“That’s on Friday afternoon, as in tomorrow, not next week,” added Christy’s history teacher while reading the announcement. “An all-school assembly will be held in the auditorium at two o’clock. Next year’s football team will be presented, and next year’s cheerleaders will be announced.”
“As if we don’t already know who the cheerleaders are,” said a girl in the front row.
Christy could feel the gaze of her classmates on her. She kept looking straight ahead.
“Open your books to chapter 17, and since I’m sure you all read this last night as I asked you to, I’d like you to spend the rest of class answering the review questions at the end of this section.”
The usual groans and shuffling of books ensued, and Christy hurried to get going on the assignment. She already had plenty of homework and didn’t want any more. Unfortunately, she made it through only half the questions before the teacher announced that whatever they didn’t finish in class would be due tomorrow, and they also needed to read chapter 18. Now it was Christy’s turn to groan and shuffle her books.
“Seems like all the teachers are piling it on now that school is almost over,” said a guy next to Christy as they left the classroom.
“I know,” Christy groaned.
“I think they want to cram everything in so they can put it all on our finals.”
“I’m not looking forward to that.” Christy inched her way down the crowded hall with the guy. She didn’t even know his name, and he hadn’t spoken to her all year. It seemed a little odd that he’d suddenly turned so friendly. Just then Christy spotted Teri standing by her locker.
“Excuse me,” she said. “I want to see how Teri is doing.”
“Yeah,” the guy said quickly, “too bad about her foot. Glad you made cheerleading, though. Congratulations!”
So that’s it! He’s suddenly paying attention to me because I’m going to be a cheerleader. How shallow can people be?
“No crutches?” she asked Teri, coming alongside her.
“No, I hobbled around this weekend, but it’s fine now.”
“That’s good news,” Christy said.
“Yes, well, the real good news is going to be tomorrow,” Teri said without a hint of jealousy. “I know how much you wanted to be a cheerleader, Christy, and I’m really glad you made it.”
“It hasn’t been announced yet, Teri.”
“No, but everybody knows who got it. It’s not going to be a surprise this year. I mean it’s obvious, don’t you think?”
“Aren’t you even upset about it? You worked so hard, and you’re so good, and it’s going to be your senior year and everything. Aren’t you even a little hurt or angry?”
Teri smiled her dazzling smile. “Kind of. You know, I really thought that’s what God wanted me to do—be a cheerleader next year. But I guess I was wrong.”
The bell clanged loudly above their heads. Teri squeezed Christy’s arm before slipping into her classroom. “I’m going to be in the front row tomorrow, cheering my heart out for you, Christy.”
At that instant, it was as if a loud bell went off inside Christy’s heart, and suddenly she knew what she had to do. It was completely clear.
Katie came looking for Christy after school at her locker. “Where were you at lunch?”
“Oh, I had to talk to somebody.”
“Who? Rick?” Katie prodded.
“No, Mrs. James. About some cheerleading stuff.”
“Are you getting excited about the assembly tomorrow?”
“I guess.” Christy shrugged and tried to smile at Katie.
“Well, this is your first year here, so maybe you don’t realize what a big deal they make of this at Kelley High. The athlete of the year calls the girls’ names, and they run onto the stage and line up in front of the football players. They always start crying. It’s a big deal. Better wear waterproof mascara tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Christy said.
“Did I tell you who made mascot for next year? It’s supposed to be a secret until they announce it at the assembly tomorrow, but of course they told me because they wanted to know if my cougar mascot outfit from last year would fit him.”
“Him?”
“Clifford Weed! Can you believe it?”
“I don’t think I know him.”
“He’s huge! He’ll make a great cougar. But they’ll have to come up with a new cougar suit.”
“Are you kind of sad that your year as mascot is already over?”
“Not really.” Then Katie quickly added, “Well, kind of, I guess. It’s funny how it always ends up being different from what you think it’s going to be.”
“Like the prom?” Christy ventured.
“Don’t go there, Christy.”
Christy pulled her algebra book from her locker and crammed it into her already full backpack.
“Do you want to come over this afternoon?” Katie asked.
