Free When You Wish upon a Rat by Maureen McCarthy Page B

poured the drinks and they all sat down at the table without speaking. She had a feeling that something wasn’t right but couldn’t work out what exactly.
    Eventually, Lou took a deep breath and fixed Ruth with one of her haughty stares. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
    â€œTell you
what
?”
    â€œThat you were so upset about your aunt.”
    The others murmured in agreement. They’d obviously had
a discussion.
    â€œI mean, we knew she’d died and everything, but we thought she was just some old relative. We didn’t know that you and her were totally …
close.
”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell us you were so …
upset?
” Bonnie sniffed.
When in doubt, always use the same words as Lou.
“Why keep it to yourself?”
    â€œI didn’t think you’d be interested,” Ruth mumbled. Imagining her mother blabbing on to everyone about how her daughter was missing Mary Ellen so much made Ruth just want to curl up and die.
    â€œNot interested?” Lou laughed. “But we’re your friends!”
    â€œI know, but … I didn’t want to carry on about it.”
    â€œYou’ve got to be joking!” Lou had on her deeply offended face. “You
know
I’m going to be a psychologist!”
    Ruth tried to look apologetic. In fact, she hadn’t known that. Last she knew Lou was going to be a pilot, and before that a vet. From second to fifth grade she had been going to be a top fashion model, but that got sidelined when she didn’t grow as tall as everyone else. Needless to say, Bonnie and Katy and Susie were looking on seriously, nodding and frowning, agreeing that Ruth had committed yet another incredible blunder.
    â€œWell, sorry,” Ruth said. “I just didn’t think.”
    â€œAnyway, now we know,” Lou said magnanimously. “We’re your friends and we’re here to help.”
    â€œThanks. It’s great of you all to come.”
    They all smiled at this.
    â€œWe want to cheer you up.”
    â€œAbsolutely,” Bonnie mumbled.
    â€œSo what now?” Lou said, looking around. “Shall we go check out the shops?”
    â€œThat would be awesome,” Susie answered for them all.
    It
was
exciting at first. The mall was very crowded, full of all kinds of people: gangs of teenage boys, families with little kids, street performers, businesspeople, and ordinary shoppers, girls like themselves on the prowl. Although it was only a quick tram ride from the Craze house, Ruth had hardly ever been there, mainly because she’d never had any money to spend. There was so much to check out, and it was exciting to feel the gift certificate in her pocket. She followed her friends around, staring at everything, not really listening too closely as they laughed and chattered and pointed things out to one another.
    Finally, they came to the store that Mary Ellen had picked out. Lou threw an arm around Ruth’s neck and pointed at the big bright letters. Ruth stared in at the shining black-and-gray counters and strategically placed spotlights illuminating the racks of clothes. No way in the world would she have ever daredto enter this place on her own, but with her willing bevy of friends, why not?
    â€œCool, huh?” Lou shouted over the loud, pumping music.
    â€œYeah.” Ruth smiled tentatively. “Cool.”
    Once inside, Lou, Bonnie, Susie, and Katy split up and prowled about like experts, leaving Ruth floundering, not knowing where to start. Her friends called out loudly to one another, giggling and picking stuff out for praise or ridicule.
    â€œCan I help you girls?” The young sales assistant was watching them warily.
    â€œNot yet, thanks,” Lou called back breezily.
    â€œHey, Ruth, you like this? What size are you? Is this the kind of thing you’re after?”
    Ruth nodded uneasily. She felt foolish that she had no clear idea what she was looking for or how to find