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"Eric is just a kid. He's harmless. He's never even been out of California."
"Did you tell him you've been out of California?"
"No, I'm not stupid," Megan retorted. "I even pretend not to understand what they're saying in Spanish class."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it. No photos, okay?"
"I already said no," Megan said grumpily. "Relax already."
Ria could barely remember what it felt like to be relaxed.
"And I was the one who was trapped on that island, not you," Megan reminded her. "So I know what's at stake. But it was a long time ago, and I don't want to live my whole life being afraid of every shadow."
"Then let me be afraid of the shadows. You just concentrate on your life." She paused. "I was thinking last night about college. I would like you to go, Megan. I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention. I hope you haven't missed some important admission tests."
"It doesn't matter, Ria. I won't be able to get into a university. My grades are okay this year, but we told them that I was home schooled, and we don’t have transcripts for all of my high school years."
Ria frowned. Megan was right. She was a bright girl, but it would be difficult to create an educational background for her.
"It's fine," Megan continued. "I don't have to go to college. I should get a job anyway and help you pay for stuff."
"Maybe community college," Ria suggested. "It won't be a problem to get in there. You can do two years there, establish your educational credentials and then transfer."
"I suppose."
"We'll talk more about it. I want you to be able to do whatever you want in life."
"If I'm ever free to do it," Megan grumbled.
Ria wanted to tell her that she would be free one day, but how could she make that promise? Instead she said, "Your mom loved school. She was a straight-A student."
"But she didn't finish college. She met my dad, fell in love, and had me."
"And she was very happy about that choice. Don't ever doubt that Megan."
Megan sighed, her eyes filled with pain. "I miss her and Dad. Will it ever stop hurting?"
"Probably not, but you'll learn to live with it." She took a breath. "We can talk about her more, if it would help."
"Really? Because you don't usually like to talk about her."
"I just didn't want to make you sad. And maybe I didn't want to make myself sad."
"What happened between you?" Megan asked suddenly. "I didn't even know I had an aunt until I was ten years old. I didn't know I had a grandfather until we went to his funeral that same year. I asked Mom, but she said she wasn't close to her family. That's it. That's all she would say. But then suddenly she's calling you and telling you our problems and begging you to help."
"We were sisters, no matter the distance or the time."
"But what happened? And don't tell me nothing," Megan warned.
"I'll tell you the whole story, but not right this second." She ignored Megan's groan. "I have to go to work."
"It's Monday. Why are you working; it's your day off."
"I'm covering the office today. Janine has some personal business." She paused. "My family drama is not earth-shattering. It just involved a lot of angry people and hurt feelings and disappointment, and it happened a long time ago. I will tell you everything one day."
"Fine," Megan said, her sullen expression returning. "I won't hold my breath."
Ria stood up. "Okay, you're going to hate what I'm about to say next, but I have to say it anyway. I don't want anyone here while I'm gone. You can stay home, but no one comes over until I'm back."
"Everyone is at school."
"Yeah, but you have open lunch, and I can see your friends coming over to say hello, so tell them that you're going to the doctor or something. Whatever excuse you want. But no visitors."
Megan sighed. "I don't know what the big deal is. They're my friends. I see them every day. And they've all been in this apartment before. There's nothing here that would make anyone suspicious."
"This is just another one of those rules you have to follow."
"Fine. But I still get to do the all-night party after the prom, right?"
