After a few moments of silence between us, Marla suddenly said, "Don't look for me after school today."
"What? Why not?"
"Ava is coming for me."
"When?"
"Before the final period. She has permission to sign me out, you know. Daddy made sure of that."
"Where are you going?"
"She didn't say exactly. She just thinks we should spend more time together."
I was silent. Why was Ava doing this now? Were things going to move this quickly?
"You know," Marla said, almost as if she had developed the ability to listen in on my thoughts, "she'll be leaving us sooner than we think."
I turned to her.
"We'll all be leaving Los Angeles," she continued.
"How do you know this?"
"A little bird told me. How do you think?"
"No, really, Marla. Do you know anything about that?"
"I heard Mrs. Fennel and Daddy talking this morning."
"Daddy didn't come down this morning."
