Chương 13: Twelve
Kat just confided in me of something that's troubling her and she doesn't want me to help. She's never wanted me NOT to help before. Is it bad that I sort of feel a little relieved?
Don't get me wrong, if Kat does need help I'd come running for sure. I just don't know if I'd have the right words to help her friend.
I'm a guy. I wouldn't know the right girl buzz words that would get through a teen girls skull. Also, I'm an only child! Well, the latter is a poor excuse because Kat is an only child too.
Unlike her though, I hate hanging around with my cousins. I'm glad they live near the Atlantic Coastline and I'm sure there's a reason my Dad is the only child of Poppy Adair to live outside of Georgia too. My dad's side of the family can be a bit stuffy and suffocating. Of course, my mom's family in Mississippi isn't much better...just less rich.
As the bus stops at my home I notice Kat, Hernando, and I are the last on the bus. We leave quietly and I start walking up the driveway to my home that's situated on an artificial hill. The mansion was built before I was born. My dad planned the layout while my mom planned the landscape...hence, the fake hill the mansion is situated on.
I didn't realize how unique my home was until second grade. We had a project where we had to draw our home and point out our favorite room. Most kids drew a small house and their favorite room being their bedroom of course. Not me; my favorite room was the library.
"Hey guys, let's start studying in the library...guys?" I turn around to see that Kat and Hernando are standing at the very beginning of the driveway with anxious looks on their faces.
I run back to them and laugh. "What are you two doing just standing there?"
Hernando says, "Cabron, your house is huge!" Kat pokes her cousin's side with a pointy elbow. I've been on the receiving side of that and knows it hurts.
I rock back on my heels. "I know. I'm more embarrassed of where I live than of my parents. There's plenty of space to study in the library though." I start to make backward steps towards my home. "Come on, don't be shy."
Hernando takes the first few tentative steps towards my home and Kat follows us. She's the last one to arrive near the front door. I press the speaker button and say, "Demi, it's me." A click later and I'm able to open the door.
"Your house has security measures?" Kat asks in a whisper. "Have you ever found that disturbing?"
"No, but that's because my mom and dad put the security measures in place before I was born. So, it's second nature." I try to make myself sound as casual as I can, but I can tell Kat's cousin Hernando isn't buying it. I just don't want to scare Kat away.
Which is why we're going to bolt it to the library since my mom has never stepped foot in there for as long as I've known her. "Thanks Demi," I reply.
"Katrina?!" Demi replies in shock. Before I know it, a flurry of excited Spanish ensues between Demi and Kat.
Hernando says to me. "Want me to translate? They're talking about you."
"Nice try, but no they're not," I reply.
"Fine. Your loss...now, about that basketball court you were talking about a few days back. It's outside right?" Hernando is definitely missing the point of this get together.
I'm about to interrupt Demi and Kat's conversation when I hear the clack of heels. "Demi, I must speak with you about how I want stuff organized for the charity dinner next week. Also..." as my mom realizes there's other people in the room, she looks at the only person she recognizes. "Hello Kitrick?"
I see Hernando holding back a smile at my whole first name. I pointedly glare at him before turning to my mom. "Hey ma, I'd like you to meet my best friend Kat." Kat's wearing one of her most favorite meme tees that says: Boys in Books are Better. She waves at my mom as she let's her shirt do the talking for her. That's not how my mom rolls.
"Hmm....why do you think boys in books are better, Kat?" My mom then glances at Hernando..."And you are?"
"Kat's cousin," Hernando replies with a frown.
"Oh." Then, my mom's copper hair swings back to look at Kat. "Well?"
"Boys in books are more sympathetic and care more about the people around them...probably because most of them are written by women." Mom smiles at this answer and I inwardly exhale.
My mom says, "Girl power I can definitely get behind that." She then pulls in Kat for a hug as she looks at me with alarm in her eyes. I don't know why she's so bothered...she's hugged me out of the blue more than a few times. Kat had it coming.
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Adair," Kat replies after the hug.
"Mrs. Adair is my mother-in-law. You can call me Dotty." My mom's actual name is Dorothy but she doesn't like to use it.
My mom is about to engage Demi in conversation again, when her eyes light up and looks at Kat. "Kat. Do you know Spanish fluently?"
"Yes?"
"Then you can relay a message to Demi for me. I want this charity dinner next week to go without a hitch because all of the board members have been invited. Could you?"
Kat gives Demi an apologetic look before she says, "Well, Demi doesn't have an issue understanding you, Dotty. She knows English very well." Then she shrugs as she says, "I can let her know if you want."
"Yes please; only because I don't always understand what Demi is saying. She has such a thick accent and--"
"Ma, I can understand her. Just listen naturally," I reply.
"No really, Kit. It's fine. I can translate for her-"
"Ma, Kat is here to study and then hang out for a bit. I didn't invite her here so she could translate for you." Hernando stands next to me, quietly amused at the exchange.
"Uh, if you two want to head to the library, I can translate for Dotty," replies Hernando. "I'm stuck with my homework assignments right now anyway. I'll see you soon." Then Hernando waves his arm for us to go.
I steer Kat towards the library. When we're safely in the library I ask her, "How do you know, Demi?"
Kat casually replies, "We go to the same church."
"Oh. Um," ugh, I know better than to put a word placer like 'um' in my conversations. "I'm sorry my mom tried to drag you into being translator. Tell your cousin when you can that I really appreciated him stepping in." I raise my arms and say, "Now, you can finally see my favorite room."
"You're favorite room? But Kit, you don't like to read." I frown at Kat's comment.
"I do too like to read. I just don't understand what's so exciting about fiction. Besides, those aren't the reasons the library is my favorite room."
Kat goes to sit down on a plush recliner. One of a set of four around a circular table. "Is it because of the chairs? I understand the appeal."
"Nope." I sit down in the recliner chair nearest her. "I like the library because it's also where my dad works when he brings his work home. And my mom is the one who doesn't step foot in here."
"Your mom doesn't strike me as someone who dislikes fiction books like you do."
"I know, but she's more into audiobooks than actually reading the story." The doors to the library clicks open as my dad comes through. He puts his briefcase and blazer coat on his desk.
He's loosening his tie as he approaches us, "Hello. You must be Kat. My name is Richard." She shakes his hand as my dad pumps it enthusiastically. "I'm glad we formally met. Last time you were begging me not to be mad at my son."
Recognition lights up in Kat's eyes. "Yes, I remember that!"
"Is it okay if we study in here dad?" I ask him.
"Sure, sure. I was just setting my work stuff down. I was planning on reviewing those papers before going to bed tonight though. Will you be long?"
"No sir, we'll only be working on homework for an hour."
After I say that Hernando comes in. He looks at my dad, then at me. "Hello. Are you Mr. Adair?"
My dad put a hand on my shoulder as he replies with a smile. "Yes, we both are. What's your name, son?"
"Hernando. I'm Kat's cousin." Hernando comes in the room and puts his backpack on the round table before sinking into a recliner chair. "I'm here to do homework and then cream Kit at hoops."
My dad smirks as he looks down at me. "Oh, you're going to have to let me watch you play, Hernando. I've got to see this."
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