Change of Heart by Norah McClintock Page B

had done it, she said, “That’s up to the prosecution to prove. And it’s up to me to make sure that he has the best possible defense.”
    â€œBut he says he didn’t do it, right, Mom?”
    â€œRobyn, if there’s a trial, you could be called as a witness. It’s inappropriate for me to discuss this with you. You know that.” Then she said, “You can see Billy tomorrow after school.”

    I didn’t see Morgan until French class, which was just before lunch. But then, I hadn’t exactly been looking for her. I was still angry that she had hung up on me and never called back to apologize.
    Morgan and I sit side-by-side in French. Usually we talk to each other before class. Sometimes we pass notes to each other during the lesson. But today I approached the classroom nervously, wondering what kind of mood she would be in and how she would treat me.
    She didn’t get to class until the late bell rang, and then she slipped into her seat without looking at me. I tried to catch her eye a couple of times, but she refused to turn in my direction. As soon as the end-of-class bell rang, she hurried to the door. It was the last straw. She was supposed to be my friend. Friends don’t treat friends like poison. I ran after her.
    â€œMorgan,” I called.
    She kept walking. I had to move fast to dart in front of her and block her way. I’d been planning to give her a piece of my mind, but when I got a good look at her, I felt a little less angry. Her face was pale, and there were dark circles under her red and puffy eyes. She hadn’t bothered with makeup.
    â€œHow are you doing?” I said.
    â€œMy boyfriend was murdered. How do you think I’m doing?”
    I wanted to say,
But he’s only been your boyfriend for a few weeks
. I wanted to say,
Someone you’ve known your whole life has been arrested for murder
. Instead, I said, “I bet you haven’t been eating right. Come on. Let’s go to the cafeteria.”
    She stared at me. I was sure she was going to walk away, but she surprised me.
    â€œOkay,” she said in a whisper.
    When we got to the cafeteria, she said, “Billy’s mother called me.”
    I waited.
    â€œShe wants me to go and see Billy. She said it would mean a lot to him.”
    â€œAnd?” My fingers were crossed.
    â€œI told her I couldn’t. Robyn, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, harder even than breaking up with Billy.”
    â€œYou told her no?” I couldn’t believe it.
    â€œOf course I told her no.” She seemed astonished by the question. “You’re not going to see him, are you?”
    â€œYes, I am, Morgan, he’s my friend.”
    â€œWhat about me? I thought I was your friend.”
    â€œYou are. You and Billy are my best friends.”
    â€œYou put me and Billy in the same category, after what he did?” She shook her head. “You have to choose. Either you’re my friend or you’re his. And if you’re mine, you won’t go and see him.”
    â€œMorgan, I have to. I—”
    â€œFine,” she said. She turned and marched out of the cafeteria.

    My mother picked me up after school and drove me to where Billy was being held. We had to sign in at the front desk and go through a security check. My mom walked with me to the visiting room.
    â€œI’ll wait out here,” she said. “You go in. They’ll bring Billy down.”
    I sat down to wait and was shocked when Billy finally appeared. He’s tall and thin—really thin—even though he has a huge appetite. But now he seemed so fragile that a gentle breeze could have blown him over. His face was a greyish color and his blond hair was greasy and matted in the back, as if he hadn’t bothered to wash or comb it in days. He sat down opposite me at one of the visiting tables.
    â€œAre you okay, Billy?” I asked.
    Instead of answering my