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    Something: the Book
    Something: the Book
    Something: the Book
    Ebook528 pages10 hours

    Something: the Book

    By Ted Stetson

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    About this ebook

    Joanne and David's first meeting and dating and the events that kept them apart.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherTed Stetson
    Release dateAug 7, 2013
    ISBN9781301876518
    Something: the Book
    Author

    Ted Stetson

    Ted Stetson is a member of SFWA. He was born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island and went to Seton Hall and Hofstra. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas. He was awarded First Place by the Florida Literary Arts Council and First Place in the Lucy B. McIntire contest of the Poetry Society of Georgia. His short fiction has appeared in Twisted Tongue, MysteryAuthors.com, Future Orbits, State Street Review, and the anthologies; One Evening a Year, Mota: Truth, Ruins Extraterrestrial Terra, Ruins Terra and Barren Worlds. His books include: Night Beasts, The Computer Song Book.

    Read more from Ted Stetson

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      Book preview

      Something - Ted Stetson

      By Ted Stetson

      *****

      Three Door Publishing

      Smashwords Edition

      Something: the Book Copyright © 2013 by Ted Stetson

      Something (short story) Copyright © 2011 by Ted Stetson

      Softly (short story) Copyright © 2011 by Ted Stetson

      *****

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      *****

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

      *****

      Cover art by Herman Brinkman

      *****

      Dedicated to my wife, Gail and my son, William.

      *****

      Author’s Note:

      Several years ago I wrote "Something" (short story) for a workshop.

      Following its publication, many readers wanted to read more about Joanne and David. It was some time before I had a break in my schedule to continue the story.

      Thank you.

      T.S.

      *****

      Something: the Book

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Chapter 18

      Chapter 19

      Chapter 20

      Chapter 21

      Chapter 22

      Chapter 23

      Chapter 24

      Chapter 25

      Chapter 26

      Chapter 27

      Chapter 28

      Chapter 29

      Chapter 30

      Chapter 31

      Chapter 32

      Chapter 33

      Chapter 34

      Chapter 35

      Chapter 36

      Chapter 37

      Chapter 38

      Chapter 39

      Chapter 40

      Chapter 41

      Chapter 42

      Chapter 43

      Chapter 44

      Chapter 45

      Chapter 46

      Chapter 47

      Chapter 48

      Chapter 49

      Chapter 50

      Chapter 51

      Chapter 52

      Chapter 53

      Chapter 54

      Chapter 55

      Chapter 56

      Chapter 57

      Chapter 58

      Chapter 59

      Chapter 60

      Chapter 61

      Chapter 62

      Chapter 63

      Chapter 64

      Chapter 65

      Chapter 66

      Chapter 67

      Chapter 68

      Chapter 69

      Chapter 70

      Chapter 71

      Chapter 72

      Chapter 73

      Chapter 74

      About the Author

      *****

      Chapter 1

      One evening while driving through a section of town she hadn't been through in months, Joanne had a flat and pulled to the side of the road. As she stepped from the car, snow was falling heavier.

      She was nervous with traffic racing past, but was going to change the tire herself when a pickup pulled up and she thought, ut oh. She looked around in case she needed help, but everyone was too busy watching the road to notice.

      The door opened, on the side was a gas station emblem, and a man stepped out. At first she didn't recognize him, and then she saw that heartwarming smile. David? Oh my God, it was him. He was older and didn't have that graceful walk, but when he came close she looked in those sensitive green eyes. His face was still rugged and handsome, but life had been very hard on him.

      She touched her hair; it was a mess. She sort of hoped he wouldn't recognize her. She had to admit she wouldn't have recognized herself. So much had happened over the years – marriage, childbirth, raising children, her husband Frank dying. But one look at him and she could see her life hadn't been as hard as his.

      Got a flat? he said.

      She pointed, her voice stuck in her throat.

      He took out her spare tire, but it was flat, too. He filled the tire from a tank in the truck. He motioned at the gauge; the tire wouldn’t hold the air pressure. I can fix it at the station. He put the spare on and added enough air pressure so it was drivable.

      She followed him back to the gas station. By now, it was snowing very hard.

