Chapter Thirteen

Plotting With An Enemy

I had never been more surprised in my life than I was right now. I could not believe Pamela wanted to be me. I am almost never speechless. My pretend husband Ricky called me Blarin' Karen for being a loud mouth and my teacher Ms. Coleman has to tell me to use an indoor voice all the time. But right that moment I had nothing to say. Pamela had ruined my church fliers and been very mean to be today and now she was saying she wanted to be me? If she wanted to be me, she would have seen how important my fliers were and not ruined them. I was at a loss for words.

Pamela, however, had plenty to say, "Do you know why I wish I could be you? Because you have everything and more. Your daddy has a mansion and a lot of money. My daddy is just a boring dentist and our house only has four bedrooms in it. Your step dad made you a playhouse. My daddy bought me a plastic baby playhouse from toys r us. I only have one meanie mo sister and you have Andrew plus a lot of step siblings. But do you know what makes me the most jealous of you, Karen? Because your family pays attention to you. My family mostly ignores me. My daddy is too busy being a dentist at his work all week and the bishop at church on his days off. My mommy is too busy writing her book. My sister is too busy with her boyfriend. When our parents pay attention to either of us it is her because she is always getting into trouble. She is failing in school, her boyfriend is what Daddy calls a juvenile delinquent because he stole a car, and she is very rude."

Pamela's sister sounded a bit like me. I get a lot of attention because I am always doing things my mommy and daddy punish me for. I decided to tell Pamela that. "Pamela, I get a lot of attention because my mommy and daddy think a lot of the things I do are bad just like your sister. You are sometimes a big snob to me but you do not get in trouble like me. Remember when I slapped you over a swing? You did not even think to hit back and you did not want to even get me in trouble. You do not know how to do things that get you attention."

"I guess that is true but I do not want attention for being bad. I just want my parents to notice the good things that I do." Pamela told me.

She had a lot to learn but I am a master at getting what I want. Plus I am now Devil Karen. "Pamela, trust me, being nice does not get you attention. I wish it did but it does not work. I learned when my mommy and daddy were fighting and getting a divorce that if I did something like kick the cat down the stairs or bite Andrew that I would get attention. If I painted a nice picture at school or helped Andrew clean up his toys, nobody even noticed. It helped me get through the divorce and now I do things because at the little house Mommy would ignore me for Andrew and at the big house there are so many people that sometimes I get forgotten about."

Pamela looked thoughtful for a moment then she asked, "Could you teach me, Karen? Could you teach me how to get attention like you?"

"Yes, Pamela. I can teach you everything you need to know to be as powerful as me. But you will have to do something for me in return." I was getting a brilliant idea that might be the answer to all of my problems.

Pamela eyed me suspiciously, "What would I have to do for you?"

"I was thinking I was done with wanting to go to church and that being the devil would be more fun than having my own religion but I would still like to visit a church. I told Seth and Mommy I did not when Mommy called earlier but now I am thinking I still do. I can still be the devil and go to church at the same day. I do not see a conflict. If you will help me find some way to go to church with you just once so I can see what it is like, I will help you find a way to get more attention from your mommy and daddy." I thought this sounded like a fair trade.

Pamela thought so too. She stuck out her hand to shake mine, "It is a deal, Karen."

We shook on it and then I looked down. I saw Andrew standing below us by himself. I called down to him, "Andrew, what are you doing here?"

"Mommy and I got here a little bit ago. Now our food is on our table. Seth sent me to look for you," Andrew called to me.

I shook my head. Andrew is just a baby brat. They should not have sent him alone, "You are too small to be by yourself down here."

Andrew glared at me, "I am not too small, Karen. Come on, I am hungry. I did not get a snack at the hospital."

I climbed down. Pamela followed after me. We stood facing Andrew. He did not look hurt at all. I was a tiny bit disappointed. I thought I had gotten him good this time. At the same time thought I was a bit relieved. Not that Andrew was okay really but because if he was okay maybe my punishment for beating him up would be lighter. Well a little bit of me did feel sorry that I had hurt Andrew but I brushed it off.

I decided to ask him about what was going on even though I had already heard Mommy's claim that he was not hurt, "What happened at the hospital?"

