Free The Second Virginity of Suzy Green by Sara Hantz

know Guy like Lori does. Which is why Lori is the best person to ask.
So I’m not really dumping Maddie. And I’ll definitely give her a ring as soon
as Lori and I have sorted this mess out. If only to tell her about the
committee. I just know she’ll barely be able to contain herself when she hears.
    “But surely you
can just have tea and then go straight out. Why does Guy have to be there? Or
is she always like this about boyfriends.”
    “No, she’s not.
But things are different now. You know, with Rosie and stuff.” Stuff being the
operative word and something not for sharing.
    “Yeah. Well,
looks like you have no choice then.”
    “I reckon you’re
right. But what shall I say?” I pause for moment. “Hey, maybe you can ask him
for me.” I say it as a joke, but part of me wishes she would agree to do it.
    “What,
seriously?” I can’t see her face, but I can imagine the expression of disbelief
on it.
    “Nah. Only
joking. But you can tell me what to say. As you know him so well.”
    “I’m not sure.”
She’s silent for a few seconds. “I know,” she continues. “Why don’t you say
haven’t seen your uncle in a while, since the funeral—”
    “I can’t say
that. Guy doesn’t know about Rosie.”
    “Um—actually he
does.”
    “How? I didn’t
mention anything to him. The only person I’ve told is you—” I stop speaking. Oh
no. Lori told Guy. I don’t believe it. After I specifically asked her to keep
it quiet. “You told him didn’t you?” My voice comes out harsher than I intend.
Though if you ask me she deserves it.
    “I’m so sorry
Suzy. It was an accident. I was going to ring and tell you but I felt so awful.
It just sort of slipped out after school today when he gave me a ride home. But
he knows you don’t want the others to know. And he’ll keep it secret, I
promise.”
    Yeah like she
promised not to say anything. Well if this doesn’t prove that Maddie is the
only person I can trust I don’t know what does.
    “Whatever.”
    “Please say you
forgive me.”
    “I forgive you.”
That couldn’t come across as more belligerent if I tried. Maybe I’m being mean.
These things happen. I’ve done it myself. What about when I accidentally
dropped Maddie in it when she said she was at my house and she’d gone to that
concert across town with some guy her parents said she couldn’t see. “Sorry. Of
course I forgive you. But please don’t say anything to anyone else. It’s just
that I don’t want to go through everyone staring and talking about me again. I
had enough of that when it all happened.”
    “You have my
word.” She breathes an extremely loud sigh of relief down the phone.
    I’m still cross, but it’s not going to
change Guy knowing. Just as long as he doesn’t want to talk about it.
    “So back to Guy.
What shall I say?”
    “Like I said
before, say it’s been ages since you’ve seen your uncle. Failing that, just say
that your Mom wants to meet him. That’s perfectly acceptable.” For around here
maybe.
    “Anyway, you
better phone him now. Give him some warning.”
    “I suppose. Wish
me luck. I’ll phone you right back once I’ve done it.”
     

Chapter
Nine
     
    “Guy, anymore?” Mom
asks, her hand poised threateningly over the homemade lemon meringue pie,
which is my absolute favorite dessert and I’m hoping there will be some left
for breakfast—don’t mock it ’til you try it.
    Dessert aside, I
have to say this has been the most excruciating tea in the history of teas. And
if I never have to sit through another it will be too soon. First of all we had
the twenty questions—there isn’t a thing Mom doesn’t know about Guy and his
family. Then we had so many awkward silences it was embarrassing. Most unlike Mom.
Especially with Uncle Peter there.
    Now I know why I
didn’t bring boys home in the past. I really don’t know how Rosie tolerated it.
Though thinking back, I do remember Rosie giving Mom a talking to one time when
Mom was so