Melinda’s Journal
Monday, March 5
Babysitting with Pat was an interesting experience. As annoyed as he made me at times, I feel like I learned a lot about him. Turns out, he’s great with kids. And I loved falling asleep in his arms.
Unfortunately, today is our last day together. I’m not going to see him for almost two weeks.
What am I going to do?
Melinda’s Story
When I opened my eyes, I was a little disoriented. I was still on the Kennedy’s couch. Pat’s chest was my pillow, rhythmically rising and falling as he slept.
Rubbing my eyes, I sat up. Something had woken me. I assumed Mr. Kennedy was returning home. Frowning, I made my way to the kitchen.
Light was pouring in through the back windows. Early morning light. It was just past dawn. Mrs. Kennedy was making herself a pot of coffee.
She smiled as I entered the room. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
I shook my head. “No. It’s fine. Your husband should have woken us when he got home.”
Mrs. Kennedy sighed. “He just boarded his plane half an hour ago. I just got in a few minutes ago. How was Dax?”
I winced. “Not that bad?”
She laughed. “It’s okay. You can tell me.”
I bit my lip. “He got wet in the sandbox, so he stripped off all his clothes. Then he was covered in sand, so I gave him a bath. He read while I made dinner. I thought you said he couldn’t talk.”
Mrs. Kennedy gave a half-smile. “He read to you?” When I nodded, she sent me a knowing look. “His doctors call it hyperlexia. The ability to read at a young age at an advanced level. He has been obsessed with numbers and letters for a long time. You probably guessed that when you watched his movie?”
I laughed. “I didn’t even know what digraphs were until we were watching the movie.”
“Neither did I. But Dax just absorbs it all. And one day, we were driving, and he started reading the street signs. It was the first time I heard him speak. He still doesn’t talk to us, but he loves reading. Anyway, thank you so much for watching him last night.”
I smiled. “I enjoyed it.” When I saw Pat entering the room, I gestured to him. “Pat helped translate, so we all had a fantastic time.”
Mrs. Kennedy squinted at Pat. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”
Pat turned away, making his voice just a little deeper. “No, I don’t think so.”
Mrs. Kennedy shook her head. “That’s what I get for staring at my phone all night. Anyway, thanks again.” She passed me some money as she followed us to the front door.
I smiled. “No problem. And, if you need a sitter again, call me. I’m home for the next couple of weeks.”
“That’s good to know.”
Waving, Pat and I headed outside. The sky was growing lighter. I took a deep breath of the brisk air, turning to Pat as I entered the code into the keypad beside the garage door.
“Wow. I think I get why you and Walter go running so early. I suddenly feel so awake.”
Pat kissed my head as we weaved between my parents’ cars. “You’re welcome to join us.”
I shook my head. “Not a runner. But I’m definitely up for the morning.”
Walter was stretching in the kitchen. His eyes bugged out of his head when Pat and I walked through the door. He glanced over his shoulder before hissing at us.
“Where were you? Have you two been out all night?”
Pat didn’t answer. He gave me one more quick kiss before hitting his brother on the shoulder. “I’ve got to change. Wait for me. I’ll join you in a few.”
Walter sent me an expectant look. “What’s going on?”
I rolled my eyes. “Walter, we were babysitting. You knew that.”
“I knew you were babysitting. When did Pat sneak over?”
“He didn’t sneak over. I had my mom send him over when I realized I couldn’t understand anything Dax was signing.”
Walter frowned, but he didn’t get to finish what he was saying. My mother entered the kitchen, smiling at me as she headed to the coffeemaker. “Morning. I didn’t expect to see you up this morning. What time did you get in last night?”
I shrugged. “A few minutes ago. Mr. Kennedy never came home. Mrs. Kennedy just got in a little while ago.”
My mother frowned. “Oh. Well, you two weren’t up all night, were you?”
I shook my head. “Nah. I fell asleep right after you called me. I’m not sure about Pat. He was watching a movie.”
He entered the room with a smile. “I don’t think I made it through the first half hour.” He smacked his brother. “Ready, Doofus?”
Walter’s expression told me he still had a lot of questions, but he followed his brother outside. While the coffee brewed, my mother turned to me.