Andrew shrugged, "I am fine. I just have a few bruises from where you knocked me down. You will not be fine though. I heard Mommy say on her cell phone to Daddy that you will be getting one doozy of a punishment for trying to hurt me."

I ignored what he said about my punishment. I did not want to think about it. "Come on Andrew, we should go eat. I am gigundoly hungry."

Pamela, Andrew and I went back upstairs to the dining area. I really wanted to stop and turn in my tickets for a prize very badly but I was also hungry. I decided I would eat first then ask if I could go back down and get a prize.

We got back to our tables. Pamela's family was quietly eating. Her sister did not look too happy but at least they were no longer fighting. Pamela slid back into her chair and started eating the burger and fries that her daddy gave her. I guess he had ordered for her while she was gone.

Andrew and I sat down with Mommy and Seth. Mommy did not say anything but Seth said hi to both of us. He handed me my cheeseburger and Andrew a plate with chicken nuggets. We started eating. It was very good. We were silent for a few moments while eating. At the table next to ours, the Hardings were continuing to be silent.

Finally Mommy put down her chicken sandwich and spoke, "So Karen, after I talked to you and Seth on the phone, I called your Daddy again."

"I guess that means you have decide on my punishment." I could not even look at her.

"Daddy called your pediatrician. Your doctor said we should take you to see someone who works with children who are angry or unhappy. Daddy got a referral for you to see a therapist. A therapist is someone who might be able to help you cope with your feelings in other ways than attacking Andrew or your friends," Mommy informed me.

I noticed Pamela watching me from the corner of my eye and felt embarrassed, "I am not crazy, Mommy."

Mommy patted me on the shoulder, "Nobody said you are crazy, Karen. We are just feeling like your behavior and attitude lately are a cry for help."

"I just like people to know I am there. I do not like to be ignored and I want to make sure no one forgets me," I knew I did not need any help.

Mommy sighed. She does that way too much lately. "Karen, there are more positive ways to get attention and not be ignored than being mean or committing petty crimes like shoplifting."

"If you say so, Mommy," I did not think she got it.

We all returned to eating and silence yet again. It was very uncomfortable. Usually we talk while eating. Especially me. I always use meal times to fill in everyone about the wonderful life of Karen Brewer. The silence was bugging me but something about the look on Mommy's face made me keep my mouth shut.

Finally, I had had enough. I really need a break from sitting here with Mommy looking at me and not talking, "May I please go to the bathroom?"

Mommy and Seth exchanged a look then Mommy said, "Yes, Karen. You may go to the bathroom but hurry back please."

I got up and hurried off to the bathroom as fast as I could. I could not get away from Mommy fast enough. When I got there I stood in front of the sink and took a deep breath. Then the door opened behind me. It was Pamela. She had followed me to the bathroom.

Pamela stood next to me and smiled, "Wow, Karen. I am impressed. Your mommy was really focused on you. She did not even talk to Andrew. It really works. I cannot wait to learn all of your tricks."

"Do not worry, Pamela. I will teach you everything I know and you will be a pro in no time. You can be my apprentice," I informed her in what I hoped was a grand voice.

Pamela nodded, "That sounds good to me. When can we get started?"

I thought about this for a moment, "How about tomorrow morning? I will call you and invite you over. It should be okay with Mommy. She has not said I cannot have a friend over."

"What about the therapist she said you had to visit?" Pamela asked me.

I had forgotten about that, "She did not say when the appointment would be but she has not made it yet. I am sure it will not be tomorrow. She has to call tomorrow to make the appointment. Usually when she calls my doctor or dentist to make an appointment I have to wait a few days to go in. I am sure the therapist will be the same. Do not worry. We will get started with your training tomorrow. You will be just like me before you know it."

Pamela reached over and gave me a hug. It was a big awkward since we have always been enemies. I hugged her back quickly and pulled away. It was just too weird for me to be hugging Pamela Harding but I was very excited to be her teacher and maybe I would find a way to visit church at last through her.

Author's Note: I apologize for the 2.5 years between updates. Shortly after my last update I found out I was pregnant and with the pregnancy, baby and now nearly 2 year old toddler (born 3/10/2010 I have been very busy and still am but at least my son sleeps at night now so I can write a little so I'm doing a four chapter update today with 10, 11, 12 and 13 with more to come soon.