Page 44 of The Curve
“Hey, come on. Cut me some slack. How about this. I’ll tell your mom all that I know. Let her make the decision.”
“Yeah. It was never your decision to make anyway. I just wanted someone else in my corner.”
“Well that’s not fair. Now you went and told the truth,” I kid.
But I broke her sour mood and her pissed expression. She giggles and hides her smile.
“We’re friends now, Mallory. I’ll always be in your corner. But I’m also gonna watch out for you. If I think you’re in trouble or can be hurt, I’ll do what a good friend would.”
“Just don’t try to father me,” she says softly.
That was a surprise.
“I promise I won’t. I’m not looking to be your father. But the best of what a father gives is protectiveness and understanding. That wouldn’t be too bad of an offer, would it?”
“I guess not.” She digs in her purse and pulls out her phone. “I’m gonna call Mom.”
“Good. Tell her we’ll be there in fifteen and I expect dinner to be on the table. Tell her I said chop, chop.”
I start laughing and so does Mallory. “I’d advise against it unless you like being locked out of the apartment.”
* * *
“Mom,can I get on Twitter and Facebook? You said I could when I get in high school.”
We’re cleaning up after dinner and the comment stops Charlotte in her tracks.
“I don’t know. School hasn’t started yet, and I want to do a little investigating beforehand.”
“Come on! I’m the only one who doesn’t have a Facebook or Twitter account. And I want to Instagram too.”
I’m watching as mother and daughter spar. Mallory catches my eye and without a word pleads with me to jump in. Maybe this would be a good time to prove my allegiance without pissing off Charlotte.
“Can I weigh in?”
They both focus their attention on me. Charlotte nods.
“I could help her if you want.”
“Yes!” Mallory pleads.
“It probably would be good to have a few months practice before she gets to high school. She’s gonna have a lot of friend requests and she’ll know what to do. I’ve got over three million followers on Instagram and more on Twitter.”
“What? That’s insane!” says Charlotte.
“That would be great! Please, please, please, Mom! Atticus will teach me.”
Charlotte looks at me and I read the message behind her eyes. She wants me to be careful. She nods her head as she lifts a plate to the cupboard. “Alright. But be sure you follow his rules and mine, Mallory. No accepting friend requests from people you don’t know. And if I see you’ve abused it the accounts will come down.”
“Of course, Mom. And thank you, Atticus.”
Mission accomplished.
