I looked at Ava, who stared at me as if she was waiting for my reaction. "I don't think so," she said when I didn't respond. "I don't think Lorelei would be as gleeful." The way she said it made it sound like a terrible fault.
"Well, I do," Marla insisted and marched off to her room. Ava remained.
"Everything's ready for our dinner," I said, hating the moment of silence between us. "What time do you want to eat?"
"The same time as always,
Lorelei. Why should tonight be any different?"
"I just thought you might have had something to do."
"I do. Watch over you two," she said, "like some babysitter."
"You don't have to worry about me."
I started back to the kitchen, but she followed me.
"Of course, I have to worry about you. Guess what?" she said. "I went looking for Buddy Gilroy after you called me and couldn't find him. He cut his classes, apparently, all of his afternoon classes. Don't you think that's odd?"
