—" | Fittuy Ricu unning off to do something lands and strip malls she’s grown up around. There’s so much sr already that there's nothing that she wants to do and see. But for her the Gold Coast, twenty miles away, might as well be another country. “Yes,” she had said, without even thinking about it. Then there was Joe to contend with. grant—a s elf-made man who | “Who is this guy?” Joe had said, shaking his head. “You don't wise to the ways of the world know a thing about him.” ughters. They're good girls, he . “Hundreds of dollars,” Mary had whispered. She couldn't he knows, they don’t drink. | quite look at Joe, but she was firm: “I can make that in one hour.” love clothes and, especially, | Joe seemed to think they were actually talking about it. A ttado, Maroon 5, the boy band conversation — some back-and-forth. But the thought of not going y loves California, which she’s hadn't even crossed Mary's mind. If anything, she hoped that it She just knows she'll live there i would become a regular thing. th her father as long as Mary | “To rub his feet? Are you kidding? If you’re not worried about chores. it, why haven't you told your dad?” e meantime, is the crowd that ) “It’s your cousin, Joe! Some girls go three times a week.” “The guy’s feet must be killing him.” sible than most American boys “Shut up!” is another story. Mary’s father . “Tell your father.” ld have liked her even less had : “You know how Dad is. You don't tell your parents ms. { everything.” 3ld Mary, she can make more : “Tm not going to some freak’s mansion to rub his feet.” a day: “This guy in Palm Beach. “That's right. I am.” rplane. He owns an island, you . “And if I told your father? Or mine?” . “You'd never see me again.” inland, away from the Florida : Mary felt bad as she said it. She felt bad for lying. ‘beyond the dull, scrubby flat- . She knew that it would be more than a foot rub. ; a Wendy had told her that much, at least. ying details, and dialogue have bees 7 4 4 . HOUSE_OVERSIGH