He laughed.
"It's all right," he said. "We'll keep your revelations secret," he added, and walked to his den.
Now they're both doing it, I thought. They're both using secrets to bind me to them.
I wasn't in my room twenty minutes when the phone rang. I practically lunged for it to keep it to a single ring. I knew who was calling, of course.
"Did you get into a lot of trouble?" Trevor asked me as soon as I said hello.
"No. It's all right."
"I was stupid. I should have thought about it and expected that might happen. See what you do to me?"
"And what's that?"
"You throw a spell over me and make me act stupid. If anyone else ever saw me in your bathrobe or found out--"
"I doubt very much that my cousin will say a word about it to anyone. Don't worry."
"I guess my being invited over Saturday is out of the question now, huh?"
"My cousin arranged for me to have my first piano lesson Saturday night."
"Saturday night? Who has a piano lesson on Saturday night?"
"I do, apparently."
"Hey," he said. "I'm warning you, and you can warn your cousin. I'm not giving up on you. No one has ever dried my clothes better."
I laughed.
"Let things calm down," I told him.
"Things can. I won't," he vowed. "See you tomorrow," he said.
"Okay."
I was still smiling after I hung up. Was I getting a crush on him too quickly? Was Ann right about my inexperience and vulnerability?
It wasn't all that long ago that whenever I was confused or frightened about something, I could resurrect Noble and have someone who loved me help me. Dr. Sackett made me believe it was only another part of myself, born out of insecurity and fear. Maybe that was true, but at least I didn't feel as alone as I did now, I thought.
How silly, I told myself. Just cope with your problems like any other mature person.
Shutting my ears to any voice but my own, I returned to my homework and read as much as I could to get myself tired enough to fall asleep quickly.
I was already in bed when I heard a soft knock on my door.
"Come in," I called.
Ami opened the door partway and gazed in at me. She was already in her nightgown.
"Just checking to see how you are."
"I'm okay," I said.
"Good. You did real well at dinner. We're going to be real pals. You'll see," she said. "Sweet dreams. Once I start you on the pills, you'll have fewer nightmares, believe me."
She backed out and closed the door softly.