I came around the corner, “Yeah, Uncle Bruce?” I walked up to him, “Ya need something.”

He smiled and winked at me, he had seen me. “Yeah, I need to talk to you and Matt.” He stood back so I could walk in, he shut the door behind him. “Okay,” He sat down on the edge of the desk, “Cheri I have given Matt permission, if you want of course, to take you out on a date. When is totally up to you.”

I looked down at my hands, “I think that before we go on a date that maybe I could get to know you better.” I looked up to see his expression, luckily it was a smile.

“That’s not a problem darlin’.” He looked at Uncle Bruce, “Should we tell her now or shall we wait?”

I looked at Uncle Bruce, “What?” I looked from Matt to Uncle Bruce, “WHAT!?” I stood quickly.

Uncle Bruce looked at Matt, “Are you sure you want to date her?” he looked back at me, “Cheri, until Matt can find a suitable place to live he’s staying with us.”

As quickly as I stood I sat down just that fast. I looked at Uncle Bruce, “Are you nuts?” I stood back up and started pacing in front of the desk.

“What’s wrong with Matt staying with us?” He watched me, he knew I thought things out to the tiniest detail.

“Okay, Uncle Bruce, we’re going to play twenty questions.” I looked at Matt, “This has nothing to do with us. I’m just thinking of a certain cousin of mine.” As if on cue we heard something fall and Chris let loose a string of curse words muffled by walls and doors.

Matt looked up, “I’ll go see what happened.” He stood and walk over to me. Picking me up by my waist he kissed me on my cheek then placed me gently down on the floor.

I smiled shyly and watched him walk out the door, shutting it behind him.

I turned to face Uncle Bruce, “Okay shall we start? Okay, question one, where is he going to sleep?”

“Well we have that attic room. I figured he could stay there until he earns enough money to put a good down payment on a apartment.” He looked at me thoughtfully.

“Okay, question two. What about Chris? I mean he hates him now! When he finds about this it’s going to be like hell on Earth!” I said continuing to pace in front of the desk.

“Chris is almost an adult he will have to expect disappointments and learn everything isn’t going to go his way.” He looked at me with his eyebrow arched and his eyes shining as if to say ‘next’.

“I guess Aunt Maureen knows about this, other wise you wouldn’t have said anything to me about it.” I thought hard and looked at him. “I can’t think off anything else. Well, if you don’t have anymore surprises I’m gonna go walk the floor.”

I turned and walked out heading toward the showroom. I saw Sandra, she was like an older sister to all of us, even April liked her. She had been working here since the doors opened nine years ago.

She was twenty-five, brown hair pulled back into a wavy ponytail. Her eyes were like bright pools, crystal blue pools. She spent a lot of her time inside so she didn’t have much of a tan.

“Sandra what fell a while ago?” I stopped at the doors going to the showroom. She had come out of the door leading to the shop.

“Chris! He was mad about something and decided to work in the shop today. When he grabbed a wrench he yanked to hard and pulled the whole cabinet down on top of him. He is ok, just pissed about something.” She looked at me, “What is Chris pissed about anyways?”

“Dad, uh, I mean Uncle Bruce is going to let Matt take me on one date, and if we hit off we can continue to date.” I smiled, “So I guess it’s my fault.” I lowered my head.

“Bullshit,” it wasn’t Sandra, “Chris is throwing him a fit.” Matt lifted my face, “Don’t let him win. You feeling like its your fault, you’ll get an idea that if we don’t ‘hit it off’ Chris will be happy but you wont be will you?” He leaned down kissing me lightly on the lips. “Don’t let him win.” He looked over my head at Sandra, “I’ll go tell Bruce what happened.” He smiled and winked at me walking toward the office.

Sandra looked at me, “He’s right ya know. Chris is use to getting his own way.” She turned and went back through the door leading to the shop.

I sighed and took a deep and walked through the door into the showroom, when I walked out I saw the one person I didn’t want to see, Curtis Pole. He was with an older guy, I guess it was his dad. I took another deep breath and walked over to him.

“Good afternoon gentlemen, may help with anything?” I smiled sweetly and tried not to look at Curtis.

“Cheri? What are you doing here?” He looked at me is surprise, “Dad this is Cheridan Bracket we are in most of our classes together.”

His dad smiled, “Good afternoon Cheridan.” He looked at his son and winked. “Let me look around and I will call for you if I need anything.”

“Yes sir, take your time.” I started to walk away and Curtis grabbed my arm.

“I asked you a question. What are you doing here?” He was holding my arm tightly.

I yanked my arm away from him. “My Uncle Bruce owns this shop. My cousin Chris and I work after school. Now if you don’t mind I have other customers to attend to.” I walked away and headed toward another man when Uncle Bruce came through the back door.

He waved at me and I stuck my tongue out at him. He frowned, looking like he was about to get on to me, but instead he stuck his tongue out at me. We both laughed along with most of the customers.

Mr. Pole flagged me down, I walked over and smiled, “Yes sir, may I help you?”

“Yes, if I wanted to get a helmet can I get it personalized? I mean like air brushed.” he was holding a white helmet in his hands.

I turned to look at my uncle, who was making his way over to me. “Sir, I think my uncle can answer that question.”

Uncle Bruce walked up behind me and placed his hands on my shoulders. “I’m sorry I forgot to fill my niece in on that. Yes, we do air brushing, I just hired a guy because of the demand.”

I looked up at him, “Matt? Cool!” I smiled and looked back at Curtis and Mr. Pole.

“Yes. Cheri why don’t you go get him, that way they can talk about what this gentleman wants.” He looked like down at me and squeezed my shoulder.

“Yes sir.” I walked to the door, behind the counter and went through it. It led into the shop where I knew he was. “Matt! You’re needed on the floor.”

“Great!” He smiled and hopped off the desk and walked passed me.

Chris stopped me, “Why is he wanted on the floor? He’s not a mechanic.”

“No, he’s not. He is the new air brush artist. Now I need to go back to my customer.” Walking off I felt Chris’ eyes on my back.

I walked up behind Matt and Uncle Bruce. Uncle Bruce turned and saw me. “Well anything else you need Cheri here can help you.”

I smiled at Mr. Pole and walked slightly away so Matt and he could talk. I walked around the general area asking customer if they need help.

“Cheri, can you come over here please.” Matt asked and winked at me.

I walked back over to Matt and Mr. Pole “Yes?”

Matt was holding the helmet Mr. Pole had been holding. “Cheri, how much is this particular helmet?”

I took it from him and looked at the bar code inside. “It’s thirty-five fifty plus tax.” I said as I gave back to Matt. “It would be thirty-seven ninety-nine after tax plus whatever Matt charges for the air brushing of course.” I smiled at their stunned looks on their faces. “Don’t be amazed after being here for so long you learn the prices for before and after taxes.”

Matt smiled and shook his head, “Okay, you wanted the eagle flying in front of the American flag.” He look away in thought, “I’d say twenty-five plus tax.” He looked at me.

I rolled my eyes, “Helmet, air brushing and all,” I looked away as I calculated in my head, “sixty-four seventy-four.” I looked at Matt then at Mr. Pole. Curtis crossed him arms and smiled.

“How long will it take? My older sons birthday is next week and he has a bike already I would like get him a personal helmet.” Mr. Pole said as he took out his wallet.

“I’d say two days. One day to do the flag then the next to do the eagle. You could pick it up on Wednesday.” Matt smiled and kept his eyes on Mr. Pole.

Mr. Pole looked at me. “Would it be okay to pay for it when I pick it up?”

I looked over at Matt, he shrugged. I turned and looked at Uncle Bruce, he nodded. “Yes sir, I’ll write you a receipt and you can just bring that in at the bottom I will have that you need to pay for it. That way if I’m not here the salesperson will know that you haven’t paid for it yet.”

We walked over to the counter and I wrote his receipt, “Just come in Wednesday and it should be ready.”

He smiled, “Thank you young lady.” He put his receipt in his wallet and took out a twenty dollar bill. “This is for you.” He looked at Uncle Bruce, “Tipping is aloud, right?”

Uncle Bruce smiled, “Yes, it’s aloud. In fact we encourage it.”

I took the money, “Th-thank you sir please come back to see us.”

They walked out and got into their car, after I saw them pull out of the parking lot, I screamed and jumped up.

Matt had already put the helmet down, when I jumped up he caught me, “Oh shit! Twenty dollars, a twenty dollar tip!”

Matt turned around in a circle then sat me down. Chris came out from the back to see what was going on.

“What’s all the commotion about?” Chris asked he was wiping his hands with a grease rag.

I ran up to him, “Chris! Oh God, Chris I just got a twenty dollar tip from Mr. Pole. Twenty dollars!” I spun in a circle then stopped, “Wait, it’s not all mine.”

Uncle Bruce looked at me, “Cheri, what do you mean? You made the sale, didn’t you?”

I turned to Matt, “It’s partially his, I mean he’s going to be doing the art work on the helmet.” I walked over to the register, opened it and got out two ten dollar bills. I put the twenty dollar in their place. I closed the drawer and walked over to Matt, holding out a ten to him.

“Cheri don’t be stupid. If you hadn’t made the sale I wouldn’t have the air brush job. Keep it you deserved it.” Matt pushed my hand away and smiled.

I grinned and jumped again, he caught me and spun around a few times. I was chanting, “Twenty, twenty, twenty!”

Uncle Bruce and Chris were laughing, “Okay, Cheri calm down. We’ve got another three hours till closing. Matt you need to get started on the helmet. Chris I am gonna need your help on the transmission on the Harley. Someone stole it from Craig Roberts and when he found it, it was laying in a ditch and the gears were all hung up. So I got to unhang them.”

Matt winced and grabbed the helmet, “I think I’ll stick to air brushing.” He walked around the counter, kissed me on the lips then went in the back where he and Uncle Bruce had set up his station.

Uncle Bruce grabbed Chris and pointed him to the door leading to the garage.

Since there was nothing for me do I ran to the back, grabbed a piece of poster board and a handful of permanent markers.

When I got back up front there was a customer. “Welcome sir, can I help you?” The guy was wearing a helmet, when he took it off he was smiling.

“Robert! What are you doing here?” I came from around the counter. Even though there was something about him I didn’t like he was always nice to me.

“I need to talk to Chris. I put my portable CD player in his back pack during P.E. I forgot to get it from him.” he leaned up against the counter.

“Okay, hold on.” I went back around the counter and opened the shop door. “Chris you have a visitor, it’s Robert.” As if he knew what he wanted Chris reached into his backpack and pulled out a CD player case.

Since he was going up front I went back to the shop office and got a coke out of the mini-refrigerator we kept there.

“Cheri! Why aren’t you up front!” Uncle Bruce said coming out of the bathroom.

“Chris is up there. Robert forgot to get something from him after school, so they’re out there talking. I though I would get me a drink while he was up there.” I walked passed him, “I’m going right back. I’m also, while we don’t have any customers, making a sign about how we now have a air brush artist.”

