I walk to the pay phone in the gym lobby and call my dad.
“Did you make the squad?” he asks.
“Don’t know yet. Won’t know until Monday. Can you come get me?”
“Oh, honey, I’m sorry. But don’t worry about it. You’ll make it. I have faith.” Mom must have asked him if I made the squad because he repeats to her what I told him. “I’m leaving now. See you in a few minutes.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
I step outside the gym to wait for my dad on one of the benches.
It’s almost 9:00 p.m. when we get home. I am pooped. Mom wants to know about my tryout, so I tell her and decide to call it a night. As I am about to head upstairs, the phone rings.
“I’ll get it,” I call as I walk to the phone. “Hello?”
“So, is my best friend a cheerleader for Ridgefield Junior High?” I smile. It’s Jake.Best friend?
I laugh. “Nope, not yet. Squads will be posted on Monday,” I say, unable to hide the disappointment in my voice.
“Cheer up, buttercup,” Jake says cheerfully. “You got this. I heard from a friend who heard from a friend that you nailed your tryout.”
I laugh again. “Oh? And who is this friend?”
“You never mind that. Just trust me,” he says confidently. I envy his confidence. “So tell me all about it.”
“There’s really not much to tell,” I say but tell him what I told my mom. “There were so many girls who were really good.”
“Hey, hey, hey, what did I tell you? Now is not the time for doom and gloom.” He hesitates. “Which brings me to the other reason I am calling.”
“And that is?”
“Whatcha doin’ tomorrow?”
I sigh. “You know the English lit paper due Monday? Well, I have practiced my routine all week after school and haven’t even started it. I really need to work on that this weekend.”
“Perfect, I haven’t started mine either. Wanna work on it together?”
“Ugh, um, yeah sure.” I really like the idea of working together on the paper, but I can’t help but wonder why he and Melissa aren’t working on it. We are all in the same class.
“I don’t mean to be rude, but can I come over to your house? Mom and Dad are great at allowing me time for homework, but sometimes they forget and distract me without realizing it.”
I laugh. “My parents do the same, but I will make them promise to let us study and not share with us the latest item they are guessing on thePrice is Rightor theirFamily Feudresponses.”
“That’s my mom and dad too!Family Feudis their favorite, and they oftencompete with each other.”
“Our parents are something.” I giggle. “Let me ask my mom about tomorrow night. Hang on.” I cover the voice portion of the receiver and turn toward the family room. “Mom? Dad?”
They both look over at me.
“Can I have a friend come over tomorrow to work on our lit paper that is due Monday?”
“Of course,” my mom replies. “Your girlfriends are always welcome, honey.”
“Um, Mom, it’s not a girl. Is that okay?”
She looks at my dad and stutters a bit. “Well… um…. Yes, of course. Invite the young man for dinner too.”
Oh my, she is definitely getting the wrong idea here. I get back on the phone. “Yep, it’s cool. Mom said you should come for dinner if you want.”
