164 replies to this topic

[wordlesswriter]

Even though all her friends were teenagers now, they still tried to include Beryl.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_5b2f41a4.jpg   12.79K   23 downloads Everyone seemed to congregate at Camero’s house now, mostly because her mom was seldom home. Sometimes her older sister, Cadalak, would be there with her boyfriend Seth. Camero would always manage to get him to dance with her.

“She is gonna cause a lot trouble someday.” Beryl heard Jennifer whisper to Tina. Tina agreed and the two girls giggled.

Beryl wasn’t sure what they meant, but she knew Cadalak was always trying to talk to Camero about focusing on her studies more then on boys.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_1b2f42f0.jpg   11.86K   30 downloads

It seemed to Beryl that when things would be getting really fun, that’s always when Leah would insist on walking her home.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_9b2f40c0.jpg   11.47K   29 downloads

Beryl tried asking her mom exactly what kind of trouble could Camero cause someday. Her mom just smiled and told her that there was a whole world out there for her to explore and someday, she would know what her friend meant.  snapshot_9a815ac6_7b3a0ee0.jpg   10.66K   29 downloads Beryl didn’t understand what her mom meant and she started to worry about her friend. She didn’t want Uncle Jason arresting her. When she told her mom her fears she just laughed and said it wasn’t that kind of trouble. Which left Beryl even more confussed.

Night time was the pits for Beryl. She knew her friends were all hanging out together  snapshot_9a81937e_db2cf0f9.jpg   8.77K   28 downloads and she would be stuck at home with her mom. Beryl was glad that her mom was on maternity leave and could spend more time with her, she just wished it didn’t involve homework.  snapshot_9a815ac6_7b3a1227.jpg   11.05K   26 downloads Beryl would have preferred doing anything else.

Soon Beryl found herself counting down the days til her birthday. She was both excited and scared. She would be a teenager, just like her friends and she wouldn’t be stuck in the house every night. She was worried about the changes that came with growing up. Plus, there would be a new person in the house as well as the baby was due shortly after her birthday.

When the big day finally came she could hardly believe how many people came.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b3a1e5a.jpg   12.61K   27 downloads It was her biggest party ever. Beryl closed her eyes to make a wish.  snapshot_9a815ac6_3b3a1e7a.jpg   14.5K   30 downloads

‘I wish that changes would stop bringing bad things.’ She thought to her self and blew out her candles. It was done, she had become a teen.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb3a1eb0.jpg   14.31K   28 downloads

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[wordlesswriter]

To Beryl there was no better time then summer to be a teen.  snapshot_9a815ac6_fb3cb4c9.jpg   7.43K   23 downloads Jennifer’s parent put in a pool  snapshot_3a7fab1d_5b409f73.jpg   11.06K   29 downloads and so did Tina’s.  snapshot_9a81937e_fb41f3b9.jpg   14.15K   27 downloads when they weren’t in someone’s pool, they were at her house enjoying a fire on the beach.  snapshot_9a815ac6_9b3cb597.jpg   5.28K   29 downloads

Change didn’t seem as unsettling for Beryl anymore, she started to realize it was part of everyone’s life, and others often seemed to have it worse then anything that she had to deal with.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen your yard this over grown before,” she said to Jennifer one afternoon.  snapshot_3a7fab1d_fb409e12.jpg   18.08K   33 downloads

“I know, it’s been weird around here.” Jennifer sighed, “when mom got pregnant she seemed to start acting really weird. She started talking to the trees as if she was a bird and believes they totally understand her.”  snapshot_3a7fab1d_1b407252.jpg   8.77K   37 downloads

“OMG, what did your dad do?” Beryl was stunned.

“Dad’s at a complete loss. Sometimes he just stands in the yard staring at the weeds.  snapshot_3a7fab1d_bb3e0255.jpg   8.21K   39 downloads I often wonder if he’s gonna start crying.” Jennifer shook her head. “He hired a gardener but mom follows the poor woman around telling her she’s hurting the plants.”  snapshot_3a7fab1d_bb3e0503.jpg   15.54K   39 downloads

“Has she been to the Dr.’s about it?”

“They won’t give her anything because of the baby, they think it’s a combination of things.”

“Like what?”

“Oh, hormones, blood sugar levels and the effects of insomnia, she hasn’t been sleeping,” Jennifer wiped at tear from her eyes. “they don’t want to run to many test until after the baby is born, they said if she doesn’t go back to normal after the baby is born then they’ll do CAT scans and MRIs.”

Beryl hugged her friend, “I’m sure she’ll be ok, once the baby is born. Sometimes my mom seems a little weird to me, maybe it is just the hormones.”

Jennifer gave her a weak but hopeful smile.

“I’m glad Michael hasn’t left for college yet. Him and Leah have been spending a little less time together to prep for college.” Jennifer smile, “so he’s been spending more time with me, just hanging out playing video games.”  snapshot_3a7fab1d_5b1d3587.jpg   10.84K   37 downloads

“Yeah, Tina told me that Leah is always on the computer looking for scholarships  snapshot_bb2b8d49_9b2b996c.jpg   8.04K   35 downloads and she seems to want to spend a lot of time with her.”  snapshot_9a81937e_db1fa735.jpg   12.33K   26 downloads Beryl laughed. “hey, you going to Tina’s later?”

“I wasn’t planning to, I know she’s got all those other girls coming, I always feel so awkward around them.”

“Camero will be there. I was just gonna hang with her.” Beryl smiled, “It’d be nice if you were there too. It would take your mind off of all this.”

“Let me grab my swim suite.” Jennifer smiled.

[DianeHanna]

I'm getting worried about Jessica. I've played the Picassos a lot and am quite fond of her.

[wordlesswriter]

thanks for commenting DianeHanna. I hope you enjoy my twist on the Picaso family.

