“Cameron!” I shout. “Let’s go!” I don’t know why, but I think he should be with me. Who knows what kind of news I am going to get, but I don’t want to be alone. This is a family thing, and even though he’s only seven he should know the verdict.
I rush to the kitchen and grab the phone from the counter. Those butterflies in my stomach are balled up in a knot.
“Hello?” I say. “Hi, Mom, how are you? I miss you. Are you doing okay?” I can’t help the things flying out of my mouth.
“Hi, baby!” Mom says. “Wow! Don’t you sound all grown up.” She sounds happy. Well, happier than when I left Brooklyn.
“She better not be that grown up,” says a male voice.
“Daddy?” I cry.
“Hey, baby girl, I had to call and check on you. Make sure you’re keeping your cool down there,” says my dad sweetly. “And how’s Cameron? Is he behaving himself?”
“Yes, I think he’s grown an inch,” I answer, but I don’t want to talk about Cameron, who grabs at the phone; I dodge him while I’m trying to find the words to get some answers.
“So I hear you and Sally are getting along better,” says Mom. “That’s really good to hear, sweetie.”
“Yeah, I’m actually having fun,” I admit. “It’s not like I remember at all.”
“What about this little boy I’m hearing about?” asks Dad. “Do I have to come down there with my shotgun?” My dad’s jokes can be funny and scary at the same time. It depends on whether he’s smiling…or maybe not. It’s hard to tell with him. But my aunt must’ve said something, since she thinks everything is cute with me and Sally.
“Um.” I giggle.
“Um, what?” my dad says.
“Nothing, Dad.” I smile. “Remember you said that when I get to junior high I can have a phone? So can I have a phone now?”
“I’m assuming so you can call this boy, huh?” he asks. “Yeah, I’m gonna have to pull out the shotgun.”
“Johnnie, leave her alone,” my mom says. “We’ll see about that when you get home, baby. And, Johnnie, I know my girl has been a perfect lady, but she and I will talk more privately when she’s home.” Uh-oh! Not the talk. I already know where babies come from, and I didn’t learn it at home. A girl at my school was supposedly pregnant, which is crazy because she is around my age. The rumors that swirled were unbelievable and sad, but I think my whole grade learned that boys and girls can make babies even if they are just becoming teenagers. I felt sorry for the girl, but I never found out what really happened. She was so brave about everything, but I just remembered saying to myself, I wouldn’t want that to happen to me. So that was another reason why I didn’t think about boys—well, until I met Charlie.
“Well, this boy better keep his hands to himself, if he knows what’s good for him,” my dad continues. Okay, Dad!
“I can handle myself, Dad.”
“Well, okay,” says Mom.
“So are you, um…” Before I can find the words to ask about them and what they’ve decided, Cameron starts to tug at the phone. “Cameron, stop.”
“I want to talk too,” insists Cameron. But I haven’t told them how I made it to the double Dutch finals. Did my aunt tell them? Why didn’t they mention it? Do they even care?
“Let me speak to my boy,” Dad says before I can ask my question and get an answer. I just sigh and let Cameron have the phone.
“Hi, Mommy! Are you coming here?” Cameron asks excitedly. “Daddy!” I’ve never seen my little brother so excited to speak to my dad before. He may be young, but I think he understands what’s going on.
Ding-dong-ding-dong-ding-dong! I walk to the front door because someone is ringing the bell as if they like pushing buttons. And I am right….Because when I open the door, I see four Bouncing Belles in their sunglasses and bathing suits. Uh, what? I hear Aunt Jeanie calling Sally to the door. Sally comes running, not knowing what to expect, but opens the door wider to see her enemies. I think every drop of pool water evaporates off her face at that very moment. I stand there with her. I’ve got her back.
“Can I help you?” asks Sally, trying to be polite.
“We heard there was pool party and we were invited,” Ivy says smugly. “And a party’s not a party unless we’re there.”
“Invited? By who?” Sally asks. Brie looks toward Aunt Jeanie, who pretends not to be watching or listening. She’s whistling about her business as she stirs the iced tea. She stops and looks up at us.
“Well, I thought it would be a good idea, since you are going to be on the same double Dutch team and all,” Aunt Jeanie says matter-of-factly.
Sally looks at Ivy, then at me, as if she’s thinking of the best way to handle this. Then: Slam! She slams the door right in their faces. I didn’t see that coming! We high-five like we one-upped them big-time. Aunt Jeanie doesn’t say a word but shoots Sally a fiery look and stands with one hand on her hip. Now I see where Sally gets that stance from.
“I know, Mama, but it’s time they stop bullying,” Sally says.
“I couldn’t agree more. And now is the perfect opportunity for you to set the record straight,” Aunt Jeanie says as she gathers the tea on a tray. “I trust you’ll do the right thing.” She grabs the tea and heads out back to the pool. She was a little wrong for inviting Sally’s bullies over without telling her first, but what she said was right. It’s