      She drove into the garage and he turned on the inside lights and a radio, doing everything he could to make her feel at ease. She was afraid it would be loud fast music, but it was an oldie station playing those great slow songs they used to dance to. She had a crazy desire to ask him to dance like old times, but she couldn't. And she couldn't stand there not saying anything. As if sensing her discomfort, he suggested she go into the little office where there was a small heater. She stepped into the front. On the wall was a picture of a woman with two pretty daughters. It caught her. A sob squeezed her throat. She was glad he had found happiness and yet she wanted to cry. It would be another lonely Christmas for her, but he’d be with family. She was glad for him, even though it hurt.

      She watched the snow falling outside. It was going to be a beautiful Christmas and she felt so down. She heard his steps coming and forced a smile onto her face.

      As he swiped the credit card she said, You have pretty daughters.

      Proud of Jo and Anne. They live with their mother.

      Been here long? she asked as she signed the credit slip.

      Just bought it. My father used to own a station across town.

      She didn’t know if she was happy or sad that he didn't recognize her. She said the first thing that came to mind, You’re limping; are you okay?

      Got in a car accident on my way to college and pop had to sell the station to pay the bills.

      That was the first she’d heard of an accident. What happened?

      It's old business.

      No, please tell me.

      My buddy crashed his car and I was hurt. He told the story evenly, water over the dam. Awhile before I could walk and all.

      She didn’t know what to say. Apparently he didn’t recognize her. Maybe he wore glasses. Should she say anything? She was so confused.

      Thanks. She had to get out of there. No one had told her of a car accident. His friends and her friends didn't speak. His parents didn't want them dating.

      She had a hard time controlling the car on the way home, she was shaking so much. He hadn't just run off and forgotten her. Then she recalled his daughters: Jo and Anne! Were they named after her? She nearly turned the car around, but after so many years he'd probably forgotten. Then she remembered his mother’s name was Anne, so his daughter wasn’t named after her.

      The wind whistled outside, a blanket of snow covered everything but her memories. She tried to keep busy: beings in continuous motion can't think. But she couldn’t. She felt she was going mad. All those years ago, she’d thought he’d dumped her, a college fling he’d tired of. She’d been wrong. She’d called again and again, but no one ever answered … because he was in the hospital. He’d been hurt and she had gone away.

      Dana, her daughter, called. What time was she coming for Christmas dinner? A thousand questions she couldn't think about. Dana and her husband were very nice, but she'd always felt in the way. She said yes to whatever Dana asked, and then she crossed her arms and stood at the window watching the falling snow and thinking of David.

      Finally she put on a Simon and Garfunkel Golden Hits CD. Her grandson's huge teddy bear was nearby and she picked it up and danced around the room. Then she buried her face in the furry softness as memories and tears came tumbling back.

      *****

      Chapter 2

      A long, long time ago …

      The summer after her senior year of high school, Joanne was working at Albertsons to save money for college. She went on break and Sadie who had also graduated from South Eugene High School came over to her. She and Sadie hadn't been friends in high school, but now that they were working together, Sadie was friendlier.

      It was Friday when Sadie sat down at the break room table and ran a brush through her blond hair. After work, a bunch of us are going to a party in Pleasant Hill; want to come?

      No, I'd better not, thanks.

      Come on, you'll have a few beers. The old crowd will be there.

      Joanne wondered what old crowd she was talking about. Sadie had attended Roosevelt Middle School and in high school hung out with the College Hill clique. Joanne had gone to Spencer Butte Middle School and then to South Eugene and didn't really hang out.

      No, I'd better not.

      Come on; it'll be fun.

      Joanne was already shaking her head.

      Everyone from the store's going. Sadie was trying to get Joanne to go so her brother would give her a ride. Cameron had said he’d give her a ride if Joanne came with her.

      Okay, I guess.

      Great, my brother will pick you up after work. Sadie put out her cigarette and hurried to find someone else to attend so another girl from the store would be going to the party.

      After break Joanne went over to Lilly at the checkout cash register number three and asked if she was going.

      A party? Where?

      Sadie said in Pleasant Hill.

      Sadie?

      Yeah, she said everyone in the store is invited.

      Sadie said that? Lilly looked at her like why'd Sadie ask Joanne first?

      Find her and have her tell you herself.

      No, if you said so, I believe you.

      Sadie said everyone's going.

      Lilly turned. Hey, Vickie, know anything about a party in Pleasant Hill?

      No.

      Want to go?

      You go, I'll go.

      Lilly turned to Joanne. We're going.

      When Vickie took her break, she mentioned it to Estelle in the bakery and the guys in produce.