~ ` ~ ~`~ ~`~ ~`~ ~`~


Tina was that girl that everyone wished they were.  snapshot_9a81937e_7b40c8fc.jpg   12.56K   26 downloads She was pretty, smart and talented with a sweet personality. Tina was more then just merely popular, Camero always called her infamous. Being invited to have lunch at her house was like getting a golden ticket. All the girls in school wanted to be her friend and have lunch at her house. Beryl had no doubt that Tina would become Mayor of Eldron Valley someday.

The two girls that got to come to lunch this time were the daughters of some people who worked for Tina’s dad.  snapshot_9a81937e_bb40cbff.jpg   13.51K   34 downloads They also worked under Beryl’s dad. Beryl could never remember their names, not that she cared. They were shallow girls who made rude comments to her, Jennifer and Camero. Camero didn’t care what they had to say, Jennifer however was bothered by it.  snapshot_9a81937e_fb40c8ae.jpg   14.89K   32 downloads

“If they tell Jennifer one more time about Tina only being her friend cause of Michael and Leah dating, I’ll smack ‘um” Camero said when her in Beryl were alone.  snapshot_9a81937e_7b41f218.jpg   10.92K   29 downloads

“I think some of what they say to you is much worse.” Beryl commented.

“Oh, they can say what ever they want about me being just like my mom,” Camero laughed, “Yeah, I go to the pool hall  snapshot_1aa7b1af_db2f50fb.jpg   9.3K   29 downloads and hang out sometimes, and maybe I’ve kissed a boy  snapshot_1aa7b1af_1b2f5e8e.jpg   11.58K   29 downloads or two.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_1b2f7ea3.jpg   7.17K   28 downloads What ever they say about me is true, but there ain’t any truth to what they say to or about Jennifer.”

As always the girls wore out there welcome.  snapshot_9a81937e_db40ce7d.jpg   10.09K   27 downloads They stayed well passed dark and wouldn’t get out of the pool.  snapshot_9a81937e_7b40cd27.jpg   7.88K   27 downloads

When the two finally got the hint the four friends enjoyed a light dinner and some giggles about the day.  snapshot_9a81937e_3b41f746.jpg   16.19K   20 downloads

“Jennifer, I honestly hate how they talk to you,” Tina said getting serious; “you are such a true friend for subjecting yourself to those two to for my sake.”

Jennifer just blushed. Everyone knew that Tina was all about her future career plans and that with her parents’ criminal activities Tina seemed to feel the need to distinguish her self from them. Beryl figured with Leah’s plans to become a journalist, that Tina’s name would never be smeared in the press.

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The summer seemed to fly by. The girls just migrated from one’s home to the other. Most of them seemed to enjoy playing video games  snapshot_1aa7b1af_bb2e5743.jpg   9.91K   20 downloads but Beryl loved to play all kinds of sports.  snapshot_9a815ac6_9b3cb6af.jpg   7.65K   27 downloads

“I can’t believe we have to go back to school tomorrow.” Beryl said at her last beach fire of the summer.  snapshot_9a815ac6_7b3cb61b.jpg   7.27K   27 downloads

“I know, Cadalak and Sunshine will be going back to college. And Michael and Leah will be starting.” Jennifer said sadly.

“Is it true that Sunshine’s mom had a baby?” Camero asked looking at her sister who was watching the fire burn low.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb3cb5f2.jpg   7.5K   27 downloads

“yeah, a little boy,  snapshot_9a878f85_3b336bcc.jpg   11K   28 downloads his name is Marshall.” Cadalak sighed.

Beryl had always been amazed that Cadalak and Sunshine were still best friends after going off to college. Yet Camero told her the two had a lot more in common then having once been the only ones that were the same age in Eldron Valley.

“Girls, I made you all something to eat,” Beryl’s mom called.

Beryl smiled, her mom’s idea of making them something to eat was usely a full meal. Her friends always enjoyed eating over her house and they piled in the kitchen.

Beryl was enjoying the dinner after a full day of pool hopping and playing on the beach when her mom let out a cry of pain.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb3cb797.jpg   11.36K   21 downloads

[wordlesswriter]

Watching her mom give birth in the kitchen in front of her friends was not the ending to summer that Beryl had imagined. Everyone was excited about the birth, and Cadalak let out a loud cheer.

“Alright, a beautiful health baby girl,” Cadalak screamed.  snapshot_9a815ac6_7b3cb82d.jpg   12.19K   11 downloads

Beryl braced herself thinking the new born would let out a scream of fright but she didn’t even flinch.

“Do you have a name for her yet, Aunt Amathyst?” Jennifer asked.

“Basanite,” Amathyst replied.

“Ahh, how darling,” Tina smiled.

“Much prettier then my name,” Camero laughed.

“Hopefully, our mom won’t have another random kid from some random guy again,” Cadalak laughed, “to spare another child from our mom’s bad taste in names.”

The two sisters looked at each other and laughed, sharing in what Beryl imagined was an inside joke between them.

“We should all be going,” Jennifer said wrapping her beach towel around her, “I’m sure you’ll want to spend some quality family time with the Basanite and you need your rest Aunt Amathyst.”

“Oh, thank you so much, Jennifer,” Amathyst smiled, “please, tell your mom about the baby for me. And could you as well Tina?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Tina said slipping her pink gingham dress over her head.

Beryl watched her friends hurry off and for the first time in long time, Beryl started to worry about the kind of changes that were coming.

[wordlesswriter]

Beryl didn’t talk to her friends outside of school the next day. Camero was busy helping her sister get ready for her trip back to college along with Sunshine. Jennifer had to reassure her brother that she would be able to tend to their mother in his absents. Tina was spending the afternoon with Leah doing last minute shopping for her dorm room.

Beryl put her school books in her room and was heading back down stairs planning to sit on the beach and just watch the waves when she heard the door to Basanite’s room close gently.

“I just got her to sleep,” Her mom smiled.

Beryl smiled and nodded.

“So what are your big plans for the day?” Her mom asked, “gonna have a first day of school gathering with your friends?”

Beryl shook her head and explained to her mom what all her friends were doing.

