Family Feud

(Author's Note: takes place the same day as the previous chapter)

"Weight Watchers, this is Lynn speaking." Mom answered the office phone with a cheerful note in her voice. "How may I help you?"

"Lynn, it's Diana." The caller identified herself with equal cheerfulness.

"Diana!" She didn't hide her pleasant surprise. "How are you?"

"Just fine. And yourself?"

"Absolutely peachy, thanks." While she and Diana had been acquaintances just as long as Zac and I had known each other, Mom couldn't help but wonder the nature of the phone call.

Probably just another baby-sitting favor. Mom grinned into the phone. The two of them conveniently traded off their children's services; Ike used to 'hang out' (for boys don't babysit, as he used to claim) with me afterschool when Mom had started working again while I was in junior high, while I watched the Hanson girls on occasion.

"What's new, Diana?"

"Nothing too exciting. Not after that caffeine pill incident, that is." Diana replied lightly. It was the last time the two had shared words with each other.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am for the misunderstanding." Mom apologized again. Funny how she could do that to other adults but not her own children.

"Water under the bridge, Lynn." Diana assured her calmly. "Forgiven and forgotten. I'm just glad that the situation worked itself out before Walker and I had a chance to question Zac about it."

"Same here." At that agreement, Mom removed the thin-wired glasses from their position above her forehead and rested them on her desk, settling back in her seat.

"I do need to discuss something with you about Lindsey.." This time Diana spoke cautiously, unsure of how Mom's relationship with me was at the moment.

Lynn must know about it, she rationalized.

"She's been around your place too much again, hasn't she?" Mom sighed. "I swear it's not healthy for her to have only one friend and bother you all the time."

"No, actually we've seen very little of her." Diana replied, struggling to come up with the most sincere way to ask. She couldn't imagine how she'd react to someone else's criticism of one of her own daughters.

She must be concerned.

"Lynn, I wanted to ask you.. Have you noticed her- I mean... is Lindsey ill?"

"Not that I know of.." Mom frowned and leaned forward in her seat. "Did you notice her sniffling or something?"

"No, nothing like that." Diana let out a sigh and forced a second attempt. "From what I've seen of her, which granted isn't very much, she's incredibly small compared to how she used to look."

"Oh! Her weight loss." Mom relaxed as a proud smile stretched from ear to ear across her face. "Isn't' it wonderful?"

"Well, I- wonderful?" Diana hadn't been expecting that reaction.

"Gale and I are so proud of her. I was the one who designed her special diet and exercise plan. I almost wish that Lindsey wouldn't play hockey so she could focus more on her diet, but you have to give a little with kids these days, especially teenagers."

".. Give a little?" Diana echoed quietly. She felt more than a little confused at the moment.

"Exactly." Fortunately, Mom had no problems expanding on this topic. "I designed a healthy, low-calorie and high-intensity exercise level plan for Lindsey. She's not permitted to eat chocolate, foods with added sugar or corn syrup, and virtually every item served in a fast-food restaurant. You wouldn't believe how many terrible foods are out there on the market."

"I'm sure I can." Diana murmured softly. "If you don't mind me asking, how much does she exercise?"

"She exercises- well, she used to exercise; now I'm not so sure because she says she's always at hockey practice- once a day for at least forty-five minutes, six days a week. I do know that she comes home from practice and claims to be tired and out of breath, but I doubt it's from anything other than the bike ride home from the community center."

"She rides her bike from practice? Zac's been playing hockey there for three years and I wouldn't trust him riding so late at night." Diana frowned.

"And to and from both school and work." Mom continued. "We used to walk three miles early in the morning every morning but she stopped getting up. However, lately she's been getting up again, this time to jog, but I don't know how far she goes."

That's insane. Diana was stunned.

Who on earth would put their child through that kind of program? Moreover, who would think of creating such a hellish schedule, even for themselves? It took a moment for her to absorb it all. She suddenly felt compelled to choose her words carefully, realizing it was a sensitive issue.

"And how much has she lost?" She was almost afraid to ask.

"As of two days ago, thirty-two pounds."

".. In how long?" Diana couldn't remember me being gone that long.

It didn't seem that much of a loss, either, she tried to remember the last time she'd seen me. Must've been all those huge clothes the poor girl wears.

"Oh let's see." Mom glanced at the calendar above her desk. "A little more than four weeks. Unfortunately, she's hit that plateau where she hasn't lost any weight in the last week, so she's been a little discouraged. Not that I blame her though."

"... Me neither. Well, I just wanted to make sure she wasn't sick, but I guess I was mistaken. Obviously congratulations are in order for such.. tremendous success."

"Thank you Diana." Since the conversation served no purpose anymore, she added, "Have a good day."

"You too. Take care, Lynn. Are you and Gale going to the game tomorrow night?" Diana added quickly.

