"No. I'm good at it when I'm not playing with a bunch of cheats. And I'll tell you this, Phoebe." I added, fixing my gaze on her like a laser. "He might be afraid to tell you the truth to your face, but when he was with me he revealed just how little respect he has for you. Someday he might get up the nerve to tell you, and that." I said. turning. "is when he will become a man."
There was a great moan and then laughter. I glanced back and saw Roger's face was cherry red and Phoebe was so furious she was the one who now looked as if she had smoke pouring out of her ears.
I felt a little better. but I didn't stop trembling until I was in class again, I knew this was far from over, and I could just imagine what sort of trouble she would try to make for Mommy and me at the restaurant. I had to tell Mommy about it all as soon as I could. I thought, and regretted now that I had kept Roger's intention to visit me a secret.
I wanted to get home as soon as possible after school, but my intermediate algebra teacher had divided the class into groups of three and scheduled us for extra work three days a week. Today was my group's day, so I had to attend the session and remain at school an extra hour. By the time I got home Mommy was already off to work. She had left me a note about the food she had prepared and wanted me to warm for my dinner.
Despondent and frustrated. I hardly ate a thing. Randy called to see how I was doing. I told him fine and not to worry but thanked him for being
concerned. He was a very sweet person, truly like a bird trapped in a cage constructed out of his own disability. Part of the reason I had fallen so quickly into the trap I now imagined Phoebe and Roger had set for me was my appreciation of how protective and compassionate Roger had been toward Randy, but that proved to be an exception and not the -rule for his behavior. No one was what he or she seemed to be. I thought. Mommy had warned me of this. She had told me to take my time before placing my trust in anyone.
But how long did you have to wait. I wondered, and when did you know it was safe? Was it ever safe?
I phoned the restaurant. but Dallas told me they were very busy and Mommy would call me as soon as she had a free moment.
"It's one of those nights when everyone we booked comes on time. I could have used you, too." she shouted over the din.
I'd rather be there that here, I thought. I thanked her and went about preparing my dinner.
It had been a while since I had seen Augustus, While I sat at our dining table and gazed out the patio door toward the pond. I thought about him and wished I. too. could be in some sort of special home-study program. I was dreading returning to school the next day. Surely Phoebe would be setting some new trap or spreading some new story about me. How long would it go on? Why was it so important to her? I hoped that she would soon tire of it and aim her vicious guns at some other poor, unfortunate victim.
I was soon to learn that instead she was planning an even bigger assault.
.
Mommy didn't call me until nearly nine o'clock.
"I'm sorry, honey," she said. "This is the first real break I've had, and now there's a serious problem here. and I will be later than usual. I'm afraid."
"What kind of a problem. Mommy?"
She hesitated, and then in a voice barely audible, which told me she was trying not to be heard by anyone nearby, she said. "Money's missing. A lot of money."
"Money?"
"Warren is beside himself, and Dallas is practically in tears."
My heart skipped a beat and then began to thump. "No one thinks you took it, do they?" I asked.
"Of course not," she said. "Why would you even ask such a thing, Grace?"
"Was Phoebe there tonight?"
"Phoebe? Yes, why?"
"I'll tell you when you get home," I said.
"Oh, don't wait up for me. honey. You get your rest. We can talk in the morning."
"No," I said.
"I might not be home for some time," she warned,
"I don't care."
"What is it?" Before I could even begin, she said. "I have to go. Dallas is beckoning. Go to sleep." she ordered, and hung up.
Sleep? How could I ever fall asleep until I found out what was happening?