Page 26 of Something in Between

I’ve been sort of dreading this moment when I leave them. It’s the first time I’ll be on my own anywhere, and I know how Mom can be. She’s worried and talking a hundred miles an hour. “You need to be careful out there. Washington, D.C., is filled with strange old men. You keep them away from you. Button up your blouse. And no makeup.”

“A chaperone is picking me up at the airport,” I say, nibbling my nails. “You’re overreacting.”

“I don’t know this chaperone,” Mom says.

“Me either,” Dad says. “He could be a space alien for all I know.”

“Daddy,” I say. “Just stop. You’re being silly. And it’s a girl.”

Lola Cherry sits in the backseat, snickering. “If you were smart, Jasmine, you would take me along,” she says.

“Why? So you can flirt with all the old congressmen?” Dad says.

Lola clicks her tongue. “I don’t flirt,” she says. “I don’t have to say a thing. They’ll come to me because of my beauty. They’ll take me to dinner on the town. I want to see this Washington, D.C., nightlife.”

I laugh. I should probably take Lola Cherry—she’d probably have more fun than me.

“Lola Cherry!” Mom says. “You’re not helping. These people have no scruples.”

“I know,” Lola says, winking at me.

I grin back.

“Ay,” Mom says. “I knew we shouldn’t have let you come with us.”

“So you can keep torturing your daughter on your own?”

“I’m not torturing her,” Mom says. “She needs to hear these things.”

“Mom,” I say. “I’ll befine. It’s perfectly safe. This is a huge award. There’s a ton of security. Nothing will happen to me! Quit worrying. And you know what? That reform bill is going to pass the House. I can feel it. Everything will be okay.” My heart begins to beat faster, as I think about everything that’s at stake.

“That bill better pass,” Dad says. “Or the UFO is going to pick us up and take us away.”

“Dad, quit with the space alien jokes,” I sigh.

“Don’t tell me you’re getting tired of them already.”

Mom joins in. “We’re all getting tired of them.”

Finally, Dad pulls up to the drop-off area at the airport. We say our goodbyes and Mom actually cries, which makes me cry too. Lola gives me a hug and tells me to put in a good word to any congressmen or senators who look like movie stars.

“If any look like Elvis, get their phone number for me,” she says.

I hug her tightly. I love my crazy family. I wish my brothers were here. “I love you so much,” I tell Lola.

Mom complains right away. “What about me?”

“Stop,” I say, kissing her cheek. “You know how much I love you. We’re practically the same person. I’m going to be fine. I’m going to meet the president of the United States.” I kiss Dad goodbye too.

Lola’s eyes brighten. “You didn’t say you were going to meet the president! He’s the best-looking of all!”

“I told all of you,” I growl. “You just don’t listen! I’m going to be late for the plane. I love you!” I add, and run off into the terminal and to the security checkpoint.

10

There was nothing but land; not a country at all, but the material out of which countries are made.

—WILLA CATHER,MY ÁNTONIA

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