Free Saving Phoebe Murrow: A Novel by Herta Feely Page A

was a good-looking woman, she felt an uncomfortable undercurrent of something.
    After bussing one another’s cheeks, Liz asked how Phoebe liked Georgetown. “What’s not to like,” Isabel said, “but thanks for asking. She seems to be adjusting pretty well. Surprisingly well, in fact. And Skyla?” Though tempted to ask how the heck she’d gotten in, Isabel refrained.
    â€œShe’s in love with the place. Especially the fact that there are four grades of boys. Can you believe that?” She arched her brow and released a boisterous laugh.
    â€œKids!” Isabel said with a tight smile, already wondering how to extricate herself.
    â€œI told her, ‘you’d better hit the books, kiddo; this isn’t Woodmont.’” She laughed again.
    â€œYou’re right about that,” Isabel said and glanced around in search of Ron.
    â€œBy the way, Skyla mentioned something about a joint birthday party. Wouldn’t that be fun?” Liz said, her eyes wide with anticipation.
    For the second time this evening, Isabel tried hard not to appear surprised. “Hmm, a joint party?” Why hadn’t Phoebe said a word?
    â€œOh, yes. Skyla came home today, all excited, even mentioned having it at the Chevy Chase Club, so I’m guessing that was Phoebe’s idea.”
    â€œReally? I guess Phoebe forgot to mention it. She came home a little late and I was getting ready. For this,” she said. “Oh, shoot, will you forgive me, I see a couple of people I need to catch up with. Room parent duty, you know. Get to know the new parents.”
    â€œSure, but let’s catch up soon, okay?” Liz said, clutching Isabel’s wrist. “It’s been too long. Have a glass of wine and make plans for the kids’ party?”
    Isabel slowly retracted her arm. “Sure. I’ll touch base with Phoebe. Call me?” Perhaps this was Liz’s version of an olive branch, but she’d put the ball in Liz’s court. After all, she only worked part-time, some cupcake venture, a business that seemed at best half-serious.
    â€œI’ll do that,” Liz said cheerfully and waltzed off.
    Isabel imagined that getting together might not just be about patching things up or even the girls’ party. Inevitably, talk would turn to Liz and Steve launching a second bid to join the Club, which didn’t particularly bother her, but now it seemed they’d be hosting a birthday party there too. That baffled her. Was Phoebe really ready to trust Skyla? More to the point, was she? She wasn’t sure. Actually no, but maybe meeting up with Liz wasn’t such a bad idea. And perhaps Phoebe should invite Skyla, so she could get a sense of the girl.
    As she made her way through the clusters of people, and occasionally waved or said “hello,” she ran into Ron. “Oh, there you are. Thank God.” She was about to mention her encounter with Liz when she noticed the distressed look on his face.
    â€œListen, I have to tell you something,” he said, his voice a hoarse whisper, “and you’re not going to like it. A few kids were—” he hesitated as if hunting for the right word, “—caught smoking marijuana at some guy’s house in Adams Morgan today.” He grew circumspect. “I think Phoebe might know something about it.”
    The afternoon came flooding back. Isabel placed a hand on Ron’s arm to steady herself. “What exactly would she know?” she managed.
    â€œWell,” he said slowly, “I think she was there, along with Jessie and Emma and a few boys. The only name I recognized was Dylan’s.”
    Isabel grappled with the news. So that’s what Amanda had meant, and that’s why people had been looking at her. They knew. Unlike me, she thought, whose daughter had actually been there. She couldn’t bring herself to believe that Phoebe too had been smoking – but how had she