5 The Parent Problem

CHAPTER FIVE The Parent Problem Gas (noun). A gas has no fixed shape or volume. But when a gaseous state is under pressure, you sure will know. When you shake up a soda bottle and pop open the lid, tons of gas molecules fly into the atmosphere. Then they spread out quickly like first graders who have just been let outside for recess. NOBODY WANTS MY MOM to go on a field trip. She's the principal. Plus, our school is too small to have an assistant principal. So someone has to run the school. Since my little brother is a lot younger, my dad has always needed to be home to pick him up from preschool and watch him after that. So he couldn't go on field trips either. But this year is different. Liam is in full-time kindergarten so there's no reason my dad couldn't do it. I don't know why I hadn't thought about it. "I'm sorry I didn't ask," I said, starting to feel guilty. "Well, your dad is fine. But whatever you do, just don't ask your mom," said Jeremy.

"Otherwise, we won't be able to have fun," added Memito. "No paper airplanes on the bus." "Yeah, well, don't worry," I said in a defensive voice. I wouldn't ask her because she couldn't come anyway. "I'll ask my dad," I said in my most upbeat voice. "I bet he can do it! He used to go on field trips with Liam's preschool class all the time. I'm sure we'll find enough chaperones. I mean, really, has a trip ever been canceled because of not getting enough chaperones anyway?" "Yup," said Tala Campo, plopping down at the end of the table. "Sorry I'm late," she said. "But I had a dentist appointment." Tala was new at school, but she was already one of my good friends. She moved to Michigan from California in early December and was in Mrs. Que's fifth-grade class. She's in the chemistry club with all of us. "At my old school," explained Tala, "we had a trip canceled to Gold Rush country outside of

Sacramento because we didn't have enough chaperones. We couldn't even reschedule it. I was so sad, because you get to dress up in old-fashioned clothes and pan for real gold. They tried to make us feel better by a having field trip to the bowling alley and saying it had math applications. But it wasn't the same. So yeah, it can happen." "Well, maybe in California," stated Elijah. "But not here at Rosalind Franklin Elementary in Michigan." "Don't worry," I said. "We'll figure it out." I held up my hand. "Scout's honor." I wasn't a Girl Scout now, but I used to be, so I figured the honor oath still held. "Kate's right," said Birdie. "It will be fine." "Well, I really want to see tiger sharks," said Memito. He popped a chip into his mouth. "Those dudes will sink their teeth into anything in the water. In their stomachs, fishermen have found license plates, money, cameras. Seriously, they'll eat anything." "Including you," said Elijah, grinning. "If you lean into the tank too far." "Nope." Memito waved his spoon in the air like he was stirring an imaginary kettle. "I'd eat those bad boys first. Make myself shark stew with plum tomatoes, cilantro, and onions. Mmm."

"I can't believe you just said that." Phoenix puckered her face. She's been a vegetarian since second grade. "About cooking a shark." "I can," I said. "Memito eats everything! I really want to see the penguins. They have rockhoppers. My favorite." I smiled just thinking about them. "Oh, I saw them at the Shedd," said Tala in an excited voice. "They have these little bright yellow feathers on the top of their heads. They're so cute." "You've already been?" I asked, clearly surprised since she moved to the Midwest about a month and a half ago. "Yeah," said Tala, who opened up her thermos full of hot soup. A burst of steam shot out. I wasn't completely sure why it did that. Hmm, I'd have to look that up later. "We went to the Shedd after we were all unpacked after moving here in December," continued Tala. "My family is big into science museums and places like aquariums. Guess what T-shirt I got there?" "A seahorse," guessed Elijah. Tala shook her head. And I realized I had no idea since I hadn't known Tala that long. Plus, it was way too cold to be wearing T-shirts in January.

"Hey, I know what shirt you got," said Birdie with a smile. "A starfish. Since you're into astronomy." "Yes! Only they're officially called sea stars 'cause they're not actually fish," Tala explained. "When I went, I got the—" started Memito. "The shark T-shirt," I completed. "We know because we've seen it a bajillion times." "Yeah," said Memito. "But I also want to get an octopus T-shirt. 'Cause those things are cool. I just wish I had eight arms. I could cook a meal, do my homework, and wash my hair at the same time." "I have an octopus T-shirt," said Avery. "It's so soft," said Phoenix. "It's my favorite shirt to borrow when we have impromptu sleepovers." Elijah drummed his hands on the table. "And I've got a beluga whale one." "Oh, and Birdie, you have that jelly T-shirt with seaweed," I said. "Yeah, I love that shirt," said Birdie. "I got it when my cousins from Boston came to town and we went to the aquarium together." "Hey, I have an idea!" said Avery. "We should all wear our T-shirts to the aquarium." "That's an awesome idea," said Tala, and everyone nodded.

Everyone except for me, that is. Our family hasn't been to the aquarium in five years. Not since my little brother, Liam, was born. I got a stuffed animal penguin at the time, which was great, and a T- shirt. I've way outgrown it. I have a teddy bear that wears it now. Everyone was so happy and high-fiving, and I was feeling a little silly about feeling badly. So what? I'd stand out from my friends. No big deal. I tried to shrug it off. I tried to smile along with everyone else. But I guess I'm just not good at keeping my feelings inside. I felt like I was full of gas molecules under pressure. You know, like when you shake up a soda with the cap still on. So I wasn't that surprised when five minutes later, Birdie asked me, "What's up, Kate?" We were alone and heading to the bathroom, right before we had to be back in the classroom. She nudged my shoulder. Usually, I try to be positive and not a complainer. But there was no way I was going to hold back from my best friend. "I don't have a shirt. Well, one that fits," I admitted. "You know, from the aquarium. It's seriously not a big deal. But..." My words trailed off. Birdie gave me a hug by the water fountain. "You're feeling left out."