Read Online Ten Ways to Make My Sister Disappear by Norma Fox Mazer - Free Book Online Page B

looks at her watch. “Dakota, go get ready, hon. The stores are going to be jammed if we go too late.”
    â€œI am ready,” Dakota says.
    â€œI think you should change your shirt.”
    â€œYou don’t like this one?” Dakota looks down at her pink blouse.
    â€œI don’t like it,” Sprig says. “I don’t like that color with your red hair.”
    â€œI don’t like your ten-year-old opinion.”
    â€œThe shirt’s nice,” Mom says, “and the color is fine for you, but it has too many buttons. It’ll be a nuisance when you want to try things on. Didn’t I get you one just like that, Sprig?”
    Sprig nods. “Mom,” she says, once Dakota goes to change, “do you remember what I told you last night?”
    Mom has all her credit cards out on the table and is sorting through them. “What, honey? Ah, here it is, the one I was looking for.”
    â€œMom.” Sprig’s throat is tight. “Bliss and I had a fight.”
    â€œOh, right. I’m sorry, honey. Don’t brood over it, okay?” She’s putting all her cards back into her purse now. “I’m sure the two of you will make up.”
    â€œMom, I’m ready,” Dakota says. She’s changed into a green pullover.
    Â 
    Sprig stands at the window and watches as Mom backs down the driveway. Outside, the sky is gray, and wind whirls the snow up into flurries. Inside, the house is quiet, except for the rumble of the furnace. “Good,” she says out loud. “They’re gone.” But at once she feels lonely and presses her forehead against the cold window.
    What now? She could do her vacation homework and get it out of the way. She could clean up her side of her room. She could think about what she’ll wear to Russell’s party tomorrow night. No, none of that.
    She goes on the computer and plays solitaire and bores herself. She eats chocolate ice cream out of the carton, and it’s too cold and makes her sinuses ache. She punches in Bliss’s number on the phone, but as soon as she hears the ring, she hangs up. Finally, she puts on her boots and her fleece, crosses the yard, and goes up the stairs to Miss Ruthie’s apartment.
    The door is locked. Sprig knocks and calls, “Miss Ruthie, it’s me!”
    When Miss Ruthie opens the door, Sprig is shocked to see that she’s still in her old blue bathrobe. She squints at Sprig, almost as if she doesn’t know her. Her gray hair is wild, uncombed. “What’s the matter, Miss Ruthie? Are you sick?”
    â€œI don’t know.” Miss Ruthie’s voice is slurred, like she’s drunk or something. “Sprig …” Her voice falls away. “Come … in.” She sits down abruptly at the kitchen table, pressing her hands slowly to her neck. “I’m a … I’m … dizzy.”
    Cora whines and puts her head in Miss Ruthie’s lap. “Oh … don’t,” Miss Ruthie breathes, as if she can hardly get out the words.
    â€œCome here, Cora,” Sprig says. “Miss Ruthie, do you want me to call the doctor?”
    Slowly, she shakes her head. “No … no … it’ll pass,” she says, in the same slurred voice. She rises and shuffles unsteadily toward her bedroom, holding on to the wall. She makes it to the side of her bed, then just stands there, swaying.
    â€œYou better lie down,” Sprig says anxiously. “Do you want me to cover you up?” She pulls up the quilt, tucking it around the old woman’s shoulders.
    â€œCora …” Miss Ruthie says, her voice fading. “Foo …” Her eyes close.
    â€œWhat about Cora, Miss Ruthie?” The old woman doesn’t answer. She’s breathing heavily.
    In the kitchen, Sprig sees that both Plucky’s and Cora’s food bowls are in the sink, along with some dishes and pots. “Cora, did you get fed or