5 Minutes Could Change It All: Book 2 in the Kids of Celebrities Trilogy

By Leah R. Bergstrom

Will Danni lose those very special people she has come to love? Danni thought that her new lifestyle was going to be devoid of worry and problems. But that wasnt going to happen at all. Problems kept rearing their ugly heads and have to be beaten downor at least overcomeone by one. Tabloids, forgery, getting lost, bullies, distrust, injuries, accusations of inappropriate language, bad behavior, and tough items on the bucket list all attempt to make Danni lose her focus and all that has become important to her. Yet that one special person seems to always be there to pull her out of harms way or to try to guide her in other directions. How often can that help keep rescuing her, or will Danni finally succumb and have to give it all up? So many times, just five minutes could have changed everything in book 2 of the Kids of Celebrities Trilogy.

Make certain that you also read: Book 1: 24 Hours Changed Me Book 3: 2 Minutes

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 25, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490842233

Leah R. Bergstrom

Leah R. Bergstrom is a retired United Methodist pastor and former teacher from the Shaler Area School District. She is originally from western Pennsylvania, has resided in Florida, and now lives in Arizona. She has two degrees in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a divinity degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Leah and her husband Bob have six grown children and eleven sweet grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2014 Leah R. Bergstrom.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-4216-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-4217-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-4223-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014911103

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/23/2014

Contents

Dedication

Chapter 1     Worry

Chapter 2     Signature

Chapter 3     Messes

Chapter 4     Microphone

Chapter 5     Sleepover

Chapter 6     Sassy

Chapter 7     Payton

Chapter 8     Ali

Chapter 9     Victim

Chapter 10   Coaster

Chapter 11   Repositioned

Chapter 12   Prank

Chapter 13   Tabloid

Chapter 14   Sacred

Chapter 15   Preparation

Chapter 16   Ride

Chapter 17   Boots

Chapter 18   Trouble

Chapter 19   Confessions

Chapter 20   Mistaken

Chapter 21   Agenda

Chaper 22   Petrified

Chapter 23   Actress

Chapter 24   Eavesdropper

Chapter 25   Uncomfortable

Chapter 26   Incentive

Chapter 27   Concert

Chapter 28   Dilemma

Chapter 29   Reunited

Chapter 30   Menus

Chapter 31   Comfort

About The Author

Book 2: 5 Minutes Could Change It All

This book deals with Danni’s continued character development in the growing relationship with her new and very famous father.

Dedication

5 Minutes Could Change It All is dedicated to our precious daughters and granddaughters who have been a great inspiration in developing Danni’s sweet personality.

Heather, Laura, Sabrina,

Hannah, Emma, Briana, Gabriella, Maya,

Mariska and Cassidy

Mia, Lila, Lucy and all my church kids have also found their way into our hearts and into these books.

Appreciation

My deepest gratitude is extended to all of my colleagues and friends from the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the

United Methodist Church for help in fostering faith.

Chapter 1

Worry

A big shindig, a bonfire with loads of relatives and friends and a root beer toast were the ingredients for how I celebrated New Year’s Eve with my new family.

When my dad handed me a glass of root beer, I know I blushed thinking back to how root beer had gotten me into trouble once before. My parents, under my doctor’s orders, told me I could only have one eight ounce glass of pop a week because of my queasy stomach. My southern dad warned me not to drink any pop, or soda like he called it, when I went to my best friend Julie’s house. I disobeyed. Lying to my dad on top of my disobedience got me into a peck of trouble with him. He made me come up with a plan to clean up the mess.

I came up with a plan to do just that. My family, my cousin Nick and our good friends Mr. Eric, Ms. Erin and their girls all carried out a magnificent party for the kids at Hope House where I used to live. Each child was given a fluffy stuffed dog that played my country singer dad’s latest lullaby. Each one also had a prerecorded message about honesty that Nick and I made. It was a fantastic night.

My live puppy, Tootsie, was given to me on my birthday to keep me company when my parents are away and to remind me of the year of the honesty puppy project.

As we toasted, my dad said, Danni, thank you for being part of our family these past six months. The new year ahead is going to be fantastic with you being our daughter. We love you very much. Happy New Year, sweetheart!

Getting to know my parents better and having a real family with a puppy of my very own started off the new year better than any previous year. For a kid to know she’s loved and was chosen to be part of the lives of two other people is truly an overwhelming feeling.

My dad is a famous country singer, and my mom is a well-know actress. Both of them travel often for their careers, but lots of people take care of me when they’re gone.

My parents are far more than famous. They’re fun-loving and caring, and they try their hardest to understand me. I guess I’m a bit difficult to understand, as I don’t talk much, except to my new dad. Since I’m scared about almost everything in life, my dad has been working hard to help me to get over my fears and to be less shy.

Having the new puppy, Tootsie, has really helped me. She’s a real joy. One of the funniest things Tootsie did was howl whenever my dad sang.

At first, my mom and I would laugh about it until our sides hurt. My dad would just make faces like he couldn’t believe there was one being in the world that didn’t think he was the cat’s meeow. That probably isn’t the best expression to use, though.

Anyhow, as Tootsie kept doing it, my dad said, Danni, you’ve to get Tootsie to stop that howling everytime I sing. It isn’t good for this country singer’s ego. I laughed and told him I would work on it.

I started giving Tootsie treats every time my dad sang. She became more interested in the tiny morsels of food than in howling. My dad was impressed that I was able to teach my puppy something.

