Finding Home Read online

  On the way back to their car, they passed the old art gallery. “Can we look?” Ashley only wanted to see the pieces that hung in the front.

  “I was just going to ask if you wanted to walk over here!” Dad took her hand and led her to the window display.

  At first Ashley couldn’t talk. The paintings were too beautiful for words.

  Dad put his arm around her. “Ashley…?”

  “I’m memorized.” She didn’t want to blink. That way she wouldn’t miss a single second of their beauty.

  Her dad laughed. “Mesmerized. That’s the word you’re looking for.”

  Ashley squinted. “I like memorized. Because I’m looking very intensely so I can memorize this beautiful work.” She stared at the paintings again. Who had created these and what was the story behind each one? She looked up at her father. “Amazing, right, Daddy?”

  “Yes.” He angled his head, his eyes right on hers. “You know what?”

  “What?” Ashley waited.

  “One day your work is going to be right here. In this display.” He hugged her close. “Someone has to be the next professional artist. I think she’ll be you!”

  Her excitement was so great, Ashley had to close her eyes. Because this was what love felt like.

  Having her daddy believe in her.

  Back at the house, Ashley helped her dad change lightbulbs, replace batteries, and smear putty on the pipe beneath the kitchen sink. And when they were all finished, Dad pulled something out of a bag.

  A brand-new box of coloring pencils!

  “I had fun with you today.” He kissed her cheek. “Can’t wait to see what you draw!” He smiled at her. “Remember, Ashley, the chapters in our lives never last forever. Even the sad ones end and one day you’ll turn the page and you’ll wake up and you’ll be happy. I promise.”

  “You’re the best daddy in the world.” Ashley hugged him. “You saved the day.”

  The rest of the night, Ashley sketched a picture of Natalie and her on a motorcycle. Natalie’s arms were crossed, not quite enjoying the ride. But in the drawing Ashley was shouting and laughing, one arm raised. Because this book report could be the thing that made Natalie and Ashley finally be friends. As she sketched, she thought about something else. If she could find a connection with Elliot and even Natalie, then one day she might have one more unlikely friend.

  A boy named Landon Blake.

  16 Mom’s Birthday Disaster

  KARI

  Kari’s hand was tired, but she stirred the cake batter as fast as she could. Throwing a surprise party took a lot of work. And now they needed to really move because they were running out of time.

  She stared into the batter. Her hand wasn’t the only thing in a cramp. Her heart was, too. Because every time she wanted to tell her parents the truth about her cheating day, something got in the way. Not once had there been a good time. Or, at least that’s how it seemed.

  Including today, since this was Mom’s birthday!

  The surprise party had been Kari’s idea, but everyone wanted to help. Brooke was in charge of dinner—baked chicken, sweet potato fries, and salad. Erin, Luke, and Ashley were running around decorating, and Dad was at the store picking up their mom’s gift. Luke was feeling much better since his fall, and he had been quite the trouper with his cast.

  Kari was in charge of making the cake.

  She checked the time. Thirty minutes and Mom would be home. Their mother’s friend, Miss Elaine, had taken her shopping. Miss Elaine was in on the surprise. She was providing the perfect distraction so the kids could pull the party together.

  Kari dipped her finger in the batter and took a quick taste. “Mmm!”

  “No tasting.” Brooke grabbed a paper towel and dried her sweaty face. “It’s hot in here. We have to hurry.”

  “Scotch tape, please!” Ashley yelled from the hallway.

  Brooke was stirring something on the stove. “In here. On the table.”

  Ashley ran into the kitchen and grabbed the tape just as Kari took another quick taste.

  “I saw that.” Ashley grinned. “Is it good?”

  “The best!” Kari held her fingers together. “The cook has to taste the batter. Bon appétit!”

  “I agree!” Ashley came closer and stared at the cake batter. “Because bon appétit means you have a better appetite if the food has no bones!” She looked confident about this. “Like cake.”

  “No.” Brooke glanced at Ashley as she checked the chicken and sweet potatoes. “Bon appétit means you hope the meal tastes good.”

  Amazing. Kari looked over her shoulder at Brooke. “How do you know so much?”

