Secrets in the Shadows (Secrets 2)

"You can hold on by putting your arms around

me," he said and kicked the engine on. It sputtered. He turned back, smiling. "Look at that, you're making

it stutter."

"Very funny."

We started away.

"How do you know where I live?" I asked as he

headed out of the city.

"You're with your aunt and uncle, right?" "Yes."

"Everyone knows that house. It's one of a kind

around here."

Although we weren't going fast, the breeze

slapped at my face enough for me to rest the left side

of my head against his back. We were silent, moving

through the darkness with just the rather dim

illumination of the scooter's weak front light clearing

away the night. There was no moonlight, and a mostly

cloudy sky hid whatever starlight the celestial ceiling

was willing to offer.

We didn't speak until we reached my aunt's

home and he pulled into the driveway and stopped. I got off. He remained seated, the engine

running. "I did my end of the bargain," I said. "Where

are your poems?"

"You really want to read them?" he asked, his

voice full of skepticism.

"That was the deal. Well?"

He shut off the engine and reached into his

jacket to pull out the notebook.

"You might as well come inside," I said. "I can't

read them in the dark."

He looked at the house as if something about it