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"I'm sorry." I said. "I probably ruptured your

eardrums."

"No. I loved listening to you. I think the

dancing you're doing sounds very exciting. By the

way, I don't know if I'd told you I applied to NYU

early admissions. but I did, and I've been accepted." "Oh Barry, that's wonderful. Congratulations.

You're still thinking of becoming a lawyer?" "Yes, but I'm thinking I want to be involved in

prosecution, maybe become a U.S. attorney

someday."

"You'll be whatever you want, I'm sure.' "So you," he countered. "I couldn't imagine

anyone saving no to you, Rose,"

I smiled. I was almost too excited to eat. The

food was delicious, but my stomach felt as if I had

just gotten off a roller coaster. In the last week I had

hit so many peaks and valleys emotionally, I wasn't

surprised.

Barry talked about some of the other kids I had

been somewhat friendly with, excluding Paula, of

course. Every time I brought up her name, he tried to

change the subject. Finally, he told me about some of

the arguments he had had and the fight he had gotten

into with Ed Wiley, which had resulted in his being in

detention for a week.

"Oh, no. You were such good friends. I hate to

be the cause of anything like that."

"You weren't. It was all Paula's fault, Let's just

talk about good things from now on. Rose," he said

quickly, letting me believe there were even more

gruesome and ugly details.

After dinner we rode back to the house slowly.