One Detention Saved My Life

Chapter 37

  I'm exhausted. Scarlett's only been home for a day and all she's done is cry. I've helped feed her and change her diaper. Jimmy had to go to work today, so I had to step up to the plate and do his job. Luckily, Scarlett is fast asleep in her crib.
   The doorbell rings and I hear Scarlett cry. So much for the peace and quiet. I guess she inherited my super sonic hearing. I love Scarlett, but I haven't really slept since she was born.
  "Can you get her while I answer the door?" Mom asks me, getting off the couch.
   I head to Scarlett's room, slowly open the door, and stoop over her crib to pick her up. She stops crying as I cradle her back and fourth in my arms.
  "Everythings fine. You're okay." She sqirms in my arms, making little babbling sounds.
  I hear Kelly, Dad, Amy, and Mom's voices coming from the living. Ever since New Year's Dad made an oath to get to know her better. The two of them really hit it off and Dad would take us on dates. Kelly met her and they instantly bonded.
   I walk back into the living room, Scarlett restless in my arms. Everyone turns their attention to me.
    "I didn't know you wrote," Dad says.
     "I don't know what you're talking about."
   "Amy showed us the paper," Mom says. "Your article is in there."
     It all starts to click in. My last paper that I wrote for Mr. Kelsak was about my tenth grade year as a whole. He said my paper was good enough to be published, so I gave it to him as a joke and said he could edit and publish it. I should have known he would have done something like this. Mr. Kelsak was not the kind of person to joke.
  I hand Scarlett to Mom and she starts to wail.
   "There, there it's okay," Mom cooes, taking Scarlett to the nursery. Scarlett was starting to smell. It wasn't my turn to change her diaper.
   "Boy, she really likes you," Amy says. "I think I might be a tad bit jealous," She laughs.
   I rush at her, sweeping her up in my arms. "I missed you and your laugh."
     "I missed you too," Amy replies, kissing me softly on the lips. She pulls away from me, goes over to Dad, and plucks the paper from his hands.
   "I want the author to read me his story," Amy says, handing me the paper. I clear my voice and start to read.
   "My tenth grade year started off to a rough start. I was never very popular and got bullied because of my mom's past. I got a detention because I was  last to class three times, all because I was bullied. Detention is supposed to be a punishment, but to me it saved my life. I met a girl on the bus home and she liked me for me. She didn't see the "monster" or the "nothing" the bullies saw. She saw my true self. The next day I found a note in my locker asking me to have lunch with her and her friends. I was a little hesitate, but I took the opportunity to have lunch with her. A couple of months pass and my life seems to be getting better. That is until I find out my bullies are going after my friend. With the help of a few kids we manage to take the bullies down. I haven't seen them since then. In a way I have to thank them, because without them one detention couldn't save my life."
   I feel tears well up in my eyes. The paper is more beautiful than I remember it being.
     "You read that beautifully," Amy comments.
   "Thanks," I say, smiling.
   I realize at that moment exactly what I want to do with my life. I want to major in journalism. I want to write about how other people's stories changed their lives. People's stories needed to be told. That will have the most impact on  the world. Of course, I'll still bake, but only in my spare time.
    "Greg and I have something to tell you," Kelly says.
   For some reason my eyes go to her left hand and I grin when I see a gorgeous diamond ring on her ring finger.
  "I see Dad finally did it," I say to Kelly.
  "You know?" Dad asks.
  "I've always had a feeling that you're relationship would carry on to the next level," I reply, winking at Kelly.
     "Do we have your blessings?"
    "Yes."
     "Good, because our wedding is at the end of August."
   "Don't you think that is a little too soon? How are you going to get everything ready in time?"
   "I have my best man to help me with that."
   "Which is?"
  "You."
   "I'd be honored to help you. Amy can help too."
     Kelly looks at Amy. "How would you like to be one of my bridesmaids?"
   Amy's eyes sparkle. "I'd be honored."
   Planning a wedding is going to be a lot of work, but I will make sure it is the best wedding ever. After all, you only get married once. That's a lie. Dad was already married once, but second marriages are guaranteed to last.