by Gibson, Jo
Judy nodded. “Did Ramon and Nita break up?”
“No. They’re still making wedding plans for when Nita graduates, and Ramon is making payments on the engagement ring they picked out. I don’t think he knows there’s another guy in the picture.”
“But that’s not right!” Judy shook her head. “Nita shouldn’t be going out with Michael if she’s practically engaged to Ramon.”
“I know. I told her that last night, but she wouldn’t listen to me. Nita says she’s just having fun with Michael, and it’s not serious between them. But it looks pretty serious to me.”
Judy cast a quick glance into the back seat. Michael had his arm around Nita, and he was kissing her. When she turned back to face Berto she was frowning. “It looks pretty serious to me, too. Do you think she’s going to dump Ramon?”
“I don’t know. I hope not. Michael’s not right for Nita. I don’t think he’s ready to get married and settle down. What do you think?”
“I think you’re right. And I think it’s a good thing that we’re here. At least we can keep them from getting too . . . uh . . . serious.”
Berto frowned. “How are we going to do that? I think they forgot that we’re even in the car!”
“Well then, I guess we should remind them.” Judy opened her purse and took out a twenty-dollar bill. “Does Nita like popcorn? I happen to know that it’s Michel’s favorite food.”
Berta looked confused for a moment, and then he began to grin. “Nita likes popcorn, but she likes hamburgers even more. And they take longer to cook. You want me to take Michael with me when I make a run to the concession stand?”
Judy grinned back, and passed him another twenty. “You got it, Berto! Blow as much money as you can on food, especially the kind that takes a long time to eat. If we’re gobbling food and passing things back and forth, Nita and Michael will forget all about romance.”
“Maybe.” Berto didn’t look entirely convinced. “But you don’t know my sister. Don’t get me wrong, Judy. I love Nita . . . but she’s got a one track mind.”
Judy pulled up in front of Berto and Nita’s house, but she didn’t shut off the engine. Instead, she nudged Berto and called out cheerily, “We’re here!”
“Come on, Nita.” Berto grinned at Judy as he caught his cue. “I just saw Mom pull back the curtain. We’d better get inside before she thinks something is wrong.”
Nita nodded. She didn’t look happy, and Judy barely managed to keep from grinning. Berto had brought back the perfect food from the concession stand. A giant tub of buttered popcorn they’d passed back and forth, hamburgers dripping with mustard and ketchup and mayonnaise that were impossible to eat unless you used both hands, a large pizza that had to be doled out from a box, and ice cream in pointed cones that had to be held and eaten before they melted. The only time Nita had been able to snuggle in the backseat with Michael was on the drive home. And even then, Berto and Judy had kept them busy talking about the new song Michael was singing at Covers tomorrow night.
Michael got out of the car, and motioned to Nita. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
“That’s okay. I’ll take her.” Berto grabbed Nita by the hand. “You shouldn’t leave Judy alone in the car. This isn’t exactly Beverly Hills.”
“Oh. Right.” Michael nodded, and opened the door to the front seat. “See you tomorrow, Nita.”
Judy waited until Michael had slid into the passenger’s seat, then she locked the doors and put the car in gear. “Berto told me that they have a lot of car-jackings in this neighborhood. And he warned me that they really go for expensive cars like this Volvo.”
“It is a nice car, Jude. You’re lucky to have it.”
“I know.” Judy drove down the deserted street, and turned at the entrance to the freeway. “It’s not exactly my dream car, but it’s very reliable.”
Michael turned to look at her in surprise. “Well, it’s my dream car! It’s top of the line, Jude. They don’t make them any better than this. You’ve got every option they offer, including a CD player. I like my old Lincoln, but I’d trade it for a brand new Volvo any day of the week.”
“Okay.” Judy nodded. “It’s a deal. I’d much rather have your Lincoln. It’s embarrassing, driving around in an expensive car like this.”
“You’re kidding! You really don’t like your Volvo?”
