Who has painted this? Clara asks me, sounding really impressed.

A newly discovered artist. I smile at her. You like?

Its genius! She says as she returns her focus on the painting.

I laugh at her and stroke her back. What about you mom? I ask Bette.

Im really impressed. She tells me. its really, really good!

So was this the surprise? Clara asks me, looking at me again.

Its a part of it. I say smiling at her.

Wheres the other part? She asks.

Well, if you all agree to coming to dinner tonight youll see what the other part is. I say.

Of course we want to come to dinner with you tonight sweetie. Tina says.

Great! So can I come and pick you up ay 7? I ask.

Youre not gonna stay here? Clara asks, looking disappointed.

I have some things to take care of. I say. But Ill see you tonight.

I hug her and then my moms before I leave the house.

**Clara**

Kathy is out of the house as fast as she got in. But at least well see her again tonight.

So, kiddo, where should we put the painting? Bette asks. Do you wanna have it in your room?

I shrug. Sure.

We walk up to my room and inspect the walls.

Where do you want it? Bette asks me.

That was a stupid question really though, cause I dont have a lot of space on my walls to hang it on. My walls are already full of my own paintings and drawings. I walk up to the spot between my des and my bed and rip some of the drawings down.

Hey, be careful with those! Tina tells me. Youll be happy that you still have them when youre older

Thats so typical of mommy Tina to think about the future.

Mom, its really no big deal, its not like theyre great or something. I say as I finish ripping down the rest.

Bette holds the painting to the wall and I get to say when its in the right height while mommy Tina goes after a hammer and nail. She walks up to Bette to give her the stuff, but they both fumble and drop the nail. I watch as mommy Tina bends down to pick it up, and for some reason she turns her head and look under my bed. I realize that Im so busted.

Clara! She says and I can tell shes angry. Bette turns around, not knowing what the fuzz is about, she looks like a living question mark.

What now? She asks Tina and Tina point to under my bed. Bette bends down and looks in under it.

I try to look tiny and regretful so that maybe theyll have mercy on me. That has never happened so far though, and I doubt its gonna happen now.

We told you to clean up your room, not shovel all your stuff in under the bed! Tina says to me.

I look at the floor. Im sorry.

What have you been doing all morning with that loud music on? Bette asks.

Um, resting I say, already knowing that she wont accept that answer, but at least I tried.

No you didnt. She says, just as I knew she would. I consider telling her the truth, but decide that its better not to.

I talked to Josh on the phone.  I say.

No way. Tina says. You wouldnt have heard him.

One last chance. Bette says. What were you doing?

I look around my room to find something to help me out of this, but I cant find anything. I decide that Ill tell the truth after all. I look at the both of them. I had a girl here

  TBC… It won’t be as long ’til I post that part though. Hopefully.