Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn

Author:Gillian McDunn
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781547606269
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2022-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

Maribel Martinez is coming over this afternoon so we can make pie.

I never knew this before, but people with celiac disease have to be really careful with what they eat. Even a tiny speck of gluten can make them feel sick for days. So before Maribel came over, our moms talked and made a plan to make sure everything was safe for her. This means squeaky-clean counters, bowls, and utensils. No using any butter that might have bread crumbs in it. Mom even bought a new colander, just to be on the safe side.

The idea of Maribel coming over makes me feel a bit jumpy. I arrange the butter and salt next to the strawberries from the farmers’ market. Then I decide I should probably wipe down the counters a fourth time. I would feel terrible if she got sick because of me.

Mom comes in the kitchen when I’m scrubbing the sink.

“What’s up, El?” she asks. “Are you nervous about something?”

I shrug. “It’s just that no one has really been over since Malcolm left. It feels kind of weird.” I don’t get into the fact that Maribel is both popular and a genius, which, let’s be honest, is a challenging combination.

Mom pats my hand. “It will be fine. Just be yourself.”

Easy for her to say.

When the doorbell rings, I almost jump out of my chair. But when I open the door, I don’t see Popular Maribel or Genius Maribel. I see regular old Maribel, a three-ring binder in one hand and a grocery bag in the other.

She grins. “Our secret ingredient—gluten-free flour.”

I take the package from her and tell her thanks. I was glad when she offered to buy the flour—I wouldn’t have known which one to pick.

Our first stop is Denver and Omelet’s cage. Her eyes light up when she sees them. “They’re so cute! Remind me which one is which.”

I show her, and she pets them both. “You have the most fabulous hair,” she says, patting Denver. “And you have the sweetest face,” she says to Omelet. He cuddles against her hand like he’s ready to pack his suitcases and move to her house.

Mom sticks her head in the room. “Hi, Maribel. I’m Elliott’s mom, Nina.”

Maribel looks up from the guinea pigs. “I love all the things on your walls.”

I can tell Mom is happy that Maribel likes our house, and I am too. Our house has a lot of personal things in it, so if someone likes them, then it feels as though they like us too.

“Maribel, will you need a ride home afterward? I’m happy to drop you off so your parents don’t have to double back,” Mom says.

Maribel shakes her head. “They’re shopping downtown and said they’ll pick me up after.”

Mom smiles at both of us. “I’ll be in the office catching up on some paperwork. Holler if you need me.”

Mom heads down the hall to her room. Maribel and I are quiet for a moment. She’s rubbing behind Omelet’s ears, and he has a look of total bliss on his face.

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