the other side of the country. I was going to be alone during all this, but I could survive a few days by myself. Now wasn’t the time to break down, and I needed to put on a brave face so Mom and Dad didn’t worry.
I took in a deep breath, and as I blew it out, I felt a little calmer. Everything was going to be fine. My parents would call their travel agent and find another way home. They’d be back in no time.
“Okay,” I finally replied. “You guys just focus on finding your way home, and don’t worry about me for a second. I’ve got plenty of food in the house, and I just renewed my Netflix subscription, so I’m all set. I love you both so much and just want you guys to be safe.”
“We love you too, Clary,” Dad replied.
The phone rustled again, and then Mom’s voice came over the speaker. “We love you so much,” she said. “You don’t have to worry. We’ll be home in a few days. Just in case it’s longer though, I’ve sorted out somewhere for you to stay.”
My heart skipped a beat at her words. “Why would you do that? I’m fine here.”
Saying I was fine was probably a bit of a stretch, but being alone couldn’t be worse than getting stuck living as a guest in someone else’s home. Even the thought of staying with my best friend Zoey wasn’t appealing. Her mom was crazy, and her dad collected china dolls. China. Dolls. I wouldn’t last a day trapped at her house, let alone several.
“Clary, you don’t even have our car to drive,” Mom said. “What if there’s an emergency?” The airport was over an hour away, and my parents had parked their car there when they left. The car was the least of my concerns though.
“I don’t need a car,” I said. “And you know I get by just fine without one whenever you’re gone. I thought you guys trusted me to stay here by myself.”
“Clary, I know you’re responsible, but I’m not letting you stay home alone when there’s a pandemic.” Mom’s voice sounded strained. It was the first hint I’d gotten that she was genuinely worried. Perhaps she was taking this situation seriously after all.
“Now,” she continued. “I’ve already called Jade and told her about our situation. She’s more than happy for you to stay with her while we find our way back.”
“Jade…as in Jade Moore?”
“Do we know any other Jades?”
I wished we did, and my stomach sank to the floor. “You called Jade Moore? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Jade was one of Mom’s closest friends in town. She came over for margaritas whenever the two of them had a weekend free. Since Mom worked most weekends, it didn’t happen all that often. And though Jade was nice enough, she wasn’t the problem.
“This isn’t a joke, Clarissa.” Mom’s carefree tone was now completely gone, and the fact she’d used my full name only emphasized her point. Her talk of sunshine and the clear blue ocean felt like a distant memory, and I had to wonder if she’d been putting on a cheerful front earlier so I wouldn’t be concerned. It was something only my mom would do in the face of a pandemic.
“I want you to be safe,” Mom said. “And Jade’s a doctor, so I can’t think of anyone better suited for you to stay with.”
“I’ll be safe right here. Besides, don’t you think I’ll be in more danger living with a doctor? She could catch the virus at the hospital and bring it home with her.”
“Jade assured me she’s taking every precaution,” Mom replied. “And even if she did catch it, they’re saying the virus doesn’t make younger people as sick. Someone your age will be fine.”
“So, what, it’s a risk you’re willing to take?”
“Yes, because it’s better than the alternative. I won’t let you stay home alone, and she’s the only person in Harford who would take you.”
“What, you called every other family in Harford?” Because seriously, any other family would have been a better option.
Mom sharply exhaled. “Look, I don’t want any arguing about this. The decision has been made. She’s coming to pick you up this morning, so you’d better pack a bag.”
My parents rarely threw their weight around with me, but there was no missing the conviction in Mom’s voice. We usually talked things out as a family, and I couldn’t believe this was the time they’d picked