Best Family Ever

by Karen Kingsbury

  This was her chance. With the fastest steps, she ran onto the field. “Let’s go, Mighty Dolphins.” She looked at the other girls. “We can do this!”

  Ashley was playing midfield, which meant a lot of running. Coach said the team needed her boot, so that meant this was her moment. She had to score! One goal would win the whole thing.

  Lydia passed to Heather, Heather to Kari, and Kari to Ashley. She wanted a breakaway, but three defenders swarmed around her. “Help!” she called out.

  “Here!” It was Kari across the field near the goal.

  Ashley sent the ball and watched as the defenders ran toward her sister. Maybe if she hurried toward the goal she could still get another chance. Kari passed the ball to Lydia, who passed it back to Kari.

  “Score!” Coach Kelly yelled from the bench. “Kick it!”

  Kari had the perfect open shot. But in a flash she sent the ball to Ashley. She could hear the fans screaming. “Mighty . . . Dolphins . . . Mighty . . . Dolphins!”

  You can do this. With just one defender in front of her, Ashley dribbled to the right and kicked the ball as hard as she could.

  Goal! Ashley had scored!

  The other Mighty Dolphins danced and shouted and raised their hands in the air. They were winning! Ashley’s boot had come in handy after all and now the team was going to win.

  With teamwork, they had done it!

  She looked across the field at Kari. Her sister was just standing there, a grin across her face. She gave Ashley a thumbs-up.

  A minute later the game ended and Kari came running to her. “You did it!”

  “No.” Ashley suddenly knew. They hadn’t won because of her at all. She put her arm around Kari. “We did it.”

  And so they had.

  Which was just one more reason why they were best sisters.

  • • •

  The win called for a pizza night! So Ashley and Kari and Lydia and their families all met up at Pete’s Pizza near Michigan Stadium. Everyone was still celebrating, even after they finished their dinner.

  “That was the best goal!” Luke could barely sit still. “Did you hear me cheering for you?”

  Ashley laughed. “Yes. You were the loudest one, Luke.”

  “Good.” He high-fived Ashley. “That’s why we won!” He looked around. “That’s why you scored that goal!”

  “No.” Ashley looked across the table and pointed at Kari. “She’s the reason we scored. Because helping each other goes both ways for sisters and for teams.”

  Kari grinned at her and raised her fork. “Yay, Mighty Dolphins.”

  Even in all the happiness, though, Brooke was quiet, sitting at the end of the table across from Ashley. She seemed sad, and Ashley promised herself that she would talk to Brooke tonight. No matter what.

  But when they got home, Brooke had three friends over and all of them stayed outside playing basketball with Luke and Erin and Kari. Ashley didn’t feel like intruding.

  Instead she found a piece of paper from her desk drawer and sat down with her pencil. This time she wasn’t going to sketch. She needed to write a letter.

  She took a deep breath and put the tip of the pencil at the top of the page.

  Dear Brooke,

  Things have been different between us and I really don’t like it. I never wanted to be annoying. It just seemed like you were trying to be my mom. But you’re my sister, not my mom.

  Still . . . you did say you were sorry. A lot of times. And ever since then I’ve been out of line.

  See, I thought you and Mom and Dad wanted me to be you. Like turn into another little you. And I realized I cannot do that. I’m Ashley. I can only be the best Ashley Baxter.

  I am funny and crazy and loud. I love art and soccer and butterflies. But I still want to be your friend. Will you forgive me?

  Love, your sister, Ashley

  When she finished, Ashley read it over again. Yes, that’s what she wanted to say. She tucked it into the top of her desk and waited. Later, when everyone was getting ready for bed, Ashley found the note and walked down the hall to Brooke’s room.

  Her sister was laying out her clothes for school tomorrow, nice and neat. Ashley smiled and watched her for a few breaths. Then she stepped inside. “Brooke?”

  Her sister turned toward her.

  Ashley walked a little closer. “I’ve been a little off. A little unfair to you. And kind of rude. Ever since the Be-Like-Brooke project.”