"The game?" Mom echoed.

"Lindsey's first hockey game of the season." Diana explained enthusiastically. "She was so excited about starting in it. And as a goalie- you must be proud of her for that too."

"Oh.. her hockey game." Mom replied flatly. This was the first she'd heard of it being tomorrow.

"I haven't talked to Gale about it yet, so I'm not sure if we'll be going."

"Oh.." Diana frowned again. "Well, Zac's dragging the whole herd of us so she'll have her own cheering section. You're more than welcome to join us."

"We might, I'll mention it to Gale later." Funny how another parent was more informed on and supportive of her daughter than she was. The idea was very unsettling to Mom and she suddenly had the desire to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

"I have another call coming in, Diana."

"Ok, bye Lynn." Diana carefully placed the receiver back into the phone cradle and sighed. Shaking her head, she murmured to herself,

"With your history Lynn, you should know better than this." She sighed quietly.

"Some people need to mind their own damn business." Mom muttered beneath her breath as she took her hand off the receiver. While Diana was a pleasant person and an old friend, she personally thought the woman was a little too nosy.

My family's business is no concern of hers. Being able to brag about how she'd helped me loose the weight was obviously another story for Mom though.

"Lynn?" A sandy brown-haired head popped above the wall of Mom's cubicle.

"Talk to me, Deb." She grinned up at the other secretary in the office.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but did you say your daughter lost thirty-two pounds in just four weeks?"

"Yes Ma'am." Pride swelled in Mom's voice as she spoke.

"That's great!" Deb exclaimed. "I couldn't get the last ten pounds off my tummy if my life depended on it. What's your secret?"

"Just a sensible diet: eat wholesome, healthy foods and incorporate a little exercise into your diet every day. Lindsey's pounds have practically melted themselves off for her."

"What's her calorie count?" Deb inquired.

"Eleven hundred." Mom replied with a grin.

"Eleven hundred?" Deb's eyebrows shot up with surprise. "That's it?"

"Mmm-hmm." Mom nodded."I told Lindsey that she was on the thirteen hundred calorie diet, but since I cook all her food, she doesn't actually eat more than eleven hundred."

"But none of our programs require dieters go below thirteen hundred calories per day. Not even for the morbidly obese customers, Lynn."

"I know Deb, but look." Mom reached over and lifted a picture frame off her desk and handed it to her co-worker. Although it had been taken a few years ago, Zac and I grinned brightly at Sandy as she inspected it critically. She smiled sympathetically and handed it back over to Mom.

"I see what you mean."

"I don't believe this." I grumbled outloud as I threw my equipment on the floor loudly. Both of them, since I was now the proud owner of two full sets.

Not for long, I glanced at my watch and considered making a phone call. Unfortunately, it had taken me even longer to ride my bike home from practice, since I had the extra bulk slowing me down.

Another reason he's not going to live to see tomorrow. As I extended my hand to the phone in the hallway, Mom's voice filtered down from her bedroom upstairs.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to make so much noise when you come in at night?"

"Sorry Mom." Grabbing my new jersey and throwing it over my forearm, I walked up toward her voice and found her sitting in her bed, reading. "I didn't know you were in bed already."

"That's all right." As she turned and moved the book from her lap to her bedside table, I caught sight of the familiar Weight Watchers logo.

"New recipes?" My heart sank at the idea that she was browsing for me. I didn't know how many more watered-down, tasteless meals I could endure. Didn't help that I always felt hungry a few hours later; it seemed like the tiny-bitty pieces my diet offered wouldn't be enough to feed a fly.

Then again, flies don't need to worry about being fat. I reminded myself.

"Just trying to find some new meals for you." She smiled brightly.

" Oh.. that's .. exciting." I managed to smile despite the inward groan I was supressing, but then remembered why I'd come up here. "Mom, I know this is totally last minute, but there is an annual slumber party for the team the night before the game and I was invited to go, so can I?"

"Oh, Lindsey I don't know." Immediately I lost hope as her forehead creased with a frown."That's a school night."

"I just had a math exam so I won't have homework for a few days and I'm fine" (fine being a relative term) "in the rest of my classes."

As if I didn't know I had school on Wednesdays, Mom. Eesh.

"I'll discuss it with your father." Mom smiled tightly. By the tone of her voice, she hinted that the discussion was over.

"I'll get myself up and get to school on time just like I always-" I started when she interrupted me in a quiet voice.

"I said I will discuss it with your father." She repeated, then glanced warily at the jersey I was now wringing in my hands. "What's that?"

"Oh! My new jersey." I displayed it proudly in front of her. "Isn't it beautiful?"

" ..Purple?" was all she had for a response.

"Yeah," I nodded excitedly, before turning it over so she could see the back. "And look! It's even got my name on the back of it."

