Katrina's Story

THE GROWING PAINS SERIES

KATRINA’S SHORT STORY BOOK ONE ?

The Growing Pains Series

©2016 K.P. Smith

EAN13:

This is a work of fiction. Any references or similarities to actual events, real people, living or dead, or real locales are intended to give the novel a sense of reality. Any similarity in other names, characters, places and incidents is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.

www.iamkpsmith.com

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Author’s Note;

Growing up was such a challenging time for me. I laughed, I cried, I was happy, I was sad, I was enlightened, I was confused but through it all I grew.

The Growing Pains Series was birthed from a desire to share coming of age stories that will encourage, entertain and inspire!

This YA series is for The Young & The Young at Heart.

I would love to hear from you! So, I have several ways for us to connect;

Email me, Contact me on my website, Join my email list (free cool stuff, new release info & much more), Facebook & Twitter.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1…………Lawyer Mom

Chapter 2…………Einstein’s Church Life

Chapter 3…………Long Overdue

Chapter 4…………Ostracizing

Chapter 5………..Someone Always Has More

Chapter 6………..The Three of Us

Chapter 7……….It Hurts Today

Chapter 8………A Good Friend

Chapter 9………High School Here We Come

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Introduction

H i, my name is Katrina Moore. We met in Kendra’s Diaries. You know me as Kendra’s best friend.

I want to share with you more about my life and family so you can get to know me a little better.

This is only my first story more of an introduction. There will be much more to come!!

Here we go…

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Ch. 1-Lawyer Mom

“Katrina sit up straight. I keep telling you you’re going to have bad posture.” My mom said disapproving my hunched over stance at the table.

At 5’6” there were many times I slouched trying to lose an inch, two or three. I was the tallest girl in my eighth grade class by far and in the top five tallest overall. They had a couple of underclassmen, mainly seventh graders who, like me, were tall for their age. But I was pretty sure I was in the top seven tallest students in school.

I was even taller than some of the faculty and staff who had “short genes” like my best friend, Kendra, called it when describing herself. Kendra was the reason I was slouching. It was day three of my fight with my best friend. We never had a fight before let alone went days without speaking.

“What’s wrong?” My mom asked looking around the law journal she was reading when she realized something might be wrong, other than me trying to knock off a few inches.

“Nothing.” I said in a tone conveying the complete opposite.

My mom put the book down. “Come on you’ve been moping around for days. I let you have your space but it’s enough. What’s wrong?”

How I wanted to say “Really? I’m surprised you noticed.” It was sort of true. Her and my dad were always so busy it was hard to know for sure if they paid much attention to me or not sometimes. My mom was a lawyer and my dad a doctor. Their hectic work schedules made me feel like I got scraps at times.

But when my mom said “you’ve been mopping around for days” with a look of concern it reminded me I had good parents that loved me. I knew it, but it was nice to be reminded.

“Kendra and I had a fight.”

My mom was surprised. “You and Kendra?”

“Yeah she promised to come over and help me practice for the play. But instead she went to the cheerleading Christmas party.” I sounded like a baby but I couldn’t help it.

“Let me ask you something.” My mom’s expression and tone altered and I braced for what was coming. Mom had flipped her switch to lawyer mode. “How many times has Kendra broken a promise to you?”

“Never.” I leaned back suddenly wishing I had kept quiet.

“So you and Kendra have been friends for eight years and she’s never broken a promise to you. But this one time she did?”

“Yeah.” I mumbled.

“For a Christmas party that is today and today only right?”

“Yeah.”

“But the actual play is what, more than a week or so away leaving enough other opportunities for Kendra to help right?” I didn’t bother answering. She didn’t need my affirmations to continue.

My mom shifted her argument to the fact that I was too intelligent to have a fear of speaking in front of people. And that Kendra having a party was a good thing because maybe then I would realize I was more than capable of speaking my part, the entire play if needed, if I got over my paranoia and this unrealistic notion that I couldn’t.

“Did Kendra say she wouldn’t help you practice at all?” My mom had returned to her original point.

“No.” I admired my mom’s ability to get people to be truthful even when it was evident she was using it to make her point, which was usually to show them their point was wrong. Except when she did it to me.

“But you still got angry at Kendra and stopped speaking to her?”

I shook my head yes, keenly aware of how selfish I sounded. “That doesn’t sound like you at all so tell me what’s really going on; the whole story.”

She was searching for answers she knew were there but I just hadn’t provided. She couldn’t help herself, especially when she suspected someone was being less than 100% honest with her. This intuition made her a formidable and feared attorney. My dad called her a “pit bull” when it came to finding the truth and 100% of the truth, which my mom said wasn’t always the same.

She believed people could give you the “truth” without telling you everything. She was a fierce advocate for the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. So it was futile to resist.

I bore my soul not sparing one single detail of how I had felt left out since Kendra made cheerleading several months ago. My mom listened intently without interruption, another one of her occupational traits. She believed that in the quest for the truth you had to listen intently because sometimes it was hidden in what someone didn’t say and not always in what they said.

When I was done I felt relieved. I was an only child. I had other friends at school, in my neighborhood and at church but Kendra was the person who I really confided in. I couldn’t exactly confide in her about her so I had kept what I had been feeling locked inside of me.

“It’s hard when our friends have new experiences that don’t include us. But it’s not a reason to fight or not speak and ruin a friendship. I understand how you feel but basically you need to get over it and over yourself.”

Of course she was right. I had told myself pretty much the same thing. But it still hurt.

