I was telling Claire about Blaze’s visit. “He was bonding with Victoria.” “Well, she seems all right, Ali. Maybe you just need to get to know her better.” Seriously? “Claire, you don’t know what it’s like. What she’s like. She hates me, I think.” She started to reply, then changed her mind. She handed me a piece of her jerky. “Forgive my jerkiness?” she asked. It made me giggle. Claire is better than Tickle Me Elmo that way. “So,” I told her, “Blaze wants to—you know. For his birthday.” She nodded. She didn’t have to say anything. I knew where she stood on the subject. Abstinence. Yeah, she thinks it’s best to wait, wait, and then wait some more. Although, I have to wonder, how do you know where you really stand until you have someone you’re madly in love with? She hasn’t really had that yet. “So, will he get what he wants?” she asked. I shrugged. “I’m still thinking on that.” She nodded again. Took another bite of jerky. Then she pointed the remaining stick at me.
