Page 11

"Chandler Maxwell. He sounds so formal," Mommy shook her head and laughed. "He sounds more like one of your teachers than a classmate."

"Yes, he does," I said, laughing to myself. What could he want? I wondered. Did he get angry at me for teasing him?

Is he calling to tell me he won't attend another lesson?

We had one phone, situated in the hallway. Grandad didn't see any need for another and certainly didn't see a need for me to have my own phone, so there wasn't that much privacy for anyone who received a call-- not that I received very many.

"Hello," I said. Mommy walked back into the kitchen.

"I'm sorry to bother you so late."

"It's not that late."

"Yes, well, for many people it might be." he insisted.

"Well, what is it?"

"I have tickets to the production of Porgy and Bess at the convention center. It's light opera."

"I know what it is," I said.

"It probably won't be that good, but my father gets these tickets because of the bank. and I was wondering if you would like to come this coming Saturday night, I know that's giving you very short notice," he added before I could respond. "so I won't be upset if you can't go. I just thought you might enjoy the music. We have so little of it in our community and--"

"Yes," I said to stop him from going on and on.

"Yes?"

"Yes, I'd like to go. Thank you."

"Oh, well, good. I'll see you in school and give you more detail."

"That's fine. Thank you."

"Maybe..."

He hesitated. I waited a moment and then said. "Yes?"

"Maybe, if you're able to, you could. I mean. I could take you for something to eat first."

"Oh. Sure. I guess," I said.

"Fine. I'll give you more detail in school," he repeated. "Okay."

"Well, then, good night. See you very soon, I hope," he said.

"I'll see you in school tomorrow. Chandler." I reminded him, laughing to myself. I didn't think anyone could be more nervous and shy than I was. I now suspected that most of what people interpreted as his arrogance was just his shyness.

"Right. See you then." he said and hung up.

"What was that all about?" Mommy asked from the kitchen doorway.

"Chandler Maxwell's father gets tickets to shows and he wanted to know if I'd like to go see Porgy and Bess Saturday night. I said yes. Is that all right?"

"That's very nice," Mommy said. Daddy came up beside her. "He wants to take me to dinner first." I added.

"Well, that's a full-blown date. Sounds like something special,'" Daddy kidded.

"She could use something new to wear," Mommy told him. He nodded,