Starry, Starry Night by McDaniel Lurlene

Author:McDaniel, Lurlene [McDaniel, Lurlene]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780375899225
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2011-09-13T05:00:00+00:00

Six

By the end of the week, Matt had still not called Brenda, but Doug had called her twice. On Friday afternoon, she drove to Doug’s home, determined to put Matt out of her mind and concentrate on being a friend to Doug.

His house was on a quiet, tree-lined street. November winds had blown bare the tree branches and swirled colorful leaves into piles along barren flowerbeds and a brick walkway. A cluster of Indian corn hung on the front door, and a windsock fluttered from a porch post. The door was answered by a short, slim woman with black hair and vibrant green eyes.

“I’m Florence,” she said with a smile that resembled her son’s. “Come in. I’m so glad to finally meet you, Brenda.”

“It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Drake.”

“Doug’s downstairs in the family room. He’s a little under the weather today, but he has been looking forward to your coming from the minute you called.”

“Well, if he’s sick—”

“Oh, no, no,” Mrs. Drake said hastily. “It’s all right. It’s just the way things are for him. Good days and bad days.”

Hesitantly Brenda followed her to the family room. Doug was on the sofa watching TV, but he quickly turned it off and struggled to his feet. “Brenda! Boy, I’m glad you’re here. This day seemed endless until now.”

He looked pale, but his eyes were bright with anticipation. “Let’s sit,” she said, patting the sofa, half-fearing he might fall down if he didn’t.

“I’ll leave the two of you alone,” Doug’s mother said. “I’ve got brownies in the oven. They should be ready soon if you’d like some.”

“Fine, Mom.”

“And if you want anything—”

“Bye, Mom.” Doug shooed her away. Alone with Brenda, he said, “Don’t mind my mom. She gets a little carried away sometimes. But you know that firsthand.”

“She said you’re not feeling good. Maybe I should come another day.”

“No, stay. I feel better now that you’re here.”

She looked around the spacious room. Along one wall, there was a massive entertainment center filled with all kinds of electronic equipment. In one corner was a wood-burning stove; in another, a kitchenette. A sliding glass door led out to a patio. “Nice place,” she said. “I’ve seen department stores with less stuff.”

He smiled sheepishly. “My parents have tried to make the house as much fun as they can for me, since I sometimes have to spend whole months cooped up here.”

“You have your own jukebox?” Near the kitchenette stood a large Wurlitzer, bands of colored lights glowing from its front.

“One of my father’s brainstorms. But I like it—no commercials like on the radio.”

“And the pinball machine, that’s neat too. I couldn’t live around so much temptation myself. All I’d do is play.” She went over to his computer setup. “This is nicer than the ones we have at school.”

“It lets me tap into the computers at the school library. My teachers post my assignments on e-mail. I can keep up on what’s happening at school. Did you know that our student newspaper is online?”

“I sure didn’t.

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