Chapter 21

"I have good news, and I have bad news," I announced as Robbie walked up to her locker. She'd driven to school with the Bradley girls that morning.

"Let me guess. The good news is, you haven't been expelled. The bad news is, you're suspended for two weeks," Robbie said with a grin.

"Not even close. I haven't even seen Parker this morning."

"That's MISTER Parker to you," Tami said in a deep authoritative voice.

Robbie laughed. "So what's the news?"

"You're losing your sisters."

"I am?"

I nodded. "Yep. Mr. Blandings, the developer whose building that new sub-division at Falcon Hills, is giving them a house."

"Giving?" Robbie seemed shocked.

"Well not giving, exactly. He's selling it at cost with no down, and he'll carry the mortgage."

Robbie looked disappointed. "And what's the good news?"

"The good news is, the house won't be ready for two weeks. Maybe three." I looked at Tami. "You know, I think she's bonded with her sisters."

Tami didn't answer, she just hugged Robbie.

"Will it be big enough?" Robbie asked after a minute. "There's six of them now." After Mr. Mulino had arranged with a airline friend for John Bradley to fly home for free, Robbie's dad had offered him a job so he could stay.

"It's a four bedroom so the twins will have to share, but I doubt they'd have it any other way." I stepped up beside her and put my arm around her shoulder. "You know, just because they move out doesn't mean they have to stop being your sisters."

I was wondering if I was going to get away with it. I mean, it was seventh period and I hadn't even seen Parker all day. Maybe he realized that he didn't have a leg to stand on. Or maybe there had been enough complaints at the district office to keep him busy. Either way, I figured less than ten more minutes and I'd made it through another week without getting suspended.

Mrs. Conners was playing lightning round again. So far I'd had to defend eminent domain for private development and sending troops into Mexico to create a buffer zone. Personally, I thought we should send the troops north and annex Canada. Then we'd bomb Paris until they took back Quebec.

"Tony. Lawyers are the foundation of our society. Go."

I opened my mouth but nothing came out. I closed it again.

"Tony, you're burning the clock."

"Can I take an F for the day?"

"No."

"Lawyers are..."

"SIMS! What is the meaning of this?" Parker shouted as he stormed into the classroom. I never thought I'd actually be glad to see him. He slammed a newspaper down on my desk. The article I saw had a picture of a local ranger who'd just won some kind of forest service award.

"Meaning of what?"

Tami shot to her feet. "Can't you read?"

"Miss Sharp?"

"Or are you just stupid?"