Page 56

"Thank you," she told him with a seductive smile. He smiled back. "See you later," she added.

"What's happening later?" I asked when he left.

"Nothing. I just promised him I'd meet him after work to have a drink in a nearby bar. Maybe I will," she said.

"But you said you promised," Butterfly reminded her.

She laughed.

"It won't be the first promise I broke or the last. Let's order the pizza. I'm starving."

We ordered two pies and some soft drinks. While we waited, we took turns showering. The pizza arrived and Crystal dug into our bank to pay. We had our feast, everyone talking at once, except Crystal, who was still upset. Afterward, we watched some television and then, just a little after eleven, Sunshine said she had decided to meet the manager as promised.

"I won't be long," she said. "Can I borrow the car keys, Brooke? I want to get my suitcase and put on something else."

Crystal looked at me with worry, so I followed Sunshine out and opened the car myself. She got the suitcase, brought it in and changed her skirt and tank ici0 to a pair of jeans and a blue sweatshirt.

"I hope I'm not overdressed for this place," she said with a laugh. "Sleep tight, guys. I won't wake you when I come back," Sunshine promised and left.

"Good riddance," Crystal mumbled.

"Will you just let it go, Crystal. So far she's only given us good advice and helped us," Raven said.

The rain that had threatened to fall all day began, the drops tapping on the window and the roof, falling so hard it sounded more like hail.

"I hope she doesn't get caught in the storm," Raven said.

"It serves her right," Crystal answered.

"I'm exhausted," I said before they could get into another argument. I glanced at Butterfly, who was already asleep. "Don't wake Butterfly," I whispered.

Crystal turned off the lights.

"I like Sunshine," Raven whispered. "She's a little nuts, but she's fun, isn't she, Brooke?"

"Yes, but Crystal's right, too. We can't take her with us forever, Raven. I'm worried about how we're going to get rid of her down the road," I said.

As it turned out, we didn't have to worry about finding a way to part company with her.

We all fell asleep soon after we closed our eyes. When we opened them again, the first light of morning revealed Sunshine had never used her cot. The linen was still folded beside it. Raven was the first to notice when she sat up in bed.

"Look," she pointed, "Sunshine never came back last night!"

Crystal moaned and rose slowly. Butterfly sat up and I followed. Everyone stared at the unused cot for a moment.

"Wait a minute," Crystal said. "Her suitcase . . . wasn't it right there by the door?" she asked. "Yes," I said.

"She came and took it and left us?" Raven said. "Why?"

Crystal shook her head.

"I don't know, but I'm happy and . . ." Something else caught her eye. She gasped. "What?" I cried.

Crystal moved so slowly across the room, I felt I was still dreaming. She lifted her blouse from the floor beside the chair where she had placed it and her skirt. Her purse was gone.

"Our money!" she cried and turned to me. "Brooke, all our money is gone!"

7 Just in the Nick of Time