A/N: Elements in this chapter are inspired by the 2020 Baby-Sitter's Club Netflix series.
Kristy, a few weeks later.
I tried to be happy for Mary Anne, I really did. Today was her gender reveal party. The bad news for me was it was also the anniversary of the day my father left. Of course, I didn't expect Mary Anne to remember something like that Besides, she had her own problems. I promised myself I'd try to make it through the day.
Soon, the party was in full swing. Some of Claus's family from East Germany had even shown up. Mary Anne was still a bit uneasy around large crowds, but, she'd been getting better. Bart gently hugged me.
"Great party, isn it?"
"Yeah."
I had to smile, noticing Claus and Vanessa. Both were splitting some lemonade and barbecued pork. Almost everyone was paired up, even Sam with Stacey, among others.
I soon spotted Watson talking with Richard and some of the other dads, even Logan. All were giving him advice on how to be a dad. For some reason, that caused the memories of Patrick to come flooding back. I grabbed several bags of chips, and started opening them on the table, one by one.
"Kristy?" Claudia asked.
"I-I'll be fine, just need to clear my head."
I wheeled myself back inside as fast as I could go. I soon broke down in tears. I was sure Logan wouldn't do what my father had done, but, I just didn't know.
Mary Anne came to see me later.
"You doing okay?"
"No."
I explained as best I could.
"Shit. I didn't know it was still so strong."
"I didn't expect you to remember that, but, I do, and it hurts."
She hugged me as much as she could.
"You're not alone, you know that. You have Watson, the rest of your family, us, the old clients."
I smiled, knowing what she meant.
"Is it okay if I hate him for what he did?"
"Of course."
"Damn it, missed the reveal."
I had, though I'd heard the cheers.
"It's gonna be a girl."
"Awww, I'm gonna have a little niece."
"Yup. Claus and Karen are really hitting it off, considering they got the iced teas mixed up with Long Island ones."
"What?"
"Color's different."
"Aw man."
I knew what that meant. Both of them couldn't tell something's difference by color, and since both jugs had felt the same, they'd gotten them confused.
"Anyone drunk?"
I had to ask.
"Not by much."
"Good, that's the last thing we need."
We both laughed.