"Replica04 - Perfect Girls - Kaye, Marilyn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kaye Marilyn)

But this was different. "This has nothing to do with my, you know, abilities, Mom. I had to be creative when I wrote the essay, not just smart. And I wasn't that exceptional. I'm not the only finalist at Parkside."
Her mother's eyebrows went up. "You're not?"
"Jeanine Bryant was picked too." Amy'd never thought she'd be happy to find herself associated with Jeanine, but if this fact got her to the nationals, she didn't mind at all. And it did look like the disapproval in Nancy's eyes was easing up a little.
She pressed her advantage, continuing, "Besides, no one pays attention to something like an essay contest. Nobody cares. It isn't like the National Spelling Bee, where the winners are on TV" She rummaged through her backpack and pulled out a brochure. "Ms. Weller told me to give this to you. It explains the whole competition. There's a permission sheet for you to sign."
Nancy sighed, but she took the brochure and began to scan the pages. Then she looked up. "New York? The finals are in New York?"
"Didn't I mention that?" Amy asked innocently.
A slight smile tickled her mother's lips. "No, dear, you didn't."
"It's all expenses paid for the contestant and a parent," Amy pointed out quickly. "We'd fly to New York and stay at a fancy hotel, all for free! And we get a tour of the city, and a boat ride, and tickets to a real Broadway play! Mom, I've never been to New York!"
"Amy, you're only twelve years old," her mother said dryly. "When I was your age, I hadn't been to New York, either."
"But we can't pass up a chance like this! Just think about it, Mom! The Statue of Liberty, and Chinatown, and shopping . . . and of course, lots of great educational opportunities," she added hastily. "Museums and all that stuff. And Mom, I promise, I swear, I'll do my best not to win." She meant that, too. She wouldn't really mind all that much if she lost to another finalist—as long as that finalist wasn't Jeanine.
Nancy was weakening, she could see that. At least, now she was reading the material with more attention.
Then Nancy frowned. "The week of the eighteenth . . ."
"It's spring break. I wouldn't even miss any school."
Now Nancy was shaking her head, and she really looked regretful. "That's the week of my conference, honey. I told you about that."
For someone with a superior memory, Amy had somehow managed to let that piece of information slip out of her head. "The one in Africa?" she asked in dismay.
Nancy nodded. "I'm sorry, Amy. It's a very important meeting, and I'm committed. I'm giving a paper on molecular biology, remember?"
How could she have forgotten? Her mother had been working long hours at the university laboratory doing the research for this paper.
Amy made a halfhearted attempt to propose an option. "You don't have to go with me," she began, but she knew this was out of the question. There was no way her mother would let her go off to New York alone.
Nancy was truly regretful. She took Amy's hand. "Does the competition mean that much to you?"
It was a disappointment, but Amy didn't want to make her mother feel worse than she already did. "I was more excited about going to New York," she admitted. But in the back of her mind, she could see Jeanine's happy face when she learned Amy wouldn't be competing. It wasn't a pretty sight.
Nancy squeezed her hand. "I'll make it up to you, sweetie. Maybe we can take a vacation in New York this summer. How would you like that?"
"Sounds great," Amy said, forcing a smile. She retrieved the brochure and the unsigned permission sheet and stuck them in her backpack. Then she looked at the clock. "I guess we should start getting dinner together, huh?"
They were having guests that evening—the whole Morgan family was coming over for dinner. Amy had planned to make a special dessert, a chocolate-chip pie with caramel sauce, with Eric in mind. She threw herself into the job, taking out her frustrations as she mixed the pie filling.
As she worked, she realized that her mother hadn't said anything about what Amy would be doing while she was away at her conference. Nancy wouldn't leave her home alone any sooner than she'd let her go off to New York by herself. Amy just hoped her "baby-sitter" would be Monica Jackson, a neighbor and former college classmate of Nancy's, and not some person hired from an agency. Unfortunately, as much as Nancy liked Monica, she thought the flamboyant artist was a little irresponsible.
Actually, Amy supposed she could use the situation to her advantage. Her mother had to be feeling pretty guilty about depriving her of a trip to New York, so Amy could probably get her way about Monica. This might also be a good time to hit Nancy up for some clothes, maybe those platform sandals she'd seen at the mall . . .
Tasha, Eric, and their parents arrived promptly at seven. As Nancy served drinks, Amy ordered Tasha and Eric back to the kitchen to help her set the table. There she told them the bad news about New York.
"I told you she wouldn't let you go," Tasha said, but at least she had the courtesy to look sympathetic.
Eric expressed himself in his usual succinct way. "That sucks."
"Well, look on the bright side," Tasha suggested.
"What bright side?"
"I'll be here. We cart hang out."
Considering the fact that she and Tasha were always hanging out, that wasn't an exciting prospect, but Amy nodded. "If it's warm enough, maybe we can go to the beach."
"I'll be here too," Eric said unexpectedly.
Both Amy and Tasha looked at him in surprise. "What about your camping trip?"
"Kyle's been grounded for bad grades. And camping alone is definitely no fun."
"As if Mom would let you go alone anyway," Tasha pointed out.
Eric ignored his sister's comment. "So maybe we could do stuff," he said to Amy. "Like bowling. I wonder if you could score a perfect game."
"I could try," she said.
"Cool," he replied.
Their gazes locked. Tasha let out her standard groan and picked up the stack of dishes. "Don't miss me too much," she said as she left the kitchen and went into the dining room.
For the first time since she came home from school, Amy was able to smile without effort. She was so lucky with Eric. Some other guy, any other guy, might not like knowing his girlfriend could do just about anything better than he could. But Eric had been impressed with Amy's skills even before he knew that she was a clone. And when she had revealed the truth about herself, he hadn't been grossed out. He'd been even more impressed.
He gave a quick look over his shoulder to make sure Tasha wasn't coming. Then he moved in closer and gave Amy a brief kiss.
They parted just in time. Tasha was hurrying back into the kitchen. She looked excited. "I know a secret," she sang out.
"What?" Amy asked.
"You're going to stay with us while your mother's in Africa."
Amy's eyes lit up. "Really?" She hadn't held any hope for this possibility. She'd stayed with the Morgans just a month ago, when her mother had been hospitalized, so she'd been sure her mother wouldn't ask them to take her again.
"I heard them talking in the living room. Your mother was saying no, no, she couldn't impose and all that, but my mother insisted."
"Cool!" Eric declared.
Tasha gave him a look. "She'll be staying in my room." She turned to Amy. "Act surprised when they tell you."
Amy did just that over dessert, when she heard the news officially. "Mom, that's great!" she squealed. "Thanks, Mrs. Morgan, Mr. Morgan. I won't be any trouble, I promise."