Judy sighed. “It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just, well . . . it’s hard to be one of the gang, when you’re driving around in a car that cost fifty thousand dollars. Whatever you do, don’t tell anyone that I actually own it. I always say that I borrowed it from Pamela.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t rat on you.” Michael reached out to pat her shoulder. “But everybody knows my parents have money. I don’t see why you’re so embarrassed about being a rich kid.”
“It’s okay for a guy to have money.” Judy tried to explain. “But it’s different for a girl. All the other girls at Covers are on a budget. They wouldn’t like me if they knew I got a weekly allowance that was bigger than their whole paycheck. Of course, they don’t really like me anyway, so I guess it doesn’t really matter.”
Michael looked concerned. “Hey, don’t talk like that. The other girls like you, Jude. They think you’re very good at your job.”
“Sure. They think I’m a good stage manager, and I am, but that doesn’t mean I’m a friend. And it doesn’t mean that they like me. When girls like you, they invite you to go shopping with them, or meet them at the movies, or come to their houses for dinner. And nobody’s ever invited me anywhere!”
“Maybe they just don’t know you well enough to like you. Why don’t you invite them all to your house for a swim? It’s a good way to get acquainted.”
“Oh, sure.” Judy tried not to sound bitter. “What do you think would happen if I invited Nita to my house? You’ve seen where she lives. Do you think Nita would enjoy meeting our Mexican housekeeper? Would she be happy that I had a suite of rooms with a big-screen color television, and tons of clothes in my walk-in closet? Do you honestly think that Nita would feel more friendly toward me if she saw Buddy’s million-dollar Picasso, or Pamela’s five carat diamond ring?”
Michael sighed. “Okay. You made your point. Maybe inviting the girls to your house isn’t such a hot idea. But I don’t think the girls dislike you, Jude. Linda’s always saying how nice you are.”
“Well . . . Linda’s an exception. And she’s also a saint. Linda loves everybody, and everybody loves her back. But you’re right, Michael. Linda is as close to a friend as I’ve got.”
“There’s Carla, too.” Michael nodded. “I know she likes you.”
“That’s true. But I’m not sure that counts. Carla’s just as unpopular as I am. She’s never had a date, either.”
“You’ve never been out on a date?” Michael sounded shocked. “I don’t believe it!”
“Believe it. It’s true. Nobody’s ever asked me out.”
“How about tonight? It sure looked to me like Berto was having a good time.”
Judy frowned. “Tonight wasn’t exactly a date. Berto didn’t ask me to come along—you did. And I wasn’t your date. Nita was.”
“Okay.” Michael was silent until they got off the freeway and turned down their street. “I know it’s not exactly a date, but will you do it again?”
“Do what?”
“Go out with Berto and Nita and me. I asked Nita to go to the zoo tomorrow afternoon, but she told me that she couldn’t go out alone. Berto and her mother are worried about the killer. I really want you to come along, Jude. You and Berto had a good time tonight, didn’t you?”
Judy turned in at her driveway, and stopped the car. “Nita can’t go out with you unless she takes Berto along, right?”
“Well . . . yes.” Michael had a grace to look a little uncomfortable. “But we’ll all have a good time, I promise. We’ll spend the afternoon at the zoo, and then we’ll all drive to Covers together.”
Judy was glad it was
dark, so Michael couldn’t see how disappointed she was. Michael was using her. He wanted time alone with Nita, and that wasn’t possible if Berto came along as a chaperone. Michael needed a date for Berto, so she was elected. Still, it would give her more time with Michael. And any time she could spend with him was a plus.
“Who’s driving?” Judy asked the important question.
“Me. You used your car tonight, so I’ll take mine tomorrow.”
The wheels in Judy’s head began to spin, and she knew exactly why Michael wanted to drive. After they finished the show at Covers, he’d drop her off at her house, then he’d take Berto and Nita home. Berto wouldn’t let Nita sit out in the car with Michael, but Nita might invite Michael in. Berto would have to go to bed eventually, and then . . .
“Okay, I’ll go.” Judy nodded. “But only on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“I’ll drive. Your backseat is a disaster area.”
