“Better than the last one. She didn’t even last a year.” A sly smile crept up Marlys’s cheek. “It didn’t take my brother and me long to run her off.”
Katy’s heart began to pound. She licked her lips. Marlys hadn’t minded her last prying question, so Katy braved a second one. “How’d you do it?”
Marlys tipped her head, another sly smile creasing her cheek. “You really wanna know?”
Katy nodded eagerly. If there was a way to get rid of Mrs. Graber before she became Katy’s stepmother, then nothing would have to change.
Marlys laughed. “It’s really not too tough. It just takes acting—and a little bit of sneakiness.”
“Sneakiness?” A Bible verse from Hebrews skipped through Katy’s mind. Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly. Being sneaky wasn’t exactly honest. But if it would save Dad from making a big mistake, surely it would be worth it.
“Yeah. My brother and I call it The Brat Plan.’ See…” Marlys flipped to her side and leaned on her elbow. “Whenever you’re with both your dad and your stepmom, you act all sweet and cooperative. This gets the stepmom to relax, thinking she’s won you over. Then when your dad’s not around, you do the exact opposite. Talk back, refuse to do anything she asks, just be a total brat.”
Marlys pointed at Katy, her expression serious. “But never do it where your dad can see or hear. ’Cause what you want is for your stepmom to complain to your dad—to accuse you of being bratty. He might ask you about it, but since he’s never seen it, all you have to do is act all innocent and hurt. Then he’ll defend you, and it’ll drive a wedge between them. Before long…” Marlys flopped back against the pillows. “They’ve split. She blames you, but he blames her. It’s perfect.”
“That really works?” Katy couldn’t hide her skepticism. Adults really fell for a trick like that?
Marlys grinned. “Oh, yeah, like a charm. I’ve gotten rid of one stepmom and two stepdads that way. And what’s even better, last time my mom felt so bad about me and my brother being so misunderstood, she bought a brandnew CD stereo for the family room.” She nodded, her smile wide. “Doesn’t get any better than that.”
She glanced at the clock on the table between the beds. “Oh, wow, look at the time. We have to be downstairs ready to go by seven fifteen in the morning. We better get some sleep.” Without waiting for Katy’s reply, she snapped off the lamp above her bed, plunging the room into darkness.
Katy listened to Marlys rooting around in the bed for a little while, then her deep breathing indicated she’d fallen asleep. But Katy couldn’t sleep. Unfamiliar noises—thuds and voices from the hallway, a drip-drip from the bathroom faucet, and traffic sounds from outside—intruded, keeping her from relaxing. And her mind refused to shut down.
She kept replaying Marlys’s advice. Although Marlys’s “brat plan” wasn’t an option—the last person she’d want to emulate was Marlys Horton!—there had to be a way to make Mrs. Graber go back to Meschke, Kansas, where she belonged. If she could only think of one…
Chapter Five
“Can I hold it now?” Katy looked with longing into the backseat, where the trophy was propped in Paul’s lap. He hadn’t released it since the tournament’s coordinator placed it in his hands during the awards ceremony at the end of the tournament.
With an impish grin, Paul hugged the trophy to his chest. “Oh, no. It’s mine. All mine.”
Marlys whirled around. “And why is it all yours?”
“If it hadn’t been for my great speaker points, we would’ve lost this puppy to Skyline.”
Bryce and Marlys groaned, and Katy joined in. In wins and losses, their team had tied with a Pratt team, both winning nine and losing three rounds. But Katy’s team had one less speaker point, which gave them the lead.
Mr. Gorsky angled the van onto the highway for the return trip home. “Now, Paul, we could also say that if any of the others had fallen into one lower position, the trophy would have gone to Skyline. Those points were earned jointly. I think you’re giving yourself too much credit.”
“Aw, c’mon, Mr. G, that’s harsh.” Paul faked a quick pout. Then he cradled the trophy in his palms and held it toward Katy. “All right then, go ahead and hold it for a minute or two. But don’t smudge it up with your fingers. I want that little brass plaque nice and shiny when we get back to school.”
