I was glad to hear that, but I didn’t say it, because I promised not to judge.
“I just told Micah to shut up. We’re not allowed to tell people to shut up. Miss Hawn says it’s a bad word. But that doesn’t make any sense. It’s two words.”
I nodded.
“How come?”
“How come it’s a bad word?”
“How come you told him to shut up?”
“He was calling me Lolly again. He kept saying it.” Laleh’s voice got smaller. “And he said our family was terrorists.”
I breathed in sharply.
I was almost used to being called a terrorist.
Almost.
But I hated for someone to call my sister one.
I hated that people could look at her, look at our family, and say that.
“I’m sorry, Laleh. That hurts. People say that to me sometimes. And other stuff too. Did you tell Miss Hawn what happened?”
Laleh shook her head. “She wouldn’t let me. She gave me a demerit!”
Demerits were these little pieces of paper that basically said the teacher was disappointed in you.
They didn’t actually mean anything, not unless you got three of them in a week, and then you got sent to the principal’s office.
But I remembered being Laleh’s age, and thinking they were the worst thing that could ever happen.
“That’s not fair,” I said.
Laleh’s lip quivered.
I ran my hand through her hair. When she was a baby, it was fine and light, but now it felt a lot like mine: curly and thick and strong.
“So Miss Hawn didn’t say anything at all to Micah?”
Laleh shook her head and wiped her eyes.
“And no one will listen to me. Grandma and Oma are just disappointed. And Mom is at work.”
“And I was at soccer,” I finished for her. “I’m sorry. But I’m here now. I’m listening to you.”
She sniffed.
“Hey. It’s okay.” I held my arms open. “Do you want a hug?”
Laleh pulled herself out from her covers and wrapped her arms around me. I pulled her in close and held her against my chest and rocked her back and forth.
“It’s gonna be okay,” I said. “I’ll talk to Mom. We’ll figure it out.” I kissed the crown of Laleh’s head.
I would have done anything in the world to shield my sisterfrom Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy like Micah Whatever-his-last-name-was.
I never wanted her to feel the way I felt.
