Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

"Absolutely. I'll keep my eye on Mrs. Westington as well," he said when we reached the parking lot. Trevor was waiting in the car and Mrs. Westington hadn't come out yet.

"That'll be nice."

He thought a moment and then turned to me. "Look, April, I'm really sorry about--"

"Don't," I said. "Let's pretend none of it happened, okay? I'll be back and I'll be different and you'll be different and we'll see what that means for us then."

He smiled. "Right. Say good-bye to Destiny for me, will you?"

"You know I will," I said, and he laughed. He started to turn back to the building, stopped, and took my hand again to draw me closer and kiss me.

"Bye," he whispered, and walked back to the building. I watched until he went inside. Then I went to the car. Trevor had seen it all, but he said nothing. Moments later. Mrs. Westington appeared and he got out to open the door for her. She bawled him out for that.

"I don't need a chauffeur," she snapped. "You're not driving Miss Daisy."

He shook his head and got back behind the wheel. On the way home afterward. Mrs. Westington was terribly silent. Trevor and I talked continuously so there'd be no long moments of silence.

When we reached the house, she wobbled a bit more than usual when she stepped out of the car this time. "Starting to feel my age," she remarked. "Guess I'll have to ease up on that gas pedal."

"What did you tell me once? You think bad things and bad things will happen. Don't go giving advice you won't follow yourself." I lectured, and she laughed.

"Look what I turned loose on the world. Trevor," she said, looking back at him.

"Yes, Ma'am. You did good."

She nodded and then looked off in the direction of the school. "I hope she's not frightened tonight," she said.

"I gave her Mr. Panda. She'll have him beside her," I said.

She raised her eyebrows as if she was getting ready to make fun of the idea and then she just nodded. "Most likely that'll help," she agreed, and we went into the house.

I had to get my things together. Brenda had called to let me know everything was set up at the new house and to give me clear directions. I didn't have all that much. Trevor put same of the cartons with Uncle Palaver's things in them in the trunk and back-seat beside Destiny.

"You're going to get same looks driving around with that doll in your car," he said. On the other hand, you've got to get real close to see it's just a doll."

"It's when you get real close that you realize it isn't just a doll," I told him, and he looked at me and smiled.

"I'm not going there." he said. "My greatgrandma had a magic doll, something akin to voodoo. I never mention it to Mrs. Westington. She makes fun of my superstitions and such as it is. I'm putting a case of the wine in your car. too. Maybe your sister and her friends will like it,"

"I bet they will, Thank you. Trevor."

I looked back at the house. Saving good-bye to Mrs. Westington was going to be difficult, even with the promise to return soon. She was keeping herself busy in the kitchen, pretending that nothing different had occurred or would.

"I made some sandwiches for you." she said when I appeared in the kitchen doorway. "No need to stop and eat that ratty road food they serve in some of those run-down places truckers go to."

"Thank you," I said, taking the bag.

"You sure you got everything?"

"Whatever I forgot, I'll get when I come back."

"Right," she said.

"You know I have to come back."

"Of course you do,"

"You're not going to get sick on me while I'm away or anything, are you?"