“Are you going back to bed?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m up. I’m going to take a shower.”
“Okay. Think about what you would like to do today.”
I couldn’t explain why, but spending the night on the couch made me feel grimy. After a nice relaxing shower, I felt human again. And hungry. I was debating whether to eat breakfast or wait for the boys as I entered the kitchen. Pat and Walter came through the kitchen door at almost the same time.
I smiled. “Perfect timing. I was just thinking about breakfast.”
Walter nodded. “Excellent. I want more of those waffle things.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. Why don’t you use my shower so Pat can use Joey’s bathroom?”
“Sounds good to me.” With a shrug, Walter headed upstairs.
Smiling, Pat kissed the top of my head. “Mmm. You smell nice.”
I pushed him away, wrinkling my nose. “You don’t.”
I was kidding, and he seemed to know. Making a face, he followed his brother upstairs.
I decided to wait for my friends before eating. It wasn’t like frozen waffles took long to cook. Somehow, my brother beat them down the stairs.
I glanced at the clock. “Don’t you have a bus to catch?”
“Yes. But I overslept. Walter and I were up late playing Druid King.”
My mother narrowed her eyes as she followed my brother into the kitchen. “How late?”
“Uh, ten?”
My mother pursed her lips. I knew she didn’t believe him. Neither did I. But it wasn’t my place to get Joey in trouble.
My mother went to the refrigerator. “Would you like some eggs?”
Joey shook his head. “My bus’ll be here in a few minutes. Where’s my lunch?”
My mother removed the blue sack from the fridge. “Here you go. Dad’s got a meeting at four, so I probably will be at work at least until dinner. Make sure you do your homework as soon as you get in.”
My brother groaned. “Mom. What about karate?”
My mother winced. “I forgot. Fine. Is your bag packed?” When my brother nodded, my mother pointed at the ceiling. “Grab it. Throw it in my car on your way to the bus. I’ll pick you up after school.”
As Joey ran upstairs, my mother turned to me. “Eggs?”
I shrugged. “I was going to wait for Pat and Walter. Oh, I told Walter to use my shower.”
My mother nodded. “Your brother was running late, of course, so I told Pat he could go in there as well.”
I was a little surprised, since my mother had been so upset Saturday morning, but I held my tongue. As my mother pulled out the carton of eggs, she glanced at me over her shoulder.
“So, what are you and your friends doing today?”
I shrugged. “No clue. Didn’t ask them yet.”
Joey rushed through the kitchen. “Here’s my bag.”
My mother held out a hand. “I’ll take it. Breakfast?”
He grabbed a granola bar from the cabinet. “All set. See you after school.”
With a wave, he rushed out the front door. Glancing through the window, I could see my brother running to the end of the street. Glancing at the clock, I smirked at my mother.
“What are the odds he’ll make the bus?”
She shook her head. “How late do you think he was up last night?”
Before I could answer, Walter came into the room. “Do I smell eggs?”
My mother smirked. “Hey, Walter. Quick question. How late were you playing video games last night?”
Walter shrugged. “I think midnight. Not positive. Why?”
My mother just shook her head. “No reason.”
Rolling my eyes, I turned to my friend. “So, what do you want to do today?”
“I was thinking we could go to that sportsplex we went to last time. Mini golf, bowling. Maybe some laser tag?”
Before I could answer, my mother shook her head. “It’s a school day. That place won’t open until at least two.”
Walter sighed as my mother placed a plate of eggs in front of him. “Oh well. I guess I’ll just read through my scripts until then.”
My mother turned to me. “I’m going to work. You three are welcome to stay here all day. If you go out, just text me so I know where you are.”
“Do you want us home for dinner?”
My mother sighed as Pat entered the room. “I don’t even know if I’ll be home for dinner. Why don’t you order pizza?”
“What about Joey? When’s he done with karate?”
My mother swore under her breath. “Right in the middle of your father’s conference call.”
Pat smiled. “I can pick him up.” He turned to me. “I’m assuming you know where it is and everything.”
Nodding, I turned to my mother. “Would that help, Mom? We’ll pick up Joey, grab some pizza from the place next door?”
My mother kissed the top of my head. “You would be a lifesaver.” She turned to Pat. “I need to call your mother. What time is too early?”