  “Experience.” She closed the oven door. “Because I’m in eighth grade.”

  “Understandable.” Ashley raced back to the front door. “I hope the tape works. The banner won’t stay up!”

  Brooke turned to Kari. “When’s Dad coming back?”

  “Any minute.” Kari laughed. The craziness was kind of fun. “I can’t wait to see the gift.”

  The kids had chipped in their money to get Mom an orange and black striped cat clock for the living room wall. A few weeks ago Kari had been shopping with Mom when they spotted the clock. Kari thought it was the cutest thing ever. And Mom agreed. “Yes.” She had smiled. “It’s very cute.”

  That had settled it. The clock was the perfect birthday gift.

  The cake was ready for the oven. Kari opened one cupboard, then another, but the pans were nowhere. “Help!” she yelled. “Anyone know where the cake pan is?”

  Ashley ran with the banner and tape back down the hallway. “Next to the fridge!” She sounded frantic. “I need thumbtacks for this thing!”

  Kari found the pan, greased it, and filled it with cake batter. “Brooke… can I put the cake in the oven? The chicken and sweet potatoes are taking all the space!”

  “Hold on, I’m helping Ashley with the banner!” After a minute, Brooke ran back into the kitchen and opened the oven door. “Use the highest rack.” She gave Kari a quick look. “Just watch so it doesn’t burn.”

  “Okay.” Kari took hold of the full pan and moved with slow steps to the oven. Careful, she told herself. No time for spills. Slowly, she slid the pan in and shut the door.

  Just then Dad hurried in from the garage. “Cat clock mission accomplished!” He sounded as excited as the kids. He took a deep sniff. “Smells wonderful.” He gave Kari a fast hug and walked toward the entryway. She could hear his happy voice. “This looks perfect! She’ll be so surprised!”

  Kari followed her dad and looked around. He was right. The streamers cascaded down the staircase and the banner was tacked up in the perfect spot so Mom could see it when she walked through the front door. Kari turned to their dad. “Let’s see the clock. I’ve been waiting forever for this!”

  Dad pulled a box out of the shopping bag. “I can’t believe the tail moves with every second.” Dad grinned at the kids, and then handed the box to Luke, who balanced it on his cast. “Let’s get it wrapped.”

  “Good idea.” Kari nodded to Luke and Erin. “You two can wrap it. Mom will love that.”

  Back in the kitchen, Dad met with Kari and Brooke and Ashley. He peered into the oven. “Wow.” He smiled. “I’m impressed.”

  “It was all Kari’s idea.” Ashley beamed at Kari across the kitchen. “Which I must admit is the most thoughtful thing you’ve done all year.”

  Kari laughed. “Thanks.” She made a silly face. “I think.”

  Brooke placed the potholders on the counter near the oven. “Mom deserves a surprise party!”

  A clean kitchen would be another surprise, so Kari quick washed the cake bowl and spatula. She was drying it when she heard Erin laughing in the living room. She was about to tell her little sister to be serious. They had to wrap the clock before—

  Crack!

  The terrible sound echoed through the house. At the same time, Erin screamed.

  In a flash, Kari and her sisters and Dad raced into
the living room. Kari was first on the scene. “What happened?” Kari stared at the situation. “Erin?”

  The youngest Baxter girl was standing smack in the middle of the cat box. “Sorry.” She tiptoed out of the mess. “I was dancing with Luke and… I tripped.”

  “No.” Kari’s word was more of a cry. Not the cat clock. She dropped to the floor and pulled the damaged box close. Brooke helped her open it, and then with much caution, Kari pulled the clock out. “Oh, no!”

  The tail was missing.

  Kari dug around in the box and pulled it out—in three pieces. “I can’t believe this.”

  Dad put his hand on the top of her head. “Erin’s sorry.” He peered at the broken cat. “I think we can fix it.”

  Luke shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

  “All our allowance money.” Ashley shook her head. “Smashed by a single foot.”

  Erin covered her face and ran to the sofa. “I’m so sorry.” She curled up in a ball.

  “Kids.” Their dad gave them a warning look. “Erin didn’t mean to break the cat clock.” He walked over and sat on the sofa beside her, and he put his hand on her back. “Let’s not hurt her feelings.”

