Sandra was upset. She was upset that mom and dad got divorced; mother remarried, and that she was moved from California to Kentucky at age 16. She was especially upset at the idea of having to go to John's parents for Thanksgiving, she would have preferred to spend it with her dad, but mom wanted to please John, and he wanted her to fit in with his family.
They left for John's parents house; nothing was going to make her call him 'dad' no matter what he did. The place was packed. Younger kids were all over. There was only one other person her age, a guy over in the corner looking as sullen as she felt.
Sandra went into the kitchen to make herself useful. Most of the food preparation was already done, but she found John's mom could always use another helping hand, and she seemed genuinely pleased at Sandra's offer. While they worked she made conversation.
“So, Sandra, how do you like Kentucky so far?”
“Frankly, I would prefer to in California,” Sandra replied.
Kate sighed inwardly at that. The girl had been put through a lot of changes in a short time, so she could understand the sentiment. “Well I am happy you are here anyway. John has never been happier, he always wanted a daughter around the house. And your mom and he make a good couple. I imagine it is hard on you though. Tell me about your dad.”
“He is a good father. He and mom had a falling out because he has to work so much. She was constantly after him to spend more time at home. He just couldn't do it. She got fed up and left.”
“A woman has to feel needed, I understand that,” Kate said. “Did you have to leave anybody behind? Besides your father I mean?”
“No. I didn't have any attachments. A lot of friends, though we still keep in touch.”
“Yes, social networking makes that a lot easier. I belong to a site myself.”
“Really?” Sandra said, and immediately brightened a bit. The two women spent the next hour getting the meal together and talking.
Dinner was delicious. Afterward she went outside to look around. The boy her age was there. In a friendly mood, Sandra went up to him. “Hi, I am Sandra, Cathy's daughter.”
“Yeah, I know. Your mom married my uncle. My name is Sid.”
“Hi Sid, glad to meet you. You look unhappy to be here though. It's your family, what's the problem?”
“That's the problem. Don and Emma treat me as a kid, I get dragged to these kiddy events, and I am tired of it.”
Sandra giggled. “The crowd does seem a little young for us, and most of the adults are off doing adult things..”
“Want to go out with me?” Sid asked.
“You mean like on a date? Aren't we first cousins?”
“We are about as related as any two other people in the world.”
“You have a point there. But it would still be a problem for the family.”
“Yeah, it would really tweak them.”
Sandra thought about it. “OK, you're on. Where shall we meet?”
“After school tomorrow, we'll just hang around, nothin' special”
“OK, see you then.”
The idea of tweaking mom and John was too delicious for words. And Sid was right, they weren't really related; besides he seemed like an interesting person.
They met after school the next day. Then at the library the next. Sid, when she got to know him, was an impetuous person. The exact opposite of her dad, and that intrigued her. Things moved right along, until one day when she got home and her mother was standing there looking like she was ready to spit fire.
“Sandra Michelle Phillips, what is going on?”
Sandra knew when her full name was used, it was not a good sign. “Any particular subject?”
“Have you been seeing Sid?”
“Took you long enough to notice that mom. Yes, do you have a problem with that?”
“Do I have a... you are first cousins!”
“Oh, give me a break mom. We aren't related except by your second marriage.”
“I...”
John came in the room. “Cathy, may I talk to her please?”
Cathy shot an angry glance at Sandra and left the room.
“I figure I know why you are doing this. I want you to remember one thing though: Sid doesn't love you, he is only using you to get at his parents.”
“John, I know that. And nothing is going on, really.”
“Tongues are wagging.”
“Yeah, I know. Pity.”
“I know enough of you to be able to trust your judgment.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“So I am not grounded, or forbidden to see him or anything like that?”
“No.”
“You've managed to surprise me John.”
The next day Sandra met with Sid again. “My parents know.”
“Mine haven't figured it out yet. Let's elope!”
“Pardon?”
“I will take dad's car, we'll drive away and get married.”
“Have you thought this out completely Sid?”
“What's to think? You hate your life here, I hate mine. Let's start one together.”
“I am honored Sid, I really am. But no, I don't hate it enough to ruin mine. How are you planning to support us? Where will we live? No.”
“I will find someone else then.”
“You do that.”
Sandra walked away feeling angry and confused; until she met up with Betty, another girl from school.
“You stole Sid from me, now you are going to get what's coming.”
Sandra shrugged. “You want, him, he is all yours. I am finished with him.”
She slowly walked back home. Sid's mom's car was there. She quietly went in.
“That tramp of yours talked Sid into stealing my car. Now what are you going to do about it?”
“Don, Sandra wouldn't do that.”
“Well she did. She is an gold digging harlot just like her mom.”
“Get out of my house Don.”
“What?”
“Get out of my house!”
Just then another car screeched to a halt in the drive way.
“Don, are you in there?”
“Yeah Fred, what do you want?”
“Your boy just eloped with my Betty. You have a lot to answer for.”
“But I thought...”
“Goodbye Don,” John said.
After the two men left Sandra entered the room.
“I knew I could trust you, Sandra,” John said.
“Thanks, Dad,” Sandra replied.