Chapter 3

When Laurie returned from being with her friend Susan that evening, Shirley was sitting in the living-room reading the newspaper.

Laurie sat next to her. 'Good evening, mom. Anything new with our patient?'

Shirley folded the paper and groaned. 'Hello darling. Yes, I had a talk with Keith today. In other words: I was talking, he kept quiet as usual.' She sighed.

'Didn't he say anything at all?' Laurie asked.

'Yes, between intervals of roaring silence, he said he had a school project.'

'The project, of course!' Laurie slapped her hand on her forehead.

'What do you know about that, Laurie?'

'The students from the last two years of San Pueblo High and Meadowville High are supposed to work together on projects. I'm in one as well. Why didn't I think of this before?' Laurie exclaimed.

'Well...?' Shirley began hesitantly.

'Well, we could decide whether we wanted to work as a pair or in groups. We are supposed to pick a project all by ourselves, the teachers won't help us. The only task is that we should come up with something that we haven't done before,' Laurie explained.

'What for? What are you doing? And what about Keith?' Shirley wanted to know, looking somewhat relieved.

'I have no idea what Keith is coming up with or in which group he is going to work, but I'm in a group of fourteen people. We want to prepare a fashion show. Some of us will design a few clothes, others will sew and I'm one of the models. Audrey Saunders knows someone who could teach me how to walk down the catwalk,' Laurie giggled.

'Sounds great.' Shirley smiled.

Laurie nodded, 'It is great. Every project must be finished by March of next year. There's going to be a stage show. The money will go to a children's fund.'

'This doesn't explain everything, but at least it's a start,' Shirley nodded. 'Let's see how it develops. Maybe he will talk to us soon.'

'Yes, mom. My big brother is a secret to me as usual, but he can't keep quiet forever.' Laurie giggled again, kissed Shirley on the cheek and went to bed.

The next evening was different. During dinner, Keith kept glancing at his wristwatch, shoveling the food inside his mouth, chewing rapidly. Then the phone rang. Keith stood up with a jump but Danny was even faster. They raced into the living-room and Danny won the game.

'Hello?' he yelled into the receiver, trying to evade his brothers' hands.

'Yes, he's here. It's for you.' He held the receiver out to Keith.

'I know, stupid.' Keith snarled, as he snatched it out of Danny's hands.

When Danny returned into the kitchen, the rest of the family was smiling. They could hear Keith talking.

'Yes, I'm fine. No, I was waiting for your call. When? Now? Of course. I'll be with you in a minute. I know the place. Yes. Should I bring anything? No? Fine, see you in a bit.' He slammed the receiver back down.

'Mom, I'm leaving.' Keith almost yelled. 'I won't be home late. I'm taking the bus and I'll drive carefully, I promise. Bye.' And he was gone.

'Keith!' Shirley cried. 'You come back here and eat up.'

But he was already out of reach. They could hear the noise of the bus starting up and pulling away from the house.

'What was that about?' Laurie wondered. 'Back to normal?'

'I bet he has a new girlfriend.' Chris grinned.

'It seems so, darling,' Shirley laughed.

'I wouldn't be so sure about that.' Danny sat down on his chair slowly, looking shaken. 'That was a male voice.'