I started back up front, “Oh, Uncle Bruce I need to stop at a store for some school supplies that I will need tomorrow.”

“Okay, we’ll do that on the way home.” He opened the door to the shop and looked at the transmission then growled.

I walked back up front, Chris was talking about me. “I mean she’s only thirteen! She’s a baby!”

Robert looked behind him at me, “Hey Cheri.” He was trying to keep from laughing

I however had no trouble not laughing. When Chris turned I was leaned back on one leg, my arms crossed, and my left eyebrow arched. “Robert do you have you CD player?” I smiled at him.

“Uh, yeah.” He held up the case looking at Chris then back to me. The look on his face was like he was trying to find an excuse to leave, quickly.

“Good, because Christopher has to help his father with that transmission.” I started tapping my foot.

They both had physically winced when I said Christopher. “Um, yeah I’ll see ya school, bye Cheri.” Robert waved and walked out the door.

Just as Robert walked out a customer walked in. I glared at Chris, “Welcome, ma’am let me know if I can help you.” I stopped Chris before he made his escape to the back. “We will discuss this at home.” I let him go and walked from behind out behind the counter, to help the lady about purchasing a bike.

After she left those three hours were the longest I had known, but finally seven o’clock came. I locked the front doors. I had already wiped down everything and counted the drawer plus my tips that I had made within the three hours. The twenty that Mr. Pole gave me and several others that came in and purchased thing all in all forty dollars.

I walked to the office and laid the drawer in front of Uncle Bruce. “Twelve-hundred, sixty-five dollars and thirty-fives cents. Oh, and forty dollars in tips.”

Matt and Chris walked in and sat down. “Not bad for a Monday. Is this after the starting money was taken out?” Sandra asked as she came in and sat down on the edge of the desk.

“Yep,” I laid an envelope down with “starting money” written on it. “That’s it. Fronts clean, door locked. The sign is flipped and the blinds are pulled.” I sat down on the opposite corner across form Sandra.

Sandra smiled , “Everything in the shop is picked up and put away. I think we are ready to go home.” She walked around the desk and got her purse.

“Well I got to drop the deposit, then we got to go the store to pick up some school supplies that weren’t on the list.” Uncle Bruce sighed.

“Well, you could go drop the deposit and I’ll take them to the store.” Matt suggested with a smile.

Uncle Bruce smiled, “Yeah that would work. Besides you’re going need to know how get to the house from the shop.” He looked at me then to Chris. I knew what he was fixing to say. “Since you’re going to staying with us for a while.”

Chris head snapped up, “He is going to be doing what!?”

Sandra smiled, “Well, I’ll see ya’ll tomorrow.” She quickly left.

“We’ll talk about this when we get home, or better yet while we are going home. Chris do you need anything from the store?” Uncle Bruce asked looking from Chris to Matt.

“I just need some more paper and a one-subject notebook.” Chris said as he looked at a piece of paper that he had in his pants pocket.

“Good, Cheri will you get those for him? Plus some extra paper and pens for all three of you . April and Chris will pay you back their part of it.” Uncle Bruce was filling out the deposit slip while he was talking, “Chris, you’re coming with me. Matt, Cheri go on. We’ll meet you at home.”

I started out and grabbed Matt on the way, “Let’s go, before Chris and Bruce start arguing.”

Matt walked up to a truck that was huge, one of those off-road trucks that you need a step ladder to get into. “How do you like it?” Matt asked. It was nice solid black with red flames air brushed on the hood and sides making it look like the engine was on fire.

I smiled, “I am gonna need a step ladder to in the damn thing! I love the paint job though.” I turned to face him, “You?”

He nodded, “Yeah when I got my art licenses I went out bought all the stuff I needed and decided to paint my truck. It was already black, so I added a little character to it.” He opened the passenger side door, “Come here.” I walked up to him, he turned me around where I was facing the truck, placed his hands on my waist. “Your hair smells good.” He breathed deeply, “Man, is it ever gonna be hard to remember you’re only thirteen.” He lifted me up to the seat. I climbed in the rest of the way and sat back, smiling.

I saw the drivers side door open and he climbed in, “Why is it going to be hard?”

“What?” He said shutting the door, he started the truck.

“Why is it going to be hard remembering that I am thirteen?” I really wanted to know so the curious look on my face was genuine.

“You’re kidding, right.” He looked at me in surprise. “No you’re not kidding. Well one, you don’t look thirteen, you look more like sixteen.” I beamed when he said that.

“Second, you’re beautiful! Red hair, green eyes, dark tan. I’m surprised you don’t have a boyfriend already.” He put the truck in gear.

I looked at him, “If you were thirteen would you want to tangle with the wanna-be big brother? It’s funny, he isn’t like this when guys are interested in April. The thing is I can take care of myself, April on the other hand can’t.”

He pulled out of the parking lot, we drove in silence for a while. He turned into the local Wal-mart parking lot and found a spot as close to the front as possible.

“Listen, so you don’t have to struggle with the door, I’ll go inside and get all the stuff.” He looked at me and smiled. “So give me a list of things and I’ll get it. Don’t worry about the money I’ll foot the bill.”

I frowned and lowered my head, “Okay, three packs of pens, four packs of college ruled paper, one one-subject notebook, and a three ring binder with dividers.” I sat back and crossed my arms.

“What’s wrong?” He looked at me, frowning.

“I wanted to come in with you. I like you lifting me. The way I see it we aren’t allowed to do much else than kiss. I figured you would want to touch my waist.” I sat there my head down so I didn’t hear nor see him scooting across the seat.

“Well why didn’t you say so.” He lifted my chin to face him. He gently placed his lips on mine and slid his hand to my waist. His kiss got harder, I began to run my fingers through his hair. As he started to pull away he gently bit my lip. “Yeah, ok, let’s go before something else happens, and don’t ask what!”

I opened the door, “Matt, I know all about sex. Don’t worry if it starts to go there I’ll remind you that I am only thirteen!” I smiled and hopped out.

I heard him laugh and the door shut, I shut mine. I walked over to where he was. “You know I think you just might do that.” he put his arm around my shoulder and we walked in.

I looked at him, I realized for thirteen I was tall or he was short, I came just under his shoulder. “Matt, how tall are you?”

“Well, I guess about 5’7” why?” He grabbed a shopping cart.

“Well I was wondering, because I’m thirteen and I come just under your arms.” I guided him to the supply section.

“Well, Maureen was your Dads sister, right?” He grabbed about six packs of paper.

“Yeah, so.” I selected packs of pens for everyone mine had to have the rubber on the end I hated skinny pens.

“Well, she’s not that tall. April isn’t tall either. You’ll probably grow another inch or two, maybe three, but I thinks that’s about it.” He grabbed a plain blue notebook for Chris.

I shrugged and walked over to the binder section. There she was, “Laura! Hey!”

I ran to her, “Hey Cheri!” She turned to lady next to her. “Momma, this is Cheridan Bracket the girl I told you about.”

The lady was very pretty. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, Laura looked just like her. “Hello, Cheridan, Laura hasn’t stopped talking about you.”

I smiled and looked back at Matt, “Matt this is Laura Trillium and her mother.”

Matt walked up, “Hello ladies, I’m Cheri’s boyfriend.”

Laura look at me in surprise. I just smiled. “We’ve got to go. Laura call me in about an hour, okay.” I quickly picked out a black binder and red dividers then left. “Nice to meet you ma’am!” I said over my shoulder.

Mat caught up with me, “Cheri wait!” he was smiling at me. “I guess I should have cleared that title with you, huh?”

I shook my head, “Well I am gonna have a lot to talk about on the phone tonight.” I smiled and started toward the check out. We walked out and got to the truck. He opened the door and put the bags in the floor.

I turned around and waited for him to grab my waist. When I felt his hands I backed up to him and looked up at him.

“You’re only thirteen!” He lifted me up quickly in the truck. After he got in to the truck he looked over at me, “You don’t act thirteen. That was not nice Cheridan!” He started the truck the truck and pulled out of the parking lot.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to see what you would do.” I was trying hard not to smile, but it was really hard.

“Well, lets put it this way, if you weren’t thirteen, if you were older like sixteen I would find a nice quiet place for us to go.” I couldn’t really see in the cab in the truck, because it was dark, but I think he was blushing!

“I’m sorry Matt.” I lowered myself in the seat. “You’re mad at me aren’t you?” I looked over at him.

“No,” he sighed, “I guess you surprised me, because you don’t really look like a girl that would even think of that.” He looked at me, “I know one thing, I’m gonna be counting the days until you’re older.” he smiled and this time it was my turn to blush.













































We drove in silence for a few more minutes, “Oh, turn here.” he followed the rest of my directions until we drove up in the yard.

He smiled, “Wanna give Chris a heart attack?” He hopped out and went around the truck helping me out. His hands were tight on my waist, I heard the door open.

“Where have ya’ll been?” Chris asked as he came down the steps.

Matt let me go and reached up to get the bags. I looked at Chris, “It’s only,” I grabbed Matt’s watch, “it’s only seven forty-five! Christ Chris! We weren’t gone long, plus I saw a friend at the store and I met her mother! Now, Christopher, back off! You’re not my Daddy and you’re my Uncle!” I pushed passed him and ran to my room.







Aunt Maureen gently knocked on the door as she opened it. “Cheridan, are you okay?”

I was laying on my bed face down, “Why is he doing this? Matt has Uncle Bruce’s permission to date me. He’s not going to do anything like what Chris thinks he’s gonna do.”

She sat there listening to me, “I don’t know Cheri, but that hurt what you said to him.”

I sat up and looked at her in surprise, “You’re kidding! He basically accuses Matt and me of fooling around. Uncle Bruce has already had that talk with him, and you expect me to say ‘I’m sorry!’” I stood up.

“No she doesn’t.” Uncle Bruce said from the door. “He was in the wrong Maureen and he knew it.”

She stood up, “I didn’t know you had already had a talk with him.” She walked to the door, “I’m going to have a talk with him.”

Uncle Bruce backed away to let her out and he came in along with Matt. I turned around and looked at Matt. “Bruce told me what yesterday was. I guess you would kinda sensitive about someone acting like your dad.” He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around me.

I just started crying, “I’m sorry Uncle Bruce, you’ve been great. Always there for me, I guess I just want my parents.” I looked up at Matt he was smiling, “I’m sorry Matt.”

Matt looked at Uncle Bruce, “Hey man, could I talk to her alone?”

He nodded and left. Matt looked at me, “Cheri, never say your sorry you’re to me. Look I know you are at a point where you want your parents. You have Maureen and Bruce, but it isn’t the same right?” He sat down on the window sill.

I nodded, “Yeah, I guess. I see them at all the holidays and I feel like I’m outside looking in. Do you know what I mean?”

“Baby, I don’t know what to tell you, except you’re never going to feel like you belong until you let someone in your heart. I don’t mean like me, or your friends. I mean like your family.” He pulled me to him holding me tightly, “You let everyone else but you family.”

I looked up at him, “Thanks Matt,” I laid my head on his shoulder. “Is Chris mad at me?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t we go see.” He stood up. “Come on.”

