Page 8 (1/2)

I’m thrown He remembers Gen, and he re about er sister, Hattie It’s her first day"

He winces "Thathi Somehow, I’ve made hi heal?"

I smile, more to ease his discomfort than my own "No problems"

"Good Glad to hear it"

But I look away, down at the rug, unable to hold his gaze The sketchbook It’s right there Poking out of his bag It’s black and it has the blue sticker and it’s definitely the sa I should just…openquestion!

"You can see your sister now," the receptionist says

I startle "Merci" I stand hastily and grab"Good luck," I tell Josh, but then I’ain Just because it’s him I scramble down the hall before he can reply The nurse’s door is open, and Hattie watches me enter from a paper-sheet-covered cot She tucks her bobbed, choppy hair behind her ears as if preparing for battle

I tuck , wavy hair behindhere?" Her question is accusatory

"I wanted to ht?"

"No, I’, and I only have fifteen minutes to live I want a pony"

The nurse enters froer and rounder "Isla! It’s nice to see you, dearie Your sister gave us quite the scare But we shot her with epinephrine, and she’s been resting all day The swelling in her throat is gone, and her breathing is back to normal"

"I told you I was fine," Hattie says

I want to scream I ask calmly, "Do Maman and Dad know?"

"They’re on an airplane back to New York, duh"

My jaw tightens "Are you going to call them later?"

"Why would I do that when I know you will?"

The nurse steps in "The school will call your parents tonight" She glances uneasily between us, no doubt wondering how three sisters who look so alike can be so different We have the saht red hair, but Gen is ambitious, Hattie is contrary, and I’m…the quiet one Who never causes trouble

"Is she allowed to go back to her room?" I ask

Hattie fu mom!"

Her favourite accusation strikes with unexpected force The shout reverberates around the roo back tears as I turn to the nurse "I-- I’ht" But her eyes remain wary "Hattie, I’m almost done with your paperwork You’ll be able to leave in just a minute"

It’s a dismissal for ht past Josh in the waiting roo I’h the door when he says in a loud and clear voice, "Your sister’s kind of a bitch, huh?"

I stop