Page 138 of Let's Pretend I'm Okay

Grandma nods and her heavy eyes close again.

A tear falls from my eyes, but I’m quick to wipe it away. I wait a moment to make sure she’s settled, and then I leave the room.

Laura is outside waiting in the car. I hop in, itching to get out of here. I rest my head on the window and watch the traffic in front of us as we drive.

“I know it must be hard visiting her like this,” Laura says.

I shrug. “It’s fine.”

“You don’t have to act tough around me, you know.”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I say. I’m sure it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see I’m not okay, but I want to avoid talking about my feelings for as long as possible.

Laura nods. “If you ever change your mind, I’ll be here.”

I wish I could believe that.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

MARGO

We spent the evening watching movies and reenacting our favorite parts while laughing till we cried. Daniel was too tired to come over, which was disappointing, but I know he has a lot on his mind. Laura picked Olive up around ten, and now, we’re getting ready for bed. I sit on my bed braiding Annie’s hair so it doesn’t get frizzy while she sleeps.

“You and Olive seem to be getting along,” I say.

“Yeah,” Annie says. She closes her book and turns to face me. “I think we could be friends.”

I know they could be friends. “Why don’t you invite her over again?”

Annie shrugs. “I don’t want her to think I’m weird.”

I laugh. “She’s not going to think that. Daniel says she needs friends too.”

“But what would we even do? We already watched movies this time, and if we do that every time, she might get bored.”

This is the first time I’ve ever seen Annie so concerned about making a good impression. It makes my heart happy. She wants to branch out, but doesn’t know how. “You don’thave to worry about that. Good friends can do nothing and still have a great time. Besides, I doubt you two would get bored of movies anytime soon. Just invite her over and see what happens.”

“I guess I could... ,” she says. “You don’t think it’s too soon?”

I shake my head. “Nope. Make plans before you two forget how well you get along.” I tie her hair at the end of the braid and let it fall against Annie’s back. She lies on the bed and covers her face with her hands. “I think I have a friend, Margo.”

I lie next to her and stare up at the ceiling and smile. Annie made a friend, and I couldn’t be happier for her. She did it all on her own too. I didn’t force it. That’s what makes it so much better.

Our doorbell rings and we both jump up.

“Who’d be here this late?” Annie asks.

I have no idea. Did Olive forget something? She’s been gone over an hour, so I have a hard time believing it’s her. We go to the same school so if she forgot something, it would make more sense for us to bring it to her tomorrow. Maybe Daniel? He was supposed to come over after he saw his grandma, but he said he was too tired.

“I’m not sure,” I say. “I’ll go look.” I leave our room and head down the hall toward the door. Annie follows me closely.

I stand on my tiptoes to look through the peephole. Maria Jackman stands on our doorstep, banging on the door. “Please answer,” she calls.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, opening the door.

Maria pants as she leans her hand on the doorframe to steady herself. “Is your mom home?”

I turn to Annie. “Go get Mama.”

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