Free Kid Power by Susan Beth Pfeffer

not,” Harriet said and shrugged. “Usually whenever I get stuff from Gran, Mom takes me on a shopping spree and buys me all new stuff. She says store-bought is better. And then I’ll hang Gran’s stuff in the closet and just forget to wear it until it’s too small for me.”
    I thought about all the hours I’d put in trying on all of Harriet’s dresses, and all the time Mrs. Marks had put in making them, and I really wanted to say something. But I knew it would be better if I didn’t. “This is my house,” I said instead. “Want to come in?”
    â€œI guess so,” Harriet said. “We have to spend at least a little time together or else Gran’ll get upset.”
    I felt the same way as she did, but I at least was trying to act like I wanted to be with her. I resented the fact that Harriet wasn’t willing to pretend, too.
    We walked up the front steps and I opened the door. “Mom, are you home?” I called, but there was no answer. “Come on in,” I said to Harriet. “My mother seems to be out right now.”
    â€œOkay,” Harriet said and came in. “You have a nice house,” she said, checking the living room out. “Who reads all those books?”
    â€œWe all do,” I said. Our whole house is loaded with books, but I tend to forget they’re there unless somebody points them out to me.
    â€œYou like to read?” she asked, picking one of the books up and looking at it.
    â€œYeah,” I said. “I haven’t had much chance to this summer though because of Kid Power.”
    â€œWhat’s that?” she asked, still looking at the book.
    â€œIt’s this organization I formed,” I said. “I do it to earn money.”
    â€œOh yeah, Gran mentioned it,” Harriet said. “How come you have to earn money? Don’t your folks have money for anything but books?”
    â€œWe have enough money,” I said. “But Mom got laid off her job, so I thought I’d help out.”
    â€œOh, that’s right,” she said. “A credit to your parents and all that.”
    â€œAll that,” I echoed. “Would you like to see my room?”
    â€œSure,” she said, and put the book down. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
    â€œAn older sister,” I said. “She’s out now too, swimming. Carol swims a lot.”
    â€œI’m an only child,” Harriet said. “Thank goodness.”
    â€œHaving a sister isn’t too bad,” I said. If Harriet had criticized torture, I probably would have defended it at that point. We walked up the stairs and I showed her my room.
    â€œDo you share it with your sister?” she asked as we walked in. I have a double bed, so there would be room for the two of us.
    â€œCarol’s room is across the hall,” I said.
    â€œYou do have a lot of books,” Harriet said, looking at my bookshelves. “You like mysteries?”
    â€œThey’re my favorite,” I said.
    â€œMine, too,” she said, making me sorry I’d said I liked them. “What did you say about your sister’s room?”
    â€œIt’s right across the hall,” I said.
    â€œSo if I stayed here nobody would bother me?” she asked.
    â€œNobody would bother you,” I said.
    â€œOkay then, that’s what I’ll do,” Harriet said and took one of my books off the shelf. She sat down in my rocking chair. “I’ll stay here and read for a while. I’ve always wanted to read this book.”
    â€œWhat do you want me to do?” I asked helplessly.
    â€œI don’t care,” Harriet said. “Go out and earn some more money if you want. I just want to be alone and read for a while.”
    â€œFor how long?” I asked.
    â€œUntil four,” she said looking at my clock. “Then we can go back to Gran’s.”
    â€œBut don’t you want to go out and