Chapter 24: drama

At school over the next few weeks, things changed dramatically for me. I was very subdued and I no longer felt that I wanted to tease and torment people; a couple of my former 'victims' had digs at me but I didn't react. In class, I started concentrating on the work rather than looking for ways to stir up other kids and the teachers were pleasantly surprised.

Randolph and I were friendly towards each other but didn't hang out together - somehow that wouldn't have seemed right to either of us. I was mostly by myself, but after a while other kids started being friendly to me rather than avoiding me like they used to.

Unfortunately, despite my resolve to 'turn over a new leaf' at home as well, things deteriorated fairly quickly. Matt knew how to press my buttons and pretty soon we were at each other's throats again.

Mum admitted to me that home life had been better while I had been away because "Matt didn't have you to fight with", but Ian was still sulking and whinging about not having his own room and my pesty little sisters were still running wild.

Then, Mum caught COVID, badly. She was in hospital on a ventilator and very ill. Dad couldn't stop working because we needed the money. The home situation was descending into chaos.

I told Randolph about Mum being sick and the very next day Dad took me aside after he got home and told me that Mr Keaton had come and seen him at work.

"Lynden, they have offered to take you again while Mum's in hospital."

My father was looking very distressed, worrying about Mum and trying to keep on top of things at home. "I think it would be a good idea, son, before you and Matt kill each other."

"I agree, Dad," I responded trying not to sound too excited.

So here I was at the Keatons, my first night, sitting on my bed feeling a mixture of happiness, worry, anxiety and God knows what else.

Mum Keaton came in and sat on the bed with me and we hugged for some time without saying anything. Then suddenly I knew what I wanted to do and murmured, "Mum, I want to be Lynda while I'm at home with you."

"Oh sweetheart, you know I'd love that too, but we can't. It would be deceitful and Dad Keaton would never agree."

"Mum, I want to tell my father everything that happened up at the lake and ask him to let me be Lynda while I'm staying with you - not at school, just here when I'm at home."

We exchanged weak smiles and she nodded, "Okay, okay, let's put it to Dad Keaton first."

He was concerned. "Lynden, this would be an entirely different game, it's changing the whole thing to something else. Are you absolutely sure about this? Have you thought it through properly?"

"I have, and I am totally certain. I know I will be happier and fit in better, and I'm sure it will be better for all of us."

Dad Keaton gave me a tight smile, "You could be right about that."