5 Minutes Could Change It All

Chapter 5

The only good thing about going to this sleepover was that Julie would be there. I liked all of the girls, except two who were always snippy with me from the first time that I stepped in the door of the school. I figured if I stayed with Julie, I could pretty much ignore them. Once I told my mom about how they were treating me. She just said, “Treat them right and they’ll come around.” It had not happened yet. Things seemed to be going okay. The girl who was having the sleepover was very kind. Her mother was sweet. After we played a few games, the pizza delivery man showed up. The girls dove into the pizza and pop. I just nibbled on one piece as I didn’t feel too well since I was doing something new. I drank only water, remembering my run-in with root beer at Julie’s house. This time when I was leaving the house, Daddy didn’t give me a lecture about not drinking pop. Instead, all that he said was: “Danni, remember you are a McJoie-Daily.” I asked him what that meant. He said, “Just think about it while you are gone.” With that he gave me a big hug and kiss before Ms. Erin drove me to the sleepover. After the pizza, and cookies and chips, the girls painted each other’s nails and made funny hairdos. The two girls who were the annoying ones said that I had to be initiated because I was new. They wanted me to go outside and ring the doorbells of ten neighbors. For an instant I thought, “Maybe if I would do this, then they would leave me alone.” Then I had a second thought, “Remember you are a McJoie-Daily.” I declined the offer. I could see that the girls were angry about my choice not to follow their command. Julie came to my aid and said, “Hey, let’s put these sticker earrings on our ears. I have enough for everyone.” I took out my stash of Tootsie Rolls and passed them out, hoping to befriend the unfriendly. The girls seemed to enjoy the candy. Unfortunately, Julie was one of the first girls to go to sleep. I pretended that I slept. Those two girls came over to me in the middle of the night as soon as all of the other girls were sleeping, and said, “Hey, you weren’t wanted here—not by us, not by anyone, not even by your parents!” I thought to myself, “What a terrible thing to say to a girl on her first sleepover! What a terrible thing to say to a kid about her parents! What a terrible thing to say to anyone ever!” I just couldn’t believe it. Then they turned on a flashlight and showed me a clipping out of one of those newspapers you see when you are going through the check-out lines at a store. It was a picture of my parents. It said, “Country Singer and Drama Queen Adopt Kid as Publicity Stunt.” Then they read it to me. It said that my parents were trying to save their marriage. They were also trying to save their careers, and that is why they adopted me. It was a way for people to think that they were doing something kind so they would be liked better. The paper predicted that I would be considered a “failed adoption” soon. Then the girls went over to the other side of the room where they talked quietly and giggled. I was very sick to my stomach. I went to the bathroom where I threw up over and over again. Then I lay back down and played like I was sleeping. How could any of that be true? My parents seemed like they really cared about me. They never fought with each other. They kept getting awards. I couldn’t see how their careers were failing. I couldn’t see any of that. But it was in the paper. It had to be true. Did that mean that I would be sent back to the Home soon? I never slept a wink all night. The other girls were up early laughing and eating donuts and throwing pillows. I just sat quietly, knowing that I felt green. Julie came and sat beside me and asked what was wrong. “Nothing,” I said, “Nothing.” Those two other girls just kept looking at me and snickering. I was glad when I was delivered back home. My mom asked me how it went. I said, “Fine.” I knew it was a lie. I knew my dad had a real thing about lies, but what else could I say?