Kristyn Cambridge was walking home from school that warm yet cool spring day. As she walked down the sidewalk, she thought about her old best friend, Rachel Hadlen, who had moved out of Tulsa, Oklahoma to Boston, Massachusetts, due to her father's job.
Boston, Kristyn thought glumly. That's practically halfway across the country!
As she crossed over onto her driveway and made her way up to the front door, she spotted her younger sister, Lucy, hanging upside down from a tree limb.
"What are you doing over there?" Kristyn called out.
Lucy looked up at Kristyn, although her view of Kristyn was upside down, of course. "Hanging out," she replied matter-of-factly. "What does it look like I'm doing?"
Kristyn smiled. Lucy, she thought. Always the wisecracking, sarcastic tomboy.
"It looks like you're upside down, to me," Kristyn remarked.
"No, you're the one who's upside down," Lucy shot back.
Kristyn raised an eyebrow. "Oh really?"
"Yeah," Lucy answered. "You are."
"Oh, so I suppose I can defy gravity since I can walk upside down on the grass 'ceiling' and not fall down on my head," Kristyn said mordantly. "Either that, or my feet are glued to the ground-- the ceiling, I mean. Is that so?"
"Yep." Lucy nodded. "Exactly. You're anti-gravitational. You're Super-Kris!"
Kristyn rolled her eyes. "Uh-huh; yeah, sure. You keep telling yourself that, Luce." She turned around, and headed towards the front door.
"I don't hafta keep telling myself that; I already know that and it's true!" Lucy yelled after her, but Kristyn already slipped through the door, closing it shut with a bang behind her.
"Hmmphm," Lucy muttered. "She doesn't even know about the supernatural powers she possesses!"
Meanwhile, inside the Cambridge house, Kristyn climbed up the stairs to her room, dropped her backpack on the floor, and then made her way back down to the kitchen. Linda, the Cambridge mother, was standing at the counter, slicing vegetables with a big knife. She looked up as Kristyn walked into the room.
"Hi honey," Linda greeted her daughter. "How was school today?"
Kristyn smiled. "Hi, mom." She started to reach out to give her mother a hug. "School was-- whoa." She backed away as she eyed the large knife in her mother's hand.
Linda looked down at the knife in her hand. "Oh, sorry honey." She laughed and placed the knife down on the counter. "Now can I have a hug?"
Kristyn laughed too. "Of course!" She embraced her mother in a warm hug. "School was okay. You know, just the usual. But I wish that I was still in elementary school like Lucy is."
"Oh really? Why do you say that?" Linda wanted to know.
"Because," Kristyn said. "Lucy's outside being little Miss I-have-all-the-time-in-the-world-to-play!"
Linda laughed heartily. "Oh, so that's what this is all about."
Kristyn smiled. "Well, not only that. I mean, obviously, in elementary school, the work load is so much lighter and easier. Plus, the elementary school dismisses the kids out earlier than the upper school students. So that would explain why Lucy's always outside romping around by the time I get home. And," Kristyn grinned sheepishly. "You might think this sounds kind of corny, but I kind of envy Lucy. You know, the way she has such a wild, creative imagination."
Linda chuckled. "She does, doesn't she?"
Kristyn nodded knowingly. "Definitely! Before I came in, she informed me that I'm Super-Kris, and that I have supernatural powers. Can you believe it?"
"Well, knowing Lucy, I'd say I can!" Linda remarked.
Kristyn laughed. "Yeah, of course." She glanced down at the counter, which was covered with several different vegetables. "Gee, mom; you think that just about every single vegetable on earth is on our kitchen counter right now?" she joked.
Linda chuckled again. "Almost, probably! But actually, I'm preparing lunch right now."
"Lunch?" Kristyn stared at all of the vegetables on the counter. "Mom, I know we have a pretty big family, but seriously, it looks like you're preparing a feast for some gigantic party or something!"
"Actually, Kristyn, in a sense, you're right. We're not having a gigantic party, but my close friends are coming over for lunch today."
"Really?" Kristyn asked. "That's great! Who are they?"
"Well," Linda began. "Their names are Diana and Walker, and they are very good friends of mine; I've known them since I was in grade school. I haven't gotten together with them for awhile, so I thought it would be nice to invite them over for lunch. And they're bringing over their kids too."
"Oh, let me guess," Kristyn said wryly. "They have a big family, don't they?"
"Actually, yes; you're right," Linda admitted. "How did you know?"
Kristyn gestured towards all the vegetables scattered across the counter. "I think that speaks for itself."