  “I was just . . . trying to help.” Brooke’s answer came with a wave of hurt.

  Ashley held out the letter. “I know.” She waited until Brooke took the folded piece of paper. “Read this. I wanted to tell you how I feel.”

  At first Brooke looked like she didn’t want to read anything from Ashley. But then, in slow movements, she opened the paper and began to read. As she did Ashley could see little changes in her face. Her eyes got softer.

  After she read the last word, Brooke looked up at Ashley. “I forgive you, Ash.” She set the note down on her dresser and held out her arms. “And I’m sorry, too. I only want you to be the best you that you can be!”

  Ashley closed the distance between them and the two girls hugged. Like old times. Brooke stepped back and smiled. “I want to be your friend, too.”

  “Forever.” Ashley felt the greatest wave of peace. “Because we’re moving.”

  “Yes.” Brooke’s eyes looked a bit damp. “And our best friends are right around the dinner table.”

  “Exactly.”

  The next day Brooke and Kari and Ashley played H-O-R-S-E on the basketball court with Erin and Luke. All the kids together with everyone getting along. Too soon they would have their last day of school and they would say goodbye to their Ann Arbor friends. But Ashley was happy because once again they had each other.

  And that was the best feeling in all the world.

  23

  All the Lasts

  ASHLEY

  Ashley sat on the bus, looking out the window trying to figure out where the year had gone. She was heading to school for her last day at Johnson Elementary, and everything in her wished it was the first day.

  Or even the snowflake day this past winter.

  Her heart felt so sad. Ashley wasn’t even sure she wanted to go to school today. Because then that meant it was all real. That they were truly and actually going to move.

  Kari tapped her shoulder. “What are you thinking?”

  Ashley sighed. “I can’t believe it’s happening.”

  “I know . . .” Kari peered down at her backpack. “Last day . . .”

  Ashley nodded, slow and certain. “Yeah.” She reached for Kari’s hand and held it for a few seconds. “You and I feel the same.”

  The bus pulled up in front of the brick building and one by one they got off. “Here goes.” Kari waved at Ashley and then at Erin and Luke.

  “Have a good last day!” Ashley yelled as Erin and Luke skipped off. At least the two of them seemed happy.

  Ashley turned to her older sister. Kari had sad eyes. The girls shared a last look and then Kari ran off to join her fifth-grade friends. Every morning Ashley ran off the bus to her classroom. Except when she was a snowflake that one time.

  But not today.

  Today Ashley wanted to take her time. So she could make this final day last as long as possible.

  Forever, maybe.

  But then she saw Lydia. Her best school friend in the world was standing there outside the classroom door holding a sign that read: Goodbye, Ashley! We will miss you! And that was just the moment Lydia saw her, too.

  Ashley picked up her pace and ran up to give her a big hug. “You made me a sign?” She stepped back and studied the hand-painted poster. “I love it! You’re the best friend ever.”

  Lydia handed the poster to Ashley. “I had to send you off with a memory!” She sounded a little sad. And it was only eight in the morning. “My mom helped.”

  “We still have ten minutes till class starts.” Ashley l
ooked at the clock on the wall. She set her poster and backpack down. “Which means . . . we could race once around the school?”

  “I don’t know.” Lydia laughed. “Don’t you care if you get hot this early in the morning?”

  “Never cared about that.” Ashley was finding the fun in the day.

  “Did I hear someone say they wanted to race?” It was Eric’s voice.

  Ashley couldn’t tell if he was teasing. She turned around and there he was. “You.” She lowered her eyes at him.

  “You.” He laughed. “Looking for a race?”

  “Aren’t you afraid you’ll lose?” Ashley hadn’t actually ever beat him. But today she had a feeling she just might.

  Eric grinned. “You should be afraid. Not me.”

  “It’s on.” She got in her starting position. “To the fence and back.” Longer than that and Ashley wasn’t sure about her chances.

  “You got it.” Eric set his things down. “Okay, Baxter. Let’s do this.”

  “Lydia! Count us off.” Ashley felt sure she could beat him. She made a face in his direction. “Oh . . . and it’s not Baxter. It’s Ashley!”

