30. Murder Alert!...

Sandy's face goes sour for a moment. "I didn't. Some witch got it instead."

"Do you know who the witch is? Let me help you deal with her..."

"Aw. Maybe next time. She left there before I did."

"So. What are you doing here?" Mum asks me

Sandy also looks at me with wide eyes.

"I came to have a meeting with a..."

How the hell should I address Akeelah?

"...friend."

"Oh. Why don't you introduce us?" Sandy urges

How do I get out of this one. Akeelah had her back straightened up and she has emptied her cup.

"Sure." I stand and walk over to Akeelah.

"Mum wants to meet you. I said you are a friend."

"Won't they recognize me either way? We should just tell them we're done. Come to think of it, didn't you give them the invitation?"

Ah.

The invitation.

That's a talk for another hour, but one that has to be done today.

"Well, just come say hi first."