Content warning: mention of vomit
It was a warm March morning. Mrs. Bowen was taking attendance.
"Masako Fujimoto."
"Here."
"Alma Getty."
"Here."
Katrina glanced to the side, and saw Missy Daley whispering something to Harry. Harry listened, and when Missy finished, a big smile spread across his face. He gave Missy a thumbs up.
Katrina was curious. What could they be whispering?
"Phillip Yellen."
"Here."
"That's everyone," said Mrs. Bowen, closing her attendance duotang. "Alright, kids, get out your work journals."
Later, in Mr. Tate's science class, while everyone was working, Katrina turned to Annie. "Do you know what's up with Missy?"
"No," said Annie, "what?"
"I don't know," said Katrina, "but she's got some kind of good news, and I want to know what it is."
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Missy sitting with Masako, Janet, and Annaliese McIntire. They were excitedly chattering about something, but Katrina couldn't make out what it was over the other noise.
"Hey, there's a soccer game after school," said Kevin, interrupting Katrina's train of thought. "Are you coming?"
"Probably not," said Katrina, "both of my dads are sick. Vati got it on Monday, and then this morning, Dad was hurling. If my guess that it's a pattern is right, then I probably won't be at school on Friday."
Please, if someone's out there listening, make it stop.
Joe was snuggled into Von Kaiser's lap with a blanket wrapped around him. He felt horrible; absolutely horrendous. He felt like if he moved even an iota, he would throw up.
"Joseph, du zitterst," said Von Kaiser softly. (Joseph, you're trembling.)
Was he? He hadn't noticed. He smushed his face into his husband's chest and softly moaned.
"Du großes Baby," chuckled Von Kaiser, rubbing his back. (You big baby.)
By the time that last period came along, Katrina was about to burst. She must be the only person in the class who didn't know about Missy's big news!
"Miss Daley," said Mr. Horwitz when Missy couldn't stop giggling with her friends, "is there something on your mind that's more important than your lessons?"
"Yeah, actually," said Missy. She stood up. "My sister's getting married!"
The entire class erupted into cheers. Mr. Horwitz was impressed. "Wow. I don't get many kids who can give such a good reason to be distracted. Good for your sister!"
Just then, Mrs. Bowen came in. "What's with all the yelling? I could hear you across the hall!"
"Her sister's getting married!" Uma Peppers piped up.
"Really?" Mrs. Bowen was impressed. "Which one, Kacey or Sienna?"
"Sienna," said Missy, bouncing in her seat.
"I taught Sienna during my first year as a teacher," said Mrs. Bowen, "good for her!"
When Katrina came home, Vati was sitting on the couch, with Dad curled up in his lap looking miserable. They were both watching old reruns of Life with Johnny in California. "Hi," said Katrina softly, "how are you both doing?"
"Ich fühle mich besser," said Vati, "aber dein Vater nicht." (I'm feeling better, but your father isn't.) In response to that, Dad weakly groaned.
Katrina kissed both her fathers on the forehead. "Love you, daddy. Love you, Vati." She then went upstairs to do her homework.