Pat glanced at the clock. It was nearly nine, meaning it was a little before six in California. He shrugged. “She’s probably awake. But she may be working out.”
“Okay. You kids think about what you want to do today.”
Placing a bowl of scrambled eggs on the table, my mother disappeared upstairs.
I turned to the boys. “How was your run?”
Walter shrugged. “I hate your neighborhood. Too many hills.”
“You two didn’t look that winded when you came home.”
Pat smirked. “That’s because we gave up. Walked uphill, ran downhill.”
Walter nodded. “I call it endurance training.”
I rolled my eyes. I called it cheating. But I wasn’t a runner, so I said nothing and changed the subject.
“So, if we can’t go to the sportsplex until after lunch, what should we do today?”
Pat turned to his brother with a shrug. “Weddas?”
When Walter smacked his hand to his forehead, I giggled. “Seriously? You forgot it again?”
Walter nodded. “Yes. No, wait. I think I may have packed it.”
When we finished eating, Walter ran upstairs to see if he had his family’s favorite board game. Pat and I had just finished cleaning the kitchen when his phone rang. He held it up a little, indicating he had to answer it, but he needn’t have bothered. I had recognized the song. His mother was calling.
As Pat went to the living room, my mother returned to the kitchen, pointing over her shoulder. “Was that Kara calling?”
Nodding, I figured I’d check on Walter. But my mother gestured for me to return to my seat. Pouring herself a cup of coffee, she settled across from me.
“I didn’t have time to talk to you this morning. How did babysitting go?”
I sighed. “Dax is a handful. Thank you so much for letting Pat help me. I really don’t think I could have done it alone.”
My mother passed me her phone. “Carrie sent me this. I didn’t see it until after you got home.”
I glanced at the text. The message asked, Should I wake them? It was under a picture of me and Pat sleeping on the couch. My head was on his chest and his arm was around me. I thought we looked adorable and wanted to forward the picture to my phone. But I didn’t think that was the reaction my mother was looking for.
I returned the phone with a shrug. “Pat said you told him to stay.”
She nodded. “Yes. I have to ask. Did the two of you behave yourselves?”
I did my best not to roll my eyes. “Yes. I mean, we may have kissed once or twice, but that was it. When Dax fell asleep, we brought him to his room and went back downstairs to watch TV. That was all.”
“Your father and I have been talking. You’ve shown some amazing maturity the past few months. How would you feel about going away for your spring break?”
I wrinkled my nose. “Like on vacation? Doesn’t Dad have to work? And Joey’s got school.”
“Yes. Which is why you would go alone. Kara invited you to the premiere of Patrick’s new movie. In Hollywood.”
I could feel my jaw drop. “Seriously?”
“Kara’s still working on the plane situation, but you can fly out with the boys tomorrow and spend the rest of your break in LA.”
“You mean it? For, like, all of break?”
My mother nodded. “Your father and I have been going back and forth on this for the past week. We wanted to wait until we decided before talking to you about it. We were very impressed by your maturity last night.”
“Mom, Pat and I—”
My mother waved a dismissive hand. “Not you and Patrick alone together. You realized you were in over your head and asked for help. When I told your father last night, he couldn’t believe it, either. Like it or not, you’re growing up. So, we decided you were mature enough to handle two weeks in Hollywood.”
“You convinced Dad to let me go?”
“Actually, it was the other way around. Walter and Kara are working during the week, but your father believes you and Patrick will behave yourselves.”
“Oh, we will. I promise. But this seems a little too good to be true. What’s the catch?”
“This is your birthday present from me and your father. And if you and Patrick do anything that you shouldn’t—and I will find out—then we will pull you from Hartfield.”
I sighed. That was a weighty threat. Despite all my protesting when my parents first told me about my new school, Hartfield had become my home. But I wasn’t worried. Pat and I had self-imposed rules for a chaste relationship. We were in no danger of breaking my mother’s trust.
“I promise we’ll behave. Thank you! Thank you!”
I gave my mother a big hug before hurrying to find my friends.
Pat’s Story
Monday morning, my watch alarm woke me, reminding me it was time to go running with my brother. As I turned it off, I opened my eyes and was immediately confused. I was still on the couch at Melinda’s neighbor’s house. I could see sunlight through the back windows.