Katy lifted the trophy over the seat and rested it on her knee. She smiled at the brass plate that read THIRD PLACE—SOUTHWEST KANSAS—NOVICE DEBATERS TOURNAMENT—DODGE CITY, KANSAS. Later, Mr. Gorsky had said, the school would imprint each of their names in smaller letters beneath the heading. She envisioned her name—KATHLEEN LAMBRIGHT—there with Paul Andress, Marlys Horton, and Bryce Porter. Alphabetically, she’d fall between Marlys and Bryce with Paul at the top. She stifled a giggle. Paul would probably change his name if it didn’t already start with the first letter of the alphabet.
“So how does it feel to be an award-winning debater?” Mr. Gorsky asked the question, his eyes meeting Katy’s in the rearview mirror.
Katy closed her eyes, savoring the moment. “It feels great.” She couldn’t wait to tell her friends Shelby, Cora, Trisha, Bridget, and Jewel. Jewel especially. Jewel had laughed when she found out Katy wanted to join the debate squad. Jewel would be more surprised than anyone at how well Katy had done. Although she and Bryce had won four rounds overall, one fewer than Paul and Marlys, Mr. Gorsky had assured her she’d done exemplarily—yet another word to savor—for her first competition.
She smoothed her finger over the brass figure at the top of the trophy, remembering how it felt to stand in front of the judges and passionately plead her case. She’d convinced them that she was right and the other team was wrong. The power was exhilarating. Her heart thudded as another thought wiggled through her brain: If I have the power to convince a judge that I was in the right—a judge who didn’t even know my real name—then how much more powerful could I be in convincing Dad, who’s known me since birth, that we have no need of Mrs. Graber in our lives?
“All right, Kathleen, you’ve held it long enough.” Marlys’s demanding voice cut into Katy’s thoughts. She reached for the trophy, wiggling her fingers. “Hand it over.”
With a reluctant sigh, Katy relinquished the trophy to Marlys’s hands. The van rolled down the highway toward home, and Katy’s mind rolled through what Marlys had shared in their hotel room. This tournament win had given her the confidence to use her persuasive skills in a much more personal matter. She’d found her plan.
“You’re not serious.”
Annika’s disbelieving tone made Katy’s resolve waver for a moment, but then she grabbed her friend’s arm and tugged her behind the church building. It was cold on the shaded side of the church, but no one would overhear them from here. Katy hissed fervently, “I am very serious. Making logical arguments convinces a judge that you’re right. Why shouldn’t it work for me with my dad?”
“Katy, didn’t your dad decide to start courting because he thought you needed a mother?”
Katy bit down on her lower lip. How could she forget that day last fall when Dad, Gramma Ruthie, and Grampa Ben all talked to her about making good choices at the public school? Dad didn’t know she’d heard him say he needed to move on and find a new wife so Katy would have a mother. But the comment had haunted her. It also convinced her that he wasn’t courting Mrs. Graber because he wanted to, but out of obligation to Katy. And that was all the more reason to send Mrs. Graber back to Meschke.
She said, “Yes, but I don’t see what diff—”
“If you start arguing with him at every turn,” Annika interrupted, “then won’t he just think you really need a mother to settle you down?”
Katy nibbled the inside of her cheek. She hadn’t considered Dad misinterpreting her arguments. But Annika didn’t understand debate. “Debating isn’t just random arguing. It means presenting logical arguments intended to sway the opposit
ion to your way of thinking.” She groaned. How would she find enough words to convince Dad they were okay as they were?
She slapped her forehead then grabbed Annika’s arm. “Annika, it will work!”
“How do you know?”
“Dad started courting Mrs. Graber because he thinks a mother will help me make good decisions. If he sees me making good decisions even without Mrs. Graber’s influence, then there won’t be any need for him to court her, right?”
“But, Katy—”
“And if, while I’m proving with my behavior that I don’t need a mother, I can grab every opportunity to keep them apart and show Dad how well we’re doing without her. I’ll debate with my actions as much as my words.”
Annika frowned. “I don’t know, Katy…”
“I do know. It’s the only way. So being extra good and extra helpful and extra sweet will tell Dad I’m just fine without a mom.” She flipped her hands outward. “See? Problem solved.”
“So what do you have against Mrs. Graber, anyway?” Annika tipped her head to the side. The white ribbon from her cap fluttered against her shoulder.