"It's lovely dear." My spirits fell as she replied in a flat voice, before changing it to a wary tone. "When exactly were you planning to tell us that your first game is tomorrow?"

"How did you know?" I gave her a surprised look.

"Diana called the office this afternoon." She explained and frowned. "I can't believe you invited the Hansons to come but didn't even tell your own mother."

"I.. I'm sorry." I almost dropped my jersey; I was that surprised.

Maybe if my 'own mother' had bothered to show an interest in part of my life, I would've asked her. I really wanted to say. But the chances of that ruining me going to the slumber party made me hold that comment.

"I didn't ask the Hansons, Zac volunteered them to go." I asked with a small sigh. "Do you guys want to go to the game?"

"I need to discuss that with your father as well." She gave me a stern look. "We can't just drop our plans at the last minute."

What plans? I tried to remember a time when they both weren't at home after eight p.m., without any luck. I'd honestly doubted that any of them wanted to go anyway.

"I'm sorry.. " I was at a loss of words, so I feebly replied, "It'd be nice to see you guys there."

"Yes, well I'd personally like to see if this hockey thing isn't just a waste of your time."

"It's not!" I cried defensively. "I've been working very hard at practices."

"I'm sure you have, kiddo." Mom gave me a small smile. I wasn't sure how to read it. Maybe it was one of those 'I don't like it but I'll pretend that I do' smiles.

"Well, I have homework to do." I informed her.

Calistenics too, I reminded myself as I left her bedroom and retreated to my own. Since I was still a little sweaty from practice, I laid a small bath towel down on the floor and sat down on my knees on it. Lunging forward, I flattened my palms against the soft carpet and caught myself before flopping onto the floor.

I hate push-ups. I thought to myself as I started my set. I wasn't quite strong enough to do all fifty at once, so I'd take them in two sets of twenty-five.

" .. twenty-three-I hate you.. twenty-four-I hate you even more.. twenty five!" With the muscles in my shoulders quivering for a break, I dropped myself onto my stomach and sighed.

Even if I could do all fifty in a row I'd doubt that I'd like these stupid exercises anymore. As I groaned my way through the second half, I felt the presence of someone looking at me. Glancing up, I saw Mom standing in my doorway and I immediately stopped and sat back on my feet at the sight of her. It took a few seconds before my heartbeat slowed to a normal pace and my chest stopped heaving from deep breathing. I glanced up at her curiously.

"Yeah Mom?" She looked blankly at me, her eyes clouded over as if her thoughts prevented her from speaking. She shook her head and focused them on me.

"Two things," she started. "First, it's fine with us if you go the party-"

"I can go!?" I'd never have guessed she'd actually permit it.

That must've been a quick talk she had with Dad! She held up her hand to silence me.

"If you get your homework done for the night and get yourself to school the next day." The warning tone she used made me believe she wasn't completey convinced on the idea.

"I will," I promised. "What's the second thing?"

"You got a letter in the mail today from your school.." I swallowed tightly. While Zac had gotten several unpleasant letters concerning his grades, our mailbox hadn't seen any of those concerning me. At least not yet.

".. Something about a dance this weekend?" I heaved a sigh of relief and rolled my eyes.

"Yeah," I replied nonchalantly, rising from my sitting position and picking the towel off my floor.

"Are you going?" She asked me. Glancing at her, I caught interest in her eyes. Needless to say, it wasn't much appreciated. I couldn't help but wonder why she'd want to talk to me about a stupid dance, but not something that I actually cared about, like hockey.

"I doubt it."

Not unless I want to admire all that hard work from the food committee. I grinned at the memory of the unmotivated group members. I hadn't been the most inspirational leader for them, however. But like I really cared about that too.

"Oh, Lindsey you should go." Mom interrupted my thoughts.

"I should?" I threw the towel into my closet and peered around the door at her.

"Of course." She beamed at me. "You're only sixteen once."

"True," I replied quietly. "I'll think about it."

For about five seconds, that's about it!

"Why don't I help you find a dress?" I leaned against my closet door as she continued enthusiastically. "I can take Wednesday off from work, then you and I can go shopping together afterschool."

"Wednesday is my game." I reminded her quietly.

"Thursday then." I raised an eyebrow at her relentlessness.

"Thursday we have to re-watch the game."

And get our butts roasted for the mistakes we make. I added in my head.

"Friday then."

"I don't exactly have very much money right now." I neglected to tell her that I was getting paid then. "Especially to spend on prom dresses."

"Consider this an early birthday present then." She decided for me, hearing no other objections against Friday.

" Umm..." I racked my brain for any possible excuse. "I have driver's ed the next morning."

"We'll be done way before then. This will be great! But I'll have to get you an appointment to get your hair done on Saturday too." She murmured several plans to herself as she went back to her room. My shoulders sank as listened to her voice fade.

This is the last thing I'm looking forward to.