Page 17 of On Her Team
Penelope is fourteen. She’s smarter than me. She’s going to take over the world someday.
In a good way, I hope?
Definitely. She watched a documentary about how miners are treated in Africa today and cried. Before declaring, she would do things differently.
I think I’m going to like Penelope.
And then there’s Mila. She’s eight. And a thorn in my side.
How so?
She doesn’t want to listen. She screams when it’s bathtime. She tortures her sister.
I am definitely going to like Mila.
My stomach tingles. Does he want to meet my family? Why? We’re barely friends. And he’s not on the island for long anyway. He’ll be gone before school starts in the fall.
Calm down, stomach. I am not getting involved with a landlubber. Getting involved with visitors didn’t work out very well for Mom.
You should get Mila a dog.
A dog?
Has he lost his mind? I can’t get my little sister to brush her teeth without begging and fighting and bargaining. A dog is a bad idea.
It would teach her how to be responsible.
She’s eight.
Isn’t this what families do? They get a dog for the kids?
And who in this family is going to take care of the dog? Walk it three times a day? Pick up after it when it has an accident? Wash it? Take it to the vet? Me, that’s who. As if I have oodles of time to add caring for a dog to my agenda.
Sorry. I didn’t think of how much work a dog would be. No dog.
My mouth gapes open. He agreed with me. Without arguing. And apologized. Who is this unicorn man?
Thanks for understanding.
I’m very understanding. You should ask my teammates.
Your teammates will say you’re understanding?
Never mind. Don’t ask them.
What will they say about you?
That I’m obsessed with a redheaded singer I met at Mermaid Karaoke.
My heart beats against my ribcage. He’s obsessed with me? I’m just Addy. Nothing exotic or interesting to see here. Whereas he’s a famous footballer who’s been photographed with models on his arm. I may have googled him while Penelope watched her documentary.
Obsessed?
Obsessed. Intrigued. Pick your favorite.
We’re just friends.
I write it as much for me as for him. I need the reminder. Nothing can come of this friendship.
