Read Online Message from Nam by Danielle Steel - Free Book Online Page B

Yvonne teased. “You looked fine to me.”
    “And you looked pretty fine to Sandy.” Paxton gave it right back to her, and this time they both laughed. And Yvonne was still sitting on the couch and reading when Gabby and Paxton went to their room to change into their nightgowns.
    “I can’t believe it,” Gabby said to her as she supped her nightgown over her head a few minutes later. “He always hates my friends. I can’t think of a single friend I’ve ever had that he’s liked … and suddenly, he’s dropping by to make friendly chitchat with a six-pack. I can’t believe it.” She looked at Paxton with absolute amazement. “It’s you. It really is. You’re the first girl he’s ever liked that he’s met through me, or even with me. I can’t believe it.”
    “It’s just curiosity. He won’t be back. There are a lot more interesting girls out there at the law school.”
    “I doubt it.” Gabby had been impressed by her too. She was a stunning-looking girl, and one of the nice things about her was that she seemed not to know it. She was quiet, and smart, and when you talked to her a little bit, she was really funny. And Gabby still liked the sound of her accent. And there was a lot more to Paxton than met the eye, more wisdom, more compassion, and more inner beauty. And Gabby knew from experience that her brother was no fool. He had spotted a good one. Maybe even a great one.
    “He’ll be back. You’ll see.” And then Gabby groaned as she lay on the narrow, uncomfortable bed, and thought it over. “In fact, I may see more of him this year than I’ve ever seen before. I’m not so sure I like that.”
    “Believe me. He’ll forget us all by next week, except maybe Yvonne …” And then in a whisper, she decided to say something to Gabby. “She’s incredible-looking, isn’t she? She’s so beautiful!”
    “But such a bitch!” Gabby whispered.
    “I don’t think she really is,” Paxton defended her, “I think she’s just uptight about me, because I’m from Georgia.”
    “I don’t know.” Gabby thought about it for a little bit. “She looks like a tough customer to me. I’m not sure I’d want to get on her bad side.”
    “Maybe life hasn’t been easy for her. Blacks have it rough in Alabama. They have it rough everywhere, except maybe up here. Maybe she’s got good reason to be the way she is.” Gabby shrugged, not particularly worried about it as she glanced at Paxton.
    “What do you think about Dawn?”
    “I think she’s scared, poor thing. I don’t think she really wants to be here.”
    “She sleeps all the time.” She had taken two naps that afternoon. “Maybe she’s got a disease. You know, like narcolepsy or something really exotic.” Gabby looked hopeful and Paxton laughed, she was so relieved to discover that she liked her roommate. And she really did. Gabby Wilson was zany and fun and Paxton couldn’t think of a better person to room with.
    “We’d better get some sleep,” Paxton finally whispered to her. She was already half asleep, and it was long after midnight, and Gabby was still rattling on, and sounded as though she could go on for hours, but Paxton couldn’t stay awake a moment longer. “We’ve got orientation tomorrow, and I have to see my adviser and try and pick my classes.”
    “Don’t worry about a thing. Just pick the easy ones, the stuff you’ve already done in high school.” Paxton laughed at the suggestion. “There’s no point killing yourself while you’re here, Paxton. We’re here to have fun. Don’t forget that.” Gabby was serious. She had come to Berkeley to have a good time. And find a husband. “Remember, Pax, we’re here to have fun.”
    “I’ll remember that …” Paxton whispered as she drifted off to sleep. She was dreaming of Queenie, and a beautiful black girl, and a handsome prince who kept offering her a beer, while somewhere in the distance her brother danced with a crazy redhead.…

C HAPTER 4

    P axton and