Fly Away Girl

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Emmy

***

"Do you think I can come over today?"

I pause in my sandwich making, anxiously awaiting a response from Fawn.

"I guess," she says through the phone. "But you just came over to study yesterday. What's up?"

"I just love hanging with you," I lie easily. It's not that I don't like Fawn, because I really do. But lately I've been spending more and more time with Fawn as a way to see Phoenix.

We aren't friends, really. We don't even talk at all in fact, except when we're in his car. I just feel a strange connection between the two of us. I find him so interesting, so captivating.

"Okay, then. We can study for math, if you want. We have that big test Thursday. I'll send Phoenix over."

"Great!" I say, a little too quickly. "See you soon."

I hang up the phone. "Are you happy for me, Ro?" I ask my baby sister, who is watching me from her high chair. I slap another piece of smoked turkey onto the thirteenth sandwich I've made today.

"Whose hungry?" I call, and the sound of rushing footsteps is my response.

"What are we having?" Maria asks.

"Sandwiches. I have peanut butter, turkey and cheese, ham and cheese, and plain cheese."

Maria and Marvin face each other and simultaneously stick out their tongues and groan in disgust. I roll my eyes.

Sofia and Lucas join us, followed by Sammy.

"Why can't we have a hot meal?" Sofia mutters.

"Why can't I sit upstairs and not do anything for you?" I shoot back. "Oh, wait. I can. But I don't. So deal."

"This bread is stale," Sammy says through a mouthful.

"It expires tomorrow," I mention casually.

"Gross!" Marvin yells.

"Enough!" I slam my hand down on the table. "You know what I'm going to say. We don't waste food because..." I trail off, waiting for them to finish the familiar sentence.

"A lot of kids don't have any and we're privileged enough to be able to eat on a daily basis," Maria recites, barely understanding what she's saying.

"Right. Where's Gran?"

"At the mall," Lucas informs me.

"How'd she get there?" I ask incredulously.

"Bus," Sofia answers before a long sip of water.

I shrug and grab a turkey and cheese sandwich. I'm just finishing it when I hear the now familiar honk of the Abbey's car.

I dart to the kitchen door and fling it open, holding up my pointer finger to silently tell Phoenix that I'll be a minute. He nods.

"Okay, I'm going to study at Fawn's. Tell Gran I'll see her later."

"Again?" Sammy asks.

"We have a test coming up," I say defensively.

"Really?" Sofia ponders. "Interesting. I think you just like catching rides with Fawn's brother. Why him, anyway? He looks like a total nerd!"

"We don't call people names," I tell her as I blush. "See you all later. I love you."

"Love you, Emmy!" I hear Lucas and the twins call at slightly different times as I head out the door.