“You and Kendra are going to be in high school next year. Whether Kendra goes to The Academy or not you will meet new people and have new and different experiences and interests. Kendra’s meeting new people, and you can do the same. But it shouldn’t affect your friendship unless you let it.”

“I know mom. Mary called me last night. She wants to go and hangout at the mall today. I wasn’t going to go but I will call her back and say yes.” Mary was a friend from church. She had asked to hangout a couple of times before but I was always busy, usually with Kendra.

“Good step one. Step two, this thing with Kendra better be resolved soon. Because if you two don’t resolve it on your own, I’m going to call Valerie and we are going to lock you in a room until you stop acting like three year olds. Okay?”

“Okay.” Lawyer mom grinned in satisfaction. Another case, another cross and another victory.

Ch. 2-Eienstein’s Church Life

Pastor Drew took his towel and wiped his brow for about the fifth time since he began his sermon. He had about two or three more swipes before he went full throttle. Usually by the tenth wipe his voice had reached an octave capable of shattering the church’s stained glass windows.

I had attended church there since I was born. It didn’t take me long to figure out Pastor’s sermons were on rotation. There were times we were surprised with a new sermon or a twist on an old one, but for the most part you could set your calendar that within 55 weeks or so, the rotation started all over again.

We were a month past Christmas and New Year’s. Pastor was giving his yearly sermon on “The Truth About Mardi Gras; It’s not for Christians.” He went on as he did every year giving a history lesson on Mardi Gras and his reasons why it wasn’t for Christians.

The Latin translation of Mardi Gras meant the removal of flesh/meat, which is why it’s celebrated the day before lent begins. It can be traced back to the ancient Roman custom of celebration before a period of fasting. There had also been discussions that Mardi Gras had roots in pagan spring festivals such as Saturnalia and Lupercalia dating back thousands of years.

Pastor continued with he was no historian of Mardi Gras and didn’t pretend to be. However, he knew enough about the history and present day practice of it to know Christians should not be lining the parade routes with their hands raised to “false gods”.

I had been Baptist all my life but had gone to Catholic school all my life. I knew more about Catholicism and Lent than everyone in here including my Pastor. I had been to Mass just as many times as I had attended service. I had never heard Father Bernard say one ill word against Mardi Gras. On the contrary, at school we made floats and had our own mini parades.

Mardi Gras was only one of the many issues Baptists and Catholics seemed to differ on. It was very interesting to me the stark differences of the two given the fact they served the same God.

“You see my mom over there squirming in her seat?” Mary whispered in my ear and pointed to her mom sitting on the other side of church. “She loves Mardi Gras.”

“Mine too.” I whispered back. “Maybe she isn’t really sick. Maybe she knew it was time for her yearly chastising from Pastor and she decided to pass.” We giggled a little too loudly. Sister Patterson at the end of the pew leaned over and gave us the “evil eye” which meant “shut up.”

We immediately put our hands on our mouths to stifle our laughter and straightened up right away. My mom was at home sick but she had eyes and ears everywhere. Even though my dad sat not too far away, I was more scared of my mom getting the word I was talking in church. Plus, I’d get it from Ms. Andrews, Mary’s mom first.

Instead of listening to the sermon, I looked toward the first pew and Drew, Pastor’s son, or as we called him, DJ. My vantage point wasn’t much, only the back of his head. Yet I’d rather look at the back of his head than at every other guy’s face there.

I had a crush on DJ. If you went down every pew and asked every girl between the ages of eleven and fourteen they would say the same thing. Every girl liked him even though we really didn’t know him. I wasn’t sure if he was aloof or shy but he didn’t mingle with the teenagers much. But it didn’t stop us girls from crushing on him. If anything it made him that much more intriguing.

I intently examined the back of DJ’s head which kept me from being bored by Pastor and it kept me from getting in trouble with Mary for the rest of the service.

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“You think Pastor has ever been to a parade? He couldn’t have or he wouldn’t think it’s ’evil.’” Derrick commented shoving a big piece of cake in his mouth. “It’s so much fun.”

It was Sister Debbie’s, the pastor’s wife, birthday. There was cake and punch in the rec center after church.

“He must have when he was younger.” Jennifer responded putting a much smaller piece of cake in her mouth.

“Wasn’t Pastor’s daddy a Pastor too? If so, maybe not.” Mary observed.

“What’s so wrong with parades?” Jennifer asked not expecting an answer.

“Nothing, just more rules the church is trying to impose on us.” I said what I had been thinking. My friends were startled. They weren’t used to me speaking out against authority. I wasn’t used to it either it just slipped out.

“Why do you always have to use big words?” Benny asked.

“Impose has six letters how is that a big word?” The second I said the word I knew Benny would have something to say.

“Because I don’t know what it means.”

“It means to try and force or make someone do something that they might not want to. For example, you and Derrick try to impose your will to talk sports even if we don’t want to hear it.” Jennifer explained with her analogy.

“Well why can’t Ms. Know It All just use the word force like normal people?”

I did talk “normal” and Benny knew it. But he’d rather give me a hard time. I got teased for being “so smart.” It used to bother me. But then I asked myself what was so wrong with being smart? I learned to let it roll off my back.

“Katrina doesn’t have to alter her language for you or anyone else. Walk around with a dictionary if you need to- wait you do know what alter means don’t you? And here’s a hint, it’s not found in a church.”

“Ha ha very funny. Yes, I know what it means. All I’m saying is we are still in elementary and Einstein talks like she’s in college.”

Benny nicknamed me Einstein when I won my first Sunday School Bee in fourth grade. I won over kids much older than us.

“Why is he always with the adults?” Derrick asked looking on the other side of the room. Without looking I knew he was talking about DJ.

