Obsessed by Jo Gibson Page B

about his childhood friend, a girl who’d climbed trees and played ball with him. The last verse was wonderful, all about how he’d suddenly realized that she had grown up. And how foolish he’d been not to realize that she was right there all the while.
    Judy slipped into her favorite daydream, the one she had every time Michael sang this song. Any moment now, Mi chael would turn to see her in the shadows. And he’d smile at her and tell everyone he’d written the song just for her.
    “It’s a full house tonight.”
    A soft voice brought Judy out of her reverie, and she turned to see Carla standing beside her. Even though she was upset at having her daydream interrupted, Judy man aged a nod. Carla didn’t know that she had intruded on her favorite fantasy.
    “Did he write that song for Mary Beth?”
    “No. He wrote it last summer. As far as I know, he didn’t write any songs for Mary Beth.”
    “Really?” Carla raised her eyebrows. “I thought Michael wrote a song for every girl he dated.”
    Carla looked amused, and Judy couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re right. He usually does. But Michael didn’t really date Mary Beth. They never went anywhere together.”
    “Mary Beth thought they were dating. She told me all those nights at her house counted as dates. She even bragged that she was going to win the contest.”
    “Mary Beth bragged to you, too?” Linda joined them just in time to hear Carla’s comment.
    “She bragged to everyone. But she was just using Mi chael. She wasn’t really serious about him as a person.”
    “How do you know that?” Judy was puzzled.
    “The first batch of cell phone bills came in this morning. Mary Beth called her old boyfriend’s apartment every night. I checked it out.”
    “But her parents made her break up with him!” Linda exclaimed. “At least that’s what she told us.”
    Carla nodded. “Maybe that’s why she called him from her cell phone. She didn’t want his number to show up on her parents’ phone bill.”
    “Pretty sneaky.” Judy was clearly impressed. “Mary Beth was playing both sides of the fence. She wanted Michael so she’d win the contest, but she also wanted to hang onto her old boyfriend. What a bitch!”
    Both Carla and Linda looked shocked, and Judy quickly tried to explain. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said that, but it’s true. She was a bitch. And you’d say it, too, if she were still alive . . . wouldn’t you?”
    “I would,” Carla agreed. “She was taking advantage of Michael.”
    Linda looked hesitant at first, but then she nodded. “You’re right. She was a louse. Michael’s a very nice guy, and I hope everybody’s going to forget all about this contest thing.”
    “But they’re not.” Carla gave an unhappy sigh. “The next contestant’s already in line and chomping at the bit.”
    “Who?” Judy and Linda both spoke at once as they turned to Carla in surprise.
    “Ingrid. Michael’s taking her home tonight.”
    “But why is he taking Ingrid home?” Linda looked puzzled. “She was supposed to ride with Andy. It’s on the schedule.”
    Carla nodded. “I know, but she switched. Her church is sponsoring a twenty-four hour bowling tournament to raise funds for their new building. She’s scheduled to bowl at midnight, and I heard her ask Michael to be a member of her team.”
    Judy asked the important question. “So it’s not really a date?”
    “I don’t know what you’d call it, but Michael asked her out for breakfast after they’re through bowling.”
    Judy frowned. “Oh-oh. That counts, according to the rules the girls made up.”
    “Oh, my God!” Linda gave a little shiver. “Isn’t she afraid to go out with Michael? I mean . . . I probably shouldn’t bring this up, but every girl he’s dated this month has been murdered!”
    Carla nodded. “I know. I asked her about that, and she says she’s not worried. Deana, and Becky and Mary Beth were all performers. Ingrid just works here.”
    Judy