Page 78 of Secrets in the Shadows (Secrets 2)

on the table.

Aunt Zipporah raised her eyebrows and looked

at me.

"He doesn't usually come in two days in a row,"

she said.

I pitched in with the cleanup and preparations

but looked at him periodically. Aunt Zipporah again

muttered something about feeling sorry for him.

Finally, I approached him. I knew he saw me coming,

but he didn't look up.

"What are you writing so intently?" I asked. I thought he wasn't going to answer, but I didn't

move. I wasn't going to let him ignore me.

He looked up slowly.

"I'm keeping a sort of journal," he said, "but I'm

writing it in poetry."

"Really?"

"No, I'm making it up because I'm really a spy

from another planet taking notes on human behavior.

Which would you rather believe?"

"Very funny. How come you wouldn't accept

my aunt's offer for a ride today?"

"I don't like being indebted to anyone for anything."

"A ride? What's the big deal?"

"You give in on the little things and before you

know it . . ."

"What?"

"You give away your soul," he said. I know I

was smirking. He shrugged. "You asked, so I told

you. Since you're being so nosy, I'll ask you some

questions."