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Chapter 101: Diarrhea of the Mouth
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The True Nature Series Chapter 102: Pandora's Jar
MY FOURTH GRADE TEACHER had been a fan of Greek mythology and he'd told us many of their stories. "I think so," I said, trying to mentally calculate how long this conversation needed to be to convince Dad we'd had our little heart-to-heart conversation. "It has something to do with curiosity, right?""You're correct, Tru. It starts out as an origin story, explaining how humans came to this earth."I picked at my nails absently. "Like Adam and Eve?""Yes, but unlike Christians, the Greeks believed in many gods. Pandora's box was originally called Pandora's jar, but somewhere down the line of storytellers it changed."Despite my reluctance, I found that tidbit of information fascinating."It could have been something similar to your mother's jar," she said. "I have one like it in my office at school. I guess your mother and I had a common interest. You're welcome to stop by if you'd like to see it," she invited, but I refused to take the bait and remained silent. "Anyway, I'm su
The True Nature Series Chapter 103: Mom's Secrets
"HOW DO YOU LIKE school, Tru?" asked the doctor, changing the subject and setting off alarm bells in my head.Here it goes, I thought to myself. She thought she'd softened me up with that story and therefore, I'd tell her anything now. Nope. I wasn't that easy."I like it," I replied. "Well, the school part. Last year I was kind of out of it, but I'm better this year.""Do you have problems with anyone at school?" Her eyes drilled into me."No, I mean, mostly no." Once again, I wanted to sew my lips closed. Dr. Frankler smiled. "If you didn't have any problems with other students, Tru, you would be the only one. Trust me.""Well, I try to avoid the people that bug me." Namely Zena, I thought. "So, it's not so bad.""And your friend, Ruthie Robles, how long have you known her?""Since we were little kids," I said, wondering how she knew I was her friend. "We've been best friends forever. She's pretty much my only friend." No, that wasn't true anymore. A warm glow blossomed in m
The True Nature Series Chapter 104: BFF Therapy
IT FELT LIKE AN eternity before Ruthie arrived. Her parents followed her into the house, their arms full of food. I was grateful for the reprieve from Dad's not so subtle questions about Dr. Frankler and what we'd discussed. Our parents visited in the kitchen while Ruthie and I hustled upstairs to my bedroom.As soon as my door shut, she dropped her bags and pushed me into the Black Hole. The beanbag squished as I settled in."Free from my crazy family for another night!" She sighed loudly as she grabbed a few pieces of clothing from the messy floor and shoved them under my door, saying, "Just in case our voices carry ..." We both jumped as an object slammed into my bedroom window. I crawled my way across the floor after Ruthie, who looked ready to grapple with the devil. "What was that?" I asked, rising to peek through the side of the window."Pfft!" A burst of irritation flew out of Ruthie's mouth as she hauled herself up. "I should have known they wouldn't listen."She raise
The True Nature Series Chapter 105: Fort Knox
THE ENCHILADA CASSEROLE RESTED on the counter untouched when we went downstairs, evidence that Dad was out of sorts. He sat at the table reading over the documentation for the new alarm system. "Hey Dad, want me to get you a plate?" I asked."That would be great," he said without looking our way. He walked over to the new panel beside our front door and pressed a couple buttons. A British female voice indicated that our doors and windows were secure. I panicked."Uh, Dad. I thought they were coming back tomorrow to wire the windows. You know I like to sleep with the window cracked."He punched in a set of numbers and the woman's voice responded again, stating that the system was disarmed. Dad smiled with satisfaction, glancing my way."They're scheduled for tomorrow, but don't worry. The upstairs windows aren't wired. Besides, we won't alarm the windows most of the time."I sighed with relief and shot Ruthie a meaningful look. She jiggled her eyebrows and started grabbing plat
The True Nature Series Chapter 106: Zinty
I MADE SURE THAT I heard Dad snoring before I texted Zander to give him the "all clear." Before that, there had been more than enough time to do our homework, pick out our clothes for school tomorrow, and even tidy up my room. After homework, we'd moved on to the traditional sleepover activities, painting nails, fixing hair and boy talk. She had described her idea of the perfect school dance with the perfect guy. Her imagination made me laugh. I could have told her to stop dreaming, but I didn't want to squash her dream. So, I'd let her gush while making approving noises. She had gradually transitioned into going to Homecoming with Maverick and how great that was going to be, even though I hadn't asked him yet. When she spent almost an hour on her makeup and hair, I started calling her "Sophia Loren" again because she had that hot Latin look going on with dark, smoky eyes and thick, wavy brown hair. Although her parents were Hispanic and had rich cocoa tans year-round, her skin was m
The True Nature Series Chapter 107: Uncle Iwa
"ALRIGHT, ALREADY!" SAID RUTHIE rolling her eyes. "I call this meeting to order. And before I forget, I just want to let you know we've found a Scooby, so the gang is now complete!"I raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Who are you talking about?""Knox, of course," she said, reminding me of the new dog that I hadn't told Zander about yet. "Oh, yeah," I said with a frown. "My dad is getting a retired police dog to help guard our house. And me, I guess.""Seriously?" said Conrad, leaning forward so that his face took up the entire screen."Great," grumbled Zander. "Your dad is making it hard for us to get together, isn't he?""When you said her dad was upset about the Dante thing, you weren't kidding," added Conrad. "I hate to imagine what he'd do if he knew the real story.""Well, I think it's going to be fun," said Ruthie. "Tru always wanted a dog. Her parents only let her have a dumb 'ol stuffed dog.""Hey now!" I said, pretending offense."You know what I mean, girl. I know you love
The True Nature Series Chapter 108: Re-dreaming
I WOKE UP ON my bed, a wet cloth on my forehead. Ruthie and Zander sat on either side of me, worry pinching their faces."What happened?" I asked."Hey! Is she okay?" piped in a voice across the room."Crap," muttered Ruthie. "We left Conny on the chair." She dashed over to move the tablet to the desk beside my bed. Conrad's eyes blinked owlishly at me."How do you feel?" asked Zander, his hands fluttering over me like he didn't know what to do with them."Okay, I think." I recalled what I'd seen before I lost consciousness. "I had the dream again. I don't know how, because obviously I wasn't asleep." I wrinkled my forehead in confusion. "But it couldn't have been a dream because I was awake. It happened before I blacked out.""Holy Spamburger! Wait just a second." Ruthie moved away again to grab her notebook. I could hear Conrad scrambling for something, too. He mumbled "waking dream" as he scribbled way.Ruthie rushed back, kneeling at the edge of the bed, pencil poised ov
The True Nature Series Chapter 109: Most Wanted
"HOW OLD IS HE?" asked Conrad."I don't know," I said. "Maybe forty?" I rubbed my eyes, feeling tired."On the plus side," said Ruthie. "Alondrea is an awesome name." She smiled.My lips twitched. "Yeah, better than Tru Lee!""Your middle name is Lee?" chuckled Conrad. "Tru Lee? Hilarious!"Zander remained silent, staring across the room deep in thought. The corners of my mouth lowered as I watched him. He finally noticed me twisted up toward him. By then we were all staring at him."I know that look, Z," said Conrad. "Who is this man?""Tru, the photo album you showed me before? The one with your aunt in it? Do you still have it here?" asked Zander."Yeah, over there on my shelf."Zander got up to retrieve it. "Where is that picture?" he asked, handing me the album.I opened it up to the same photo I'd shared with him before. "Here it is," I said, as I propped up the book so Conrad could see it."Would you name all the people in the picture for Conrad?" He tipped the photo
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