When the final bell rang after seventh period, I hurried to my locker to retrieve my homework. Talley was already there waiting for me. This was his week to drive. On the days Marie had to work after school, she’d bum a ride from us because she ran the register at the gas station just outside the subdivision where we lived. If she didn’t have to work, she usually had cheerleader practice or drama club. I hoped she’d be too busy to tag along today so I could ask Talley about the blog as soon as I could, but she was already waiting at his car. I sat silently in the passenger seat while Marie, in the center of the back seat, leaned between Talley and me to use the rearview mirror to touch up her make-up.
Talley pulled into the gas station parking lot, let Marie off at the employee entrance,
