Chapter 30

KNOCK, KNOCK

A couple of days pass. Brainzilla can’t tell if I’m just sad or having a crisis, so she calls Dr. Marcuse, and she and I have a long talk. By the end of it, Dr. Marcuse says I’m just sad, and I’m handling things very well, and I should come and talk to her next week, so we set up a time.

I don’t mention my plan to stay in Mrs. Morris’s house.

I don’t think she’d support it, to tell you the truth. My friends sure don’t.

But I really, really want to. Someone has to take care of Morris the Dog. Besides, I miss my room, even if it was only “mine” for a short time. I miss having a place that’s mine, you know? Is this a good idea? Probably not. But what else am I supposed to do? Live with Brainzilla? Her family can barely afford the kids they have. Live with Eggy? Please—they’re sweet, but they aren’t looking for a new daughter.

Anyway, I figure I can stay at Mrs. Morris’s for a little while.… until Social Services comes after me.

It takes them only two days.

“Margaret Clarke?” the man asks.

I ask to see some identification, and Mr. Tenant Goldborough introduces himself. He’s slim and losing his hair. In fact, he’s losing his hair rapidly—in front of my very eyes. He walks around the living room, making notes in a small notebook and shedding all over the furniture. He seems kind of clueless, but mostly harmless. “Mrs. Morris was your care provider?”

“Yes.”

“And the two of you lived here?”

“Yes.”

Then he looks me in the eye and drops his bombshell.

“Ms. Clarke, I’m afraid that, as a minor, you can’t live here alone.” He’s kind enough to look sort of sorry about it.

So I drop a bombshell right back.

“I’m not alone,” I tell him.