Free The Devil and Danna Webster by Jacqueline Seewald Page A

next half-hour, day-dreaming about what our date would be like next Saturday. It would be my first real date with a guy. It was bound to be special, something I’d never forget.
    The ringing of the telephone broke my reverie. It was Joyce. We talked about school, until finally I couldn't stand it anymore. I had to tell her about Kevin. I asked her what she thought.
    "It's a mistake going out with him. He's the kind of guy who'll say all kinds of nice things to a girl just to get what he wants."
    "And you know this how?”
    â€œMy dad is a cop, remember? I know all kinds of stuff, gross stuff.”
    â€œYou think I wouldn't know the difference, that I can't spot a phony and a liar?"
    "A really good liar? I don't know, Dani. How experienced are you? I just think you'd be better off telling him to get lost and never bothering with him again."
    "But he even told me about his father. That's why he's been in trouble, just to get even."
    "Maybe, but I don't trust him. Phyllis says he's had lots of girlfriends."
    "She doesn't know everything! Besides, he thinks I'm special."
    "I hope you're right." Her voice sounded doubtful. "Just be careful. Sometimes, you’re a little naïve."
    â€œYou think Phyllis is right. You think I’m dumb?”
    â€œI didn’t say that or even think it.”
    When I finished talking to Joyce, I couldn't seem to concentrate on schoolwork. Our conversation had ended on a negative note. That never happened before.
    I went to the kitchen and found my parents sitting there having a cup of coffee. The way they looked at me, I knew I had been the subject of their conversation.
    I knew I had to tell them about Kevin. So I screwed my courage to the sticking point, cleared my throat and planted myself smack in front of them. "I think you should know that I have a date with Kevin for next Saturday night. I like him a lot and I think he likes me too."
    They exchanged worried looks.
    "Your mother and I both think he's too mature for you. We don't approve. Tell him you can't go out with him."
    I felt as if I were going to burst into tears. Instead, I swallowed hard and forced myself to speak. "I don't ask you for a lot of things the way some kids do. This is very important to me. Please meet him! He wants to come to the house. He wants to make a good impression on you. You know he wouldn't do that if he had bad intentions. Let me go out with him just this once! Let me see what it's like." I knew I was pleading but I couldn’t seem to help myself.
    "Well, maybe it would be all right," my mother said in a halting voice.
    I went over and hugged her. But my stepfather was still unmoved. His arms were crossed over his chest.
    "I know what's best for you," he said in a hard voice. "I don't like the looks of that boy. He's not our kind of people."
    "Just give him a chance. You can't always judge people by outward appearances," I persisted.
    My stepfather finally gave in, although grudgingly. “All right, but I still think this is a mistake.”
    As I left the kitchen, I could hear him mutter something to my mother that I didn't quite understand. It seemed to have something to do with Lori.
    I went through the rest of the week so happy I could barely stand it.
    It seemed as if Saturday night took forever in coming around. All day, I fussed with my hair, trying to get it to look just right. My parents disapproved of makeup so I'd never really worn any. During the week, I stopped by the pharmacy and bought a few items. Saturday evening, I experimented with a touch of blush and darkened my brows slightly with pencil. I was certain my parents would have complained if I used lipstick or mascara, so I kept it simple.
    I didn't know what to wear. Should I dress in slacks and sweater or skirt and blouse or an actual dress? I had no idea what Kevin had planned for the evening. Finally, I put on a skirt and sweater set that I saved for special occasions. It wasn't dressy but it made the best of my