before with each of her four stepfathers. They assumed the role, went as far as adopting her, asked her to call them âDad.â And then, as soon as Trudy did something they didnât like, there would be murmuring behind closed doors, ultimatums made. Sarah standing by, wringing her hands. Then announcements: Sheâd be going off to school/to stay with distant relatives/to the juvie home.
Trudy slouched back in the booth. Sheâd expected more from Adam, at least. But he just sat there, avoiding her eyes. She took a toothpick out of the faux-crystal holder and stabbed it into the tip of her index finger, trying to make the pain in her body match the aching in her heart. The wood didnât puncture skin. Jack saw what she was doing and grabbed her hand.
âYouâd better know that this could get us all in trouble. Trudy is a minor. You know what that means, donât you?â
Trudy held her gaze steady on Adam. She willed him to look over at her so she could roll her eyes at âDr. Baxterâsâ paranoia. He didnât really care about her, Trudy. He was only concerned with his precious career. No wonder Sarah had left him.
But Adam would not look her way. She felt like that woman with the snakes growing from her headâMedusa. Was he afraid heâd turn to stone or something? She found his foot under the table with her own and nudged his ankle. She needed a sign from him, some indication that he was still on her side, but he jerked away. The future of their romance was looking pretty bleak.
Jack stepped away and gave them a few minutes of privacy.
âWell, I guess this is it,â Adam said. âSee you around.â
âWhat are you talking about?â Trudyâs voice was shrill with desperation. âYou really care what he thinks?â
âHey, I need to graduate.â His kohl-lined eyes were strangely cold. He eased himself out of the booth and headed for the door.
When Adam was gone, Jack ordered two more cups of coffee. âIâm sorry Trudy,â he said, âbut Iâm afraid weâre going to have to make other arrangements.â
6
Cassie knew that rumors about her were flourishing at school. Toddâs football buddies snickered in her wake. Their girlfriends darted their eyes from Cassie to each other and whispered behind their hands.
October, November, December ⦠Cassie ticked off the months in her head. She couldnât wait to get out of there.
Todd must have been pretty angry when she ditched him at that party, but he was the one slobbering all over Miss Big Blonde. Sheâd had every right to leave.
But Todd wasnât used to indifferent dates. He probably couldnât believe that Cassie, a girl with a disfiguring scar, wouldnât jump through hoops to be his girlfriend. This was his way of getting back at her.
She passed Harumi on her way to American Lit. When Harumi saw her, the usual chill left her eyes and she smiled.
âHey, Cassie. Howâs it going?â
âThanks again for the ride the other night.â
âSure. Anytime.â
After theyâd ditched the party, theyâd wound up going to the Capitol Café downtown. A waitress named Pee Wee brought them coffee and scrambled eggs, and theyâd compared notes on stage mothers, itchy costumes, and favorite songs. Theyâd even hatched plans to perform together someday. Harumi was sick of her bandmates and ready for something more serious. Maybe Cassie would be interested in being the lead singer?
Later, theyâd gone across the street and wandered around the capitol grounds, under the palmetto trees, past the spotlit monuments dedicated to George Washington and the Confederate soldiers, talking and talking until nearly dawn.
Theyâd have to make plans to hang out together again soon, Cassie thought as she made her way to class. For now, she sat down at her desk, hauled out her textbook, and waited for the bell to
Learning to Kill: Stories