  Lydia did her part. “Three . . . two . . . one—”

  “No!” Miss Wilson stepped out of the classroom and interrupted the race before it started. “No racing now. It’s time for class.” She motioned for them to get into the room. “Maybe at recess!”

  Ashley felt the thrill leave her heart. “But, Miss Wilson . . . I was going to win. For the first time.”

  “Sorry. We have a lot to do.” She sounded happy. “It’s the last day of school!”

  They all headed into the classroom.

  And what a last day it was.

  Every hour was something different. A round of the hot potato game first, and then one of the moms brought in cupcakes. After that, they cleaned their desks, and when they were all finished Miss Wilson had them sit down again.

  “I have a surprise!” She pulled up a box from behind her desk. “Memory books. One for each of you.”

  When Ashley got hers, she opened it and her soul soared. Inside were pictures from the fall party, the field trip to the Christmas concert, the snowflake project, the Valentine’s party and even one photo of Samson the butterfly.

  The perfect souvenir for her years at Johnson Elementary.

  Before she started taking the memory book around to have her friends sign it, Ashley walked to Miss Wilson’s desk. She held the book up. “Will you write in mine first?” Ashley set the book down in front of her teacher. “I know I haven’t been the easiest student.”

  “No.” Miss Wilson laughed as she picked up Ashley’s memory book. “Not the easiest.”

  “But I will say”—Ashley smiled—“you are my favorite teacher. And I won’t forget you.”

  The start of tears showed up in Miss Wilson’s eyes. “I won’t forget you, either, Ashley.” She smiled. “I wish everyone loved life the way you do.”

  Finally, Ashley thought, someone who understands me. She nodded. “I wish that, too.”

  Again Miss Wilson laughed, but then she signed Ashley’s book. Next Ashley took it to Lydia, who she was going to miss forever and always.

  During recess Ashley and Lydia stayed with the other girls and signed memory books. Ashley really wanted to race Eric. If she was ever gonna beat him, it was today. Because today was full of lasts. Which meant it was the last time Ashley could beat him. So of course she would.

  The rest of the day sped by in fast motion. And then, like a million days before this one, the bell rang. But this was the last time, so Ashley didn’t jump up and run out of the room like the other kids. She and Lydia stayed right there.

  Maybe they could pretend it wasn’t the bell and it wasn’t the last day.

  And pretend that her family wasn’t moving away.

  Ashley didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. Lydia, either. They stared at Miss Wilson, who was facing the blackboard. The message read, Have a Good Summer.

  With big circles, Miss Wilson erased the words until the board was clean again. Ready for another fourth-grade class when summer was over.

  Miss Wilson turned around, and she looked surprised. “Girls! It’s summer. Go play!”

  “No thank you.” Ashley held her head high. “I just wanna sit for a little bit more. If that’s okay.” Ashley looked out the window, and back at her teacher. “I’m going to miss the view.”

  “Me, too.” Lydia looked at her and smiled. “You got me in trouble a hundred times, Ashley Baxter.” She took a slow breath. “But I only wanted to sit by you.”

  Miss Wilson seemed to understand. Because she started packing up her desk. Just then Ashley saw something near the classroom entrance. She turned and there was Eric. Leaning against the doorframe.

  “Hey, Baxter.” He grinned. “How about that race?” He raised his eyebrows. “Our last chance, right?”

  Ashley was on her feet in an instant. “Come on, Lydia. You don’t want to miss this.”

  Both girls grabbed their things. Ashley waved goodbye to Miss Wilson once more. “I’ll visit sometime.” Ashley pushed back the sadness. “My dad said to tell everyone that.”

  “Okay!” Miss Wilson waved, too. “Be yourself, Ashley. And do your homework!”

  Ashley laughed. “I will. Have a great summer, Miss Wilson. Thanks for everything.”

  Outside, Ashley set her things down on the ground and lined up next to Eric. “Lydia . . . count us off, please.”

  Once more Lydia did the countdown. “Three . . . two . . . one . . . Go!”

