My Cave

By dinner they seemed to have made up. Dad was working late. Daisy
was sleeping. She’d thrown up a lot earlier in the day, and Mom made
an appointment to take her to the vet the next morning.
The three of us were sitting down and no one was talking.
Finally, I said: “So, are we going to see Justin in a play?”
Via didn’t answer but looked down at her plate.
“You know, Auggie,” said Mom quietly. “I hadn’t realized what
play it was, and it really isn’t something that would be interesting to
kids your age.”
“So I’m not invited?” I said, looking at Via.
“I didn’t say that,” said Mom. “It’s just I don’t think it’s something
you’d enjoy.”
“You’d get totally bored,” said Via, like she was accusing me of
something.
“Are you and Dad going?” I asked.
“Dad’ll go,” said Mom. “I’ll stay home with you.”
“What?” Via yelled at Mom. “Oh great, so you’re going to punish
me for being honest by not going?”
“You didn’t want us to go in the first place, remember?” answered
Mom.
“But now that you know about it, of course I want you to go!” said
Via.
“Well, I’ve got to weigh everyone’s feelings here, Via,” said Mom.
“What are you two talking about?” I shouted.
“Nothing!” they both snapped at the same time.
“Just something about Via’s school that has nothing to do with
you,” said Mom.
“You’re lying,” I said.