school who would smile back at her.
?So you like me again, huh?? he said as she made her way toward
him.
?Not you too,? Helen moaned. ?Is there a sign on my back that
says ?kick me???
?It?s just gossip, Helen. It can?t hurt us,? he said, wisely deciding
not to tease her anymore.
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?Maybe it can?t hurt you,? Helen muttered. She put a hand on her
belly. Lucas saw her do it and was just about to ask what was
wrong when Hector and Jason joined them.
?Your mom?s here,? Jason told Lucas, who nodded as though he
was expecting her.
?What?s wrong?? Helen asked.
?Nothing. We?re meeting with the principal because my mom is
going to try and talk our way back on to the football team,? Lucas
explained.
?She?s playing the ?have pity on a poor little woman raising so
many gigantic boys? card and then she?ll beg them to let us beat up
kids from other schools instead of each other. All to the benefit of
Nantucket High, of course,? Jason said with a grin. ?It never fails.
She?s like the Einstein of guilt.?
?But should you three be allowed to play football?? Helen said
with a disapproving frown. ?I mean, you all have an unfair
advantage.?
?Keep talking, track star,? Hector replied with a little heat.
?Helen runs because she needs a scholarship for college,? Lucas
said, shooting Hector a warning glance. ?We play sports because
it?s expected of us. It?s a
nnoying, actually, because we have to pretend