Little Lies

Chapter 8: Another Business Trip

I was hanging upside down from a tree branch when Papa walked by.

"Hello, monkey."

"Hi, Papa. Where are you going?"

"I have to go away on a business trip for a few days"

"Oh, Papa!" I swung up, then dropped down next to Papa. "You're always going away on business trips. Why don't you send Uncle Phil?"

"That's what I love about you, Clara. You have a practical solution for everything."

"Please don't go, Papa."

"Sorry, kitten. I have to go on this trip."

I grabbed Papa's hand and walked with him down the drive. "I can go with you. I'll carry your suitcase."

"You might not like that job, Clara. You'd have to wear a dress and high heels, not very good for climbing trees."

"Oh," I frowned. "Maybe when I'm older."

"Yes, definitely when you're older." He gave me a hug. "When did you get so big? I remember when you were barely up to my knees. Now you're practically as tall as me. Wasn't that yesterday?"

"Oh, Papa!" I laughed.

The taxi driver put Papa's suitcase in the trunk, then opened the door for Papa.

Papa got into the taxi and rolled down the window. "You take care of Mama while I'm gone, ok?"

"Ok, Papa."

"And remember, you're always my girl." He blew me a kiss. "I love you, kitten."

"I'll remember. I love you too, Papa." I blew him a kiss and waved as the taxi honked twice and drove away.

=

Uncle Phil and Mama stopped whispering when I walked through the dining room the next morning.

"Where are you going, young lady?" Uncle Phil put down his napkin.

"Out."

"Clara, darling, what about breakfast?" Mama took a sip of tea.

"I'm not hungry, Mama."

"You know they're talking about you," Alice whispered in my ear.

"I know," I hissed.

"Don't mumble, Clara. It's not polite," Uncle Phil said.

"Neither is whispering," I said.

Uncle Phil's face turned red, and he stood up.

I bolted for the door, with Alice right next to me.

"Come back here, Clara!" Uncle Phil yelled.

"You can't tell me what to do! You're not my papa!" I yelled and slammed the front door behind me.

Alice appeared next to me. "Uncle Phil is just a big bully. Don't let him push you around."

=

It was midafternoon when I trudged back to the house, wet pant legs rolled up above my knees, my shirt splattered with mud, and my shoes dangling by their laces from a rope tied around my waist. When I saw the tea party on the front lawn, I considered returning to the river.

But Priscilla saw me before I could run away. "Clara! Oh, Clara! Come here and join us!"

Priscilla was a skinny girl with big knobby knees. She wore a pink chiffon dress, a huge pink bow in her hair, and matching pink shoes. She reminded me of a flamingo. Sitting across from her was Maria, dressed in all black as usual, her cheek resting in the palm her hand, her eyes out of focus.

"Snap out of it, Maria!" Priscilla pushed Maria's arm, almost collapsing her into a black velvet ball. "Clara's here. Now we'll have some fun."

"Their idea of fun is making fun of you," Alice whispered in my ear.

I took a deep breath, then smiled sweetly.

"You're not planning what I think you're planning, are you?" Alice asked.

"I am," I whispered back.

"Who is Clara talking to?" Maria asked Mama and Aunt Fran, who joined the girls.

"Oh, her imaginary friend," Mama said, and yawned.

Aunt Fran elbowed Mama. "That's mean, Jo. How do you expect Clara to have friends when you say things like that?"

"It's just a joke," Mama said.

"It's not funny," Aunt Fran said.

I approached Priscilla and Maria. "I'm so sorry that I didn't have any party gifts ready for you. I wasn't expecting you to visit."

Mama smiled and nodded.

"But I do have these." I held out my fists. When I opened them, each hand held a frog.

Priscilla and Maria screamed and jumped up, scattering tea cups and cookies. They ran back home.

Mama jumped back. "Clara, take those, those--things back where you found them!" She turned to Aunt Fran. "Franny, aren't they awful?"

"I agree!" Aunt Fran winked at me. "I hope you never invite those girls back again, such horrible screeching things!" She walked over to me and put her arm around my shoulders. "Let's return those frogs to their proper homes. Did you give them names?"

=

Several nights later, Papa came home from his business trip, and called Uncle Phil into his study.

Alice and I sat on the landing. "Papa doesn't look happy, does he?" I whispered.

She shook her head.

Uncle Phil left the study, his face red.

"Uncle Phil doesn't look happy, either," Alice whispered.

Uncle Phil and Aunt Fran walked out the front door soon afterwards.

Bessie walked into the hallway. "You come down now, Miss Clara. And you behave yourself for once."

"Yes, Bessie."

I slid down the bannister and followed Bessie into the dining room. Before I sat down, I kissed Papa on the forehead and nodded to Mama. Neither of them said anything to me.

After Bessie served dinner, Mama and Papa ate without looking at each other.

"Papa, I brought some frogs to the tea party this--"

Papa didn't smile. Mama glared at me.

I sank into my chair and looked at Bessie. She arched one eyebrow and put her finger to her lips.

I frowned and played with my salad, ate a few asparagus spears, and crunched on a celery stick so loudly that Mama and Papa looked at me. "I'm not hungry anymore. I'm going up to my room."

They both nodded, so I stood up and left the dining room.

"They're in a bad mood," Alice said when I sat down on the landing.

"Did I do something wrong? Besides the frogs, I mean?"

Alice shifted in and out of focus. "I thought the frogs were a good idea. Priscilla and Maria are mean little girls. I hope they marry boys with warts."

I laughed.

"Do you know what they said about you afterwards?" she asked.

"Probably nothing nice. I’m never going to talk to them again."

"That's a good idea."

I picked at the rug. "Alice, do you think it's my fault that my parents argue all the time?"

Alice snorted. "Clara, you're the only reason they stay together."

"Oh." I picked at a different spot on the rug.

"Bessie is going to swat your bottom when she finds out you're the reason that rug is getting so bare.” Alice floated in front of me. "Your parents are in the study now. Do you want me to find out what they're talking about?"

I shook my head. "No. I'd rather you stay with me. You're my only friend in the whole world. I'd be lost without you."

"Aw, Clara, I love you."

"I love you, too, Alice."