Chapter 5 – Carrie's Secret
"Yeah, I can keep a secret," Felicity said. "What is it?" Before Carrie could tell her secret, she suggested that they should check out their books and go to the park. That way the two friends could talk about it alone. Felicity agreed. Everyone was still talking about the incident as the girls packed up. It didn't take long to check out the books and Felicity got a new library card while doing so. It was a quiet walk. Carrie looked nervous, so nervous that Felicity thought she was going to cry. As they got to the park, the girls spotted a nearby tree and sat down. Felicity asked Carrie again, "What is your secret?" Carrie took a deep breath and said, "I...I...I have telekinesis." Felicity smiled lightly. "So, that's why you picked out Extraordinary Psychic. That's the ability to move things with your mind, am I right?" "Yes. How did you know?" asked Carrie. "I read books and articles about it for a science essay at Kenmore High once. One of the books I read was about an eight-year-old girl who had pyrokinesis, which is having the ability to start fires with your mind," Felicity replied. "Plus, I knew that was what you did to protect us from Chris and Tina."
"You knew all along?" Carrie asked. Felicity nodded. Carrie felt the tears coming and she put her head to her knees. Felicity moved closer to her and gave her a hug. "Care? Hey, it's okay. What's wrong?" Carrie lifted her head and said in little quiet sobs, "You probably think I'm weird and do not want to be my friend because of this." Felicity shook her head. "I don't think you're weird at all! Why would you think of something like that?" Carrie looked down again. She didn't answer her. As if Felicity read her mind, she realized that Carrie always wanted a friend who understands her, defend her, and treat her better than the other kids. "You never had anyone defend you your whole life?" Felicity asked. "Because everyone teased you because of your mother's beliefs over everything being sinful?" Carrie nodded her head.
"Carrie, I want you to listen to me." Felicity put her hands on Carrie's shoulders. "I'm not like Chris or Tina or anyone else. I think that the kids who may or may not have seen Chris bully you and tried to stick up for you should be ashamed of themselves. I will always be your friend and I'll never leave you. Please trust me." Carrie looked up at her friend and gave her a hug. Her eyes were filled with happy tears. "Thank you, Felicity," Carrie quivered. "You're welcome and you can call me Lyss or Lyssie if you want. It's shorter and you heard my grandma call me that earlier this morning." "Okay, Lyssie," Carrie agreed.
Felicity checked her phone. It was 4:15. "Come on, let's head home. I'm sure Mom and Phil are heading home from work by now. I better call my grandma to let her know we're on our way back. She might be cooking a delicious meal tonight." Felicity also thought of something. "Would you like to come to my house for dinner tonight?" "Okay," Carrie said. "But I think we should ask my Momma. She doesn't get home from work until 6:00." "Where does she work?" Felicity asked. "Do you have the number of her workplace in case of emergencies?" "I do," Carrie replied. "But what if she says no?" She pulled out a small piece of paper with a phone number to Blue Ribbon Laundromat and Sewing. "Oh come on, Carrie. We live next door to each other. It's not like we are living on the moon." Felicity dialed the number.
Two rings went by and Felicity felt a little sick to her stomach. She reminded herself that she does not trust Margaret. On the fourth ring, Felicity heard a somewhat quiet and cold voice, "Blue Ribbon Laundromat and Sewing. Margaret speaking. Can I help you?" Felicity took a deep breath and said, "Hello, Margaret. This is Felicity Cartwright from next door. I met your daughter, Carrie, earlier today. We had a great time together and I was wondering if she would like to have dinner with me and my parents tonight." Felicity did not hear anything from the other end. "Margaret? Are you still there? Can you hear me? Hello?" Thump! Thump! Thump! At the Laundromat, Margaret was holding on to the phone in one hand and banging her head on the wall. No, no, no, no. What is this little slut doing to my daughter? Margaret thought. Thump! Thump! Thump! "Margaret?" Felicity called. "Are you still there?" Margaret composed herself and whispered in a cold, snappy voice, "Make sure she is home by six o'clock!" Felicity gulped. "Yes, ma'am. Goodbye." Felicity hung up and looked at Carrie. "She said you can come," Felicity told her. "Great!" Carrie said. Carrie saw the scared and nervous look on Felicity's face when she hung up the phone."I'm sorry about Momma. She doesn't realize that I have a best friend who is not like Chris." "No, no. Don't worry about it," Felicity said quickly. "Come on let's head to my house! I'll race you!" As the two friends ran to Felicity's house, Felicity thought to herself, There's something even more strange and disturbing about Margaret. But whatever it is, I will find out myself.