“Why does it matter?”

“Jennifer, why are you and all the rest of the girls always defending ’The Prince’.” That was Derrick’s nickname for DJ. “You act like he’s Jesus and he walks on water.”

“Why are you always worrying about what he’s doing? You are the one who acts like he’s special, not us.”

“I’ve been coming here for three years and I’ve barely seen him talk to people our age.”

“I’ve talked to him.”

“Thank you Mary. I have too, though I do wish he hung out with us.” Jennifer said wistfully. “But I guess Mary, Katrina and I are stuck with you two.”

“They are lots of girls who wish they were stuck with us.” Derrick boasted.

Derrick was boasting but not exaggerating. We didn’t look at them like real guys, but other girls did. When Derrick started coming here he didn’t lack for admirers, he still didn’t. He was a nice medium brown complexion with an attractive face. He was only average height which is why I never looked at him as anything but a friend.

Benny was nice looking too and my height. But Benny and I had known each other since we were in the play pen at children’s church. He was like a brother. So I didn’t think of Derrick and Benny as real guys. Mary and Jennifer didn’t either. We were all friends and nothing more.

“You’re always saying how girls like you but we never see any around.”

“Never.” Mary added.

“Never ever.” I said.

“Don’t worry about what you see. I keep my business away from all your nosey noses and hawk eyes.”

“Yeah don’t worry about me and Derrick. Just keep worrying about The Prince over there who doesn’t even know or care you three exist.”

Benny and Derrick had a good laugh at our expense. We didn’t have a comeback because we knew they were right.

Ch. 3-Long Overdue

My mom wasn’t the only one who loved Mardi Gras. It was my favorite time of the year other than Christmas. Our family including grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends like family, met at the same spot every year. Our ladders, chairs and food took up a big part of a block.

Each year a different part of our family had the responsibility of securing our spot. When it was your family’s turn you had to be in place no later than 5:00 am to claim the spot. It wasn’t our turn this year so we had only been out there about an hour. I stood in the middle of St. Charles Ave. looking down the street for any signs of Zulu.

“Kat, when is the parade coming?” My younger cousin asked.

“Soon Matt soon.” I answered but other than a few walking krewes there wasn’t any other activity.

I turned to my left when I felt someone’s eyes on me. It was Melanie from school. She waved hesitantly and I waved back.

Melanie was new to our school. She moved from Chicago the previous summer. I was embarrassed to admit the girls in our class, including me, had made a point not to get to know her. We basically ignored her. The only girl in our class who didn’t was Erica. And our reason we hadn’t befriended her? She was beautiful and maybe in our own minds we weren’t. Our reasons were shallow and petty.

I had been feeling guilty about the way we had treated her for months. I was going to tell Kendra we had to stop going along with the crowd excluding Melanie when I found out Melanie liked Jamie, the boy Kendra liked since the fourth grade.

I found out when Kendra and I weren’t speaking over her going to the cheerleading Christmas party instead of helping me practice for the play. The day I met Mary at the mall, we ran into Erica who hung out with us. I’m sure Erica had no business telling us Melanie liked Jamie but she did. I wasn’t sure if I should have told Kendra but I did.

When I got home from the mall, I had decided to stop being silly and call Kendra when I thought she was home from the party. But she broke the ice first and called me when she got home. She had heard from Melanie’s own mouth that she was going to The Academy, the same high school Kendra and I were planning on attending together. I then told Kendra what Erica told me about Melanie liking Jamie.

Kendra wasn’t sure if she was going to be able to go to The Academy if she didn’t get a scholarship so the fact that Melanie was going and she liked Jamie sealed the deal of Melanie’s fate in Kendra’s eyes. Even though it was still up in the air if Kendra was going to The Academy, it wasn’t up in the air how Jamie felt about Kendra. Jamie liked Kendra which everyone could see. And I saw nothing that would suggest he looked at Melanie as anything other than a classmate no matter how beautiful she was.

It was time to stop treating Melanie like she had the plague. Especially if we were all going to the same high school we should give her a chance. I told my older cousin Susan to watch Matt and I headed in Melanie’s direction.

I gave her the warmest and sincerest greeting I could to dispel any awkwardness. She picked up on it immediately and an ease fell on the conversation. We had a lot in common. We were both only children. Both of our dads were doctors. And even though her mom was a nurse and mine was an attorney they were both career driven women.

Matt ran up to us and tugged me on my pants leg. “Kat! Kat! The parade is coming! Come on! The parade is coming!”

“You want to come and watch the parade with us?” Melanie eagerly accepted. “Ask your mom and dad to come too. We are where you saw me down the block. We have a ton of food, drinks and chairs.”

I took Matt back down by our family. When Melanie and her parents walked down, I introduced them to my parents and the rest of my family. Her parents and my parents hit it off instantly. We all had a great time. Melanie and I spent the next six hours continuing to get to know each other and it was long overdue.

Ch. 4-Ostracaizing

“Katrina have a seat.” My mom told me when I walked in the den. “We need to talk to you.”

My antennas went up. I hadn’t done anything bad, I never did but their faces looked like I had. My dad clicked the TV off with the remote. He spoke first.

“A few days ago I ran into Mr. Meyers at a medical conference.” I shifted in my seat. “He told me you and Melanie hadn’t spoken much since Mardi Gras.”

“Spoken much.” My dad liked to put a positive spin on everything. I inherited that quality from him. But there was no positive way to spin this. I hadn’t said one word to Melanie since Mardi Gras.

My intentions were the opposite. But the morning we went back to school a group of us girls were in the school yard talking before the bell rang. Melanie and I made eye contact and her eyes asked for permission to join us.