  He had a point. Kari felt bad. She shouldn’t care more about the cat’s tail than Erin’s feelings. She joined Dad at the sofa, and Brooke and Ashley and Luke did the same thing. They all patted Erin’s head and shoulders.

  Finally Erin sat up and looked around. Her eyes were red. “I ruined everything.”

  “No.” Luke grinned. “Mom will still like it.” He looked back at the broken pieces on the floor. “Now it’s one of a kind.”

  “And we still have the decorations and the dinner,” Dad said. “Brooke made the best—”

  Beep… Beep… Beep!

  A shrill siren cut through the house. Dad was on his feet racing for the kitchen. “Something’s burning!”

  “My chicken!” Brooke screamed as she ran off.

  “Save the fries!” Luke yelled back.

  Kari and the others followed, and when they rounded the corner into the kitchen they all froze. Smoke billowed out the oven door like from a chimney. Brooke waved her hand in front of her face and coughed. “Quick! Someone open a window!”

  “Open the door!” Dad yelled above the noise of the alarm. He motioned to Ashley. “And all the windows!”

  Smoke filled the whole kitchen and the alarm was still screeching through the house.

  “I’m outta here.” Luke grabbed the tape and ran back toward the living room.

  Kari couldn’t believe it. How had everything gone so wrong? The surprise birthday party was ruined. “Should we call the fire department?”

  “There’s no fire.” Brooke was waving off the smoke with a dish towel. “It was the sweet potato fries.”

  Everyone had to shout to be heard above the blaring siren.

  “Honey, let me.” Dad took over. He pulled out a tray and set it on the counter. Black crispy pieces of ash sat where the sweet potato slices used to be. For a few seconds he just stared at the smoky mess. “Well.” He looked at Kari. “We still have the chicken.”

  Dad grabbed the chicken dish and set it on the counter. Kari stared at it and shook her head. “It looks…”

  “Like chicken jerky.” Ashley waved her hand in front of her nose. “It smells terrible.”

  Beep… Beep… Beep.

  Suddenly Kari gasped. “My cake!” The siren was so loud it hurt Kari’s ears. She wanted to rescue her cake, but her dad was on it. He pulled it from the oven and Kari felt her heart sink. “Noooo.”

  The cake was fully black. Like it had been frosted in ashes.

  Ashley squinted through the smoke. “Maybe if we cut off a layer from the top and sides?” She placed her hands over her ears. “Good thing we changed the batteries, huh, Daddy?”

  “Yes, Ashley!” He laughed. “Good thing!” The smoke was clearing a little. Dad climbed up on a chair and held the button in the center of the smoke detector.

  At that very minute, Mom came into the kitchen from the front door. Kari and her siblings turned and stared at her. Not a single person spoke. The alarm was still screaming through the house.

  Beep… Beep—

  Just then Dad got the noise to stop. And everything went silent.

  Mom covered her mouth, apparently speechless.

  “Surprise!” Kari broke the deafening postalarm silence. She held up her hands and let them fall to her sides. “Happy Birthday!”

  Mom’s smile took up her whole face. “I can’t believe this!” She coughed a few times. “You kids are amazing!” She held out her arms, and Kari and the others ran to her. The group hug lasted a long while.

  “Yes.” Dad coughed and shook his head. “It’s been quite the exciting afternoon.”

  Ashley stepped back. “Did you see our decorations? They didn’t catch fire!” She took their Mom’s hand. “Come on!”

  Kari and the others followed. When they reached the foyer, Mom gasped as she looked around. Kari managed a weak smile. The decorations were still pretty wonderful.

  Their mom was circling the foyer. “This is incredible! I didn’t really look before.” She grinned at each of them. “I sort of ran through… because I thought the house was on fire.”

  “Yes.” Ashley nodded. “That would be a distraction. Definitely.”

  “This is just…” Mom’s eyes looked damp. Like she might cry. “It’s so thoughtful of you kids.”

  Ashley pointed at Kari. “It was her idea.” She linked arms with Kari and then Brooke and Erin. “But we all pitched in.”

  “You kids mean the world to me. I feel so special.” She looked at Dad. “Where’s Luke?”

