Mother's Day Murder Read Online Free PDF Page B

contacted you on the Internet, right?”
    Both girls nodded.
    “And I do think there are better uses for the computer, like for schoolwork,” he continued. “I think you both ought to get started on your homework.”
    “I’ve got to call Chad,” said Sara, standing up and smoothing her jeans. “He asked me to the prom, you know.”
    “Did you say yes?” asked Zoe, clapping her hands together.
    “I told him I’d think about it,” said Sara.
    Zoe was shocked. “Aren’t you going to say yes?”
    “Of course, I am, but not right away. I don’t want to seem too eager.” She looked at her parents. “And I know I need permission from you.”
    Lucy’s and Bill’s eyes met. Who knew their daughter was such a femme fatale?
    “Everybody thought he was going with Ashley,” said Zoe.
    “He broke up with her,” said Sara, looking smug. “Just like he broke up with Heather last year. Those girls are getting old.”
    “Old? They’re sixteen,” said Bill.
    Sara corrected him. “Almost seventeen.”
    “Positively ancient,” said Lucy, sarcastically.
    “That’s right. They’re ancient history. They’re almost seniors. Nobody dates seniors,” Sara noted.
    “Why not?” asked Lucy.
    “Like I said, they’re old. Boys, even seniors, like younger girls, like freshmen,” Sara explained. “It looks like me and my friends are going to be the new popular kids.”
    Zoe’s eyebrows shot up. “You?”
    Sara rolled her eyes. “What’s so strange about that? We’re cheerleaders. We’re cute. Justin Crane asked Renee to the prom, and Will Worthington gave Sassie a ride home today. I bet he’ll ask her, too.”
    “What about Tommy?” asked Zoe, referring to a neighbor boy, also a freshman, who had shown some interest in Sara.
    “He’s nice,” said Sara, “but you have to be a senior to buy tickets to the prom.” She got up. “Well, I’ve got to call Chad. What shall I tell him? Can I go?”
    Lucy’s first instinct was to say no. Sara was too young and inexperienced to go out with a senior, especially to something as significant as the prom. She knew full well that many kids considered the evening incomplete unless it included sex and alcohol. But she also knew that she was probably alone in this. Despite his recent show of fatherly discipline, Bill was a notoriously soft touch where his daughters were concerned.
    “What do you say, Dad?” demanded Sara.
    Lucy caught his eye and gave her head a tiny shake. He answered with an apologetic half smile. “As long as we can set some ground rules,” he said.
    “Thank you, thank you!” exclaimed Sara, giving him a big hug before dashing off to make the call. Zoe followed close on her heels, whooping.
    When they were gone, Lucy turned to Bill. “Are you crazy?”
    “Lucy, she’s growing up. She’s pretty. She’s smart. Boys are going to be attracted to her. You can’t stop it. It’s like holding back the tide.”
    “I know,” admitted Lucy. “But I don’t like her attitude.” Lucy remembered the pudgy little Sara who used to eat too much and was constantly teased about it by her older sister, Elizabeth. “What happened to our little Sara?”
    “She’s a big girl now,” said Bill.
    “Chad is three years older than she is,” said Lucy. “He’s a senior, and he can drive. That opens up a whole new can of worms. Drinking and driving and sex.”
    Bill’s jaw dropped, and he swallowed hard. “Have you had that little talk with her?”
    “Of course, I have,” she snapped. “I don’t think a little talk provides much protection.”
    Bill stood up, clenching his fists. “If he lays a hand on her, I’ll kill him.”
    “Whoa, Papa. How come you didn’t think about this before you gave her permission to go to the prom?”
    Bill’s face was blank. “I didn’t think…”
    “Well, it’s too late now. All we can do is hope for the best.” She patted his hand. “Look, Chad’s an honor student, a star athlete. All indications are he’s