The bell rings after English
and Stacey says, “Daddy finally let me get the Cream album.
You want to come over today and listen?”
“I can’t. Remember?”
“No, it’s different. Mother did an about-face
about . . . all that. She asked me to invite you.”
“What made it different?”
Stacey shrugs. “I think when she met your mother
at the wives’ tea.”
I don’t know what Mama did or said
to change Stacey’s mom’s mind.
I want to say yes—but
I want to go
when I want to go,
not when Stacey’s mom
says I can.
“Today’s not a good day,” I tell Stacey,
which is the truth.
“I have a lot of homework,”
which is kind of a lie.
“Sure?” she asks.
I nod. “Yeah.”
I know she knows what I’m thinking
because she’s my best friend
and can read my mind.
“Maybe tomorrow?” she asks.
“Maybe.”
“Mimi, please don’t be mad at me.”
“I’m not.”
Which is also kind of a lie.
“Okay, call me tonight,” she says,
and looks kind of sad. I would be lying
if I said that didn’t make me
kind of happy.