Best Family Ever

by Karen Kingsbury

  “Boys.” Their teacher stood up. “Come help. All of you.”

  The boys did as they were told. They gathered the streamers and in a few minutes they had them taped back where they belonged.

  Lydia leaned close to Ashley and whispered. “I can’t believe you forgave him.”

  “It was the right thing to do.” Ashley picked up the ripped banner, which had also fallen when the boys rushed in. “Come on. Help me get this taped up again.”

  “Here.” Miss Wilson brought some wider tape, and together the three of them tried to rehang the banner. But it didn’t look the same.

  “I’m sorry, Ashley.” Miss Wilson put her arm around Ashley’s shoulders. “The room still looks amazing.”

  Lydia nodded as she looked around. “It really does.”

  They were right. Ashley had to agree. The other kids wouldn’t notice the banner and streamers being slightly off. It was still going to be the best possible Valentine’s party. And a class could have perfect fun without perfect decorations. Because no one and nothing except God was perfectly perfect.

  Ashley’s dad had taught her that.

  She smiled and took a deep breath. She felt better already.

  Finally the other students came back from lunch. Every one of them walked through the streamers, slow and careful. Miss Wilson stood at the door and made sure they all got to their seats without taking any of the other decorations down.

  Ashley watched her classmates, then she looked at Lydia. “They like it.”

  Lydia was studying the other boys and girls, too. “They love it.”

  Sure, Ashley’s decorations didn’t go as planned, but the party was still a success. And her game Pin the Arrow on Cupid was a hit. Eric Powers was way far off from the target. Ashley and Lydia couldn’t help feeling good about that after what had happened earlier.

  “At least now I know why you couldn’t walk through the door without tearing down the streamers.” Ashley said the quiet words so only Eric could hear them. “You’re a little clumsy.”

  “You got me there, Baxter.” He grinned at her. “I did say I was sorry, you know.”

  “I know.” She lifted her chin. “But maybe you shouldn’t have done it in the first place. Unless you really are clumsy.”

  “I’m not clumsy.” Eric rolled his eyes. “I’ll pay better attention next time.”

  At the end of the day, Ashley believed with all her heart that it was the best Valentine’s Day party. Better than she and Lydia had dreamed. Ashley knew it had a bit to do with her attitude.

  She thought of something else her dad always said. Sometimes you just need to be like a duck and let the water roll off your back. And her dad was usually right.

  As she sorted through her valentine cards, she noticed that she didn’t get a special one, like Kari was worried about.

  Ashley was so glad.

  Better to have lots of friends in her class. It would be so embarrassing if someone like Eric Powers ever actually liked her and gave her some special valentine. No thank you.

  Also the day was great because of the heart pin from Miss Wilson.

  Their teacher thanked them again as the bell rang that afternoon.

  “It was a beautiful party.” Miss Wilson looked at the two of them. “You and Lydia were just the right people for the job.”

  Ashley lifted her hand to give Miss Wilson a high five, then she changed her mind. Maybe not for a teacher. Instead she gave Miss Wilson the biggest smile she had. Outside she met her siblings by the bus. Everyone had a bag full of cards and candy. They climbed on and took their seats. This time the students were quiet, the energy from the morning all used up.

  Luke tapped Ashley on the shoulder. “Did you get a lot of valentimes?” His mouth was full of chocolate.

  “Valentines . . . With an n . . .” Ashley drew the letter n in the air with her finger. “And yes, I got a few.” She held up her bag of goodies. “Looks like you got candy!”

  “We did! We had the bestest party!” Luke took the bag and rummaged through it, grabbing a handful of chocolate. “Look at all this!”

  “Don’t eat it all at once!” Ashley laughed and then she turned to Kari. She was dying to hear how her sister’s day had gone. “Well? What happened?”

  “You first!” Kari bounced a little on the bus seat. “Tell me about your party. Did everyone love it?”

  “They did.” Ashley raised her fist into the air. “It was perfect!” Ashley felt her smile fall off. “Except the part where Eric Powers and his football buddies tore down half the decorations before the other kids got to the classroom.”

  “No!” Kari’s eyes grew wide. “That’s terrible.”

