Part 18 (1/2)
I stared at her. ”You can't be serious. It'd never ever work. How would you pay for daycare?”
”Are you on my side or not?” she snapped. ”It could work.”
”You know I'm on your side. Did you tell your mom?”
She glanced at me sideways. ”What do you think?”
We both sat there silent for a minute.
”I'm a statistic,” Farah said.
”What?”
”Pregnant at sixteen. I'm a statistic.”
I didn't know what to say; she was right. I simply couldn't digest it. She was clever - she never got caught in anything. How could she have let this happen?
”Mother will kill me, absolutely kill me.” Her eyes were suddenly frantic. ”Do you know what this'll do to her reputation? I'm so dead.”
I put my arm around her. ”She won't kill you. I know she has her issues, but give her a chance.”
”You're thinking of your mom, not mine. She'll bully me right out of the house.” She clenched my arm. ”Can I spend the night? Please? I already packed. Your parents will let me, won't they?”
”It's a school night. They're going to wonder...”
”You can fix it for me. I know you can. Please, Emili.” She lay down on my bed and curled up like a sick puppy.
I rubbed my forehead and sighed. Someone had to help her. ”Okay, I'll try.”
I walked out to the living room. Dad was flipping through channels on TV. He looked up when I came in. ”Dad, Farah and I have a big project. We're going to work on it all evening so can she spend the night?”
The lie slipped out too easily. Did I need members.h.i.+p in Liars Anonymous? Was there such a thing? My conscience was getting a huge workout lately and it was beginning to nag deep inside me. I almost blurted out the truth right there, but then my mind fastened on Farah curled up on my bed.
Dad stared at me for a long minute, and I could see his mind processing. Finally, he said, ”I don't see why not. Go ahead and tell Farah yes. I'll run it by your mom when she gets home.”
I exhaled. ”Thanks, Dad.”
I went back into my room. ”It's set, but you have to call your mom. It wouldn't be good to have her coming over in a panic thinking you're lost again.”
Farah sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve. ”Can you call her?”
”Are you nuts? Talk about suspicious. You have to call her.” I insisted.
Farah took out her phone, pushed a speed dial b.u.t.ton, and cleared her throat. ”Mom, it's me. I need to stay at Emili's tonight. We have a huge project... Yes, I'm telling you the truth... She's right here.” She handed me the phone.
”Mrs. Menins?” I said.
”Emili, h.e.l.lo. I want to make sure it's all right with your parents if Farah spends the night.” She spoke as if I were a business partner.
”It's fine. My parents agreed.”
”All right. I guess I'll need to bring some clothes over.” She obviously didn't realize Farah came over here with a bag.
”Umm, no, it's okay. I have things she can use. If she needs anything else, my mom will bring her by in the morning. Thanks, Mrs. Menins. See you.” I hung up fast, hoping I didn't sound too rude.
”Okay Farah, you're safe for the night.” I sat down next to her. ”We need a plan.”
”I'm so tired I can't think. I feel like c.r.a.p.” She closed her eyes. ”My plan would work, I know it. I could have the fairy tale,” she mumbled. Her deep even breathing signaled instant sleep.
Later, the kitchen door opened and shut, so Mom was home. I knew she'd be heading my way. Thirty seconds later, there was a knock, and she stuck her head in. When she saw Farah asleep on the bed, there were question marks all over her face.
She motioned me into the hallway and shut the door behind us with a soft click. ”What's going on?”
”We're working on a project, so Farah's going to spend the night.”
”Emili Jones, you're hardly working on a project. She's fast asleep, and frankly, she looks awful.”
”She's tired. We thought if she took a nap, she'd have more energy to work.”
Mom took hold of my arm and starting dragging me down the hall to her room. She pushed me inside and closed the door. ”What's going on? I'm not a total fool.”
”Nothing, Mom. I promise.”
She stared into my eyes. ”Promise? Unfortunately, I've been a fool, blindly believing you all year. Something's happened, Emili, and I don't think I can afford to believe you anymore.”
I blinked and could think of nothing to say.
”Tell me what's going on or I'll ride your case all the way to Africa. And I will get the truth.”
I studied the floor.
”Is it drugs? Is she high?”
”Mom! No! She doesn't do drugs.”
”Clearly, something's wrong.”
I stood stiffly, trying not to look defiant. ”I can't say.”
”You can, and you will.” Mom's words were bullets with perfect aim.
”It's not my secret to tell.”
”Fine. I'll take her home right now.”
”No, don't! Please, Mom.”
”Emili, I might be able to help. Tell me.”
I looked into her eyes. She did care about Farah, I could see it. And she was right - maybe she could help - I sure didn't know what to do.