“Sure thing, Jackie.”
I went to the candy store, and purchased a pint-sized clear plastic container of freshly made chocolate covered peanuts. Kristen apologized to me, and this was my way of telling her that I forgave her.
There were still a few more minutes to kill, so I did some window shopping until I noticed that Merry and Jackie got up from the bench that they were sitting on, which I guessed was a signal for me that it was safe to return.
Merry made herself scarce as I went to talk with Jackie. Jackie and I sat back down on the bench.
“Jim, I need to apologize for last night.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You don’t understand,” Jackie said. “I’ve lived in Camille’s shadow for a long time. She became a cheerleader in tenth grade, and it took me until mid-season last year to get on the squad. Kristen and you are sort of a legend, and Camille, Lynette, and even June seem to be part of it. I think I was a bit jealous.”
I nodded. What Jackie told me made sense.
“When Kristen ran into your room and started yelling, I got scared,” Jackie said. “I thought I did something wrong. When Kris came out of the room, however, she looked completely destroyed. What happened in there?”
I sighed. “I’m sorry you got in the middle of that, Jackie. Nobody blames you for what happened, and nobody is holding anything against you.”
“But what happened?” Jackie asked.
“That’s a private matter, Jackie.”
Jackie stared at me for a few minutes, and must have decided that I wouldn’t budge on this issue. Switching tracks, Jackie said, “I’m sorry if I tried to…”
“I said, nobody blames you, Jackie. You did nothing wrong.”
“You’re really not mad at me?” Jackie asked.
“Come back over in a couple of days, Jackie.”
“Really?”
“I mean it, but before you come, I’ll have Kristen call you to let you know that it’s all right with both of us.”
“Thanks, Jim.”
“Did you give Merry the secret handshake and everything?” I asked, changing the subject.
“We’ve found it prudent in the past not to tell the new people about the initiation unless they are alone.”
“I’m cool with that.”
Jackie asked, in a conspiratorial whisper, “Are you going to set up another recording session for Kristen on the first day of school?”
I laughed. “I’ve already done that once. I can’t continue to try to outdo the stuff I did last year. It would make things impossible very quickly. Besides, Kris will be at college.”
Jackie looked disappointed. “Well, whatever you do, we’re behind you.”
I looked around, and saw Merry looking over at us from the other side of the food court. I got up, and Jackie followed me. I kissed Jackie as Merry approached us. “I’m really not angry with you, Jackie.”
As we walked toward the area where our bikes were locked, Merry finally got up the nerve to ask me her question.
“Jim?” Merry asked, a bit nervously.
“Yeah, sis?”
“I’ve been told there’s going to be an initiation, and I need to bring a boyfriend.”
“Who will you bring?” I asked. “Jack Williams?”
Despite her nervousness, Merry burst out laughing. Jack and Merry never really got along. “I don’t have a boyfriend,” Merry finally admitted.
“I told you on New Year’s, any boy would be proud to have you as their girlfriend.”
“Some of my friends date, but none of the boys that asked me were… mature enough.”
I didn’t want to torture my sister too much. “Maybe I could ask Jackie if the squad would allow you to bring your brother?”
“She said I could bring anybody,” Merry said quickly.
“Did you want me to attend?” I asked her.
“Could you? I could tell Mom…”
“Just tell her you’re with me,” I suggested. “I don’t think Mom will mind if I’m there, but your dad will probably have a fit if he hears that you’re attending a cheerleader initiation.”
Merry once again threw her arms around me, and kissed my cheek. “Thank you, Jim!”
“No problem, sis.”
Merry and I ate lunch at Vaughn’s, and Merry wouldn’t consider any dessert, let alone the Belly Buster. We talked a lot together. Merry told me about her friends, and she again talked about her hopes and expectations about attending high school.
Although I didn’t want to disappoint her too much, I tried to reset her expectations so that they weren’t too high.
When we got back home, Mom gave me a warm smile. “Will you be having dinner with us? I’m making roast beef.”
“I’m not sure. I think I need to give Kristen a call.”
“No problem, Jim. We’ll have plenty enough for leftovers, so you and even Kristen won’t be a bother.”
“Let me call her first.”
“Is there something wrong between the two of you?” Mom asked.
I shook my head. “Kris needed to spend some private time without me, and I haven’t been coming over as much as I want. I miss my sister, the house…”
“Sister?” Mom asked, surprised. Just like Lynette and Merry, my mother noticed the wording change as well. Was I that fucking obvious?
“Don’t make a big deal out of it, Mom. Merry and I talked, and I decided that always referring to her as my step-sister didn’t make sense. She’s always wanted a brother, and I’ve always wanted a sister.”
My mother smiled at me. “I’m glad things are working out with the two of you.”
“You don’t mind if I borrow Merry next weekend, will you?”
“Borrow?”
“Kristen and I will pick her up, and we’ll take her to lunch and dinner. I really want to spend more time with Merry, since we’ll be going to the same school in a few weeks.”
“I’ve let her stay over before, Jim. Why the personal request?”
I sighed. “I have a music studio at the apartment, as well as a pool table. Merry’s all worked up about what high school will entail, and Kris and I want to talk with her so that she doesn’t get too disappointed. Merry likes hearing me play, and I only have the upright here. Kris is going to get me a mixer to go with my multi-track recorder so I can make professional sounding demos.”
“Really?” Mom asked, impressed.
“I also want to get a few friends together and put together an ensemble. Gerry said he can get me an audition for a weekly gig at Puppy Dawg’s.”
“You’re too young to go to Puppy Dawg’s,” Mom pointed out.
“Too young to drink, but not too young to perform. You know how I feel about drinking.”
My mother nodded. “Who do you have lined up for your ensemble?”
“Sam, Roy, Stacy, Bill, myself, Kristen, Amy, and Derek,” I said. “I haven’t gotten in touch with all of them, but I think we’d make a killer band.”
“How much money a week?” Mom asked, always the stickler for details.
“Gerry makes a hundred fifty, and his best stuff consists of songs that I arranged for him. I was thinking of using the venue to record us all together, so we can make live demos for the record companies.”
“Well, be careful, Jim,” Mom said. “I know I don’t have to tell you this, but beware. The music industry isn’t easy to get into, and it’s also difficult to get out when you’re big. Charley Swift told me at Kristen’s birthday party that she used to perform, so you might want to get her perspective and advice on this.”
“Great idea, Mom!”
Mom beamed.