Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia

Author:Tehlor Kay Mejia [Mejia, Tehlor Kay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2024-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

15

On the way home, I take out my phone to text Inez to meet me at my house after her shift. But before I can hit send, I realize that might not be the smartest decision. Feeling like I’ve lost something precious, I put it away. I’ll tell her in the morning. Maybe if I don’t see her tonight I’ll actually get some decent sleep for once.

But before that, I get to tell Parker about the party.

“Oh-em-gee,” she says when I’ve finished explaining the plan. “I thought I was in trouble for lying and now we get to actually have the party? Am I dreaming?”

I laugh. “You weren’t in trouble,” I tell her. “It’s normal to want to make people happy by telling them what they want to hear. But you’ve learned your lesson, and Auntie Inez and I think the party will be a great way to get people to help us with some things we need to do for Joyce’s.”

It seems obvious we’ll have to repeat this part of the conversation, because it’s clear she hasn’t heard anything I’ve said since “party.” “Will there be donkeys?” she asks.

“Yes,” I say. “It’s at the farm, so the donkeys will be present.”

“And a stage?” Parker asks.

“Yes.”

“Ice cream?” she asks, ticking off on her fingers as I answer.

“Unconfirmed, but I’m sure we can figure something out.”

“There has to be ice cream,” she says.

“I know there will be pastries,” I offer.

Parker looks mollified by this, at least momentarily. “How many friends can I invite?”

“As many as you want,” I answer, thinking that Parker’s classmates will bring their parents and their parents might make donations. “But remember, it’s not your party, it’s a party for Joyce’s, so let’s practice telling the whole truth when you invite people, okay?”

She nods impatiently. “How many of my friends can go in the VIP section?” she asks.

My head is officially spinning. Even George and Linda didn’t ask this many questions. “How do you know what a VIP section is?” I ask a little wearily.

“Madison,” Parker says nonchalantly, as if Madison weren’t persona non grata just a few days ago.

“Since when are you and Madison so chummy?”

“Well,” Parker says, carefully avoiding her green beans in favor of potatoes. “She said she liked my moxie, so even though I defied her I could still come to her party. But now I’m having an even better one.” Her smile turns a little maniacal before she catches my eye. “Joyce’s is having an even better one,” she amends quickly.

“Good,” I tell her. “Now you just need to remember that at school tomorrow, okay?”

Parker taps her temple. “It’s all up here,” she says. “Now, will there be a bounce house, yes or no?”

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