"You're just stunned a bit. You'll be happy about it someday. I'm sure."
I'm not, I thought. I won't ever be happy about it.
In fact. I was afraid that when we stepped outside, the wind would carry me off like a leaf discarded too soon and bewildered by the notion that it had to be something by itself, unattached and forever alone.
16 Locked in the Attic
.
"What the hell you two been doing?" Chad demanded. He was pacing in front of the entrance now and smoking a cigarette.
"Playing tiddlywinks with manhole covers,'" Alanis said and laughed. "That's what Granddad always says," she told me. She put her hands on her hips and leaned toward him. "We were talking with her great-aunt, like we said. Chad. The poor woman hasn't had a visitor for months and months and was starving for conversation. Ain't you got any
compassion for old people?"
He smirked. "'Since when do you?" he fired back at her and headed for his car. We followed.
"Since I decided to become a lady." she replied. "Now, a gentleman opens the car door for his female companions," she continued, folding her arms and stepping back from the automobile, "Just like Clark Gable in one With the Wind or something."
"Huh? My name ain't Clark Gable, whoever that is. Get in yourself," he replied.
"How uncouth," she told me.
I was still feeling too stunned and confused to fool around with Chad.
"I'm hungry," he said, flipping his cigarette behind him and getting into the car. He held up the money Alanis had given him, "This twenty is for gas. You got money for lunch?"
"As it happens, we do;" Alanis told him. "Stop at that Fast Freddy's Grill Burger joint that was on the right just as we entered town," she directed.
I had no appetite, but the two of them were famished. I nibbled on a grilled chicken sandwich and sipped a Coke. We ate in the car. Chad wanted to know what we'd talked about with "the old lady," but Alanis didn't reveal anything.
"Well, when we getting together then?" he demanded. "Tonight?"
"We'll see," she said, twisting her shoulder and dangling hope in front of his eyes. "Maybe if you're good."
"Ahhh," he said, pushing her away. "Just say when."
"We have to work on my granddad,'" she added quickly. "I've been grounded because of failing my first math, science and English tests."
I didn't know if that was true or not, but the explanation was credible for Chad.
"Well, if you're living with her in the big house, we should be able to meet in the basement anyway. What time?"
"We can't meet in the basement anymore. Her great-aunt found some alcopops down there and it's off bounds,"
"What alcopops? You had a party down there without me? That was true what I heard about Stuart Gavin?"
"No. silly, We took some from him and the girls and I had our own little girl-talk get-together. No boys allowed. Right, Jordan?"
He considered her stories, glanced back at me, then started the car. I didn't say a word for fear he would know it was all a big lie.
"So where we gonna get together and have our awn little party?" he asked.
"We might figure out a way to sneak you in after her great-aunt goes to sleep," she offered. "I'll call you. Stand by."
"Stand by? Where should I stand by? You playing me. Alanis?" he asked.
"Why would I do that. Chad? Don't you think I want to have fun. too?"