Truth or Lies? by A. Gomez (book club recommendations txt) 📗

sat down on the edge of the tub, wondering where my jeans and T-shirt were. Did they get washed or did they just get rid of them? Was I supposed to do my chores in these dresses or in my PJs? Betty Lou finally broke the silence.

“Isabel Grace, who’s going to stay with me while you’re at dinner?”

“That’s a good question,” I answered, feeling worried. All day we had seen girls going to their appointments with Chang’s henchmen and staying away for a good chunk of the day. This horrible sex trafficking business kept all the girls extremely busy. It was despicable.

“I can take care of her,” Lilly interjected. “I don’t have any more appointments for the rest of today. Although someone could call in and request me later tonight. The phone tends to ring off the hook around here, if you know what I mean.”

I met her gaze, guilt and anger coursing through me for these poor girls. I felt guilty that it wasn’t me taking these appointments for them and I felt angry that Chang was the reason for all this and I couldn’t do anything about it.

“Thank you, Lilly, that would make me feel better if you were with her. I was hoping Caroline would be back by now but I suppose she’s still busy.”

For the rest of the afternoon we stayed in our bedroom. I fiddled with the shutters and windows for a while, trying to get them open without breaking them or making too much noise before finally giving up. There was no way of even peeking outside to see if we had any neighbors close by. I eventually decided to lay down and read while Lilly taught Betty how to do different kinds of stylish braids.

There was a knock at the door. Lilly got up to answer it. I sat up thinking it was Debbie coming to fetch me for dinner. It was Caroline. She walked in with two other girls I saw at breakfast. They were all grinning from ear to ear when they caught a glimpse of the dress I was wearing. Their eyes went wide.

“Isabel, we heard you’re having dinner with Mr. Chang and by the looks of your dress, I guess Debbie was telling the truth.”

“Debbie told you?” I was surprised.

“Not exactly,” Caroline began. “She was mumbling while she was on the computer, complaining about you and how Chang prefers to be with you over her, and Cynthia here overheard her.” She motioned to one of the girls that was with her.

“Yeah, she’s like, totally pissed.” Cynthia giggled. “She hates it that you’re taking up all his time and distracting him. She muttered something like ‘he should be focusing on the website and the money coming in instead of looking up some stupid musical piece you told him about!’”

“What exactly did you tell him to do, Isabel?” Caroline asked. All the girls eyed me with curiosity.

“I didn’t tell him to do anything. I merely asked him if he’s ever heard of a painting called the Isle of the Dead and that there’s a composer who wrote a poetic melody on that piece.”

“Well, he’s definitely researching your question,” Cynthia said, grinning. “I totally love how this is irking Debbie. I can’t wait to see what you do next, Isabel.” Cynthia sounded almost giddy.

“Who’s your other friend, Caroline?” I asked, smiling at the girl and waving at her. She waved back, grinning shyly.

“Oh, sorry, this is Keri. She’s sort of new, too. She got here a week or so before you and Betty arrived.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Keri.”

“Thank you, Isabel, it’s nice meeting you too.” Keri’s voice was soft and timid.

“So, what’s your plan for this evening?” Caroline demanded.

“I don’t really have a plan,” I sighed and let myself fall backward on the bed. “I was trying to see if I could locate a few of those cell phone jammers but I could only find one. I just don’t know how or where to begin, Caroline, but what I do know is I… we have to do something soon. Very soon.”

All the girls stayed in our bedroom making flowers with Betty Lou. She enjoyed having all the attention. There was girl talk in the air. I learned how to make a duct tape bracelet with little flowers. Keri suggested she could teach everyone how to make fancy braids once they were done with making flowers and everyone agreed. It was easy to start feeling safe here, in a room full of chatting girls, after a few hours of uninterrupted playtime. It almost felt like a slumber party. I was starting to feel a false sense of peace and security.

I glanced at the alarm clock. It was almost six in the evening. I wondered what time dinner was? And I wondered if Chang and I would be eating at the same time the girls did?

“Lilly, what time is dinner?”

“We eat at six-thirty every evening,” she answered.

“Don’t you have to cook dinner since you made breakfast?” I asked.

“Yes, but I had an appointment and Debbie wasn’t sure if I was going to make it back in time to cook so she gave the job to someone else.”

“Oh,” is all I could say.

There was a brief knock on the door before Debbie walked in. She froze and eyed the slumber party scene. She didn’t look so thrilled to see us all enjoying ourselves. The girls didn’t stop what they were doing or bother to give her a second glance. It seemed as though that irritated her more.

“Is it dinner time, Debbie?” I smiled wryly, remembering what Cynthia said earlier. “Have you come to fetch me?”

She eyed me suspiciously. “Get your shoes on, Isabel. The boss is waiting for you.”

I got up off the bed and put my designer stilettos on. I smoothed