TWENTY-FIVE A

Lacey walked straight into the den and sat beside her mother. She looked at the glass of white wine in her hand. "Lacey Atkins, where have you been?"

Smiling, she looked at her mother's stern looking face. "There's no need for full name calling mother. I went to see a friend."

Her mother's mouth hung open. "Really?"

"I knew that would get your attention. Yes really."

"That's new, even for you."

"Well, it's my last year in high school, so I thought, you know, why not." She smiled broadly.

"That's great." Lacey nodded. "Does this mean there's a boyfriend?"

Her smile vanished. "No mother, not since Dennis. How about you?" Her smile reappeared as she tilted her head.

"No sweetness. I'm not discussing that with you."

"No answer usually means yes." She got to her feet.

"It also means NO."

Lacey glanced at her with a nod. "Good night mother."

She raised the glass. "Night. And be quiet, Sadey's asleep."

"Mm hmm."

Tom sat in the driver's seat and close