Linda laughed. "I should have known!"
"So," Kristyn continued. "Tell me about their kids."
"Well, they have four sons, I believe. Isaac, Taylor, Zachary, and Mackenzie, I think. Isaac is sixteen, Taylor is fourteen, Zachary is eleven, and Mackenzie is three. They also have two daughters, Jessica and Avery. Jessica is eight and Avery is six. I think that's all; I don't think I forgot anyone-- atleast I hope not!" Linda remarked.
"Hey, they're kind of close in age to us," Kristyn pointed out. "I mean, Christian and Dante are both sixteen too. I'm thirteen, Alleigh and Mac are eleven, Lucy is ten, Ceital is six, and Zillah is two. That's kind of a cool coincidence."
Linda nodded. "Yes. I'm hoping that you kids will be able to become friends and be nice to each other."
"Oh, we will, mom; don't worry about that," Kristyn assured her.
"Oh, I don't know about that," Linda said uneasily. "I mean, you and Dante are very responsible. I would say Christian, Mac, and Lucy are more on the wild, rowdy side, and Alleigh and Ceital are on the sweet side. I know I don't have to worry about you or Dante, and I don't think Alleigh or Ceital would be a problem either, but...I have a feeling I may need to beware of the behavior of Christian, Mac, and Lucy. Sometimes they can get too out of hand."
"Oh, mom. I think you're putting that a little mildly, don't you think?" Kristyn asked.
Linda smiled. "Probably. It's just that I'm really looking forward to seeing Diana and Walker, and I really want you kids to get along well and behave. I don't want Christian, Mac, and Lucy to act...well, you know. Out of control, I would say."
Kristyn placed her arm around her mother's shoulders. "Don't worry, mom; I'm sure they'll behave all right. But if they don't, I'll try to get them to act more mature. You don't have anything to worry about, all right?"
Linda smiled at Kristyn. "Thank you, honey. I'm glad you're so responsible. I know I can count on you." She patted Kristyn's arm gently.
Kristyn grinned. "Well, that's what I'm here for!" She gave her mother another hug.
Just then, the front door opened and then slammed shut. Christian, Dante, Alleigh, Mac, and Lucy walked into the kitchen.
"Hi mom," they chorused.
"Hi kids," Linda greeted. "How was school today?"
"All right," Dante answered.
Christian rolled his eyes. "Not that great."
"It was okay," Alleigh commented.
"Same old," Mac muttered.
Lucy made a face. "Boring."
Linda looked from one of her children to the other. "What's this? I ask one question, and I get five different answers??" she joked.
Dante grinned. "Well, what can we say? We're all different."
Lucy stuck out her chin. "Well, duh."
Dante made a face at Lucy. "Very funny." He jokingly swatted at her head with the back of his hand.
"Hey!" Lucy cried. She quickly retaliated by swatting him back.
"Now kids, this is exactly what I want to talk to you about," Linda told them.
Lucy turned around. "Huh? Talk about what?"
Linda rolled her eyes and gave Lucy a funny look. "I was just getting there."
"Oh." Lucy shrugged. "Sorry."
"Anyhow," Linda continued. "I already told Kristyn about all of this, so I have to tell the rest of you about what's happening today. You see, two of my--"
"Hey, why are there so many vegetables on the counter?" Mac called out.
"Yeah, what's up with that?" Christian put in.
Linda gave Christian and Mac a hard look. "Like I said before, I was just getting there," she said sternly.
"Oh, okay," Mac said with a shrug. "Continue."
"Now kids, today, this afternoon, two of my very close friends are coming over for lunch..." Linda started.
"Aww, man! House guests!" Lucy complained.
Linda stopped talking, put her hands on her hips, and looked at Lucy. Everyone else turned to look at Lucy as well.
Lucy looked confused, and raised her hands in the air in a puzzled manner. "What?" she asked. "What'd I say?"
"Exactly. You said something. So stop talking and let mom finish!" Alleigh scolded her.
Lucy made a face at Alleigh. "Nyah." She stuck her tongue out at Alleigh. Alleigh just rolled her eyes and sighed loudly.
"As I was saying," Linda continued. "Two very good friends of mine, Diana and Walker, will be coming over for lunch this afternoon. I have also invited their six children over for lunch as well. So, I would like you kids to all be--"
"But how come--" Lucy began.
"Shut up!" everyone exclaimed.
Lucy scowled. "Well, sorrrrrryyyy!"