“So, then maybe you wouldn’t mind hanging out with your boring old mom.” Amathyst winked, “I bought that new EA Sports game.”

Beryl laughed, “sounds fun.”

Playing a video game with her mom was a lot more fun then Beryl had though.  snapshot_9a815ac6_7b3df667.jpg   13.29K   15 downloads Amathyst was not that good but she was very determined to figure it out.  snapshot_9a815ac6_9b3df685.jpg   13.12K   15 downloads Beryl had to admit it was the best time she’d ever had with her mom.

“Your dad has off of work tomorrow, so he’ll be here with Basanite while I go up to the college with Jessica.” Amathyst finally said after several hours of game play.

“how come? Everyone is leaving today to go up there, isn’t it a little soon for a visit?” Beryl asked confussed.

“She wants to see the dorm Michael is staying at, and we’re gonna take some food over to Sunshine.” Amathyst explained with a sigh, “Did you notice how thin her face has gotten? I thought her mom would have plumped her up some over summer break.”

“I don’t really know Sunshine, I don’t think I even seen her over the summer,” Beryl said trying to remember if perhaps she had seen the blonde haired girl recently.

“I didn’t think I’d seen her with your group, but I figured that since Cadalak had been around, perhaps I just didn’t realize when she’d been here.” Amathyst smiled, “time to start dinner. Wanna help or do you have homework already.”

Beryl frowned, “I got homework.”

“Well I had fun today,” Amathyst smiled as she stood up, “thanks.”

“Ah, mom, is it gonna be safe for you and Aunt Jessica to go to the college?” Beryl asked remembering what Jennifer had told her.

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Amathyst gave her a funny look.

“Well, Aunt Jessica should have had her baby by now, and,” Beryl paused unsure how to word it. She didn’t want to call her mom’s best friend crazy or insane.

“She’s just stressed,” Amathyst said seeming to know what Beryl was trying not to say, “Don’t go buying into any of Matthew’s conspiracy theories. The military is not doing any kind of weird testing on her. She should have gone on maternity leave as soon as she found out she was pregnant.”

[wordlesswriter]

Math was the last thing Beryl wanted to focus on.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b791683.jpg   10.35K   21 downloads She was worried about her mom and Jessica being up at Academy Le Tour. She kept imagining things like Jessica getting everyone to act like birds  snapshot_1b097228_9b375c7f.jpg   14.72K   28 downloads or going into labor.  snapshot_1b097228_3b375c77.jpg   14.96K   29 downloads She even had to suppress a groan of embracement when she though of her mom insisting she was cold and dancing with her coat on.  snapshot_1b097228_7b375ca3 - Copy.jpg   14.26K   31 downloads

Beryl could hear her dad in the other room with Basinite.  snapshot_9a815ac6_5b3de559.jpg   13.35K   31 downloads What ever he was doing was making the baby laugh  snapshot_9a815ac6_5b3de581.jpg   13.38K   28 downloads. Beryl sighed deeply and closed her book, there was no way she would be able to concentrate. She needed some fresh air and something to distract her.

The basket ball made a hallow almost metallic sound as Beryl bounced it on the court. The best thing her parents ever did was put in the half court for her. She tossed the ball watching it slip through the nylon cord net. Beryl tossed her arms up in victory.

Beryl was caught up in the imaginary game she was playing she didn’t notice her dad standing behind her with the baby as she lined up her next shot.  snapshot_9a815ac6_5b3de644.jpg   14.61K   28 downloads It wooshed through the net.

“She shoots, she scores,” her dad said with a grin. “you’re getting really good at it. It just amazes me how athletic you are.”

“Weren’t you ever into sports as a teen?” Beryl asked choosing her next spot on the court.  snapshot_9a815ac6_3b3de640.jpg   14.45K   28 downloads

“Nope, hard core science geek all the way,” Her dad said cuddling her baby sister, “I was never really interested in being a jock.”

“What made you, well, chose your career path? Figured you would be some mad scientist rather then..”

“A two bit thug?” he finished her sentence for her.

“Well, I wasn’t gonna say it like that, but basically, yeah,” Beryl laughed lining up her next shot.  snapshot_9a815ac6_db3de632.jpg   14.54K   27 downloads

“Well, a man’s gotta eat, after a while he realizes he’s fairly good at what he does, then soon he finds he’s got a family to feed,” Her dad gingerly bounced Basanite on his shoulder, “after a while get so that he doesn’t know how to be anything else.”

Beryl just stared at her dad for a while. It was the first time they’d ever discussed his work before. She’d always known what he did, just her mom had always seemed so uncomfortable around him when he was in his work cloths.  snapshot_9a815ac6_9b3cb76b.jpg   13.9K   26 downloads She’d always wondered how someone she had always know to be so sweet and loving could be involved in organized crime. She never really could see how Tina’s parents could be the ones in charge of the whole thing or even understand how Michael hoped to take over for them someday.

“Dad, do you think mom and Aunt Jessica are ok?” Beryl said changing the subject.

“Oh, even if something goes wrong your mom will just think of it as an adventure. I wouldn’t worry about them, your mom is one of the best people to have around in an emergency besides your Aunt Jody.” Her dad gave her a broad smile then made a disgusted face, “I think someone needs a diaper change.”

Beryl stayed by the basketball net long past dark.  snapshot_9a815ac6_db3ca867.jpg   8.54K   19 downloads Her mind torn between worring for her mom and pondering what her dad said about he ended up a criminal.

[wordlesswriter]

“Jennifer wasn’t in school today.” Beryl told her mom over a light dinner a few days later.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b3cbad7.jpg   12.63K   22 downloads

“Jessica had her baby very late last night,” Her mom said with a worried expression, “A little boy, Jackson.”

“Is,” Beryl didn’t want to ask, more because she was afraid what the answer would be. She thought about Jennifer, swallowed hard and asked, “Is Aunt Jessica ok now? I mean back to normal?”

