"Bruce Patman, I'd rather stay home for the rest of my life than go anywhere with you! But, as a matter of fact, I have a date."

"Yeah? Who with?"

"Me!"

Elizabeth spun around.

There stood Winston Egbert, looking shocked at the sound of his own voice.

"You?" Bruce Patman laughed. "You, the joke of the school?"

"Yeah? Well, maybe I'm a joke, but you're an insult."

Bruce Patman started to climb out of the car, his face flushed and mean. "You stupid nothing, I'll fold you up and stuff you in the trash can!"

Elizabeth stepped between them. "Never mind, Bruce. It happens to be true. Win and I are going to the dance."

She linked her arm in Winston's and led him away, leaving Bruce Patman sitting in his car with his mouth open in astonishment.

"Listen, I'm sorry," Winston said when they were out of earshot from Bruce. "I just got so mad! I won't hold you to it."

"Wait a minute. What is this, Win? Are you standing me up?"

"Huh?"

"You asked me for a date, didn't you?"

"Well-I-aw, Liz, I just couldn't help it."

"Pick me up at seven-thirty, OK?"

Winston Egbert stared at the beautiful, popular, intelligent Elizabeth Wakefield and almost fainted.

"OK!" he said, astounded, then turned and raced madly across campus, screaming like a deranged chimpanzee.

For the first time in ages, Elizabeth laughed long and hard. Then she turned her steps toward home. She would have fun with Winston at the dance, she really would. It was difficult not to laugh when he was around.

She felt a lot better now and walked along jauntily. She even began whistling. It wasn't until she reached her own street that her steps faltered and she wondered if she was whistling for some reason other than happiness. Maybe, just maybe, it kept her from hearing her own painful thoughts.

Eleven.

Elizabeth dragged herself through the house and into the kitchen. She pulled a carton of milk out of the refrigerator and poured a glassful. As she drank, she chanted inwardly, I am happy for Jess ... I am happy for Jess.... But I'm so miserable I could die!

Just then the front door slammed shut, and Elizabeth heard Jessica shout, "Lizzie! Lizzie! Oh, Lizzie, you're not going to believe this!"

Jessica burst into the room, and it was the Fourth of July, Christmas morning, and Mardi Gras all rolled into one ecstatic, beautiful, blond sixteen-year-old.

"I told him, Liz, I told him everything. I told him that it was me with Rick Andover at Kelly's-and he still invited me to the dance!"

"You told him, Jess? He knows it wasn't me?"

"I told him everything, and he forgave me! He has got to be the most wonderful boy in a hundred and thirty-seven states!"

Elizabeth was sure that something inside her died just then. If Todd knew it was Jessica at Kelly's and still asked her to the dance-well, she knew where that left her. Nowhere. She would go to the dance with Winston, have a wonderful time, get busy on her writing, and forget about Todd. How in the world are you going to do that? she asked herself.

"That's sensational, Jess. You're going to have a terrific time. I hear Todd is a great dancer."

"He's great at everything, I think!" Jessica was bubbling over. "Where's Mom? I can't wait to tell her all about this."

"She's going to be late. An appointment, I think."

"Again?" Jessica pouted. "That makes three nights in a row! I thought mothers were supposed to stay home and fix dinner once in a while!"

Elizabeth wondered how her sister could possibly descend from cloud nine with Todd Wilkins to the pits of depression so fast-and simply because she had to do a little thing like help fix dinner.

"Mom told us this morning that she was going to be late, Jess," Elizabeth said patiently, trying to hide her unhappiness and control her temper all at the same time.

"Well, it's not fair," Jessica complained, storming around the kitchen. "She has ruined my day, totally and absolutely!"

Elizabeth stared at her sister in amazement. Had Jessica flipped out? How could anyone ruin a day that included a dance invitation from Todd Wilkins? She imagined how she would feel if Todd had asked her. She would be so far off the ground she'd need a pilot's license. The thought of Todd's arms around her, the two of them dancing to slow, romantic music, made her knees so weak she had to clutch the counter with both hands to keep standing. Then she thought of how the evening would end-they'd be alone, totally alone ... his arms would hold her close to him ... his lips- "Liz! You haven't heard a word I've said," Jessica accused.

"What?" said Elizabeth, reluctantly coming out of her daydream.

"My very own sister is turning into an airhead right before my eyes. I was trying to find out what time Mom will be home. If she's coming home at all. She's practically never home anymore. Of course, if you're too busy to talk to me, just say so, Elizabeth." Jessica was working herself up to the rage of the century.

Elizabeth turned toward her sister. One look at Jessica's unhappy face was all it took.

"Oh, Jess, I'm sorry," she said, giving her a quick hug. "This hasn't been a world-class day for me. You have every right to be happy. I want you to know that I'm really pleased for you." After all, she thought with just a trace of bitterness, somebody in this family should be happy.

"Liz! Stop it, Lizzie! You're doing it again."

"I'm listening, I'm listening. I swear it! Why is it so important to know when Mom's going to get home?"

"I want to tell her about this sensational day. And I absolutely have to talk her into getting me that perfect-oh, Lizzie, you should see it-perfect dress at the mall." The sunshine was definitely back in Jessica's face and voice.

"Tell me all about it," Elizabeth said, then sighed, "while you're setting the table. Let me check out the freezer to see what I can toss into the microwave."

"Well, it's blue. It's slinky-"

"Don't forget the table, Jess."

Jessica glared at her sister's back for a moment but decided she'd better set the table if she expected Elizabeth to listen to her.

