Just Try It

Chapter 34- Part B- Reading Too Much Into a Look?

Wednesday, February 15th 12:00pm

Lincoln High School lunchroom

The continued to go well as Moe not only joined her, but sat next to her at lunch. The first hint that lunch wasn't going to continue to be an enjoyable experience was when Moe spotted Nancy and Malcolm heading their way, and murmured, "Incoming."

Sondra glanced up, and briefly wondered who they were intending to torment today. When she saw Nancy looking at her table, she knew she should worry, but couldn't stop an amused grin as she watched Malcolm. He was watching Jamie warily, and had even shifted behind Nancy like he was trying to hide.

However, once Malcolm was safely "hidden" behind Nancy, he began glaring at Moe. That was enough to make Sondra's smile disappear.  Having a Moe be a target for Malcolm just wasn't funny.

It was no surprise when Malcolm and Nancy stopped near the table. Nancy glared at Sondra a moment before she said to Malcolm in a nonchalant voice, "I heard the most interesting news yesterday."

"What was that?" asked Malcolm, right on cue.

The false sympathy in Nancy's voice carried across the lunchroom as she said, "Saint Sondra, every teacher's darling, is having troubles at home. We all knew she lived with her grandma, but did anyone ever wonder about her mom? I doubt anyone realized that her mom had been in jail."

There was a burst of anger at the taunting tone, but also some relief that Moe wasn't the target.  Besides, Sondra had learned long ago that what really mattered was how she acted, not her mother.  The part that bothered her was how this gossip would hurt her grandmother.  Even the thought of it was enough to make her furious.  Anger wouldn't help end this confrontation though.  Sondra made herself raise an eyebrow and give a small smile as she went back to eating. The rest of the table followed her lead and ignored Nancy.

There was a long pause as Nancy waited for a response that wasn't coming.  Nancy wasn't ready to let it go without another attempt though.  As the silence stretched, Sondra could practically feel the stares.  Finally, Nancy must have realized she would have to be the one to push things further, because she continued, "Now that her mom is back Sondra may just go live with her. From the slap she gave Sondra yesterday I'd say that Saint Sondra will soon learn not to talk back. Tisk tisk."

Good thing she hadn't tried to hide the truth, Sondra thought wryly.  When an indrawn breath from beside her drew her attention, she looked over at Moe. The intense glare surprised her, but she was concerned when he opened his mouth to respond. Sondra quickly found his hand under the table and squeezed it.  When Moe looked at her in surprise, Sondra grinned before looking back at Nancy and asking in a bored tone, "Did you want something Nancy?"

She saw Malcolm looking back and forth between her and Nancy before he backed away a step or two nervously. He had seemed uncomfortable from the start. At first she had thought it was because of Jamie, but now he was looking at her.  She had never paid attention to him before, but something about the shape of his face seemed familiar.  To Sondra's surprise, he tugged on Nancy's arm. He whispered something to her, but the only word she could make out was "family."

That one word reminded her of the conversation she had overheard yesterday in the locker room.  That one word and Nancy's knowledge about her mom led Sondra to an awful suspicion.  Even though she tried to tell herself not to jump to conclusions, Sondra couldn't shake the idea that she was looking at her new step family. 

Nancy must have found some satisfaction in Sondra's appalled expression.  Even as Malcolm's jaw clenched and he backed away, Nancy went for blood as she spat out, "I won't miss you when you are gone. I hope your mom takes you far away."