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well, I thought, that gives us more time to talk.
    Patsy was the one who came up with the next topic. “Are you going to the trial?” she asked.
    She was talking about the home invader, of course. Now that he was out of the hospital, he was going to be tried on nine counts of break and entry. I’d told Mom I wanted to go — even if it meant missing a few days of basketball camp. I’d talked Mom and Clay into enrolling me for another month.
    â€œI’d like to go,” I told her. Then I told Patsy something I hadn’t told anybody else. “You know, I’m kind of relieved all the home invader had was a concussion. The thing is, I feel kind of connected to him. Like I understand him.”
    Patsy raised her eyebrows.
    â€œNot the tying people up part, or stealing their stuff, or scaring them,” I added quickly. “More the observing people part.”
    I felt Patsy’s eyes scan my face as if she were looking for something. “Why can’t you just observe them outside their houses? Like here, for instance.” She lifted her eyes up toward the girl who was selling popcorn. The girl tugged at her hair net, then reached down to massage her lower back. You could tell she was eager to finish her shift.
    â€œI can. I do. It’s just that observing people is more interesting when they don’t know you’re watching them. Then you really get to know them.”
    This time Patsy nodded. I had the feeling she was starting to get it. “I guess it’s like watch- ing a movie — or reading a book,” she said.
    â€œUh-huh,” I told her.
    Someone tapped my shoulder. It was my mom. She was with Clay. “What are you kids doing here?” my mom asked.
    â€œPatsy and I figured we’d catch a movie after supper. We’re going to see
Tae Foo Rumble
. What about you guys?”
    Don’t say you’re going to see
Tae Foo Rumble
, I thought to myself.
    No such luck.
    â€œUs too,” my mom said. “This is great. We can sit together. It’ll be like a double date.”
    I felt my ears turn hot.
    â€œSure,” Patsy said, in a voice that didn’t sound so sure.
    â€œYou know, honey, now that I think about it, I’m not exactly in the mood for a martial arts movie,” Clay said, taking my mom’s elbow. “Wasn’t there a chick flick you wanted to see? I’d bet they’d let us change our tickets.”
    My mom looked at him. “Sure,” she said, “that sounds like a good idea. You two enjoy your movie, okay?”
    â€œI thought you hated chick flicks,” I heardher tell Clay as they walked back to the ticket booth.
    â€œA guy can get used to anything,” he told her as he put his arm through hers. Even from behind, I could see his cowlick sticking up in the air.
    Patsy had been watching them too. “So are you getting used to him?” she asked me.
    I shrugged my shoulders. “I guess so,” I said. “Just do me one favor, Patsy.”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œDon’t tell him.”

OTHER TITLES IN THE ORCA SOUNDINGS SERIES
    Blue Moon
by Marilyn Halvorson
    Breathless
by Pam Withers
    Bull Rider
by Marilyn Halvorson
    Charmed
by Carrie Mac
    Dead-End Job
by Vicki Grant
    Death Wind
by William Bell
    Fastback Beach
by Shirlee Smith Matheson
    Grind
by Eric Walters
    The Hemingway Tradition
by Kristin Butcher
    Hit Squad
by James Heneghan
    Juice
by Eric Walters
    Kicked Out
by Beth Goobie
    My Time as Caz Hazard
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
    No More Pranks
by Monique Polak
    No Problem
by Dayle Campbell Gaetz
    One More Step
by Sheree Fitch
    Overdrive
by Eric Walters
    Refuge Cove
by Lesley Choyce
    Snitch
by Norah McClintock
    Something Girl
by Beth Goobie
    Sticks and Stones
by Beth Goobie
    Thunderbowl
by Lesley Choyce
    Tough Trails
by Irene Morck
    The Trouble With Liberty
by Kristin Butcher
    Truth
by Tanya Lloyd Kyi
    Who Owns Kelly Paddik?
by Beth Goobie
    Yellow Line
by Sylvia