“Matthew said she fell asleep right afterwards and as of an hour ago she still hadn’t woken, so that’s a good sign.” Amathyst gave a weak smile, “Jennifer stayed home to help with the baby,  snapshot_3a7fab1d_fb4073af.jpg   12.39K   31 downloads so that Jessica could sleep. She is such a good girl.”

“Yeah, well she is probably enjoying helping out,” Beryl couldn’t help but laugh, “her goal in life is to raise kids, lots of them, and she hopes at least three will finish college to become doctors and lawyers.”

“Sounds like a good goal,” Amathyst laughed. “Does Tina still want to be mayor?”

“Yeah, but I think she out grew the idea of Cash being her Vice Mayor, though she still has him shacking hands.”  snapshot_9a81937e_3b2b7e26.jpg   11.46K   32 downloads

“What about Camero?”

Beryl let out a sigh, “She has this crazy idea that people are going to pay her to attend their parties. She says it’s all the rage Downtown. She wants to move there after college.”

“What about you? Any thoughts on what you want to do?” Amathyst asked.

“Not a hundred percent sure, yet. I love playing sports, but I don’t want to risk a life changing injury,” Beryl frowned, “and, well, most of my friends are totally into video games. I think maybe I’d like to design sports video games.”

The weeks seemed to fly by for Beryl. She only got to see Jennifer and Tina at school since they were all in the same grade. Camero was a few grades higher then them so no one got to see much of her. Sure they’d catch sight of her in halls while switching class but she was almost always with a group of boys.

Beryl had to work a little harder then her friends to keep her grades up. Beryl didn’t particularly care for school, but she wanted to go out for the girls’ basketball team and she wouldn’t be able to try out if her grades were low. Beryl’s afternoon’s where spent hitting the books and her evenings were spent shooting hoops.  snapshot_9a815ac6_fb3ca88e.jpg   8K   32 downloads

Jennifer didn’t really say much about her mom. Beryl didn’t want to ask to much about it at school in case someone over heard. She knew Jennifer was helping a lot with Jackson. Beryl felt a twinge of guilt as she preferred to spend time with Basanite when her mom was holding her.  snapshot_9a815ac6_9b3df5b5.jpg   12.19K   32 downloads She could make silly faces at her little sister  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb3df5ba.jpg   12.04K   33 downloads and then go about what she was doing. The one time she did hold Basanite,  snapshot_9a815ac6_7b78f9bd.jpg   11.95K   35 downloads she was terrified she was going to drop her. Yet Jennifer seemed quite comfortable changing diapers.  snapshot_3a7fab1d_3b4066dd.jpg   10.17K   35 downloads

When Beryl got chances to talk to Tina, she felt like she’d been ignoring her friend. Tina mostly talked about her cat, Cash.  snapshot_9a81937e_7b2cebc7.jpg   9.21K   33 downloads She was keeping her self busy with him, cleaning his litter pan  snapshot_9a81937e_1b2ce19b.jpg   11.63K   30 downloads and scrubbing his cat bed.  snapshot_9a81937e_9b2ceaef.jpg   14.15K   30 downloads She’d say how there was always something to do with him.  snapshot_9a81937e_7b2b7e17.jpg   12.58K   22 downloads

[wordlesswriter]

Beryl finally made it a point to go visit with Tina on Sunday.

Tina met her in her front yard and without even a hello just blurted out, “I’m so glad you’re here, you have got to talk to Camero.”  snapshot_9a81937e_7b40c83e.jpg   14.91K   25 downloads

“What’s going on?” Beryl asked.

“it’s been nothing but drama all weekend with her,” Tina was so upset she was practically yelling at Beryl.  snapshot_9a81937e_7b40c847.jpg   14.52K   34 downloads

“Oh, no, what happened?” Beryl asked worried.

“Well, Friday night, Jennifer, feeling bad about none of us having much time together stopped by to see Camero.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_9b2e56ba.jpg   8.31K   35 downloads You know she worries about her with her mom leaving her home all the time. Well when she got there Camero was all freaked out and upset.” Tina started to explain.

“Why? Something happen?” Beryl pressed.

“Yeah, apparently it was one of those rare times her dad decided to act like a dad, just showed up and started yelling at her about her behavior.” Tina shook her head, “You know how Camero likes to go Downtown when her mom’s at work, she’s always down there dancing with some of those guys from school that she’s always hanging around.”  snapshot_1aa7b1af_7b2f8abf.jpg   13.93K   34 downloads

Beryl nodded.

Tina went on. “Well, I guess one of his friends saw her there with that blonde kid, George,  snapshot_1aa7b1af_1b2f89e8.jpg   12.02K   33 downloads I think his name is, well, they told her dad how she was making out with him by the bathrooms.”  snapshot_1aa7b1af_3b2f8a4e.jpg   9.41K   33 downloads

Beryl didn’t ask if it was true or not, she knew Camero well enough to know it was.

“Well,” Tina sighed, “apparently, from what she’s said, she got right up in her dad’s face and started screaming back at him that she can have as many friends as she want  snapshot_1aa7b1af_1b2f83f4.jpg   9.64K   33 downloads and she can do what ever she wants with them. Then she claims she told him he had no right telling her how to act when he’s never taken any real responsibility for her.”

“Oh, no, that had to have been rough, is she ok?” Beryl asked feeling sorry for Camero.

“Well, after she dumps all this on Jennifer,  snapshot_1aa7b1af_db2e56e4.jpg   7.44K   33 downloads she starts telling Jennifer she wants to go live with her sister.” Tina looked emotionally exhausted. “So, Jennifer calls me to come over. While Camero was in her room packing and crying how neither of her parents care til they want to tell her how to act, I told Jennifer in the hall, ‘Camero’s dad might not be a decent dad, but he at least was trying and we need to get her to see that’.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_bb2e57c8.jpg   11.76K   32 downloads Jennifer agreed and we managed to get Camero calm, but we had to promise that one of us would go with her to see Cadalak up Academy Le Tour.”

“We could all go up, maybe next weekend, it would be fun,” Beryl said with a smile.

