Angela 3. David A. Bedford

to cause trouble? Of course she’s not reliable. And why would Miles display such an interest and never ask for anything in return? As the plane began its descent toward the Corpus Christi airport, Angela felt more confident than she had in days, though the thought of her parents’ divorce also weighed more on her than it had in some time.

      They picked up Amy on the way to the house. She was bubbling over with talk about every detail that happened, the movie they watched, how school was that day, what they did after school waiting for Susan and Angela to pick her up, and anything else she could think of.

      “But I missed you,” she added.

      “I’m glad you did,” said Angela, “it means you love us.”

      “Yeah!”

      Angela entered the house happily, feeling affection for her family and friends. Thelonius, the black cat, came up to her, meowing hungrily.

      “Come on, Thelonius,” Angela ordered. “Let’s see what I can get you for your dinner.”

      When they said their good-nights, Angela told her mom, “Tomorrow after school I want to talk.”

      Chapter 5

      When she arrived at school the next morning, none of her friends were to be seen outside the doors. Either I got here first, or everyone else is inside already, Angela reasoned. She pushed through one of the doors happily, anticipating she would see one of them, but instead she was greeted by the KittyKats.

      As usual, Kitty took the lead. “We wanted to help protect you by letting you know as soon as you got to school.”

      Angela stared at Kitty, saying nothing because she had not been asked a question.

      “Have you seen this morning’s paper?” asked Kitty, testily.

      “No.”

      “Well here, this is for you,” said Kitty, offering her the Caller-Times front section, and making an about face, leading her minions away with a motion of the arm. The KittyKats stalked off, looking irritatingly pleased with themselves. Angela scanned the front page headlines and suddenly gasped.

      Sargasso Beach Considers Anti-Immigrant Ordinance

      She began reading the article:

      The Sargasso Beach city council gave first reading to an ordinance introduced by councilman Joseph Keller making it illegal to rent to anyone who could not prove legal residence in the country, to hire anyone for yard work or the like without proof of legal residence, or to issue driver’s licenses or state ID cards in the city without such proof. The ordinance would further require Sargasso Beach police officers to detain anyone they suspect may be undocumented until they can prove residence.