Diane Tullson She picks her way to the door water squishing from her shoes In the time it takes to get outside I tell myself that no one knows who set the (cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:44)(cid:87)(cid:182)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) microwave malfunctioned Maybe it was (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:92)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:182)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:17)(cid:3) When I reach the front of the school only the Food Science 9 students stand dripping their clothes stuck to them their makeup running and their hair in lank strands Everyone else is dry Only the sprinklers in our classroom went off (cid:40)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:92)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:92)(cid:17)(cid:3) The Food Science 9 class does not (cid:191)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:92)(cid:17)(cid:3) Mielle hovers at Ms Koe’s side She tugs on the teacher’s arm What’s going to happen to our classroom Our class won’t be canceled will it I need this course I need to get into the chef program next year How will I get credit for this class 6
Taz’s Recipe Ms Koe stands with her arms at her side Her hair is plastered to her head It’s like she doesn’t hear Mielle Cal looks over at me Hey Torch got a towel He still has the spatula in his hand and if he had cookie dough I’m pretty sure he’d lob it at me Who am I kidding Everyone knows (cid:44)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:17)(cid:3) 7
Chapter Two I am not going to school not today not ever So when Dad knocks on my bedroom door I say I’m sick With what His voice sounds less than sympathetic Girl stuff Since when does girl stuff make you stay in bed 8
Taz’s Recipe Since when does my girl stuff concern you In the long silence I hear him think that my girl stuff has been his concern since my mother left She said she was leaving to help with my aunt’s new baby Mom isn’t in any hurry to come home the baby is in preschool now Dad sighs Taz can I open the door I pull the bedcovers up tight around my neck He comes in and sits on the edge of my bed He’s dressed for work He says You’re not sick So now I’m a liar as well as an arsonist He grins It was one classroom And (cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:191)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3) (cid:192)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:17)(cid:180) Not funny Dad And it never will be funny Tears sting my eyes The whole school knows it was me 9
