Free Destination D by Lori Beard-Daily Page A

was acting so different. And whatever the reason was, it had to be his fault! Tony could feel Melvin look straight through him as if he already knew what he was about to say.
    â€œListen, Mr. Landers, everything is cool with us. Really. She's been acting a little strange with me, too.” Maybe if he knows she's acting different with me also, then he won't blame me totally for Tracey's odd behavior.
    â€œDifferent how?”
    Okay, here come the 50 questions… “Well, sometimes, her mind seems to be somewhere else.”
    â€œYeah,” Melvin said, stroking his chin as he thought about what Tony was saying.
    One…two…three…four…
    â€œSo, what do you think it could be?”
    Question number two … under five seconds…not bad. “Uh, I don't know, really. She says she's just anxious about going off to college. So I attribute it to stress, maybe.” Melvin's eyebrows rose as Tony's voice trailed off. Tony could tell he didn't like the last part of his sentence. He cleared his throat. “Not that she has anything to worry about, being on a full scholarship and all.”
    Melvin patted him on the shoulder. “Yeah, I guess you're right.”
    â€œI am? I mean…yes, I am,” Tony said, shocked that Mr. Landers wasn't going to continue with the third degree.
    â€œHey, let's keep this conversation just between us, okay?”
    â€œNo problem, Mr. Landers.” Whew! No problem at all!
    As they walked back to the kitchen, the aroma of a full smorgasbord of delicacies tickled their noses. Amanda was still putting the finishing touches on the feast of hot wings, and three different pastas, each cooked in their own sauces of tomato basil, Alfredo, and a secret sauce that Amanda had conjured up herself. There was potato salad, seven-layer salad, seafood salad, meatballs, fresh fruit, and vegetable egg rolls. Fortunately, to save herself some stress, she'd planned enough in advance and did the cooking throughout the week. No thanks to Pam, she thought bitterly.
    â€œGood evening, Ms. Shipman. Somethin' sure smells good.”
    â€œWell hello Tony and thank you. Don't you look dapper this evening?”
    â€œThank you ma'am,” he said as he moved the grocery bags to the table and put the flowers behind his back.
    Tony was 6'3” and wore demure stainless-steel wire-frame glasses. It was a “barely there” look that accentuated his chiseled handsome features. His thick curly hair was the same mocha color as his eyes, and he was dressed in a well-coordinated ensemble of a cognac-colored sports jacket, matching pants, and a crew neck sweater that complemented his rich almond skin color. Amanda liked his good manners. And the fact that he had just received a four-year scholarship to Harvard University didn't hurt either.
    â€œHmmm. It smells like you tryin' to put a hurtin' on someone up in here!” Melvin blurted out.
    â€œI was thinking the same thing when I walked in.” Tony closed his eyes to take in the sweet smells of lemon bars, brownies, and a “Sock-It-To-Me Cake” that was being pulled out of the oven.
    Amanda laughed. “Oh, you and Melvin are too much for my ego! I just want everything to be perfect for this party this evening. I just feel so guilty that Melvin and Tracey had to do all of the decorating without me. I can at least make sure the food is done right!” She wiped her hands on her apron and set the desserts down on the hot pads on the counter. Melvin could see her guilt-ridden face and walked over toward her and kissed her on the cheek.
    â€œYou always do a fine job, baby,” he said as he made his way back over to the table and started putting up the groceries. Amanda smiled, catching a glimpse of something that Tony was trying to hide behind his back.
    â€œWhat's that you've got hidden behind your back?”
    He placed his fingers across his lips. “Shh…it's a surprise for