Georgie's Moon (10 page)

“Well, if you insist,” Sophia said. “My husband and I bought our first house a long time ago. We were young and thrilled to be in our own home. Then our new neighbor introduced herself—Aggy Jensen. At first I was happy to have a friendly neighbor my age. But, oh, my! She nearly drove me crazy, that Aggy. She was as generous as the day is long, but she couldn't take a hint if you broadsided her with it.

“I'd always been a private person and wanted to stay that way, but Aggy would drag me to Tupperware parties or insist that she had to have my opinion on something so I'd feel forced to shop with her. She simply wouldn't leave me alone.”

Georgie moved closer to Sophia. Lisa pulled her legs up and rested her chin on her knees.

“She did some crazy things in those days. Some people thought she was touched in the head.”

Lisa said, “It doesn't sound like she's changed much.”

“Well, she really is a little strange now. She's getting older and had a mild stroke last year. But I knew there was nothing wrong with Aggy before. She was just a free spirit. Then, after my husband died, I had my accident and was put in this thing.” She pointed to her wheelchair. “I needed help. I had no family here, so I put our little house on the market and made plans to move to the Sunset Home. By then, Aggy lived alone, too. As soon as I told her my plans, she immediately called my real estate agent and told him he had to sell her house, too, because she would not let me live here ‘alone.'”

Sophia's voice cracked and tears pooled in her eyes. “That was the single most selfless thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“That's a neat story,” Lisa said.

“Yeah, it is, Soph,” Georgie said.

Sophia cleared her throat and sat up as straight as ever. “Yes, well, there is a point to it, you know. The point is, life would be easier without people like Aggy, but it would be so dull.”

Georgie saw Lisa look at her with a funny expression. “What?” she said.

Lisa jumped a little, as if startled. “Nothing,” she said. “I was just thinking that things aren't ever dull with you around, either.”

Georgie snorted but knew that the sun wasn't the only thing making her feel warm.

*   *   *

Georgie was still feeling good when she got home that afternoon. She hadn't finished her weekend homework and needed to read a chapter of science and one of social studies. She took the books outside, knowing the cool days of winter would soon be here, and sat on the grass to read.

A shadow fell over her book. Georgie shaded her eyes and looked up at Mom.

“Hey, what say we go out for supper for a change?” She handed Georgie an open bottle of Coke.

“Great!” Georgie said. She took a sip and asked, “Where are we going?”

Mom sat on the ground next to her. “I'll let you pick the place and I'll pick the time.”

“Time?” Georgie was wary. She ran her finger around the rim of the bottle. “Why a special time? Why not right now?”

“Well, we can leave now.” Mom began twirling Georgie's hair, something Georgie had grown to hate. She set her bottle down and swatted Mom's hand away.

“Let me guess,” Georgie said. “We can leave now, but we won't get back until the news is over, right?”

Mom sighed and began plucking grass. “Georgie, let's not get into all that right now. We don't have the babies tonight and we never go out. Let's just leave it at that and enjoy ourselves.”

“Okay, but we either wait for the news to be over or get home before then, okay?”

“No news, sugar.”

Georgie slammed her science book shut. “Then forget it.”

“Georgie, you're going to drive yourself insane if you don't stop looking for your daddy on the TV. I've made up my mind to stop you one way or another. It's for your own good.”

“My own good?” Georgie yelled. “You don't know anything about what's good for me!”

Georgie grabbed her books and jumped up, sending a spray of soda across the grass.

12

Monday had been a long day for Georgie. It seemed that every teacher thought he or she was the only one Georgie had. She hadn't had time to catch her breath all day, so she dragged her feet on the way home from school. She hoped the brats were still napping because she wasn't in the mood to deal with them. She turned the handle to open the kitchen door and caught a ball right in the chest. Before she had time to react, John jumped up, yelling, “Fall down! I got you!”

“You little monster!” Georgie yelled.

“But I got you,” he said with less conviction.

“You are dead meat.” Georgie tossed her books aside.

“No,
you
dead.” John began backing away from her. He turned to run. Georgie caught him and pulled him into the living room.

“Mom!” she screamed. “Keep this troll away from me!”