Katy stared at the quivering white ribbon and bit down on her lower lip. Truthfully, she didn’t have anything against Mrs. Graber. Not directly. But the woman took away what little attention she received from her dad. Katy already competed with the cows. She didn’t need another distraction. Annika wouldn’t understand. She had a mom, dad, and several brothers and sisters at her house. All Katy had was Dad.
“We just don’t need her,” she said, stubbornly sticking out her chin.
Annika folded her arms over her chest and shivered. “I think bringing that debate stuff into your house and using it on your dad is proving that the worldly kids are affecting you. You better be careful, Katy.”
Katy paused. Maybe she shouldn’t have confided in Annika. But they were best friends—she counted on Annika supporting her. Maybe even helping her. But would Annika tattle instead? She’d done it before when she thought Katy was stepping outside the boundaries established for their Old Order fellowship. She grabbed Annika’s elbow.
“You aren’t going to tell anyone about my plan, are you?”
Annika crunched her lips together.
Katy’s fingers twitched on Annika’s arms. “Are you?”
Annika shook her head, and Katy nearly wilted with relief. But then Annika said, “I don’t think I’ll have to tell. I’m pretty sure your dad is smart enough to figure it out on his own.”
Katy opened her mouth to argue, but a second voice intruded. An annoying voice.
“Hey, Katydid, there you are.”
Katy spun around and scowled at Caleb Penner. “Stop calling me Katydid. I’m a girl, not a bug. And why’re you following me?” Katy had never liked Caleb. He teased too much. And since he now worked for her dad in the dairy, she had to see him every day.
He shrugged, grinning like a fool. “Your dad sent me to find you. You’re having lunch at our place today. My mom invited you, your grandparents, and Mrs. Graber.” His gaze flicked to Annika. “Did you invite Antarctica to eat with you?”
Katy slipped her hand through Annika’s elbow. “Most Sundays, we eat together.”
Caleb heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Well, tell you what, Katydid. Mom’ll say there’s enough food to go around, so go ahead and bring Antarctica along too.” He grinned and zipped around the corner.
“We better go,” Annika said, “since your dad wants you, and you’re going to be pulling this Miss Nice Girl act. You can’t leave him waiting.”
Katy ignored Annika’s disapproving tone and followed her to the front churchyard. Dad leaned on the hood of his truck, and Mrs. Graber stood beside him. Close beside him. The now familiar irritation climbed like a spider up Katy’s spine.
“Should I ask my mom if I can eat with you?” Annika asked.
Without looking at her friend, Katy said yes. She waited until Annika took off toward her parents’ car, then she forced her lips into a smile and jogged across the ground to her dad. Although temptation to step between the two adults smacked her hard, she stopped a few feet away instead.
“Caleb said you’re ready to go.” She flashed the smile in Mrs. Graber’s direction and kept her voice friendly, the way Dad had instructed her. “Mrs. Graber, were you planning to ride with Dad and me? We can sit three across in his pickup, but I have to warn you, it isn’t very comfortable to straddle the gearshift.”
Mrs. Graber laughed softly in return. “I suppose you’re right.”
Dad said, “Katy, since the gearshift is a problem for you, why don’t you ride with your Gramma Ruthie and Grampa Ben? You don’t get to see them much now since you’re so busy with school. They’d probably enjoy the extra time with you.”
Katy stared at Dad in dismay. He’d defeated her first argument without any effort at all. But he was right—she hardly ever saw Gramma Ruthie these days, and she missed her dear grandmother. With a start, she realized she’d probably see even less of Gramma Ruthie when Mrs. Graber moved in. Gramma would let Mrs. Graber help Katy with sewing projects and new recipes…
Even though she didn’t want to leave Dad and Mrs. Graber alone, she suddenly wanted time with Gramma. Dad,l-Katy, 0. “All right, Dad.”
Katy spun and trotted toward her grandparents’ sedan. When she reached it, she glanced over her shoulder and spotted Dad’s hand curled around Mrs. Graber’s elbow as he helped her into the truck. Jealousy tried to attack, but she pushed it aside. She had to be pleasant. Lifting her hand in a wave, she called, “’Bye, Dad! See you at the Penners’.” Dad slammed the door behind Mrs. Graber and waved back.