I was anxious to get Tootsie housebroken because then she would be allowed to sleep in my bed. I took her outside as often as I could. Not only did I have to worry about her making messes, but the clean-up sheriff, (my dad), was always on my case to make sure that I cleaned them up.

Once the holidays were over and school was starting again, I knew my parents would be away from home a lot more. Even though I had Tootsie to keep me company, I dreaded when my parents would be gone. During the first ten day trip for them in the new year, my mom’s mother would move in to watch me.

When they were away before, I spent time at my dad’s parents’ home. My parents felt that the puppy needed to be at our house until she was housebroken. They didn’t want any accidents to happen in someone else’s house. They also knew that I needed the stability of being in my own bed.

I ate hardly anything when I was at my grandparents’ house. My parents knew I had a lot of problems adjusting to anything new, different, or difficult. My dad pushed me to my limits, and my mom was good at crying with me. They were the stability I needed in my life.

Everything was good when I was with them. I didn’t even mind when my dad corrected me. He always talked with me in such an understanding way. I wished that they were always at home.

I knew when I agreed to be adopted, that they would be away a lot, but that didn’t make it any better. At least there would be FaceTime and phone calls from them, but I would miss them putting me to bed at night.

Holiday break was over and school would start the next day. I was feeling sick. The worry sheriff (also my dad) found me on a couch in the family room looking a little green.

Are you worrying about going back to school? he asked, knowing the answer. Remember, when I told you that you can’t change anything by worrying about it?

Yes, sir, and things have been pretty good at school, except for a few girls who are mean to me. It’s just that I don’t know what will happen every day.

Danni, none of us knows what tomorrow will bring. All of us just have to trust that whatever each day brings, we will get through it by the grace of God. My dad sounded like a preacher.

I know that, I guess, but if you and Momma are with me, it’s easier to face school or anything. When you’re away, I feel alone like I did at Hope House. That’s when I start to feel scared and feel that I can’t do anything right.

Danni, you’ve made us very proud that you’ve come so far. You’ve done it, not your mom or me. It’s you alone, little mite. We know that you can have confidence and move forward, even when we aren’t around. If you need some encouragement along the way, we’re only a phone call away, right? Please, try to do your best and know that we’ll think about you and pray for you every day.

You know I’ll do the same for you, I promised. Daddy, don’t you ever get frightened?

Honey, every time your mom or I face all those people out there on stage, we’re a little frightened. Once I was hit by a bottle that someone threw at a concert. I even had to have stitches. But, I continue on, believing that’s what God wants me to be doing now in my life. Sometimes, even though we know there’s a risk, we have to take that risk. You’re so much better about taking risks, and that’s good. You look a little less green, he said jokingly. Do you think you’re up to me whipping you at archery?

As long as that’s all you’re going to whip! I smiled.

Chapter 2

Signature

J en’s mom was a kind lady. She loved Tootsie as much as my mom and dad did. In fact, I was afraid, at times, that my parents liked the dog more than they liked me. My dad saw that I got a little funny when my parents paid too much attention to the pup. He finally told me that they had a house dog they loved when they were first married. Rocky contracted a rare cancer of the spleen and died.

Now they were taking the risk of loving another dog even though Tootsie brought back such bitter-sweet memories. My dad said I was still so good to Lacy and Laddie, the farm dogs, even though I now had Tootsie. He said a good motto for me would be, There’s always room for one more.

I was good with the farm dogs and never wanted them to feel that I had betrayed them for a new puppy. I spent as much time playing with them every evening as I had before Tootsie arrived. I never missed feeding or hugging them. My dad was smart. By talking about the farm dogs and a new puppy joining the family, he made me aware that my parents were making room for one more.

I stopped feeling a little funny and was glad that they liked Tootsie so much. They needed her as much as I did, but in a different kind of way. They were teaching me that the more love you give, the more love you’re given to give.

I tried to keep up with all of my chores while my parents were away. Jen’s mom kept checking on me to see that I was doing everything. Mr. Joe, our handyman and protector of our family, and I met every evening in the barn to care for Lacy and Laddie. The farm dogs were always glad to see me.

I loved those dogs, especially Lacy, as she was the one who jumped on me and kissed me so much when I first arrived at the farm to stay. We have a special connection.

Sometimes Mr. Joe and I would step outside the barn and spit together. He would spit his tobacco, and I would spit my Tootsie Rolls. I made my spit go a little further each time. We would laugh about it together. He always reminded me never to use tobacco in any form. We also have a special connection.

I practiced my keyboard for one half hour every day. I knew my parents would always ask me about that on their calls.

One new thing I liked to do was to stand on my vanity bench and sing at the top of my lungs. I used a television remote controller as a microphone. It was so much fun! I’d never have done it when my parents were home, in case they would’ve heard me singing wrong notes. I probably spent too much time playing this singing game.

I always took Tootsie outside so she didn’t mess in the house. When she did make a mistake, I cleaned it up perfectly so my parents would know that I was being responsible. My birthday paper towels and rug cleaner sure came in handy.

I didn’t keep up with my homework. I just couldn’t get back to it after that long vacation, plus everything else was more fun. The math teacher gave me a note to have signed by a family member since I didn’t complete two assignments. That caused a dilemma. I figured that my grandma was not a member of the family since my parents talked about the three of us as family. That left me to sign the note, I figured.

That was probably not the best figuring. I went into my dad’s music room and saw a paper on his desk that had his signature. I practiced it for about five minutes until it looked like his signature. Then I signed the paper. My thought was that he didn’t need to be bothered by such an unimportant thing in life.

The note scared me enough, so I figured that I wouldn’t have any more missing assignments. I even did those