Luke's POV
"Honey, could you pass the butter?" mom had asked me. I smiled and handed her the plate, then took a bite out of my bread roll. "Eat your green beans, dear." She reminded me. I sighed and poked the green sticks with my fork. I love mom, but sometimes I wish she was a simpler person: Like Ally's mom. From what I heard, their family would be watching the Simpsons right about now while eating spaghetti. I'm stuck here having a silent dinner with my mother.
The doorbell rang, and I excused myself to answer it. I received a bad look from the woman for not properly excusing myself, so I rushed to the door. Alice was standing there carrying a backpack and looking like she was either tired or really upset. Or both. Her face was red, that's all I knew.
She hung her backpack on a hook and said "'Sup."
"Um...hi. Not to be rude, but why are you here? We're in the middle of dinner."
"Reasons. I ran away."
"RAN AW-" I hushed my voice. "Ran away?"
"Luke, dearie, is something wrong?"
"No, mom." I called to the dining room. "It's Alice."
"Alice?" She came to see if it was true, and sure enough Alice was standing right beside me.
"Hello."
"Oh...Hello, dearie. Weren't you just here?"
"I came back."
"I see that. Luke, if you're finished with your meal, I suppose you can play with your friend. But no desert until you're plate's clean."
"Okay." I said. "Can Al join us?"
"I suppose..."
"Cool. You hungry?"
Alice and I started to the kitchen. I fixed her a plate and set it beside mine. "So, why are you here?" I asked, taking a bite.
"I told you."
"I know..but why here?"
She punched me lightly. "'Cause you're my best friend, dummy." I laughed, but mom seemed more insulted than I, who was the one the insult was aimed at.
"I know you are a guest, Alice, but we do not use that language in this house."
"Yes mam. I'm sorry." I turned my back to mom and rolled my eyes. Alice held in a giggle.
"Now, then. Why'd you leave?"
"It's complicated. I'll tell you later." I frowned, wanting to know sooner rather than later. We ate in silence after that, until I shoved the last of the green beans in my mouth and went to clean my plate. Once it was in the dishwasher, I pulled out two glasses, poured milk in each, and placed a cookie beside them. Alice took her desert and I took mine. Mom went to clean the kitchen, so we had a bit of solitude in the dining room. I decided to pull the information out of her then.
Luke's Mom's POV
I watched the two sit at the table, then excused myself. I hated lying to Luke, he probably thought I was cleaning the dishes, but I needed to call Alice's mother. She came without reason or scheduling a sleepover. To be honest, I never expected either child to spend the night at eachothers houses. Normally I wouldn't allow it, but Alice must have had reason.
I called her mother, hoping she would understand.
"Hello?"
"Hello, dearie. I just wanted to check if you knew Alice was here."
"She's at your house?"
"Yes. You didn't know?"
"I thought she was in her room..."
"Do you have any idea why she'd leave? Is she in trouble? Was there a fight?"
"The latter is more accurate." I twisted the wire around my finger worriedly, biting my lip. "You see..." I heard a sigh from the other line. "Ally was adopted. I had just told her and she's taking it pretty hard."
"Oh."
"Is it alright if she stays with you? Until she calms down? If it's not a problem, of course. She's really upset with me."
"Of course not, dearie. I'll arrange the extra room. Would you like to speak to her?"
"Maybe I shouldn't. You know how Alice is. I'll give her some time and call later tonight. Thank you for doing this, April."
"You're welcome, dear. Just say when I should send her back. We should manage until then."
"Alright. If it comes up, tell her I love her."
"Of course, love."
I hung up the phone and glanced into the living room. Alice was telling a story that seemed to deeply interest Luke. I gave a sad smile and went to the kitchen.
