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Betsy nodded. "Yes, she is special. She's so smart. I hope Panther is as smart as she Mama didn't say anything. She smiled as if Betsy had said something very, very stupid. "I'd like to learn more about the spiritual world," Betsy said. "I really would."

"In time you will," Mama promised.

"Good. Noble sees and hears them. too. I imagine?" Betsy gazed my way. Mama smiled at me. "Noble does, and always will."

"Maybe I really am lucky to be here," Betsy declared, and began to clear off the tableware.

"Ill tell you what's really going to happen here," Betsy whispered to me later in the hallway. "Your mother is going to be committed and maybe you along with her, and then I'll get what's mine." she threatened, and went up to her room.

I wanted to run to Mama to warn her, but what would I tell her? Don't discuss the spiritual world with Betsy? Mama might think I was betraying her again. How could I believe anyone would think her mentally unbalanced for believing in our spirits? What difference could Betsy possibly make?

Much later, in the middle of the night. I was woken by the sound of my door opening and closing. I sat up and rubbed the cobwebs of sleep from my eyes.

"Who is it?" I asked the silhouetted figure.

"Who did you expect? One of your spirits?" Betsy said. "What do you want?"

"Did you think about what I told your she asked, drawing closer.

"I don't know what you mean. Go back to your room. Its late and you'll wake everyone."

"I can't believe you're such a zero. Noble. My brother must have seen something worthwhile in you to have been friends with you."

"We'll talk about it tomorrow. I'm tired."

Instead of leaving, she sat on my bed. "I can't sleep. This is the longest I've gone without even a beer. You don't listen to any music. You don't want to go to a movie or hang out with people our age. She's got you crazy. too. You should be on my side. Why don't you suggest she babysit one night and you and I go to a movie? I'll look up some of my old friends and we'll have a good time. What do you say?"

"I don't need to be with your old friends."

"Sure you do. You don't know what you need and what you don't need. I've decided that's your problem. If you don't know what you're missing', you don't care. It's as simple as that. right?"

"No. Just go back to your room."

"You've been kept locked up too long, Noble. You're not an ugly guy. You're actually very goodlooking, sweet. You have great eves."

I shifted away from her and she laughed.

"I remember how shy I used to be, but after that first time. I waved goodbye to shyness forever and I'm happy I did. You don't stay young forever. This is the best time of your life and you're letting it all go by, Noble."

"I'm not unhappy. Just go back to your room. Leave me alone." "You don't even know you're unhappy. I can make you happy." "I don't want you to do anything for me."

She stood up. A cloud slid off the moon and the glow brightened, practically illuminating my room as well as the ceiling fixture. For a moment she just stared at me. I thought she would simply say something nasty like she always did and then leave me, but instead, she brought her nightgown off her shoulders and then, with a slight twist of her body, let it fall to the floor.

She stood there naked, the yellow glow washing over her full breasts and her stomach. "Stop," I said, ashamed at how weak my voice sounded.

"No.Im going to show you what you're missing, and maybe then you'll be more interested in having some fun with me and my friends."

"Get away," I cried, but softly, so as not to wake up Mama. She saw that.

"If you don't behave. I'll scream and your mother will come in here and find us together,Ill tell her you invited me."

"Please, I don't want to be shown anything."

"I like it when you beg like that. Noble," she said, lowering herself to the bed, "It gets me more excited."

I thought I would leap out of the bed and rush out of the room. If I did that. Mama wouldn't think I had anything to do with Betsy coming into my room. I started to throw the blanket off me and turn to get out of the bed. but Betsy reached out quickly and put her arms around my neck, pulling me down and then bringing her lips to mine. She pressed hard and swung her left leg aver me. I struggled to free myself, which only made her laugh and kiss me again.

When I twisted to my left to turn my body, she threw the blanket off me and, before I could stop her, shoved her hand between my legs. For a long moment, she was still and I was still. Her fingers moved like the legs of some big spider and then she pulled her hand back sharply.