The Holiday Switch(40)
Being an ate is a big deal. While my friends might not have any real idea what that means, in my family, when my parents aren’t around, I’m in charge. My dad still calls his big sister Ate. And as much as my little brothers have attitude and mess around, when I pull rank, they fall behind like soldiers.
My hands on them mean they should seriously chill out. Which they do.
Just in time, a Climb Holly employee in the company’s yellow polo—and now I’m really, really glad for the Bookworm Inn’s forest green because, wow, yellow is loud—shows up in the middle of the group. The kids turn to her like she’s Santa himself.
“Hi, everyone. Welcome. My name is Sarah and I’m going to be your party planner today.”
I backpedal gingerly, like I’m in the middle of a heist. Two more steps and I’ll be scot-free. Worst-case scenario, if there isn’t a quiet spot inside the gym, I’ll hide out in my car until the party’s over.
When I spin on my heel, I collide with Mrs. Pruitt. Half of her lipstick has been licked dry; she’s frazzled. And her eyes…
“Can you stay?” she says.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I—”
“Please? I bit off more than I can chew. You have a big family. You know how to take care of kids. And you babysit, right?”
“I do. But—”
“Honestly, I didn’t think so many folks would RSVP since it’s so close to Christmas. But they all did. Said yes, I mean.” Her eyes dart at the loud roar of cheers from the kids.
Sarah raises a hand to the group. “All right. Let’s head on to the locker area and we’ll store your coats.”
“You have a party planner,” I remind Mrs. Pruitt.
“She can only do so much. There’s sure to be a rogue kid or two. Please. I’ll pay you. Well.”
Mrs. Pruitt divulges her rate. It’s beyond what I consider fair. But more than that, her face has skewed to the point of desperation.
The sound of my brothers yelping is the thing that breaks my hesitation. If these other kids are all as rambunctious as them, then Mrs. Pruitt and Sarah combined will still be outnumbered.
“Yes, okay,” I concede.
“Great. I’ll sign you in. You’ll need to do a waiver too.”
I heave a breath and follow the group to the locker room. Jumping in right away, I help direct traffic, dole out shoes—who knew they had to rent shoes!—and pile jackets in one area. Then I bring all the gifts to the party room, where the cake is already set up in the middle with balloons around it.
I sign my waiver on the go. Afterward, I help usher the kids to the big rock wall, where there’s a person standing with their back to us. Now I get why they wear yellow—we can see this person from far away, and they stand out from the other climbers. Next to them is a pile of rope.
“I’d like to introduce you to my assistant,” Sarah says.
The kids all but rush toward the instructor standing on the elevated thick pad that covers the entire bottom of the area under the wall. Mrs. Pruitt and I trail behind as the assistant turns around.
It’s Teddy.
* * *
What’s he doing here? He’s supposed to be at the Inn.
It makes no sense why I’m nervous, but my first instinct is to hide behind Mrs. Pruitt. Except, she’s shorter than me. So I turn my body toward the exit I should have used ten minutes ago.
In my periphery, Sarah takes her place next to Teddy. “All right, everyone. Let’s go over some rules. Now, I know rules don’t sound like fun but it’s important to keep everyone safe. Everyone must follow them. Got it?” After a collective agreement that rumbles through the group, she says, “Now everyone take a seat.”
Sarah continues. “Go ahead and sit cross-legged. This little briefing is going to take a few minutes. In total, we’re going to be spending three hours together with my assistant Teddy.”
Three hours? Crap. My Wonderhill plans are crumbling.
As Sarah continues to speak, I text Carm, who’d sent a simple ok after my last text. I wince as I type:
Lila: I don’t know if I can make it after all
This thing is 3 hours long
I’m sorry
Carm: I guess I’ll just reschedule
Lila: I owe you
“…We’re going to have two lanes, where I will be on belay as well as Teddy.” Sarah continues as I tuck my phone back into my pocket. I’m saddled with guilt. How am I going to make it up to Carm?
“Being on belay means that I am on this side of the rope so you can safely climb. But in order for us to properly show you how to climb, I’m going to have Teddy demonstrate with another person. The first task is getting you into the harness. Can we have a volunteer?” Sarah laughs as hands shoot up. “I’m so impressed with your enthusiasm, but I didn’t finish my sentence. I’d love to have one of the adults come up and participate.”
“How about one of you back there?” Teddy says, interrupting my thoughts.
I feel like I’m at war with myself. The confident side of me doesn’t give a crap that he’s here. The shy side wants to crawl under the soft mats that line the floors.