I wanted to say yes. I should have said yes. But I chickened out and shook my head ever so slightly to discourage her and so no one would see our interaction. I felt horrible when Melanie’s face fell and she walked away with her head down. Since then she hadn’t looked my way and I couldn’t blame her.

“Rob didn’t go into detail. But I know it’s been hard for Melanie and I guess she thought after we were all together at Mardi Gras things would be different at school, at least with you.”

“Your dad and Rob thought it might be better to let you all figure it out. But I disagree. I can’t let this go. I know how I’d feel if someone was ostracizing my daughter.”

“Cynthia, don’t you think ostracizing is too strong a word?”

“No, Paul I don’t think it is. And didn’t Rob say it was all the girls except for Erica? That means Kendra too. I’ve never known either one of them to treat someone like that.” She looked at me. “Did Melanie do something?”

I’d heard my mom say countless times a lawyer never asks a question unless they already know the answer, so she knew Melanie hadn’t done us anything. She was pretty smart and had already figured out initially it was “adolescent envy,” but she was probably stumped as to why several months later Kendra and I were still “ostracizing” Melanie.

“No…you’ve probably figured out why at first we ostra-didn’t include her.” I didn’t want to say out loud “we were jealous of Melanie.” It sounded even worse than actually feeling it.

My mom nodded her head that she understood. My daddy was puzzled. He had no clue. My mom would explain it later to him. “Why still?”

There was no way I was going to break the best friend code and spill the beans on the phantom triangle of Kendra, Melanie and Jamie. But I could tell her the other reason why.

“We did take the Melanie thing too far.” It was best to admit it and not take any chances. If I wasn’t forthcoming my mom would turn on me like I was a “hostile witness.” “When we found out Melanie was going to The Academy too it-well you know it’s hard on Kendra, hard on both of us, not knowing if she’s going. No, it wasn’t right but it was easier not to include her.”

My parent’s expression changed understanding. “When will Kendra know for sure?” My dad asked quietly.

“We should be getting our letters of acceptance soon and I think it won’t be too long after. She’s really nervous. I try to keep her encouraged and I’ve been praying.”

“I am too but when you get me and your dad’s age you know prayers aren’t like a Christmas list. There are times when prayers help us when we don’t get what we want.” That was the last thing I wanted to hear.

“And Valerie tells me Kendra might get a scholarship from St. Elizabeth or St. Francis Prep. Those are both good schools.”

“They aren’t The Academy.”

“I hope Kendra does go but I want you and her to be prepared in case she doesn’t, and it’s no reason to keep ignoring Melanie.”

“I know. And I have felt bad especially after Mardi Gras.”

“Good.” My mom was pleased. “And think about talking to Kendra. I totally understand how she feels but she’s a strong girl. I thought about calling Valerie but she’s got enough going on with her and Robert splitting. She doesn’t have time so I’m dealing with it. Okay?”

“Yes mom.”

“You call Melanie and get this all straightened out and I’ll trust you’ll talk to Kendra soon. Is there anything you’d like to add dear?”

Second chair shook his head no. First chair shook her head in approval.

Ch. 5-Someone Always Has More

I eyed Melanie’s bedroom trying not to gawk. I knew then how other people felt when they came to my house. My house could fit in Melanie’s house with room to spare. And her room? Wow!! It was gigantic. She had a queen bed, chest of drawers, dresser with the mirror, a vanity set and lots of space.

The bedroom was decorated in pink and white. Her bedroom from Chicago must have not taken the trip to New Orleans because her white bedroom furniture had a brand new sparkle to it. I could only imagine all the clothes, shoes and accessories on the other side of the white double closet doors.

Melanie and I sat on opposite ends of her bed staring at each other. Both of us were unsure of what to say. I had called her like I told my mom I would. I apologized for the way I had acted. She accepted and then we didn’t know what to say so we said good-bye and got off the phone. I didn’t ignore her at school after that yet I hadn’t really included her in our group either.

Our mom’s had set up this visit, but when we were face to face we didn’t know what to say or how to act. I started off with what people said when they saw my room.

“Your room is really beautiful.”

“Thanks.” Melanie said unfazed by the grandeur of her room just as I was when someone complimented mine.

“It’s not such a big deal when you are used to it is it?”

She smiled understanding. “No and sometimes I feel bad especially, well, you know.”

I shook my head knowing, if someone’s parents didn’t “have money.” From the looks of things Melanie’s parents had more money than mine.

“Then there is the other side, when you have “successful” parents there is the constant pressure to be ‘successful’ too.”

“Exactly, my parents have already decided I will be a doctor or a lawyer. Do you have to be a doctor or a nurse?”

“No, but I feel the pressure to be just as successful if not more. I have no idea what I want to be. You?”

“Absolutely not. I can’t even say for sure I don’t want to be a doctor or a lawyer but even if I do there is the temptation not to just because they want me to.”

“Me too. Do I really not want to be a doctor or a nurse or do I just not want to because of my parents? It’s so confusing.”

The uncomfortableness present 10 minutes prior was gone and we were comfortably sharing with each other. So I was taken off guard with what Melanie said next.

“I know I shouldn’t ask but I can’t help it. Why do all the girls at school dislike me so much?” Her voice shook a bit.

I wouldn’t try to deny what was obviously true yet I couldn’t betray my classmates’ confidence or gossip about them. Melanie picked up on my hesitation.

“Forget it. I shouldn’t have asked. It’s not fair to put you in that position.” It wasn’t. But it wasn’t fair the way we had treated her and I felt she deserved some sort of explanation. Maybe I could give her enough and she could fill in the blanks herself.

