Maybe ol' Randy dumped her. Guys did that in high school. They got off on breaking hearts. Made them a big man . He cleared his throat and aimed for casual: Are you still dating that Randy?Her reply: Next left . He took it . The house is over there, on the right . A t the end of the cul-de-sac?Yes . Myron pulled up to it. The house was hunkered down, totally dark. There were no streetlights. Myron blinked a few times. He was still tired, still more foggy-brained than he should be from the earlier festivities. He flashed to Esperanza for a moment, to how lovely she looked, and, selfish as it sounded, he wondered again how this marriage would change things . I t doesn't look like anybody's home, he said . Stacy's probably asleep. Aimee pulled a key out. Her bedroom is by the back door. I always just let myself in . Myron shifted into park and turned off the ignition. I'll walk with you . No . How will I know you got in okay?I'll wave . A nother car pulled down the street behind them. The headlights hit Myron via the rearview mirror. He shaded his eyes. Odd, he thought, two cars on this road at this time of night . A imee snagged his attention. Myron?He looked at her . You can't tell my parents about this. They'll freak, okay?I won't tell . Things She stopped, looked out the window toward the house. Things aren't so great with them right now . With your parents?She nodded . You know that's normal, right?She nodded again . He knew that he had to tread gently here. Can you tell me more?Just . . . this will only strain things more. If you tell, I mean. Just don't, okay?Okay . Keep your promise . A nd with that, Aimee was out the door. She jogged toward the gate leading to the back. She disappeared behind the house. Myron waited. She came back out to the gate. She smiled now and waved that everything was just fine. But there was something there, something in the wave, something that didn't quite add up . Myron was about to get out of the car, but Aimee stopped him with a shake of her head. Then she slipped back into the yard, the night swallowing her whole.

Chapter 8