Kinderella: A new kind of cinderella story

Chapter Eight Tuesday

Mom and Keith never came home last night, but Bobby did. He just went straight to bed. I think last night was Preacher Bucketts funeral. When bobby got up in the morning he looked like he was pretty depressed. In the mist of things, I was too. I was excited for the dance tomorrow, but let's face it. We will all be sad, at least. This old place can be so depressing, that sometimes I find it hard to smile. And often find myself wondering how so many people in this place keep smiling through this narrow depression that never seems to stop, or even slow down for that matter. After we ate breakfast we both went to school. At the beginning of the day, Mrs. Thomas asked our class if some of us could stay after school to help prepare for the dance. I told her I would have to go to to the house and asked Keith, but I could probably come. She asked if she could dismiss me from class early so I could go asked. I said, "Yes, Mrs. Thomas". After lunch she wrote me a note that said, "EARLY DISMISSAL". I walked out of the school house, but by the time I got to Jacob's house I realized walking home is a lot different when Justin isn't there. I guess I sort of missed him in a weird friend sort of way. I wonder if he feels that way too. Next thing I knew I was home. Sadly, Keith was on the front porch smoking. I asked him if I could stay and he said yeah, so I went back to school. It's really pretty lonely without Justin. When I got back to school the bell rang. Justin, Jacob, Kate, and I were the only one's who stayed to help. Mrs. Thomas gave me a list, and Justin some money to run to the Miller's store to pick up some stuff. It takes less time to run to school than it does to go home. When we got to the store, I read the list:
Balloons
Streamers
Plates
Napkins
Flour
Sugar
Frosting
Vanilla
Chips
Chicken
We hardly ever get the majority of this stuff at home this stuff at home. We took the stuff back to school and started helping out. She called me and Justin the A team, and Kate and Jacob the B team. Kate and Jacob had already sat out the chairs and tables. They were arranged beautifully around the room with a center piece on every table. Justin and I had to tie a balloon to every chair, and set out plates and napkins. After we finished it looked beautiful. She said we weren't doing anything tomorrow, and we were just going to play outside. Now that sounded like fun to me. It was dark by the time we got home, and Lord was I happy to be home. The house was so nice and neat, I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Keith saw the look on my face, and said, "I'm sorry about the mess I left last night". I told him, "it is fine". "No, it isn't", he answered with a grumble. I said nothing. What was
I supposed to say? I mean it is my job to help out around here, and I guess that is just part of it. He went to his room and shut the door. I hate it when he does that. It drives me crazy! I just went to my room. That's all I really could do. Sometimes, I feel so powerless around him. He acts so childish sometimes, but I can't do anything about it. Bobby came into my room, and told me to come watch tv with him. I went into the living room, but I was too worried about the dance to watch The Brady Bunch. I didn't know if I was excited or nervous or anxious, all I knew is I was ready. When it was 8:30 I made Bobby go to bed. He complained, but I told him to just watch T.V. in his room. I was so tired I went to bed after getting him settled.