“You know we’ve been together as a class for years and then you came…um -we-I wasn’t sure how to take you.”

“I get that. I was expecting it but then it was October, November, December and now it’s almost April and Erica has really been the only girl who took the time to get to know me.”

“You’re right.” I agreed with her again not bothering to deny the obvious. “I should have-we all should have given you a chance like Erica did.”

“I thought if I could get you and Kendra to give me a chance you two could help me with everyone else since you are the leaders of the girls.”

Kendra and I leaders? I didn’t think so but I could understand how others might have. Nonetheless, it was true Kendra and I could have helped Melanie with our other classmates if we had chosen to do so. She twirled her hair around her right index finger.

“Erica told me she told you I liked Jamie. Is that why Kendra doesn’t like me?”

My guard shot up at the mention of my best friend’s name. Yes, Kendra and I had experienced some choppy waters since cheerleading and Avery came into our lives, but she was my best friend. And I was fiercely loyal and protective of her.

“I won’t ever break any confidence when it comes to my best friend.” I said with quiet firmness.

“Okay you‘re right and I’m sorry. But just listen to me. You don’t have to say anything okay?”

“Okay.”

“Kendra found out around Christmas four months ago. I’m not blind. It wasn’t hard to see Kendra liked Jamie and Jamie liked Kendra so as far as I was concerned that was that. Jamie is a classmate to me nothing more. I haven’t given him a second look since then.” Melanie confirmed what I had already observed myself.

“I hope we can all be friends. Kendra said at the Christmas party she’s keeping her options open but especially if she goes go to The Academy I want us to be friends.” Melanie said genuinely.

“We will be.” I told her assuredly. This is where my optimism trait from my dad kicked in. I chose to believe Kendra was going to The Academy. I chose to believe once Kendra knew for sure she was going she would warm up to Melanie. And I chose to be believe we would all be friends.

“Really?” Melanie wasn’t sure. I was. I knew my best friend. Kendra was a good person who was going through some difficult times. There were things she didn’t share about her home life and I accepted it. I wished she would but I knew she figured since my home life was so different, I couldn’t understand. But I trusted Kendra and she trusted me and if I took the initiative and paved the way things would be fine.

“Let me handle it.” Our expressions mirrored each other and our connection. This was the beginning of a real friendship.

Ch. 6-The Three of us

“Hey.” I greeted my dad and waved bye to Nana as we drove away. “How was the party?”

When my parents went out they often let me stay home alone but they weren’t planning to come home until the wee hours of the morning. They felt more comfortable, more relaxed and able to enjoy themselves knowing I was safe and sound by Nana’s. I didn’t mind. I loved my Nana and we were extremely close.

“We had a great time. Did you have breakfast?”

My dad looked like he hadn’t had much sleep and looked like he had “tied one on” as my parents called it when they had more than a few drinks. My mom being a pillar of the legal community refused to get behind the wheel after having one drink and would not let my daddy do it either. So when they went out they agreed on who could “tie one on” and who had to remain sober. I guess since it was my dad’s friends’ party he got the green light.

“Of course, she wanted to make her homemade pancakes but I told her she didn’t have to go through all the trouble.”

“You know she loves to make them. She used to get up extra early and make them for us every morning. We never got tired of them.”

“And when she warms the syrup so good. Did mom ever cook?”

My dad looked at me. “What do you mean? Your mom does cook.”

“You know what I mean, like Nana.” Nana called my mom a “functional cook” which meant she could do the basics but nothing fancy, nothing close to how Nana or Kendra’s mom cooked.

“If you can believe it your mom used to cook a lot, especially in law school. Her and her classmates didn’t have money to go out and eat. A bunch of them would take turns cooking for their all night study sessions. When I was in town, I would crash the ones at her place and study my medical notes. She cooked at the beginning of our marriage but when she started working where she works now…things changed.”

There was more he could say, I could tell, but he wouldn’t say it. My parents never said negative things about each other in front of me. They hardly argued. Well my mom did but my dad didn’t argue back. He might say a word or two and that was it.

Nana on the other hand had a lot to say. Her and my mom got along for the most part. But Nana didn’t hold back if she thought something needed to be said. She had a strong personality like my mom. They were similar in that way. But that is where the similarity ended. My mom was a career woman. Nana didn’t have a problem with women working outside the home but their family had to come first. Nana didn’t hide the fact she thought my mom should spend more time at home, cook more and she definitely thought it was “ridiculous” for my mom to have someone come in twice a week to clean the house.

“Are you playing golf today?” I changed the subject to a more pleasant one. My dad loved to play golf when he had time on the weekend. He said it cleared his mind and was the ultimate weekend relaxer. He might have to go home and take a nap first because he didn’t look like he could go the full 18 holes.

“Actually Mr. Meyers and I are playing today. How are things going with you, Melanie and Kendra?”

Surprisingly my mom hadn’t asked me anymore about Kendra. She had asked me how things were going with Melanie and I told her the same thing I told my dad.

“Everything is fine.” I peeked over at my dad’s watch.

“Good. We have plenty of time.” He noticed me peeking.

We did have plenty of time to get there before it started. But I wanted to get there a little early to get a good seat because I knew it was going to be packed.

It was the Annual Archdiocese Cheerleader Competition. Our school had never placed before. I wasn’t sure if we were good enough to win. But Lynette and Laura, the captain and co-captain, had done everything they could to make it happen. We had a great squad and Lynette and Laura had been brutal in their preparation.

Kendra and Melanie had been practicing so much and were so preoccupied with winning the competition, it had given me extra time to talk to Kendra about Melanie.

