Obsessed Read Free Page B

smiling would be terribly inappropri ate. One of her first nannie’s favorite phrases had been, “Don’t think ill of the dead.” But Miss Hopkins had never been able to explain why. Judy had never liked Deana, and she thought it was wrong to claim she’d liked her, now that she was dead.
    Mr. Calloway had prepared a touching speech, using words like sweet, and beautiful, and talented. Judy frowned as she thought about her own experiences with Deana. As far as she was concerned, Deana had been a bitch. Deana had always complained about the way Judy had lit into her, and she’d been positively nasty one night when she had worn a yellow blouse that looked orange under the lights. Judy had tried to explain that it wasn’t her fault. Deana had bought the blouse that afternoon, and she’d been late so there hadn’t been time for a light check. But Deana had blamed her anyway. And what she’d tried to do to Michael had dissolved any positive feelings Judy had begun to har bor for Deana.
    Judy glanced at the stage. Mr. Calloway was still speak ing about what a wonderful girl Deana had been. Maybe she’d been wonderful to other people, but she certainly hadn’t been wonderful to Michael. Of course, Michael hadn’t been in a position to know Deana’s plans for him. But Judy had been.
    She knew she’d never forget the day last month, when all the girls at Covers had gone out to lunch. Summer school hadn’t started, so Deana had been with them in the corner booth of the little Mexican restaurant down the block.
    “So what do you think we should do with Michael?” Vera had asked. “He’s been really depressed since he broke up with that college girl he was dating.”
    Nita had shrugged elaborately. “What can we do? I’ve tried to cheer him up, but nothing works.”
    Judy had nodded. She had noticed Michael’s depression, but she didn’t have any idea what to do to cure it. But then Mary Beth Roberts, the tall blonde dancer, had spoken up.
    “ I think we should all make a big play for him. If we all treat him like he’s the sexiest thing we’ve ever seen, he’ll perk right up.”
    Mary Beth had leaned forward across the table, and a bus boy had almost dropped his water pitcher. Mary Beth had been wearing a blouse with a scoop neckline, and when she’d leaned forward the tops of her breasts had been clearly visible.
    “You think all of us should come on to Michael?” Vera had looked confused.
    “Why not?” Mary Beth had warmed to her plan. “We can have a contest. And the winner will get the biggest prize at the club. Michael Warden.”
    Carla Fields had frowned. She was the student manager at Covers, a thin, quiet girl with glasses and mousy-brown hair. Carla did all the office work, and no one really knew her very well. They’d only invited her because she’d hap pened to be standing there when they were making their plans. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
    Mary Beth had laughed. “Why not? I’d like to go out with him, and so would every girl at this table. Am I right?”
    “Of course.” Nita had flashed a big smile. “Michael is primo.”
    Mary Beth had grinned, and then she’d started to poll the girls at the table. “How about you, Vera?”
    “Well . . . sure.” Vera had looked slightly uncomfortable.
    “Me, too.” Ingrid had sighed. “I’d love to date Michael.”
    “Becky?”
    Becky Fischer, Covers’ short, dark-haired resident come dian, had shrugged and nodded. Even Linda O’Keefe, the pretty redhead who sang torch songs, had blushed and smiled her agreement. The only girl who hadn’t agreed was Carla. And Judy, of course.
    “Are you in, Carla?” Mary Beth had grinned at Carla, a mean sort of grin that let everyone know she didn’t think Carla could get a date with Michael if she was the last girl left on earth.
    “No.” Carla had folded her napkin and stood up. “I like Michael. He’s a very nice person. And I don’t think it’s fair to treat him like a prize