      ***

      When Sadie's, aka Sarah, brother Cameron pulled up in an old Crown Vic there were two cars in front of Joanne's house. Cameron sat behind the wheel gunning the big engine, a cloud of smelly exhaust fumes behind the old Ford. Cameron had curly brown hair and blue eyes and perfect white teeth. He always wore a medallion around his neck with a religious symbol   a crucifix or Star of David, Buddha, whatever affiliation he was currently mocking. Tonight he wore a small American flag and would probably rag on ex-President Reagan and President Bush. As usual, he had put on too much aftershave.

      Joanne hurried over to the old police cruiser.

      What's going on? Sadie asked.

      Joanne glanced at the other vehicles. Word must've spread. You said everyone’s going.

      "I didn't mean everyone, Sadie said, frowning at the people in the VW van. Who else you tell?"

      Sadie gazed at Joanne. She had told lots of people, but she was surprised Joanne was smart enough to turn her plan around on her.

      The more the merrier. Cameron grinned at Joanne. Come on.

      Sadie gave her brother a hostile look.

      I invited her like you asked, Sadie said under her breath, but I haven’t got a clue about the rest of these ... people.

      It'll be alright. Cameron smiled at Joanne.

      How do you know? Sadie murmured.

      Because I know.

      We'll look like a bunch of hicks with these yahoos.

      Never happen.

      It's supposed to be a party, not a swap meet.

      Let it go.

      Does this look like a birthday party crowd?

      Afraid of the competition?

      Sadie glared at her brother. She saw him looking at the girls in the other cars. She recognized that look. Whenever he saw a pretty girl, he couldn't hear a word she said. He'd probably already forgotten about Joanne.

      Sadie flicked her cigarette out the window. You’d better be right.

      Great. Cameron grinned at Joanne.

      Sadie gestured for Joanne to climb in the back.

      Joanne saw the cluttered back seat and said she'd get in the VW van and follow them.

      Cameron shot Sadie an angry look. He wanted Joanne to sit in front, Sadie could have shared the bench seat or at least not be such a pill and climb the back herself. No wonder Joanne went in the van. He’d have gone in the van too if someone had treated him so shabbily. His sister was such a dweeb. He gunned the Ford and the orange and white VW van struggled to keep up. Behind the VW was an old light gray Dodge van filled with people.

      They went out route 58, the Willamette Highway, and turned right on Rattlesnake Road. The road wound around hills, past a sign nailed to a telephone pole:

      PARTEE

      They turned left down a narrow dirt driveway. YARDLEY is said on the old mailbox.

      Music was blasting from a big red barn and lights spilled out of the barn. Many vehicles were parked on both sides of the barn doors and behind the aged barn was a small corral. Up the slope was a large white house with a wraparound porch.

      Cameron led them through the wide doors. Strings of Christmas lights wound through the barn and over the empty stalls. Tables were half-sheets of plywood on sawhorses and barrels. People sat on chairs, benches and barrels. To the right, in the stall just before the corral doors someone played DJ with an old record player. Teenagers danced on a makeshift wooden dance floor between the rear barn doors.

      A large wooden half-barrel contained ice and drinks. Joanne carried cans of beers and sodas to the table. On a grill out back a man was cooking franks, beans and burgers. The smoke drifted into the barn carrying the mouthwatering aroma of barbecue.

      Joanne sat at a table with her work friends and other girls from South Eugene joined them. They had a lot of catching up to do. At other tables were guys and girls from Churchill, Sheldon and Pleasant Hill. A few adults sat at tables off to the side.

      Guys sitting nearby looked at them and talked among themselves, cracking jokes. Whenever one of the girls at Joanne's table looked in their direction, they laughed.

      Boys, Lilly said.

      Look at Sexy Sadie, Janet said.

      Sadie Hill was on the dance floor hanging onto a guy like they were joined at the belly button. One of the guys at the table got up and approached a girl at another table. He looked back at the other guys and they motioned him to do it.

      Lilly shook her head. Feel like I'm back in middle school.

      They're nice, Joanne said. Just shy.

      You say shy, I say dweeb, Lilly said.

      You say shy, Janet said, I say let's call the whole thing off.

      They laughed.

      Suddenly Joanne noticed a guy from that table, standing next to her. She looked up at him; he was slender, handsome and athletic-looking. The girls stopped talking and looked at him. Under the table Lilly kicked her.

      You want to dance? he said.

      Joanne's first reaction was to shake her head no. Lilly motioned at her and whispered, Why not? Joanne glanced at Janet then shrugged her shoulders, why not?

