Beaming Through It All

Chapter Fourteen

When I got home that night, I felt greater than ever. And it was not because I had been accepted in the cheerleaders' team, or because I had suddenly become one of the popular ones, nor was it because Katie, my mom and Jill were waiting for me at home with my favorite meal and a « congratulations » banner. No, what really made me happy right now was the fact that I was dating Jeremy, and that I was sure of it now, what I felt for him was love, and nothing else.

I didn't tell Jill right away about what had happened. She would find out soon enough. For the moment, I wanted to make the most of my new relationship with Jeremy, and there was something better in keeping it secret. I spent the week-end with him, except for Saturday night, because there was a party with all the cheerleaders and Jeremy had told me I had to go, and I almost forgot about one important thing : my sister.

Although I, on the one hand, was living my best life, she, on the other hand, was totally devastated. She did her best to look happy, but every time she thought no one was looking, it was obvious she was not feeling well. She had done so much for me : without her, I wouldn't have met Jeremy, and I would never have got better after the accident ; now it was my turn to help her.

Therefore, one day, the week following the cheerleading results, I decided to talk to Katie as soon as I came back from school. She was in the living room, alone because my mom had left to do some shopping, and without hesitating a bit, I went and stood in front of her. She looked up at me.

'Jenny !' she said. 'How are you doing ?'

I took a deep breath, wondering how I would put this.

'I'm great,' I said. And I was. 'But Jill is definitely not. And I think you can do something about this.'

Katie gave me a surprised look. 'But honey, Jill is avoiding me. She doesn't want anything for me.'

'I know. It doesn't matter. After my accident, she forced me to go out, against my will. And now I'm really thankful for that.'

Katie seemed totally lost.

'What do you want me to do, Jenny ? We don't even know why she's so depressed.'

I knew I was supposed to keep the secret. She would thank me later. Hopefully.

'She feels betrayed because she found out you had a daughter. And I think she knows more than that but she wouldn't tell me because she said I'd be hurt too. I think you owe her the truth.'

'She knows about.. ?' Katie asked, astonished. I nodded.

'She's afraid to know the truth, but I think it's the right thing to do.'

While Katie thought about this, I had a better look at her. Her reddened eyes, probably because she was crying a lot lately, the rings under her eyes, her uncombed hair. She was not the classy Katie we all used to know. She, too, really needed explanations with Jill.

'All right,' she said eventually. 'I'll talk to her.'

Luckily, I didn't have to force Jill to come have dinner with us, because since my new cheerleader status, and because Katie had given up on talking to her, she went out less often than before.

When we both got down to the kitchen for dinner, Katie and my mom were sitting at the table, looking a little embarrassed. Jill and I sat, unaware of what would come next.

'Girls,' my mom said. 'We have to tell you something. Please don't leave the kitchen before we're over. It's very hard to say, and we'd like you to know everything. It's important.'

I felt Jill make a move beside me, but I put a hand on her leg, and she remained seated. Katie cast a glance at my mom, who made an encouraging nod, and she started to talk.