"Well, let me back up a bit," he said slowly. He looked at Mom and said, "Go put on that thing I bought you yesterday."The look she gave him could ha...ve frozen hot water. "Babe?" she asked, rolling her eyes over to me. It was as if he didn't know I was there."Do it," he ordered. "We'll just sit here and finish our lunch."Mom gave me a long look of worry as she got up slowly and left the room. I couldn't help but watch her as she left. She was wearing white shorts and a tight shirt. Dad. ?Charlene now felt a little troubled over the revelation that both Nicolaand Tori were Butterfly Salon employees. She nevertheless helped Toribring Nicola into their home space, settling her onto the bed in herbedroom before returning to the front door.Tori gave Charlene a kiss on her cheek when they were back at the frontdoor. ?Thanks so much for coming out tonight. I hope to see you againsoon!?The ride back to Charlene?s Barford home was in complete silence as shecontemplated the last. This boy just looked pathetic.His eyes were glazed over from his usual habit, but today he lookedespecially pathetic. He just kept staring at the carpet. She too enjoyedillicit narcotics on occasion, but there was a time and a place, andSaturday shopping with your mother was not one of them. She felt sorryfor Mabel, and thought maybe she could clean up her son a little. Maybeit would get him out of his funk.When she finished sweeping, she approached Mabel, and Beverly, and said,"How are you. Maria Theodora, in Corey's Philosophy and PE. A goth lesbian who doesn't like Corey being at her college and is trying to get him expelled.Bettie Black: Senior at St. Maria Theodora, in Corey's English and History classes. A spoiled princess dripping for a man to take her in hand. Briana Hamilton: Senior at St. Maria Theodora, in Corey's English and PE classes.Brenda Nevada: A senior at St. Maria Theodora, in Corey's Math and Chemistry classes.Debbie Goffe: Sophomore at St. Maria.