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Show 28 called as he gathered up his legal papers and left the house after lunch. A quarter of an hour early the doorbell rang. Jan already, Parker thought. But it wasn't Jan, and Parker's mother got to the door before he did. "Come in, come in," her voice carried to the rear of the house. "Hi, I'm early." Parker recognized Dyna's voice as she asked, "Is that okay?" "Of course!" Dyna flashed Parker one of her broad smiles as he appeared in the entrance hall. "Maybe I should have you pull your car up to the front of the driveway," his mother said as an afterthought, "since you're the first one here." "I didn't drive." Dyna clutched a rolled towel against her side. Parker flinched. He'd read Dyna's essay, "Save a Gallon, Lift a Thumb." He knew how she got around. "You didn't walk all the way out here?" "Mom-" He tried to take control of the conversation. "I thumbed. That's how come I'm early. I got a ride first thing and this guy brought me all the way. Can you believe it?'.' Parker knew what his mother was going to say next. "Come on out back," he jumped in, forgetting introductions. "You can give me a hand." "Okay," Dyna agreed, smiling at Mrs. Parker once more. At their well-stocked pantry Dyna and he loaded up on a variety of soft drinks, then Parker led Dyna out through the sliding rear door. "Wow!" Dyna said the minute she stepped onto the deck. Parker followed her gaze, taking it all in as a stranger might: the flagstone paths among the circles of myrtle and scrub oak, the clear blue pool overhung by graceful elderberry vines at one end . . . the redwood deck, wet and shiny. For some reason, he felt embarrassment. Dyna turned and stared at him. "Modest little home you got here." "Yeah," he forced a chuckle. Dyna glanced back to the swimming area. "I bet I'm the only person you know who can't swim." |