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"That's fine," he said. "You can explain that I'm not angry. No sense in worrying her about it."
"Maybe she should be worrying a little more," I replied.
"Take it easy," Jesse said. "Don't condemn her yet."
Was he saying that because he had become her lover or because he wanted to be fair?
"Whatever," I said.
We drove into the school parking lot. He saw the way I was looking at the school, contemplating all I had to face inside.
"I know it's hard for you, Zipper, but try to think of other things. Dive into your schoolwork. That will help."
"Right," I said, and got out of his car. It was easy for him to say.
"I'll try to be back in time," he called.
I lifted my hand without turning back and kept walking toward the building entrance.
As it turned out, I had forgotten completely about the delivery of the sports car. Jesse had no idea why, but Daddy had arranged for both of them to cut the work day short. I had done what Jesse had suggested and concentrated hard on my classes, my lessons, and homework. It worked. I didn't feel under the microscope as much and the day passed quickly for me. Dana Martin left me alone as well, probably because of my dramatic reaction to him yesterday in the cafeteria.
I really didn't have high hopes for Jesse to be there when the final bell rang, but there he was, waiting in the parking lot. I hurried to his car, and he explained that Daddy had sprung him.
"And himself. Something's cooking," he said. I reminded him about a surprise.
"So what is it?"
"I won't disappoint Daddy," I said, and thought to myself how hollow that sounded now. I wouldn't disappoint him with something like this, but I would disappoint him deeply with what Jesse and I were doing with Karen. "What did you learn?"
"Nothing yet. Dad was waiting for a return call. He might have gotten it before he left. I left first. I didn't want to pressure him too much about it. That could raise some suspicions."
Somehow, in my heart of hearts, I felt that suspicions had been swimming just under the surface of Daddy's thoughts from day one of all this. Jesse looked more troubled and worried to me as well.
However, when we drove up, Daddy was already home and standing next to the convertible, his face beaming.
"Holy cow!" Jesse cried. He pulled up beside it quickly and jumped out of his car.
Daddy started laughing.
"When did you get this?"
"A little while ago," Daddy replied. "It's going to become Zipporah's car eventually."
"Zipporah's car?"
"But if you're nice to her, I'm sure she'll let you use it from time to time. Should we let him take a ride in it now, Zipporah?"
"Sure," I said.
"How did she rate something like this?"
"Play your cards right, and we'll look into a trade-in for you, too," Daddy said. "Go on. Take her for a short spin, but don't dare speed on these roads."
Jesse walked around the car, his hands gliding over the sides and hood, as if he believed it could react to his appreciation. His eyes lit up with excitement.
"Girls and cars," Daddy told me. "The formula for male ecstasy."
"Get in," Jesse cried.