“I’ve got so much homework,” Christy said. “I need to get going on it. I want to get it all done during the week because my mom said Todd called last night after I’d already gone to sleep, and he’s coming down this weekend.”
“So you guys are back together?”
“Oh, I don’t know.”
“What? Aren’t you anxious to see him?”
“Yes and no. I want to see him and spend time with him and get things settled and back to normal with our relationship, but I’m not ready to hear about his prom and Jasmine and all that.”
“Well, if you ask me, after going to the prom with Lance, I can sincerely tell you that whatever it takes to hold on to a guy like Todd, well, honey, JDI.”
“You know, JDI—Just do it. You’ve got to give it your best shot and don’t ever give up! There are too many Lances in this world and not enough Todds.”
“You know what amazes me, Katie?”
“What?”
“Sometimes you are so right!”
“Only sometimes?”
They both laughed, and Christy said, “Yes, only sometimes. And that’s because you change your opinions faster than anyone I know. First you say I should go for Rick; then you say I should hold on to Todd. Make up your mind!”
Katie tilted her head. “Make up my mind? Why? It ultimately doesn’t matter what I think, does it? I mean, aren’t you the one who should make up your mind and stick to what you believe and what you want?”
Even though Katie’s words were offered lightheartedly, they stung. Christy knew she had a problem with making decisions. It made her wonder if some of the decisions she’d made the last few days were ones she’d regret later.
“As I said, Katie, sometimes you are so right. I do need to get better at making my own decisions and sticking with them no matter what.”
“But Christy …” Katie’s voice and expression turned soft and understanding. “Don’t you think you’ve done about the best you could lately with all the stuff that’s been thrown at you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, if you want my opinion—and remember, this is only my opinion—you have to decide this for yourself. But I think you’ve done just fine. Look how everything turned out. You made the cheerleading squad, you made your point with Rick so he doesn’t think he can run your life, and you’re going to see Todd and pick up where you left off with him. I think for all that’s happened you’ve done just fine.”
Christy gave her pal an appreciative hug. “Do you know what the best thing is about going to school every day?”
“No, I have no idea what could be the best thing about going to school. Believe me.” Katie’s eyes were full of mischief.
“It’s that I always know you’re going to be here for me.”
Katie smiled. “Thank you. I feel the same way. I know you’ll always be there for me too.”
“Even when I goof up on prom plans?” Christy said.
“Oh hey, that’s what keeps life interesting. Think how boring life would be if everything always went the way we planned it. Believe me, I’ve learned that sometimes the best answers to prayers are the ones God doesn’t answer.”
“What?”
“You think about that for a while. Think about how often we change our minds. If God gave us everything we asked for, we’d be in chaos.”
Christy nodded. “Once again, you are so right.”
“Hey, I’d better get going,” Katie said. “I’m going to miss my ride.”
“Would you save me a seat at the assembly tomorrow if you get there before me? Sit in the front row if there’s room.”
“Front row? Why? You want to be up close so you don’t have far to run onto the stage when they call your name?”
“Something like that.”
That evening Christy overheard her mom talking to Aunt Marti on the phone. “I tell you, she’s a natural. I didn’t even know it was my own daughter out there when she tried out. I’m so proud of her.”
Christy listened quietly in the background as her mother went on about how wonderful everything was going for their family and how blessed and happy they were. Her final comment surprised Christy. “I have to admit, Marti, you and Bob were right about talking us into moving out here to California. Norm is content at Hollandale Dairy, David’s reading has improved tremendously, and Christy, well, all I can say is that we are so proud of how she’s turning out.”
After Mom hung up, she began to fix dinner. Christy followed her into the kitchen.
“Mom,” she began without really thinking through how to phrase her thoughts, “would you love me as much if I wasn’t a cheerleader? I mean, if I didn’t get good grades or if I didn’t make cheerleading, would you and Dad still be proud of me?”
“How can you even ask such a thing? You know we love you and are proud of you no matter what the circumstances.”
“Yes, but I messed up on that whole prom thing.”
“It worked out, Christy, and you learned from the situation. That’s what matters.”
“But what about cheerleading? I heard you talking to Aunt Marti about it and, well, what if I wasn’t a cheerleader?”
