Free April Fools by Richie Tankersley Cusick Page A

. . . well. . . you know ... if you ever need to talk. ..."
    "I'll alert you straightaway."
    BeUnda smiled at the sarcasm and hugged Sasha's soft neck. "But it's nice to have someone to talk to. Like you and me talking now --" She glanced away, embarrassed. "My best friend and I don't talk anymore. My mom's never home. Did you and Mr. Thome talk a lot?"
    Cobbs shook his head, poured the tea. "The Thomes have always been uncomfortable with de-monstrativeness. I was needed, and I did my best for him."
    "I'll bet you mean a lot to him. Even though he
    never showed it." Belinda looked wistful. "You'd mean a lot to me."
    This time Cobbs stopped. He stood rigidly at the table as if her remark had caught him offguard. After a moment he said, "Mr. Thome was a selfish man. A driven man. Still, in his own way ... I like to think he cared."
    Belinda nodded. She felt sad. "So what will you do? Work for Mrs. Thome?"
    "God forbid."
    He pulled out a chair and waited for her to sit. Sasha got up obligingly and resettled herself under the table at Belinda's feet. For a while there was only the clink of china cups and the gentle silence of sharing.
    "I worry about Adam," Belinda said at last. "I worry that he's so full of hate."
    "It has nothing to do with you."
    But it mighty Cobbsy if might have everything to do with me. She met his eyes unhappily. "I don't know what to do -- I can't force him to see me. But he really needs a friend, don't you think?"
    "He wouldn't know a friend if he stepped on one . . . which I'm certain he's done many times."
    "But . . . shouldn't I try?"
    "Drink your tea."
    Puzzled, Belinda drained her cup. She closed her eyes, savoring the last mouthful, then opened them again to see Cobbs watching her.
    "I like you, Cobbs," Behnda said quietly. "You're really nice. You're . . . you know . . . easy to talk to."
    "One of my many talents, miss." He reached for the teapot but Belinda shook her head.
    "No thanks, I should get home. If Adam won't study, there's no reason for me to hang around, I guess."
    "Gracious, no," Cobbs rolled his eyes. "Especially now that you've taken your afternoon refreshment."
    She couldn't be sure, but she almost thought she'd seen a twinkle far back in his eye. She gathered her things, giving Sasha a last fond pat.
    "I hope you don't think I'm taking you for granted, Cobbs. You happen to be the high point of my day."
    "Naturally. Now if you'll allow me to drive you --"
    "Thanks, but I'll catch the bus." She glanced toward the stairs on their way out. "I guess I'll try again tomorrow -- maybe he'll be in a better mood --"
    "I'll hold my breath." Cobbs opened the door for her, peering out into the late afternoon. "It's getting very gloomy --"
    "Oh, don't worry. I always take a shortcut through the park -- it saves a lot of time --"
    "A shortcut?" he frowned. "A safe one, I assume."
    "Oh, sure, I don't think too many people know about it -- it's an old parking lot on the east side of the park. Well, see you tomorrow!" She started down the drive, but almost at once had that feeling of being watched. At the street she pretended to
    check her books just so she could glance at that upstairs window without being obvious.
    Nothing moved.
    No shadow withdrew into the darkness beyond.
    Unsettled, Behnda started off again, her mind buzzing with frustrations. What was she going to do about Adam? How would she ever get close to him if he wouldn't let her? And why had Cobbs said what he did, about her never going back to that house? He'd looked so different when he'd said it . . . almost sinister^ she realized now.
    Belinda forced the thoughts away as she hurried through the park. She hadn't reahzed how really dark it was -- she hadn't meant to stay so long talking with Cobbs. The park seemed more deserted than usual this evening , . . the only sounds were of distant traffic and birds settling themselves for the night. Belinda glanced up and felt a twinge of uneasiness. Low clouds were gathering, swept along by