Kendra still didn’t know if she was going to The Academy. We had both gotten our acceptance letters. But Kendra only received a partial scholarship and it wasn’t enough. Kendra had convinced her mom to ask her grandparents to help with the other part of the tuition. They were “crunching” the numbers. But I wasn’t worried. What grandparents would say no to their grandchild? Kendra was going to The Academy and then me, her and Melanie would be friends.

“Melanie and I have been talking and she told me her parents aren’t forcing her to become a doctor or a nurse.” I said out of the blue.

My dad looked quizzically at me for a moment and turned his attention back to driving. “Is that what you think, that your mom and I are forcing you to become a doctor or a lawyer? You’re only in the eighth grade how can we be forcing you into anything?”

“Well, aren’t you? All you all talk about is me becoming a doctor or a lawyer.”

He was quietly thinking, then asked, “What do you want to be?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “Like you said I’m only in the eighth grade.”

He fought back a smile and then got serious. “Yes, but the next four years will pass quickly and the four after that even quicker. Your mom and I aren’t forcing you. We are trying to make sure you give serious consideration to your future. Law school and medical school were tough, extremely tough. But it was so worth it. We’ve been able to provide a life for you that we didn’t have growing up. A doctor and a lawyer are both highly respected careers. We have opened the doors. All you have to do is walk through them.”

I knew my parents meant well and what they did they did out of love. Even at that age I might not have known what I wanted to be. But I did know I wanted to make my own way. I believed my dad would understand or at least try to. My mom wouldn’t. And since she was “in charge” that usually meant what she said was law. So instead I said, “I get it now, please put the pedal to the medal I want a good seat.”

*****************************************************************************

Things couldn’t have been better. Kendra’s grandparents agreed to help with her tuition. Kendra was going to The Academy! I talked to Kendra and as I knew she would, she agreed to give Melanie a chance. We had become fast friends.

I cut off the bottom half of my supreme piece of pizza and gave it to Kendra. She cut off the bottom half of her pepperoni and gave it to me. Kendra, Melanie and myself were eating at the mall.

“Thanks.” Kendra said wiping her hands.

“Why not just get two pieces of pizza?” Melanie asked us.

“Exactly.” I said.

“Because everyone is not as lucky as you and Katrina. Some of us have to worry about calories. I love pepperoni and supreme pizza and can never choose one. So when Katrina and I come to the mall we split it. That way I get both kinds with only half the calories.

“You look great.”

“Thank you Melanie, maybe you can convince her because she won’t listen to me.”

“I appreciate you saying that,” Kendra told Melanie. “But 10-15 more pounds and it’s a different story.”

“Jamie, the cutest guy in our class, likes you. I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You don’t mind us talking about him do you?”

Kendra waved her hand. “Of course not, I’m sorry for the way I acted.”

“I’ve told you and Katrina no more apologies. I want to forget all that.”

“Me too.”

“Good news for me and Katrina you are already taken so that’s more guys for us at The Academy.”

“You heard her Katrina? She’s always worried saying she’s too tall and there aren’t any guys her height. Maybe you can convince her because she won’t listen to me.” Kendra used my own words against me.

“Katrina, we are going to high school. There will be lots of guys.”

“But what if all the cute ones are shorter than me? We will only be Freshman.”

“Sophomores.” Melanie and Kendra said at the same time and gave each other a high five.

“Juniors.” Kendra added.

“Seniors!” Melanie said.

I laughed at them shaking my head while hoping they were right. I thought of DJ. He was more of a fantasy than a real guy. A real guy at least my height who I liked and who liked me always felt like a fantasy. But high school meant a new school, new people and new guys.

New guys. Just the thought made me giddy and the giddiness must have reflected on my face because Melanie and Kendra were watching me with amusement.

Kendra lightly jabbed me. “Glad to see that look in your eye. I was beginning to give up hope.”

“You don’t know how it feels to look down at every guy you know. You’re short,” Kendra jabbed me a little harder. “Oow you know what I mean.”

“I do, but like Melanie said, there will be lots of guys to choose from, lots of tall guys.”

Lots of tall guys. Me, Kendra and Melanie all going to The Academy. Life was good.

Ch. 7-It Hurts Today

I hung up the phone with tears in the corner of my eyes. I wanted to go in my room, close the door and have a good cry. I tried to walk past the living room without being noticed but it didn’t work.

“Katrina.” Nana called out to me. I swallowed to steady myself before answering.

“Yes Nana?”

“Did you get my water? Nana has to take her medicine." I had forgotten all about Nana’s water.

“Sorry, I’ll get it.” I tried to sound cheerful.

“Come here.” I couldn’t fool her. “Who was on the phone?” Nana asked when I returned to the den. My bottom lip trembled. “Was it your mom or dad?” My parents were away for a few days. Nana was staying with me. I shook my head no. I struggled to compose myself and took a deep breath.

“Kendra-she-said-she-can’t-because-she’s not going to The Academy.” The words stung. Nana held out her arms and I ran to them. I let the tears run down my face. When they slowed down Nana spoke.

“Were you still thinking Kendra would be able to go even after her grandmother passed?”

In the cruelest twist of faith Meme, Kendra’s grandmother, passed away. Of course, I knew it could have changed things but I clung to hope. I sniffed and wiped my eyes with my sleeves.

“Yeah I just-just didn’t want to believe otherwise. I prayed and everything.”

Nana gave me a small smile. “Oh my dear you are young but old enough to understand that sometimes prayers are to strengthen you when you don’t get what you asked for.”

