Free Last Night at the Blue Angel by Rebecca Rotert Page B

and how bad her mother’s pie turned out the night before, on and on, and all I could think was, I have been kissed.
    W e got to her house and played with the dogs. Then Laura spotted her brother off in the scrub trees in the side yard. An old roadster was parked there, half covered with weeds. He had the trunk open and was bent over it.
    Laura ran toward him. Come on!
    What on earth are you looking for? she said, startling him.
    He pulled out a plaid suitcase, smiling. Just remembered where I put this .
    Laura’s face pinched. What would you want with that old thing?
    I’m sentimental , he said, glancing in my direction. David had become incredibly handsome but he still looked like him. He was wearing a striped suit and tie and cuff links. He was a man.
    Who’s your friend? he asked, not listening to her, just staring at me.
    Oh, David , don’t you remember Naomi? said Laura, presenting me with both arms.
    Holy cripes! You were just a ragamuffin last time I saw you. Mean , if I remember . He leaned against the car. I didn’t know what to do with my arms. I crossed them in front of my chest.
    Still am , I said.
    Laura laughed and squeezed my arm. She is! I looked over at the horizon like I had other things on my mind.
    David reached into his pocket and pulled out a slim silver case. He popped it open. Have a look here , he said. He presented a small square of paper to Laura and took out another for me. It read: David Miller, Proprietor, the Neon Parrot .
    What’s a “proprietor” do? I asked.
    He leaned down a bit to remind me I was smaller than he, and looked at me like there was nothing else in the world but me and his eyes on me. Wouldn’t you like to know? he said.
    I had hated boys for looking at Laura this way but I’d never been on the receiving end before.
    Laura stared at David staring at me. Her eyes narrowed on him until he stood up straight and looked away.
    It means he thinks he’s Boss Pendergast or something , said Laura.
    He put one hand on the roof of the car and his other hand on his hip. He was so long. I remembered him playing with us when we were little, how fun it was to try to run by him and not get caught.
    You come visit me someday , I’ll show you , he said with a grin.
    She’ll do no such thing , said Laura, hooking her arm in mine, her whole face smiling except for her eyes.
    I stood there feeling like I’d walked into some kind of trouble, so I looked around to make as though I hadn’t seen anything.
    Where’d the dogs go? I asked.
    Take care of my sister , ragamuffin. You hear? he said to me, tossing his plaid suitcase into the back and then lowering himself into the driver’s seat of his pale blue convertible.
    Seems like you’re the one needs looking after , I said.
    He leaned his arm on his window. You got the devil in you, I swear to God .
    Maybe , I said, tilting up my chin so I could look down at him.
    He laughed and slapped the window’s frame. Good-bye , ladies , he said.
    I followed Laura into the kitchen, where her mother and father sat, dressed, impeccably, reading the newspaper and drinking coffee from a full silver service.
    Is he gone? Mr. Miller asked.
    You remember Naomi , said Laura.
    Hello, darling , said Mrs. Miller, standing and giving me a kiss on each cheek. She was statuesque in an emerald-green dress with an upright collar, a tiny waist, and a full skirt. Her black hair was twisted up and secured with a large brown comb. I would have been happy to inspect her, all of these details, for the rest of the morning.
    Mr. Miller looked at me over the top of his paper. You’re going to come talk to me on Monday , I hear .
    Yes , sir .
    I trust you’ve got your shenanigans out of your system?
    Daddy! That was a hundred years ago , said Laura.
    I have , sir , I said.
    He shook his paper upright again. Good to know .
    You’ll stay for lunch? Mrs. Miller asked.
    I shook my head. I have chores .