Free Thea at Sixteen by Susan Beth Pfeffer

people come from bad families. It isn’t like your family was so great.”
    â€œMy family is not at issue here,” Nick said. “Nor do I appreciate that tone of voice when you’re talking about things you don’t understand.”
    â€œI understand why you don’t want to visit this Gina person, Sybil and I don’t blame you, but I think I’ll go with Thea on Monday,” Claire said.
    â€œWhat?” Thea said.
    â€œYou heard me,” Claire said. “Hospitals don’t scare me. I don’t mind going. I know I’m not as exciting as Sybil, but I guess I’ll have to do.”
    â€œI don’t see any reason for you to go, Claire,” Nick said. “And I’d prefer it if you didn’t.”
    â€œI know,” Claire said. “That’s why I’ve decided to go. We can walk together after school, all right, Thea?”
    â€œFine,” Thea said. “I know Gina will be pleased to meet you. The only reason she wants to meet Sybil is because Sybil is her age.”
    â€œWhat’s going on here?” Nick asked. “Claire, you’ve never volunteered to do a nice thing in your life.”
    Claire shrugged. “I’m not being nice,” she said. “Just curious. I want to see this Kip with my own eyes. I figure if he has Dani for a sister, and you’re so dead set against him, he’s probably worth a look.”
    Thea scowled. It was just like Claire to decide to chase Kip. And how was Kip supposed to deal with a beautiful avaricious fourteen-year-old like Claire?
    â€œKip will be there?” Sybil asked.
    â€œMaybe,” Thea said. “Maybe not.”
    Claire laughed. “Kip is always there,” she said. “You’ve got to start paying more attention, Sybil. Even Thea says interesting things sometimes.”
    â€œI am sick and tired of your attitude, Claire,” Meg said. “Yours also, Sybil. It isn’t going to kill either of you to visit a sick child. As a matter of fact, I think I’ll visit, too.”
    â€œNot on Monday,” Claire said. “Monday’s my day to visit.”
    â€œDaisy, I understand that you like to help the less fortunate,” Nick said. “That’s one of the things I love about you. But in this case, why not leave bad enough alone? Thea, keep visiting. Claire, go if you must, but just the once. Daisy, if you have the time to do volunteer work, fine. Ask Mrs. Chambers. I’m sure she’ll be delighted with your assistance. But I don’t want any more involvement with Gina’s family than that. Have I made myself clear?”
    â€œYou’re a great one for helping the less fortunate if it serves your purposes,” Thea said. “You were the one who made me do this volunteer work in the first place. Why? You thought I’d be fluffing pillows only for rich sick people?”
    â€œI don’t care for your attitude, Thea,” Nick said.
    â€œI don’t care if you do care,” Thea said. She was trembling so hard she had to hold on to the ladder.
    â€œThis has all been a terrible mistake,” Meg said. “I thought we could all do something together, clean the dining room, the way a family should. I see I was wrong. If anything is going to get done in this house, I’ll have to do it alone. Fine. I want all of you out of here. Do you hear me? I want you out of here right now.”
    â€œI’ll stay, Megs,” Sybil said. “I like helping out.”
    â€œOut!” Meg said. “This instant!”
    Thea climbed down the ladder. She couldn’t understand why Megs should be mad at her. They were the only two who agreed. She carried the bucket down with her, and left it on the floor, by Megs’s side. Megs did not smile at her as Thea stood there.
    â€œOut,” Meg said. “And I don’t want any of you anywhere near this dining room until I tell you to come in.”
    Even