Chapter 8
My
life had become more hectic than it had ever been. I had cheerleading
practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays, band meetings on Mondays and band
practices on Wednesdays and Fridays. I had hardly any spare time – after
cheerleading and band practice, I had homework to complete. Sometimes I didn’t
even have time to do my homework.
I got home from cheerleading practice that Thursday and collected
the mail. There was one for me – from Taylor. I hadn’t heard from him in
absolutely ages, so I dumped the rest of the mail on the bench and ripped the
envelope open. It was one of the longest letters I’d ever received.
Kat,
How’s it going? Well done for getting on the cheerleading team. You
sure have a busy life now, what with band practice and cheerleading. I thought
about what you said, and I’m pretty sure I’d be able to come over for a week or
two. It depends on how busy I am. I could probably manage to get over to
Currumbin just after Christmas, but I’ll call you anyway.
How’s 9th grade going? I only just started 9th
grade, and I’m guessing you’re about two-thirds of the way through already. You
told me about Joshua being chosen to perform some songs from the musical ‘Cats’
– now that would be exciting. You’re on a stage in front of an audience,
and the music is all that matters. You pretty much forget about everything
else. It’s one of the best feelings in the world, Kat. Just wait until you
start to perform. You’ll get what I mean.
I’d better go. Ask Mikaylah about having me over for a week or
two. I’ll call you in about a week from the day you get this, so in 2 weeks’
time. See ya!
Taylor.
PS – I’m looking forward to seeing the routine that got you on
the team.
I swore. Sure, I could remember my routine, but I was not up to showing it to some guy I’d never met!
Mikaylah
came home at six. I was running through the team routine, music blaring, and I
didn’t hear her come in. “For goodness’ sake, Katia, turn that noise down!” she
yelled.
I stopped the CD and went into
the kitchen. “Mikaylah, remember how you said I might be allowed to invite
either Taylor or Siobhan over after Christmas?”
“Why?”
“Taylor
wrote to me. He might be able to come over these holidays.”
“He’s
going to call, right?”
I
nodded. “So long as it’s okay with his parents, go for it.”
- x -
The call I’d been waiting for
came a week later. I was doing my homework when the phone rang. I snatched up
the cordless and answered. “Andretti residence. Katia speaking.”
“Honestly,
Kat, you sound like your sister!” It was Taylor, being crazy as per usual. “You
planning to answer phones for a living?”
“Shut
your trap. How’s it going?”
“Pretty
good. What’re you doing?”
“My
English homework. I have to write a page-long essay about the development of
writing in the 20th century, including an example from each decade.”
“Doesn’t
sound too hard.”
“You
try doing it when the dipstick next door is playing heavy metal music at
maximum volume. It’s extremely distracting.”
“Did
you ask your sister about a possible visit?”
“Yeah,
she’s cool with it.” I unearthed a bundle of papers and began sifting through
it. “I’m going to clear out the spare room this weekend. I hope you can come.”
“So
do I. We can go surfing sometime.”
“You’re
on! What type of board do you have?
“I
think it’s an eight footer.”
“I’ve
got a Quiksilver eight footer. We get good waves here in summer. Mikaylah said
that we’ll wait until you get here before we have Christmas. She won’t do a
traditional one either. Sound good?”
“Yeah,
really good. I gotta go, okay? I’ll clear it with my parents and get back to
you.”
“Okay.
See ya.”
- x -
A
week later, Mikaylah and I got another call from Taylor.
“I
can come, Katia,” he told me. “I’m coming to Brisbane from LA on December 26th,
then I’m going back to LA on January 9th. I’ll be there for two
weeks.”
“Try
to get a connecting flight to Coolangatta, okay? And bring a fair bit of money
with you. The post-Christmas sales always begin two days after Christmas. It’ll
be perfect for doing a bit of Christmas shopping.”
“I’ll
try. Put your sister on, will you?”
I
handed the cordless to Mikaylah and went upstairs. Instead of cooking up a
storm on Christmas Eve, Mikaylah would be making Mexican and Italian food for
Christmas dinner – enchiladas, tortellini, lasagne, homemade pizza…the works.
It would be happening on New Year’s Eve.
Mikaylah
finished the phonecall and came upstairs. “It’s all set, Katia.”
“Good.
Christmas’ll be lots of fun this year.”
I
sat down at my desk and began writing a letter to Taylor.
Taylor,
Christmas is gonna be a blast this year! It’s a real shame you
have to miss Zarah’s monster Christmas party, but I’m sure Mikaylah will let me
have a New Year’s party. You’ll be able to meet my friends. I’ll still be
jamming with the band 3 times a week – Josh, Zarah, Cameron, Sasha, Tasha,
Taren & I – so maybe you could join us. I think we’re scheduled to do a
performance on New Year’s Day, to preview some new songs. We’ve completely
finished about six songs, and we reckon they’ll go down a storm.
Josh’s performance is coming up. I’ll be in the audience, so I
will probably be able to give you a rundown of what happens. He told me that, each
and every time they’ve done Memory in rehearsal, he’s broken down in
tears. It was Justin’s favourite song, and I think they’re doing it twice –
once as a group, and Josh will be singing it as a solo right at the end. You
should hear him sing. It’s amazing.
I’d better go. I’ll see you in a few months.
Kat.
I
went over to my bedroom window. Karen and Josh were both in what had been
Justin’s room, and Joshua was singing. The clear sound of his voice raised
goosebumps on my arms.
“Do
Justin proud,” I whispered.
I
realised that, had Justin still been alive, he would have been singing
alongside Joshua. I had heard Justin sing once, and once only. His voice had
been even clearer than Joshua’s was, and he had been singing Memory, as Joshua would be doing.
I
heard Karen speak to Joshua when he had finished singing. “Joshua, I am so
proud of you. I know how much you miss Justin, and I know it hurts to think
about him. Justin would have been so proud of you, and so would your father.”
“I know, Mum. I’m
gonna do Justin proud.”
