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KITTY AND I ARE ON the front steps. She’s drinking her Korean yogurt drink and I’m working on that scarf for Margot while I wait for Peter. Kitty’s waiting for Daddy to come out. He’s dropping her off at school today. #2 | | |
Ms. Rothschild hasn’t come outside yet. Maybe she’s sick today or maybe she’s running even later than usual. #3 | | |
We’ve got our eyes locked on her front door when a minivan drives down our street and slows in front of our house. I squint my eyes. It’s Peter Kavinsky. Driving a tan minivan. He ducks his head out the window. “Are you coming or not?” #4 | | |
“Why are you driving that?” Kitty calls out. #5 | | |
“Never mind that, Katherine,” Peter calls back. “Just get in.” #6 | | |
Kitty and I look at each other. “Me too?” Kitty asks me. #7 | | |
I shrug. Then I lean back and open the front door and yell out, “Kitty’s getting a ride with me, Daddy!” #8 | | |
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We stand up, but just then Ms. Rothschild comes dashing out of the house in her navy blue suit, briefcase in one hand, coffee in the other. Kitty and I look at each other gleefully. “Five, four, three—” #10 | | |
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Giggling, we hurl ourselves toward Peter’s minivan. I hop into the passenger seat and Kitty climbs into the back. “What were you guys laughing about?” he asks. #12 | | |
I’m about to tell him when Josh walks out of his house. He stops and stares at us for a second before he waves. I wave back and Kitty hangs her head out the window and yells, “Hi, Josh!” #13 | | |
“What up,” Peter calls out, leaning over me. #14 | | |
“Hey,” Josh says back. Then he gets in his car. #15 | | |
Peter pokes me in the side and grins and puts the car in reverse. “Tell me why you guys were laughing.” #16 | | |
Clicking into my seat belt, I say, “At least once a week, Ms. Rothschild runs out to her car and spills hot coffee all over herself.” #17 | | |
Kitty pipes up, “It’s the funniest thing in the world.” #18 | | |
Peter snorts. “You guys are sadistic.” #19 | | |
“What’s sadistic?” Kitty wants to know. She puts her head between us. #20 | | |
I push her back and say, “Put your seat belt on.” #21 | | |
Peter puts the car in reverse. “It means seeing other people in pain makes you happy.” #22 | | |
“Oh.” She repeats it to herself softly. “Sadistic.” #23 | | |
“Don’t teach her weird stuff,” I say. #24 | | |
“I like weird stuff,” Kitty protests. #25 | | |
Peter says, “See? The kid likes weird stuff.” Without turning around, he lifts his hand up for a high five and Kitty leans forward and slaps it heartily. “Hey, gimme a sip of whatever it is you’re drinking back there.” #26 | | |
“It’s almost gone, so you can have the rest,” she says. #27 | | |
Kitty hands it over, and Peter tips back the plastic container in his mouth. “This is good,” he says. #28 | | |
“It’s from the Korean grocery store,” Kitty tells him. “They come in a pack and you can put them in the freezer and if you pack it for lunch, it’ll be icy and cold when you drink it.” #29 | | |
“Sounds good to me. Lara Jean, bring me one of these tomorrow morning, will you? For services rendered.” #30 | | |
I shoot him a dirty look and Peter says, “I mean the rides! Geez.” #31 | | |
“I’ll bring you one, Peter,” Kitty says. #32 | | |
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“As long as you give me a ride to school tomorrow, too,” Kitty finishes, and Peter hoots. #34 | | |
