Knowing Things Only She Knows: Catherine's Summer Adventure

Chapter 6

I didn’t get to write my diary while riding my way back to Los Angeles. Something is wrong with mom that daddy can’t say through phone. But why? And also, why did daddy told me to not bring any pears while going back? Then I heard Aunt Luisa, Daddy and Mommy’s words: “They don’t need to know what you know.” They’re very careful about it. When I walked out of the store, my friends told me to be strong, then Andrew called me.

“Catherine, tell your mother about your visit here. It could make her feel better,” he said with a sad smile on his face. I nodded and told him, “I will, Andrew. And thank you for everything.”

But still, something is making me write in my diary. Instead of writing a long, narrative one, I just made a note:

23 May, 9:00 p.m., Sacramento, California

Dear Diary,

          So something’s wrong with my mother that Daddy can’t say. I’m wondering what it is but then the worse thought came to my mind. But I don’t want that to happen to her. Not with mommy. I don’t know what’s going on this night. I hope I can still be strong.

 

Sincerely,

Catherine

See? I didn’t even use my initials for it. I’m confused, tired and scared at that time. Though I ate before I left, I felt my stomach growing sick. What if anything goes wrong tonight? What’s going to happen next? The bottom line: Will I ever handle it? My phone beeped up again, and it was dad.

“Catherine, sweetie, where are you?” Again, it wasn’t the phone carrier. It was mom. She spoke before I can even say hello, and her voice is very weak, weaker than the last time Alex visited her.

“Mom, I’m on my way there. Why?” I said.

“Can you do me a favour, please?” She asked.

“What kind of favour, Mom?”

“Buy me a flower in Siena’s Garden.” What? She still wants a flower from Siena’s? “I want a white clover, iris, a purple tulip and white carnation. Add some baby breaths also. I want to design our flower vase in here,” she said and I swore she was smiling. I smiled too because she was acting like her old self again.

“Is that all? You want to add anything?” I asked.

“No, just get in here with the flowers. And I will tell you a story that happened in a diner in Sacramento, California,” she said. Is she referring to Sally’s?

“Mom, I just went to Sacramento, in Sally’s Coffee Shop & Diner. Big Bro Andrew is saying his regards to his “little” sister,” I said with a sad grin of my face. Our driver, Fred looked from the rear view mirror and smiled also.

“Really?” She said with excitement in her voice. “George! Catherine went to Sally’s. Did you tell her anything about it?” She told dad, shouting. Like her old self.

“I never mentioned her that!” Daddy called back. With this, I thought things were getting better again, but that is just a thought.

“Then, sweetie how did you know about Sally’s?” she asked.

“Angie and I met earlier in school. She told me about your little getaway from school. Never thought you’d go to that place with her. And Andrew told me about you and dad’s little secret,” I said in a teasing tone and I swear I heard her laugh.

“Oh, George we really can’t keep a secret with her anymore. She’s already grown up and can easily know a secret all by herself. My baby girl’s slowly turning into a young lady,” she said, a bit of sadness in her voice.