The Past
Kenny and Mickey loved their grandmother Ingrid more than they loved anyone else in the family. Ingrid asked for their company often causing jealousy among their cousins and Carlton, but the brother and sister didn't care.
"It's just like heaven," then twelve-year-old Mickey sighed, swinging in the porch swing with gusto. She was listening to her brother strum the guitar and sing as was Ingrid, listening from the kitchen. Mickey lent a soft voice to Kenny's and her soprano and Kenny's tenor mixed well. Ingrid smiled at the two of the family she loved best, not because they favored both her and her beloved daughter, Lena, but because she knew the two had the most to deal within the family. Kenny had just turned fifteen and his schedule was full with music, athletics, and academia.
She summoned the two to lunch and saw both were more relaxed.
Putting her arms on the shoulders of each one, she smiled at them. "Mickey, I heard you have been moved up a grade, and Kenny, you as well As you were already advanced to second grade, you are on-track to graduate at sixteen, something no one else in the family has done. And of course, I plan to attend each baseball game, I hear you are the star pitcher on the high school baseball team."
"Coach wants me to fluke a few classes to hang around for two more championships."
"I also believe you have such a lovely voice, Kenneth. You are coming along wonderfully with your guitar and piano lessons." She smiled and Kenny smiled back with pleasure, her praise easing the stinging negative comments of others in his family.
Ingrid then shook a loving finger at her youngest grandchild. "Mickey, dear, how are you coming along with your drumming? I have heard you do not practice enough."
"Oh, I practice, Ingrid. But there are studies and baseball and track."
Ingrid smiled. "I understand you are the first girl to play on the junior high baseball team?"
Mickey beamed. That she had considered one of her greatest triumphs, playing so well at shortstop, she earned her way, albeit with negative reaction among most of the townsfolk. Her skill at hitting, catching, running plus her quick reflexes at shortstop silenced the critics who also credited her brother Kenneth's frequent pitching shutouts with winning the state championships in both junior and senior high.
"I heard you played the drums only when Carlton was there to hear."
Mickey gave an angelic smile at her grandmother.
Ingrid sighed, "Child, you don't know how much you look like Lena – even act like her sometimes."
"I plan to graduate at sixteen, just like Kenny. He helps me so much with my studies, I am well ahead of my classmates."
"She helps me study, too," Kenny said quickly.
Ingrid exchanged a quick glance with Mickey. "Are you feeling too much pressure, dear? Your sister has told me you aren't sleeping well or eating enough."
"Mickey!" Kenneth scolded.
Mickey was unrepentant. "It's true and you know it."
Kenny shrugged. The truth was he was worn out, both mentally and physically. He had almost gotten used to being tired constantly. He loved baseball, track, and his studies, and the need for soothing music as he played and sang, he felt had to fit into each day. Therefore, sleep and eating were often shoved aside.
Ingrid was worried he was pushing too hard, trying to prove himself to the rest of the family. Kenny was sensitive and longed for his parents to discuss him proudly as they did Joshua, Judith, and Carlton. But nothing seemed to work. Winning the state championships in baseball was never seen as important as football. While applauding Judith's musical talents, they were never interested in his. Only Carlton took notice, saying baseball and music were for sissy boys. Even skipping two grades, one in grade school, and one in junior high did not bring praise.
His sister, on the other hand, simply didn't care. The dismay that came with her clamoring to play baseball with the boys, was taken as rocking the social structure; so, Mickey becoming the only girl to play with the boys' team was not a success to them. She had engendered national attention as being the first girl to make the boys' team; something her teammates did not care for. Nor was her also being allowed to skip two grades.
Ingrid knew clearly there were only two people in the entire nation that Mickey cared for, and cared for passionately, and that was her brother Kenny and her grandmother Ingrid. Knowing this, Ingrid's concern went to her youngest grandson.
"I want the two of you to rest, go to the movies, or swim. Kenneth, you are too pale, too thin, I can see that shirt practically falling off you."
As she felt he would, Kenny opened his mouth to deny her words, so she continued. "Mickey, you are still a growing child, and you are too susceptible to illness."
Mickey and Ingrid both exchanged quick glances, both knowing Mickey was healthier than the rest of the family; but Kenny didn't catch that, and he felt guilty about not slowing down his little sister.
"I'll make sure we both rest, Ingrid. Can't have our star shortstop being unable to play next month." Kenny excused himself and after he went upstairs, Ingrid turned to Mickey. "He will slow down because of you. I don't think we need to be worried yet."
Mickey looked up the stairs. She was not so sure.