      She stood up and walked with him to the dance floor. Whoever was working the record player put on Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water.' They looked at each other.

      Hi, he said.

      Hi..

      His left hand took her right hand, she put her left hand on his shoulder and they danced. Joanne noted Sadie now belly-button dancing with a different guy. Cameron was dancing with Janet; it looked like a wrestling match.

      Nice party, she said.

      Yeah.

      Every now and then he’d step on her toes and apologize.

      It's okay, she said. Whenever he looked at the guys at the table, he stumbled into her. She wanted to say, stop looking at them, pay attention to me. Next time he looked, she tugged his shoulder and when he looked at her, she smiled. She did that again and he stopped stumbling.

      Who's the birthday boy? she asked.

      Just some guy.

      Something about the way he said it got to her.

      It's your party?

      He shrugged.

      What?

      My mom gets carried away.

      She looked around thinking it was a really nice party.

      At least she didn't hire the marching band, he said.

      She looked at his handsome young face, strong chin, nice mouth, green eyes.

      I'm just kidding, he said.

      I'm with the marching band, she kidded.

      He looked at her, his face serious. Really?

      She smiled enjoying the moment. Would I kid you?

      He was quiet a second. Then I'm glad she hired the band. He said it with such conviction, a lump caught in her throat.

      They danced until the song stopped and then the DJ played, ‘The Long and Winding Road.’

      The DJ really likes those golden oldies.

      He made a face. I tried to limit her golden oldie albums.

      She glanced at the end stall the stereo was in and turned to him.

      My mom.

      One of the teenagers yelled, How ‘bout Michael Jackson?

      Another shouted, Madonna.

      Cameron yelled, "Satisfaction."

      Walter disguising his voice like a girl’s shouted, Later.

      Laughter echoed in the barn.

      I'm not in the marching band, she said.

      You can be in my band any time you want.

      You have a band?

      Wish I did.

      She laughed and he laughed.

      Happy birthday, she said.

      Thank you.

      I was in the band, she said.

      What happened?

      I quit.

      Why?

      The teacher said I was marching to my own tune.

      Me, too.

      You were in a band?

      No, the teacher’s says that’s I don’t pay attention. I march to my own tune.

      She gazed at his handsome face. Her hand on his shoulder could feel the muscles under his shirt. When his green eyes looked at her, a thrill ran through her.

      I play baseball.

      Any good?

      Got a scholarship.

      Where you going to college?

      Washington State, he said. You?

      University of St. Thomas. My aunt lives in Houston.

      Far away.

      My aunt went there, she said. My mom thinks it’ll be good for me. To get away.

      Will you be home for Christmas?

      I hope so.

      So do I.

      It got to her that he said that, she’d been thinking the exact same thing. Just then the music ended and she broke away from him.

      Thanks, she said and headed back to the table. She was walking back to her table thinking he was right behind her. She was almost at the table when she turned and saw him still standing on the dance floor. He was staring at her as if he’d been hit by lightning.

      She stared at him. Her heart jumped. She felt tingly. She suddenly found herself going back to the dance floor. It was almost as if she wasn't in control of herself. She stepped up to him.

      Me, Joanne, she said like she was introducing herself to Tarzan.

      David.

      The DJ put on a new record, George Harrison's 'Something' and they danced.

      *****

      Chapter 3

      Starting to like the DJ.

      That’s my mother, Anne.

      Joanne noticed Mrs. Yardley staring at her.

      Did I do something wrong?

      She’s just checking you out.

      My mom is like that too.

      She's afraid I’ll get in trouble with the guys.

      She looked at the table of his friends. Cameron was passing around a joint under the table.

      I can see why.

      Oh, they're okay.

      Any of them going to college?

      A few.

      Eugene University?

      Rob and Vince are going to LCC (Lane Community College) until they can get into the Eugene University. Walter’s going to Washington State.

      Joanne noticed the DJ, David's mother, talking to a girl with shoulder length honey blond hair and pointing at him.

      Here comes the cavalry. Joanne gestured in the direction of his mother.

      My sister Joyce, he said. I think she was left on our doorstep by trolls.

      She doesn’t look like a troll.

      You haven’t met her.

      They watched Joyce go to a table of her friends. After a minute, Joyce's friend Sherry got up and in her tight black jeans and sashayed to the dance floor. Cameron and guys at other tables gave cat calls as Sherry walked over to David.

