I really try to finish mine, but I can’t; each tiny spoonful I ingest makes me want to gag more than the previous one. Diego, definitely a much better sport, manages to finish all his pudding, and even has the poker face to compliment Julia, gaining an appreciative nod from my mom.

And so, after an hour and a half of suffering, we’re all allowed to retire for the night and go lick our wounds in private. I don’t know if this is a behavior typical of herbivorous or carnivorous species, but right now, I’m only hoping I can find a cereal bar hidden at the bottom of my bag.

Thirteen

Pizza Gate

Later, in my room, Diego and I are lying on opposite sides of the bed, wrapped in utter misery. Mr. Darcy, who wasn’t forced to eat a vegan cat dinner, is curled up at our feet, much more contented. Barely half an hour since we left the dinner table and I’m already famished. So much so that my stomach grumbles loudly, prompting Diego to turn toward me.

“Hungry?” he asks.

“Yeah, you?”

“Starving. Does your mom have any of that mac and cheese left?”

“Even if she did, we can’t go downstairs and heat it up in the evil microwave. If Julia found out, she’d throw the tantrum of the century.”

“Right now, I’d gladly eat it cold.”

“Nah, I’ve had enough cold food for one night.” I sigh as my belly complains again.

I can’t go to sleep on an empty stomach. There must be a way to get a proper dinner without Julia finding out…

“Wait,” I say, and grab my phone to text Blair.

Where are u?

U coming over?

Yeah, just finishing walking Chevron

Be there in ten

Any chance you’ll pass near the pizza place by the corner?

Standing right in front of it now

Why?

Can you order two giant pizzas to go?

Sure

I ♥ you

When you get here come in through the back door

It’s open

Come upstairs immediately and be stealthy

No one can see you

???

I’ll explain once you’re here

But Julia can’t catch you

Make sure she’s nowhere in sight before you enter

And hurry

We’re hungry

Half an hour later the door of my room bursts open and Blair enters in a blur, balancing two giant pizza boxes in one hand while trying not to stumble over Chevron. The dog has barreled into the room, slaloming between her legs.

“I’ve made it,” she says.

I get up to relieve her of the pizzas, and carefully close the door behind her.

“Did anyone see you?” I ask.

“Your dad, but he’s promised to keep quiet.” Blair bites her lower lip. “But I suspect he might come over and ask for a pizza bribe in exchange for his silence. He was looking at the boxes like he’s never seen pizza before. Did you guys all skip dinner or something?” She removes her coat and goes to sit at my desk.