Tina laughed and rolled her eyes, “well, Leah called here last night, from Cadalak’s, looking for dad.”

“She didn’t,” Beryl asked realizing Camero had gone to her sister’s.

“Not only did Camero go up there, she practically kidnapped Jennifer.” Tina threw her arms up in the air, “Jennifer had gone by to check on her and got there the same time as the taxi. Camero’s all like ‘I’m going shopping Downtown’ Jennifer, the poor thing asks if she can go. Two hours later they’re pulling up to Cadalak and Seth’s little rental house.

“Well, Cadalak called her mom and they had a big argument.”  snapshot_7afebf25_bb360dfc.jpg   13.66K   32 downloads Tina seemed to be calming down now, “and from Leah and Jennifer tell me, Camero was her typical self, all flirting with Seth as usual.  snapshot_7afebf25_5b3627f4.jpg   10.18K   32 downloads When dad got their they were all sitting down to a dinner Cadalak cooked,  snapshot_7afebf25_db3627b1.jpg   8.52K   33 downloads after that he brought them here, then called their parents letting them know what happened and that they were gonna stay the night. The three of us went swimming then just sat outside talking most the night.”  snapshot_9a81937e_3b2cf2aa.jpg   7.53K   26 downloads

[wordlesswriter]

“I want to get my license and move far from this dead end town and never look back.” Camero said when Beryl talked with her.  snapshot_9a81937e_5b41f212.jpg   10.73K   25 downloads

“You’d leave us, just like that?” Beryl asked shocked.

Tears welled up in Camero’s eyes, “while you all are spending time with your families, do you know what I’m doing?”

Beryl felt so ashamed of herself because she had never really thought about what Camero’s life might actually be like.

“I’ll tell what I do,” Camero cried, tears rolling down her checks. “I eat a sandwich every night for dinner while I sit in my room and do my homework.”  snapshot_1aa7b1af_7b2f594f.jpg   12.64K   33 downloads

The guilt felt like it was going to over whelm Beryl. She had taken her family for granted. Her parents where always there, they tended to the needs of her sister  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb790566.jpg   11.2K   32 downloads and they gave her almost everything she could possibly want. Beryl thought of all the times when her mom would ask Camero to just stay for dinner even when everyone else had gone home. There had been times when Camero seemed to live at Jennifer’s house. It seemed to Beryl she was so focused on life just being fun she was blind to her friends’ lives beyond hanging out.

Camero wiped the tears from her face, “Cadalak said I can stay with her and Seth when I start college next year. She told me not to go thinking it’s just one big party there. She said there are days that the most excitement she has is some crazy guy dressed like a cow just makes himself at home at her place.”  snapshot_7afebf25_1b361cf2.jpg   14.3K   31 downloads

“I’m gonna make us all a quick lunch,” Tina said coming into the kitchen smiling with Jennifer right behind her, “why don’t you all go get your suits on and we can swim after we eat.”

“Wait an hour after you eat before you get in the pool,” Tina’s mom called from the other room.

“yes ma’am,” Tina said rolling her eyes and all the girls giggled.

As Beryl changed into her bathing suit she thought about her own life at home, and all the little things her friends didn’t know. Beryl tried to imagine what little things about her friends’ lives she didn’t know and how different their day to day lives might be from hers. She wondered just how much time Tina actually spent cooking,  snapshot_9a81937e_bb40c8ed.jpg   10.1K   29 downloads or how often her friends got together without her.  snapshot_9a81937e_db2cf0f9.jpg   8.77K   28 downloads Beryl could picture them just playing video games.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_bb2e5743.jpg   9.91K   28 downloads She wondered about the little things that seemed so unimportant and wondered just how much more important they might be. She thought about the times when she only got together with one or two of them.  snapshot_9a815ac6_fb790bdf.jpg   10.03K   28 downloads The world suddenly seemed so different to her. her friends seemed so different to her.

“He was all like, you’re my best friend,” Camero said loud, snapping Beryl from her thoughts, “so I said, dude, one kiss doesn’t make us BFFs.”  snapshot_9a81937e_5b41f7e6.jpg   14.9K   28 downloads

“Camero, I can’t believe some of the crazy stuff you do.” Jennifer laughed.  snapshot_9a81937e_1b41f7e3.jpg   15.08K   32 downloads

“Is Tina done changing yet?” Camero asked and before anyone could answer yelled, “Tina get yourself down here and let’s get in the pool before it get’s cold out.”

“Would you young ladies please be a little more lady like, please? Mr. Geike is sleeping, he has to work the late shift,” Tina’s mom said peeking into the kitchen.

“Sorry Mrs. Gieke,” the three girls said in unison tring not giggle.

“You are all such sweet hearts,” Mrs. Gieke smiled then disappeared.

“You know,” Camero whispered, “our town has the weirdest mob family ever. Nothing at all like you see in the movies. Beryl, I’m sorry, I just don’t see your dad as being all gangster, either.”

Beryl laughed, “me neither.”

“You know this might be our last swim of the year,” Tina said entering the room. She looked at each of them before asking, “Did I miss something?”

Everyone started laughing, even Tina despite not being in on the joke.

The four girls stayed in the pool until their lips turned blue  snapshot_9a81937e_3b41f36c.jpg   13.45K   27 downloads and even after that Tina’s mom had a hard time getting them to get out.

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Over the next few months Beryl tried to help her parents more around the house to show them how much she appreciated them.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b3ca7cc.jpg   9.74K   18 downloads Some days she got distract surfing the internet reading up on different sports from around the world or sports in history.  snapshot_9a815ac6_9bb5f179.jpg   13.98K   25 downloads

Her mom dragged her to Bobbie Larson’s birthday party.  snapshot_da81937e_3b4c6efc.jpg   18.89K   25 downloads Beryl was not thrilled going there. She didn’t expect to see anyone she knew and was surprised to see Cadalak.  snapshot_da81937e_bb4c6edb.jpg   16.02K   23 downloads Beryl hadn’t know that Uncle Jason and Cadalak had been good friends since her and her mom had moved to Eldron Valley.