Matt walked to the door, he took my hand and walked into the hall. As we walked I could hear April and Chris talking.

“I can’t believe Daddy is letting Cheri go out with Matt! He’s like five years older than she is.” April said coming out of the kitchen.

“I know but Dad said that she is mature enough to know better, so we just deal with it.” Chris said sitting down on the couch.

Matt and I came into the living room, “Chris, are you mad at Cheri?” Matt asked as he pulled me in front of him.

Chris smiled, “Not really! I’m just, uh, I mean I’m really protective. April won’t let me so I guess I go a little over protective on you.”

I took a deep breath, “Thank God!” I sat down next to him.

April looked at me, “I heard that Matt is going to staying with us for a while.” She looked at Matt, “So where are you going to be sleeping?”

Matt sat on the arm of the couch next to me, “The attic room. While you three were at school today, early this morning your father and I moved all my junk up there.” He looked up at the ceiling smiling as if he remembered something funny.

Aunt Maureen entered wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Girls, I need you in the kitchen. April you can tenderize the steaks and Cheri you can peel the potatoes.”

I hopped up off the couch following April to the kitchen. I heard Aunt Maureen talking to Chris. “Chris, you will go and help Matt unpack and straighten his room.”

I looked surprisingly at April and rolled my eyes. “Is she crazy! Chris would rather fight a crazed bull than help him.”

April smiled, “Well, Matt shouldn’t be dating you anyway. He should be dating someone closer to his age, not a baby!” She started hammering the steaks like it was something or someone she hated.

I was peeling potatoes calmly, “Someone like you I suppose. You know just because you resent me doesn’t mean you have to take it out on a defenseless piece of meat.”

I finished peeling the potatoes and took them to Aunt Maureen.

“Very nicely put Cheri, but she doesn’t resent you.” she whispered to me taking the bowl of peeled potatoes from me.

I just looked at her and smiled, “Yes ma’am, I have something to do for my Public Speaking class. Do you need anything else?”

“No, not right now. If I find something else and April and I are busy I’ll send for you.” She started cutting up the potatoes. “Oh, Cheri, you can find your uncle for me. I’d like to know what he’s up to.”

“Yes ma’am, if you need me I’ll be in my room.” I turned and started down the hall. The first place I looked in was the last place I looked in. Uncle Bruce was in his study/office. “Uncle Bruce you in here?”

“Yes Cheri, what do you need?” He was sitting behind his desk going over paperwork for the shop.

“Aunt Maureen sent me to find you.” I smiled, “She also sent Chris to help Matt unpack his stuff.” Uncle Bruce winced.

“Insult to injury. Okay I’ll go see what she wants and then go play referee.” He stood and walked to the door. He smiled at me.

I turned and went to my room. I laid on my bed and thought for a few minutes, pulled out my binder and paper that was still in the in the store bag along with one pack of paper and pens.

I put the dividers in and flipped to the back section and wrote my opinions and idea for that day. I heard muffled voices from above along with footsteps. I reached under my mattress and flipped to a blank page:







Dear Diary,

Not only was today the first

Day of school, but I think I have

Found my true love.





I went into great detail of what happened today from the time I went to school to when me and Matt came home.

There was a quite knock on my door. “Cheri, your aunt needs you.” Matt peeked in and smiled.

I rolled off my bed and tucked my diary back under my mattress. “What was that?” he asked as I walked up to him.

“Nothing that you need to see.” I stood on my tip toes and kissed him. I squeezed passed him and smiled as I walked down the hall into the kitchen.

“You needed me Aunt Maureen?” I said as I fixed me a glass of tea.

“Yes, this weekend you and I need to go to your mothers parents, your grandparents.” She said looking straight at me.

I was is so much shock I didn’t notice that I dropped my glass.

“Cheri!” Matt yelled as he ran to me. He guided me to a chair and looked at my aunt. “Maureen, what is this about?”

“Cheri hasn’t seen them since the funeral. They haven’t even called her.” She took a sip of her coffee.

April handed Matt a towel to wipe off the tea that splashed on me. She picked up the broken glass and mopped up the tea.

“April go get your father. He should be up in the attic room.” Aunt Maureen scooted closer and took my hand.

“What do they want after all this time?” I whispered. “It’s been ten years the only grandparents I have ever known is Grandma and Grandpa Bracket!” I started crying. “No, I won’t go!”

Uncle Bruce walked in, “I’m afraid you have to Cheri.” He sat down next to Matt. “You see, if we don’t make her go see them they could take her from us.” He lowered his head. “They could because they are her blood relatives. Even though Maureen is her blood aunt they can take her.”

April and Chris were standing at the door. “What do you think they want?” Chris asked. I looked at them, Chris was sad his eyes full of tears. April on the other hand her eyes were full of hope there was a small smile.

“I suppose you’ll be happy, I mean if I don’t go and they take me away all the attention that I had would swing to you.” I growled at her.

Uncle Bruce turned to look at April before she could change her expression, he saw it in her eyes. “April, what does she mean by that? Why does Cheri think you would be happy?” Uncle Bruce asked in suspicion

Before she could answer Chris stopped her. “Dad are you blind! Ever since Cheri came here and April wasn’t the center of attention and the only girl she has resented her.”

Uncle Bruce looked at Chris then at Aunt Maureen, she lightly her head nodded to confirm what Chris had said. He lowered his head, “Cheridan, they just want to see you. They realize they made a mistake by not being in your life.”

I looked at my family, that’s what they were to me. “I’ll go, but one condition, they come and get me after work Friday and they drop me off early Sunday at the shop.”

Uncle Bruce smiled, “Okay, I’ll call them. I guess we’ll talk about this later. Chris, go help Matt finish his room. April, you go and just sit in your room, your mother and I have to discuss something’s.”

I looked up, “I’m gonna go up with Chris and Matt, just to keep them company.”

Aunt Maureen nodded, “Okay, if we need you we’ll call for you.”

I stood up and followed Chris to the attic door. Matt was still in the dining room, I turned waiting at the bottom of the fold out step.

“What do they want? I mean according to what ya’ll said they haven’t tried to contact her in ten years!” He saw me down the hall waiting for him. “I guess I better go help Chris.” He turned and walked toward me.

I held my arms out to him as he came toward me. He pulled me to him holding me tightly, “I want you to call me if you want to go home early.”

I nodded and smiled, “Thanks, believe me I will.” I turned and started up the steps.

We walked up and as I entered I saw several chairs, a large bean bag, his bed, and an entertainment center.

I sat in the bean bag and watched Chris and Matt move things around, I saw some boxes marked books. “Hey Matt,” I said as they scooted the book shelf that was shoved to the back in place, “why don’t I put these books on the shelves.”

“Yeah,” He smiled, “just be careful. Some of those boxes are really heavy.” Chris heaved a speaker on top of the entertainment center.

“Hey how do you want this setup.” Matt turned to face him and I opened the first box. I was surprised, as I put the books on the shelf I noticed that ninety percent of the book were hard cover classics. The other ten percent were books on art and air brushing. I finished and looked around to see what else I could do, when Aunt Maureen popped her head up the attic opening.

“Cheridan, you have a phone call, some girl named Laura.” She smiled and disappeared. I stood up and blushed, “I’m going to have a lot to talk about.”

Matt lowered his head smiling. I walked down the steps and went to the living room. I picked up the receiver, “Hello?”

“Cheri, hey! This is Laura.” Her cheerful voice rang through the phone. “So what’s up with that guy? Was he serious about him being your boy friend?” She fired the questions.

“Laura! Are you going to let me answer the questions!?” I laughed, “I work with him at my uncles’ shop, and yes he was serious.” I walked to my room with the cordless. As I shut the door Laura laughed.

“Well, so are serious with him?” She asked.

I sat down on the bed, “Well we just started dating.” I laid back on my bed, “Look, I haven’t told Nicole or Julia so don’t say anything till I do.”

“No problem,” I could actually hear her smile, “he is cute. He looks good and big! Oh my God! I mean tall and built. So what does he do, mechanic?”

“No actually he works at my uncles shop by air brushing.” I stretched, “Look, I’ll talk more in the morning, I have a lot to do tonight. I have to talk to my grandparents.” I closed my eyes and sighed.

“Okay, look I’ll meet you out front. Are you going to tell them tonight or in the morning?” My eyes flew open, I hadn’t thought of that.

“I think it would be better if I told them in the morning once I have had a few hours sleep before I get hammered by questioned, like you did.” I heard a laugh and a smiled. “Look I’ll see ya in the morning, bye Laura.”

“See ya in the morning hun.” I heard her hang up, I turned my phone off and returned it to the living room.

Matt was just walking in the room. “Hey, I was just sent to come get you. So how’s Laura?”

I smiled, “Yeah, I got questions fired as soon as I said ‘Hello.’”

He grinned and lowered his head, “Sorry.”

I walked to him and he hugged me and we walked in the dinning room, “What’s for dinner?”

Aunt Maureen smiled, “Who’s Laura? We’re having steak, mashed potatoes, and asparagus.”

“Laura is a girl I met today. We have all our classes together. She’s really nice.” I sat down at the table.

“Well at least you’re making friends. I mean other than those little girls.” April sneered, “Now that you’re in high school you need to hang around people in your grade.”

Aunt Maureen looked at her, “April, I think you should fix your plate and go to your room. I’ll come by later to get your plate.” The look on Aunt Maureen’s face serious.

April must have seen the same thing, she gathered her plate and glass, “Well, I’ve always wondered how you look at Cheri. You might as well adopt her, I mean her own grandparents don’t want her you might as well take her!”

My head shot up, I couldn’t believe what she said, and by the look on everyone else’s face neither had they.

“April, I think you had better go to your room, now.” The calm in Aunt Maureen’s voice was almost as deadly as the look on her face.

April took her plate and glass and walked out. Uncle Bruce looked at me, “I’m sorry Cheri, I’m sure she’ll calm down.”

Matt looked and me and smiled, I glanced over at Aunt Maureen, “What exactly did grandma and grandpa say?” I asked passing the bowl of mashed potatoes.

“Well, it was quite clear. They want you to spend the weekends with them, maybe some holidays. They think ten years is long enough time to heal.” She said looking at Matt.

Matt look at her, “It’s funny, you would think seeing her would open the old wounds.”

“Let’s stop talking about this, okay.” Uncle Bruce said looking at where April should’ve been sitting. I nodded in agreement.

“Yes, let’s talk about Chris’ and Cheri’s first day at work.” Matt said smiling, “Like Cheri’s twenty dollar tip!”

Aunt Maureen looked at me and grinned “Twenty dollars! Cheri that’s great!” She looked over at Matt, “Did you make any sales?”

Matt smiled and looked at me, “Yes, in fact I did. Cheri sold a helmet and I sold a design. That is what got her that tip.”

Chris finished and cleared his plate and glass, “I’ve got some things I have to do for school. May I be excused?”

Uncle looked at Chris, “Yes, when you go by April’s room send her in here.”

