Girl on the Other Side Read Online Free PDF Page B

accept my fake ID wasn’t exactly the cleanest tattoo parlour in the city. In fact, the nervousness was worse than the pain of the needle. I snuck home that day feeling like a total criminal.
    But that was last winter. Catherine and David still haven’t noticed.
    Jerks!
    When the waiter comes, I quickly scan the menu for the highest-fat food I can find. Damn my mother and her stupid rules! Tonight, I just want to piss her off. I don’t even care if I get fat. In fact, maybe that would be a great way to hit her where it hurts the most. I can’t imagine anything worse for her than having a fat daughter.
    â€œI’ll have the fettucine alfredo, please,” I say, staring right at Catherine as I order. “And, could you ask the kitchen to make that with extra sauce? Thanks.”
    Catherine frowns. That is, she tries to frown. She’s had so much Botox injected into her face that it’s hard for her to muster up much expression anymore. Talk about “defacing” your body! She thinks nobody knows she’s had work done. I’ve even heard her bragging to friends about her “natural” beauty. But I know better. I’ve seen her hurrying home to rest after her various peels and injections and treatments. If she’s a natural beauty, then I’m Marilyn Monroe.
    â€œAnd you, madam?” asks the waiter, pencil hovering above his pad.
    â€œGreen salad, dressing on the side. And the grilled salmon — no potato, just extra vegetables.” Her words are clipped and stern. She’s royally pissed.
    The waiter scribbles the order onto his pad, then turns toward David.
    â€œAnd you, sir?”
    â€œVeal Marsala with baked potato,” he orders, handing back his menu.
    Catherine’s shooting me a bitchy glare from across the table. I shoot it right back at her. The waiter turns to leave.
    â€œSorry … just one more thing …” I say, holding up a hand to stop him. “Um, I noticed you have a chocolate cheesecake on your list of specials. I’ll have that for dessert.”
    â€œCertainly,” he nods and scribbles some more.
    â€œÃ la mode.”
    Catherine gasps. The waiter spins around and scurries back to the kitchen.
    Once he’s gone, David clears his throat and pulls at his tie. Over the top of his collar, the veins on his neck are bulging through his skin like long, blue ropes.
    â€œAhem … well, Tabitha, as I was saying before … I know we haven’t been around much lately. Unfortunately, it’s not going to change any time soon. There’s been a lot going on at the office. Some people have been asking to see some of our old files and your mother has been helping me try to sort it all out. And I’m afraid this could go on for a while yet … just so you know.”
    I shrug. “So somebody wants to see your files. Why is that a big deal?”
    David and Catherine exchange glances.
    â€œIt’s absolutely not a big deal,” he replies, shaking his head. “It’s just going to take some time to get everything straightened out.”
    I watch in amazement as the veins in his neck bulge bigger and bluer until I honestly think his head is going to explode right then and there. Something’s wrong. I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up — like a window has opened and a cool breeze has blown over my head.
    â€œYou’re not in any kind of trouble, are you?” I ask, suddenly serious.
    Catherine leans forward and points a perfectly manicured finger at me. “Of course your father’s not in trouble,” she hisses. “And we’re both working our butts off to make sure it stays that way.”
    â€œFor God’s sake, Catherine!” David growls, pounding his fist down on the table.
    â€œI don’t get it,” I say, shaking my head. “What’s going on with you guys?”
    â€œIt’s nothing for you to be worried