Page 23

Twenty-Three

Bodhi

She’s here!

She came!

I can’t believe it. I thought for sure she wouldn’t.

I peek around the corner, where they can’t see me.

Daddy stands and takes the gift from Miss Jade, putting it with all the other awesome gifts everyone got me. Birthdays are so fun.

“What are you looking at?” Micha comes up behind me.

His mom looks like she’s mad.

“Hi, Micha.” I wave.

“Is your dad here, Bodhi?” She’s not smiling.

I want to say “no, he’s busy” because I want him and Miss Jade to be alone, but I know I’ll get in trouble if I don’t tell her.

“In the birthday room.” I point at it.

“I’ll be back in a couple hours, Micha. Have fun.” She hugs him and kisses his cheek. “Happy birthday, Bodhi.”

“Thanks.”

Micha takes off his shoes and tosses them at his mom. “Here, Mom.”

She catches them without dropping my present. Moms are so cool.

“Come on,” I say, running toward where our other friends are.

“Bodhi, my mom was mad I didn’t have an invite. She called your dad,” he whispers, and I stop before climbing in.

“I told you to say you lost it.”

“She woulda been mad at me, and then I couldn’t come. Is Miss Jade here? Did it work?”

I nod and smile.

He smiles too.

We did it.