Chris nodded and left the table taking his plate with him. Matt looked at Uncle Bruce, “Do you want Cheri and I to leave when she come in?”

Uncle Bruce looked from me to Aunt Maureen, “Yes, I think that would be better.”

I looked up as I heard someone entering the living room. April walked in the dining room carrying her plate and glass. She walked into the kitchen quietly and rinsed them, putting them in the dishwasher.

Matt frowned, “Cheri why don’t you come help me in my room. I’m gonna go get Chris so he can help us move some things around.”

We both stood and started out the room. As we got to his stairs he leaned to me and whispered, “You go on up to my room, I’ll get Chris.” I nodded and watched him pass up me and the stairs.

I went up and smiled as I saw most of his things already put up. There were some clothes on his bed in a pile so I started to fold them. As I was folding them I heard Chris and Matt at the bottom of the stairs. “Look Matt I want to talk to you. Cheridan is like my little sister, and I guess because April never wants me around I kinda treat her like the sister I have always wanted.”

I heard Matt grab the stairs, “Man I understand. If she was my relative that I treated like a sister I’d be the same way.”

He popped his head up and smiled at me. “ Besides, I’m not gonna do anything, she’d kick my ass anyway.”

They came up and we finished his room in a matter of minutes. I looked at my watch, “Well guys,” I said standing, “I’m gonna take a shower and go to bed.”

“Yeah,” Matt said looking at his clock, “we all should bathe and go to bed.”

Chris smiled and started down the steps, “G’Night see ya’ll in the morning.”

I watched Chris go down the steps and into his room. I turned to look at Matt, he had already taken his shirt off and stepped toward me. Matt smiled, “Think I could get a kiss before you leave me for the night.”

I was blushing and smiling, “I guess I could give that much.” I stepped closer to him, he slowly bent down, his hand gently wrapped around my waist when his lips touched mine. They felt so soft, I felt his right hand leave my waist and touch my cheek.

He pulled back and gasped, I slowly opened my eyes, “You know Matt, you’re the first guy I’ve ever kissed.”

He raised an eyebrow in surprise, “Wow, I’ll tell you one thing if we don’t make it I will envy your boyfriend.”

I blushed again, “Um,” I stepped back, “I guess I’m going to take a shower and listen to some CD’s.”

He nodded and walked over to his bed, sitting down he watched me as I started down the steps. Until I walked to my room to get my nightclothes I felt his eyes on me.

I shut the door and took a deep breath. A lot happened today; I started high school, I made a new friend, and I started dating an eighteen year old. I grabbed my clothes and started toward my bathroom door when I heard running water. April was taking a shower.

I walked out to the hall and checked the hall bathroom. Thankfully it was empty, I laid my clothes on the toilet and started the water.

“Cheri, when you get out we need to talk to you.” Aunt Maureen said as I whirled around.

“You startled me. What do you need?” I turned back to check the temperature.

“I’m sorry. We need to talk more about your grandparents.” She continued to stand in the doorway as if she was waiting for my reaction.

I sighed, “Fine, just let me relax and lock the door on your way out. I don’t want anyone walking in by mistake.” I started unbuttoning my jeans, I stopped and looked at her, “Aunt Maureen I need to get undressed so I can get in the tub.” She sighed deeply and walked out without shutting or locking the door.

I shut the door and locked it. As I slide in the tub the hot water seemed to just melt any tension in my muscles.

I laid there for a few minutes , although my body was relaxed my mind was tense and racing. Why do they want me? Why does April hate me? What does Matt see in me?

I kinda laughed to myself , every question I asked myself ended in ‘me’. I took a deep breath and started cleaning.

After my bath and getting dressed I slowly walked to the kitchen, the ladder to Matt’s room was pulled up and the door was closed. I sighed and continued, since nobody was in the living room I went to the kitchen.

Aunt Maureen and Uncle Bruce were sitting at the table. When I walked in they were both having a cup of coffee.

“You two wanted to see me.” I walked in and sat down. They just sat there looking at each other then glancing at me.

“Cheri,” Uncle Bruce said taking a sip of his coffee, “we understand you don’t want to go to your grandparents.”

“We’re going to talk to them.” Aunt Maureen said setting her cup down and leaning forward. “What I mean is we’re going to ask why they are doing this now.”

“I’ve talked to Sandra and Matt,” Uncle Bruce said leaning forward, “they are going to run the store while we’re talking to them.”

I cleared my throat, stood up. Walking to the sink I grabbed a glass and opened the fridge, reaching in Uncle Bruce spoke up. “Cheri, I know-”

“You don’t know shit!” I slammed the door. “Do you know what’s it like to have your parents die at the age of 3? Do you know what is like to have your grandparents not want you then after ten years decide that I’m worthy of their attention?”

I felt the tears streams down my face, “Do you know what it is like to spend ten years with family, but you still fill like an outsider? Do you know any of that?”

I guess the fact that I had never talked to them like that had them in shock. I sat down on the floor right where I stood and started crying.

I guess all the yelling brought out everyone, because when I looked up April, Chris, and Matt where there. Aunt Maureen quickly was at my side. “April get a wet wash cloth. Matt help me get her to the table. Chris, she was fixing herself something to drink, will you fix her some water.”

I barely heard her give the orders or Matt picking me up. I did feel the wash cloth on my face and me sitting down. My eyes focused and there they were, my family.

I looked at them, “I don’t want to go.” My voice was calm and cold, “Please don’t make me go.” I stood up and looked at the clock, it was nine-thirty, “It’s getting late and I have school tomorrow.” I turned to Aunt Maureen and kissed her cheek. I turned to everyone else, “Goodnight, I’ll see ya’ll in the morning.”

Without looking at anyone I walked straight to my room. I don’t know why, maybe it was my emotions but the minute my head hit the pillow I was asleep.



As if on cue my eyes popped open right before the alarm went off. It felt as if I had just closed my eyes, but yet the clock said five-fifty-eight. I reached over and turned it off, sitting up I thought to myself what a strange dream.

Getting out of bed I turned my radio on, it was playing a commercial about the fair coming into town. I stumbled over to the wall and turned on the over head light.

Thinking to myself, ’Why would I dream about my grandparents?’ “Why would I dream about a guy I don’t even know?” I shook my head and started to get ready for school.

There was a soft knock on the door then Aunt Maureen peeked inside. “Good you’re up.” She smiled and came inside. “Honey, we have to talk about last night. Your grandparents think they are ready to have you in their lives now.”

My head shot up and I mumbled to myself, “So, it wasn’t a dream after all.”

“No dear, it wasn’t.” She walked over to my closet. “After you went to bed they called. They wanted to talk to you, but you were so up set… Anyway they want to take you out to dinner tonight.” As she was talking she was skimming through my clothes. “In fact,” she said pulling out a pair of blue jeans and a purple sleeve-less t-shirt with blue whirlpools all over, “they want to pick you up after school.”

“What about work?” I walked over and took the clothes that she selected for me.

Aunt Maureen frowned, “Don’t worry about work.” She kissed my forehead and turned, in mid-step she stopped and turned back to me. “I love you Cheridan.” she turned again and as quietly as she came she left.

I stood there a moment trying to figure out what just happened here. A song blasting on the radio woke me from my thoughts, I sat my clothes on my bed and opened my bathroom door.

April was standing there in front of the sink brushing her hair, “Good morning Cheri. How did you sleep?”

I picked up my brush and began running it through the wild mass my hair had become over night, “Good,” I smiled to myself, “so good in fact that I thought yesterday was all a dream when I woke up this morning.”

She looked at me in surprise, “Yeah I guess it does seem a bit surreal. I mean after ten years-” She looked at me with wide eyes, “Cheri, you don’t think want to discuss your inheritance do you? I mean they are rich.”

I actually stopped brushing my hair, “I-I don’t know. They want to have dinner with me tonight. In fact they are picking me up from school today.”

I started braiding my hair, she finished brushing her hair and started brushing her teeth. Once I had gotten my hair braided I quickly brushed my teeth and left.

When I walked into my room I shut and locked the door to my side of the bathroom. I looked over at the clock, 6:31a.m. I slowly got dressed and walked out into the hall.

I noticed walking up the hall that the steps to Matt room were down, he was up. I smiled and quickly climbed up the stairs. My head popped through the opening and I smiled he was sitting on the edge of the bed with his head in his hands.

Before he noticed I was there I went down just as quickly as I went up. I walked through the living room straight to the kitchen and the coffee pot.

“Good morning Cheri.” Uncle Bruce said walking into the dining room. I smiled and poured him a cup of coffee.

“Good morning Uncle Bruce. Do you know how Matt takes his coffee?” I poured another cup and was waiting for his answer.

“Yeah, just like it is right now, black.” He sat down at the table and sipped his cup.

I on the other hand took the cup of coffee to Matt. I carefully went to the stairs this time I knocked on the “door” before I popped my head up. “Matt are you decent?”

I heard a chuckle then, “Yeah I was fixing to come down for some-” he stopped and smiled when he saw the large cup in my hand, “coffee.”

“You’re and angel Cheri, really.” He smiled and walked over to me, kissing me on the cheek he took the cup and whispered, “Thank you.” into my ear.

I looked at the clock on the table 6:45, I needed to leave shortly. “Well, I just thought you should know that I won’t be at work today.” I looked down, “My grandparents want to have dinner with me tonight.”

I heard him set the cup down, the next thing I knew his arms were around me. “It’s okay Cheri,” he hugged me tight, “I have something for you.” He let go of me and walked over to his bedside table. “It’s nothing much,” as he turned I could see what he had in his hand. “Only use it when you need it.”

He took my hand and put a small cell phone in it. “It’s a pre-paid phone, it has 100 minutes on it.”

For once in my life I was speechless. “I, uh, um thank you!” I jumped up and wrapped my arms around his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist. I hugged him tightly and kissed him on the lips.

He kissed me back softly and laughed as he put me back down on the floor. “You’re welcome. I was still up when they called last night. So I decided to go to the store and pick you up this.” He nodded toward the phone. “The house number and the shop number are already programmed into it.”

I put it in my front pocket then looked at his clock on the shelf. “Well I need to get my things, the bus will be here soon.” I hugged him and ran down the stairs. I went back to my room put everything that I needed in my back pack and grabbed my purse.

I was walking up the hall and Chris was walking down it, “Good, I was fixing to come get you. Matt is going to give us a ride.” He turned around and we both walked into the living room. I glanced out the window and saw April standing outside as if she was waiting for the bus.

“Isn’t April riding with us?” I stopped Chris before we walked into the kitchen.

“Um, no.” He looked away, not looking at me when I spoke. “She heard about Matt giving you that cell phone and when she asked Mom and Dad about her one they said no. So now she is pouting. She told Mom when Matt offered to take us to school that she would rather ride the bus, so she is.”

I frowned, “Why is she acting like this.” I hung my head and followed Chris into the kitchen.

“Because she’s a brat.” Chris said walking into the kitchen. “I mean you’re only going to use it in emergencies, right?”

