houses.
The streetlights flickered on as Mrs. Daly opened the door to her. âOh, hi, Bobbi,â she said, looking tired and drawn in the pale porchlight. âJenniferâs waiting for you in the den.â
Bobbi eagerly made her way across the carpeted living room with its low, sleek furniture of chrome and white leather and into the small den, closing the door behind her. âDid you talk to Kimmy?â she asked Jennifer, skipping any greeting.
Jennifer was seated in her wheelchair, between two red leather couches that faced each other. She was wearing navy blue sweats, the sweatshirt sleeves rolled up above her elbows. Her red-brown hair was tied behind her head in a single braid. She had a textbook in her lap.
âI talked to her,â she replied, her face expressionless. Slowly a smile spread across her full lips. âSheâs coming back.â
âOh, good,â Bobbi said, breathing a long sigh. She dropped her backpack on the checkered tile floor and plopped down in the red couch on Jenniferâs right. âI canât believe I didnât even notice that she had run out.â
âYou were a little excited,â Jennifer said dryly.
âBut I should have known Kimmy would be upset,â Bobbi insisted, rubbing her hand against the smooth leather of the couch arm. âBut I didnât see her. I didnât see anything. It was all so . . .â She didnât finish her thought.
âAnyway, I talked to her,â Jennifer said, wheeling herself closer until she was right in front of Bobbi. âSheâs not a happy camper, but I got her to comearound.â Her mouth fell into an unhappy pout. She avoided Bobbiâs eyes. âKimmy and I used to be so close. But not anymore.â
âIâm really sorry,â Bobbi said quickly. âIf itâs my fault, Iââ
âNo, it isnât,â Jennifer interrupted. âYou didnât do anything. Really.â
âHow did you get her to come back on the squad?â Bobbi asked.
âI told her we needed her. I said, âWhat would happen if Bobbi fell and broke her leg?â â
âAnd what did she say?â Bobbi wondered.
âShe asked if I would put that in writing!â Jennifer replied.
Both girls burst out laughing.
âKimmy isnât your biggest fan,â Jennifer said.
âWell, duh ,â Bobbi replied, rolling her eyes, imitating her little brother, Sean. âWell, duh â was Seanâs favorite expression.
âWell, Iâm glad sheâs not quitting,â Bobbi said.
âReally? Why?â Jennifer demanded, closing the textbook on her lap and tossing it onto the couch opposite Bobbi.
âBecause . . . because it would make me feel really bad,â Bobbi said with emotion.
Jennifer snickered. âHaving her around might make you feel a lot worse, Bobbi. She wonât talk to you. You know that. And sheâll probably try to turn the other girls against you. Iâm sure sheâs been on the phone night and day with those two pals of hers, Debra and Ronnie.â
Bobbi sighed and pulled both hands back throughher hair. âYou know, itâs only a cheerleading squad. Itâs supposed to be fun.â
âTell that to Kimmy,â Jennifer said softly. She shifted her weight in the wheelchair. âOw.â
âAre you okay?â Bobbi asked, leaning forward, preparing to jump up if her friend needed help of some kind.
âYeah. Fine.â Jennifer forced a smile. âLetâs change the subject, okay?â
âYeah. Okay.â Bobbi settled back on the couch. âDo you know Charles Chasner?â
âChip? Sure.â Jenniferâs smile broadened. âChip is a real babe. Iâve had a crush on him since third grade. Heâs cuter now, though.â
âHe asked me out for tomorrow after the game,â Bobbi confided.
Jenniferâs eyes widened in
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