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Millicent
Min, Girl Genius
by Lisa Yee
Excerpt:
It's official. Emily will be my first overnight guest! Before I
even had the chance to invite her, she suggested it. It's like we
are totally in sync. All week I've been prepping my parents on the
proper sleepover etiquette:
- They are to be solicitous, but keep their distance.
- They are not to discuss politics, kiss or dance in front of my guest.
- They are to refrain from mentioning my intellectual achievements or my academic status.
Though Mom and Dad protested, they ultimately agreed to my terms. In return, I promised to put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher instead of in the sink and to stop clipping articles until everyone has had a chance to read the newspaper.
"You should tell her soon," my mother advised as she helped me tuck my academic citations and certificates into the armoire. "Emily will feel betrayed if you don't."
She stopped to catch her breath. Lately, Mom's been unusually tired. When I suggested vitamins, she just said she needs to give up David Letterman. Dad calls her a "Do-It-All." "The only way I can relax is by getting things done," she said, sounding defensive.
"I don't have that problem," Dad chirped from his La-Z-Boy. Neither my mother nor I bothered to respond. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel.
"I'll tell Emily that I'm in high school soon," I assured Mom as I
tried to force-fit my chess trophies into the armoire. "Don't worry,
I know exactly what I'm doing."
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