When her mother didn't answer, Georgie called louder, “Mom!” She looked around the room. Somehow it felt bigger. Then she saw why. The television was missing.

Mom came out of the bathroom with a kid slung on her hip. She didn't give Georgie her usual cheery greeting.

“Where is the TV?” Georgie asked.

Mom walked over to a crib and put the baby inside.

“Come here, John.” Mom crouched. He ran into her arms. She stood up, while John buried his face in her shoulder. “I sold it,” she said.

“Why?”

“Because it's not healthy the way you watch it.”

“The way I watch the news, you mean. The way I look for Dad there.”

“Georgie, you know how I feel about this and you still won't quit.”

“Because I love him!” Georgie cried. “It looks like I'm the only one who cares about him at all.”

Georgie ran to her room and locked the door. Mom knocked on it, calling her name. Georgie ignored her. She grabbed her small duffel bag and threw some clothes inside. She couldn't stay here with Mom tonight, and there was only one place Georgie knew to go—Lisa's. She started to open her door and remembered Lisa's poem. She stuck it in her back pocket and walked out of the room.

“Where do you think you're going?” Mom said.

“I'm sleeping at Lisa's house tonight.”

“You are not leaving here mad and you are not sleeping anywhere else on a school night, Georgie!”

She walked over to her mother. Because Georgie was taller, Mom had to look up, which was good for Georgie's strategy.

“I don't want to be here and you can't make me stay.”

“I'll call Lisa's mother and tell her to send you straight back home!”

“No!”
Georgie yelled. “You talked about me to Mrs. Donovan and now you want to tell Lisa's mom about me. It makes me feel like a freak! I'll have Lisa call so you'll know it's okay. She won't lie to you.”

Mom said, “Georgie, can't you see? Things will just get worse if you leave now.
Please
stay and let's talk about this.”

As Georgie shoved her books into the bag, she wanted to shout “I hate you!” But she didn't because Dad wouldn't have wanted her to. That was the only thing that kept her voice even. “You act like my feelings matter so much, but you don't really care what I think at all. You got rid of the TV to hurt me.”

She grabbed the bag and stormed out of the house. As she stomped down the sidewalk, she heard the door open. John called out, “Georgie! Come back! I sorry I got you, Georgie!”

She slowed for just a second, then hurried away.

It was a long walk to Lisa's house.
I should have taken the bus,
Georgie thought.
If only I hadn't been so mad.
She switched her bag from one hand to the other as it got heavier. She took a shortcut through Willow Park, stopping to guzzle water from the drinking fountain, then climbed on top of a picnic table to rest.

Georgie stayed there, fuming over her mother's act, until hunger gnawed at her. She looked at her watch and was surprised to see how late it was. It would be after five by the time she reached Lisa's. She picked up her bag again and turned her thoughts to what she would say to Lisa and her family. It would be fine if Lisa, her mom, or even Denny answered the door. She didn't have a clue about what she would say to Lisa's dad. As long as he didn't answer, she would be all right.

*   *   *

She set her duffel bag on the porch and rang the bell. Lisa's dad opened the door, holding an unfolded newspaper in one hand. This was definitely not Georgie's day.

“Yes?” he said.

“Hi, Mr. Loutzenhiser. I'm Georgie Collins, Lisa's friend. Is she in?”

“She went to the store with her mother.” His eyes squinted. “Who did you say you were?”

“Georgie Collins. Lisa and I just became friends this year. But good friends,” she threw in for good measure.

“I see.”

Georgie shifted from one foot to the other. When it didn't look as if he was going to let her in, she said, “You remind me a little of my dad. He has the same haircut.”

Mr. Loutzenhiser held on to the doorknob and said nothing.

Georgie tried again. “Were you in the Air Force? Lisa mentioned you used to serve. My dad is a major. He's in Vietnam right now.”

Mr. Loutzenhiser's face softened. “Well, now.” He cleared his throat. “Well, well. Won't you come inside? I was an Army man, myself. But the Air Force is a fine branch of the military.”

Relieved, Georgie decided to push her luck and tell a small fib. “Lisa invited me to spend the night so we could study together. We're partners in a project at school. I brought my duffel bag.”

