Improved hearing

REFLECTIONS

 

The phone scares the beejesus out of me. It can only be Sharon. She's an early riser, ready to get the day going by 7:30. Mandy, my twin sister, sleeps in the twin bed next to mine. We both wake and cuss.
'You answer her this time,' I tell Sandy. 'Fat chance,' she mumbles, pulls her blanket over her head and waits, probably listens while I give Sharon hell. 'Sharon, cut out this crap. No, we can't go.' We know her well enough that she has plans ready for today, tomorrow, the entire summer.' I put the receiver down more loudly than usual.

 

Mom, taps on our door. 'What does she want you to do now, Girls? I think your friend Sharon has a mental problem.' I apologize and have to tell her, 'We don't know, we don't care. The phone rings again. 'Mandy, it's your turn. You talk to her or just hang up.' Hanging up won't solve anything, she'll call again so I answer. Sharon's words spurt out like July firecrackers. 'Have you been outside yet?' she asks. I reply with one word, 'No.' Then the spiel begins. 'Isn't the sun already covering half your bedroom floor?' I look and sure enough it is. 'Yes.' There is elation in Sharon's reply to my single word. 'Then get ready, we are going to the new swimming pool that opened on Frederick Rd. last week. I hear its big, has a sliding board and lots of guys.' I tell Sandy what she wants us to do together  and she tells me loud enough that I don't even have to tell Sharon what she said, 'No way. We're not going to that new pool. You can go if you want. We wont mind.'

 

With her anxiety out of our way, Sandy and I dress alike in casual jeans  and try to figure out a way to get Sharon off our backs. We set the breakfast table and wait patiently for Mom and Dad to join us. Mom starts right in. 'Girls, what are you going to do about Sharon? She has become a pest, disturbs our family. What's with her, any idea?' Sandy and I do our sister act and shrug our shoulders together. Mom changes the subject and asks what our plans are for the day. 'So far, none, Mom, but we'll keep busy.' Dad kisses us each on the head, whispers, 'Love you all' and is gone in two shakes of a lamb's tail.

 

Just Mom and us having orange juice  oatmeal, toasted English muffins with gobs of butter together is nice for ten minutes. There is a knock on the front door. I whisper, 'Shh. Make out we aren't here.' A too familiar voice calls, 'Mandy, Sandy, I'm packed. My Mom made lunch for all of us. Bring your stuff down.' Opening the door I speak for my clan. 'Sharon, go away. Didn't you get our message? We aren't going to the pool. Go yourself or find somebody else. Bye.' Without actually slamming the door in her face, I shut it with meaning and hope she gets it.

 

Mom has a bridge game in the afternoon. Dad won't be home before seven. Sandy and I will watch Oprah, read. If it isn't too hot, we might even take a nice long walk, stop at the library or get the bus for the Mall. I peep out the front window and darn if Sharon isn't sitting on our curb. Unhappily I take a deep sigh, call Sandy to look at her, see how lonely she is. Guilt begins to cover both of us. Guilt dribbles to our hearts. We open the door and call to her. 'Sharon, what are you doing here?' 'Waiting for you two sleepy heads. My Dad will be driving by soon and he'll take us. Where are your things?'

 

I look at Sandy. Sandy looks at me. 'We have to go with her. Her Mom went to all the trouble to make lunch for us.' Sandy speaks up first. 'You win again, Sharon. We just get our bathing things and some money. Want to come inside and wait? She has to watch for her father and we don't have much time but make it just as he drives up.

 

What a jolly, happy man he is. His face shines like  polished moonbeams. From his wallet he offers us each five dollars that we thank him for but do not accept. Sharon sits in the back of his car with us and not for a minute does she take a silly grin off her face. We are just about the first ones at the pool and have to wait a few minutes for the lifeguards to get the doors open. The dressing area is big, clean, has at least a dozen hair dryers, big soft terry towels, lockers with keys at no charge. We change quickly, wear our flip flops and go out to the pool. Two diving boards already have guys jumping up and down then swanning into the clear green water. There are stations for buying soft drinks, sandwiches and small tables with red wooden benches for snacks. One entire section of the grounds has shade trees and lunch tables. This is really super! 

 

Sharon jumps in the water, swims the length twice and comes out breathless. She sits on the grass near us and tells us how happy she is that we came here with her. I answer honestly, 'We're glad too,  Sharon, aren't we Sandy?' 'This was a good idea,' we tell Sharon, hesitate until I get the nerve and speak  up, 'Sharon, please, I beg you, my parents beg you, not to call us so early every day.' I have more to say but hold my tongue. Sharon's face turns white, then red. I try to believe it is the pool water that has made tears fall down her face, race wildy into the brief bra of her swim suit.

 

Sandy kicks me, tells me to shut up. The surprise bowls Sandy and me over. Sharon stands up straight, explains her mother has told her the same thing, that I have made a pest of myself. 'My Mom is right. I am thinking about it, reflecting on the me that is me, and have some corrections to make in my ways.' She wipes her eyes, gives us a big smile and goes over to bring us all Root Beer Floats.

 

As the straws slurp and make a lot of noise, we girls laugh. The next to speak is Sharon. Somewhat shyly, slowly, apologetically she asks, 'Can I call at eight instead of seven thirty?