Beryl thought Uncle Jason was a little on the odd side. He kept asking her all kinds of stuff trying to get to know her.  snapshot_da81937e_bb4c746a.jpg   10.17K   22 downloads Beryl never understood how her mom could be married to criminal and be good friends with a police officer.

The only fun thing about Bobbie’s birthday party was the hot tub.  snapshot_da81937e_3b61674a.jpg   9.15K   20 downloads It made all her soar muscles feel so much better. Aunty Jody gave her some advice on protecting herself from sports injuries.

After the party her parents stayed to have a light dinner.  snapshot_da81937e_fb6164bd.jpg   15.38K   15 downloads Aunt Jody offered to pay Beryl to babysit Bobbie and give him some basket ball lessons.

“It sounds like fun,” Beryl lied thinking of what she could do with a few extra simoleons in her pockets.

“Thank you dear,” Aunt Jody smiled then turned to Amathyst. “How is Jessica doing?”

“She’s not quite herself yet, but she’s a lot better then when she was pregnant,” Amathyst answered.

“She’s gotten a lot of different tests run but Jennifer said everything seems to come back normal,” Beryl interjected.

Amathyst nodded in agreement, “they’re thinking its early onset Alzheimer’s.”

“How come they only think it might be, and not know for sure?” Beryl asked.

“Because they can’t diagnose it 100% when your still alive, you just have to match the symptoms with no other diagnosis,” Jody sighed, “well, tell her and Matthew when they are tired of her being prodded by those military quacks to give me a call.”

“I will,” Amathyst gave a weak smile.

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Beryl spent the rest of the school year watching over Bobby Larson.  snapshot_da81937e_7b61646a - Copy.jpg   15.86K   18 downloads There were days she wondered if it was actually worth the money to watch such an annoying child.  snapshot_da81937e_1b61645b.jpg   15.79K   22 downloads Once she got him on the basket ball court she had to admit that he had some real talent for the game.  snapshot_da81937e_9b61657e.jpg   12.59K   21 downloads

Jody finally managed to get Jessica let her examine her. Jody reported that she was completely stumped as to what had caused the strange behaviors. From what Jennifer told Beryl her mom was a little less strange and was tending to the yard again.  snapshot_3a7fab1d_9bb8444b.jpg   12.08K   21 downloads

Most the town had been expecting for Roxiemarie to send out invites for Marshall’s birthday, only to be stunned that it had been kept very quite.  snapshot_9a878f85_db34d87e.jpg   11.89K   21 downloads Beryl had heard rumors that Marshall’s father was embarrassed about the child despite loving him.  snapshot_9a878f85_1b34bffc.jpg   12.37K   21 downloads Beryl couldn’t help but wonder if that was how it was with Camero’s dad.

As the school year came to a close, Beryl had been looking forward to summer only to be disappointed. Tina’s family went on vacation for the whole time. Jennifer was still needed at home to help with the care of young Jackson and Camero did summer school to make up some missing credits.

With Tina’s family away, Beryl’s dad had been left in charge of the “business”. When he could though he tried to spend time with her. Some nights they would have paint races,  snapshot_9a815ac6_3b3deb16.jpg   8.01K   21 downloads where they would just paint something as fast at they could with little consideration to details. Beryl enjoyed the time with her dad. She knew he would rather be watching the night sky.  snapshot_9a815ac6_db1be89a.jpg   7.98K   21 downloads When she would make her way to bed at night on his nights off she would see him at his telescope looking for signs of something or someone.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb1be88d.jpg   6.65K   16 downloads

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When Basanite’s birthday came Beryl was excited about going back to school.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb790a6b.jpg   10.36K   19 downloads

A few weeks later it was time for Jackson’s party. Beryl was surprised that Jennifer was the one to help him blow out the candles.  snapshot_3a7fab1d_bb40a36c.jpg   13.9K   25 downloads

With her little sister now a toddler, Beryl found she wasn’t as worried about holding her and sometimes would get her from her crib to tickle her.  snapshot_9a815ac6_db7916ef.jpg   12.73K   25 downloads Jennifer often talked about how much fun it was teaching her little brother how to walk,  snapshot_3a7fab1d_fb794637.jpg   12.82K   26 downloads Beryl seemed to find teaching her sister to say her name was more fun.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b7917d8.jpg   12.96K   26 downloads Beryl felt letting her mom teach her sister to walk was safer for the toddler.  snapshot_9a815ac6_5b7913db.jpg   12.84K   25 downloads

Camero moved to Academy La Tour. Beryl and Jennifer went up to visit her.  snapshot_7afebf25_5baf6d62.jpg   10.18K   24 downloads When Beryl talked to Seth she got the feeling that Camero would not be completely to blame if there was any trouble in his relationship with Cadalak.  snapshot_7afebf25_bbaf6d43.jpg   13.9K   24 downloads Jennifer talked with him and got the same impression. Camero however much she may have flirted with her sister’s fiancée, found plenty of other male company.  snapshot_7afebf25_dbd04f68.jpg   13.53K   26 downloads She bragged to her friends about some of her exploits and over night visitors.  snapshot_7afebf25_fbd05404.jpg   13.58K   21 downloads

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Basanite loved the jack in the box.  snapshot_9a815ac6_db790b03.jpg   11.91K   20 downloads When she could play with it she would, but her favorite past time was following Beryl.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b79228c.jpg   7.79K   28 downloads Her big sister was just so interesting and grown up. Basanite spent most her time learning just to stand and walk,  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b791410.jpg   11.63K   29 downloads while Beryl had some one showing her how to put a ball in a hoop.  snapshot_9a815ac6_7b79225d.jpg   9.52K   28 downloads Basanite wondered if she would also need to learn such a skill. She also wondered if leaves would always be fun to play in.  snapshot_9a815ac6_9b792279.jpg   8.4K   28 downloads

Sometimes Beryl would give her attention  snapshot_9a815ac6_3b7916fa.jpg   12.66K   28 downloads and teach her to say “Beryl”.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb7917b5.jpg   12.59K   28 downloads Most the time though Beryl had the ringy-thing on the wall attached to her ear.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb791526.jpg   12.52K   30 downloads Daddy was always ready to give her hugs. He’d cuddle her every night before he left the house in his strip shirt  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b791839.jpg   11.59K   31 downloads. Some times Basanite would try to stay up playing to see just when Daddy came home.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1b790f47.jpg   13.24K   30 downloads She would fall asleep before he got back though.

