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"Yes," Misty said. "I'm not saying I will tonight, but I might."

"Misty's not all wrong," Jade said. "A lot depends on the guy, I suppose. Maybe there are no rules that always apply, just some things to keep in mind. The most important thing is to be honest?'

"Excuse me," Star said. "You're always honest with the guys you date?"

"You can flirt a little," Jade admitted, "but don't try to be someone else just to get him to like you. Okay?" she asked Star.

They looked at me.

"I'm not sure I'm not more confused now than ever," I said, and everyone laughed.

"You'll be fine," Star assured me. "If he doesn't like you, he isn't worth it."

"She's finally right about something," Jade said.

Star stuck out her tongue at Jade. Then we all returned to dressing and putting on the finishing touches. In fifteen minutes, the doorbell would ring and the boys would begin to arrive. A party in my house! Not in my wildest imaginings did I think this would ever happen. Geraldine certainly never imagined it.

Could the dead hear what went on around them? Was death like chains and gags? Was she being tortured and frustrated in her grave? Was it her punishment? I shuddered to think that maybe we were being cruel or evil. Perhaps our histories, our troubles had turned us into something we never anticipated.

Downstairs, Jade put some finishing touches on the cheese and crackers, shrimp plate, and chips and dip. Then she prepared her spiked punch. The three of us stood and watched her and glanced at the clock.

"Wait a minute!" Star suddenly exclaimed. Jade turned. "What's wrong?"

"We never told each other what we told the guys about why Cat had the house to herself."

"Oh, no," I muttered. What a time to finally remember to compare details, I thought.

"All I said was we had my friend's house for a party because her mother was gone for the night," Jade said. "I didn't tell David anything about Cat's situation. What about you?"

"Yeah, I said that, but I said her parents, I think. I don't know ill just said mother. I can't remember," Star said.

"How can you not remember what you said?" Jade nearly yelled. "What were you, drunk?"

"Don't be stupid?'

"Well, how can you not remember?"

"I said... mother. I didn't say parents. No, I wouldn't have said parents."

'Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure."

"Damn, you must be love struck," Jade chastised. "Not sure, sure. Misty, what about you?"

"I didn't tell him anything. I just said we were having a party at Cat's. He didn't ask any details and I didn't think to tell him any. What do I tell him if he asks?"

"Say what I said. Her mother's gone for the night."

"What about her father?" Star asked.

"No father," Jade said. "Her father... died." She widened her eyes "Killed by a drunk driver when he was only in his late twenties. That's partly true, isn't it?"

"Everyone got it?" Star asked.

My heart was pounding. What a big mistake we had almost made.

"Okay, it's settled then:'