Lacy had pounced on her as if she was a little mouse with which to play. Even though sometimes Nem sensed she was nothing more than an amusement to her friend, she reminded herself that without Lacy she’d have nobody. Already parentless, friendless certainly wouldn’t help her fit in. Besides this, Peg would ask her constantly how she was doing and if she had friends. She’d grown to appreciate her foster-mother’s kindness and she didn’t want to disappoint her.

On the stupid day it happened, the two of them had sat eating lunch on a bench beneath a gnarled, shady oak tree which provided cool respite from the summer heat. Her friend had spent the ten minutes so far boasting of her upcoming European family vacation.

Nem had the distinct feeling the intention of this conversation was to rub her nose in a lifestyle she didn’t live and probably never would. The best tactic she had found was to play along in the hope that her friend would grow tired of the game.

“That sounds awesome,” said Nem, thinking it really did.

“Oh, I’m not so excited. We go somewhere exciting every summer and it means I’ve got to do whatever my family wants to do. Dullsville. We only travel overseas because my dad runs a big company, and he saves money on tax or something. I don’t really understand. He always hugs me when he talks about it and says, ‘Making memories with my princess is worth every cent.’ Where are you going?”

Nem might have been only fourteen but when someone spoke down to her, she totally got the message. She understood people, more than anyone suspected. One thing she did attempt to believe in was kindness and fairness. “Be kind and you’ll receive everything you deserve,” her mom had told her countless times.

Lacy wasn’t being kind. In fact, the way she spoke made her seem arrogant and she didn’t like how she smiled when she asked Nem about her plans for summer. She must know Nem had no plans and her life with Peg and Ray was uncertain. Every time the social services woman came, she felt a quickening in her chest and a thick knot in her stomach. She had grown to love them. And she’d even shared this with her friend.

“I’m not going anywhere. Why do you ask things you already know?”

“Gee. Touchy-wuchy. Just saying. Sometimes you’re so weird Nem. Must be from what happened to you with your mom. So sad. That’s why I forgive you for acting the way you do.” She said so sad in a patronizing tone as if she didn’t really think it was sad.

Lacy’s lips briefly curled up at the side in an unconvincing smile.

That’s when Nem’s temper began to burn a slow fuse. Some friend. In fact, no friend.

“I think this is you trying to be mean. You want me to be jealous of you. Well, I’m not. Everything works out in the end. My mom said, life swings in ups and downs. Mine will swing back. Peg’s really nice and she might keep me. I could be her daughter one day. I don’t need a fancy vacation. I’m sure my upswing will happen if I remember to always be kind.”