Free Everybody's Daughter by Marsha Qualey Page B

Sorry.”
    “Right.”
    Martin moved to the door. “I’ve got to go edit some tapes. Nice to meet you, Andy. See you, Merry.” He left.
    “So that’s how you’re spending your afternoons,” Andy said. “I didn’t realize you knew him. He’s a real celebrity around Grand River, you know.”
    “He’s living in a cabin near here. The Woodies have more or less adopted him, so he’s around a lot. We go skiing sometimes.”
    “He calls you Merry. Should I be calling you Merry?”
    She paused. “No.”
    “Should I be jealous?”
    Suddenly weary of questions, Beamer felt the anger surge. “Jealous? That’s a funny question coming from you, Andy.” She peeled off her ski gloves, smoothed the fingers, then laid them by the cash register. She cocked her head and looked at him. “If you can have two girlfriends, I can have two boyfriends. Fair’s fair.”
    His face paled in distress.
    Mr. Flynn returned. “The soup is safely simmering,” he said. “You are free to go to Cass Lake.”
    “I’m not going, Dad.”
    “Good, then I won’t be eating alone. Your mother and Johnny are eating in town. Andy, can you stay and join us? Onion and lentil soup.”
    “No, thanks, Mr. Flynn. I really should be going.” He turned to Beamer. “Walk me to the car?”
    Beamer nodded. “But first let me get out of my ski boots.”
    Andy helped carry her poles and skis to the back room. While he hung her gear on the family’s ski racks, she changed into her soft, lined moccasins, wiggling her toes in the fleece. One of the poles fell from the rack, bouncing noisily against a window and then into a collection of cans bagged for recycling. Andy swore softly and rehung it.
    Beamer reached for his hand and squeezed it, enjoying the feel of the skin roughened by clay and glaze. She pulled him down beside her on the sofa. “Andy, relax. It was a bad joke. He’s not a boyfriend.”
    His eyes were fixed on the floor. His jaw was set and hard. She released his hand and sat back. “You don’t have to be jealous,” she said softly.
    Andy turned to face her. He considered her words while studying her face. “Okay,” he said slowly, “I won’t be jealous.” He mustered a smile. “Sure you won’t go to Cass Lake with me?”
    “I really do have to study. But call me later to say goodnight.”
    “I always do.” They rose and, hand in hand, went out the back door. As they turned the corner of the storefront and walked onto the parking lot, Andy stopped abruptly and pointed. “He’s still here. What’s the problem?”
    Martin was standing by his car, staring down. Andy and Beamer walked to him. Martin looked up. “Hello,” he said and pointed to a tire. “It’s flat.”
    “Lucky you noticed before you drove away,” said Andy.
    “Martin,” said Beamer, “have you been standing here all this time just staring at the tire?”
    “It hasn’t been that long. And yes, I have been.”
    “Do you have a spare?”
    “I guess so.”
    “Martin!”
    “Merry, I have never before had a flat and so I have never before changed a tire. Don’t look at me like that.”
    “I suppose you want me to change it for you.”
    “Can you?”
    “Of course. Give your keys to Andy, and he’ll get the jack and spare out.” She turned to Andy. “I’ll go inside and get a flashlight. It’s pretty dark already.”
    “Well, Bea…” Andy’s voice trailed away.
    Beamer groaned. “You too?”
    Andy smiled. “Like the guy said, I’ve never had a flat so I’ve never changed a tire. I’ll get the flashlight.”
    “I have a flashlight,” said Martin, and he opened the car door and rummaged under the front seat. “We’re in luck. Two of them,” he said, handing one to Andy. Andy peered into the car around Martin and made a face when he saw the messy interior. Martin grinned. “Car slob,” he said. “I admit it. Of course, I’m a house slob too. But then Merry has probably told you that.”
    Andy stiffened. “I didn’t know she