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"No, that's fine. Why don't you wash up while I change," she said and pointed out the bathroom in the hall

A few minutes passed and then I heard a knock on the door.

"Can I come in?" Star asked.

"Sure, I'm just fixing my hair." I answered, and opened the door for her.

"Sorry about the intrusion," she said as she washed her hands and then started to tie back her hair. "Our mansion only comes with one bathroom."

"Maybe I should have put on some of that new makeup Jade brought me," I said.

"Not for Gra

nny. She hates when people put on airs and she'll let them know, too. You're fine," she said. She gazed at herself once more and then we went out to the small living room where Rodney was watching television. He glanced at us and then looked back at the set.

"What did you do all day, Rodney?" Star asked him. "Nothing Played some hoops with Sandy in back of the school for a while," he added.

"Did that Cokey come by again?"

He hesitated.

"What happened?" she asked before he could even think of something to make up.

"Same thing:' he said, without looking at her.

"This kid about Rodney's age works for a drug dealer and tries to hook his friends," Star explained.

"Rodney's age?"

"Yeah. He flashes his wad of money and tempts other people, right, Rodney?"

"I dunno," Rodney said.

"But Rodney is smarter than him Right, Rodney?"

"Yes," he said quickly.

"Because he knows if I ever catch him with that stuff, I'd turn him into the police myself, right, Rodney?"

"I didn't take nothing," he snapped at her, and then looked at the television set.

"I hope not," she muttered. "I hope not," she whispered to me.

We went into the kitchen to see if there was anything we could do.

"Everything is just about ready," Granny Anthony said. "I hope you came with a good appetite, child," she told me. "I didn't have much lunch," I said.

"Oh? Why not?" she asked.

"I was so busy today. We're redoing some of my house. Ourselves," I added. "Sometimes, when you're so involved, you forget to eat."

Granny laughed.

"Isn't that the truth. Okay, Star, you take in the bowl of mashed potatoes."

"Can I help?"

"Oh no, no. You got enough to do with those crutches. Rodney Fisher," she cried.