Had Melinda gone home without me?
Rubbing my eyes, I headed to the kitchen, finding my girlfriend speaking with a woman I assumed was Dax’s mother.
Melinda gestured to me. “Pat helped translate, so we had a fantastic time.”
The woman turned to me with a frown. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”
I avoided her gaze. “No. I don’t think so.”
The woman sighed. “That’s what I get for staring at my phone all night. Anyway, thanks again.”
She was leading Melinda to the front door. Grabbing my bag, I followed them. With a wave, Melinda and I made our way across the street. As she entered the code into the keypad beside the garage door, Melinda smiled at me.
“Wow. I think I get why you and Walter go running so early. I suddenly feel so awake.”
I followed her inside, kissing her head as we walked between the two cars. “You’re welcome to join us.”
“Not a runner. But I’m definitely up for the morning.”
When we entered the kitchen, my brother was doing his pre-run stretches. His jaw dropped, and he stared at us with wide eyes. After checking over his shoulder, he leaned closer, hissing in a whisper that was almost scolding.
“Where were you? Have you two been out all night?”
Instead of answering, I kissed Melinda and headed upstairs. As I passed my brother, I punched his shoulder, hurting my hand more than his muscular arm. “I’ve got to change. Wait for me. I’ll join you in a few.”
I didn’t need long. I was in my running clothes and back downstairs in time to hear Melinda telling her mother when she fell asleep. “I’m not sure about Pat. He was watching a movie.”
I smiled. “I don’t think I made it through the first half hour.” I hit Walter again. “Ready, Doofus?”
He didn’t look ready. He looked like he had a lot of questions, but I headed outside anyway. He followed me.
As soon as I closed the garage behind me, he turned to me. “You and Melinda spent the night together?”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t like that.”
He pointed to me as we jogged uphill. “You mean to tell me you and your girlfriend were practically home alone, all night, and nothing happened?”
I shrugged. “Pretty much. We ate popcorn, watched some movies, and fell asleep on the couch.”
“And Melinda’s mother was okay with this?”
I smirked. “Melinda was going to send me home when the kid fell asleep. Her mother told me to stay until the parents got home.”
“All night?”
I shrugged. “It wasn’t supposed to be all night. The dad is stuck in, like, Texas or the Midwest or something. Flight keeps getting canceled.”
I didn’t give Walter a chance to respond. I ran down the hill, probably a little faster than I should have, considering its steepness. I used that momentum to make my way partway up the next hill. By the time Walter caught up with me, I was panting.
He slowed to a walk, gesturing to the hill as I matched his pace. “Let’s . . . try . . . something new.”
I sent him a skeptical look. “Such as? There aren’t a lot of side roads to choose from.”
He shook his head. “No. Same route. We just run downhill. Walk uphill.”
“So in.” We sealed the deal with a fist bump.
When we returned to the house, I wasn’t surprised to see Melinda waiting for us in the kitchen. She sent us a huge smile.
“Perfect timing. I was just thinking about breakfast.”
Walter nodded. “Excellent. I want more of those waffle things.”
Melinda rolled her eyes, but I wasn’t sure what she was saying about me. Or maybe this time it was about my brother. She gave him permission to use her shower so I could use her brother’s. While Walter went upstairs, I thanked her for being so considerate.
As I kissed the top of her head, I couldn’t help noticing she smelled like strawberries. “Mmm. You smell nice.”
She made a face as she pushed me away. “You don’t.”
I hoped she was kidding. Of course, I knew I didn’t smell so hot after my run, but she wasn’t serious about being disgusted by it, right? Making a face in return, I went to shower.
I almost bumped into Melinda’s mother at the top of the stairs.
“Oh, Patrick. Joey’s running behind, of course. Would you mind using Melinda’s bathroom this morning?”
Was this a trap? The other day she was upset that I had been in there and now she was okay with it?
“Uh, yeah. I guess.”
Nodding, she went back to her room. I went in search of clean clothes.
Attention Hammerheads
Melinda is always trying to build her vocabulary. What were some words in this episode that were new to you? She will add them to her vocabulary journal.
Hartfield Chronicles 