“Yes she is.” Aunt Maureen said stepping into the kitchen behind us. She walked over to the coffee pot. “Cheri if they don’t come to the school by,” she looked away in thought, “four I want you to call one of us. Matt told me he’s already programmed some numbers in it.”

I nodded, taking the phone from my front pocket and sliding it into my purse. “Yes ma’am, do you actually think that they would stand me up?”

“I don’t know hun, but just in case okay.” She smiled and sat down at the table.

Uncle Bruce walked into the living room, he gazed out the window. The bus drove up and April got on without a backwards glance. He sighed and turned back to us. Tucking his hands in his front pockets he looked at us, “Well as soon as Matt is ready you two will be off to school.”

“Did I hear my name taken in vain?” Matt said walking into the living room. He was wearing a pair of black jeans, a white t-shirt, and hiking boots.

Chris smiled, “Nah, just saying how much of an ass April is being.” He picked up my bag tossed it to me, grabbed his bag and quickly walked out the side door.

I stood there looking at the door in shock, “Um, I think we had better get going.” I heard Matt say as he walked past me. I snapped out of my dazed and confused state, ran to Uncle Bruce and hugged him. When I went to Aunt Maureen her smiled wasn’t very happy.

“Have fun at school sweetie.” She hugged me tight and whispered, “See you tonight.” She let go and walked out quickly.

I waved goodbye to Uncle Bruce wand walked out the door. Matt was standing there next to his truck waiting on me. “Come on Cheri,” he took my backpack and tossed it to Chris, “you’re going to be late.” Just as he did last night he lifted me up and I climbed into the cab.

Chris was still frowning and was in the middle so that put me by the window. Matt climbed in on his side and started out of the drive way.

For a while it was quite until Chris looked over at me. I looked at him, his eyes were actually full of tears. “Cheri, are you going to live with your grandparents?”

The question caught me off guard, “What do you mean?” I turned more to face him. “I’m only going to have dinner with them tonight. It’s nothing.” I looked to Matt for confirmation, “Right Matt, I’m not going anywhere.”

Matt nodded quickly, “Right, she’s gonna go to school, then to dinner with her grandparents.” He looked over at Chris, “Then she’ll be home before you know it.”

Chris looked at me then to Matt, “I hope you’re right Matt. Now let’s get to school.”





































As we pulled up Robert, Nicole, Julia, and Laura were all waiting for us. Chris laughed, “It looks like the welcoming committee has arrived.”

I smiled, “Yeah, I still have to tell Nicole and Julia about Matt. Plus tell all three of them about my grandparents.” I took a deep breath and shook my head. “This is going to be a long day.”

Matt stopped the truck and I opened the door. Laura was the first one there, her eyes were just brimming you could tell she was wanting to tell them but she held out because of a promise.

Matt leaned over the seat, “I’ll be right here after school lets out.” He sat back up and took off.

Julia and Nicole were looking at me as if there were waiting for an explanation. I glanced to them then to Laura, “Matt works for my uncle now as an air brush artist.” I looked over at Laura her eyes got wide in surprise. “He also my boyfriend.”

As if by chance first bell rang and we all had to go to home room. Today we were only staying one hour, tomorrow we don’t go to home room at all.

I stepped in the classroom and Ms. Thatcher smiled at me, “Hello Cheri, Laura. Good morning to both of you.”

I walked to my desk and looked at Laura, which was looking at the door. There walking in like he owned the place was Curtis Pole.

He walked straight up to my desk, leaning forward with his hands flat on my desk. “That was a pretty neat trick you pulled yesterday at your uncles shop.”

“What trick?” I stood up and walked over to Laura desk

Before he could answer the second bell rang and everyone filed in and class began, but I knew this was not the end of it.

Like yesterday Ms. Thatcher took her stool and sat it in front of the podium. Today she had on pink sleeveless top that came to her thigh and a pair of tight black dress pants along with some pink pumps.

Laura was wearing a wearing black Stryper shirt and black jeans with black crocs. I walked back over to my seat and waited for her to start.

“Good morning class. Today we’re going to assign locker. Also we are going to you’re 2nd period class.” She hopped off her stool. “So, with that everyone lineup outside.”

She walked to her desk and grabbed a purple folder. As she made her way up to the beginning of the line everyone was quite.

She opened the door and led Curtis, who just had to be first one in line, out the door. “Alright, everyone the lockers going to be given out in alphabetical order.”

She walked over to the top first set of lockers and opened her folder. “Locker 110 goes to… Cheri Bracket.” She opened it for me and I looked in.

“Thanks, but I’m not going to put my stuff in there until I get a lock put on it.” I shut the locker and looked at Curtis.

Ms. Thatcher cleared her throat, “Very good idea Cheri. Also once you get a lock on it let me know if it is a key or combination lock. You don’t have to tell me the combination.”

She continued with locker assignments and Laura was halfway down the hall next to Curtis. I didn’t like that at all, and neither did Laura. When we returned to class I walked up to Ms. Thatcher.

“Ms. Thatcher, I have a question.” I asked as she sat down at her desk. “If I wanted to share my locker with a friend could I?”

Ms. Thatcher frowned looked at Curtis then at Laura, “Cheri, I know why you want to share with Laura. Not only is she your friend, you don’t want Curtis to pick on her when your not there, am I right?”

I bowed my head and looked up shyly, “Am I that transparent? You know as well as I do he is going to make her life miserable.”

She sighed, “I’ll see what I can do. I have to talk to the principle first then I’ll have your answer for you by tomorrow morning, okay?”

My face brightened, “Oh thank you Ms. Thatcher! I would hug you but that would look weird.” I walked back over to my seat and smiled to Laura.

She looked at me with a questioning expression on her face, and I mouthed “Later” She nodded and smiled back. My day was looking up, but I still had to tell them about my grandparents.

The rest of homeroom went by rather fast, as the bell rang for second period everyone started filing out. Laura linked arms with me and smiled as we made our way down to Biology.

I was surprised not to find some old decrepit man teaching the subject, but a small woman that looked no older than some of the students she was teaching. She had long honey colored hair that came down to her waist. She had the softest blue eyes I’d ever seen, she wasn’t very tall. In fact I think I was taller than her. She reminded me of an elf in a fairy story.

I made my way to seat which unfortunately was right beside Curtis. I rolled my eyes upward and took to ignoring as much as I could. The seats were tables every fourth seat was a sink. To my joy I noticed Laura was assigned a seat across from me.

“Good morning class.” came a small voice out of my elfin teacher. I smiled to myself thinking how cool it would be to be taught by an elf.

“My name is Ms. Pheres. But unlike my name there is nothing to fear from me except maybe some extra home work when you need it.” She looked and smiled every eye was on her. “I know what you’re thinking. How could someone so young be teaching, right?” She sat on a stool that didn’t do much for her height.

“Well you see I graduated from high school a little older than some of you.” She looked over at me , Curtis , and Laura, “How old are you three?”

Curtis cleared his throat, “Um, I’ll be fourteen next week.” He smiled and blushed. I guess he didn’t want people to know when his birthday was.

She smiled, “Well we’ll just have to throw a party then.” She looked at Laura and waited.

Laura blushed, “I’ll be fourteen in December. I was almost a Christmas baby. December 23rd.”

She nodded, “Very cool, but I guess you don’t get many Christmas present or birthday presents.”

Laura shook her head, “Oh no, my parents keep them separate. I get two presents on my birthday from each family member then I load up on Christmas.”

The class laughed and Laura blushed and smiled.

Finally she looked at me, “Um, I just turned thirteen, I wont be fourteen until next year.”

She looked at me then blinked, “Oh! You’re the girl that skipped a grade. I forgot all about that.”

“You can continue to forget as far as I’m concerned.” I layed my head down and looked away.

“I do know how you feel.” She walked over to me. “Your name is Cheriden, right. Well, I graduated from school when I was sixteen.”

My head popped up and I looked at her, “How old are you?” I asked and looked at her in concern.

“I just turned twenty-two. This is my second year teaching and loving every minute of it.” She smiled and walked back by over her stool. “I don’t have many demands here. Just takes notes, pay attention and if you have any questions come to me, ask me to help, I’ll do everything, short of giving the answers to you to help you.” She looked at the clock, “I don’t have to much to do except hand out books and covers. So if the first table will come up and get a book and a cover and let me sign the book card. I believe I am the last so you leave it here with me. I’ll turn the cards in for you.”

The students at first table stood up. Laura, Curtis and I were on the third table, we didn’t have long to wait. I wanted to ask Laura about her shirt I had never heard of the band she on.

“Laura, excuse me for being dumb, but who’s Stryper?” I looked at her with a sincere questionable look on my face.

Laura looked at me in surprise, “Who’s Stryper? You’re joking right?” We stood and got in line. I shook my head.

Curtis was even looking at me funny. She looked at Curtis and so did I. he shrugged his shoulders, “Go ahead, she your friend. She asked.”

“Cheri, have you ever heard of Christian rock?” she waited patiently for my answer. She stepped forward and got her book and went to her seat never taking her eyes of me.

I stepped forward and picked up my book leaving book card I grabbed a cover and smiled at the teacher. “Cheri, I didn’t mean to put you on the spot.”

“It’s okay it happened all day yesterday. I should have been used to it.” I smiled again and returned to my seat.

Laura was sitting waiting for me and my answer. I sat down across from her, “No, I didn’t even know Christians could rock.” I smiled and she laughed lightly.

Curtis returned he looked at Laura and she shook her head. “I know I’m not exactly the person to ask, but do you go to church?”

Laura and him waited on baited breath, “No, I used to when my parents were alive. But after…” I looked away, “How could a loving God take both of my parents away from me.”

Curtis laid a gentle hand on mine, I looked up, “I’m sorry you lost your parents Cheri, but everything happens for a reason.”

“Cheri I have an idea tomorrow night I go to church would like to go?” I looked at her the light she had in her face was still there.

“Okay,” I looked at Curtis, “Ya, know when you’re like this, you’re actually kinda nice. I wouldn’t mind hanging around you. It’s the other way you act, when your “friends” are around.”

“I know, you see I used go to the same church Laura goes to.” He looked at Laura and smiled, “I’ve been gone for a while. I think it’s time I came back.”

Laura smiled, “That would be great. Would you like to sit with us at lunch. One guy and four girls, even you can’t turn that down.”

Curtis smiled, “I can reintroduce myself to your friends. The new and improved Curtis Pole.”

The bell rang for Third period and students filing out of the room. Ms. Pheres stood on here stool, “Be ready tomorrow we start on chapter 1.”

English was next and that meant Nicole and Julia would be there also. Laura was talking and I didn’t hear here, “Cheri you okay?”

“Yeah, I have something to tell you and Nicole, Julia I mean other than about Matt.” I walked in the room and they smiled then frowned when Curtis walked in with us.

Laura walked over to them and quickly explained the situation. As me and Curtis walked over Nicole smiled, “Welcome to the rejects Curtis.”

He smiled, “Thanks, I think.” We all started to laugh and took our seats. Curtis’ was on the other side of the room.

