Sagehen Mesa Part 18 - Jolene's Farewell.

 Well, I'm a little peeved at Officer Gooch for giving me the brush-off when I went to her bachelorette party. Maybe I just won't tell her after all! Anyway, if she's too busy for me, I'm too busy for her! Today is my birthday, and Dad is going to compete in an equestrian competition. We decided to hold my party at the equestrian grounds so we could celebrate my birthday AND see Dad compete. 

My family was there along with Clancy, Tim, Hector, and Sherri Shafer from school. Sherri makes her money babysitting, and boy does she have some stories to tell!

She said the Thurstons' are horrible parents and neglect their baby Keith. One time she went over to babysit and they had already left. And she could hear the baby crying outside. She followed the sound and had to dig the poor thing out of the snow. Keith was cold and starving! 

She figured she should tell someone, so she called the police station to report it, but the phone rang and rang. They were very short-handed, and Deputy Gandy had quit. The person who finally answered the phone said she'd take a message and give it to the next law enforcement officer once they were hired. 

Hector, who lives across the street, said he once hear the baby crying and looked over to see him lying on the porch all alone in the dark. 

About 10 minutes later, Mrs. Thurston drove up and picked him up off the porch and took him inside. 

Sherri said she went to babysit another time and found the baby on the floor, right next to the crib. At least this time he was indoors. 

When she confronted Mr. Thurston when he got home, he simply said, "Oh yeah, I guess I forgot to put him in the crib."

"I had just got a call from the Vest's and they said they were heading out for a polar bear swim. I must have gotten so excited, I forgot to put Keith in his crib. I left a little early because I knew you'd be on your way, and you are such a responsible babysitter. We're really glad we have you."

"Does Officer Gooch know about this?" I asked. "She's the new law enforcement officer. Hopefully she's doing her job! Maybe she's not interested in what teens have to contribute to this town."

Anyway, back to my party. I'm an adult now, and I can't wait to get out in the world. 

Dad had a great night too. He won his first competition!

He keeps his trophy on his dresser. The next day I got the results of my aptitude test back. I did really well! I've been offered a full-ride scholarship to Sunset Valley Community College. I didn't do too well in Communications, but I did great in Technology, so I think that's what I'll go into. 

Graduation is in a few hours, so I'll wait until afterward for the "big reveal" to my parents. 

I was the valedictorian in my class, so I had to give a speech. I was a little nervous, but I knew everyone in the audience, so it was all good. 

Kathy said Clancy was wondering how I would be able to afford to go to college. He's thinking he'll have to join the military. 

Mom was concerned too. We've never had a lot of money. The poor woman felt like she was letting me down. 

She was so relieved when I told her about the full-ride scholarship. 

Dad was excited too! He was afraid he'd have to sell one of the horses. 

Later, Mom said Officer Gooch came up to her and gushed over how much help I had been in an ongoing investigation, and told Mom she had a very clever girl. So now I feel bad. As soon as I get settled in to my new place, I'm gonna send her a letter explaining all I learned. Hopefully she's not foolish enough to marry that grifter guy in the meantime. 

Farewell, Sagehen Mesa!