Sticky Fingers by Niki Burnham Read Free Book Online Page A

dorm.”
    “I guess that’s one upside.” Pretty damned pathetic one.
    She’s quiet for a sec, then says, “I know it sounds awful, but seeing my parents acting all nice is making me think it’s going to be the right thing for them. And now that I’ve had a couple days to absorb it, and I’ve been able to talk to Mat and to you, I’m actually okay with the whole thing.”
    I don’t know what to say to this. My parents have always been really good together, so I can’t imagine being in her place. But I don’t see how it can possibly be
okay.
    “Just let me know if I can do anything.” I can’t resist the e-mail flag waving to me from my computer, so I click on it and scan the e-mails in my in-box. It’s most of the usual stuff: spam asking me if I want to increase the size of my portfolio (among other things), my daily horoscope, my soap operaupdate, and an e-mail from my cool cousin Mark in DC. He just turned twenty and goes to Georgetown, so he’s my source for what college is really like.
    “You have so many good things going on for you right now, I mean with Harvard and all. I don’t want to drag you down.”
    “Courtney, this has nothing to do with—”
    “Okay, okay, Harvard Girl. I know what you can do,” she says. “Let’s go shopping tomorrow afternoon, before we meet the guys. I talked to Scott about it when I was getting off work at Stop & Shop yesterday, and he thought we should all meet at five for dinner, then catch a movie. So we could go shopping around two? Since it’s Saturday, I only have to do setup and then work through noon at the deli counter.”
    I have zero desire—and zero funds—for shopping, but I click on to my calendar. “You’ll be done before me. I’m babysitting for the Eversons from nine thirty to one thirty. How ’bout if I call you as soon as I get home?” Maybe by then she’ll have lost interest.
    “Perfect!” She starts to say something else, but there’s a click on the line as her call-waiting beeps ather. “Oops … I think that’s Mat. Hold on a sec.”
    “Nah, go ahead and talk to Mat. I stayed up late studying for advanced bio last night, so I’m going to crash early.”
    “Okay.”
    She says good-bye, but only sort of. She’s clicking over to Mat before the whole word gets out of her mouth. And even though it’s her parents who are getting divorced, somehow I’m the one who feels hollow inside as I hang up the phone.
    And I’m getting totally sick of everyone’s reaction to the H word.
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: Today’s Horoscope
    Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
    Life feels out of balance today, Libra. Instead of trying to reason out the motives of others, take time to focus on yourself. Unexpected communication from a loved one could give perspective.
    Your Leo Partner (July 23-Aug. 22)
    Leo can be aggressive and impulsive, but if anyone can bring equilibrium to a Leo, it’s you, Libra.
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: Harvard vs. G’Town
    So. Harvard. Early. You’ve said it now, don’t say it again or I’ll have to kill you. You know they rejected me not once, but twice. I’m sure my wasted application fees went to a good cause, like paying for the solvent they use when buffing the library floors.
    Seriously, though, good for you, Jenna. I am still of the opinion you should come to Georgetown so I can hook you up with some of my (smarter) friends, and because DC is infinitely more fun than Cambridge, Massachusetts. But I’ll forgive you if you promise to come here for spring break. Tell your parents you’re staying with me (for some reason, theythink I’m trustworthy), and that I’m going to take you to the art museums and on a tour of the Supreme Court. They’ll let you. Flights from Boston are cheap.
    And don’t worry about Scott. You shouldn’t feel guilty about getting into Harvard ahead of him. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think