Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

"Thank you, but I'm not fishing for a

compliment."

"I'm not biting on the hook," he replied quickly, and we both laughed.

He looked about the motor home again. "What a great little clubhouse this would make. huh?"

"I suppose."

"Well, until it gets carted off, maybe we'll use it. It could be our classroom once in a while,"

"Really?"

"Why not?"

"Okay. Oh. I have to get the generator charged, run the engine."

"I'll help you organize things and pack, too, if you like."

"Thank you, but what about your mother and the time you're already spending here and..."

"Don't worry about that." He looked at Destiny again and then turned to me. "Did your uncle dress her in a costume for the show?"

"Oh, yes." I rose and went to the closet. "Here are two," I said, showing him. They belonged to the real Destiny."

"So the doll is exactly her height, weight, measurements. everything?"

"As far as I know. yes." I said.

He stared at her and nodded. Then he looked up at me. "Did you have a costume in the show?"

"I did but my weight went up and down so much that I wore it only when I had lost weight. Now, as you can see, I've gained it all back."

"Let's see the costume you wore.'

I squinted and felt the folds form in my forehead. "It's nothing," I said.

"Come on," he urged. "Don't be bashful,"

I turned to the closet, hung up Destiny's outfits, and took out mine. He rose and took it from my hands to hold up in front of me.

"Doesn't look like you can't fit in it"

"I can't. My bulging waist will show."

It really wasn't much more than an abbreviated one-piece bathing suit in bright colors. The back was open almost below my waist. The bodice had cups that lifted my breasts and made them look even larger, deepening my cleavage. There were secret pockets where I kept coins and other things used in some of the tricks Uncle Palaver performed.

"Put it on. Let me see."

"No. I'll be embarrassed.'"

"Destiny," he said, turning to the doll. "Should she do it? What do you think? There," he said quickly. "She nodded."

"Oh, she did not."

"I saw her do it. Go ahead. Put it on."

I thought about it a moment and then walked back into Uncle Palaver's bedroom to change into it. I didn't look great, but I didn't look as bad as I thought I would. When I stepped out, Tyler turned and widened his eves,