  “Yes.” Ashley didn’t have anything else to say, it was over and she wasn’t going to be mad about it anymore. “Miss Wilson helped us fix it. So everything was okay.” Ashley searched her sister’s eyes. “Your turn.”

  “First . . .” Kari unzipped her backpack and pulled out a teddy bear. “I got this from Jason.”

  “Yikes! Just what you were afraid of.” Ashley couldn’t believe it. “What did he say?”

  “He said . . . he just wants to be friends.” She looked at the bear. “And that I could give the bear to Luke.”

  In the seat in front of them, Luke spun around. “You got me a bear.”

  Kari laughed. “I’m going to keep it, bud.”

  Ashley lowered her chin and raised her eyebrows. “You’re keeping it?”

  “That’s what you do, right?” Kari looked at the bear again. “If a friend gives you something, you keep it.”

  Ashley was shocked. “Since when is Jason your friend?” Ashley couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Jason was always digging holes at recess. He smelled like eggs.

  “No, I don’t like him.” Kari shook her head. “He’s nice. That’s all.” Kari looked at Ashley. “As a friend.”

  “So, then what’s wrong?” Ashley felt like Kari wasn’t telling the whole story. She was so quiet.

  Kari thought for a bit. She did that a lot. Then she looked at Ashley. “Well . . . at lunch, he was talking to Jessica and Katy. So it felt like he didn’t really mean it. Like he has lots of friends. Nothing special.”

  Ashley crossed her arms. How could a boy do that to her sister? Give her a big friend gift and then be friends with other girls at lunch? So rude. “Some boys ruin everything. Lydia said that earlier. I think it’s true.”

  Kari giggled. “Sometimes. I guess.”

  As they got off the bus Ashley spotted their dad waiting by his car.

  “Daddy!” Ashley ran and jumped into his arms. He picked her up and spun her around.

  “My little princess!” Their father was tall and strong, full of energy and happiness. Like always.

  He set Ashley down and then he picked up Kari and then Erin and twirled them the same way. Luke was last and their dad hugged him and gave him a high five. Then one at a time he handed Ashley and Kari and Erin each a long-stemmed red rose. “Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite girls.” He swooped Erin into his arms. “I gave one to Brooke and to your mother earlier.” He looked at Luke and pulled out a chocolate bar from his pocket. “And I couldn’t forget about my little man. Happy Valentine’s Day, Luke!”

  Luke’s eyes grew wide as he grabbed the bar. “More candy! Thanks, Dad!” He tore open the wrapper and started eating.

  Erin studied his hospital work badge. “Did you help lots of people today, Daddy?”

  “Yes.” Their father nodded, confident. “God always gives me eyes to know how to help them.”

  Ashley smiled, proud. Her dad was the best doctor in the world, and really good at helping people.

  “Guess what?” Ashley’s dad’s eyes danced from her to her siblings and back again. He was really excited. “I’m taking Erin and Luke to a movie. And Mommy has a surprise for you older girls at home.”

  Ashley was confused, a surprise? Better than going to the movies? She put her thumb and finger on her chin, like
she was solving a mystery. “The movies sound fun, Daddy. Can’t we go?”

  Dad winked at her. “I think you’ll like this surprise.” He helped Erin and Luke into the car. Then he kissed the girls on their cheeks and sent them on their way.

  Ashley looked at Kari as the car drove off. “I guess we should see what Mom’s doing.” The girls walked down the road toward their house, the snow crunching under their feet.

  Ashley thought about the surprise. “Maybe it’s brownies.”

  “No.” Kari kept her eyes straight ahead. “She makes those all the time.”

  “True.” Ashley kept walking, waiting for other ideas to come. “A horse! That has to be it!”

  Kari stopped and looked at her. She blinked a few times. “A horse? Where would it sleep?”

  Ashley didn’t hesitate. “The mudroom. Of course.”

  “I don’t think so.” Kari kept walking and Ashley stayed right with her. “You need a barn for a horse.”

  “Yeah but . . . I’ve been wanting a horse for a year. At least.” Ashley paused. “I was going to name her Frenchie. Also I’ve been thinking. And I want our soccer team to be called the Mighty Dolphins.”