      Do you mind if I have this dance? Sherry said.

      Joanne didn't know what to say. She supposed it was okay for people to cut in and started to step back.

      I mind, David said and pulled her back into his arms and danced away.

      It thrilled her when David took her in his strong arms.

      Baby-faced Sherry didn't know what to say. She looked back at Joyce and motioned with her blond head. Joyce urged her to try again, but Joanne and David were dancing far from her. Sherry went back to her table. Little Walter asked her to dance and she handed him her drink to refill.

      Joyce shook her head like if you want something done, you need to do it yourself. She marched to the dance floor as if she had a score to settle.

      Reinforcements, Joanne said.

      David made a face.

      Davy, Joyce said in a too sweet voice when she was close.

      Go away, he said without turning to her.

      But mom said --

      Go.

      But--

      Go now!

      Joyce spun on her heel and stormed to the DJ table.

      Just so you know, he said to her. Don’t like being called Dave or Davy. I prefer David.

      Got it.

      And you?

      I'm not too fond of crack whore.

      He looked at her and she at him and they laughed.

      Just then a mature voice said, David, don't you think you should dance with other people?

      He turned to his mother. Mom, I'm dancing, don't push it.

      How about a dance with your mother? she said.

      He looked at her and sighed. Later.

      David, Joanne said, you should dance with your mother.

      His mother gave her an annoyed glance not wanting this stranger to take her side.

      It’s my party, he said to her and gave his mother a look.

      She went to speak and he said, Ma.

      Mrs. Yardley frowned and walked away.

      You should dance with your mother.

      I’d rather dance with you.

      But she is your mother.

      I’ll dance with her later.

      David and Joanne glanced over at the DJ table and saw Joyce and David's mother talking.

      What are they up to? Joanne said.

      Why don't they leave me alone?

      It’s me, she said. They don’t know me. I’m an unknown quantity.

      Not to me, he said. In my heart, I’ve known you all my life.

      A thrill run through her again. She felt all warm and didn’t know what to say.

      It'll probably start raining cats and dogs, she said.

      Long as it isn't raining cat poop and dog poop, he said.

      They danced to the far end of the dance floor outside the barn.

      When the song ended people wanted her to play it again. Instead, Joyce put on Billy Joel singing, ‘Uptown Girl.’

      David started to lead Joanne back to her table.

      What?

      I can't dance fast.

      You're going to give up that easily?

      I almost broke all your toes. Fast dance and you'll never walk the same again.

      Come on, she said, I'll show you.

      He glanced around as if everyone was watching him. Now?

      No one will say anything.

      He glanced at his sister who was grinning meanly at him. You don't know what you're getting yourself into.

      Has your sister tried to teach you?

      How did you know?

      Come on; let me see if I can undo the damage.

      They went over near the corral. While the music played she showed him some steps and told him to improvise and in a few minutes he was dancing to fast music. He was dancing alongside her, smiling at her. He tried to imitate her. She told to him to not get carried away and just do his own thing. They peeked over at the DJ station and saw angry looks from his sister. Then some of his friends and her friends stepped outside and they were all dancing together to the music. Everyone was having so much fun.

      Then Walter took over as DJ and the music became a mix of Michael Jackson, Madonna and Billy Joel.

      David's mother rolled out a big birthday cake and called him over. There were jokes about there being enough candles on it to be seen from the Mir space station. David picked up the knife to cut the first piece, his mother stopped him and told him to make a wish, and then blow out the candles.

      He closed his eyes and took a big breath. As he was about to try to blow then out, Walter shouted, The Yankees don't need a shortstop, and everyone laughed. Except David. He stared at Joanne like she was the only person there and blew out all the little candles. When he finished, he raised his head and stared at her again.

      Mrs. Yardley saw him gazing at her and a strange expression crossed her face.

      What did you wish for? Joyce asked.

      He can't tell you, Walter said. Then the wish won't come true.

      His mother cut small pieces of cake and put them on paper plates.

      David grabbed a piece of cake and an extra piece and walked over to Joanne. He handed one to her. They stood by the rear barn door.

      Where did all these people come from? he asked. It's awful crowded in here.

      Joanne felt guilty about inviting the people at work.

      I invited some people from work, she admitted.

      Why?

      Sadie wanted Cameron to be my date.

      Cameron. He laughed. I'd invite the whole store.

      She shrugged.

      Cameron’s okay when he’s sober, David said.

      And when is that?

