1.15 - Spring Holidays

"I'm glad you could make it, Ramona. I really appreciate it."

"Of course," she said, "so you are taking it to court after all. After so many years." 

"I wouldn't have done it for myself," Kerry said and paused. "I wouldn't even have done it for anyone else he might be teaching right now. But I have to do it for Ruby. Before she goes to highschool."

Ramona nodded. "Let's grab a bite to eat and talk inside."

***

It was the spring holidays and Kerry needed some peace and quiet while she was handling some personal business, so Ruby and Jade stayed with their grandpa.

Marcus adored his grandkids. Kerry was his only child and he often regretted that he had been cut out of her life like this. He was no deadbeat, he would have loved to raise Kerry, had he known of her existence earlier! 

At least he could be somewhat of a father figure to his grandkids now, he thought. Though he never expected it to be such a physically demanding job... 

The girls sure didn't lack energy. Every day of the next two weeks was filled with activities: basketball, football, skating, or swimming, the girls did it all. 

The spring festival was also in town and the city had put up a small skating rink. Ruby had some experience on skates and showed off her skills, leaving her younger sister Jade to feel inadequate again. 

Grandpa sensed her growing frustration. "You can do it too, Jade! You're the more acrobatic one out of you two, right? You just need to find your balance on the skates. And balance comes with age and experience!"

"Then why are you always falling, grandpa?" Jade asked.

"I'm young at heart," he said.

"Jay Jay! Come here," Ruby called her sister over. "Morri taught me how to do it last year. Let me show you now! Here, take my hands-"

Jade probably needed a bit more practice before she was ready to become a professional skater. 

Ruby and Jade loved all sports, but they loved dancing the most. They were still competing and this year they had been placed directly against each other until Ruby would enter the teen division soon.

It was usually Ruby who placed higher: Jade put a lot of effort into hitting every move as hard as she could, but Ruby had that natural presence and calmness that allowed her to make it all look effortless.

 

That's not to say Ruby didn't train hard, she just didn't show it.

Jade didn't understand. Why did people praise her sister more when she was the one who took it all more seriously? 

But today they weren't competing, they were just letting loose. No judges, no coaches, no stage fright, only two sisters and their friends on the spring festival.

May was their best friend, she went to the same class as Ruby but had a close connection to little Jade since they first met. Sylvester, called "Striker" by everyone, was a boy Ruby had only met recently and also a little nerd. Dancing was not his thing.

Derik with the red hair and his half-sister Tonia were Ramona's kids, so they knew the Harris sisters since they were born and they all got along great. Ramona had a third kid too, but the age difference was a bit too big for a close friendship.

Overall they lived the life their mom wanted for them. They were popular, talented, usually well-behaved, and most importantly happy children. 

A carefree life that Kerry never had. 

It was about to be a little less carefree as the holidays passed quickly and school would start again very soon, but for now they just made the most of it and spent all their time hanging out with their friends, doing their favorite sports, or trying out new ones. 

One of the highlights of their holidays was Bridgeport's high-rise indoor swimming pool. One of the pool's walls was a giant window showing off the city's impressive skyline from underwater.

***

A week later they sat at the dinner table, planning Ruby's upcoming birthday slumber party. 

"Morri said she's too old for slumber parties," Ruby shrugged, "and May can't come, her mom won't allow her on any parties until the exams are over."
"Lame," Jade said.
"Uh-huh. I would like to invite Striker instead..."

"Striker? You can't invite boys to a slumber party..."
"We could throw them out before we go into our room. I think Derik would like to come too, it's kinda mean to invite Tonia but not him."
"Okay, but all boys need to go at 7pm."

A few days later Nelly noticed something fishy on her afternoon patrol.

The kitten room had changed. It looked suspiciously clean and more sleeping places had been added. What was the meaning of all this?

Nelly yowled. She had to alert the others! Lord Richie will know what to do.