Something in Between by Melissa de La Cruz Page A

“Wow, Jas, that’s huge. How fancy is this dinner? What are you going to wear?”
    â€œI don’t know. I haven’t thought about that yet.”
    Kayla pulls me up from the bench. “We have to get out of here,” she says. “We’re going shopping!”
    * * *
    By Wednesday afternoon, I’ve got my bags completely packed. I stuffed a little blue glass bottle inside my suitcase so I can scoop up some dirt from the capital to add to my collection.
    We’re on the way to the airport. My brothers stayed home with one of Mom’s friends. Dad and Lola Cherry are along for the ride. Lola Cherry is in her seventies, wearing large Jackie O glasses, and has the demeanor of someone who was quite the looker in her youth. She dyes her hair black and wears bright red lipstick, but like the typical Filipino matron, lives in comfortable housedresses and flip-flops.
    I’ve been sort of dreading this moment when I leave them. It’s the first time I’ll be on my own anywhere, and I know how Mom can be. She’s worried and talking a hundred miles an hour. “You need to be careful out there. Washington, D.C., is filled with strange old men. You keep them away from you. Button up your blouse. And no makeup.”
    â€œA chaperone is picking me up at the airport,” I say, nibbling my nails. “You’re overreacting.”
    â€œI don’t know this chaperone,” Mom says.
    â€œMe either,” Dad says. “He could be a space alien for all I know.”
    â€œDaddy,” I say. “Just stop. You’re being silly. And it’s a girl.”
    Lola Cherry sits in the backseat, snickering. “If you were smart, Jasmine, you would take me along,” she says.
    â€œWhy? So you can flirt with all the old congressmen?” Dad says.
    Lola clicks her tongue. “I don’t flirt,” she says. “I don’t have to say a thing. They’ll come to me because of my beauty. They’ll take me to dinner on the town. I want to see this Washington, D.C., nightlife.”
    I laugh. I should probably take Lola Cherry—she’d probably have more fun than me.
    â€œLola Cherry!” Mom says. “You’re not helping. These people have no scruples.”
    â€œI know,” Lola says, winking at me.
    I grin back.
    â€œAy,” Mom says. “I knew we shouldn’t have let you come with us.”
    â€œSo you can keep torturing your daughter on your own?”
    â€œI’m not torturing her,” Mom says. “She needs to hear these things.”
    â€œMom,” I say. “I’ll be fine . It’s perfectly safe. This is a huge award. There’s a ton of security. Nothing will happen to me! Quit worrying. And you know what? That reform bill is going to pass the House. I can feel it. Everything will be okay.” My heart begins to beat faster, as I think about everything that’s at stake.
    â€œThat bill better pass,” Dad says. “Or the UFO is going to pick us up and take us away.”
    â€œDad, quit with the space alien jokes,” I sigh.
    â€œDon’t tell me you’re getting tired of them already.”
    Mom joins in. “We’re all getting tired of them.”
    Finally, Dad pulls up to the drop-off area at the airport. We say our goodbyes and Mom actually cries, which makes me cry too. Lola gives me a hug and tells me to put in a good word to any congressmen or senators who look like movie stars.
    â€œIf any look like Elvis, get their phone number for me,” she says.
    I hug her tightly. I love my crazy family. I wish my brothers were here. “I love you so much,” I tell Lola.
    Mom complains right away. “What about me?”
    â€œStop,” I say, kissing her cheek. “You know how much I love you. We’re practically the same person. I’m going to be fine. I’m going to meet the president of the United States.” I kiss Dad goodbye