was eighteen and a sophomore at Florida State across town.
Denise pulled one finger off her fist at a time. “I always thought you were a year or two behind everybody in our age group. But that doesn’t explain why you’re so bright. If a street smart girl like you were academically inclined....”
“I leave that to you intellectuals,” Aloha lied. Aloha could read something one time and remember it. She did not have to study. She always got straight A’s in school, but did not broadcast that fact.
Denise didn’t notice her sarcasm. “Like I said, suppose I’ve got it backwards. Suppose you’re not eighteen in the eleventh grade, a bit behind kids your age—”
“What are you trying to say?” Aloha’s voice became low and dangerous. This goodygoddamntwoshoes was accusing her of being too young. This got Aloha’s dander up.
“Suppose, like we really know, that you are very smart, but just don’t show it. Suppose you were bright enough to skip a couple of grades—”
My God! Denise thinks I’m keeping a secret. That I’m fourteen or fifteen.
Aloha had been born in July, just beating the Florida August first cutoff for the next grade year. One thing her parents had done was to let her go through schools, more than a few, at her own pace, and end up wherever the she felt comfortable.
This ongoing situation made her very lonely.
Aloha carefully pulled another slice from the pizza and took a large bite, avoiding Denise’s glaring eyes. “You’re full of shit, Miss Six.” It came out mumbled through pizza.
Denise continued to glare at her. She shook her head emphatically. “You’re probably right. Because if what I was thinking is true—”
“It isn’t,” Aloha lied.
“You would be maybe fifteen? In eleventh grade.”
“I am a junior, but you’re wrong about my age.” And she was.
Denise shook her head. “Maybe I’m dreaming. It can’t be true. My father is forty-seven—”
“Eighteen is the age of consent in Florida,” Aloha said impulsively. At her age, she failed to see the relevance of the age disparity.
“You’d have everybody think you’re eighteen.”
“I don’t care what everybody thinks.”
“Obviously. But you are, um, well-developed.”
Aloha tilted her head. “Voluptuous?” She was baiting Denise now.
“Not exactly. You’ve a regal sort of way about you. But you exude sex. All the boys say—” She looked up guiltily.
“I’ve known some of the boys. And I don’t care what they say. I like men better. Like your father. He exudes virility.”
Denise sucked in air. “Don’t talk like that about my father.”
Aloha had successfully changed the subject, but Denise had not caught the thickening sarcasm.
“I’m glad your father did not change into a hotshot religious nut like you did. You used to be my friend, now you quote the Bible all the damn time. Are you some kind of body-snatcher from outer space? What have you done with my friend Denise?”
Denise sat back astonished. “Why, I, uh, found the Lord. And He comforts me in my times of trial and tribulations—like now. He would not be a traitor like you. His rod and His staff, they comfort me.”
Aloha was breathing hard now. “We haven’t been very good friends since you quote found the Lord unquote. Seems to me this religion stuff has changed you, maybe for the worse.”
Her mouth pursed, Denise said, “No, sireee.” Denise took after her mother. Pretty but not stunning like Aloha. But Denise had the same strong jaw as her father.
Denise ripped a bite of pizza. “I knew you were bright. First you seduced my father through a series of machinations, then you successfully distract me by making my religion the issue.” She wagged her pointy finger at Aloha. “My father’s been divorced for years. He’s vulnerable, very much so—”
I hope he stays so, thought Aloha. I’d counted on it. All my maneuvering....
“—and he hasn’t dated much at all since the divorce.”
“What was the real reason for their divorce?”
“I will not again be distracted.”
“Machinations? Reprehensible?”
Denise ignored her. “He’s at a point where he needs companionship, a stable relationship—”
“He needs a woman.”
“He needs, umm—”
Me.
“He needs a wife, a woman, who is not so clever, dark and coldly Machiavellian.”
“I appreciate the compliments, Denise, but—”
“He needs a nice....”
“A nice girl?” Aloha’s tone was soft.
Denise clenched her jaw. “It is not my intention to insult you. But tonight you’ve revealed yourself as a —”
“Harlot?”
“That’s what the Gospel says.” Denise pushed the pizza box away.
Aloha rose. “I’m tired of you wearing your religion on your sleeve. And I’m getting more and more pissed at your accusations.”
“God will forgive you for saying that.” Denise paused. “Daddy was the one who connected me with the Lord—”
“Oh? How?” Aloha couldn’t keep the ice from her voice.
“Every night he put me to bed with ‘Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.’ It was my first step to salvation, thanks to Daddy.”
“If I want to see Rudd, I will.”
Denise stood and stepped toward Aloha. “Not if I can help it.”
“You can’t.”
“I’ll tell him all about you,” Denise spat out.
“Oh? What will you tell him?” Aloha said in a dangerous whisper.
“I’ll tell him about you and all the other boys.”
“Hearsay.”
“Hearsay, theresay, I will say.”
Even if not completely true, Aloha thought about what they said behind her back, there’s plenty of truth, enough to make Rudd hate her. “It’s
