Skip meant to pick up a friend, she reminded herself. This must be Eddie, the one he had mentioned to her previously. Perhaps he just meant to give Eddie a lift first, before driving her home.

She wondered if Skip’s friend would be able to see how she felt, to sense the turmoil inside her. The thought was disturbing and at the same time steadying. She found herself drawing a deep, relaxing breath. What she felt for Skip was too strange, too raw and new, to be betrayed to anyone. It was a secret which she must keep to herself.

Skip parked the car by the curb and Eddie and Karen stepped out. All the way from school Karen had been puzzled and embarrassed, and Eddie knew it. He knew that she kept glancing at him as if wondering when he would leave them. On his part, Eddie wished in disgust that he had refused to return with Skip. Skip had a new air about him, and the way he drove and the way he whistled through his teeth told Eddie that he was feeling mean.

Skip came around the car, carrying the old blanket he used to cover the car’s torn upholstery. “Let’s go somewhere and talk,” he said. Remembering what Skip had promised on the previous trip here, Eddie felt his face go tight and hot. He tried to mutter something about getting home, but Skip ignored it. Above them the trees climbed the rising ground, and all was as dark as a tomb.

Karen said in a shivery voice, “I thought we were going to sit in the car.”

Skip gave an elaborate start of surprise. “Damned if we weren’t. But it would be kind of crowded with Eddie in there, wouldn’t it?” He walked uphill to the dark trees, the girl and Eddie following, and when he found an open spot he spread the blanket on the ground and flopped on it. There was nothing but a little starshine. Skip sighed and stretched out. “Come on, you two. Sit down.”

Karen tucked in her skirt and sat down gingerly at the edge of the blanket. Eddie didn’t sit down at all. He was beginning to get an idea that Skip was having a big joke here, that this amused him. He was tickled by their embarrassment and by their uncertainty over what he meant to do next. He felt that he held them in his power. He could do some outrageous thing, or nothing at all; it was just up to him.

“Sit down, Eddie. You’re blocking the view.”

Eddie said, “Ah, I’m not tired right now. I want to stretch my legs.”