"When did all this happen?"
"Just last spring during the Easter break. But hey... don't you be using this to convince the doctor that you've got your memory back. I need to keep up my good girl reputation or else Father Roberto will keep me in confession for hours grilling me."
I laughed again. At least this was something I knew something about. Catholics and their confessions, though I wasn't looking forward to that experience.
"Look Pete, I won't have time to fill you in on all the years we've been together but I'll catch the bus tomorrow and come back and see you on my own. Then I can fill in some of the blanks for you. I don't want to be discussing this stuff and have your folks overhearing any of it."
"Deal," I said. Remembering what Patrick had told me about Cathy going to a different High School, I asked her how she liked it.
"Saunders is okay I guess," she said. "It feels weird being at the bottom of the grade scale though. I swear the next turkey that calls me a minor niner is going to get a black eye! I think we got spoiled last year being in the graduating class of St. John's, being able to rule over all the younger kids."
"Don't sweat it Cathy, time will fly by so fast that you'll be out and in college in no time."
"College? Hell, when I finish High School, I'm getting married. I don't want to go to college. That's your thing. You're the one with the brains remember? I'm the bod, and you're the brains."
I sat quietly for a minute wondering if Patricia had let this friendship lapse because of her own insecurities with men and maybe jealousy of Cathy's obsession with them. I guess that looking at it from my point of view, I could see things in a different light. Cathy seemed like a really close and good friend, and it certainly wouldn't bother me if nobody paid attention to me as a girl in High School.
Cathy was looking at me closely. "You're wearing makeup," she finally said, "and you've changed the way you do your hair."
"Just a little bit," I answered. "Mom finally gave in on that, but she's holding out on the dating rule."
"Bummer. That means you won't be able to date until you get into grade 11."
"Yeah, well that's okay by me," I said. "I think I can live without boys for a few more years." Just the thought of kissing a guy was enough to make me want to puke. Ugh. Shivers ran up and down my spine.
"All the more for me," Cathy laughed. "So? What are you gonna do when they cut you loose?"
Jesus. I hadn't even thought about it. Probably go through school and see if I could find some part time work so I could save some cash. In my former life I had always just managed to get by, but my work record was a lot like my track record with women. Getting a fresh start, and knowing what I had learned the hard way, I promised myself that I wasn't going to waste my money on useless toys, but save so that if there was something I really wanted, I could get it. But what could a 14-year-old girl do in the way of work?
I laid out my plans to Cathy, about going to school and finding a decent part time job.
"You mean baby-sit?" Cathy asked.
"If that's all I can get, yeah, I guess. Gotta start somewhere."
"Start what honey?" Ann asked as she and Mike entered the room. I noticed that Cathy sat up straighter and her whole attitude changed.
"I've got to find a job," I said.
"Whatever for?" Ann asked.
"Implants?" Cathy suggested with a snicker.
"Catherine!" Ann said sharply, "Patti just hasn't finished growing yet, and besides, God gave her all that she needs in life."
"I'm sorry Mrs. Johnson," Cathy said, "but you don't know how much teasing she's put up with."
"Just the same, I don't think that's a worthy goal."
"Actually," I said. "They can tease me all they want. I don't care anymore. Maybe seeing life from this side of the hospital bed has put things into perspective for me. What I really want to do is start saving for University."