Next she called Sally. "Another ten seconds and you'd have missed me," Sally said. "I was just on

my way out the door. What's up? Don't tell me you got another charming present."

"No, and please don't mention it again," Jenny told her. "I'm trying to erase it from my memory. I'm also trying to pretend that being alone here is perfectly wonderful."

"And it's not?"

**Well, so far it's okay, but that's because it isn't dark yet," Jenny said. "When the sun goes down, I just might turn into a blubbering idiot, so I thought I'd see if you wanted to come spend the night." Sally wasn't perfect, but Jenny couldn't be picky. "We could hsten to music, and I think I can figure out how to hook up the VCR, so we could watch a tape. All you'd have to bring is yourself. And some food," she added, suddenly remembering that she never did make it to the grocery store. "Unless you'd be satisfied with frozen pizza and peanut butter."

"Sorry," Sally said.

"I don't blame you," Jenny said. "Maybe you could buy some stuff and then come over. I'd pay you back."

"No, I mean I'm sorry I can't come," Sally told her. "I wish I could, believe me. Some friends of my parents are having a cookout. They do it every summer and it's extremely boring. But since they live fifty miles away and we hardly ever see them, I have to go. We won't be getting back until really late. Sorry," she said again.

"Oh, that's okay." Jenny tried to sound uncon-

cemed. "It's dumb for me to be scared, anyway. Nothing's going to happen."

"Right," Sally agreed. "Brad or whoever wouldn't play another prank so soon after the first one. They'll wait awhile until they're sure you've forgotten all about it. Then they'll spring the second one on you."

"Thanks a lot."

"Whoops -- forget I said that. Listen," Sally went on. "I can't help you out tonight, but how about tomorrow morning?"

"Assuming I'm still alive?" Jenny asked. Maybe joking about it would help.

"Come on," Sally said. "Just lock all the doors and leave all the lights on. AHyway, why don't we go riding in the morning? Early, like for breakfast? I'll supply the horses and the food and we'll ride to the bottom of the bluff and build a fire and fry bacon and eggs."

Jenny didn't have to think about it twice. "I'll be ready," she said. "And we can go as early as you want, since I just might stay awake all night."

"Then you'd better ride Alice," Sally said. "She's practically geriatric, so you'll be able to take a nap on the way."

They finished making their plans, and when Jenny hung up, she realized she was ravenous. The thought of tomorrow's bacon and eggs made her stomach rumble wildly, and she wished she had some now. If it hadn't been for meeting David, she probably would.

An image flashed into her mind: David standing close to her on the sidewalk, the lights in his eyes like two piercing spotlights as his strong hands reached for her. And she saw in the image something she hadn't noticed at the time it was happening. He was anxious and upset, yes, but he was also . . . what? Scared? Desperate? She couldn't give a name to the emotion she saw in his eyes, and that bothered her. Maybe if she hadn't lashed out at him, if she'd given him a chance to explain, then their meeting might have ended in a different way.