Roadside Assistance by Amy Clipston

open a book?
    A soft knock drew my attention to the door.
    “Come in,” I said, drawing my legs up under myself and placing my history book on the bench beside me.
    The door opened with a squeak, and my dad stepped in. By the frown on his face, I knew he wanted to discuss something serious. I bit back a sigh as he lowered himself onto the end of my bed, facing me.
    “Hi,” I said, hoping to sound at ease.
    “So, Emily,” he began, placing his right ankle on his left knee. “How did your day really go today?”
    “Fine.” I shrugged. “I already told you that.”
    His brown eyes studied mine. “Are you sure?”
    I fingered my mom’s cross. “Dad, I don’t know what you want me to say. My life has been turned upside down, and I had to start over today in a brand-new school. If you want me to, I’ll tell you that I’ve never been happier in my life, but it would be a lie. Starting over is a drag.” I surprised myself by quoting Chelsea. “But I made a friend today and that made the day a little better. I’ll be okay, but you can’t expect me to be all happiness and smiles on my very first day. You have to give me time.”
    “I know that it’s hard and I don’t expect you to do cartwheels.” He paused, gathering his words. “But you need to stop making little sarcastic comments like you did tonight at supper. We’re lucky Darlene and Chuck took us in.”
    I turned toward the window and took in the sight of Zander standing in the driveway with a cell phone pressed to his ear. I absently wondered if he was talking to a girl on the other end of the line. And if so, why did I care? And why couldn’t I stop thinking about him?
    I looked back at my dad. His disappointed expression both angered and embarrassed me at the same time. “I didn’t make a sarcastic remark. I simply stated the truth: Whitney’s in all honors and AP classes, and I’m in the average classes, which is why we’re only in homeroom, gym, and lunch together. I don’t see how that can be considered sarcastic.”
    He looked unconvinced, and I knew he’d seen right through me.
    “Emily Claire,” he began. “I know when you’re trying to pull the wool over my eyes, and it won’t work. I was the king of sarcasm when I was your age. Just watch your attitude, that’s all I ask. I understand that this is hard for you, but your aunt and uncle are doing all that they can for us. They’re not even charging us rent, which is above and beyond anything I could’ve ever asked for.”
    A glimmer of hope twinkled within me. “If they’re not charging us rent, then that means we can save our money and move out soon, right?”
    He shook his head. “It’s not that easy. I’m knee-deep in debt from all of your mom’s treatments and hospital stays, and that means my credit is pretty much shot. I’d have to find a landlord who would make an exception. It may be awhile.”
    “Like a few months?” I bit my lip, hoping for good news.
    He sighed and touched my knee. “It may be longer than that, but you need to look at the bright side.” He gestured around the room. “You have a gorgeous room and a pool.” He nodded toward the window. “We’ll never have a place this nice.”
    “Never give up on your dreams, Dad,” I whispered. “That’s what Mom always said.”
    He gave me a sad smile. “You’re right, Baby Doll. She did say that.”
    The sputter and hiss of an air compressor drew our eyes to Zander’s garage.
    My dad stood to get a better view of the action in the garage and snorted. “That boy is trying like the devil to get that car running, isn’t he?” He smiled at me. “You should go show him how it’s done.”
    “Me?” I shook my head. “I don’t think so. He’d probably fall on the floor laughing if I told him I could help him.”
    My dad looked confused. “Why would you say that? Tyler was happy when you got his Nova running.”
    “Please don’t say that name,” I grumbled.
    “That breakup was Tyler’s