Going.
Three dots appeared, indicating that Kara was sending another text. They disappeared, then reappeared.
What?Ashanti texted.
Didn’t want to worry you but Ken didn’t show up at school today.
Ashanti’s heart stopped beating. Kara sent three texts back-to-back-to-back.
I talked to her. She’s not hurt.
Well not physically.
Don’t text her. Just let her be. Will check on her at lunch.
A fourth text.
Gotta go.
Ashanti didn’t consider for even a minute not contacting Kendra, but instead of texting, she called. The phone rang until voicemail picked up. She called again, with the same result.
This time she texted:
Pick up or I’m sending the police over to do a wellness check.
Before she could call again, her phone rang. The picture of Kendra on the carousel at City Park during her and Kara’s eighth birthday party popped up on her screen.
“What’s wrong?” Ashanti asked.
“Besides my twin sister being a narc?” she asked.
“Kendra, what is going on? Are you sick?”
“I’m okay,” she said. “I’m not sick. I was just feeling… blah. Kara skips school all the time. I figured I deserved a day.”
Ashanti rested her palm against her forehead and pulled in a deep, relieved breath.
“Ken, I… I don’t know what is going on with you, but we areveryclose to needing a come-to-Jesus moment.”
Her sister paused for a bit, then said, “Maybe we can talk when you get back home.”
Ashanti’s breath caught in her throat. “Yes,” she said. She began to pace. “Please, that’s all I want. Whatever is wrong we will handle it—or you will. I won’t try to swoop in and fix anything for you if that’s not what you’re looking for from me. I’ll just listen. But I need to know what’s going on.”
“Okay,” Kendra said. “I promise. We’ll talk when you get home. Now go back to doing your littlePuddin’ and Duchess Take Manhattanthing. I watched the Luke and Leah show this morning. You did good. Just try not to get pregnant while you’re out there.”
“Kendra!” Ashanti said.
“Bye.”
Ashanti rubbed between her eyes again. The entire country probably thought she and Thad were sleeping together. She was surprised Evie hadn’t said anything.
And, just like that, a text popped up from Evie.
Great show this morning. Puddin’ and Duchess are rock stars. I can tell you and Thad got it on. Get it, girl!
It was followed by the gif of a twerking Tina Belcher fromBob’s Burgers.
“Everything okay?”
