Obsessed by Jo Gibson Page B

music.”
    “Well, maybe. If I can find the time.”
    “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Mary Beth looked suddenly serious. “My dad’s out of town for a week, and my mother’s working the late shift at the hospital. She doesn’t get home until two, and she’s worried about me staying in the house alone. Maybe you could take me home, and we could listen to some tapes and work out a routine. That way I won’t have to be all alone.”
    “I don’t know, Mary Beth,” Michael said. “I can’t stay at your house until two every night.”
    “But it’s only for a week. Then my Dad’ll be home. And think of all the work we could get done on the new routine. I wouldn’t ask, but after what happened to Deana and Becky . . . I’m afraid to stay alone.”
    Michael seemed to be wavering, and Judy spoke up be fore he could agree. “How about your boyfriend? Can’t he come and stay with you for part of the time?”
    “I broke up with him today.” Mary Beth looked very depressed as she blinked back tears. “He . . . he found an other girl.”
    Mr. Calloway reached out to pat her shoulder. “That’s too bad, kid. Think of it this way. He’s a loser if he didn’t appreciate you. You were the star of the show tonight. Right, gang?”
    Everyone nodded, and Mary Beth gave them a trembling smile. “Thank you. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have friends like you to help me through this . . . this awful time in my life.”
    Carla sighed. “Come on, Mary Beth. People break up every day. I’m sure you’ll find someone else.”
    “Oh? How would you know?”
    Judy stifled a gasp. Poor Carla. Mary Beth shouldn’t have made a nasty comment like that. But before Judy could think of any way to smooth over the situation, Michael stood up.
    “Come on, Mary Beth. I’ll take you home. And I’ll stay with you until your mother gets off work.”
    “Thank you, Michael!” Mary Beth jumped to her feet and hugged him, and Judy noticed that she didn’t look the least bit upset about her boyfriend now. “I’ll try to arrange something soon, I promise. Mom’s asked them to change her shift, but until they do . . . do you think you could possibly . . .”
    “No problem.” Michael interrupted her. “I don’t have anything going, anyway. Come on, let’s go.”
    Judy watched as Mary Beth and Michael left. She was doing a slow burn. Mary Beth had clung to Michael’s arm like some frail little thing, and Judy was sure that she wasn’t really afraid to stay alone. She probably hadn’t even asked her mother to change shifts. It was just a trick to trap Mi chael and win the contest.
    “Okay.” Mr. Calloway looked up from his schedule. “Who’s driving who home? I need to know.”
    “Nita and I are taking Linda and Ingrid.” Berto spoke up.
    “Good.” Mr. Calloway checked the names off his list. “Who are you taking, Andy?”
    “Judy, Vera, and Carla.”
    “Wrong.” Carla spoke up. “I drove.”
    Mr. Calloway frowned. “But I told you not to.”
    “I know. I’m sorry, Mr. Calloway, but I had an appoint ment with the dentist this afternoon, and he’s only four blocks away. It seemed really silly to drive back home so Andy could pick me up.”
    “But aren’t you afraid to drive home alone?” Ingrid looked shocked.
    “Not anymore. I’ve got this.” Carla reached in her purse and pulled out a portable phone. “My uncle works for L.A. Cellular and he let me borrow one of their phones. If I have car trouble, all I have to do is stay inside the car with the doors locked and use my cell phone to call for help.”
    Mr. Calloway looked impressed. “That’s a very good idea. I’d like to talk to your uncle, Carla. Maybe we could rent cell phones for the girls until this whole thing is over.”
    “I’ve got his card.” Carla opened her purse and handed him a business card. “And I’m sure my uncle would be happy to help. He works nine to five in the customer service office.”
    Vera