We sat on the sofa. and I described what it was like living on a naval base and being around ships and sailors, planes and helicopters.
It sou... sounds like fun," he said.
"It was exciting," I said. remembering.
"I hate to break up this love fest, but we're going for pizza." Phoebe announced. She marched past us and dawn the hallway,
Roger, Wally, Ashley. and Posy came in behind her.
"Be careful. Randy. You're dealing with a card shark. She'll have your pants off before you know it." Wally said.
"He'd like that" Ashley quipped. "So would you." Randy countered,
"Well, whaddya know, he didn't stutter that time," Roger said. smiling. "She must be doing something right"
He jabbed Wally in the ribs, and they all went to change.
.
It was as if Phoebe had decided to make me invisible. She asked me no questions, and she directed no remarks my way. Whenever anyone else spoke to me she immediately changed the subject. Actually I felt more comfortable with that. All her barbs and sarcastic arrows were shot at different targets. She enjoyed picking on Ashley. I assumed she wanted her around for that purpose only. and Ashley was so grateful for being permitted to be in the company of the prince and princess of the school, she took the punishment, practically thanking Phoebe for remembering she was there, even if it was only to belittle her.
A number of times I felt the urge to come to her defense but quickly realized that Ashley would appreciate it the least. If there was anything she didn't want it was to ally herself with someone Phoebe didn't favor.
I phoned Mommy right before we left for the restaurant, which was in Boca Raton in Roger's father's mall.
"Are you having fun. honey?" Mommy asked.
It was always hard for me to lie to her. My voice would betray me even if with all my heart I wanted to hide something from her,
"I'm all right," I replied.
"It's always hard making new friends," she said. I could hear the trembling in her voice and knew that despite the happy faces she was putting on she was still crying inside. I didn't have to add any of my little problems to her heavy burden,
"I know. I like this bay who is in my class. He's sweet," I told her.
"Oh, great. Have a goad time," she said.
After we had pizza we wandered through the mall. Randy and I broke off from the others and went to the bookstore. He found a book about the U.S. Navy and decided to buy it.
"You'll know more about the Navy than I do," I said. laughing.
"Good," he said.
When we met up with
the others Wally made Randy show him what he had bought and teased him about it all the way back to West Palm Beach.
"She'll make a sailor of you yet. Randy," he told him.
I noticed how Phoebe sat quietly, holding a small, icy smile on her lips. As it turned out, she was like a submarine slinking its way silently under the sea until it was in position to launch its deadly attack.
We had pulled into my condo development and up to my new home before she fired at me.
"I'll ca... ca... call you," Randy practically whispered. I nodded with a smile and got out of the car.
"Maybe I'll see you at the restaurant," Phoebe said, sounding very pleasant.
"Okay."