  “First, Ashley.” Kari shook her head. “Mom did not buy you a horse.” A smile flashed on her face then. “And second . . . I love that name. Mighty Dolphins.”

  Even though she’d brought up the team name, Ashley couldn’t think about soccer. Not when she was wondering about the surprise. She sighed. Maybe it wasn’t a horse. So then what was it?

  When they made it inside, the house smelled wonderful. Like vanilla cake. And pretty music played softly from somewhere. Ashley and Kari took their shoes off and Kari hung her backpack.

  Ashley did the same. She wanted to be extra-careful not to upset her mom. Especially when she had a big surprise planned.

  Just then, Brooke came through the door. She looked like she’d been crying.

  “I thought you’d be home by now.” Kari spoke first. “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything.” Brooke hung her bag on the third hook and sniffed. “I guess in middle school, not everyone gives valentine cards.” Her eyes filled up. “I didn’t get a single valentine from any boys in my class. I’m the only one.”

  “What?” Ashley couldn’t believe it. “Why?”

  “They don’t like me.” Her voice was frustrated and sad. “Obviously.”

  Ashley didn’t know what to say. How could that happen? At Kennedy Middle School everyone loved Brooke. Even the teachers. She was the perfect student. Just like Erin.

  “I’m sorry.” Kari reached for Brooke’s hand. “That’s rotten. It really is.”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Brooke sniffed again. “I hate Valentine’s Day.”

  Ashley held out her bag of candy. “You can have some of mine.”

  Brooke let out a laugh that was more like a cry. “Thanks, Ash.” She took a piece of chocolate. “Where is everyone?”

  Just then, their mother came into the entryway. She didn’t notice Brooke’s expression right away. Instead she motioned to the three of them. “Follow me!” She looked like she was holding in a secret. “Happy Valentine’s Day, girls.”

  Whatever the surprise was, they were about to find out.

  5

  Being Princesses

  KARI

  Kari’s stomach had butterflies. She loved surprises, especially ones from their mother. Hers were always the best. And no, this wasn’t going to be a horse. Kari was sure of that.

  The three of them followed their mom into the front dining room.

  Everywhere they looked the place was decorated with pink and white and red balloons, and streamers the same colors looped across the ceiling. The table had a white cloth, and over that, in perfect settings, sat what looked like brand-new china and silver.

  The whole room was like something from a Valentine’s Day fairy tale.

  “This is amazing,” Kari whispered.

  “Wow!” Even Brooke smiled. Her sadness was clearly gone for the moment. “Mom, this is the prettiest thing ever.”

  “That settles it.” Ashley nodded. “You and I have the same decorating skills.”

  A large bouquet of white roses sat at the center of the table. They were so pretty they almost didn’t look real. But the smell filled the dining room. Kari was still trying to take it all in.

  Soft jazzy music played from a CD player in the corner, and Kari immediately recognized the song. It was “You Are My Sunshine.” “Hey! We sang that in school today!” Kari had never smiled so big.

  Her mother took hold of Kari’s hands and they started to dance, singing along to the music. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.”

  Ashley and Brooke held hands and danced, too. Though they didn’t know all the words the way Kari did. When the song ended, Kari saw something else. Near the teacups and saucers were gift bags. One for each of them.

  This just kept getting better, she thought.

  Kari looked at Ashley and Brooke. Then the three of them turned to their mother. “A tea party?” Kari spoke first. “Is that what this is?”

  “You’ll see.” Their mother smiled and headed for the kitchen. “Find your name and have a seat. I’ll be right back.”

  Kari looked at her sisters, wide eyed, mouth open. They sprang into action, looking for their names. Kari found hers next to Ashley and her mom. Her name was written on a sealed letter near her pink and white gift bag.

  “This is the best!” Brooke squealed. She brought her hands to her face. “And look at these cups!”

  Kari picked up the teacup in front of her. It was pink and gold, with delicate flowers. She might as well have been a real princess. True royalty!

  The girls took their seats, and minutes later, their mom came into the room with a tray of treats and a pot of tea.

  “Teatime!” She placed the tray in the center of the table and took her chair.