      Most of them are my sister's friends.

      They walked out the back door and over to the corral. Leaning against the old wooden fence and using small white plastic forks they ate the white pound cake with white icing. Next to the corral fence was a trail that the riders used. Down the trail was an old gray weathered tree with no leaves, no bark, and a few bare branches.

      What did you wish for?

      Can't tell you, he said, or it won't come true.

      That important?

      We’ll see. He smiled shyly at her.

      As they ate she looked at the spacious yard, at the corral. They leaned on the fence and looked back at the weathered barn, watched the people dancing. Someone else was DJ now and Stevie Wonder was singing, ‘I Just Called To Say I Love You.’ Over the barn they could see the pearly moon in the night sky. They leaned against the fence listening to the music.

      A new moon, he said. She glanced at him, catching the tone in his voice, but not understanding. A new moon is said to be a sign of new beginnings.

      Joyce took over being DJ and Tina Turner started singing, ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’

      They turned away from the barn.

      You have horses?

      Use to. Too expensive. We used to rent stalls. People haven't got money for that now.

      Did you take care of the horses?

      Joyce and I did. My mom is the horse expert. I help out at my father's used car lot.

      Your father has a used car lot?

      On highway 58, across from the supermarket.

      They ate more cake. She watched him eating the cake. She watched him lick icing off his fingers and quickly turned away. Not now, she told herself. Not now.

      What does your father do? he asked.

      My dad is a professor at the Eugene University Medical School.

      I didn’t know they had a medical school.

      It’s in the planning stage.

      What will you major in?

      Teaching or nursing, I’m not sure.

      Your father’s a doctor?

      He’s not that type of doctor. He’s a professor of biology.

      And you’re not going to the E.U.?

      My father wants me to, but my mother thinks it's better if I get away and was sort of on my own.

      He gave her a look. What was she not telling him?

      My mother and father are getting a divorce.

      Oh, he said. Sorry.

      Nothing for you to be sorry about.

      Must be hard on you.

      Thanks. She put her hand on his arm and looked up at him.

      She had the feeling that he was going to kiss her and she wanted him to, when suddenly his mother shouted, from the back door of the barn, Davy.

      WHAT?

      David!

      He went back to the barn and said hello to relatives and family friends who had just arrived. Every now and then he gave her a look like he wished he could get free and be with her.

      She stood by the fence gazing at the two story house up the slope from the barn. It was an old style house. She couldn’t hear traffic here, unlike her house on Donald Street. She wished she lived here instead of in the South Hills where houses were so close together. Sadie hiked out to the fence. Even in the dim light Joanne could see a love bite on her neck.

      Wow, what a party, Sadie said.

      You having a good time?

      Lost one boyfriend and got a new one.

      You work fast.

      They don't call me Sexy Sadie for nothing.

      Joanne didn't reply. She didn’t like the nickname.

      How are you and birthday boy doing?

      He's nice.

      Sadie spoke in an evil whisper, But how's his family?

      Joanne gave her a look. I don't really know. I haven't met them. They seem nice.

      Tell me after you meet them, if you ever do.

      They gave him this party.

      Cameron told me his father did it as a business promotion.

      How could this be a promotion? Joanne thought Cameron made up most things.

      Figure it out.

      She looked back at the barn to see what David was doing. He was going up to the house with his father surrounded by his sister and her friends.

      There was a target for arrows on a bale of hay near the bare tree. The guys were throwing baseballs and rocks at it. Even the girls were taking turns.

      The party's breaking up, Sadie said. A bunch of us are going to continue the party at Linda's house. You want to come?

      No, I better go home.

      Cameron can drop you off.

      They walked inside. Joanne walked over to Cameron sitting at a table. When he went to stand up, he fell over. Walter laughed at him.

      Cameron had sneaked in a bottle of vodka and was spiking everyone’s drinks. She looked up and saw Mrs. Yardley glaring at her as if somehow it was her fault. Walter and Sadie and some others helped Cameron to his car and Sadie drove him away.

      Joanne went to apologize to Mrs. Yardley for Cameron's behavior. She didn't know why she was, but she thought she should say something before Mrs. Yardley thought she was involved in it. She could hear them inside the house, but could not see them and knocked on the screen door. As she looked inside for David and saw on the wall by the stairs a framed needle point drawing of a boat. It struck her that it reminded her of a model boat she’d heard was on President Kennedy’s desk. She had a poster of the President’s boat at home with the inscription:

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