I swear that my soul left my body. My face got hot. My muscles tensed as I froze like a statue. I repeated what she said again and again in my mind and dropped said apple. It would have met our yucky floor had Mom not caught it. She rose and placed the fruit on the counter. She looked at me as if sucking the life out of me.

Did she see me take the key? I could not get myself out of this one. I would be punished for sure.

I held up my hands as if surrendering. "M-Mom. I-it is not what it looks like. I can explain."

She raised a hand to silence me. "Not necessary, Carly. I already know. I know everything."

I twiddled my thumbs. "Y-you do?"

"That I do. And you will not get away with it."

How did she find out about the sleepover?

Mom huffed and opened the drawer. The same drawer that I had been in. She reached in and rifled through it. The hairs on the back of my neck and arms stood. I felt the key in my pocket and took a step back. I shuddered and hugged myself. I would have to give back the key. I was so worried - so scared - that I thought that I would wet myself. My heart skipped a beat. My breath caught in my throat. My plain failed. I failed.

Mom took out a key and held it in her fist. She glanced back at me and was now smiling. "You figured that you would sneak in here and take my key."

I had no idea what else to say. I stared at my shoes and said, "Sorry, Mom."

"You should. Looking at other people's diaries is sinful. I need my privacy as much as you do."

I gazed back up at her with a confused look on my face. "What...what does this have to do with diaries?"

"You know that I have my diary key in this drawer. It is next to the mall key. It is the only item that unlocks my diary, so you cannot pick its lock. That is why you were in the drawer."

I was in shock. My eyes were so wide that I figured that they would roll out of my sockets. "B-but..."

She closed the drawer and crossed her arms. "No buts. I am disappointed. Not angry. Just disappointed. I will hide said key somewhere you will never find it. I raised you better than this."

I felt the mall key in my pocket again and decided to go along with it. I kicked at the air. "I am so sorry, Mom. I do not know what came over me. I am so ashamed. But I am also glad that you stopped me."

"What possessed you to invade my privacy?"

"I...I wanted to know what you want for your birthday. I wanted to get the perfect gift."

"My birthday was three months ago."

"And I cannot wait to buy you your perfect gift."

She tilted her head to the side. "You can always ask me what I enjoy. Not difficult. I would be more than happy to tell you."

"But I wanted it to be a surprise."

She sighed. "I will let this slide this time if you promise to not try this stunt again. If there is another attempt, I will ground you. Understand?"

I swallowed a lump in my throat. "Yes, Mom."

She stuffed the diary key in her pocket. "Now why did I come in the kitchen? Ah, yes. I need the mall key."

A shiver shot down my spine when she said that. Sweat poured down my face. "W-why do you n-need it? T-the mall is closed."

"Your dad knows that it is closed. That is why he needs the key."

"W-why does he need the key?"

Mom crossed the kitchen and picked up the apple. She returned to her spot. "Why are you stammering?"

"Uh...I am practicing. Practicing to stammer for a play. My character stammers a lot, so I need to be used to it. It is not easy stammering on purpose."

She handed the fruit back to me and clasped her hands together. "I did not know that you joined a play."

"I wanted to surprise you and Dad."

"I see. When is your play? Do you know?"

Can she stop asking me questions?

"Not a clue."

Dad suddenly came in with an empty cup in his hands. Great. Just what I need. He yawned and placed his cup on the counter. "Thank gosh that I found you, honey."

"Where else would I be?" Mom said. "This is where the mall key is. I was about to get it."

"That is why I was looking for you. I changed my mind. I do not need the key."

My anxiety dropped. I have never felt so relieved. "Um, why do you not need the key anymore?" I asked.

"Well...I left my wallet in the office."

My eyebrows narrowed. "But...you have valuables here at home. Why do you even have a wallet? It is illegal to own money."

"What is wrong with a man having a wallet?"

"I am just curious."

He glanced back at Mom. "I decided to fetch my wallet in the morning. I will leave early and return before you and the kids are awake."

"No need to leave early when we will be there anyway."

"I am taking the day off. Remember?"

She slapped her forehead. "Duh. I forgot."

"You know...you can take the day off too."

"I wish. But the mall must be open every day."

Dad smirked. "Unless that there is an emergency or an occasion...like a vacation."

Mom eyed him suspiciously. "Are you implying that we should take a vacation?"

"Yep!"

My jaw dropped. A vacation would ruin my plan!

"What do you say?" Dad asked.