page 24

I lay in bed two days later, waiting for the soft knock that would announce Cameron and Jeff’s arrival. I glanced at the clock. 2:27. Cameron had said they’d swing by around two-thirty. She probably did not expect that I would expect her to be accurate to a minute. I knew exactly why I was so looking forward to their visit; I had just reread my last book, and I was in no mood for a movie. And I was looking forward to seeing my other friends as well.

“Maggie, honey?” I twitched at the sound of my mother’s voice. She had tried to talk to me a few times during my recuperation, but I found myself giving short, uninformative answers to her questions, such as who Charlotte and Jeff were, and why and when I began to hang out with them. Slowly I felt us drawing apart, an invisible force driving a wedge between us. I knew exactly what it was, but my mom remained blissfully, agonizingly unaware.

“Yeah?” I looked at her face, where small lines had begun to distort her features.
She hesitated, “I’m glad you’re making new friends and everything. But…” she thought carefully, “you seem different for some reason. Is there anything you want to tell me?”

I wondered if I would tell her, even if I could. I shook my head reflexively, “no, mom. Everything’s fine, really.” My voice, light and sincere, flowed out of my mouth before I could think about it.

My mom searched my face for a moment, then sighed, her eyelids drooping slightly. “Alright, honey. Well, if there ever is, you can tell me. You know that, right?”

I nodded, “I know. Thanks.”

She withdrew, and I settled back into my bed, relaxing a little. Then I sat up again as I heard the chime of the doorbell echoing up the steps. Moments later, there was a rasping sound as the door dragged over the carpet. There was a moment of faint greetings, then my mom called, “Maggie, Cameron and Jeff are here!”

“Okay,” I called down. I closed my eyes and listened for the tramp of feet. There was the soft, light tread of Cameron, and a slight stumble as Jeff stumbled over his feet. I smiled a little. Jeff would always be bit of a nerd, no matter how much he worked out.

“Hey Maggie,” he said shyly as he followed Cameron in. She plopped down on my bed, careful to avoid my broken leg. Jeff stood next to her.

“Hi Jeff, what’s up?” I turned to Cameron and added dryly, “Long time no see.”
Cameron grinned. “Jeff wanted to see you.”

I turned questioningly to Jeff. He never blushed, but when he was embarrassed, the his eyes narrowed behind his glasses and he blinked rapidly.

Cameron smiled smugly. “I’m going to get some fruit for you,” she told me.

“Wait, what?” I was confused, “I don’t want fruit.”

Cameron shrugged. “Then maybe I’ll eat it.” She got up to leave.

Jeff stopped blinking. “Wait!” He panicked and turned to Cameron. “Don’t leave me!”

I pushed myself off of the pillows, wincing as my weight shifted. “What’s going on?”

I demanded. “Did the monster come back or something?”

Cameron shook her head and shot me a look. “Don’t be silly Maggie.” She turned to Jeff, who now was staring at her in disbelief.

“How did you know?” he demanded. “Was it Andrew?”

Cameron laughed. “I don’t need my brother to know everything.” She told him.

I brightened at his name, “what’s this about Andrew?” I wanted to know. Both Jeff and Cameron ignored me. Jeff stared at Cameron, fists clenched a little.

“This isn’t how it’s supposed to be,” he told her. She shrugged, already in the hall.

“You’ll thank me later.” She shut the door behind her. Jeff took a deep breath and turned to face me. He opened his mouth to speak.