Mom leaned against the counter and put down the can of green beans she was about to open. A gentle look settled on her face. “All your father and I want is for you to become what God wants you to be. If that means becoming a cheerleader or a soccer player or president of the math club.”
Christy made a face. “Math club?”
“Okay, maybe not the math club. The point is, it doesn’t matter to us. As long as you’re obedient to what God wants you to be.”
Those were intense words coming from Christy’s mom. She had never before said anything like that. Especially the part about being obedient to God.
“Why do you ask, Christy?”
She almost told her mom all that was on her heart, but the right words didn’t come. “I don’t know. I was just wondering.”
Mom sunk the can opener into the can of green beans. “Would you make the salad for me please? There are two heads of lettuce in the refrigerator. Make sure you use up the littlest one first.”
Christy pulled out the smaller head of lettuce and giggled to herself, remembering Katie’s description of her corsage. Christy told her mom about it as they worked together preparing dinner. They didn’t have too many open, fun times like this, so it made tonight even more special. During moments like this, Christy felt more like an adult. It was as if the two of them were getting to be more on the same level and were becoming friends.
Christy thought about how much she liked these few times of open spaces in their relationship, when her mom spoke to her as though she were a friend rather than a child. Christy wondered if her mother treasured these times too.
The next morning Christy and her mom had another “becoming friends” moment when Mom offered to fix Christy’s hair.
At first Christy said, “No, that’s okay.” Then she saw a look of disappointment on her mom’s face and quickly said, “Well, okay. Sure.”
Inwardly, she figured if it didn’t turn out, she could always change it at school. It had been years since her mother had “fixed” Christy’s hair, and it seemed strange that she wanted to do it today.
Mom set to work. Christy examined her hair in the mirror. “This is exactly what I saw in a magazine, and I couldn’t figure out how to do it. I thought it was a brand-new style.”
Mom laughed. “Funny how all the old styles come back around eventually.”
Five minutes later Christy admired the results in the mirror. She carefully sprayed her hair, feeling thrilled with the way it had turned out and confident that she looked good.
“I’m coming to your assembly today,” Mom said. “I’m only going to slip into the back, so you don’t have to worry about looking for me or anything.”
“That’s okay, Mom. You don’t have to come.”
“I’ve worked everything out so I can be there. This is a big day for you. I’d like to be there to enjoy the moment of glory with you.” Mom smiled into the mirror at her daughter. “I feel as if I’ve just placed a laurel wreath on your head.”
“A what?” Christy returned the gaze, fastening tiny pearl earrings on her ears.
“Oh, I know I’m being silly. I was referring to ancient Greece at the Olympics when the winners received a crown made out of leaves as their reward.”
“Oh. Guess we haven’t come to that yet in our history class.”
“I’ll go see if David’s ready.” Mom looked cheery and pleased with life. “You need to leave in about five minutes.” She began to walk away.
“Um, Mom?”
She turned, her face looking soft and gentle—completely approachable.
“Remember what you said last night about how I should obey God?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I just want to say that if sometimes it seems that I’ve done something that doesn’t make sense to anybody else, well … maybe I’ve done the right thing, even if it seems weird.”
Mom looked confused.
Christy tried to rephrase her statement. “I guess all I’m trying to say is that I want to obey God, and I want to do what He wants me to do, and well, I guess sometimes if I truly obey God, it will only make sense to me and not to other people. Does that make sense?”
“Sort of. Your heart is open to God, and that’s what matters. Now get going. You don’t want to be late.”
Christy checked her appearance in the mirror and then knelt and probed through a mound of dirty clothes in the back of her closet. Her hand touched the cold Folgers coffee tin, and Pooh toppled off his guard post.
“Hi, Pooh. Sorry I left you in there so long.”
Christy placed Pooh on her bed and popped the lid off the coffee can.
“Christy,” her mom called, “time to go.”
Being careful not to crush any of the precious carnation buds, Christy fished through the dry petals and retrieved her Forever bracelet.
Then scooping up her books, she rushed out the front door and bounded down the steps, under the jasmine trellis, ready for everything this bright spring day would hold.