“Mom told me the same thing but….” I didn’t finish the sentence. I knew what I wanted to say but I hadn’t ever said it out loud to anyone.

“What is it baby? You know you can tell me anything.”

I was closer to Nana than my parents in a lot of ways. My grandfather had passed away before I was born. My other grandparents, my mom’s parents, retired to Florida. We took turns visiting each other. I was close to them also but due to proximity I had a closer relationship with Nana. If there was anyone I could talk to it was her.

“I feel-feel-guilty you know my family has money but Kendra’s doesn’t. I had the grades to receive a scholarship but my mom refused to let me apply. She said we could afford it and to let that money go to a family who couldn’t. Kendra’s grades are good just not enough for a full scholarship. So I have the grades and the money to go and Kendra…”

“I understand and I know how close you and Kendra are. But you shouldn’t feel guilty or sorry for her. Kendra is a smart young lady like you with a very bright future.”

“She doesn’t say it but I know there are things I have she wished she had.”

“And that’s just what they are, things. You and Kendra have the most important things in life. You are surrounded by people who love you, sacrifice for you and do their best for you.”

“It doesn’t help today. Kendra is devastated. You should have heard her. I could barely make out what she was saying she was crying so hard. But I did understand she’s not going.”

“Give her a few days. We all have to face adversity and disappointments. Keep on living and you’ll have your own. As Kendra’s friend you support her and then when you need it she will be there for you. Life comes in cycles.”

“I know you are right. But today it hurts.”

“Of course it does. Let’s do something to take your mind off of it. What would you like to do? It’s our last night before your parents come back. How about we have an early dinner at that restaurant I like not too far from here?”

Nana was in her late seventies and in very good shape. But her eyesight had started diminishing and it had affected her driving. Her doctor said she could drive but it should be during the day and for short distances. It was summer time and we had many hours until the sun went down. The restaurant was about 15 minutes away and we didn’t have to get on the interstate.

“You want to invite Kendra?”

“I do but another time.”

“Okay on our way back we can stop at the store. We will leave soon to make sure we get back before nightfall.”

“Thank you Nana.” I hugged her around her neck.

“Don’t thank me too fast because we are going to get food so I can cook. I know when your mom gets back from being away from her job she’s going to be working like crazy next week. I will make a meatloaf and big pot of spaghetti and meatballs.”

“I guess I have to help?” I had no interest in cooking.

“Yes young lady. You need to learn how to cook. And your mom is too busy to teach you. She might not cook a lot now but she does know how. And she’s doing a disservice by not showing you. I’m going to fix that.”

There were many things I wished my mom wasn’t so busy to do with me. Cooking or showing me how wasn’t on the list.

“Yes, yes, yes, so you are always saying.” She laughed at the look on my face.

“Because it’s the truth. Go and get dressed. I don’t want any of your neighbors to see us coming home after dark. I know your dad has spies watching me. And remember what I said about Kendra, just give her some time and be there for her. Everything will be all right.”

Ch.8- A Good Friend

“You aren’t listening to me.” Melanie waved her hand in front my face.

“I am.” I lied.

“You’re not. You want to watch TV?”

“Maybe later.” I didn’t want to watch TV. I didn’t want to be there. I wanted to be where I had been for almost a week, alone sulking in my room. But my mom and Mrs. Meyers decided I would spend Sunday night at Melanie’s house and we would go to Freshman Orientation together on Monday. Melanie and I were sitting on her bedroom floor listening to music.

“Your mom told my mom-you-know about Kendra.”

I was glad. I didn’t want to have to tell Melanie Kendra wasn’t going to The Academy and explain why. My mom knew that and made it so I didn’t have to. I pulled my legs to my chin.

“I don’t feel like talking about it.”

“It might help. Have you talked to Kendra yet?”

I didn’t know my mom was going to tell Mrs. Meyer everything. I hadn’t heard from Kendra since the day she called to tell me she couldn’t go.

“Not yet.”

“In Chicago I lived across the street from my best friend, Dana. Like you and Kendra we had been best friends since we were young. Dana’s mom didn’t work and since my parents were always busy I spent more time by her house than mine.”

“Her mom didn’t work?” I assumed Melanie lived in a house just as big as this one. So if Dana lived across the street I was curious about what job her dad had? “What did he do?”

“He owned a trucking company. Their house made ours look like a matchbox. Dana had five brothers and sisters so they needed the room.”

“Six kids?”

“Yep. Ms. Debbie said there wasn’t any difference between having six or seven kids in the house. I always blended right in.”

“I’m sure you did.”

“Dana always complained that she never had any privacy. I understood why but I loved going by her house. My house was always too quiet. I never really felt like an only child until we moved here. I hate it.”

“Kendra complains about Patrice too, especially with her mom working so much lately. I’ve told her being an only child is lonely. But I don’t think people can understand unless they are one.”

“The day I found out we were leaving I cried for days. When I told Dana a few days later we cried. On our way here every time I thought of Dana I cried. Best friends are special. You and Kendra have been friends too long not to be.”

“I tried calling her but Patrice told me she wasn’t home. I think Patrice was lying for her.”

“I’d probably be acting the same way if I were Kendra. I can’t blame her.”

“Before this school year we never had a fight. It started when Kendra made cheerleader and she was spending more time with y’all than me. But we got past it and now this. I can’t believe she’s not taking my calls.”

“Go by her house and talk face to face. I finally got you and Kendra to speak to me. All three of us are going to be friends no matter what school Kendra is going to okay?”

“Okay.” I said smiling for the first time.

“Don’t forget I was promised a slumber party.”

