True to Kamala's word, her last three major assignments came back with glowing grades and she had no further fights with anybody in the waning days of the school year. In fact, she even gave an earnestly contrite and public apology to her classmates who given their own stresses with this chapter in their lives found it in them to forgive her. Nonetheless, she still felt like a convict waiting for the governor's reprieve facetiming her uncle as he looked over her report card.
"We knew the science test was going to be a doozy, but you still pulled a B+. Combine that with the so an A for history, plus all the extra credit assignments in math makes…yeah, a vacation this summer to Spencer Beach." He said with a smile.
Both parties knew it was inevitable, but there was still some value about going through the motions and confirming it out loud. With a final goodbye, Arnold logged out, leaving Olga and Kamala to jump for joy while Lila beamed proudly as she patted her swelling abdomen.
Though the trip was still two weeks away, Kamala was so overtaken by this strange and elusive feeling some people call 'happiness' that she began the packing process almost immediately; flitting about her room in a fit of joie de verve until the suitcase stood properly packed and at the ready to be taken. Even the crash from her adrenaline felt peaceful as she collapsed on the bed and let slumber claim her…but not before giving one final visit from a certain pugnacious preteen poltergeist.
"Don't. Even. Try it." Kamala shot at the phantom version of herself as it sat predatorily on the bureau. "I got the grades. I'm going on vacation. I'm going to be a well-adjusted big sister. I. Beat. You."
But rather than feel wounded by her words, the ghost gave a dismissive shrug before slinking out the boudoir window…but not without an ominous two-word caveat.
"For now."
(Meanwhile at the Shortman House; two weeks later)
"No Fair!"
Eight-year-old Eleanor Kimberly Shortman pouted a little as her parents continued the last-minute packing process for their vacation. News had been broken that while she, Cecile, and Helga would be accompanying Arnold and Kamala, the Shortman family proper would be taking up the second cabin usually occupied by Olga and Lila while their teenage niece/cousin would be rooming in her own (semi-nearby) cabin.
"Yeah, no fair." Helga shot back sarcastically. "A beach vacation for a month and a half with your well-to-do aunts footing the cabin rental bill. Once I'm done trying to find the sunscreen I'll be sure to whip out my tiny violin for you Ok?"
Seeing the perspective of both wife and daughter, Arnold intervenes; pulling Eleanor aside, he sits her down and delivers one of the unflinchingly honest but tactful responses he was known for giving as a kid, and now as an adult and therapist.
"Eleanor. Do you remember when you felt when learning you were going to be a big sister?"
"Yeah, I was so happy!"
"But were you happy all the time?"
The eldest Shortman daughter opened her mouth to answer, but lingered as she looked inside herself for an answer. Deep down, she knew her father was right.
"Not really, there were days when I didn't feel as happy."
"Such as…?"
"Well…when I was worried she and I would be sharing a room after she outgrew the crib."
Arnold nodded.
"Right now Cousin Kamala is going through that, and more considering all the stress of college being around the corner for her. As such, needs her space for a bit on this vacation…but don't worry, the four of us will be having our own fun, and we'll all be breaking bread together for breakfast and dinner. Okay?"
"'Kay." Eleanor said with a crisp nod before running off to finish packing in her own right.
Arnold sighed, chuckling a little as he regarded the overarching dynamic that had come to be since Kamala entered their lives; Eleanor and Cecile had come to regard her as a cool big sister straddling the line between authority figure and friend. In turn, Kamala and Helga had a similar dynamic among themselves; with the latter mentoring the former in how to not only properly hone her snark while still putting on an affable face, but also answer questions regarding boys and men.
"Need an extra hand darling?" Arnold asked as he returned to his wife.
"Just…about…yep. Finished. We should be ready to hit the road bright and early if we want to avoid the worst of traffic."
With all six suitcases packed away in the trunk of the Shortman family station wagon, Arnold stumbled up the stairs and flopped on the bed, his eyes focusing on the little clock radio set to go off at 5am before each stalled blink gives way to slumber. Before he knew it, 5am came and he and Helga got up, showered and dressed as their children stumbled into cognizance. Despite their lethargy, the four of them still managed to be buckled up and peeling out the driveway in twenty minutes and on their way to pick up the fifth member of their group before hitting the Riverside Highway.