Chapter 32
Tuesday evening: The Hardesty's

Jackie dashed through the door, and almost into her mother. "Where have you been?" Jennifer demanded.

I was at Terry Michaels', working on a Data Processing project we've been assigned."

"I see. Who dropped you off?"

"That was Terry."

Jennifer lowered the boom, "Did I see you kiss him?"

Jackie faked it, "What? You're paranoid, Mama!"

"I don't think so! I'll be watching this Terry!"

Jackie reddened and fumed, "Well, you'll get your chance - because we're working HERE tomorrow!"

Jennifer was non-plussed, staring at Jackie's back as she stomped off. She rushed to catch up. "Excuse me?"

"You told me to 'drag around my possibles!' Well Terry's a PROBABLE, and we're doing homework here tomorrow night! He's a 'nice boy' - and I dare you to discover otherwise!" Jackie's anger caused her to overstep, basically destroying the utility of their carefully constructed ruse - but she found that she didn't really care!

Jennifer went dead white. The idea that she could be pushing her daughter to offer herself up to some boy - any boy - in rebellion suddenly occurred to her. Besides, it appeared that she was being hoisted on her own petard! "Oh - uh -okay..." she mumbled, turning away. 'What have I done? She's going to bring a boy - here!' Jennifer's mind was in turmoil, and she began to feel the strange tension that proximity to men caused in her - and there wasn't even one present!

Dinner was strained, and Jennifer retired to her room afterward - and to a long, hot bath, while she tried to dispense with the tense feeling that had come upon her more and more, lately. But it wouldn't go away, and sleep came hard.