Free Trick or Treat by Richie Tankersley Cusick Page A

sure use some guys around here with a little sensitivity.”
    Blake and Greg groaned in unison, then cheered as the pizza arrived. For a while Conor was forgotten as they attacked their food and talked about other things: school, sports, the town. Martha laughed uproariously as Greg recalled childhood escapades that he and his cousins had been involved in, and then Wynn retaliated with some choice stories of her own that Blake and Greg swore had never happened. Martha couldn’t remember when she’d had such fun, and she hated the evening to end.
    After dropping Wynn off, Greg insisted that Blake borrow his car to drive Martha home. And though Martha felt shy about being alone with Blake, he soon put her at ease, driving around town as Greg had suggested earlier, showing her the general layout of Bedford. They took their time, talking, listening to tapes, and when the heater got temperamental, Blake’s arm slipped easily around her shoulders and stayed there the rest of the way home. They drove slowly because of the fog, and Blake didn’t seem in any hurry to drop her off — and when they finally pulled up in the driveway, Martha realized she hadn’t thought about Conor or the house all evening. Conor’s light was on, which seemed to amuse Blake. He helped her out of the car and took her hand, walking her to the porch.
    “I’m glad you came,” he said.
    “Me, too.” They looked at each other for a long moment, and he gathered her into his jacket, resting his chin on top of her head. His touch felt warm and secure.
    “I’ve been thinking … being the official welcome committee definitely has its advantages.”
    “How’s that?” Martha couldn’t look away from his laughing eyes.
    “I get first dibs on the new kid,” Blake said in mock seriousness.
    Martha laughed, embarrassed, then her voice grew urgent. “Do people here like to play jokes on the new kid?”
    Blake looked puzzled. “Jokes? What kind of jokes?”
    “Oh,” Martha shrugged evasively, “stupid phone calls … things like that….”
    Blake studied her, his smile uncertain. “You mean Prince-Albert-in-a-can phone calls? It wouldn’t surprise me — there’re lots of dumb kids in Bedford.” His smile widened as he pulled her closer. “Lucky Conor.” Blake looked down at her, teasing, and Martha frowned.
    “What’s lucky about Conor?”
    “He gets to live with you.” Blake grinned again, his hand sliding from her arm. “I’ll call you,” he said. “See you tomorrow.”
    Martha stood there and watched as the car disappeared into the woods. Her heart felt almost sick with excitement, and her insides were still shaking. Blake Chambers? With her? She was almost afraid to believe it was possible. A guy like that without a single serious girlfriend in the whole school? There must be something wrong with him …. And then she sighed and shook her head. No, there’s nothing wrong with him. He’s absolutely perfect, he’s the most perfect boy I’ve ever met in my life ….
    “Dreamer,” Martha muttered to herself. “When you wake up, you’ll be sorry.” She turned the door-knob and groaned. It was locked. “Conor!” she called. She pounded and put her ear to the door to listen. No footsteps coming down the stairs. No answer from within. “Conor!” Martha called again. How stupid, going off without a key. Conor would never let her forget this one. “Conor! Come on, let me in! It’s cold out here!”
    Martha tucked her hands inside her jacket and stomped her feet. He’d probably fallen asleep studying, cramming his mind with all those genius things. She didn’t know what Wynn saw in him, but she could tell Wynn was definitely interested and too shy to pursue it. Maybe I’ll help her out . She really liked Wynn — maybe she’d introduce them in just the right environment and Conor would ask Wynn for a date, and then he’d turn into a normal person.
    “ Conor! ” Irritated, Martha stepped off the porch and looked up at