Mommy gave her lots of attention too  snapshot_9a815ac6_3b79141a.jpg   11.46K   22 downloads which Basanite found as a great way to pass the time away when Beryl was at “school”. At least when she would say Beryl that’s what mom would say in return.

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It was the summer before Beryl’s last year of High School when the Nasha family moved to Eldron Valley.  snapshot_7b6eb0c3_fb6eb0c4.jpg   16.36K   28 downloads Beryl made friends with the twins Zue-Zue  snapshot_7b6eb0c3_7bae122c.jpg   14.34K   37 downloads and Zell,  snapshot_9a815ac6_fb790812.jpg   11.04K   36 downloads who told her that they actually lived with their uncle Rodger. They also had a brother who was a little older then Basanite named Jackson and a sister who was a little younger then Basanite named Linda.

Jennifer and Zell seemed to get a long really well and they spent most their time together.  snapshot_3a7fab1d_fb793ec1.jpg   13.06K   35 downloads Beryl found herself spending a lot of time with Rodger.  snapshot_7b6eb0c3_dbae15bd.jpg   7.09K   35 downloads She could hardly believe that he was the same age as Camero and raising four kids that his deceased sister left to him to care for. Beryl hoped that when she finished high school that he might be interested in her as more then friends. Zue-Zue broke the news to her  snapshot_7b6eb0c3_9bae109d.jpg   8.32K   34 downloads that Rodger had started seeing someone in the small town.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_7bacc6d2.jpg   9.33K   33 downloads Beryl knew there was only two single women living in Eldron Valley; Roximarie Lush and Jasmine DeVille.

It was during a phone conversation with Camero that Beryl learned that Rodger was more then just casually dating Camero’s mom.  snapshot_1aa7b1af_9bacb371.jpg   12.04K   33 downloads Beryl couldn’t quite put into words why it bothered her more knowing that Ms. DeVille was dating him then if it had been Roximarie.

By Basanite’s birthday Beryl just wanted to get high school over with.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bb79296a.jpg   10.44K   34 downloads Jennifer however seemed sad about her brother’s growing up  snapshot_3a7fab1d_1b794e4f.jpg   15.36K   27 downloads despite having more free time to spend with Zell.

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Basanite liked school, mostly on Friday afternoons.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bbd83740.jpg   16.18K   22 downloads Unlike her older sister who spent had grown up in a town filled with other girls, Basanite was one of only a few other girls, all but one was a lot older then her. Bobby Larson and Marshall Lush were older then her. The two Jacksons were her age, but they spent most of their time together.  snapshot_7b6eb0c3_fbae1c9b.jpg   9.65K   29 downloads The only girl her age was Linda, and Basanite couldn’t stand her. She was odd and copy cat. Everyone got the two of them confussed.

Basanite spent most of her time playing on her own.  snapshot_9a815ac6_7bb5e222.jpg   13.99K   28 downloads Her mommy was usually busy at her work bench making electronics  snapshot_9a815ac6_3b790730.jpg   11.71K   30 downloads she would sell to supplement the family income with. She also found a new hobby. She bought an old beat up classic car that she planned to fix up for Beryl as a college graduation present.  snapshot_9a815ac6_dbd9a0e4.jpg   7.89K   34 downloads

Most the time Beryl was very busy with the high school basket ball team, hanging with her friends or doing her homework. Beryl did spend time with her every night.

Beryl would tell her every night, “hey Brat-night, I got my pj’s on, I’ll play video games with you as soon as your changed. Basanite would get changed as fast as she could. Then her sister would spend an hour playing video games with her.  snapshot_9a815ac6_bbb5ec1c.jpg   11.53K   34 downloads

Sometimes Beryl would help her build sandcastles on the beach.  snapshot_9a815ac6_9bb5e6cd.jpg   5.95K   30 downloads

“Can I be pretty and popuar like you when I grow up?” she asked Beryl one time.  snapshot_9a815ac6_dbb5e70a.jpg   5.81K   27 downloads

Beryl laughed, “you can be prettier and more popular then me if you want.”  snapshot_9a815ac6_dbb5e711.jpg   5.78K   25 downloads

“Can I be a point guard like you, too?” Basanite asked.

Beryl grabbed her hands and danced with her on the beach, “I’ll teach you how to play basket ball if you want.”  snapshot_9a815ac6_1bb5e74d.jpg   5.55K   24 downloads

“Ohh, please, Beryl, I would love you more then anyone in the world if you did,” Basanite cried out with joy.

“I thought you already did,” Beryl laughed.

True to her word, the very next day Beryl started giving her basketball lessons every day.  snapshot_9a815ac6_dbb5e127.jpg   8.38K   25 downloads Beryl was always patient when Basanite had to take a hug dad good-bye break.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1bb5cf9d.jpg   7.68K   20 downloads

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Basanite had gotten use to her mommy working on Beryl’s future car  snapshot_9a815ac6_db7915b1.jpg   13.56K   16 downloads that when she came home one day to discover her mom was not outside she got worried. Inside the house she could hear her mom upstairs getting sick.  snapshot_9a815ac6_dbb5d27c.jpg   13.52K   21 downloads

Beryl motioned for Basanite to sit down and fixed them both some cereal.

