#5 Not What I Expected by Laurie Friedman Page B

show, we had a party. There were flowers for Ms. Baumann and the team captains and a big cake for everyone. Parents, teachers, and friends all gathered in the lobby outside the auditorium to congratulate us. Mom, Dad, May, and June were there. And of course Gaga and Willy. Sophie stayed and so did Harry. They all told me I did a great job. Even Harry said I was “surprisingly decent.”
    All their compliments made me feel fantastic, but the best one was from Leo. “You looked hot on stage,” he said quietly. It sounded odd coming out of his mouth, and I told him so.
    Leo laughed. “Actually, I’ve only ever used the word hot in connection to a Bunsen burner or soup, but you’ve redefined the meaning of it for me.”
    I’m so not hot. But I loved hearing it.
    I loved the whole night.
    11:12 p.m.
    When we got home from the auditorium, my family had a victory party in the kitchen. “We have a lot to celebrate,” said Dad as he whipped up a delicious pot of homemade hot chocolate with marshmallows.
    â€œApril, you were a star,” he said.
    â€œYeah,” said May. “I wish I could dance like that.”
    â€œYou’re good at so many sports,” I said.
    â€œI’m not good at sports or dancing,” said June.
    â€œBut you’re so smart and doing so well in school.” I knew this was sounding more like a pep talk than a victory party, but I wanted my sisters to feel as good as I did. I was so relieved knowing I’d done a good job at the dance show, and it was nice sitting at the kitchen table drinking hot chocolate with my family.
    It was especially nice when Dad raised his mug. “I’d like to propose a toast,” he said.
    â€œCan you do that with hot chocolate?” I asked.
    â€œWhy not?” Dad winked at me. Then he cleared his throat. “April, we’re all so proud of you. You were a star tonight. All your hard work showed. Excellent job.”
    â€œThanks, Dad.” Even though he sounded like he’d taken the script straight out of a parenting handbook, it was nice to hear.
    Then he looked at Mom. “Flora, congratulations on selling your line. You know I was skeptical when you first told me you wanted to open the store.” He paused. “I apologize for not supporting you 100 percent. I should have known what a success you would be.”
    Mom smiled at Dad. “I never expected this,” she said. I knew she was talking about selling her line to the store in Atlanta, but I could totally relate to what she was saying.
    When I started high school, I wasn’t sure what to expect. So many things, both good and bad, happened. I guess what I’ve learned is that it’s kind of a waste of time to have expectations of what things will be like. It’s more important to just be.
    Dad reached across the table and took Mom’s hand in his. Then his eyes filled with tears. “You’ve accomplished so very much, and I’m so proud of you.”
    Mom was teary-eyed too as she squeezed Dad’s hand.
    â€œWhy are you both crying?” asked June.
    â€œHappy times call for happy tears,” said Mom.
    Mom sounded so corny, like she was in a commercial for Kleenex. But as she wiped her eyes, the truth is, I knew exactly what she meant.

The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
    â€”Roald Dahl
    Thanksgiving, 8:02 p.m.
    Home from the diner
    Today my family congregated at the diner to celebrate Thanksgiving. Gaga asked Dad if she and Willy could do the cooking. Dad agreed, but only because Gaga made a huge deal about how Dad could use a break and that she and Willy had a big surprise in store for us all.
    It turned out what they had in mind was more shock than surprise. Gaga and Willy cooked a vegan Thanksgiving feast. When everyone got to the diner, Gaga announced that in honor of their first anniversary (which doesn’t even happen for another five weeks), she