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the driveway, I knew they were home. I ran a brush through my hair, dabbed on a little lip gloss, did that sideways thing in the mirror smoothing out my T-shirt and shorts, and headed across the street.
    Standing on their front step, I listened to the doorbell echo through the house. I heard footsteps and then Mrs. Swicker opened the door. Her face fell when she realized it was me. I’m not making that up, she looked positively crestfallen and she didn’t bother to hide it.
    â€œYes?” she sighed.
    â€œHi,” I said brightly. “Megan and Sam home?”
    â€œNo.”
    Her answer caught me off guard. “No?”
    She put her hand on her hip and leaned toward me. “I think I would know whether or not my kids were home.”
    As I pulled back I thought I caught a whiff of something on her breath—alcohol? “Yeah, ummm, of course,” I stuttered. “Just tell them…” The door closed in my face. “That I was looking for them…” My voice trailed off.
    I marched down their front steps shaking my head. I must have imagined the smell. It wasn’t even ten o’clock. She definitely OD’d on her nasty pills, though. I couldn’t imagine my mom treating any of my friends like that, even the ones she’s not too crazy about. Why did Mrs. Swicker have it in for me? Dad says I’m so sweet I give him cavities.
    Back home and still a little ticked, I threw two pieces of bread in the toaster and slammed down the lever. I stared out the kitchen window at their house, wishing I had x-ray vision so I could see what in the world was going on behind those walls.
    â€œWhat the…?”
    There was Megan, walking across her driveway, carrying some stuff to the van. Okay, was this some mass conspiracy? Up until now I’d thought it was just their bizzarro mother.
    I ran out the front door. “Megan!” I shouted.
    She looked up and waved. “Hey!”
    I crossed the street to meet her. “I was just at your house. Your mom said you weren’t home.” I stared at her intently, looking for telltale signs of deception.
    â€œYou were?” She looked genuinely surprised. “I heard the bell. Mom said it was some kid collecting bottles for a bottle drive.”
    We both stood there, looking at each other, frowning in deep concentration.
    â€œI can’t imagine why she’d tell you that,” Megan continued, scrunching up her nose.
    â€œBeats me,” I shrugged.
    â€œMaybe she misunderstood. What did you say?”
    â€œNot a lot. She pretty much slammed the door in my face.”
    â€œOh…sorry,” she said, apologetically.
    â€œI mean, no offense, but I just don’t get it. Does she always act that way with your friends, or just with me?”
    Megan took her time answering. “Well, since we move so much, we don’t get the chance to make a lot of friends.”
    â€œOh.” I sort of felt bad.
    â€œShe’s just not what you’d call a people person, I guess. So, like, don’t let it bother you.” She kept sneaking peeks over my shoulder towards her house, like she was watching for something or someone.
    I couldn’t help it. I turned my head to follow her line of vision. The curtain moved in the window.
    â€œOh, okay then,” I said slowly.
    â€œSo what did you want when you came over?”
    I got the feeling she was trying to change the subject. “Right. I thought we could plan a day down at the waterfront. I could show you and Sam all the touristy things. You know, ‘all the things Halifax has to offer’?”
    â€œUmm…maybe.” She slid her ring up and down her finger. “I don’t know if Mom…”
    I sighed heavily. “Let me guess, you don’t think your mom will let you.”
    â€œNo, no, she might…” Megan said, shaking her head. “It’s just like she has this thing about letting us do stuff with