“What’s wrong with mommy” Basanite asked.  snapshot_9a815ac6_1bb5cd30.jpg   12.13K   22 downloads

“Well, I’m not totally sure,” Beryl said thoughtfully, “But the last time mom got sick like that a few months later I became a big sister.”

“You’re my big sister,” Basanite said feeling confussed.

“Yes, and now you’re going to be a big sister.” Beryl said with a smile.

“Oh, no, I’m not old enough to be a big sister,” Basanite said with a frown.

“Don’t be a dork,” Beryl teased, “your age has nothing to do with when you become a big sister. Finish your food, and find something quite to do, I’ve got home work to do. Plus mom will most likely go to sleep.”

Basanite sat at the table for a while after Beryl went upstairs  snapshot_9a815ac6_9b7931be.jpg   9.76K   17 downloads. She heard her sister ask their mommy if she needed anything before she heard them go to their own rooms. It just didn't make sense to Basanite that she would become a big sister when she didn’t know anything about being a big sister. The only kind of sister Basanite knew how to be was a little sister.

[wordlesswriter]

It was when Bobbie became a teen that Beryl realized how fast her own teen years had gone by. The party for the most part boring for Beryl, she had wished she had skipped the whole thing until she over heard parts of a conversation between Aunt Jody and Uncle Jason regarding some rumors.

Beryl listened as the twins had a heated discussion about the “DeVille” girls. Jody sounded sympathetic and understanding about Jason’s being seen in some compromising situations with Cadalak. Jody talked about how she knew there had always been a mutual crush between them. Jason swore that every thing was innocent. That they had just been joking around and things just got a little more serious, but it hadn’t gone beyond some kissing.

The situation with Camero was a lot more distressing to Jody. Jason admitted that he had gone to the college a few times to visit Cadalak and at time found himself alone with Camero. He couldn’t explain how it had happened and as much as he knew the situation was wrong he didn’t think he could just walk away.

“Have you forgotten you’re engaged?” Jody had yelled at him. “What do you plan to do about Amanda?”

“More like she’s not sure what she plans to do about me.” Jason sighed. “we’d been having some troubles before all this, I’m sure what ever rumors about all this she’s heard isn’t going to help the situation.”

Beryl didn’t feel right about listening in on any more. She didn’t really know Amanda Carlson beyond her name and her being engaged to Jason. Beryl wasn’t sure if she had any respect for the man she grew up think of as an uncle. She thought about how when she had been younger her friends had laughed about how some day Camero was going to cause some serious trouble. Beryl had to admit her mom had been right that some day she would understand what they meant. Even when she did understand, this was not something she would have thought her friend was capable of. When Beryl thought about it she had to admit that she wasn’t the least bit surprised about it.

[wordlesswriter]

Beryl didn’t know how to ask Camero about the rumors and found herself over Tina’s telling everything she had over heard.

“I am a little surprised by Cadalak, but not at all about Camero, I don’t see how this is so shocking to you,” Tina said after listening to every thing Beryl had to say.

“It’s not Camero’s, or even Cadalak’s behavior that is upsetting me,” Beryl frowned, “its Jason’s. My whole life I thought of him as an Uncle. Officer Larson, my Uncle Jason, pillar of the community.”

“Pillar of the community? Really Beryl, wow, you are so naive,” Tina laughed. “Your talking about a man, who has been, not so secretly, in love with your mom since she came to Eldron Valley, who knows what your dad and my parents do for a living and looks the other way. And you call him a pillar of the community? Honestly Beryl, sometimes you’re so much like your mom.”

Beryl felt her face grow warm from embarrassment. She had no idea about Jason’s feeling for her mom, but the comment about her being like her mom prompted her to ask, “what do you mean.”

Tina sighed, “You turn a blind eye to things you don’t want to think about.”

Beryl felt ashamed of herself, she didn’t know why, she just did.

“I guess I’ll call Camero,” Tina sighed. “If anything, someone should let her know about the rumors.”

Beryl sat quietly, feeling as if her whole world had been shaken. She would never think of Jason the same way again. She patiently listened as Tina told Camero everything that Beryl had over heard. She felt anxious when Tina was mostly quite listening to what Camero told her.

When Tina came back to the kitchen table her face looked pensive.

“She said she wasn’t completely sure about what was or wasn’t happening between Cadalak and Jason but she wasn’t surprised. She said some days every thing seems fine between her sister and Seth,  snapshot_7afebf25_7b6ef0c9.jpg   13.4K   19 downloads but Seth spends a lot of time out. He swears he’s just off playing video games,  snapshot_7afebf25_9b361867.jpg   10.22K   24 downloads but Cadalak wants to know if that’s the case why he doesn’t take her with instead of leaving her at home.”

Beryl sighed, empathizing with Cadalak.

Tina continued, “Camero said she over heard parts of a conversation between her sister and Sunshine about possibly calling it off with Seth.  snapshot_7afebf25_7b6eedb4.jpg   13.94K   23 downloads A few days after that she discovered her sister sleeping in her bed instead of in with Seth.  snapshot_7afebf25_1b6ee2d8.jpg   14.43K   25 downloads Cadalak goes out a lot more too. Which leaves her listening to Seth cry.”  snapshot_7afebf25_bb6eebbc.jpg   9.77K   27 downloads

Tina paused to laugh before going on, “Camero had thought it was a little odd that Jason started coming around so much, and then there was the incident where he and Seth had on matching shirts.  snapshot_fb616e14_1b8a9bbf.jpg   11.74K   26 downloads Cadalak had bought Seth that shirt and it was her favorite one that he wore. So she says it just makes the situation a little more interesting. Especially since Camero has been having a fling with Jason.  snapshot_fb616e14_1b8aa369.jpg   9.84K   19 downloads She said he is very passionate and she doesn’t know if she could end it, but she doesn’t want to hurt her sister, and will do her best to resist him.”

Tina and Beryl just sat staring at each other for a while. Beryl finally excused herself and headed home. Beryl tried to push all the information out of her head but she couldn’t help being annoyed that once again in her life everyone she thought she knew, she really didn’t know.