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"I don't know. I haven't really thought about going to college."

"From what I see, you shouldn't have any trouble getting into a good college. When the time comes, why don't you think about U.S.C., too?" he asked.

"I'm afraid to plan anything," I said.

"I understand. All this opportunity is so new for you. Have you been down to my special spot at the lake to look at the fish?" he asked.

"No," I said.

"See? I've got to get there or you'll never appreciate that place. Get me a good house seat."

"Pardon?"

"The star of the show should be able to reserve the best seat in the theater for me," he explained. "They call them house seats."

I didn't know what to say. If I went ahead and reserved a seat for him, my mother would surely think

I was encouraging his coming.

"Really, you shouldn't bother," I said.

"It's a done deal, Rain. When that curtain opens, I'll be looking up at you," he insisted.

"Does your mother know?" I asked softly. Throughout this conversation, I felt like I was tiptoeing over a floor of shattered glass.

"Not yet, but she'll know later today. Don't forget to get me the seat and oh, if you're free afterward, maybe I can take you for something to eat."

My heart felt as if it had fallen into my stomach.

"I can't," I said. "I promised to be at a cast party."

"Oh." His voice dropped. Now maybe he won't come, I thought. "Well... maybe I'll crash," he added with a rebound. "After all, I know the star."

I just gave him a nervous, little laugh. How was I supposed to discourage him? Every obstacle I put up, he either leaped or smashed aside.

We talked a little about Grandmother and her new maid and he told me how he and Alison had been giving each other the silent treatment ever since their visit.

"I hate to be the cause of trouble between you and your sister," I said.

"You're not. She's just a brat."

When we finally ended the conversation, I felt as if I had backed myself into a dark alley with only one way out. Every time I heard the phone ring in the house after that, I expected it would be my mother wanting to know why I didn't try harder to keep Brody from coming to spend a weekend. She didn't call, but she drove down by herself to talk to me and to Grandmother Hudson about it and that was the beginning of a terrible new crisis.

.

When Jake drove me up to the house after school the next day, he said, "Uh-oh."

My mother's car was parked in front and right behind it was Victoria's.

"What?" I asked.

"Big family confab goin' on," he said. "Those two don't get together that often here. Something's up."

I felt my heart stop and start as I stepped out of the car. "Be careful in there," Jake joked. "You don't want to get hit by anything they throw at each other."

I flashed him a quick smile and approached the house. My jittery nerves made me move like a burglar, turning the doorknob softly and opening the door as if I believed Jake's joke was more a prophecy than a jest and I might open it on a battle scene. Instead, I was greeted by total silence. I entered and then stopped dead in my tracks.

Aunt Victoria had apparently not heard the door open. She was too glued to the doorway of the living room, standing just outside. It was clear what she was doing: she was eavesdropping on Grandmother Hudson and my mother. I was afraid to move, afraid to reveal my presence and my knowledge of her sneaky behavior. For a long moment, I held my breath and didn't take a step. When I finally did, the floor board creaked and Victoria's head nearly made a full turn. Her eyes were wide and her mouth grotesquely twisted. Before I could speak, she entered the living room with a loud, "Why didn't you tell me you were coming to see Mother today, Megan?"