Chapter Eleven: Identity Crisis
Even though I was happy that my issues with Mr. McCarthy seemed resolved for the time being, I was still bummed about the latest confrontation with Autumn. Even though she acted like a total diva, I was still bothered by her accusations. I was seriously doubting if all the hard work I was putting into solving the mystery was worth the trouble. I hadn’t gained anything, but I had lost my best friend. I began to ask myself if I really wanted to become rich and famous. Maybe Mr. Brady was right. Maybe I needed to spend more time being a kid. What did I need a Ph.D. for anyway?
After Sunday morning’s church service, I was leaning even closer to giving up my search for fame and fortune. Pastor Thomas delivered an emotional sermon about the evils of greed. He began by telling the story of the cleansing of the temple. The temple in Jerusalem was a sacred place that was supposed to be a place of worship. Instead of a place where people could come and worship, it had been turned into a marketplace. The merchants didn’t care about the sacredness of the temple as long as they could make a profit. Jesus, however, put an end to the trading and restored the sanctity of the temple.
After telling the story of the temple, Pastor Thomas continued attack on greed. He explained how people can get caught up in their love of money they forget that it is God who makes all things possible. Money soon takes the place of God in their lives. Without God in their lives, their lives fall apart. The love of money engulfs their lives to the point that they’ll do anything to acquire it. This immediately made me think of the thief that broke into the time when I heard the pastor’s description of those that worship money instead of God.
Pastor Thomas finished the sermon by explaining how God will provide for all of our needs. While some people strive for fame, it is really in God’s hands. He explained that God may require our abilities in a role that didn’t bring fame or fortune. God needs the small town doctors just as much as the world renowned surgeon. God has a plan for all of us. As Pastor Thomas said, “It’s all about him.” Instead of searching for fame, we should be seeking ways to spread God’s message and glorify him.
The message sank deep in my thoughts. I began to think that Autumn had a point. Becoming rich and famous had become the focal point of my life. I decided right then that I didn’t want to be rich and famous anymore. When it was time for the offering, I decided to donate my entire Ph.D. savings. Since I didn’t know why I even needed a Ph.D., the $4.53 could be of better use to the church.
After church, I rode my bike over Sara’s house. We didn’t talk much after we left Mr. McCarthy the day before at the elementary school. Even though she didn’t acknowledge Autumn’s insults, I knew that it had to bother her. Grandma Becky had brought over a jar of her homemade strawberry jelly the day before, so I slapped together a few peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to carry with me. Remembering how Sara told me she prepares her sandwich, I made sure to use the same knife for both the jar of peanut butter and jar of jelly. My dad would probably fuss when he discovered the mixtures in each jar, but I would explain the logic later.
I called Sara before I left and told her that I would be over shortly. She said her parents were out and just to come in when I got there. She said that she would be in her bedroom studying for the spelling bee.
I opened the door when I got to her house and began to walk upstairs. Something didn’t seem right. I stopped for a moment to see if I could pinpoint what was different. I finally realized what it was. There were no cats! Usually, her cats are running rampant amongst the house when her parents were not at home.
I was even more confused when I opened the door to Sara’s bedroom. Sara was sitting on her bed reading a version of Webster’s Dictionary. She had straightened her hair in a fabulous, movie star style. She was also wearing lipstick and mascara to accent her new hairdo. The look was quite a contrast to her Lady Sara getup. I had never seen her look so beautiful.
She lowered her glasses slightly from her eyes to acknowledge my presence. The action reminded me of the school librarian when she tells the students to quiet down. She sort of looked like that lady who used to be the governor in Alaska. Maybe Sara was trying to emulate her.
“What’s up?” I asked.
“Nothing. Just trying to memorize as many words as possible before Saturday,” she said in a newly acquired British accent.
“I didn’t see Comet, Cupid, or any of the other cats hanging around anywhere.”
“They’re outside where they belong,” she said. “All they do is lie around when they do come in. When they’re not lying around, they’re just begging for food or tearing something up. I don’t need the distraction right now.”
“”You look fabulous today. I was expecting to find you in your Lady Sara attire.” What’s the occasion?”
“This is my new Lady Sara attire. I’m sick of people calling me weird because they don’t understand my super intelligence. Now, they’ll be begging for my attention. People will be trying to act like they are smart just to talk to me. No longer will people like Autumn and Scotty Riggs call me weird and make fun of me. In fact, I’ll be a bigger star than Autumn after I win the spelling bee. She’ll be so jealous.”
“She’s already jealous of you,” I contended.
“I can’t wait to see her face the next time she sees me. I hope she tries to talk to me. I’ll make her address me as Lady Sara before I will even speak to her.”
“I thought you didn’t want people to think you’re weird. Why do you still want to be called Lady Sara?”
“Lady Sara is not the Queen of the Cat Kingdom any longer. Lady Sara is an aristocratic socialite. Just like Lady Diana.”
I understood her frustration, but now she was starting to sound like a diva. There wasn’t really much that I could say. I was having my own identity crisis.
The visit began to feel awkward. Sara rarely looked up from her dictionary, while I sat to myself trying to think of something to say. To lighten the mood, I suggested that we eat the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that I had made with Grandma Becky’s jelly. To my surprise, she declined them. She said that peanut butter and jelly sandwiches did not fit in with her new, healthy diet plan.
I finally told her that I would see her at school the next day and headed home. On my way out, Comet sped from the porch swing that he was sprawled across and tried his best to squeeze in the front door before it closed. When the door closed in his face, he turned around and stared at me directly in my eyes. It was almost like I could read his mind. He wanted to be inside with his best friend, Lady Sara. The Lady Sara that he knew and loved, however, was not there.