Chapter 9

The first week after the Christmas/New Year break had gone by in a flash. It was a sunny, brisk Saturday afternoon in Peach Creek. The month of January had been unusually mild in the town. Most of the kids were grateful for the weekend respite from school and were using this time to "veg out", watching TV or playing video games. May was in the Kankers backyard using her new pitching machine, while Marie was serving her punishment of washing the Kanker family vehicles.

Lee, meanwhile, had decided to spend time with Lindsay and her newest pursuit. Upon returning to school, as promised, Lindsay had resigned from the cheer squad (relinquishing her captaincy to Nazz) and signed up for the cross-country team, though she had to beg and coax her father to let her join. Lindsay thoroughly enjoyed being on the cross-country team, having found it to be great exercise. Consequently, L-Squared had decided to spend this Saturday training in the Haunted Woods behind the Kankers former home, the Park n' Flush trailer park.

The girls spent time running up hills and through the rough terrain the woods offered, Lee trading in her beloved high-heeled boots for a pair of white tennis shoes. Much to Lee's surprise, she was having a hard time keeping up with Lindsay.

"Geez, Liz," remarked Lee, "you haven't even been on the team two weeks and you're already running like a track star!"

"Thanks, LeeLee," Lindsay replied with a smile. "I'm actually enjoying running more than I did cheering. I'm so uncoordinated, I'm surprised I was even named captain! Though I had to do an insane amount of begging to get my dad to let me join-he's really overprotective! Sometimes I think he wants to put me in bubble wrap! He thinks I'll die just because I had the audacity to walk down a hill!"

"I think it's good you've found a sport you enjoy, Liz," Lee encouraged her friend. "With training and practice, you're gonna be for the cross-country team what May has been for the softball team!"

"Thanks LeeLee," Lindsay replied. "I'm more than just a girly-girl! Though I did get a bunch of new dresses and shoes for Christmas. And I've been going through the new catalogs my modeling agency has given me. I have one dress and pair of shoes that are gonna look so great to wear at your birthday party!"

"What was that?!" Lee whirled to face Lindsay.

"Oh my bad," Lindsay replied apologetically.

"Look, I told you a million times before I don't want no stinkin' prissy party!" Lee said, irritated. "Hell, I still ain't recovered from the rollercoaster ride that was Christmas!"

"Don't you have anything planned for your birthday?" inquired Lindsay.

"Well, yeah," Lee answered. "Me and Eddy are going to see a movie, though we can't seem to agree on which one to see. I'm content just to spend my birthday with my little man!"

"You sure there's nothing that will change your mind?" Lindsay asked.

"Positive," Lee answered in a curt tone. "Now let's get back to your training!"

The dynamic duo spent the next couple of hours running, until Lee received a text from Tabby.

"We're having dinner...GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE!"

"Uh oh Liz," Lee said anxiously. "My folks are having dinner...my mom's gonna kill me if I'm not home in time!"

"Thanks for reminding me," Lindsay replied. "I promised my dad I'd help him with rebuilding the Nova! Bye LeeLee, I'll see you in school Monday!"

"Right back at ya, Liz!" Lee called out to her friend with a smile.

The two halves of L-Squared departed the woods and made their way through the Park n' Flush trailer park. Upon reaching Haventhought Way, Lee saw Lindsay to her door, after which the beautiful redhead ran as fast as she could to the Kanker-Lonergan abode.