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“I have an idea. I’ll talk about it when we see each other again, if we ever do,” he added.

“Don’t be stupid. I’m saving almost everything I make so we’ll have money to get out of here together.”

“You are? That’s great,” he said. “What time do you work tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow I’m twelve to eight.”

“Okay. I’ll stop by about eight.”

“Let’s meet outside,” I said. “The manager is Cory’s friend, and he might tell him he saw you.”

“I’ll be in a blue Chevy with a bashed-in right front.”

“Keefer, how do you know these cars are safe to drive?” I asked, laughing.

“They’re safe. Don’t worry. The funeral’s tomorrow morning,” he added. “That’s why he got dead drunk tonight.”

“Oh. I could be there maybe.”

“No. It’s not going to be long.”

“Don’t get into any fights with him, Keefer.”

“I won’t. Charlie will keep him away from me. It’ll be all right.”

“I’m anxious to see you,” I said.

“Same here. I’d better get some sleep. You too. Take care, Robin,” he said.

I wanted to say more, but he hung up. I really was so tired and achy with cramps that I looked forward to falling asleep. It didn’t take long. I was in such a deep sleep that I didn’t hear Mother darling and Cory come home from their show. It surprised me to wake up with sunshine spilling over my face. At first I thought they had not yet returned. I imagined they had gone partying to celebrate their continued success, but when I stepped out of the room, I saw Mother darling’s outfit on the sofa, her boots on the floor. I had slept until almost nine-thirty myself and I didn’t hear a peep coming from their bedroom.

Taking care to make as little noise as possible, I made some coffee and had a small bowl of cereal. Afterward, I took a quick shower, dried myself and then went to change my tampon. I was so lost in thought about Keefer and his mother’s funeral, I didn’t at first realize the bathroom door had been opened. I looked up and saw Cory standing there, gaping at me, and I screamed, this time so shrilly and loud, he actually winced and jumped back, closing the door quickly.

I dressed as fast as I could, the rage keeping me hot and frantic. Cory had retreated to his and Mother darling’s bedroom, but that didn’t matter to me now. As soon as I was dressed, I opened their door and shouted, “That was disgusting. You knew I was in there.”

Mother darling was still in bed, her eyes closed. She turned and her eyelids fluttered open. Cory was standing at his closet. He was in his underwear and choosing a pair of jeans to wear.

“Whaaa? What is it?” Mother darling asked.

“He did it again. He just burst in on me and after he saw I was in there, he didn’t close the door. He just stood there gaping at me,” I accused.

Cory smirked.

“That’s a lot of crap. You didn’t give me a chance to close the door. You just went hysterical.”

“Did you enjoy the view? Are you interested in women’s hygiene that much?”

Cory looked at Mother darling.

“Can you do something about her?”

“Robin,” she began, sitting up and letting the blanket fall to her waist. Her nudity never shocked me, but her nudity with a man in the room did. I turned away. “I’m sure it was just an accident,” she began.

“Right,” I said. “An accident. That’s exactly what he is, an accident. I bet his mother collected on collision insurance or something when he was born.”

“Very funny.”

“Robin.”