Kate grabbed her purse and headed out, pulling into the Pavillion lot at just before one. Trying not to be royally pissed took some real effort, and by the time she’d spoken to the manager, walked through the darkened theaters, found the girls, and herded them back into the lobby, she was losing the battle.

But her anger was nothing compared to her daughter’s.

“I can’t believe you did that,” Marah said when they reached the parking lot.

Kate ignored the tone and said tightly, “I told you you could see the Saturday matinee with your friends.”

“If my room was clean.”

Kate didn’t bother to answer. “Come on, girls. Out to the car. They’re waiting for you at school.”

The girls climbed quietly into the backseat, murmuring how sorry they were.

“I’m not sorry,” Marah said, slamming her door and yanking her seat belt into place. “We only missed dumb old algebra.”

Starting the car, Kate drove out of the parking lot and onto the main road. “You are supposed to be in school. Period.”

“Oh. Like you’d never take me out of class to see a movie,” Marah said. “I must have dreamed I saw Harry Potter on a school day.”

“In the no-good-deed-goes-unpunished category,” Kate said, trying not to raise her voice.

Marah crossed her arms. “Tully would understand.”

Kate pulled into the circular drive in front of the middle school and parked. “Okay, girls, they’re waiting for you at the office.”

Emily groaned. “My mom’s gonna flip out.”

When they were alone in the car, Kate turned to her daughter.

“Dad would understand,” Marah said. “He knows how much movies and modeling mean to me.”

“You think so?” Kate pulled out her cell phone and hit the speed-dial list, then handed it to Marah. “Tell him.”

“Y-you tell him.”

“I didn’t skip school and go to the movies.” She held the phone out.

Marah took it, put it to her ear. “Daddy?” Marah’s voice instantly softened and tears filled her eyes.

Kate felt a clutch of jealousy. How was it that Johnny had maintained such a lovely relationship with their daughter when it was Kate who was practically the kid’s indentured servant?

“Guess what, Daddy? Remember that movie I told you about, the one where the girl finds out that her aunt is really her mom? I went to see it today and it was totally . . . What? Oh.” Her voice fell to a near-whisper. “During fourth period, but . . . I know.” She listened for a few moments and then sighed. “Okay. ’Bye, Dad.” Marah hung up the phone and handed it back to Kate. For a split second, she was a little girl again. “I can’t go see the movie this weekend.”