confronted her, though she'd behave like a lady, she'd be able to squash them like a bug. "Two chocolate cones and one pistachio," she ordered. "Jameson's favorite/' she whispered to me. My heart melted at her kindness to her butler. "You must be from out of town," Shirley said. Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) "Does it show?" she asked with a laugh. "Yes. But now we live up on Benson Hill. And your ice cream comes highly recommended." "Why, thank you," Shirley said. "For that I'll give you an extra scoop." We scooted back into the Mercedes. And the two of us sat, parked outside, eating our ice cream. "I love to people watch," she said with her lyrical voice. It wasn't something I'd ever really done. Just watch people. I'd always sensed I was the one being watched. And I never felt comfortable hanging out on the square. I preferred the park, where there was less traffic. "Look at those two. It seems like it's their first date. I low adorable," Mrs. Sterling said. "And that young man pushing a stroller while his wife and child eat their treats- it's like a greeting card." Then she spied a trio of identical twin girls sitting on a bench sharing a sundae. "Perfectly charming!" I didn't spend much time admiring fellow Dullsvillians. But Mrs. Sterling was fascinated with them. She showed me how interesting ordinary people could be if only I'd take the time to look. When I finally got home, I was exhilarated-like a groupie who had just met her idol. Mrs. Sterling was beautiful, a vampire, and as confident as a queen. She was everything I wanted to be.
14
As usual, I was unable to focus on my homework-and this time it was for a good reason. I'd finally met Alexander's parents and had a girls' night with his mother. Still, I couldn't help but wonder what this meant for Alexander. He had been the master of the castle for months, so I imagined it was a hard transition for him now that they were occupying "his" space. I was sure that's why he'd been so grumpy at the beginning of our last date. I lay on my bean bag and wondered how my life would be if Sarah and Paul Madison lived in Europe like the Sterlings and I had full run of our home. I'd do a total makeover of the entire Madison house. All white walls would be painted black. Bright floral curtains would be changed to dusty velvet ones. I'd remove the catalog-ordered furniture and replace it with antique thrift-store finds. I'd live by candlelight but keep the electricity for muchneeded necessities, such as a refrigerator, cable TV, and my hair dryer, Alexander's coffin would be next to my bed. I'd have a huge security officer by my door so my brother wouldn't be aware of Alexander's identity. We'd stay up all night watching The host Boys and pigging out on popcorn. Billy and Henry would inhabit the basement, under my strict curfew, and fire confetti-filled missiles at Trevor's house when I commanded. I'd exist on Count Chocula and caramel coffee lattes. School would be an optional part of the day. My fantasy, however, was a far cry from my current living situation. I would never see such independence until I was an adult. And though I craved it and wanted to spread my bat wings without boundaries, my conservative and governing parents were crucial to my existence. I didn't have enough money for my own apartment-or the wherewithal to shop for groceries or make my own dental appointments. And when I was really down about life and love, even though I barked at their sentiments, they were my safety net. If my parents weren't around for guidance and support, my world would be darker than it already was. Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Dullsville's rail yard was built in the late nineteenth century. What once must have been a thriving and highly active station, importing and exporting coal, wheat, and corn, was now a graveyard. The rail cars looked like tombstones,
14
As usual, I was unable to focus on my homework-and this time it was for a good reason. I'd finally met Alexander's parents and had a girls' night with his mother. Still, I couldn't help but wonder what this meant for Alexander. He had been the master of the castle for months, so I imagined it was a hard transition for him now that they were occupying "his" space. I was sure that's why he'd been so grumpy at the beginning of our last date. I lay on my bean bag and wondered how my life would be if Sarah and Paul Madison lived in Europe like the Sterlings and I had full run of our home. I'd do a total makeover of the entire Madison house. All white walls would be painted black. Bright floral curtains would be changed to dusty velvet ones. I'd remove the catalog-ordered furniture and replace it with antique thrift-store finds. I'd live by candlelight but keep the electricity for muchneeded necessities, such as a refrigerator, cable TV, and my hair dryer, Alexander's coffin would be next to my bed. I'd have a huge security officer by my door so my brother wouldn't be aware of Alexander's identity. We'd stay up all night watching The host Boys and pigging out on popcorn. Billy and Henry would inhabit the basement, under my strict curfew, and fire confetti-filled missiles at Trevor's house when I commanded. I'd exist on Count Chocula and caramel coffee lattes. School would be an optional part of the day. My fantasy, however, was a far cry from my current living situation. I would never see such independence until I was an adult. And though I craved it and wanted to spread my bat wings without boundaries, my conservative and governing parents were crucial to my existence. I didn't have enough money for my own apartment-or the wherewithal to shop for groceries or make my own dental appointments. And when I was really down about life and love, even though I barked at their sentiments, they were my safety net. If my parents weren't around for guidance and support, my world would be darker than it already was. Create PDF files without this message by purchasing novaPDF printer (http://www.novapdf.com) Dullsville's rail yard was built in the late nineteenth century. What once must have been a thriving and highly active station, importing and exporting coal, wheat, and corn, was now a graveyard. The rail cars looked like tombstones,
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