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"You keep your eyes open and do the right thing. Go to college. And trust your friends. "
"I do trust Kate. "
"So youll tell her the truth?"
"What if I just promise—"
"One of us is going to tell her, Tully. It should be you. "
Tully took a deep breath and released it. Though telling the truth went against every instinct she had, she had no choice, really. She wanted Mrs. Mularkey to be proud of her. "Okay. "
"Good. So Ill see you for dinner tomorrow night. Five oclock. Itll be your chance to start over. "
The next night, Tully changed her clothes at least four times, trying to find exactly the right outfit. By the time she was actually ready, she was so late that she had to run all the way across the street and up the hill.
Kates mom opened the door. She wore a pair of purple gabardine bell-bottoms and a striped V-neck sweater with angel sleeves. Smiling, she said, "I warn you, its loud and crazy in here. "
"I love loud and crazy," Tully said.
"Then youll fit right in. " Mrs. Mularkey put an arm around Tullys shoulder and led her toward the beige-walled living room with its moss-green shag carpeting, bright red sofa, and black recliner. A small gold-framed photo of Jesus and another of Elvis were the only decorations on the walls, but dozens of family pictures cluttered the top of the console TV. Tully couldnt help thinking of the TV in her house; its top was covered with overflowing ashtrays and empty cigarette packs, but no family photos.
"Bud?" Mrs. Mularkey said to the beefy, dark-haired man sitting in the recliner. "This is Tully Hart from next door. "
Mr. Mularkey smiled at her and put down his drink. "Well, well. So youre the one weve been hearin about. Its nice to have you here, Tully. "
"Its nice to be here. "
Mrs. Mularkey patted her shoulder. "Dinners not till six. Katies upstairs in her room. Its the one at the very top of the stairs. Im sure you girls have plenty to talk about. "
Tully got the message and nodded, unable to rouse her voice. Now that she was here, in this warm house that smelled of home-cooked meals, standing shoulder to shoulder with the worlds most perfect mom, she couldnt imagine losing it all, becoming unwelcome. "Ill never lie to her again," she promised.
"Good. Now go. " With a last smile, Mrs. Mularkey walked into the living room.
Mr. Mularkey put an arm around his wife and drew her into the La-Z-Boy with him. Immediately they bent their heads together.
Tully felt a longing so sharp and unexpected, she couldnt move. Everything would have been different for her if shed had a family like this. She didnt want to turn away from it just yet. "Are you watching the news?"
Mr. Mularkey looked up. "We never miss it. "
Mrs. Mularkey smiled. "Jean Enersen is changing the world. Shes one of the first women to anchor a nightly news program. "
"Im going to be a reporter," Tully said suddenly.
"Thats wonderful," Mr. Mularkey said.
"There you are," Kate said suddenly, coming up beside her. "Nice of everyone to tell me you were here," she said loudly.
"I was just telling your mom and dad that Im going to be a news reporter," Tully said.
Mrs. Mularkey beamed at that. In her smile, Tully saw everything that had been missing in her life. "Isnt that a grand dream, Katie?"
Kate looked confused for a moment. Then she hooked her arm through Tullys and pulled her away from the living room and up the stairs. In her small attic bedroom, Kate went to the record player and flipped through a small stack of records. By the time shed chosen one—Carole Kings Tapestry—and put it on, Tully was at the window, staring out at the lavender evening.
The surge of adrenaline shed gotten from her announcement faded, leaving a quiet kind of sadness behind. She knew what she had to do now, but the thought of it made her sick.
Tell her the truth.
If you dont, Mrs. Mularkey will.
