Chapter Four: Sweet Sixteen.

 

In the spirit of her New Year's Resolution, Lindsay put effort into living as normal a life as possible.  For example, she tried ice skating (at the rink on the pier) with mixed results.

She played chess and talked fashion with Eloise (that counted as having friends, right?)


And when the latest internet fad/craze (the T-Pose Challenge) came along, Lindsay set to with gusto.


But there were still nights battling near-blizzards because she had no parent with a warm car to collect her.


Still solo meals of carnival burrito eaten in the open.


Still no electricity to light her late-night homework.


The season changed and the weather turned warmer.  Lindsay turned sixteen years old without much fanfare.   Ms. Coombes had the class sing an obligatory round of "Happy Birthday" but that was about all that marked the occasion.   No cards, no presents, no cake.  That night Lindsay skipped the usual odd jobs and treated herself to an early bedtime.  Sixteen was a pretty big deal, but Lindsay didn't really feel any different.  The extra downtime turned out to be a mistake though, because Lindsay spent at least three hours thinking about the wonderful celebration she could have had and how her life would be if she'd come from a 'normal' family.


Honestly, school was a welcome distraction the following day.


Being a year older did give Lindsay the courage to do one thing though.   She joined the cheer squad.
Goooo  Womp Womps!!

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