English wasn’t really English this semester actually this semester we were doing Literature. Which I loved with a passion. The teacher was okay, she was mid-forties had auburn red hair, looked out of a bottle, she kept it in a tight bun. She had warm brown eyes and a nice smile, she was short though I think maybe a little taller than Ms. Pheres.

After English all five of us walked to World History and since the teacher wasn’t feeling good, he had a headache, we got to talk quietly. We went to lunch during this hour so as we sat down Nicole looked at me.

“All right Cheri, what’s wrong. Something been buggin’ you all day I can see it.” She sat down across from me Julia was next to me Curtis was sitting next to Laura which was right next to Nicole.

“I heard from my grandparents last night.” Nicole and Julia looked at me as if I just told them I shot J.F.K.

“So, I hear from my grandparents all the time.” Curtis said slicing up his pizza.

“No, Curtis you don’t understand.” Julia said looking at him and Laura. “Cheri hasn’t heard from them since the funeral ten years ago.”

Nicole took my hand, “Did they say what they wanted?”

“They said they want to spend some time with me. That they realize they should have never put me out of their life ten years ago.” I took a bite of my pizza. “The bad thing is if I refuse they can petition for custody of me.”

Laura and Curtis’ head both popped up, they looked at each other and smiled, “I think I have a solution to that. Actually, Laura and me both.”

Laura cleared her throat, “You see girls, both of our fathers are lawyers. All we have to do is ask them. Tell them the situation ask them if your grandparents have a leg to stand on and if they don’t you can tell your aunt and uncle.” Laura and Curtis were smiling widely.

Nicole and Julia grinned, “That would be awesome!” Julia said and hugged me tightly. “Now lets change the subject, like the hunk that dropped you and Chris off this morning. Were you pulling our leg or is he really your boyfriend?”

That caught Curtis off guard, “Boyfriend? Who?” He smiled and crossed his arms.

“Remember the guy doing the art work on the helmet for your dad? Him. His name is Matt Shore. Right now he is living in our attic” I took a sip from my milk and waited for the next question. Whatever I thought it was going to be, it wasn’t what came out.

“You two haven’t… ya know done it have you.” Nicole asked blushed deeply as she did.

“Nicole! I just started dating the guy. Besides he is sorely aware of how old I am. That would be just wrong anyway. He is sweet, and cute, and a good kisser though.” I couldn’t it believe I was blushing and they were laughing which was making me blush more.

By the end of lunch everyone had traded number and emails. I hugged Nicole and Julia and remembered, “Oh I forgot I’m having dinner with them tonight. I hope to be home before nine if not I will mass email ya’ll and let you know how it went.”

They nodded and I hugged them again and ran to catch up with Curtis and Laura. “I forgot to tell ya’ll, I just told the girls. I’m having dinner with my grandparents tonight, if I am home before nine I will call you or I just may mass email everyone just to get it over with, okay?”

Curtis nodded, “Well, ladies I leave to go to P.E, see ya later.” He turned down the hall toward the gym.

“Ya know I am surprised he doesn’t try out for football or baseball or something like.” I said going to Pre-Algebra.

“He wants to, but his father wont let him.” She frowned and walked in the class.

“Why? He athletic enough, right?” I sat down next to her.

“His father is more academic than athletic, ya know what I’m saying.” She got her book out and waited for the bell to ring.

“Meaning his dad was a nerd in school and he is trying to turn his sons into nerds.” I shook my head and frowned.

She nodded and looked at the door as Mr. Granger walked in. “Good afternoon class, I trust you enjoyed your lunch and breaks.” He smiled and I heard several females sigh, including Laura. I laughed to myself and opened my notebook as he started writing things on the board. The entire period was nothing but copying things off the board I swear my hand felt like it was going to fall off.

The bell rang and we started filing out and went back to Ms. Thatcher’s class. As if he was waiting for us Curtis was standing beside the door his hair was slightly wet.

I looked at Laura in confusion, “The coach makes the guys take showers after class. That way they aren’t offensive to rest of us.”

“Oh, well isn’t that considerate of him.” I smiled at Curtis, “My, my Curtis you do smell fresh and clean.”

He smiled, “Ya, just imagine how I would smell if I didn’t take a shower.”

Laura turn and looked at him, “I remember that long bus ride home when the church played football. You stunk!” She looked at me, “We won the game though.”

I looked at Curtis and Laura and started thinking, “Curtis, if you help me stay with my aunt and uncle, I will help you. If you want to that is.”

Curtis looked at me then Laura. He knew what I was talking about but before he could say anything the bell rang and class had started.

“Hello class, for those of you that saw me this morning starting tomorrow this is the only time you will be seeing me. Unless problems with class, or you just need to talk.” She grabbed her stool and placed it once again in front of the podium, “I don’t know who keeps moving it.”

The class laughed quietly. I was watching Laura and Curtis they were looking at each other and smiling. I thought to my self, ‘Could my need to know about God and religion bring two people together?’

We didn’t do much today since we were still getting a lot of things and some kids forgot to get their binders, Curtis included. Laura leaned over to me and whispered to me, “I could bring one of my favorite Stryper CD’s tomorrow and you could borrow it.”

“That would be great. I’m going to talk to my aunt and uncle about going to church tomorrow maybe you could pick me up from my uncle’s bike shop.” I leaned back over and tapped her leg. “Is Stryper the only Christian Rock band?”

She grinned, “Oh no, there are many more, but they are the greatest. Them, Whitecross, and Petra. I’ll bring all three, you listen to them and let me know which ones you like out of those three.”

I nodded and looked over at Curtis, He caught me looking at him looking at Laura and blushed. I smiled and started to feel a little queasy. This the last period of the day, my grandparents were going to picking me up in less than a hour and a half.

I was nervous about meeting them and I desperately wanted to go to the shop. When the bell rang Laura hugged me and whispered in my ear, “I’ll ask my father tonight when he gets home. I will also pray for you.”

I looked at her, “Thanks, I need all the prayer I can get.” I hugged her again.

“In that case I will pray for you to.” Curtis said from behind us. “We’ll talk about the other things later when we have more time.” His eyes shifted from me to Laura the back to me.

“We only want you to be happy Curtis. You aren’t are you?” Laura said facing him.

He shook his head, “No, but lets talk later we’ll miss the bus. Come on, you can sit with me.”

I watched walk down the hall together and I followed and waited on Chris. Chris shortly came out with some of his friends, including Robert. “Hey Cheri!” Robert said as they walked to me.

“Hello Robert, Chris, guys.” I nodded to rest of them. I didn’t really know their names.

They all waved to me and said “Hey” Chris smiled, “Okay guys talk to ya’ll later. Oh hey Robert those aerodynamic helmets are going to coming in next week. Right Cheri?”

I nodded, “Yeah, they are going to be forty-five dollars before tax, and forty-eight dollars and fifteen cents after tax.” I smiled and turned away, keeping an eyes out for either Uncle Bruce’s truck, Matt’s truck, or some car I didn’t recognize.

“Yeah well, see ya’ll tomorrow.” Chris put his bag next to mine, “Nervous?” He wasn’t even looking at me.

“A little. I mean I would lying if I said no.” I lean against the flag pole, “Could you take my bag? That way I’m not lugging it around all night.”

He nodded and walked over to me, “Don’t forget about the cell phone. Where is it?”

I opened my purse and pulled out the phone, “Right here. If I want to leave I will excuse myself go to the bathroom call home, and meet whoever is going to come and get me outside.”

He nodded, “That sounds like a plan.” A truck pulled in and Chris smiled, “Do you really like Matt?”

“Yes, I do, and he likes me.” I hugged him as Matt’s truck pulled and came to a stop.

I saw the drivers side door open he came around and smiled, “Hi beautiful.”

Chris grinned, “Well I knew I was handsome but beautiful, really.” I laughed so hard I started crying.

Chris grinned at Matt, “Funny Chris, I was talking to your cousin. Need some help getting into the truck?”

“Nah, I’ll manage.” He opened the door and threw mine and his bags in the truck.

Mat smiled at me, “Can I get a hug before your grandparents get here?”

I nodded and ran to him hugging as tight as I could, “I’m scared Matt. I am so scared that they are going to try to take me away from Aunt Maureen and Uncle Bruce.” I felt the tears trickle down my cheeks.

He let go of me and squatted down in front of me, “Cheri you listen to me. I have done a lot of praying on this.” I guess the surprised look on my face was funny to him. “What you didn’t think I went to church?”

“No, I just didn’t expect that. I want to talk to you when I get home tonight, okay.” I smiled, I wanted to tell him about Laura and Curtis.

“Okay,” He smiled, “listen I think you at least try to give your grand parents a chance if they start saying things that you don’t want to hear you call me okay.”

I nodded, I looked at the driveway and a black Lincoln town car pulled up behind Matt’s truck. I took a deep breath, “I guess that’s them.”

A young man got out from the front of the car and walked up to Matt and me. “Miss Cheriden?”

“Yes, where are my grandparents?” I asked never leaving Matt’s side I was afraid, before I was a little nervous, now I was afraid.

“They are waiting for you at the restaurant Miss.” The guy was early thirty maybe late twenties, “I am to drive you there.” He looked at Matt, “Are you her uncle?”

“No, normally the kids work after school at the bike shop he owns. I volunteered to pick them up after school. I work there also, Air brush artist.”

The guy nodded, “Then will you tell her uncle that she will be home at least by nine tonight.” He looked at me and around me. “Do you have backpack?”

“Oh, my cousin Chris is taking it home for me.” I waved at Chris and the guy turned to look at Chris glaring at him.

“I see, so you have no homework right now?” He asked politely

“No, it’s only the second day of school. We haven’t went to all our classes yet. More than likely we start assignments and homework tomorrow.” I turned to Matt, “Matt will you ask Uncle Bruce to pick me up a lock for my locker. They assigned them today and I didn’t want to put anything in it until I have a lock on it.”

Matt nodded, “Not a problem, I’m sure Chris and April need locks also.” He started around the truck again he looked at me and smiled.

They guy looked at me, “This way Miss.” He guided me to the town car and the back door.

“Um, first thing, I like people to call me Cheri, okay? Secondly, I don’t know your name. How am I going to get your attention if I wanted it that is.”

I looked at him and smiled

He looked at me and returned my smile, not a fake smile but a genuine, warm smile, “Okay Cheri, and I am William. I prefer Bill but your grandparents call me William and they pay the bills so.” He shrugged and opened the back door.

“So all the snobbiness you were doing was just an act.” I sat down in the back seat and he just shut the door.

He opened the front door, “Yes ma’am, if you want I can be just like I am right now when your grandparents aren’t around.” He started the car and started down the driveway.

“Yes, Bill I would like that very much.” He looked at me in the rear-view mirror and smiled. “If you don’t mind me asking Bill, how old are you?”

“I don’t mind at all. I am twenty-eight. I just had a birthday last week.” He smiled as if remembering his party, I guess.

