"Are you a history major or something?" he
asked.
I shook my head.
"That was a surprising question. Most people
ask me what's the tallest building in the world or who
invented the telephone. Something ordinary." he
added. "See? You're interesting already. I'm better off
not knowing you."
He turned and marched off, taking long, quick
strides, his head bowed, strands of hair flying about
his temples. I watched him for a moment and then
hurried back to our new home.
"Who was that?" Mommy asked, looking in
Augustus's direction.
"I don't know. He lives here, but he's a very
strange bay," I said.
"Now you've got it." Dallas told me, "They're
all strange. Always assume that about men, and you'll
be fine. Call me if you need anything else. Jackie.
'Bye. Grace, I'll have Phoebe call you."
"Thanks. Dallas," Mommy said. They hugged
again, and Dallas left.
We were alone for the first time in our new
home.
We both looked about the condo for a moment,
and then Mommy nodded,
"It's going to be harder than I thought," she
said.
6
Augustus and Phoebe