“I won’t and thanks Melanie.” I felt so much better. “You are a good friend.”

“You too.” She got up, turned the music a little louder and for the rest of the night we talked high school.

Ch. 9- High School Here We Come

“I’m not coming in. I don’t see Valerie’s car plus you and Kendra should talk alone. I’ll go and get some gas.”

I got out of our car and walked nervously to the front door. I had taken Melanie’s advice for me and Kendra to talk face to face. I rang the doorbell and Kendra answered the door.

“How you all doing?” I said, and walked in.

“Hey!” Patrice ran to give me a hug.

“Patrice, go and watch TV in the back. Katrina and I need to talk in private,” Kendra told Patrice.

“I wanna stay in here.” Patrice looked to me for help. Sometimes I would let her stay around when Kendra tried “to get rid of her.” But today was different.

“Go ahead. We will go to the mall again soon.”

“Promise?” Patrice asked expectantly.

“Promise,” I crossed my heart.

When Patrice left the room, Kendra and I stood there, facing each other. She spoke first. “How was orientation?”

“It wasn’t the same without you.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m sure you and Melanie had a horrible time without me,” Kendra rolled her eyes.

“How is your mom doing? My mom has been asking about her. She hasn’t talked to her since the funeral.” I knew Kendra was hurt so it was easy to look past the sarcasm.

“We are moving in with Papa,” Kendra said, the last thing I expected.

“What about your house?”

“We need to sell the house, to get out from under the ‘financial burden.’ Papa has one less check coming in, but he owns his house, so it makes sense for us to live together.”

“Oh.” Again Kendra said something unexpected that had me temporarily at a loss for words. But when I spoke I addressed what had been nagging at me.

I understand you are going through a lot, but what I don’t get is: why have you been shutting me out?” I knew she’d had a rough couple of months. All I wanted was to be there as her best friend.

“Katrina, I just lost Meme, I found out I am not going to The Academy, and now we are moving. Things are very difficult for me right now. Surely you can understand that?”

“Of course I understand. What I don’t understand is, we are friends. I am supposed to be here for you, but you won’t let me. Can you help me understand that?”

“It’s just—just,” Kendra struggled with her words.

“Just what?” I asked exasperated.

“I am jealous, okay. I am jealous of your perfect life. I said it. Are you happy now?”

I knew Kendra wished her family had more money. But jealous was a strong word and perfect was an even stronger one. My life was far very far from perfect.

“You think my life is perfect?”

“Yes. You live a perfect life: perfect parents, perfect house, perfect room, perfect clothes, perfect shoes, perfect everything.”

“So, you think my life is perfect? Not even close. You don’t know what it is like being an only child. It is lonely. My parents are always working. Half the time, they are not home, and when they are, they might as well not be, because they are working. You have no idea the pressure I am under. My parents, like you, think I am perfect. I have to make all A’s. I have to go to college, and then go to law school or medical school. They might make me go to both. I have to be a successful lawyer or doctor. I have to find the perfect man, like my daddy, to marry, and have perfect kids. My parents planned my whole life, before I was even born.”

It was important for Kendra to understand what I was trying to tell her. Yes, I had things and yes I enjoyed them. But there were also things she had in her life I wouldn’t mind in mine. More importantly, I didn’t want Kendra to have such a negative view of her life, that was not good.

“Still sounds better than my life.”

“No, it doesn’t, because you can live your own life. You have a lot going for yourself.”

“You are just saying that.”

“No, I am not,” I insisted. “You are definitely more confident and outgoing than me. You have a cute boy who likes you. I have only met a couple who are my same height. Look at how you didn’t give up on cheerleading. It took a while but you did it. You made it.”

Oh I wished DJ looked at me the way Jamie looked at her. And the way Kendra loved cheerleading I would have given anything to feel that way about something. I had tried sewing, singing and piano but nothing had kept my interest.

“Well, you are the only person who sees me that way.”

“No, I am not. My mom said the same thing. She told me, ‘God knows who can handle what.’ She said, if it was me having to go to ’55, she would have to come with me and hold my hand. She said you are strong. She is right. You can handle it.”

“Katrina, I behaved like such an idiot.”

“Yep, but I did too when you made cheerleader, so let’s call it even, okay?”

“Okay.” We hugged each other tightly.

Things were back the way they should be!! The doorbell rang. It was Kendra’s daddy. I greeted Mr. Forbes warmly. I hadn’t seen him in a long time. My mom blew her horn.

“There’s my mom.”

“I’m going to go and tell her hello.” Mr. Forbes went to go and talk to my mom. Kendra and I went outside too.

“Have a good first day of school, Monday.” Kendra said with no sarcasm which let me know things were really okay between us. It made me feel sad all over again to think of the first day of high school without my best friend there with me.

“It won’t be the same without you. Are you nervous about school?”

“Nervous about not knowing anyone. But I will be fine,” Kendra said confidently.

“Yep, you sure will be. I’ll talk to you later?”

“Of course,” Kendra assured me.

“Friends forever,” I started to walk to the car.

“Oh, I almost forgot!” Kendra turned me around. “Jamie asked me to go steady!” I clasped my hand over my mouth and gasped. Finally! “Yes!” Kendra’s eyes danced.

“Promise me you will tell me every detail later!” My mom blew the horn again.

“I promise. Friends forever.”

I practically skipped back to the car. Kendra and I were friends again! The more I had thought about it, us going to different schools wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Different schools meant we had more to share with each other. This was a new beginning! High school here we come!!

Thank you for reading Katrina’s Short Story Book One in The Growing Pains Series!

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New Beginnings, Book Two in The Growing Pains Series click here!