by Lari Smythe
* * *
Mom was in the kitchen when I came down the next morning.
"You plan on going to school like that?" she said.
I looked down and realized I had the pants on from last night and the knees were still wet. "Shoot, I forgot to put these in the laundry yesterday." I raced upstairs and changed before she could ask any more questions.
I didn't see Izzy the rest of the week and while I missed her, I wasn't as afraid for her. We didn't have a game or practice on Friday, so I went straight home after school. "Hey, Mom," I yelled up the stairs.
"I'm right here," she replied, walking into the kitchen.
"Sorry, I didn't see you. What's new?" As soon as I asked, I knew I shouldn't have—
"I just got off the phone with the principal, she was hoping to talk to you."
"About?"
"She wanted to know how Izzy was doing. Apparently you told Mrs. Hall after church that Izzy was feeling better."
"I didn't lie, honest. She made some assumptions and I just kind of went along."
Mom shook her head.
"I know," I confessed, "technically it's the same as lying."
"Well, I can't scold you when I did the same thing."
"I'm not sure I follow."
"Well, Ms. Moore assumed Izzy was still with us and I didn't correct her. You know I don't like doing things like that, but—oh, I don't know, she's been through so much."
"That's great, Mom, but I don't know—"
There was a knock at the backdoor. "Go ahead and get a snack, I'll get it," Mom said as she walked down the short hall to the backdoor.
"Thanks." I opened the frig and pulled out the milk and jelly. When I closed the door, Mom was backing away from the door. "Who is it?"
"Hi, Mrs. Whitaker."
"Is that Cathy?" I asked, but Mom just kept backing down the hall. Oh crap, I realized, maybe Cathy's mom figured out I was at her house Monday night or we'd lied about Izzy being here.
Mom seemed to regain her composure. "Please, come in girls."
I set the milk and jelly on the counter. No way. My heart did a little flip when Izzy and Cathy stepped around the corner. Despite my excitement, I didn't say a word. I had no idea how this was going to go.
"I hope we're not interrupting," Cathy said.
"We could come back later if it's a bad time," Izzy added.
"Jason was just getting a snack, could I get you something?" Mom offered.
"Well, my lucky day," I interrupted, "the two prettiest girls in school."
Cathy blushed and I knew Izzy would have if it were possible. Cathy stepped back, nudging Izzy toward Mom and I. "Well, if everything is cool, then I'll leave you to talk." Cathy said. "I just came along for moral support."
Izzy glanced at Cathy looking very apprehensive like she was about to chicken out.
"It'll be okay," Cathy whispered. "Just like you told me." Cathy took another step back. "I'll wait in the car for you."
"Thanks," Izzy whispered to her and then turned to face Mom and I as Cathy slipped out the backdoor. It was so quiet that I heard the car door close.
"It's nice to see you again," Mom finally said.
"I'm sorry," Izzy started.
"Are you—"
"Jeez, Mom, give her a chance," I said.
Izzy took a deep breath and sighed. She had gotten really good at mimicking human gestures. "Yes Ma'am, I am. You've been very kind to me and I know I've been very trying."
"Well, you've been going through a difficult—"
"Please, Mrs. Whitaker, let me get this out."
"Very well."
"I'm very thankful for your generosity, for helping me try to fit in at school, for taking me in when I had no place to go, but we all know I don't belong here."
"Whoa, whoa, don't include me in that camp," I interrupted.
"Well, I'm sure your mom agrees."
Mom didn't respond definitely indicating she agreed.
"Well I guess you've already figured it out, but I'm not going to be staying with you anymore."
"Let me run upstairs and get a few things," I said.
They both shot me a don't even think about it glare.
"You promised," Izzy said, "for both of us. Besides, I'm not leaving, I'm staying with my sister."
"Melanie?" I asked.
"Yes," Izzy replied with a smile.
Mom looked at me suspiciously. "I didn't know you knew her sister."
"Sure, I met all of her family before I headed across country." That brought a frown to Mom's face. "So Melanie is staying with you now?" I asked Izzy.
"No, actually I'm staying at Melanie's."
"Is it far?" I remember Izzy talking about Melanie's, but for all I knew she was talking about North Carolina.
"It's kind of off the beaten path you might say."
"I bet." I let slip out.
"Will you be going back to school?" Mom asked. I'm pretty sure she was hoping 'off the beaten path' meant a different school district.
"I hope so, I have an appointment with Ms. Moore first thing Monday morning."
"Oh, that reminds me," Mom said, "I just got off the phone with her. She called to see how you were, and well, I kind of let her think you've been ill."
"Don't worry, it'll be our little secret." Izzy winked with that little sparkle in her eye. "If it would be okay, I think I left a few things."
"Certainly." Mom stepped toward the sink.
"I'll help—"
"Jason..." Mom and Izzy echoed.
"Hey," I shrugged, "can't blame a guy for trying."
"I won't be but a minute," Izzy said and then went into the guest room and closed the door.
"Pretty cool, right?" I tested.
Mom forced a smile, but I could tell she was none too happy about the turn of events. It was pretty obvious, she would have preferred Izzy was out of my life for good. True to Izzy's word, the bedroom door opened.
"Well, I think that's all of it. I really do appreciate everything that you've done for me. I'm not sure how I can ever repay your generosity."
Mom's expression softened considerably. "Well, it was the least we could do. I hope everything works out for you and your family. Please tell you mother that I am so, very grateful for that special time you and I had together."
Izzy glanced at me inquisitively. I think Mom just thanked Izzy for saving her life.
"You want me to take you to your sisters?" I asked.
"No, that's not necessary, she's going to pick me up at Cathy's."
"Well at least let me walk you out to the car." I grabbed the small backpack she was holding and slipped my arm around her.
"Thanks again, Mrs. Whitaker. I truly am sorry for all the commotion I caused."
I pulled up short when I saw Mrs. Hall in the car with Cathy. "That went pretty good, right?"
"I guess," Izzy said. "I really am so sorry for all that I put you and your mom through."
"You want to go to a movie or something tonight? I could swing by and pick you up."
"Yeah, you can't really drive to Melanie's."
"So you really are staying with her, it wasn't just a story?"
"Shh," Izzy hushed me, "keep your voice down."
Mrs. Hall looked our way and then fumbled with the radio trying not to look obvious.
"So seriously, a movie?"
"I'll see you at school, okay?" She leaned forward and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
"Sure, at school." I walked Izzy to the car. Cathy's mom looked annoyed when I gave Izzy a kiss goodbye. "Thanks a lot Mrs. Hall, and thanks Cathy, I owe you." I stepped back and they drove off.
Mom was still standing at the sink when I got back, like she hadn't moved.
"I guess you were right," I said, sitting down at the table.
"How so?"
"Like you said, one day at a time and things will work out for the best."
Her eyes definitely narrowed. "Yes. Well, I have some laundry to finish up." And with
that, Mom headed for the laundry room.