Meat

Why Though?

Mom came to pick me up later. "So how was your day?" she asked. "It was fine. My friends let me try--" I slapped my mouth shut. "Let you try what?" mom said with suspicion. "They let me try...muffins! At lunch. They were oh so good," I said with a fake smile. Mom just nodded along and started driving.

"So...can I tell you something? This hopefully won't take you by too much surprise," mom said nervously. I nodded. "I'm going to be in the office for three days. Your sister is going to look after you." My mouth dropped straight open. "What! No! Are you seriously talking about Miranda?!" Mom nodded. Nodding must run in our family. "You've to be freaking kidding me....You've got to be freaking kidding meee..." I said under my breath. "I'm going to be back around 5:00 in the morning on Monday, okay?" she told me calmly. I nodded.

When we came home, Miranda was already there. "Miranda, take good care of your sister. I'll be back on Monday," mom said, already walking out the door. "Bye, mom," Miranda called after her. "Here." Miranda handed me and ice cream. "Oh, thanks. Vanilla. How original," I said. She gave me the slightest smile and a sock to my arm. Then she went upstairs.

I called Laurie on my phone. "Hey," she said. "Miranda's already home? Jeez! One speedy driver.... Anyway, do you want to come over? Or do you want me to come over?" I shrugged. "I would have to ask Miranda," I said. Laurie made a face. It looked like it was between pain and disgust.

"I mean, Nate's already here so you might as well ask or stay home," she said. Then I made the worst decision in my life and asked. She surprisingly said sure, because I bet she wants to throw a party.

"Maybe we can work on the G.S.E," Nate suggested. Me and Laurie nodded. We were pretty close to finishing drawing it and we had a snack break. "Hey, Sam," Laurie said sneakily. "Wanna try...a chicken leg?" I hesitated. "What the heck is a chicken leg?" I asked. Nate and Laurie exchanged glances and went bug-eyed. Then Laurie showed me what a chicken leg looks like. I said, "Sure. I guess that wouldn't hurt."

I took the chicken leg and made a bite out of it. That. Thing. Was. DELICIOUS! I just started to maul it down. "Slow down! I think you're also eating the bone," Nate said. I was finished with the chicken leg in what felt like a minute. "I better get home. See you guys later," I called from the door. "Okay!" Laurie called back.

When I got back I noticed that Miranda was shuffling around upstairs. I didn't want to know what happened so I just took my shower, threw on my pajamas and went to bed.