Ann Herrick - Someone Like Him

By Ann Herrick

Digital ISBNs

EPUB978-1-77362-505-8

Kindle9781772990614

WEB978-1-77362-506-5

Amazon Print978-1-77362-507-2

Copyright 2015 by AnnHerrick

Cover art by MichelleLee

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rightsunder copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, ortransmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior writtenpermission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of thisbook

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For everyone who lovesthe great outdoors

Why do I have to go to Oregon?

What can I say, Emily? Mom shrugged. YourAunt Jessica eloped. I couldnt very well tell my sister topostpone her first honeymoon so Dad and I could go on our secondone.

This is just great! I put on my longestpout. First Im robbed of a trip to Europe. Now Im being shippedoff to Oregon for a month. At least in Los Angeles I couldve goneshopping with Aunt Jessica. I mightve even gotten the autographsof the cast of Central Hospital! What can I do in Oregon? Whatsthere?

Trees. Dad poured cream into his coffee. Alot of trees, I think.

Big deal! There are trees in New York.Central Park is full of them. We even have one in ourcourtyard.

Mom leaned across the table and patted myhand. Emily, Im sorry about Los Angeles. I know youredisappointed. As for being robbed of a trip to Europe ... well,how many kids do you know who go on a honeymoon with their parents?Besides, well take you the next time.

When? I yanked my hand away from Moms. Infive years when Ill be too old to enjoy it?

Dad sighed. Youre only fifteen. I hardlythink youll be too old at the tender age of

My turn to sigh. Dad. You just dontunderstand.

We try to understand, Mom said in a tightvoice. I wish youd do the same.

Guilt pricked at me. I knew Mom and Dad goingto Paris for their twentieth anniversary was not a crime. But Ifelt left out.

Besides, how would I face everyone at schoolin the fall? A vacation in a dull place like Oregon would be badfor my image, lowly as it already was.

And then there were other things to worryabout. I tried another approach. What about all those bears out inOregon?

Im sure wed hear if there were wildanimals roaming the streets, Mom said. She brushed my bangs to theside, which I couldnt stand. It was such a patronizing gesture.Besides that, they were my bangs. You probably wont see anythingmore terrifying than a few deer.

Humph, I snorted. The horses in CentralPark were enough to make me nervous.

Mom brought out her reassuring smile. I knewshed try her everything-will-be-okay routine. Youll have a goodtime in Oregon. Youve always had fun with your cousinJanelle.

But that was at Grammas house in Indiana,I protested. There was a great park and swimming pool in WestLafayette. Besides, I havent seen Janelle since Gramma died. Itsbeen three years! Maybe Janelles changed.

Well, said Dad, Im sure youll stilllike

And Aunt Carolee is such a bore! I raisedmy voice. I didnt really like doing this. But I was desperate.All she does is knit. And Uncle Ned .... I rolled my eyes. Hessuch a know-it-all. He spouts off constantly.

There was a silence. I figured there wouldbe. They couldnt deny what was true.

Your Uncle Ned is a great guy in a lot ofways, Dad finally said. Then he grinned. If I could put up withhis spouting off when we were growing up, you can put up with itfor ten days.

Your Aunt Carolee is nice, too, said Mom.Her right eyebrow rose and she did what all parents do when theyknow their arguments are weak. They turn into dictators. Theresreally no other choice but for you to go to Oregon. Our plans areset. We cant change them, even if we wanted to.

Humph. I curled my lower lip and stareddown at my fingernails, trying to exude misery from every pore.

Now dont whine and pout and make youraunts and uncles lives miserable either, Mom said.

I wouldnt do that, I said indignantly.Im not a baby!

Mom and Dad just looked at each other.

Remember, its only for ten days, Mom said.After all, we wouldnt want to impose on your aunt and uncle anylonger than that.

Translation: They wouldnt want to stick themwith me any longer that that!
But Id run out of arguments. I guess going to Oregon will beokay, I said, even though I was sure it would be horrible. I knewit was what they wanted to hear.

We want you to have a good time, Mom said,as if their wanting it would make it so.

I know, I said. That seemed to satisfyeveryone, so I excused myself and went to my room to pout inprivacy.

Id had my own plans before thesecond-honeymoon idea was sprung on me. I was tired of being adreary, dateless Honor-Roll nobody who always sat next to theteachers desk. I needed a new image!

I wasnt what youd call a Ravishing Beauty.I inherited Dads shiny brown hair, which looks nice as long asits shampooed daily. Well, and my long bangs emphasized my blueeyes, which unfortunately were all I got from mystill-naturally-blonde mother.

Id gotten my braces off last month andrecently my body had almost caught up with my hands and feet. Ideven graduated to a single A-cup bra. So Hannah, my best friend andfellow social zero, and I had hoped to prepare ourselves to lookour best for the first day of school.

I needed the confidence great-looking girlsseemed to possess. So far, no matter what the social situation, Iwas always tripping over my own feet or bumping into walls becauseI was trying so hard to act casual.

So to build up our self-esteem, Hannah and Ihad planned everything from a new exercise routine to the exact daywed both have our legs waxed. Wed even decided to get one ofthose makeovers at the cosmetics counter in Bloomingdales. Nowwith me going off to the Oregon wilderness, Hannah would have tostart without me. Id fall behind schedule.

I decided to call Hannah. Maybe shecould help me figure a way out of going to Oregon.

Hi, its me, I said the second sheanswered.

Hi! All set for your trip to L.A.? I justknow youll be discovered and come back famous. All you have to dois go on that Universal Studios tour and

Hold it, Hannah. Im not going to LosAngeles.

What? Thats great! Then starting tomorrowwe can go to the gym and sign up for that advanced aerobics

Hold it again. Im going to Oregon instead.I explained about Aunt Jessica eloping.

But whats in Oregon?

Trees.

Trees? I dont get it.

The trees are incidental. Im going toOregon to stay at my cousins house.

Oh.

I twisted a lock of hair around my littlefinger. Unless we can figure out a way for me to stay here.

You know Id smuggle you into my room. ButAshley says sharing a room with me is bad enough. She hatesovernights. She says shes not taking in any strays.

Your sister has such a delicate way ofputting things.

Maybe I could stash you in my closet andsneak food to you.

Thanks, but no thanks. I paused, then said,I was thinking of a way to talk Dad into letting me stay here andguard our place.

Dont use the word guard. It soundsdangerous.

Good point. I drummed my fingers on thenightstand. Maybe I could offer to paint the kitchen while theyreaway. Moms always saying it needs a change. But Dads easier toconvince. Ill go to his store this morning, so I can work on himwithout Mom around.

Good idea. Let me know how it turns out.Maybe you can still join the aerobics class in the afternoon.