Free Emma Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice by Coco Simon

said.
    â€œWhat?” he said, looking at me blankly.
    I jabbed my thumb in Matt’s direction and grinned at Sam.
    Sam shook his head and laughed. “Yeah, he looks like a total geek, but don’t you wish you had some?”
    â€œWhat?” Matt repeated.
    Sam lifted one of the earphones off the side of Matt’s head and yelled into Matt’s ear. “You can’t have it both ways, dude!” Matt pulled away and swatted Sam.
    â€œEither be part of the conversation or don’t!” yelled Sam.
    I laughed as Matt punched him in the arm.
    Suddenly, Jake came racing into the room, wild eyed and crying hysterically. “Hide me, Emmy!” he shrieked. “I’m not going tomorrow!”
    Even though we were all sick of the show he’d been putting on and the way my parents had let him get away with so much bad behavior, Matt and Sam and I exchanged uneasy glances. We did feel bad for the kid.
    I scooped him onto my lap, and he burrowed against my neck, his little police officer bear clutched tightly in his hand. He wrapped his arms around me and held tight. It reminded me of whenhe was a little baby and my mom would sometimes let me give him his bottle. He’d snuggle in and fall asleep in my arms. It was pretty cute.
    But then my parents were at the door, and it wasn’t cute.
    â€œJake, it’s time for bed,” said my mother in her most no-nonsense voice.
    â€œNo!” he yelled.
    Sam and I rolled our eyes at each other. Matt just kept watching the TV.
    â€œJacob William Taylor, it is time for bed and I do not want one peep out of you!” yelled my father in the scary voice he only uses about three times a year. “Now, march!”
    We all know what that voice means, so Jake did as he was told, but reluctantly and very slowly.
    â€œLet’s go, pick up the pace,” ordered my father. Jake hurried up so slowly, it was hardly noticeable. My mom stood and watched, her arms folded tightly across her chest. My father hustled him along, out the door and up the stairs. My mom, meanwhile, collapsed onto the sofa next to me.
    â€œI cannot wait for this to be over.” She sighed.
    I patted her arm. “Poor Mama,” I said.
    â€œListen, guys—Hey, Sammy, mute the TV for a second, okay? Matt? Matt?” She reached out andtapped his leg, and he jumped. “Earphones off, honey, just for a minute.”
    Matt lifted the headphones off his head and put them in his lap.
    â€œOkay, here’s the plan for tomorrow. Dad and Jake and I are leaving very early for the hospital in the morning. You’ll have to fend for yourselves, so please make sure your alarms are set, and first one up, wake up the others, just in case. There’s cereal for breakfast or whatever you want to make; just please don’t leave the kitchen a mess. Jake heads in at nine for the surgery. It should take about an hour. We’ll text you when it’s all over and let you know how it goes. There’s a very slight possibility they’ll keep him overnight, in which case Dad or I will come home, grab a bag, and go back to stay with him. I’m bringing a bag for him, anyway, just in case.”
    â€œOh, I have something for him. Can I put it in the bag?” asked Sam.
    â€œSure. That’s nice of you, honey,” she said.
    Sam hopped up and went to get it.
    â€œI have something for him too,” said Matt, and he left the room.
    I looked at my mom. “I don’t have anything!” I admitted guiltily.
    â€œOh, honey, you do so much for him. Don’t worry. Anyway, now he has that little bear that he loves from Dr. Brown’s office. He wouldn’t have had that if it wasn’t for you. Same with the cute T-shirt from the girls.”
    â€œAnd don’t forget the vampire cupcakes!” I chimed in.
    My mom put her head in her hands. “How could I forget the vampire cupcakes! My rug will never forget the vampire cupcakes