Sandy's face goes sour for a moment. "I didn't. Some witch got it instead."
"Do you know who the witch is? Let me help you deal with her..."
"Aw. Maybe next time. She left there before I did."
"So. What are you doing here?" Mum asks me
Sandy also looks at me with wide eyes.
"I came to have a meeting with a..."
How the hell should I address Akeelah?
"...friend."
"Oh. Why don't you introduce us?" Sandy urges
How do I get out of this one. Akeelah had her back straightened up and she has emptied her cup.
"Sure." I stand and walk over to Akeelah.
"Mum wants to meet you. I said you are a friend."
"Won't they recognize me either way? We should just tell them we're done. Come to think of it, didn't you give them the invitation?"
Ah.
The invitation.
That's a talk for another hour, but one that has to be done today.
"Well, just come say hi first."
