In the end, we went back to the pool house after being tormented—but not bitten—by the hordes of angry insects which seemed to resent the DEET we’d slathered on ourselves. Harassment turned out to be their second line of defense. We retreated without a fight.
Rita’s pool party blared at us as Manny wove his way past the parked cars along the street and pulled into the driveway.
“Um, look, Wes, I’m going to get out of here.”
I didn’t much want to get involved in Rita’s mess either. At the very least, I’d have to run the gauntlet to reach the cabin and lock myself inside.
I glanced over at Manny, whose face mirrored the shock I felt. Shelby was a very staid, quiet place, especially here in this upper class neighborhood. How could Rita throw a loud, curfew-breaking party that would embarr
