Chapter 20

Apology Time

"Hannie, you are my best big house friend. I am sorry I was bossy," I read from the first card.

Hannie came up and gave me a hug, "Will you go to church with me first?"

"No me first!" Nancy piped up.

"I will flip a coin to decide who I go with first," I told them, "Nancy you are next. Nancy, I am sorry I was a jealous meanie mo to you."

Nancy hugged me too. I kept on going, "Emily Michelle, I am sorry I have been a bad big sister to you. It is not your fault you are still a baby."

Emily did not understand to come over to me so Kristy took her card for her. I read Kristy's next since she was already up, "Kristy I am sorry I have been a huge pain to babysit for and that the babysitter's club dreads getting calls from my mommy."

Kristy gave me a high five, "I know you will get better. Maybe you can be a super junior sitter."

David Michael snickered, "Seven is way too young to be a babysitter."

Since he was being rude I decided to read his next, "David Michael, I am sorry for always being a jerk to you."

He took his card but would not hug me, "Yuck! Hugging girls is super disgusting.

Sam and Charlie would not hug me either but Sam gave me a thump on the back and Charlie shook my hand when they came up for their cards next.

"Pamela, I am sorry I crashed your church and embarassed you." I handed Pamela her card. She gave me a quick hug and smiled.

I gave cards to Jannie, Leslie and Bobby Gianelli. Then to my husband Ricky, "Ricky, I am sorry I have been a horrible wife to you. I will understand if you want a divorce."

Ricky kissed my cheek, "I do not want a divorce. I will give you another chance, Karen."

I had two more kids left to give gifts to: Andrew and Natalie Springer. However when I looked for them I realized they were not among the group gathered around me. They were both in the playhouse.

"Andrew and Natalie, it is your turn to come get your apology cards," I called to them.

Andrew emerged from the playhouse, "We are not coming."

Natalie came out behind him, "That is right. We are not. We know you are not really sorry."

Mr. Springer walked over to Natalie, "Honey, that is not how we treat a party host. Karen worked very hard on this party to show you how bad she feels. Please be polite and accept her gift."

"NO!" Natalie had never screamed or sounded that angry before that I had heard. Actually I was proud of her for standing up to her dad like that except I was getting annoyed that she would not come over to me.

"Natalie, we do not behave like that. Please come and accept your apology card from Karen. You can be the better person."
Her mother was pleading with her.

"I WILL NOT ACCEPT AN APOLOGY. KAREN IS THE MEANEST KID AT SCHOOL AND ALWAYS MAKES FUN OF MY SOCKS." Natalie then did something that surprised me. She flung herself on the ground kicking and screaming and threw a tantrum of Karen Brewer proportions. We all watched her in horror except for Andrew who was cheering her on.

Mr. Springer grabbed Natalie and hauled her over his shoulder still throwing a fit. "We are leaving. I am sorry, Karen. Thank you Seth and Lisa for inviting us."

Mrs Springer took Natalie's card and present from me, "Thank you, Karen honey."

I watched the Springers leave then turned back to Andrew who was now quiet but giving me a mean look, "Ready for your card, Andrew?"

"Not really, evil Karen." Andrew snapped at me.

Mommy picked up Andrew like a baby, "Andrew, I know you and Karen have had a hard time lately. I know she is not always nice to you but she is really trying today."

"But Mommy..." Andrew started to whine.

"We will get your card together." Mommy walked over to me still holding Andrew.

Andrew continued to give me a dirty look but I read the card anyway, "Andrew, I am sorry for all the times I did my animal growl at you and called you a baby brat. Please forgive me. I will be a better big sister."

Andrew stuck his tongue out at me, "No Karen."

"Andrew!" Mommy said sternly.

Andrew sighed loudly, "Okay Karen. I forgive you. For now but I know the truth about you."

"Andrew!" Mommy admonished him.

Andrew got down from Mommy's arms, "I am going inside now."

He ran into the house but none of the grown ups tried to stop him. I decided to finish up with the grown ups cards since the party was winding down.

I started with Mommy, "Mommy, I am sorry for being so difficult. I want you to be happy and less stressed. I am happy with our compromise about church. I am also sorry for making fun of our house."

Mommy started getting a little tear eyed when she hugged me. Next I called Daddy, "Daddy I am sorry that I disappointed you when I robbed Club G. I am sorry that I make a big deal about how rich you are. I love you because you are my Daddy not because you have money."

Daddy smiled and picked me up to give me a big hug. After he set me down I picked up Seth's card, "Seth you are a good carpenter. I am sorry I said you were Jesus. That was rude of me."

I went on to Elizabeth, "Elizabeth, I am sorry I called you my wicked stepmother. I know that is only in fairy tales and you are very nice."

I was almost done with my cards. I picked up Nannie's. I walked over to her, "Nannie, I am sorry I have been disrespectful to you. When I made these gifts I thought especially of you and making a gift mean something."

My last cards were identical and for my friend's parents, "Dear parents of all of my friends. I am sorry I have been a bad friend to your child and a bad influence. I know I have taught them so many mean tricks and I am sorry."

I got hugs from Hannie and Nancy's mothers and handshakes and pats on the back from the other parents. I felt better now that I had given out all of my cards.

Mommy announced, "Thank you all so much for coming to Karen's party. I think we will be wrapping it up soon."

The grown ups all started helping Mommy put away chairs and take down decorations. Nancy and Hannie both stayed next to me while the other kids started running around the yard and playing while they waited on their parents.

Nancy said, "Karen are we going to flip a coin for who you will attend church with first?"

"Yes I think we can do that now. I do not have a coin though with me." I replied.

Hannie pulled a penny out of her pocket, "That is okay Karen. I have a penny. You can flip it. I call heads."

Nancy nodded, "I am tails."

I took the coin from Hannie and flipped it. It landed in the grass. It was on heads. "Heads! I will go with you first Hannie. That is perfect since it is almost time for my big house month. Then my next trip with be with you Nancy."

Hannie put the penny back in her pocket, "Group hug?"

We all leaned in for a hug and squeezed tight. Nancy said, "All for one."

Hannie smiled, "And one for all."

I finished with, "The three musketeers forever!"

My summer was going to be the best yet. I just knew it.

The End