The Perfect Couple

12

For once I was too excited to eat a big Sunday breakfast. After one waffle and two sausages, I shook my head to seconds.

"If I didn't know better I'd say you were in love." Dad had a teasing twinkle in his eyes. "The appetite is always the first thing to go. In the present instance, though, I'd say that you probably are too much at the mall yesterday."

He didn't seem to realize I was getting too old to be teased. "I didn't go to the mall to eat," I said loftily. "I went there to shop and except for one skimpy little slice of pepperoni pizza and a banana shake that's what I did."

"Did you find some nice things, dear?" Mom asked. "I didn't get a chance to see all your new clothes yesterday."

Before I could answer, the telephone rang. Maz always called on Sunday morning, so Mom went to take it. She talked to Maz for awhile, then Dad went to have a chat with her. Finally it was my turn to go to the phone.

"Hi, Maz," I said. "Hello, Kelly." Her tone was different from what it usually was, I began to to wonder. Was something wrong up there in San Francisco? Or was she getting run down like Mom feared?

When she spoke I found out was none of the things I thought. She acted as if I'd undergone some sort of maturity ritual and all of a sudden I'd become an adult. It was nice, I have to admit.

"Mom told me that you're starting to date," she said. "I'm real happy for you. Marcus is a sweet guy."

I wished I could tell her the truth, that it wasn't Marcus I was interested in, but of course I couldn't. I'd given my word to Marcus that I wouldn't tell anyone but Kim about our little charade and besides, it wouldn't be right to tell Maz what was going on and not tell Mom and Dad.

"Thanks," I mumbled. "We'll talk it all over when I come home for thanksgiving," Maz said. "Yeah, that'll be great." Marcus would probably be out of the picture by then and Alan and I would be going together.

Later Mom and Dad got ready to leave for San Jose. "Sure you don't want to come, dear?" Mom asked. "Your Aunt Bella would love to see you."

"I'm sure." I'd been sure the last three times she'd asked me. " Kim's coming over. Besides, I have a lot of homework to do."