“Well Happy Belated Birthday!” I smiled and leaned forward, “Can I ask another question?”

“Sure hun. What is it you want to know?” He stopped at a red light and looked at me sideways.

“What are my grandparents like?” I started biting my lower lip, a nervous habit of mine.

The light turned green and he started again, “Well I can’t really tell you. I mean as employers they are great. I needed a week off last year because I lost my mother.”

“I’m so sorry Bill I know what’s it like to lose your parents.” I laid a hand in his shoulder.

He nodded, “Well, I get paid bi-weekly, do you know what that means?”

I nodded and he continued, “Well I knew my check wasn’t going to be as much as it was normally. Imagine my surprise when I get my check and it the same amount as normal. They had paid me for the time I took to go bury my mother.”

I nodded, “Okay, so what you’re saying is that I need to form my own opinion of them, correct?”

He smiled, “Hey you’re smart

“The bad thing is Bill is I already have a bad opinion of them. I don’t know if you knew this about them or not. I haven’t seen them the funeral of their daughter, my mother, ten years ago.” I wiped my eyes and sniffed defiantly. I wasn’t going to cry.

“Yes, I knew.” He said quietly, “I didn’t approve either, but what could I do. If I pushed to much I could lose my job.”

“What changed their mind, now. Did you have something to do with it?” I watched his face.

“I wish I could say I did have something to do with it, but I actually don’t know.” He looked over at a building with a valet parking, “We are here, I’m to come in with you and seat you. I think they are going to be at the bar.”

I looked at in horror, “Don’t worry neither one of them drink. That is just where people sit when they are waiting on other guests.”

I nodded and mouthed the “Oh” and sat back as we pulled in. A young kid about nineteen opened my door and held out his hand. I had seen it done in movies so I did it.

I took his and stepped out of the car Bill standing there smiling at me. I took his arm and he covered my hand with his. “You did that with so much grace. It looked like you’ve done it before.”

“Only in my dreams. I just watch a lot of T.V. but not where it rots my brain.” He smiled

“I have to become William again.” He rolled his eyes and I laughed. I could actually feel his body tense up and go rigid as he escorted me to a table.

The table with a Reserved card on it the Maitre De’ walked up to us and smiled. “William, they are waiting in the bar. Would the young lady like a drink?”

He looked at me as William was seating me, “Um,” I whispered, “what do you have?”

He smiled and looked at me, “Miss, we have lemonade, sodas, tea, and of course milk.”

I smiled shyly, “I think I will have some tea please with a small slice of lemon.” he nodded and left.

William smiled, “Well, now that you are seated you have your drink ordered I will inform that we are here.”

“Thank you.” I felt so sick I didn’t think I was going eat very much. I sat there playing with the napkins when I saw William coming back.

I sat up and made sure I looked nice. Behind William was an older couple, the lady looked just like my mother I still had a picture of my parents in my wallet. In fact I had taken it out and had been looking at it while I waiting on them.

Her hair had been red like mine, but think I get the curls from my fathers side of the family. She also had green eyes, they were still bright and full of wisdom. She was wearing a black dress that wrapped around her body she also was wearing a long string a pearls. She was maybe a little taller than me. I think what Matt said was right I am not going to get much taller.

The gentleman beside her was more distinguished than old. He had gray hair that seemed to still be full and thick. His eyes were blue, and as I was checking them out he seemed to be checking me out. He had on black dress pants and blue silk shirt with a black blazer and black dinner jacket on.

I also noticed that the only jewelry they had on besides the pearls were their wedding bands. Simple gold bands, the lady had a small diamond on hers.

“Oh Mason, she looks just like Olivia!” My grandmother said as they walked up the table. She looked me over, “Turn around will you.”

I stood and turned slowly, as I faced them again my eyes seemed to lock with hers, my mothers eyes, my eyes. “Grandmother?”

She smiled softly, “Yes dear, I am your Grandmother Virginia. This man behind me is your Grandfather Mason.”

I barely tore my eyes away from her to look at him, this time he was smiling.

A waiter brought the drinks to our table, “Tea with lemon, Miss?” I nodded and sat back down. Grandmother sat down then Grandfather sat down. “Sir you had lemonade and Ma’am you had coffee?” They both nodded.

“Thank you,” I said to the waiter and smiled to him.

He smiled and left quickly. Grandmother looked at me, “Cheriden, can we see what your hair looks like with it down?”

“Um, sure, let me go to the ladies room and take it down and fix it so it wont poof out when I take down.” I stood and Grandfather Mason stood.

He pointed to a well lit hallway, “Right over there, you’ll see the signs after that.”

“Thank you, excuse me.” I walked away and thought to myself, ‘So far so good.’ I walked to the ladies room and took my hair down and as I said it poofed, but I fixed it and the lovely curls I trained were bouncing around my shoulders as I came back to the table.

“Miss me?” I asked coming back. I sat back down and looked at them. They looked in shock. “Is everything okay?”

“What? Oh, yes. It’s that you look a lot like your mother.” Grandfather stammered out.

“I know. I have very few pictures of her, but I can see it. Like I get my eyes from her and she got them from you Grandmother.” I smiled and looked at her, she was smiling at me

“Yes my dear you did.” She smiled back at me when waiter came back he had menus.

He handed them to everyone and walked away. “I don’t know if will like any of this fancy food.”

Grandfather leaned over to me, “They have steak and potatoes and salad.” His eyes glowed with mischief.

My eyes brightened, “Then that is what I will get. Rare steak baked potato and a chef salad.”

“MMM mmm, that sound divine.” Grandmother said, “I’ll have the same thing.”

“Make that three.” Grandfather said as he motioned for the waiter, “Three rare steaks, baked potatoes, and three chef salads.”

The waiter nodded curtly and left. Grandfather looked at me and took a deep breath. “So you’re thirteen now, right.”

I nodded, “Yes, sir. I turned thirteen last month.” I sipped my drink and watching him, he was leading up to something.

“Well, tell us about yourself.” He said sipping his drink, he reached over to my grandmother and took hold of her hand.

“Well I skipped a grade. I started high school this year.” I stopped to see their reaction.

“Well, Mason did you hear that! That is wonderful.” She smiled and looked at me. “So do you have any new friends since you started high school?”

“Yes ma’am, two, a girl named Laura Trillium and a boy named Curtis Pole. They are in my home room and most of my classes together.” I smiled and looked my grandfather.

“Trillium and Pole, huh. Those names sound familiar.” He leaned back in his chair and placed his fore fingers on his lips.

“Well according to them, they said that their fathers are both lawyers. Maybe you heard of their names that way.” I sipped my drink and hoped that there was nothing wrong with them being lawyers.

“Lawyers, hmm yes well that may be it. Well I hear you work at your uncle’s shop what do you do?” He leaned forward and sipped his lemonade.

“Oh most of the time I help the customers, answer any questions they have. Ya know basic customer service. I also go on test rides with customers that want to try out the bikes before they buy them.” I felt sick again, maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that.

My grandmother went white, “You actually ride those motorcycles.” She looked over at my grandfather.

“Well they don’t leave the parking lot. Plus Uncle Bruce is standing there watching the whole time.” I added quickly, “It’s only when he doesn’t know the person. Most of the people that come in the shop are repeat customers.”

Grandfather nodded solemnly, “Have you ever been on motorcycle by yourself?”

“Oh no, I used to joke about wanting one for my first vehicle, but like I said it was a joke. I have always wanted a Jeep Wrangler for my first car.” I smiled and leaned back.

“Okay,” He looked over at my grandmother then back at me, “is there anything that you want ask us?”

The knot in stomach grew tighter. There was only one question I wanted to ask. “Why did you decide after all these years to come back in my life? Why not right after the funeral, when I needed you the most?”

I think he was expecting that question because all he did was nod his head. “Right to the point, I like that.” He sat up in his chair some and looked at me, “Well, we were hurt. We had just lost our only child.”

“That’s no excuse. You still had me. Your granddaughter.” I was getting angry, I knew any minute I was going to be calling someone.

Grandmother frowned, “Now Cheriden, that’s no way to talk to your grandfather.” She reached over and patted my hand like I was some toddler throwing food at the table.

“Okay let’s get this straight. The only time I am called Cheriden is when I am in trouble otherwise people call me Cheri.” I looked at them both they were shocked, maybe they were expecting just to forgive them.

Grandfather looked at me, “Cheri, please listen. We know you’re hurt too, there were several time that our driver William would drive by the school during recess just so he could see you and tell us how you looked.”

“Why couldn’t you have come to the shop? Or better yet called, I didn’t get one single birthday card or Christmas card from you for ten years. You could imagine my surprise when Aunt Maureen told me last night that you called.” I leaned forward and laid my hands flat on the table.

“I can’t say why we didn’t send you card on your birthday or Christmas. We want to make it up to you, before it’s to late.” He leaned back because the waiter was bringing our orders to us.

We ate in silence. The whole meal no one spoke. Those last four word kept rolling around in my head. As our plates were cleared and wiped my mouth and looked at him.

“What do you mean, ‘before it’s to late.?” I looked at my grandmother and she glanced over at him.

He took a deep breath, “You see Cheri, both of us has been diagnosed with a rare blood disease. We wanted to reconcile with you before we die.”

I looked at him then to her, she nodded, “You’re dying? When did you find this out?”

“About a week ago. That is when we made the decision.” My grandmother said dabbing her eyes.

“You see Cheri you are our only living relative. Your grandmother and I were both only children and we only had your mother. Of course what ever we leave you in our will will stay in trust until you are old enough to handle it.” He frowned and looked at me with his blue eyes. “Do you think I could trust your Uncle Bruce to help you with that?”

“Yes,” I said quietly as a tear slipped down my cheek, “It’s not fair, I’ve lost my parents. Just as I get my grandparents back I am going to be losing them soon.”

“Yes dear we know.” Grandmother said as she slid her chair closer to me. “We know we should have never put you out of our lives all those years ago.”

“I have a question. If you’re dying then why did you threaten Aunt Maureen and Uncle Bruce into making them believe you would take me away from them?” I leaned away from her. If there was one thing I couldn’t stand was a liar.

Grandfather cleared his throat, “That was my idea it was the only way we thought we could get you to come met us. Apparently it worked, because you’re here.”

“Did it ever occur to you that I would have came without being threatened?” I leaned forward my green eyes shining with anger. “I mean I hadn’t seen you in ten years did ever occur to you that I might miss you. I remember waking in the middle of the night wanting my Nana and Papa. You remember those names?”

I stood and started walking to the ladies room. “Where are you going to Cheri?”

“To the ladies room. I need to calm down before I explode.” I turned away from them and mumbled to myself, “Plus make a phone call.” As I got in the ladies room I pulled out my phone. Turning it on I saw three numbers, the shop, home, Matt.

I decided to call Aunt Maureen and ask her what I should do. As it dialed I peeked out to see what was going on. William was talking to them and she crying. I felt kinda bad, but a little

“Hello, Bracket residence.” Aunt Maureen said in a sweet voice.

