Teen-Adulthood 101

Chapter Fourteen

The guys started grilling at 4:30 while the rest of us cooked the other food and talked. Joni got over the morning incident and was happy again, but decided not to teach us anymore lessons. So, that was good news.

"So, Amanda," Joni asked. "When do you think you will tie the knot?"

Stirring the potato salad, she answered. "I want to wait until I graduate college, but if it happens before that, then at least until I turn eighteen."

"Why after college?"

"I want to at least get my education out of the way before getting married and Kyle wants to do the same, also. My parents instilled the value of education and hard work in my little brother and me, since we were younger, and we take everything we do seriously. For instance, I want to be a writer and musician, so ever since I was four, my parents paid for my creative writing and music lessons. They also encouraged me to write poetry and stories for school papers and contests, as well as do talent shows. I was also studying my dad's law books and each state and federal law books at the public library. That's when my dad bought me law books from every state and federal so I could read them on my own accord and encouraged me to become a lawyer, along with being a writer and musician."

I was amazed. "Yeah, my parents instilled that philosophy in me, also. They made sure I had the best music and writing teachers and encouraged talent shows and writing contests. Also, when I had expressed interest in going into Nursing, they told me to go for it and bought me medical and pharmacy books that I still read."

"Same with me," Rain added. "My mom noticed my talent for art when I was a kid and enrolled me in art classes and camps. I won several awards and she and I worked on several art projects together before she died, but I kept going and improved on my art because I want to become an artist in every way, shape, and form."

Laughing, Joni replied. "Good goals, girls, but now that you have husbands and babies to tie you down, that stuff will be harder to do."

"True," Jana calmly retorted, "but it's not impossible. If they have the drive and ambition, then they should go for it. I know it won't be easy because things will come up, but if they stick with it and don't give up, then they will accomplish their goals in the end and those closest to them will be proud of their achievements. Besides, I'm married, have responsibilities at home, go to school full-time, and work. I maintain a 4.0 GPA, make a lucrative profit at my record label and playing with my band, while keeping a strong and healthy marriage with the man I love."

Hi-fiving at her response, I replied. "Cool beans."

We continued talking for two hours until supper was done and ate delicious barbeque, while having good conversation. I also took a glance at Logan and Joni flirting with each other and wanted to strangle them, but kept composed for Rain. We were talking about random stuff when Logan exposed Kayla's secret by asking how the ACT testing went.

Trying to keep her cool, she answered. "What ACT? I just had a meeting at school."

"Meetings don't last four hours, but college testing does. I also know that the test was today and coincided with the hours you were gone."

That's when I jumped out of my chair. "Logan, you ignoramus, why is that any of your business?"

"It isn't, but I thought Matt and Joni would like to know what she's been up to. She's been tutoring kids after school and baby-sitting on the weekends for money and didn't tell you, taking ACTs, and applying to MSMS."

This caused Rain to jump from her seat. "Logan, you swore not to tell!"

"Well, they had a right to know. If you were doing something I didn't like, I'd want to know about it."