I laughed and told it to him.
"See you," he said, and hurried toward his car in the parking lot. I looked after him a moment and then hurried to Ami, who looked after him as well.
"Is that Trevor Foley?" she asked.
"Yes."
"You made friends with him already?" she asked. She didn't sound as much impressed as she sounded disappointed.
"I think it was the other way around," I said. "Why? How do you know him?"
"I know who the Foleys are. His father owns a dozen car dealerships between here and New York City."
She looked pensive and then smiled.
"I knew you would have no trouble here," she said. "Get in. I have a surprise waiting for you at home."
"A surprise?"
"Yes, just be patient. So, Wade called," she said, her anger flaring as she got into the car and started the engine, "to bawl me out for not getting you up and getting myself up early enough to register you this morning. Big deal. We could have done it tomorrow just as well."
I smiled to myself. How did he know her so well and yet not know her at all? I wondered.
"C'mon. Don't just sit there like a stuffed toy. Tell me about your first day. Do you like the school, the teachers? Did you meet other boys beside Trevor Foley?" She fired her questions in rapid succession. However, the answer to all the questions was a simple yes.
"What about the other girls?" she followed. "Oh, I know they can be very snobby at first. They want to see what you're all about before they commit to any friendships, but we'll take care of that ASAP.
"Oh, did you meet Lynette Firestone?" she asked.
I laughed at how she was more excited about my first day than I was.
"Yes," I said. "She introduced herself right away." I recalled all she had said. "How did she know our story so quickly? I thought you and I made up the actual details together last night," I said, curious. "Mrs. Brentwood knew what you were going to tell people, too."
"Oh, I had already planted some ideas around, and we just fleshed them out," she said, waving her hand to toss off the answer as insignificant. "Actually, I tried it out on Lynette's mother first to see how it would fly. Occasionally, we have lunch. Lynette would be a nice friend for you," she added. She smiled. "I'm so happy you have gotten off to a good beginning," she said.
She went on to tell me about charity events that were upcoming, shopping sprees she had planned for us in New York City, and some possible ideas for vacations.
"If I can ever get Wade to take one," she added. "Maybe now that you're with us, he'll have to."
We paused at the gates, and then she said. "Close your eyes."
"What?"
"It's the surprise," she said.
I laughed and did as she asked. We drove in.
"Not yet," she said. "Not yet. Okay," she said when felt us stop. "Now."
I opened my eyes. A car was parked in front with a man sitting in the driver's seat. Across the sides of the car was emblazoned SAFETY FIRST DRIVING SCHOOL.
"Your first lesson," Ami squealed. "He'll be here every day for two weeks, or until he feels you're ready for the
driving test for your license. See. I live up to my promises," she declared. "Go on. He's waiting for you, silly," she said.
I was just sitting there, staring stupidly.
"Now?"