“Bring it in, bring it in,” he said. He refolded the newspaper while Georgie brought her bag inside.

“I'll show you to Lisa's room.”

“Thank you, but I know where it is,” Georgie said. “I'll wait on the porch if that's okay with you.”

“Certainly! Absolutely.” He rubbed his hands together. “Well, it's wonderful that Lisa's made such a good new friend.”

“Thank you, sir.” Georgie gave him her best smile.

By the time Lisa came home, Georgie was relaxed enough to give a convincing performance.

She greeted Lisa's mother first. “Hi, Mrs. Loutzenhiser! Thanks a bunch for letting Lisa and me study together. Lisa insisted I bring my stuff for overnight, so I did, but I wanted to make sure it's all right with you first.”

Georgie saw Lisa out of the corner of her eye. She could have sworn Lisa's mouth was wide open, but Georgie concentrated on Lisa's mom.

“Oh! Of course! We'd love to have you, Georgie. I hope you like roasted chicken. If not, I think there's some leftover meat loaf. Or maybe I can whip up a small batch of goulash.” Mrs. Loutzenhiser talked to herself as she walked into the kitchen.

“Chicken will be fine!” Georgie called after her.

“I call dibs on the drumsticks,” Denny said as he followed his mom into the house.

Lisa didn't say a word. Georgie thought she might be in shock.

Georgie pounded her on the back. “Breathe!”

“It's not that I don't want you here, but why
are
you here?” Lisa said.

“Aw, my mom and I got into a fight. Hey, that reminds me. I need you to call her and tell her it's okay if I stay.”

When Lisa didn't say anything, Georgie looked hard at her. “You don't really want me here.”

“It's not that. It's just that things are so … tense around here.”

“Still?” Georgie remembered Lisa saying that before, but it was weeks ago. “Why?”

“I—” Lisa started to say something, then seemed to change her mind. “Who knows.”

“Well, I know why they're tense at my house and I'm not going back there tonight. Come on! It'll be fun,” Georgie said. “Now, go call my mom before she calls the cops.”

Lisa dragged her feet but followed Georgie inside and dialed her number.

*   *   *

“I'm coming!” Denny yelled as he rounded the dining room corner and slid into his chair between his dad and Lisa.

“Let's see them,” his dad said, reaching for Denny's hands and turning them over.

“What? I washed!” Denny said.

“Yes, I see. Next time you might dry them, too.” He looked at Denny, then tilted his head toward Lisa.

Denny squirmed in his chair. Mr. Loutzenhiser cleared his throat purposefully and Denny said, “Okay, okay.” He grabbed Lisa's hand as if it were a live snake.

Lisa linked hands with her mom. Mrs. Loutzenhiser reached for Georgie's hand. Georgie looked at Lisa, confused, but Lisa just smiled at her, as if this were normal. So Georgie gave her hand to Lisa's mom, who gave it a squeeze. Mr. Loutzenhiser reached for Georgie's other hand. Now the family formed a circle around the big dining room table.

Lisa's dad began his prayer. “Lord, we thank you for this food, for our health, and for our brave soldiers fighting to keep us safe. Amen.”

Georgie kept her eyes open during the prayer. She saw Lisa look sharply at her, then duck her head. Mrs. Loutzenhiser looked pale and her lips were pressed together tight.

Mr. Loutzenhiser said, “Honey, you never mentioned that your new friend's father was an Air Force man.”

Lisa's face contorted into a painful-looking smile. “I didn't? I thought I did.”

“Georgie tells me he's fighting in Vietnam.”

“Gene, please,” Lisa's mom said. “Let's not discuss the war at dinner.”

“I just think it's nice to see a little patriotism, that's all, Marian.” He stabbed his piece of chicken.

Mrs. Loutzenhiser changed the subject. “Georgie, would you like broccoli?”

“Thanks.” Georgie took the bowl. Geez, Lisa wasn't kidding when she said things were tense here.

Lisa's mom continued. “We usually have more dishes to choose from when we have company. We're happy to have you, but I wish Lisa had given us a little more warning.”