We sit across the table, one facing the other
Eyes locked
Hands curled into balls
Legs poised to leap and swing my body into action 

My face is not quite as it should be, but I don't know this yet.  
I claim the hallowed innocencce of a five year old
You wear the holey cloak of adulthood, guilded with exasperation. 

'Now Emily, I'm going to ask you one more time, you won't be in trouble any more, if you just tell me the truth'. 
But, the thing is, what you don't realise is
a) the truth is the most troublesome factor 
& 
b) I don't understand the question, this question that presumes I've lied. 

I stare at you a little longer, lip out, eyes watery, shaking my head in defiance.  
Words, you see, aren't necessary for me.  
I just show my heartache at your disloyalty.

You stand up,
slowly, an archer gliding silently,
ready to aim and fire. 

There it is. 

The object. 

My eyes widen, a sumptous, round, full, jelly, custard, fruit, cream, icing... 
icing sugar. 

There we have it. 
A perfectly formed smudge on top of the ckae. 
You think you have me, but no, I will not concede. 

'Emily, why did you lie, why?' 

& with that, as if perfectly staged, I itch mynose.  Unbeknown to me, I've wiped the evidence clean off.  This evidence that my mother will recall for at least twenty five years more.