  “Here!” He came running into the entryway. In his hands was a strange-shaped wrapped gift.

  Kari put her hand to her face. Luke hadn’t used the box. Probably because it was crushed. She lowered her hand and grinned at him. Her brother had at least tried. “Thanks, Luke.”

  Luke held the gift out to their mom. “This is for you.” He had tape stuck to his cheek and arm, but he had never looked more joyful. “Happy Birthday!”

  “What’s this?” Their mom took the package. She led the group back to the living room, where she sat in the nearest chair. “I had no idea.”

  This was the moment Kari had waited for. Maybe Luke had found a way to fix it. She held her breath while Mom unwrapped the gift.

  All of a sudden their mother’s eyes got very big. “Okay. Wow.” She looked speechless. “A… cat clock.”

  Kari bounced a little, until she actually saw the gift. It was covered in Scotch tape. She felt her enthusiasm disappear like the smoke in the kitchen. “It’s… the one you said was cute.” Her smile felt like it was struggling. “Remember?”

  “Yes.” Mom gave a few slow nods. “I certainly do.” She lifted it, and as she did, the tail fell off.

  “It’s broken.” Luke shrugged. “I tried to fix it.”

  “I can maybe make it work again.” Ashley put her arm on their mother’s shoulder. “You know, Mom. I’m a pretty good handy girl. I can fix anything.” Ashley sent a grin to their father. “Right, Daddy?”

  Dad winked at her. “Right!”

  Mom giggled. “Well, then, perfect!” She pulled Kari close. “I love it, sweetheart. So considerate of you.” She looked at the others. “All of you.”

  “The dinner, on the other hand”—Brooke took their mom’s hand—“cannot be fixed.”

  “I figured.” Mom was still laughing. “It doesn’t matter. This is the best birthday surprise.”

  Dad decided they would all go to Tradewinds in downtown Bloomington, Mom’s favorite restaurant. Mom ordered chicken—in honor of Brooke’s choice for dinner.

  Kari thought that was a nice touch.

  While they ate, Mom told them about a special birthday memory. “When I turned ten I got my first pair of roller skates. I still remember the wind in my face as I raced around the neighborhood that day.” For
a minute, yesterday shone in her eyes. Then she smiled big. “But this birthday is my favorite. I love you all so much.” She looked around the table, happy tears in her eyes.

  “We love you, too.” Kari slid closer to her mother. “You’re the best mom we ever had.”

  “And the only one.” Mom’s tone was sweet and her smile became a quiet laugh. “Thank you.” She kissed Kari’s head. “You’re the best kids I’ve ever had.”

  After dinner, Dad had an idea. “Let’s go across the street for ice cream!”

  “Yes!” The others were on their feet, walking with Dad.

  All at once Kari saw her opportunity. “Dad!” she called after him. “I… need to talk to Mom. We’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  Dad looked back at her. “Okay!” He waved. “Don’t take too long.”

  When he was gone, Kari turned to her mom. “I’m glad you liked the decorations. So at least there was one good thing about today.” With every word, Kari became more certain. This was finally the time to tell her mother the truth.

  “What do you mean?” Mom looked confused. “The whole day has been perfect.”

  “Not the whole day. Not this part.” Kari sighed. “I have to tell you something.” Her heart began to pound. “I… wanted to wait for a day that wasn’t your birthday. But…” Tears filled her eyes. “I can’t take it anymore.”

  “It’s okay, honey.” Her mother patted her back. “Slow down. What happened?”

  Kari took a deep breath. How could she have waited so long to say this? She could feel the words building and suddenly the story began to pour out. “So… a few weeks ago we had a history quiz. Only I never read the chapters.”

  “You didn’t?” Mom sounded concerned.

  “No.” Kari felt sick to her stomach. This talk was harder than she had thought. “So…” She squeezed her eyes shut. “I cheated. I stole the answers, Mom.” Kari’s eyes blinked open. “I looked at the boy’s paper next to me. So I would get an A.”

  Mom’s eyes were wide. Like she couldn’t believe this sad story.

  Kari hung her head. “I deserve to be punished. Or kicked out of school.” Her voice faded. “Possibly kicked out of the family.”