As everyone waited to see what Aleena would say, Eve seemed to be taking it all in stride, and out of the corner of his eye Allan watched her as she frowned at Eve's strange behavior.

"So, what?" asked Allan impatiently.

Aleena looked back at Eve and then at her best friend Crystal, and then looked back at Allan before speaking.

"Can I...not fire Crystal's daddy, Daddy? Poor Crystal, she'll be sad. And what if they can't send Crystal here anymore? I'll be...sad! Hik Hik Hik...Crystal's my best friend, at school, Daddy! Can I? May I?" Aleena said pleadingly.

Allan turned to Eve, Eve pretended not to know and looked...