relief. She turned off the lights, and we sat for a moment in the dark.
“Want me to come in?” she said.
That was the last thing I wanted. Not that I didn’t want to spend more time with her, but I had no idea what the scene would be like in there.
“Now’s not the best time,” I said. “I’ve got a big test tomorrow. Need to study.” I could tell my voice sounded funny.
So could she. “Right,” she said. She looked over at me. “See you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” I said. I started to open the door, then stopped. “So you want to do something tomorrow night?” I said.
“Sleepover at Tammy’s,” she said.
“Oh.”
“Besides, you’re going out with the guys. The usual pregame bash, right?”
“That’s right,” I said, “I forgot.”
She smiled. For the first time, a real smile just for me. “Just stay out of trouble, okay?”
“I’ll try,” I said. I closed the door and stood back. I watched her drive away and didn’t turn until she was out of sight. And that’s when I knew that I was in love. To this day, it’s the best and worst thing that’s ever happened to me.
CHAPTER NINE
Everything was quiet when I walked in the door. And dark—the kitchen light was on, but that was it.
“Echo?” I called out, but there was no answer. I went around the corner and looked into her room. Empty.
“Chris.”
I turned to see Sheila standing at the edge of the living room. She sounded relieved to see me. As I switched on the hallway light, she picked up the suitcase by her side and stepped toward me. She was wearing a coat and had a backpack slung over her shoulder.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“I’m going to Aunt Marion’s.”
“What?” I cried. I suppose I shouldn’t have acted so pissed off. After all, I’d been planning on taking off myself not twenty minutes ago. But I was just a visitor. She was the mother. She wasn’t supposed to leave.
“I can’t take it anymore, Chris. I need a break. It’s just for a few days.”
“Right,” I said. Judging by the size of her suitcase, it looked like it would be more than a few days.
“I left a note for your father on the table. For when he comes back.”
“Great, can’t wait,” I snapped. “And what about Echo?” I asked. “You’re not taking her with you?”
“Echo has school. I can’t just pull her out,” she murmured. “She’ll be fine. You’ll take good care of her. I know you will.”
That’s your responsibility, not mine, I wanted to say to her. Then again, it’s not like she’d been doing a bang-up job to begin with. “Where is Echo?” I asked.
Sheila glanced around. “She’s downstairs, I think. In the basement,” she said. She looked away for a second. “You know, in her corner.”
“Right,” I said. I still couldn’t believe it.
“I’m sorry, sweetie. I just need some time. I’ve got to get it together, and your father…” Her eyes began to fill up with tears.
“When I said ‘do something,’ this wasn’t what I meant.”
She didn’t answer for a moment. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” she said at last. She stepped up close to me. “Good luck with your game on Saturday”, she said. “I’ll be thinking about you.”
“Who cares about a stupid game,” I whispered.
She stepped back. I could tell she was a little taken aback, but she didn’t say anything.
“I’ll call tomorrow,” she said, and headed out the door. Then she was gone.
I guess human mothers aren’t so different from doppelganger mothers after all, I thought, watching as her headlights backed out of the driveway.
“Echo?” I called out from the top of the stairs.
“Down here.”
I headed down the stairs and looked in between the sheets. There they all were, just like last time—Echo, the bunnies, and the bears, all seated around the table in their little chairs. Except Echo, of course. She was too big. Teacups and saucers were neatly placed before every member of the party. A plate of real cookies occupied the center of the table.
“There you are,” she said, as if she’d been expecting me. “I was wondering when you were going to arrive. Look, everyone, Chris is back.”
She got up slowly and moved a few of the animals aside, adjusting their place settings, and went back to her seat at the other end of the table. I sat down at the spot she’d cleared.
“See, Mr. Wimple,” she said to the bear at her right, “I told you he’d be here.” She looked up at me.