Susan Beth Pfeffer - The Life As We Knew It Collection

Life As We Knew It

Copyright 2006 by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Dead and the Gone

Copyright 2008 by Susan Beth Pfeffer

This World We Live In

Copyright 2010 by Susan Beth Pfeffer

The Shade of the Moon

Copyright 2013 by Susan Beth Pfeffer

All rights reserved. For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to or to Permissions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 3 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10016.

www.hmhco.com

This is a work of fiction. All the names, characters, places, organizations, and events portrayed in this book are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously to lend a sense of realism to the story.

eISBN 978-0-544-77480-3
v2.1015

For Marci Hanners and Carol Pierpoint

May 7

Lisa is pregnant.

Dad called around 11 oclock to let us know. Only Mom had already taken Jonny to his baseball practice and of course Matt isnt home from college yet, so I was alone to get the big news.

The baby is due in December, Dad crowed, like he was the first guy in the history of the world with a younger second wife about to have a baby. Isnt that great! Youre going to have a little brother or sister. Of course its too soon to tell what its going to be, but as soon as we know, well tell you. I wouldnt mind another daughter myself. The first one I had turned out so wonderfully. Howd you like a baby sister?

I had no idea. When did you find out? I asked.

Yesterday afternoon, Dad said. I would have called you right away but, well, we celebrated. You can understand that, cant you, honey? A little private time for Lisa and me before letting the world know.

Of course, Daddy, I said. Has Lisa told her family?

First thing this morning, he replied. Her parents are thrilled. Their first grandchild. Theyre coming for a couple of weeks in July, before you and Jonny visit.

Are you going to call Matt and tell him? I asked. Or do you want me to?

Oh no, Ill call, Dad said. Hes busy studying for his finals. Hell be glad for the interruption.

Its great news, Dad, I said, because I knew I was supposed to. Be sure to tell Lisa how happy I am for her. And you, too. For both of you.

You tell her yourself, Dad said. Here she is.

Dad muffled the phone for a second so he could whisper something to Lisa and then she took the phone. Miranda, she said. Isnt it exciting!

Very, I said. Its wonderful news. Im really happy for you and Dad.

I was thinking, she said. Well, I know its way too soon and I havent even discussed this with your father yet, but would you like to be the babys godmother? You dont have to answer right away, but do think about it, all right?

Thats the problem I have with Lisa. Whenever I want to get mad at her, or just irritated because she really can be immensely irritating, she goes and does something nice. And then I can understand why Daddy married her.

Of course Ill think about it, I said. You and Daddy think about it also.

We dont have to give it any more thought, she said. You should see the glow on your fathers face. I dont think he could be any happier.

I couldnt, Dad said, and I could tell from his laughter that hed grabbed the phone away from Lisa. Miranda, please say yes. It would mean so much to us for you to be the babys godmother.

So I said yes. I couldnt exactly say no.

After that we chatted for a while. I told Dad about my last swim meet and how I was doing in school. Mom still hadnt come back by the time I finally got off the phone, so I went online to see whats new with figure skating. The hot topic at Brandon Erlichs fan site is how good his chances are to win Olympic gold. Most people think not very, but a lot of us think he has a real shot at medaling and ice is slippery and you never know.

I think Id like to take skating lessons again. Ive missed it the past couple of years and besides, itll give me a chance to pick up news about Brandon. He isnt being coached by Mrs. Daley anymore, but I bet she still hears stuff. And maybe Brandons mother would show up at the rink.

When Mom got in, I had to tell her about Lisa. She just said that was nice and that she knew the two of them wanted children. She and Dad have worked really hard on making it a good divorce. Matt says if theyd worked half as hard on their marriage, theyd still be married. I didnt tell her about how Im going to be the godmother (assuming Lisa doesnt change her mind, which shes more than capable of doing). I feel kind of bad that Im going to be the godmother but no one said anything about Matt or Jonny being godfathers. Of course Lisa and Matt dont get along very well, and maybe 13 is too young to be a godfather.

I hope Lisa changes her mind and I wont have to deal with it.

May 8

Not the greatest Mothers Day ever.

Id told Mom a while ago that Id make dinner and she decided to invite Mrs. Nesbitt. I cant say I was surprised, but I figured if Mom was having Mrs. Nesbitt over I could ask Megan and her mom, too. Only when Jonny found out it was going to be me and Mom and Mrs. Nesbitt and Megan and Mrs. Wayne, he said that was too many females in one room for him and he was going to have dinner at Tims instead.

Mom always thinks its a good idea for Jonny to spend time with Tim and his family because there are three boys and Tims father is around a lot. She said if it was okay with Tims folks it was okay with her.

I called Megan and told her to bring her history notes with her and wed study for the test together, and she agreed.

Which is why Im so mad at her. If she hadnt said yes, it would be one thing. But she did and I made enough meatloaf for five and salad and then right before I started setting the table, Megan called and said she had decided to stay on at her church and do something with the youth group. Shed gotten the dates mixed up. And her mother didnt feel like coming without her, so it was going to be two less for Sunday dinner and she hoped I didnt mind.

Well, I do mind. I mind because Id been looking forward to all of us having dinner together and to studying with Megan. I also figured Mrs. Nesbitt and Mrs. Wayne would be good people for Mom to talk to about Lisas baby. Mom may not be best friends with Mrs. Wayne, but shes funny and she would have gotten Mom laughing.

Megan is spending so much time at her church. She goes to services every Sunday and she never used to and she does stuff with the youth group at least twice a week and sometimes more and for all her talking about how shes found God, I think all shes found is Reverend Marshall. She talks about him like hes a movie star. I even told her that once and she said thats how I talk about Brandon, like it was the same thing, which it isnt at all. Lots of people think Brandon is the best skater in the U.S. right now and besides it isnt like I talk about him all the time and act like hes my salvation.

Dinner was okay except I overcooked the meatloaf so it was a little dry. But Mrs. Nesbitts never been shy with the ketchup bottle. After a while I left her and Mom alone and I guess they talked about Lisa and the baby.

I wish it was summer already. I cant wait to get my drivers license.