IT FELT LIKE AN eternity before Ruthie arrived. Her parents followed her into the house, their arms full of food. I was grateful for the reprieve from Dad's not so subtle questions about Dr. Frankler and what we'd discussed. Our parents visited in the kitchen while Ruthie and I hustled upstairs to my bedroom.
As soon as my door shut, she dropped her bags and pushed me into the Black Hole. The beanbag squished as I settled in.
"Free from my crazy family for another night!" She sighed loudly as she grabbed a few pieces of clothing from the messy floor and shoved them under my door, saying, "Just in case our voices carry ..."
We both jumped as an object slammed into my bedroom window. I crawled my way across the floor after Ruthie, who looked ready to grapple with the devil.
"What was that?" I asked, rising to peek through the side of the window.
"Pfft!" A burst of irritation flew out of Ruthie's mouth as she hauled herself up. "I should have known they wouldn't listen."