“Come on, Jude. It’s not that bad. I know the upholstery’s shot, but I’ll put a blanket over the seat.”
“That’s not the problem. The last time I rode in your back seat, the springs stuck me every time you went over a bump. I don’t exactly enjoy being goosed by a car.”
Michael began to laugh. “Not even my car?”
“Not even yours.”
“I could rent you a suit of armor.”
“No, thanks. I’ll go to the zoo if we take my car. But if I have to ride in your back seat, I’m passing.”
“Okay. We’ll take your car.” Michael opened the door, and got out. He waited until Judy had locked up her car, and then he waved. “See you tomorrow, Jude.”
“Good night, Michael.” Judy watched as Michael headed for the low hedge that separated his house from hers. He vaulted over, and then he turned to grin at her.
“Now that I think about it, I’m glad you’re driving. Your backseat is very comfortable—Nita and I really enjoyed it.”
Judy was thoughtful as she let herself into the house. Had she made a mistake by insisting that she drive? If she drove, Michael wouldn’t have to pay attention to traffic. And that meant he could concentrate entirely on Nita.
Marta had left her usual tray of snacks, and Judy carried it out to the patio. She sat at the same table they’d used last night and stared at the jacuzzi, remembering how warm and strong Michael’s arms had felt when he had held her. Of course, it hadn’t really been an embrace. The only time Michael had really held her was right before he’d ducked her head under the water.
Judy bit into a rare roast beef sandwich, and sighed deeply. At least tonight hadn’t been as bad as she’d imagined. Berto was fun, and he’d been very understanding. He probably suspected that she was in love with Michael, but Judy was sure he’d keep her secret.
It was really too bad she wasn’t interested in Berto. He was handsome, and smart, and awfully nice. Judy hadn’t had much experience at these sorts of things, but she was almost sure that Berto would jump at the chance to ask her out if she gave him the slightest bit of encouragement. But she wouldn’t encourage him. Michael was the one she wanted, not Berto. Michael was the only man in the world for her.
What she wouldn’t give to trade places with Nita! Judy felt her eyes fill with tears, and she blinked them back angrily. She couldn’t give way to her emotions. Crying would do absolutely no good, and her eyes would be puffy and swollen in the morning.
Judy took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She couldn’t afford to waste time feeling sorry for herself. Only idiots had time for self-pity. She would concentrate on coming up with a plan. Somehow, she had to make Michael see Nita for what she really was. Nita was a flirt and a cheat. She was going out with Michael while she was practically engaged to another man.
Could she tell Michael that? Judy sighed, and shook her head. If she told Michael about Nita and Ramon, she’d be risking disaster. Judy knew that no matter how many times people said they wanted the truth, they really preferred not to face it. Michael might hate her for bringing him the truth. That was a chance she couldn’t take.
So what could she do? She hated to wait, but there was no other choice. She’d just have to let nature run its course, and keep her fingers crossed that Michael would wise up before he really fell for Nita.
Judy frowned as she went back inside and climbed the steps to her suite. That remark Michael had made about her back seat still rankled. It was too bad it was so comfortable, so well suited for kissing and cuddling.
But was it? Judy began to grin as she thought of a perfect solution. The Volvo had a feature she’d never used. It was built especially for owners who lived in cold climates so that they didn’t have to get into a car with icy-cold seats. When she got up tomorrow morning, she’d read the owner’s manual to find out how to activate the heater that warmed the back seat.
Judy laughed out loud. Berto would love her little plan. He’d help her keep an eye on Michael and Nita, and if things got a little too hot in the back seat, he would warn her. And then Judy would make sure that they got even hotter!
Fifteen
Judy’s self-control slipped to a dangerously low level as she watched Michael perform the last set of the show. He’d written a new song, a ballad about a girl with laughing brown eyes and long, dark hair the color of midnight. It was a song for Nita. Judy knew that Michael was falling for Nita, and he had no idea that she was only out for a good time while her boyfriend was gone.