Linda looked at Lucy for a moment before continuing. "I want you kids to be on your best behavior," she warned. "Really, I mean it. I do not want to put up with any foolishness or childish behavior this afternoon. And I would also like you all to be very nice to each other; there will be absolutely no fighting, no arguing, or things like that. Understood?" Linda gave Lucy a pointed look.
Lucy frowned. "Why are you looking at me? Doesn't that go for everyone?"
Linda nodded. "Yes, you're right. It does. So, have I made myself clear?"
"Crystal," Lucy answered. Everyone turned around to look at Lucy again.
"What??!" Lucy demanded. "What did I say?? I don't get why all of you are looking at me like that." She crossed her arms and let out an annoyed huff.
Dante turned back to Linda. "Don't worry, mom. We'll be good."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "So does this mean I can count on all of you?"
"Yep," Mac replied breezily.
Lucy nodded. "No sweat."
Again, everyone turned to look at Lucy. Lucy gritted her teeth in annoyance.
"For crying out loud, why is everyone staring at me so funny?!??" Lucy exclaimed.
Everyone laughed. Lucy just shook her head in annoyance and frustration.
"I just don't get you people," Lucy muttered.
"Hey, what about Ceital?" Dante asked, looking around the room. "Where is she?"
"Oh, Ceital's up in her room," Linda answered. "She knows about all of this. I already told her about it when she came home earlier today."
"Oh, okay." Dante nodded.
"Can I ask a question if no one will stare or look at me weirdly??" Lucy demanded.
Linda laughed. "All right, honey. Go ahead."
Lucy pointed to all of the vegetables on the counter. "What's with all the veggies? You still haven't told us the deal about that."
"Oh, that? Well, in a way, I kind of did. The Hansons are coming over for lunch, so that's what I'm preparing right now," Linda explained.
"Hansons?" Alleigh asked.
Linda nodded. "Yes, that's their last name. Hanson."
"Oh," Alleigh said.
Lucy wrinkled her nose. "So, what, are they all like, vegetarians or something?"
"Vegetarians? What makes you say that?" Linda asked.
"Because," Lucy said. "Look at the counter. It's all stuff that grows outta the ground; all vegetables. Those Hanson people don't eat any meat or anything? Geez...I don't know how people can be herbivores all the time."
"Oh, no." Linda shook her head. "The Hansons are not vegetarians; they eat meat, don't worry. I'm just preparing a salad, and since there will be almost twenty mouths to feed, I needed a lot of vegetables, that's all."
Lucy looked relieved. "Oh, okay. Well, that's good. I can't stand vegetarians; they're such health nuts. If you ask me, they're missing out on some great grub."
Linda smiled. "Well, not all people feel the same way, Lucy. Being a vegetarian isn't necessarily such a horrible thing."
"Are you kidding??!!" Lucy exclaimed. "Being a vegetarian must be so awful! I mean, you're like, practically deprived of half your nutrition when you don't eat any meat."
"Not really, Lucy," Linda said. "Remember, Alleigh is a vegetarian."
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah. How could I forget?" She turned to look at Alleigh. "Well, what I said was true. Look at her; she's all skin and bones."
"Hey, I'm not all skin and bones!" Alleigh protested.
Lucy raised an eyebrow. "Yeah you are. Look at you; you're too scrawny. You need to put some fat on your bones," she told Alleigh.
Alleigh covered her ears. "Don't say that!" she shrieked. "I don't want to get fat!"
Lucy rolled her eyes again. "Oh gosh, I don't wanna hear this." She turned on her heel and crossed over to the other side of the kitchen, as far away from Alleigh as possible.
"Kids, why don't you all go on up to your rooms and get ready for lunch?" Linda suggested. "All of you might want to take a shower or change clothes."
"Change clothes?" Lucy looked confused. "Why would we wanna do that?"
"Because some of you have on clothes that aren't clean," Linda informed her.
"Oh. Well, I guess that doesn't include me, since my clothes are all clean," Lucy decided. "So I guess I won't hafta change."
Linda raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? What would you call those things on your shirt and jeans, then?"
Lucy looked down at her shirt and jeans. Streaks of dirt, dried bits of mud, and grass stains were scattered across her clothes. She looked up at her mother, and gave her a sheepish grin.
"Oh. Those. Well, it's just a little stain here and there; nothing too noticeable," Lucy said lightly, shrugging. "I can still wear these clothes to lunch, right?"
Linda shook her heard. "Nope, you can't. Now everyone go upstairs and get washed up and changed. The Hansons will be over at four thrity-five. Lunch will be served out in back on the patio."
\\*// Chapter 2 \\*//
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