Class Favorite Read Online Free PDF Page A

had three boyfriends.
    â€œDon’t call me a loser, loser,” I said back.
    â€œGirls,” my mother said in a vaguely warning tone as she brought a pitcher of iced tea to the supper table. “Be nice, now. It’s Valentine’s Day.” She sat down, then cut a slice of meat loaf and held it out to me, waiting for me to bring my plate closer.
    â€œI’m not hungry,” I grumbled. Mom held the meat loaf in midair, as if expecting me to change my mind. I responded with, “Mother.”
    â€œI’ll take that, Mom,” Elisabeth offered, matching my mother’s horrific trill of happiness. “I’m starving .”
    â€œElisabeth, sugar, you’re most certainly not starving,” Mom said. This was one of her pet peeves. “Children in Africa are starving—dying of hunger, bodies wasted, stomachs bloated. You’re just hungry, I’m sure.”
    I gave Elisabeth a ha-ha grin.
    â€œSo, Sara,” Mom began, smiling as she sipped her iced tea. “Did anything interesting happen today?”
    â€œYeah, actually, something did.”
    â€œExcuse me?” Mom held her glass above the table, frozen, just as she was about to set it down.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” I corrected. “Something did happen. I was completely humiliated in front of the entire school because of you.” My heart was pumping in my chest, and I knew I’d getin trouble if I spoke to her too loudly or sharply. “Mom, I can’t believe you would do that. Why did you do that?”
    I wasn’t looking at Elisabeth, but I could feel her grow still with interest. She was going to love making fun of me for this one.
    â€œWhat are you talking about, at school ?” Mom asked.
    â€œThe flowers ?” I said, unable to believe she was even asking.
    â€œHey, why’d she get flowers?” Elisabeth chimed in, her voice thick with jealousy.
    â€œYour sister is now a woman.” Mom actually said this with a straight face.
    â€œMom! Come on!” I wailed.
    â€œWhat’s this about school?” Mom asked again. “I had Arlene’s mom deliver them here so they’d be waiting for you when you got home.”
    â€œWell, guess what? She sent them to school, and everybody found out about them. You’re so embarrassing!” I yelled, a cry forming way in the back in my throat.
    â€œYou sent her flowers for her period ?” Elisabeth’s eyes squinted as she tried to comprehend the unreality of it.
    â€œSlow down, Sara,” Mom said, ignoring Elisabeth. “There must have been a mistake. I think I told her to send them here. . . .”
    â€œOh, wow . . . ,” Elisabeth muttered from across the table, the hungry smile gone from her face.
    â€œThat’s just great,” I said. “It doesn’t matter now, Mother,because everyone at school found out who sent them and why. I might as well die and move to Waco.”
    â€œLook, honey. I’m sorry about the mix-up, but this is a big event in your life. And if you need any help learning how to—”
    â€œMother! I can’t believe you! You’re so humiliating!”
    â€œWatch your mouth, young lady,” she said, pointing her fork at me.
    â€œYou’re such an embarrassment,” I continued. “Everyone in my class was making fun of me. Do you know what that’s like?”
    â€œOh, honey.” Mom sighed. “I really am sorry. I meant to have them sent here.”
    â€œWell, it’s too late,” I said, folding my arms across my stomach. I knew Mom was being sincere, but her nice gesture was turning into one whopper of a problem for me. “Nobody in the entire school even knew who I was before this. Now everyone knows who I am.” My vision became blurry from the wetness in my eyes as I picked up my napkin to wipe at them. “Just because you and Dad split up doesn’t mean I need you to obsess over