Emma Moves In

Chapter Twelve

At school, Emma casually mentions acting out a scene from the book for their class project. Caitlin doesn’t glare at Emma, and she seems slightly more interested than what she verbally responds. She suggests they could splice a few scenes together, and Emma could play all the nasty old men while Caitlin plays the heroine. Emma notices this, but she thinks it’d be funny… and if this is what Caitlin needs to accept Emma, then so be it.

Zoe suggests making a backdrop, and they think about doing small costume pieces like hats and beards and fabric to show that Emma is playing different characters. It seems like Emma may be able to convince Caitlin to be nice after all!

After school, Emma’s mom surprises her by picking her up and taking her for hot chocolate. Emma orders a couple macarons to go with her hot chocolate. They talk about what Emma’s experience is living with other kids, and Emma assures her mom that although she loves her cousins, it’ll be nice to be an only child again.

They suggest having Emma try out for the soccer team and trying to find a new swim team, too, that way Emma will make more friends of her own. And then the topic turns around for Emma’s dad. It’s been weeks since he was supposed to come out to join them, and Emma hasn’t heard any update.

Mom tells Emma to not worry, and that they’re working on it. But Emma’s still curious. When Mom gets up to use the restroom, Emma picks up Mom’s phone, and opens her text messages. And there’s one from her father: “What do you expect me to do, then?” And a response: “I just realized you’re NEVER coming out, are you?”