Stealing Bradford

“That girl is up to something.”

DJ wondered. Part of her felt certain that Casey was right. But part of her wasn’t so sure. Fortunately, she didn’t need to think about it as they went to volleyball practice. Maybe that was why DJ liked sports so much. Things were almost always what they appeared to be. You played hard. The rules never changed. The best team usually won. And when you were done, you felt good about it. Not too many other things in life seemed to be like that.

“Congratulations, Casey,” she said when they were back in the locker room. She gave her a high five.

“I can’t believe I made the team,” said Casey.

“We probably shouldn’t make a big deal of it right now,” said DJ in a lowered voice. Some girls had been cut today, and it didn’t seem right to celebrate in front of them.

“Thanks for encouraging me to try out,” said Casey. “I think it’s going to be a fun season. And I like Coach Jones.”

DJ literally bit her tongue to keep from saying that Coach Jones seemed to like Casey too. DJ had no intention of becoming like those other mean girls. But Coach Jones had seemed very interested in Casey. She was certainly glad that she’d come out for the team. Hopefully that was all there was to it.

10

“I THINK IT’S LOVELY THAT you girls are having movie night tonight,” said Mrs. Carter as they were finishing di

“Would you like to join us?” offered Eliza.

“Thank you, dear, but I will pass.” Mrs. Carter got a somewhat dreamy expression now. “I saw South Pacific on Broadway back in the fifties. Mary Martin was unforgettable.”

“Who’s Mary Martin?” asked DJ.

“One of the most talented actresses ever to grace Broadway. She starred as the nurse in the musical, and, oh my, did she have a set of lungs.”

“But she didn’t want to be in the movie?” asked Eliza.

“She was probably considered too old for the role by the time the movie released.” Mrs. Carter sighed. “Careers were cut shorter back in those days. Actresses and models were considered over the hill by forty.” She pushed back her chair in a weary sort of way. “If you ladies will excuse me, I think I will make an early night of it.”

They told her good night and then the table was quiet.

“How old is she anyway?” Taylor directed this to DJ. “Your grandmother, I mean.”

DJ shrugged. “I don’t really know, but I think she’s in her seventies.”

“Is she in good health?” persisted Taylor.

“What do you mean?” asked DJ. “Like is she about to keel over from old age? I don’t think so.”

“What time does the movie start?” asked Kriti.

“Seven thirty,” said Eliza.

“Anyone want to sneak in treats?” asked DJ quietly, in case her grandmother was still nearby. “We could phone in pizza.”

“All right,” said Casey. “I already had thirds on that eggplant casserole, and I’m still starving.”

“Do you girls know how many calories are in one slice of pepperoni pizza?” Eliza asked.

“No, but I’m sure you do,” said DJ. Then she pointed out that she and Casey both burned off a lot of calories during volleyball practice today.

“That reminds me,” said Eliza. “When is Mrs. Carter going to get the workout room up and ru

“Workout room?” asked DJ.

“Yes. She promised to set up some equipment in the basement.”

“Well, maybe you should remind her,” said DJ. “So, back to pizza, looks like just Casey and I are having something delivered, right?”

“Count me in,” said Taylor unexpectedly.

“Me too,” said Kriti. “For one piece anyway.”

“Oh, fine,” said Eliza. “Just corrupt the whole lot of us. But if Mrs. Carter finds out, you take the heat, DJ.”

DJ laughed. “No problem.”

So it was arranged that they’d meet back in the living room in about an hour, and DJ would handle the pizza order. Rhia

“Poor Rhia

“What’s wrong with her?” asked Kriti.

“Bradford broke up with her today,” said DJ.

“Thanks to Taylor,” added Eliza.

“Here we go again,” said Taylor. “Blame it all on me.”

“Who should we blame?” asked Casey.

Taylor stood now. “Whatever.”

“Well, you know what they say, Taylor,” said Eliza.

“Probably,” said Taylor as she began to leave the room.

“What goes around comes around.”

Taylor didn’t respond, just kept on walking.

“I feel sorry for Rhia

DJ hadn’t really considered this. But it did seem a lot to expect of anyone, even a saintly person like Rhia

“Not me,” said Kriti.

“Or me,” added Eliza.

“No way,” said Casey. “I’d probably have to kill Taylor in her sleep if we were roommates.”

“Maybe you should switch with Rhia

“No, thank you,” said DJ.

Then they went their separate ways. But DJ felt guilty as she went to her room to knock off some homework. Maybe she should offer to switch with Rhia

It was nearly seven thirty when DJ phoned in the pizza order and went downstairs to see if they were ready to see the rest of South Pacific.

“We’re trying to decide whether to start it at the begi

“Is someone at the door?” asked Kriti.

“Probably pizza,” said DJ, although that seemed way too fast. She hurried to get to it before Inez, since she wasn’t sure if she could trust the housekeeper not to inform on her. But when she reached the door, it wasn’t pizza. It was Bradford, with Harry and Co

“What are you guys doing here?” asked DJ in a less than welcoming tone.

“We’re invited to a movie.” Co

“No.” She opened the door wider. “Of course, not. Come on in. It’s just that I didn’t know we were having guests.” She eyed Bradford with suspicion. This had to be Taylor’s doing. She’d probably assumed if Bradford came with Harry and Co

“The living room is this way,” she said as she led them through the foyer. “Maybe we should’ve ordered more pizza.”

“Pizza!” Co

“Hey, guys,” called out Eliza. “You’re just in time.”

“I’m going to phone in more pizza,” said DJ. She nodded to Co

Rhia

“It doesn’t really matter,” said Rhia

“Yes, it does,” insisted DJ. “It’s just plain mean.”

Rhia

“Of course, it’s hard. Taylor is the most selfish person I’ve ever met. And I feel so bad that you’re stuck rooming with her.”

“It is pretty awkward.”

“Look, Rhia

“You don’t have to—”

“No,” she insisted. “I think I do.”