  For a few seconds, Kari looked at Brooke. She actually seemed happy now. Kari was glad. Brooke took hold of their mom’s hand. “So beautiful, Mom. Thanks.” She smiled. “I needed this today.”

  For the first time Mom seemed to notice something was wrong. She moved Brooke’s bangs from her eyes. “What happened, honey?”

  “Middle school is hard.” Brooke sank back against her chair.

  Kari tried to help out. “No valentine cards from any of the boys.” Kari gave Brooke a sympathetic look. “I’m definitely not looking forward to middle school.”

  “Me, either.” Ashley tapped her teacup. “At least I have two years until I’m in sixth grade. That’s practically forever.”

  “Well.” Mom looked from Brooke to Kari and then Ashley. “This is good timing, then. You girls are princesses. You are priceless. One in a million. I want you to always remember that, every time Valentine’s Day comes around.” Her smile reached all the way to Kari’s heart. Their mom continued, “What better way to celebrate a day of love than with a princess tea party? All of us together!” She took hold of the teapot. “Now, let’s get started!”

  The girls sat up straight, swapping smiles. Mom had shared bautiful moments with them all their lives. But nothing like this.

  “In England, tea is proper. Just like princesses are. So, if you add sugar or cream, don’t clink the sides of the cup with the spoon.” She passed around the sugar dish and the creamer.

  Kari watched her mother grab one sugar cube, so Kari did the same.

  Their mother held up the tea and mini plate. “Hold the saucer in one hand while you drink with the other.” She took a sip. “And never slurp.” Putting on her best British accent, their mom lifted her chin, all proper-like. “It’s not polite to slurp, don’t you agree?”

  The girls giggled. Each of them did her best to imitate their mother.

  Kari held her pinkie finger out as she took the slightest sip. She also attempted a British accent. “The tea is marvelous, Mother.” She loved the way it tasted. And she felt so grown up.

&nb
sp; “Yes, dahhling.” Ashley held her cup up toward Kari and then Brooke. “Marvelous, Mother.”

  “True, true.” Even Brooke gave a try at an English accent. “You make the most lovely tea, dear mum.”

  Next Mom passed around the tray of treats. There were finger sandwiches, scones, shortbread cookies, and chocolates. All were homemade, all delicious, and all made with love. The way their mom always baked. Kari could picture her working all day to make this the perfect Valentine’s Day tea party. She smiled.

  Their mother sure knew how to make them feel loved.

  Kari took a bite of the scone. Cranberry. Absolutely perfect.

  Across the table Ashley took a sip of her tea and made a silly face.

  “Not a fan?” Their mom gave Ashley a sympathetic look. “It took me a few years to acquire a taste for tea.”

  “No! It’s good!” Ashley shook her head a little. “Really. Just . . . well, maybe a little strong.”

  “Mum.” Brooke raised her teacup in their mother’s direction. “Please pass the sugar to my dear sister Ashley.”

  “Yes. A whole lot of sugar, if you please.” Ashley’s fake British accent was so thick it made them all laugh.

  Mom passed the dish of sugar cubes, and without hesitating Ashley dropped four cubes into her tea. A light bit of laughter came from their mother. “Usually just one or two, Ashley. So you can taste the tea still.”

  Ashley looked embarrassed, but she smiled as she stirred the tea. “So, I’m a princess with a sweet tooth.” She shrugged. “I’m always a little different.”

  “True.” The comment made Mom laugh even harder. She covered her mouth with her napkin.

  The girls snacked on the treats and sipped tea and then their mother looked at each of them. “So, how was Valentine’s Day?” She asked the question softly. Like she cared a lot about their answers.

  “Well . . .” Brooke set her cup down, cleared her throat and looked at Mom. “It’s like Kari said. A lot of my friends got valentines. You know, telling them they were funny or cute.” She paused and took a breath. “But not me. I didn’t get one. I guess I just felt . . . not very special.”

  Ashley shook her head, clearly upset. “A bunch of boys almost ruined my party decorations. They ripped down streamers and destroyed my banner.” She gave Brooke a look of sympathy. “I definitely get it about boys.” Ashley took another sip of her tea and chomped down on a scone. “Who needs them?”