Kate frowned. "My folks would have a cow if they found out I went to a kegger."
"We'll tell them you're staying at my house across the street. Your mom will believe Cloud is back for a day."
"If I get caught—"
"You won't." Tully saw how worried her friend was, and she knew she should stop this plan right now. It was reckless, maybe even dangerous. But she couldn't stop the train. If she didn't do something drastic, she'd sink into the gooey darkness of her own fears. She'd think about the mother who'd so often and so repeatedly abandoned her, and the strangers with whom she'd soon live, and the grandmother who was gone. "We won't get caught. I promise." She turned to Kate. "You trust me, don't you?"
"Sure," Kate said slowly.
"Great. Then we're going to the party."
"Kids! Breakfast is ready."
Kate was the first one to sit down.
Mom had just put a plate of pancakes down on the table when there was a knock at the door.
Kate jumped up. "I'll get it." She ran for the door and yanked it open, feigning surprise. "Mom, look. It's Tully. Gosh, I haven't seen you inforever."
Mom stood near the table, wearing her zip-up, floor-length red velour robe and pink fuzzy slippers. "Hey, Tully, it's good to see you again. We missed you on the camping trip this year, but I know how important your job is."
Tully lurched forward. Looking up, she started to say something, but no sound came out of her mouth. She just stood there, staring at Kate's mom.
"What is it?" her mother said, moving toward Tully. "What's going on?"
"My gran died," Tully said softly.
"Oh, honey . . ." Mom pulled Tully into a fierce hug, holding her for a long time. Finally, Mom drew back, put an arm around Tully, and led her to the sofa in the living room.
"Turn off the griddle, Katie," Mom said without even looking back.
Kate turned off the griddle and then followed them to the living room. She hung back, standing in the curl of the archway that separated the two rooms. Neither of them seemed to care that she was there.
"Did we miss the funeral?" Mom asked gently, holding Tully's hand.
Tully nodded. "Everyone said they were sorry. I officially hate those words now."
"People don't know what to say, that's all."
"My favorite part was the ever popular 'she's in a better place.' As if dead is better than being with me."
"And your mom?"
"Let's just say she doesn't call herself Cloud for nothing. She came and went." Tully glanced at Kate and added quickly, "But she's here for now. We're staying across the street."
"Of course she is," Mom said. "She knows you need her."
"Can I spend the night there tonight, Mom?" Kate asked; her heart was beating so hard and fast, she was sure her mom could hear it. She tried to look completely trustworthy, but since she was lying, she expected her mother to see through it.
Mom didn't even look at Kate. "Of course. You girls need to be together. And you remember this, Tully Hart: You're the next Jessica Savitch. You will survive this. I promise."
"You really think so?" Tully asked.
"I know so. You have a rare gift, Tully. And you can be certain that your gran is in Heaven watching out for you."
Kate felt a sudden urge to butt in, to step forward and ask her mother if she believedshecould change the world. She even went so far as to move forward and open her mouth, but before she could form the question, she heard Tully say,
"I'll make you proud, Mrs. M. I promise I will."