Michael looked very serious as he strummed his guitar. His eyes were shining, and his voice was rich with emotion. He was singing about the girl of his dreams. But Nita wasn’t the girl of his dreams . . . unless Michael was having a nightmare!
Despite Judy and Berto’s precautions, Nita and Michael had managed some time alone together. Those times had happened right here at Covers, where they both felt they were safe. Berto had told Judy he’d discovered them kissing, in back of a flat during rehearsal. And Judy had seen them hugging in the parking lot, and in the hall. Even Carla had seen them exchanging long, intensely passionate glances outside the office, and Andy had caught them embracing outside the kitchen door. Everyone at Covers had noticed that Nita was Michael’s new girlfriend. Michael was very open about it, and so was Nita. They weren’t bothering to keep their relationship a secret.
Judy and Berto had talked it over, and he’d decided to confront his sister tonight. He planned to give her a little lecture about how wrong it was to get involved with two men at the same time. He would say it wasn’t fair to Ramon. Nita should either call things off with Ramon and go out with Michael, or break up with Michael to save her relationship with Ramon. Either way, Nita would have to make a choice. Berto and Judy agreed on one thing—they both hoped that Nita would choose Ramon. For different reasons, of course.
Judy thought about their date at the zoo. She might have had a good time if she’d gone only with Berto, but watching Nita and Michael walking around all afternoon holding hands had been a real bummer.
When they’d arrived at the zoo, they’d parked under a shade tree at the very back of the parking lot, and walked toward the entrance. On the way, they’d encountered the usual crowd of vendors in front of the entrance, selling trinkets. The vendors all said their proceeds went to charity, but Judy had been very skeptical, since she’d never heard of the charities they claimed to represent. When Judy had been approached by a woman in a white nurse’s uniform, asking for donations to something called Human Relief, Judy had demanded to know exactly how her donation would be spent. The nurse, who Judy was sure wasn’t really a nurse, had hemmed and hawed, then she’d rattled off a glib answer about Judy’s global sisters and brothers in need. Judy had stared straight into the woman’s eyes, all ready to reply that she was an only child and she didn’t have any brothers and sisters, global or otherwise. But Michael had come up beside her to drop a dollar into the nurse’s bucket. Since she hadn’t wanted Michael to think that she was uncharitable, Judy had dropped in her dollar, too.<
br />
When they’d walked through the turnstiles, Michael had turned to Nita and asked her what she’d wanted to see first. Nita had told him that she simply adored birds. Judy hadn’t been interested in birds at all, but she’d marched right along at Berto’s side to spend a boring half-hour in the aviary. After that was over, Judy had suggested the reptile house, but Nita had shuddered and admitted that she couldn’t stand snakes. They’d gone off to see the gorillas instead, and Judy had spent another half-hour on an uncomfortable bench, watching a grandfather gorilla pound his chest while two females groomed each other.
The big cats had been next, but the day had been too warm for any lively exhibitions. The leopards had been dozing in the sun, the jaguars had plodded around listlessly, and the lions had been napping inside their cave.
The whole afternoon had been a waste. Flamingo Island had smelled horrible, the koala hut had been so crowded they’d had to wait in line for twenty minutes, the polar bears had been too sleepy to swim, and the elephants had stood so motionless, they’d looked as if they were stuffed and mounted. To make matters worse, Nita and Michael had actually seemed to be enjoying themselves. They’d walked along, holding hands and carrying on a lively conversation, while Berto and Judy had plodded along behind them, looking glum.
After Covers had closed on Wednesday evening, Michael had suggested they all go out for a bite to eat. They’d ended up at a little Mexican place where everyone had spoken Spanish. Nita and Berto had cracked jokes with the waiter, and Michael had joined right in. He’d taken three years of Spanish in high school, and he’d done a great job of holding his own. Unfortunately, Judy had taken French, and she’d been totally left out of the conversation. She’d also been totally left out of the food. The menu had been written in Spanish and she’d ordered a tripe burrito by mistake.