"Did I say blue-and slinky?" As Elizabeth nodded, Jessica continued. "It has a handkerchief hemline and-wait till you hear this, Lizzie- spaghetti straps and a neckline so low Todd will be panting."

"Sounds like a case of overkill to me, Jess, and as a man, I feel sorry for the intended victim."

Both girls spun around in surprise. Steven was standing just inside the archway between the kitchen and dining room.

"Steve!" they chorused.

"I'm starved. Is there enough of whatever that's going to be for one more?" he asked, gesturing at the frozen food package Elizabeth was opening.

"Sure," she said. "It's just the three of us for dinner tonight. But I thought you-I mean, aren't you going out tonight?"

"No," he answered flatly.

The twins exchanged worried looks.

"It's probably a good thing Mom and Dad aren't here," he said bitterly. "I'm definitely not up to a repeat of last weekend's third degree!"

"I'm sure they don't mean to grill you, Steve, they're just concerned and-"

"For Pete's sake, Liz, not you, too! Why can't everyone in this house mind their own business!"

"This family has got to be the biggest bummer in five hundred and thirty-seven cities!" Jessica exploded. "Boring! Boring! Boring!" She stomped around the room, with the full attention of her brother and sister. Then she whirled, pointing a finger at Elizabeth.

"You," she sputtered, "act like you're a candidate for the funny farm. All you do is mope, mope, mope! And you!" She suddenly shifted to Steven. "What a ray of sunshine you are! And on top of everything else, I was humiliated in front of every single person in school because my very own father is having an affair with that-that woman!"

Steven's head snapped up, and he glared at Jessica. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, Steve," she cried, "it's all over school, all over town. Dad has been with Marianna West almost every single night, and Mom acts like she doesn't care at all. They're headed for the divorce courts! What's going to happen to us?"

"Stop it, Jess," Elizabeth broke in. "Just because Bruce Patman shot off his mouth doesn't mean that any of it is true."

"Any of what?" Steven wanted to know. "Will one of you please tell me what's going on around here?"

"Well, Dad has been spending a lot of evenings with Ms. West," Elizabeth said, groping for the right words. "He says he's helping her with a case."

"He says," put in Jessica.

"But you two don't believe him?"

"No!" Jessica blurted out.

It took Elizabeth a few moments longer to speak. "I want to believe him, Steve, but things have been sort of strange around here lately, and-I just don't know."

"Does Mom seem worried or upset?" he asked.

"No, and that's the trouble!" Jessica raged. "How can she be so blind? Dad is so good-looking-at least for a man his age-and Marianna is kind of attractive, if you like the flashy type. Of course they're having an affair. What else are we supposed to think?"

"You could try believing Dad, for starters," Steve said angrily. He walked restlessly around the room. "Dad has never lied to us. If he says he's helping her with a case, that's what he's doing."

"Isn't that just like a man!" Jessica spat. "You always stick up for each other. You're just as bad as Dad. As a matter of fact, you're just like him. You both have bad taste in women!"

It would have taken a machete to slice through the tension in the room. Jessica and Steven sat glaring at each other.

Obviously trying to control his rage, Steven spoke in a low, cold voice. "You've got five seconds to explain that crack, Jessica!"

Jessica had spoken without thinking, not unusual for her, and she was afraid of the consequences. She had never seen Steven so angry with her before. She had to say something, quickly.

"Steve, I meant-I mean, I didn't mean-how can you stand there glaring at me so hatefully? This was supposed to be my happy day, and now you're trying to ruin it!" Jessica buried her face in her arms, sobbing helplessly.

"You selfish little twerp," Steven said, glaring at Jessica.

Elizabeth jumped in quickly between them. "Steve, please, you don't understand," she pleaded.

"Don't you ever get tired of defending her?" Steve snapped.

"You don't understand what kind of a day it's been for Jess and me. You don't know what people said about Dad." Elizabeth was getting desperate. She had to make Steven see. "Steve, we know! We know about you and-her."

That stopped him. He looked at her for a long moment. "You know about me and her? What's that supposed to mean?" he demanded.

Elizabeth took a deep breath and plunged in. "Steve, we know everything. We weren't snooping around or trying to butt in, honest!"

"I'm sorry, too, Steve," Jessica added. "I shouldn't have blurted it like that. But you and Betsy Martin-it can't be. She's trash."

"Betsy Martin? What are you talking about? I'm in love with Tricia Martin."

"Tricia? You mean Betsy's sister?" Elizabeth asked, stunned.

"Yeah, Tricia." Saying her name conjured up memories for Steven. Lovely Tricia with her strawberry-blond hair, her sweet nature, everything he wanted in this world.

"That's wonderful, Steve," Elizabeth said. "Tricia is a terrific girl-one of the best! I'm so happy for you!"

"She's still a Martin," Jessica reminded him.

"Not to worry, Jess. Nothing important is going to happen between the respected Wakefield family and the low-life Martins. Basically because I blew it. Oh, boy, did I blow it!"

Steven's unhappy story spilled out. As long as he and Tricia were alone together at Tricia's house, everything had been wonderful. But gradually Tricia had concluded that Steven didn't want to be seen in public with her, that he was ashamed to be associated with her family. That was why he never took her anywhere. "You're a snob, Steven Wakefield!" she had said.

"She's right, too," Steven said to the twins. "And now I've lost Tricia-forever."

As Elizabeth stared at her brother, she was filled with despair. She recalled the old saying about trouble coming in threes. She counted: I've lost Todd.

Steve's lost Tricia.

Mom losing Dad would make it three.

Jessica, she noted coolly, was the only one who had managed to escape unscathed so far.