  Ashley and Eric took off across the grassy field toward the fence. Most of the students were gone by now, but a few cheered them on. Just like Ashley thought, her feet were faster than ever before.

  She and Eric kept right at the same pace all the way to the fence. But on the way back she got a little ahead and a little more and Ashley pushed herself even more. Faster! Faster! You can do this! she told herself.

  Just a little ways more and then . . . Yes! Ashley won! She actually won! One of the boys from their class yelled, “Eric, you let her win!”

  “No!” He was out of breath. He leaned over his knees and Ashley did the same. “She . . . she beat me! Fair and square.”

  This was how Ashley wanted to end this day. Running as fast as she could with the wind in her hair. She was having too much fun to be sad.

  “You did it.” Lydia gave her a high five. “You actually beat Eric Powers!”

  Across the field Ashley saw Kari and Erin and Luke boarding the school bus. She only had a couple more minutes.

  Eric had his breath now. He came to her and held out his hand. “Nice race, Ashley.”

  She stopped in her tracks. Then she took hold of his hand and shook it. But all she could think about was one thing. For the first time all year, Eric had called her by her name. He called her Ashley.

  She smiled. “Thank you.”

  His smile faded a little. “Hope your move goes okay.”

  “Me, too.” Ashley would even miss Eric Powers. She knew that now.

  “See ya sometime . . .” His smile was the nicest it had ever been. “Bye.” He picked up his backpack and walked across the field.

  “Bye, Eric . . .” Ashley called after him. “See ya.”

  She would see Lydia on Saturday at their last soccer game. But she wouldn’t see Eric Powers again. Ashley hugged Lydia and then she ran after her siblings. This time as she ran, she had just one hope in her heart.

  She hoped that the wind would dry her tears.

  • • •

  The soccer party at the Baxter house was wrapping up. Lots of Ashley’s teammates had said goodbye. Each of them told Ashley and Kari that they’d miss them next year.

  “Maybe we’ll come for a game,” Ashley said at least eight times. But already Ashley knew that she and Kari would be playing soccer with their new friends on a new team.

  “You know what I think.” Ashley came up to her mom as another t
wo girls and their families left. “I think we won’t probably come for a visit next season.”

  “Maybe not.” Mom nodded, sadness in her eyes. “But you never know, Ash.”

  “I do know.” Ashley waved at the walls around them. “This is all about to be a think of the past.”

  Her mother looked at her. “Do you mean a thing of the past?”

  Ashley thought for a minute. “Actually I like ‘think of the past.’ I’ll only remember all this when I think about it.”

  “Oh. I see” Her mom smiled. “I like that.”

  Lydia said goodbye at the end, but she and her mom were coming by tomorrow to say one last goodbye. For now Ashley and Kari had to finish packing up their clothes.

  Everything in their room was packed in a big box. Kari’s teddy bear and her sand dollar and dream collage board. Ashley’s soccer ball and cleats and the little book on encouragement from her mom.

  After tomorrow, Ashley would only have the memories of these years in Ann Arbor and the time in Miss Wilson’s class, Eric Powers and the Mighty Dolphins and Lydia . . . all of it would be a part of yesterday.

  Nothing more than a think of the past.

  24

  Saying Goodbye

  ASHLEY

  Ashley woke to the sound of the truck backing up her driveway. The beeping was worse than any alarm ever. Because the loud noise meant only one thing.

  It was time to leave.

  Bare walls. Empty dresser drawers. And a cleaned-out closet. The only things left in the house Ashley loved so much.

  She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and looked over at Kari’s bed. But Kari wasn’t there. Ashley jumped up and ran down the hall to Brooke’s room. She wasn’t there, either! Next she ran to Luke and Erin’s room, flung open the door, and . . . gone!

  All of them.

  Had her parents and siblings moved without her? Ashley brushed her hands over her eyes again. No, that wasn’t possible. The moving truck was still out there making that terrible beeping.

  “Um . . . Ashley!”

  She jumped around to see Brooke. “You’re here!” Ashley clutched her heart so the beating would slow down a little. “I thought everyone left!”