Everyone rose to congratulate me as if I had done or would do something historic. Maybe I was naive about sex, but I knew that what they expected me to do, what I would do, was not all that much of an accomplishment, except, of course, that it would make me solid with these girls. I’d be part of their family, and for an orphan, that was some accomplishment.
“I bet you’re really excited,” Kiera said after we left Deidre’s house.
“This is all supposed to happen tomorrow on Ricky’s boat?”
“Sure. It has two staterooms. Don’t look so worried. You’ll do fine.”
She made it sound like a performance or a test. When we arrived home, however, we were both almost grounded. Mrs. March had learned the truth. The drama teacher had not held auditions for the play yet. She intercepted us just before we were about to go upstairs.
“In here,” she commanded, standing in the living-room doorway.
Kiera and I looked at each other. On the way into the living room, she whispered, “Whatever it is, let me do all the talking.”
Mrs. March was alone. She stood with her arms folded under her breasts and nodded toward one of the settees. We sat.
“What now, Mother?” Kiera asked.
“What now? Why did both of you lie to me about the auditions? There were no auditions that day. Well?”
“I was too embarrassed to tell you that I had made a mistake and misread the date on the bulletin-board announcement. We actually went to the auditorium and felt like idiots. At least, I did. It wasn’t Sasha’s fault, so don’t blame her.”
“But you continued the lie, giving me that story about changing your minds,” Mrs. March said, looking from Kiera to me. I couldn’t look directly at her.
“Yes.”
“Why? Why wouldn’t you just tell me the truth? You made a mistake?”
“I didn’t think you’d believe me, and besides, we really did decide not to do it.”
“Where did you go that day?”
“Nowhere. We just killed some time riding around and then came home. It’s not a federal case, Mother. It’s not like we did some terrible thing instead.”
“I don’t believe you, Kiera.”
“Don’t believe me. Ask Sasha.”
She looked at me. “Is what she’s saying true? You just rode around?”
“Yes,” I said softly, almost too softly for her to hear.
“I’m very disappointed in both of you. Why don’t I see you working on your calligraphy anymore, Sasha?”
“I’ve done a little, but with my homework and clarinet practice …”
“And the time you’re wasting riding around,” she completed for me. “This is very discouraging. Alena never lied to me, ever.”
“Oh, please, Mother. She had her little white lies, too.”
“Never,” she insisted. “Your bad habits never rubbed off on her. She was too good, an angel. That’s why God took her back.”
Kiera looked away, and when she turned back, her eyes were filled with tears.
“You just love making me out to be the bad one all the time. You did it when she was alive, and you still do it now. You hate me!” She leaped to her feet and ran out of the living room.
“Kiera!”
I sat there, frozen. Slowly, Mrs. March turned back to me. “I don’t hate her,” she said. “She’s my daughter. Of course I love her. I wouldn’t put up with all her antics if I didn’t care for her and love her, but I’m not one of those mothers who are so blind they will not see. I know her faults. Pretending, ignoring, excusing will not help her to change and improve. And you won’t do her any good by supporting her when she lies or disobeys.”