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asked John.
“Of course not,” she snapped, “I couldn’t let
her know that I snooped through her things.”
Rich abruptly stood up and pushed his chair
back. “It’s getting late, and I need to get home.
See you next week.” He was out the door before
anyone could respond.
“He was sure in a hurry,” said Carl. “But I
guess I need to leave too. I’m giving a speech
next week and you know it takes me a while
to write them.”
“Are you sure you are OK to drive home
parents had big plans for him, and they didn’t after your earlier episode?” Inquired Laura.
include a girl from the other side of the tracks. “Penny and I can drop you off.”
Once they graduated, they would be free to start “No, I’m fine. See you next week.”
their life together. She was excited to be invited “Terry, are you OK to go home by yourself?”
to the Peabody Halloween Party. She was going Laura asked gently.
to tell W. that she was pregnant.” “Yes, I think so. I feel better now that I told
The club members leaned forward to the story. Do you think you can find out what
encourage Terry on. Penny was blunt, “Get on really happened to my father?”
with it.” Laura took both of Terry’s hands in hers and
Terry cleared her throat. “My mother arrived looked her in the eye. “I promise you I will give
at the party dressed in a 50’s pink poodle skirt it my best effort. Now, you go home and get a
and saddle shoes. “W” told her that he would good night’s sleep. Everything will look brighter
be wearing a devil costume. When she found in the morning.”
him, she told him about the pregnancy. She Terry left and the others trickled behind, all
expected him to be happy and offer to marry except Penny and Laura.
her. Instead, he told her to get out. She went “What a strange evening,” remarked Penny
home and cried herself to sleep that night. The as she gathered up the cups and handed the
next morning "W" was dead.” thermoses to Laura. “Do you feel like there’s
Everyone looked stunned. Laura saw a bead more to this story about Terry’s parentage?”
of sweat trickle-down John’s forehead. “There are many unanswered questions.
“Did you confront your mother about it?” And discrepancies too.” Laura pulled a pad of
VOICES! | JANUARY 2023 21