Annika ambled up beside Katy. She gazed across the grounds until Dad’s pickup roared to life and he pulled out of the parking area. Then she looked at Katy and shook her head. “What you’re doing is just like lying. I’ll go to the Penners’ for lunch today, but don’t ask me to play your game with you.”
Katy hissed, “Shh!” She glanced around, relieved that Gramma Ruthie and Grampa Ben were caught up talking to another couple and didn’t seem to hear what Annika had said. “I’m only doing it to keep Dad from making a big mistake.”
“You’re only doing it out of selfishness. And wrong behavior will never make a right.”
Katy sighed. Why did Annika always make her feel guilty? Or was it her own conscience pricking her? “Get in the car,” she said.
Chapter Six
Katy’s acting abilities were put to the test during dinner at the Penners’ place. Mrs. Penner had seated her between Annika and Caleb—a spot she wouldn’t have chosen. Her location put her directly across the table from Dad and Mrs. Graber where she witnessed every exchanged glance and bump of elbows. She was sure some of those little bumps were deliberate. She had to force back growls of protest.
Plus, Caleb’s manners left much to be desired. He stuck out his elbow when he cut his meat, nearly banging her in the nose more than once. Two different times he stretched his long arm across her plate to grab bowls of food. Couldn’t he ask to have things passed? And he smacked his food. Katy had never been allowed to smack while chewing, and the sound set her teeth on edge. But no one at the table would have guessed her annoyance. Somehow she managed to smile and converse and behave as though she didn’t have a care in the world.
When the serving dishes of simmered steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, carrots, and applesauce were finally empty, Mrs. Penner shot a wide smile around the table. “Is everyone ready for dessert? I baked Caleb’s favorite, pineapple upside-down cake.”
Caleb grinned at Katy as if he’d done something special that required recognition. She offered a weak smile in return then picked up her napkin and busily wiped her mouth.
Grampa Ben patted his stomach. “Cake sounds good to me.”
A murmur of agreements went around the table.
“Good, I’ll bring it right out.” Mrs. Penner turned toward the kitchen.
Mrs. Graber rose. “Let me help yo
u.”
Katy lurched to her feet. “Oh, don’t bother, Mrs. Graber. I can give Mrs. Penner a hand. You stay and visit.” She bounded after Caleb’s mother, relieved to leave Caleb’s presence even if it meant she couldn’t keep an eye on Dad and Mrs. Graber.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Penner handed Katy a large knife and pointed to the cake on the counter. “Cut the cake into good-sized pieces, Katy, and use those serving plates stacked next to the sink. I’m going to whip up some cream.”
Katy’s ears tuned to the soft conversation and occasional bursts of laughter drifting from the dining room. It seemed Mrs. Graber was entertaining the others with a story about the time her daughter made pineapple upside-down cake and forgot the sugar. Katy pursed her lips, imagining the sour result. Eager to return to the dining room before Dad could tell any stories about her cooking fiascos, she plopped the last piece of cake on a plate and rinsed the knife in the sink.
“Do you have a tray to carry the dessert plates on?” Katy didn’t mind helping, but she didn’t want to make a half-dozen trips back and forth.
Mrs. Penner frowned, tapping her lip. “Yes. But I haven’t used it for a while. I can’t remember…Oh!” She pointed. “Look in the cabinet above the refrigerator.”
Katy turned toward the refrigerator, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to reach the cabinet doors. They were too high. She glanced around for a step stool.
Mrs. Penner must have figured out Katy’s dilemma, because she called, “Caleb! Come in here for a minute, please.”
Caleb clomped into the kitchen, a foolish grin on his face. “Yeah, Ma?”
“Katy needs the serving tray from above the refrigerator. Get it down for her, would you?”
“Sure thing.” Caleb strutted forward importantly, forcing Katy to skitter backward or be run down. His long arms stretched out and he plucked a square silver tray from the cabinet. He offered it to Katy with a broad smile. “Here you go, Katydid.”
“Caleb…” Mrs. Penner clicked her tongue on her teeth. “Stop calling Katy that ridiculous nickname. You’re going to make an enemy of the girl.”
Katy's Debate (Katy Lambright Series, The) Page 4
