16. Game Turned Nasty

Clodagh plopped the bowl of French fries in front of Naima on the bed.

'So, what you're saying is that you met your idol after all this while and then you don't like him anymore,' the nine-year-old said, popping a curly fry into her mouth.

Naima tucked her legs beneath her on the rocking chair and sucked noisily on her juice box. 'Yeah.'

'But what would make you suddenly decide that? You're not gonna drop your dream, are you?' Clodagh peered at Naima from beneath her curls, her eyebrows meeting her forehead in questions.

Naima was startled at the second question. 'What? No. Of course not. Why would I? I love to sketch.'

'So, why do you suddenly feel off about him? So what if he recognizes your Mom? Why don't you ask her how she knows him? Maybe he's an old family friend.'

Naima gave a short laugh and rolled her eyes. 'Yeah, you don't say.'

'Why would my mommy be friends with the richest person in the country and I wouldn't know?' she added.

'But isn't it still cool that he knows her?