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Chelsea Isn’t My Friend Anymore

Lynn threw a penny to the five spot. “Did it work?”

“Who knows?” Chelsea tucked her hands into her pockets while her friend skipped from block to block.

“You should have seen Uncle Ian after church.” Lynn stopped on the six and bent down to pick her penny up from the five.

“Why? What happened?”

“He came back to our place for breakfast.” Lynn skipped the rest of the hopscotch diagram and handed the penny to Chelsea.

Chelsea tossed the penny to the five spot and began hopping. “So what?”

“Mommy started talking about who she was inviting this week and he just said no.”

“He probably doesn’t want anyone to throw up on him.”

“I don’t think that was it. Daddy said something about how nice your aunt looked and he got all red.”

Chelsea hopped out to the ten and turned around. “Was he mad?”

“Kind of embarrassed, I think.”

“Why?”

“I think we got him.” Lynn watched her friend wobbling on one foot as she bent over to pick up the penny.

“I think she got him.” Chelsea said, handing the penny back to Lynn. “He was trying to look like he wasn’t looking at her at the skating place.”

“Well, he had a head start.” Lynn tossed the penny to the six. “He already wanted a girlfriend.”

“Well, Aunt Ivy is really pretty and smart and everything.”

“Yeah, but he thought she was crazy.” Lynn hopped along the blocks.

“That’s not nice.”

“Well, she wasn’t being nice to him. That’s what he said.”

“Aunt Ivy isn’t crazy. That’s not nice at all.” Chelsea stamped her foot.

Lynn hopped back to the seven and bent down to pluck the penny from the six block. “I didn’t say it, Chelsea. He did.”

“Well, it still isn’t nice and it’s not true.”

“I don’t think he thinks that anymore. He doesn’t want to see any of Mommy’s other friends.”

“I think it’s too late.” Chelsea crossed her arms tight across her chest.

“What do you mean?” Lynn skipped to the end and tried to hand her friend the penny.

“I don’t think Aunt Ivy should have to go out with somebody who isn’t nice.”

“That’s not true! My uncle is very nice. You met him.”

Chelsea shook her head and refused to take the penny. “I didn’t know he was a meanie. I don’t want to play with you anymore.”

“Why not? I didn’t do anything?” Tears welled up in Lynn’s eyes.

Chelsea turned around and stomped away from her.
“Oh, Lynn, I didn’t hear you come in.” Her mom said.

“Hi.” Lynn slid out of her coat and handed it to her mom as she kicked her sneakers off.

“Honey, what’s the matter?”

“Chelsea isn’t my friend anymore.”

“I’m sorry, honey. Did you guys have a fight about something?”

Lynn nodded as her lower lip trembled.

“I’m sure it will clear up before long. Even best friends get angry sometimes.”

“She wouldn’t talk to me or anything.”

“Want some hot chocolate and a cookie?”

Lynn nodded.

Nancy bent over and kissed her on top of her head. “Go wash your hands and I’ll get you a snack. Bradley! Come get a snack.”

Lynn laughed at the sound of her little brother stampeding into the kitchen.

Nancy had Bradley in his booster seat by the time Lynn got done washing her hands. The microwave beeped.

“Can I have extra marshmallows?” Lynn asked as she climbed onto her chair.

“Sure.” Her mom turned away to get them from the cabinet.

Lynn crossed her arms on the table, put her head down and cried.

“What’s wrong, Lynn?” Bradley asked.

“Chelsea isn’t my friend anymore.” Lynn wailed from between her crossed arms.

Bradley began sympathy crying.

“Oh, my. You guys are a mess.” Nancy came back with the bag of mini marshmallows. She added a handful to their mugs of hot chocolate and stirred.

Ian walked into the kitchen. “Gee, what’s with the waterworks?”

“Lynn and Chelsea had a fight.”

“That’s a shame.” Ian said. “Maybe it will be all better tomorrow.”

Lynn rubbed her eyes. “I don’t think so. She was really mad.”

“I’m sorry, kiddo.” Ian kissed her head. “These things have a way of working themselves out.”

Lynn stirred the marshmallows around her cup.

“And what’s the matter with you?” Ian asked his nephew.

“Lynn’s sad.”

“That made you sad, too? You’re a very good brother.”

“Cookie.” Bradley pointed at the plate.

“Chocolate chip?” Ian picked one up.

“Jelly one.”

“Good call.” Ian said, handing him one. “I love Thimble Cookies, too.”

“We’re just having Tuna Noodle Casserole tonight.” Nancy said. “I hope that’s okay.”

“Fine by me.” Ian said, sitting down next to Lynn. “What do you think, Lynn? Tuna Noodle is good.”

“I guess so.” Lynn was wiping the corner of her eye as she reached for a gingerbread man.

“Did you have a lot of jobs today, Ian?”

“Two in the morning, but nothing this afternoon. I’ve got a bunch tomorrow, though.”

“That’s good. I wish I’d known. I was thinking of having Darcy-”

“Nope.” Ian said sharply. “Let’s table that until after the holidays. Okay?”

“Sure. I didn’t mean to…”

“I didn’t mean to snap, Nance. I’m just not feeling up to it.”

“Why not, Uncle Ian?”

“Well, I was pretty excited when your mom and dad first brought it up. Honestly, though, there’s enough pressure during the holidays without trying to start up a relationship.”

“So, it’s not because you’re afraid of Chelsea’s aunt?”

“What?” Ian laughed. “Afraid?” He grabbed a chocolate chip cookie. “I’m not afraid, Lynn. It’s just a lot of pressure. You know?” He stuffed the whole cookie in his mouth.

“Chelsea thought you probably were.” Lynn said as she nibbled at her gingerbread man.

“Is that what you guys were fighting about?” Her mom asked.

“No, she got mad because I said Uncle Ian thought she was crazy.”

Ian choked on his cookie, coughing and sputtering.

“Lynn! You told her that?” Her mom gasped.

“I said he took it back, but she said he was a meanie and wouldn’t talk to me the rest of the day.” Lynn’s tears returned. “You’re not a meanie, Uncle Ian. I told her so.”

Bradley dropped his cookie and cried along with his sister.