“Aunt Maureen, it’s me Cheri. I have a problem.” I started biting my lower lip and leaned against the wall.

“Cheri! Are you okay? Where are you? Do you need someone to come pick you up?” She fired question after question before I could answer them.

“Aunt Maureen, cool it this is a pre-pay phone so I don’t have much time. One I am fine. Two we are at some fancy restaurant. I don’t know about three yet. Aunt Maureen I just got informed that they have some rare blood disease and are dying. I am their only living relative. I am gonna go back to the table you think on that I will tell you more when I get home, tell everyone I said hi.” I turned the phone off and replaced it to my purse. Looking at my self in the mirror I took a deep breath and headed back to the table.

I returned and a sharp dressed man was sitting at our table with them, he was in his early twenties had slicked back brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a dark blue suit with a black tie and white shirt. He had on wire-framed glasses on also.

I stopped and looked at him, “Who are you?” I need anymore surprises tonight, I didn’t want anymore surprises.

My grandmother laughed, “Cheri, this is Phillip Andrews, our lawyer. We told him we would be meeting you here tonight and speaking to you about…things.” It was apparent my grandmother didn’t like the idea of dying, but then again who does.

He stood and pulled my chair out for me, “Cheriden, you are as lovely as your grandmother said you were.”

I smiled and sat down, “It’s Cheri, I like for people to call me Cheri.” I looked over at Grandfather and he had a frown on his face. “Is something wrong Papa?”

The term of endearment snapped him out of whatever he was thinking and he beamed at me. “No nothing that I can’t handle later.

“Are you doing anything tomorrow night dear?” Nana asked as she sipped her coffee.

“Oh yes, I am going to church with some friends. They are going to be picking me up from the shop and then dropping off at home.” I smiled and looked over at Mr. Andrews. “How long have you been working for my grandparents Mr. Andrews?”

He smiled at me, “Please Cheri call me Phillip. As for how long I have been working for your grandparents, well the firm I work for has been their lawyers for a very long time. In fact I believe your father retained our services, but that was a long time ago.” He patted my cheek.

I glared at him, “Mr. Andrews, I’m thirteen not three, pat my cheek again and you’ll learn what a walnut feels like.”

He quickly slide away from me and I glanced over at Papa and he nodded and winked me. I got the feeling whatever Papa was brooding over it was because of Mr. Andrews.

“So why are you intruding on a private moment between me and my grandparents?” I wanted to make clear that I didn’t like him.

“Oh, well these papers have to be signed by next week or the deal that your Papa has worked so hard on will go down the drain.” To make his point the opened his briefcase and handed the papers over to Papa.

I was getting mad again, “Mr. Andrews, the term Papa and Nana are my names for them. Not yours.”

He cleared his throat and loosened his tie, “Yes Miss, I am sorry.” He took a deep breath and looked at Papa.

Papa smiled and glanced over at Nana. “I will look these over, and bring them to the office Friday. Now if you don’t mind we have some other things to do with our granddaughter.”

Mr. Andrews frowned and stood, “Yes sir,” He turned to me, “it was nice to met you Cheri. Maybe we can have some more time together to get to know each other better.”

I nodded and sipped my drink not trusting my self to speak.

As he left Papa looked at Nana then to me, “Cheri is there anyway you could talk to Mr. Trillium or Mr. Pole and see if they would look at some papers for me. I would pay them if that is the only problem.”

“Uh, well I could talk to them tomorrow night at church if I see them. Mr. Pole is supposed pick up a helmet tomorrow from the shop if you give me your card I could ask and have him call you.” I started biting my lower lip again.

Nana smiled, “Cheri don’t bite your lip. Your mother used to do the same thing.”

I smiled to myself, I was doing my mother used to when she was alive, that was great.

Papa paid the bill and William went to get the car. As we walked I hadn’t noticed how long we had been in there but it was already five-thirty. I looked at my grandparents as they waited for the car. “Where are we going anyways?”

“Well there is a lovely shop for clothes I wanted to take you to.” Nana said smiling, “But we don’t have time for that right now, maybe some time this weekend.”

“Yeah, maybe. Nana do you think we could include someone on our little shopping tryst?” I was thinking of April if I came home with brand new clothes, designer clothes, I shuddered to myself.

She smiled, “Sure dear. Who?” She took my hand and squeezed it. I kept thinking to myself this was cruel nightmare I was going to wake any moment.

“My cousin April. She always has been like a sister to me and I would feel bad coming home with new clothes and nothing for her.” I looked at her with pleading eyes.

She smiled, “Oh yes, going with two teenage girls. I hope William is going to be up for it.”

“You’ll just have to remind him to take his vitamins that morning.” Papa said as William drove up. We all laughed and waited for the car to stop. He hopped out and opened the back door for Papa and us.

William smiled at me and winked, “Everything okay Cheri?” He asked as Nana got into the car.

“Yes Bill, everything is fine for now.” I slid into the back seat and waited for William to get in the front seat.

He looked at me, “Is the shop still open? I would like to actually met Bruce Bracket.”

I looked at my watch, “Yes sir, in fact,” I looked around, “if you take that street by the dry cleaners it takes you to the strip mall the shop is in.”

“William, lets go to the cycle shop. You heard what Cheri said, correct?” He smiled at me

“Yes sir,” William put the car into gear and we took off. I was wondering what reaction we were going to have when we got there.

As we pulled into the parking lot William parked as close to the shop as he could. He got out and opened the door on Papa’s side. Papa slide out and held out his hand to Nana. William held the door open as I slide to the edge and he held out his hand for me. I took his hand and got out. I smiled at him at walked over to my grandparents.

“Well it is a clean showroom.” Nana said looking from the outside. I shook my head and opened the door. They walked through and Sandra was at the counter.

“Cheri! Hey girl! I was expecting to see you tonight.” She from around the counter and hugged me tightly.

I turned to my grandparents, “Nana, Papa, this is Sandra. She’s been working here since the doors open.

Sandra smiled and extended her hand to shake theirs. Nana took it and shook and Papa shook it next. “Sandra, this is their driver William.”

Sandra went to shake his hand and when he took he didn’t shake, he kissed it. Sandra’s eyes went wide and smiled slightly.

“Um, is Uncle Bruce in his office or the shop?” I was looking at Sandra, she hadn’t taken her eyes off of William yet.

“What, oh, your uncle is in the shop. I’ll- I’ll go get him.” She turned and slowly walked to the swing door that led to the shop.

“What was that William?” Nana asked smiling at him. I don’t think she was mad at him I think it surprised her more than anything.

“I couldn’t help it. She is so lovely.” He blushed and smiled some. I thought it was cute.

Uncle Bruce, Chris, and Matt all three came out to see my grandparents. “Good evening, I’m Bruce Bracket. You wanted to see me?”

He was on the defensive, not that I could blame him. “Uncle Bruce, Papa and Nana just wanted to see the man that has taken such good care of me.”

He looked at me and smiled. I hadn’t used those names in a long time. He knew everything was going to be fine. He wiped his hands on a rag and walked forward. “Hello sir, ma’am welcome to my shop would you like anything to drink. I’m afraid all we have is soda.”

Papa shook his hand, “No thank you, I just wanted to see the man that has been taking care of her.” He frowned, “I also wanted to admit something. There was no way we were going to take Cheri away from you. You see we are dying.”

Uncle Bruce is a formidable man but even that caught him off guard. “You’re what!?” He went pale and stumbled.

“We want to explain it all to you but not here not now.” He looked pale and weak.

“Papa are you okay?” I touched his hand and he looked at me.

“I’m just a little tired, that’s all.” He touched my cheek and smiled at me. William was behind him and looked concerned, very concerned.

“Maybe William should take you home and you can rest. I’ll talk to Mr. Pole and Mr. Trillium tomorrow if I see them okay. You just go home and rest.” I looked at William and Nana. “William take my grandparents home and see that they aren’t disturbed by anyone unless it is emergency and if Mr. Andrews calls tell him that my Grandfather will bring the papers in Friday and not before and not call back tonight.”

“Yes, Miss.” William escorted Papa out of the showroom and to the car

“Cheri, I will call you and see when you want to go shopping and don’t forget to ask your cousin if she want to come along.” She watched William carefully put Papa in the car.

I walked up to her and hugged her tightly, “I love you Nana.”

She smiled and stroked my hair, “I love you too Cheri.” She walked out and got into the car. William waved to me, I waved back and he got into the car and left.

I turned to face them. “Well that was eventful, wasn’t it?”

Uncle Bruce looked at me, “Was he being serious? I mean about dying?” He looked a little shaken up.

I frowned, “Yes he was serious. They both have some sort of blood disease that is killing them.” I sniffed and walked straight to Matt. He hugged me tightly. “I told them it wasn’t fair. I had lost my parents and now that I had gotten them back I was going to lose them.” I felt a tear trickle down my cheek.

Chris came up behind me, “I am so sorry Cheri.” He pulled me away from Matt and into his arms. The tears I was fighting came as a flood as my head touched Chris’ chest. I felt him lay his head on top of mine and softly console me.

I weakly pulled away and smiled, “Thanks, I needed that.” I turned to face Uncle Bruce, “She wants to take me shopping in the next few days, and I asked if April could come along. She didn’t seem to mind, so I hope you wont.” I looked at Chris again, “Is my bag still in Matt’s truck? I have a chapter to read before tomorrow morning.”

Chris dumbly nodded and I went to the back and headed toward the truck when Matt caught up with me. “Cheri wait!” I stopped and turned around and saw Matt coming out of the back door.

“The truck is locked hun.” He smiled at me as he passed me up and walked to the passenger side of his truck. “Which one is your bag?” He asked pulling out two backpacks, one was covered with patches and the other solid black.

“The black one.” I said quietly thinking to myself how I was going to explain Matt to my grandparents.

He put Chris’ back in and handed me mine. “Cheri, I’m sorry to hear about your grandparents.” We turned back to walk to the shop and he put his arm around my shoulder. “If you want to talk about it just let me know, okay?”

I nodded then something popped in my head like a balloon, “Matt, have you ever heard on Christian Rock?”

He stopped and looked at me in surprise, “Yeah I have some CD’s at home, why?”

I opened the door to that back room. “My new friend, Laura, she listens to Christian Rock, in fact she is going to loan me some of her favorite bands to listen to tomorrow. This whole church, Christian thing is new to me. I mean I’m not a heathen, I do believe in God and all but ever since my parents died I just really didn’t have a use for him. Does that make since?”

He smiled and walked through the door, “In a way yes, but we can talk more about that when you get home from church tomorrow night. In fact do what I used to do when I was younger. Get a notebook and take notes. If you a have question about the sermon don’t be shy about asking the preacher after service or we can go through the Bible and see if we can answer your questions.”

I nodded, “Yeah that would be cool. In fact I need to go to the store tonight I have to pick up a lock. While I’m there I’ll pick a one subject notebook for church.”

Matt smiled and we walked up front together. Uncle Bruce and Chris was waiting for me when I got back. They smiled at me and Chris went back to the back.


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